Satellite SSB Extension for Multi-Beam Footprint Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low earth orbit satellites face challenges in providing global broadband access due to limited platform resources and uneven ground traffic distribution, making it difficult to achieve full-area coverage with the existing maximum number of SSBs per half-frame.
Innovation Solution
Extend the SSB scanning period by transmitting K SSB sets, where beams with the same index in different SSB sets point to different beam footprints, effectively increasing the number of SSBs to cover more beam footprints without altering time-domain resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the maximum number of SSBs per half-frame is used (4, 8, or 64), then the beam coverage capacity is maximized within the fixed time domain resources, but it is still insufficient to cover thousands of beam footprints required for full-area satellite coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple SSB sets transmitted periodically with different scanning periods. Each SSB set contains SSB beams that scan different beam footprints, and the scanning periods are integer multiples of a base period. This periodic transmission with varying periods enables comprehensive coverage of thousands of beam footprints over time while maintaining efficient resource utilization in each period.
2Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is used to transmit different SSB beams in a fixed period, then comprehensive cell coverage is achieved, but the number of beam footprints that can be covered is limited by the fixed maximum of 4, 8, or 64 SSBs per half-frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the coverage capability by introducing a time dimension through multiple SSB sets with different scanning periods. Instead of being limited to a single fixed period with maximum 64 SSBs, the system uses K SSB sets where each set operates with a scanning period that is an integer multiple of a base period, enabling coverage of thousands of beam footprints across multiple time dimensions while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If low earth orbit satellites use limited platform resources for beam transmission, then power consumption and resource usage are constrained, but full-area coverage requiring thousands of beam footprints cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam coverage task into multiple SSB sets, where each set contains a manageable number of SSB beams that can be transmitted within platform resource constraints. By dividing the total coverage requirement into K segments (SSB sets) with different scanning periods, the system enables comprehensive coverage of thousands of beam footprints while maintaining power consumption and resource usage at feasible levels for each individual set.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method for extending a synchronization signal block (SSB) and device, a medium and a program product, which are used for extending the number of SSBs and realizing coverage of more beam footprints. The method includes: when the number of beam footprints that the satellite base station needs to serve is greater than the number of SSB beams sent in each SSB period, sending SSB beams to a current cell using K SSB sets. The sum of the SSB beams contained in the K SSB sets is greater than the number of the beam footprints, and K is a natural number greater than 1; and transmitting the K SSB sets to the current cell. Beams with a same index in different SSB sets point to different beam footprints.