Satellite Access Signaling for Non-Continuous Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellite access networks face challenges with non-continuous coverage and backhaul connection unavailability, leading to intermittent communication disruptions and inefficient resource utilization due to the movement of satellites and variable backhaul connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for user equipment (UE) and network entities to receive and transmit satellite ephemeris data, enabling the identification of coverage re-visit time and backhaul connection unavailability, which triggers appropriate signaling or data packet procedures, including power saving modes and data transmission strategies to optimize communication during coverage gaps and connectivity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite access networks use non-continuous coverage due to satellite movement, then network coverage area is expanded, but communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity provides advance notification of coverage gaps and backhaul unavailability to the UE before these issues occur. The UE uses this advance information to prepare appropriate responses, such as selecting alternative satellites or delaying data transmission, thereby maintaining communication reliability while enjoying expanded satellite coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity communicates coverage gap information and backhaul status to the UE, which then feeds back its intended action (accepting the gap, selecting alternative satellite, or delaying transmission). This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable communication management across the expanded satellite coverage area
2Reliability
If UE continuously monitors network status, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the UE performs periodic status monitoring triggered by specific events such as coverage gap notifications or backhaul unavailability indications. This periodic action maintains communication reliability by checking network status only when changes are detected, significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring
3Reliability
If UE waits for backhaul connection availability, then data transmission reliability is improved, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity provides advance notification of backhaul unavailability and estimated availability timing to the UE. The UE uses this advance information to prepare data packets and timing information, allowing it to transmit data immediately when the backhaul connection becomes available, thereby reducing time delay while maintaining transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback where the network entity communicates backhaul status and availability timing to the UE. The UE then feeds back its transmission timing decisions, creating a coordinated system that minimizes time delay while ensuring data is transmitted only when the backhaul connection is available, maintaining transmission reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects presented herein relate to methods and devices for wireless communication of an apparatus, e.g., a UE, a network entity, and/or a base station. The apparatus may receive, from a network, an indication of at least one of a coverage re-visit time or a backhaul connection unavailability. The apparatus may also identify, based on the received indication, whether to initiate at least one of a signaling procedure or a data packet procedure, the signaling procedure and the data packet procedure being associated with at least one of the coverage re-visit time or the backhaul connection unavailability. The apparatus may also initiate at least one of a signaling procedure or a data packet procedure based on the indication of the coverage re-visit time or the backhaul connection unavailability, the signaling procedure and the data packet procedure being associated with the coverage re-visit time or the backhaul connection unavailability.