Satellite SSB Allocation for Non-Terrestrial Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-terrestrial communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) for initial access across multiple satellites and beams, which hinders terminal synchronization and initial access efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a gateway to transmit SSBs through multiple satellites, involving determining satellite identification SSBs and beam identification SSBs, and controlling satellites to transmit these SSBs through predetermined resources, with specific allocation of bandwidth parts and timing to differentiate between satellites and beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple satellites transmit SSBs through multiple beams for initial access, then the coverage and access capability are improved, but the complexity of SSB allocation and identification becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SSBs into two distinct types: satellite identification SSBs and beam identification SSBs. This segmentation allows the system to separately identify satellites and beams, reducing the overall complexity of identification while maintaining the ability to serve multiple satellites and beams simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional identification structure where the first dimension identifies the satellite and the second dimension identifies the beam. This dimensional separation transforms a complex multi-dimensional problem into manageable sequential identification steps, reducing system complexity while preserving versatility.
2Measurement precision
If satellite identification SSBs and beam identification SSBs are separately determined and transmitted through predetermined resources, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process into two distinct phases: satellite identification through satellite identification SSBs, and beam identification through beam identification SSBs. This segmentation enables precise identification at each level while simplifying resource allocation, as each SSB type can be transmitted through dedicated predetermined resources without requiring complex cross-level coordination.
3Measurement precision
If beam identification SSBs are transmitted at different times for each beam, then the beam-specific identification is improved, but the access time for terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits satellite identification SSBs in advance before beam identification SSBs. This preliminary action allows terminals to first identify the satellite and then efficiently search for beam-specific SSBs, reducing overall access time compared to sequential beam-by-beam identification without the preliminary satellite identification step.
Data Source
AI summary
A method according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponds to a method for transmitting, by a gateway, a synchronization signal block (SSB) through a plurality of satellites, and may comprise the steps of: determining satellite identification SSBs for identifying a plurality of satellites, respectively; determining beam identification SSBs for identifying beams usable for the plurality of satellites, respectively; and controlling the satellite identification SSBs and the beam identification SSBs to be transmitted to the plurality of satellites, respectively, through a predetermined resource, wherein the satellite identification SSBs and each of the beam identification SSBs have different SSB indices from each other.