Satellite UE Wait Timer for Discontinuous PLMN Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The detailed behaviors of User Equipment (UE) and network management in cases of discontinuous satellite coverage and power consumption enhancements in satellite communication systems have not been clarified in Release 17 and 18 of the 3GPP specifications.

Innovation Solution

A UE with a transmission and/or reception unit and a controller that manages communication via satellites, including procedures like registration, configuration updates, and service requests, and implements a wait timer for seamless transitions between satellites, prioritizing emergency calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs registration procedure frequently to maintain connectivity in discontinuous satellite coverage, then the reliability of communication is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides a wait range (wait time window) in advance to the UE before the satellite coverage becomes unavailable. The UE uses this pre-provided wait range to determine when to perform registration procedures, avoiding frequent unnecessary registrations and reducing power consumption while maintaining connectivity reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the UE waits for timer expiration before registering in discontinuous satellite coverage, then the power consumption is reduced, but the delay in establishing communication increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidregistration delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE dynamically adjusts its registration timing based on the wait range provided by the network. Instead of using a fixed wait time, the UE can perform registration at any time within the flexible wait range window, optimizing the balance between power consumption and registration delay based on actual coverage conditions and communication needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the UE stops the wait timer for emergency calls, then the responsiveness to emergency calls is improved, but the accuracy of timer-based power saving management is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency call responsivenessVSAvoidtimer management accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively handles the potential conflict between emergency calls and timer operations by allowing the UE to stop the wait timer when emergency calls are detected. This preliminary anti-action prevents the timer from causing delays in emergency scenarios, while the timer can be restarted or adjusted afterward to maintain power saving management accuracy for non-emergency operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12507318B2User equipment (UE)

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

A UE capable of performing communication via a satellite receives a wait range via a first satellite from a first PLMN. In a case that the UE becomes able to perform communication via a second satellite connected to a second PLMN after becoming unable to perform communication via the first satellite, the UE selects the second PLMN, generates a wait timer based on the wait range, and starts a timer using the wait timer. In a case that an emergency call is made during the timer is running, the UE stops the timer and performs a registration procedure for the emergency call. In a case that an emergency call is not made during the timer is running, the UE performs the registration procedure after the timer expires.