Satellite Message Timer Setting for Link Unavailability Periods

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Solution Overview

Problem

In satellite communication scenarios, the inaccuracy in determining the timer period for message transmission due to unavailability of access and feeder links results in inefficient communication between terminal devices and core network devices.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that involves obtaining unavailability period information to set a more appropriate timer period, considering both access connection and feeder link unavailability periods, using ephemeris information and broadcast messages to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the terminal device uses a fixed timer period for message transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of message transmission status deteriorates due to satellite unavailability periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimer period determinationVSAvoidmessage transmission status determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The timer period is changed from a fixed value to a dynamic value that adapts to satellite availability conditions. The terminal device determines the timer period based on unavailability period information, allowing the timing mechanism to adjust its behavior according to the actual satellite communication environment, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The timer period parameter is modified based on unavailability period information. Instead of using a predetermined fixed period, the system changes the timer period parameter dynamically according to the satellite's availability status, enabling accurate message transmission status determination while maintaining reasonable device complexity through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the terminal device considers unavailability period information to set the timer period, then the measurement precision of message transmission status is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission status determinationVSAvoidtimer period determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device obtains unavailability period information in advance before determining the timer period. This preliminary acquisition of satellite availability data allows the device to pre-calculate the appropriate timer period, avoiding complex real-time calculations and reducing the operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unavailability period information acts as an intermediary parameter that bridges the satellite's availability status and the timer period determination. By using this intermediate information, the terminal device can accurately determine message transmission status without directly implementing complex real-time satellite tracking and availability assessment algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the timer period is set without considering satellite unavailability, then the communication speed is faster, but the reliability of connection establishment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage transmission speedVSAvoidconnection establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The timer period dynamically adapts to satellite availability conditions, allowing the system to maintain fast response times when the satellite is available while extending the timeout period when unavailability is detected. This dynamic adjustment preserves communication speed during normal operation while ensuring reliable connection establishment during satellite unavailability periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4701098A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4701098A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4701098A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4701098A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: In a satellite communication scenario, a terminal device obtains unavailability period information, where the unavailability period information indicates a period in which a reference point is in unavailability of a satellite. Further, the terminal device determines a period of a first timer based on the unavailability period information, where the first timer is used by the terminal device to send a message to a core network device through the satellite. According to the method, when determining the period of the first timer, the terminal device can consider the period in which the reference point is in the unavailability of the satellite, to avoid an inappropriate specified period of the timer, and improve performance of sending the message to the core network device by the terminal device through the satellite.