Satellite SIB Scheduling for NTN Handover Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite switching technologies in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) face challenges in efficiently managing system information blocks (SIBs) for seamless handovers between quasi-Earth-fixed satellite cells, leading to increased signaling overhead and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves scheduling the transmission of SIBs with assistance information for both the current and upcoming aerospace platforms, allowing user equipment in the first NTN cell to acquire the necessary information for the second platform before the handover, thereby minimizing disruption and signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional satellite switching methods are used to manage SIBs for handovers between quasi-Earth-fixed satellite cells, then the network can maintain basic connectivity, but signaling overhead and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first satellite transmit assistance information for the second satellite before the actual handover occurs. The user equipment acquires this advance information during the first satellite's service period, enabling seamless handover without requiring continuous signaling during the transition, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the SIB transmission into two distinct phases: (1) transmission of first SIB containing first assistance information during the first satellite's service period, and (2) transmission of second SIB containing second assistance information after handover. This segmentation allows the network to manage signaling efficiently by not requiring all information to be transmitted simultaneously, reducing overall signaling overhead and power consumption
2Productivity
If assistance information for multiple aerospace platforms is transmitted simultaneously, then user equipment can acquire all necessary information, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first satellite transmits assistance information for the second satellite in advance during its service period, rather than waiting until handover time. This preliminary transmission of critical handover information enables the user equipment to prepare for the transition, improving handover efficiency while avoiding the need for complex simultaneous transmission of all assistance information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic SIB transmission scheduling where the network adapts the timing of assistance information transmission based on the current service conditions. The first SIB is transmitted during the first satellite's service period, and the second SIB is transmitted after handover, allowing the system to optimize signaling overhead dynamically rather than using a fixed simultaneous transmission approach
3Reliability
If user equipment acquires assistance information for the second satellite during the first satellite's service period, then seamless handover is enabled, but the first satellite must transmit additional information
Solution Approach 1:
The first satellite transmits assistance information for the second satellite during its service period as a preliminary action. This enables the user equipment to acquire necessary handover information while still connected to the first satellite, ensuring continuous communication service. The signaling load is managed by transmitting only the essential assistance information elements rather than all possible SIB content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary assistance information elements from the complete SIB structure and transmits them separately during the first satellite's service period. This selective extraction of critical information (such as second satellite's frequency, timing, and configuration parameters) enables seamless handover preparation while reducing the overall signaling load compared to transmitting complete SIBs
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided that includes scheduling transmission of system information blocks (SIBs) including information elements with assistance information for a first aerospace platform, and a separate at least one information element with assistance information for a second aerospace platform. The first aerospace platform and the second aerospace platform are configured to provide respectively a first non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell and a second NTN cell that are quasi-Earth-fixed cells serving a geographic area for limited periods of time. The method also includes causing a user equipment in the first NTN cell to acquire the separate at least one information element with the assistance information for the second aerospace platform, during a period of time the geographic area is served by the first NTN cell, before the geographic area is served by the second NTN cell.