Satellite Uplink Timing Window Control for Phase-Continuous JCE
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Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite communication scenarios, determining the time domain window for maintaining phase continuity during joint channel estimation is challenging due to rapid changes in the relative location between the terminal device and the network device, affecting the reliability of joint channel estimation.
Innovation Solution
A communication method is provided to dynamically adjust the time window for maintaining phase continuity by exchanging information between the terminal device and the network device, allowing for smooth implementation of joint channel estimation by updating the maximum time window based on changes in relative location, timing advance, and Doppler shift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If joint channel estimation is performed using DMRSs in different slots, then channel estimation accuracy and data decoding performance are improved, but phase continuity must be maintained in a time domain window which becomes difficult to determine in satellite communication scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the time domain window size based on satellite orbital parameters (elevation angle, azimuth angle, range rate). The network device calculates the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity using these orbital parameters, allowing the system to adapt the time window duration to current satellite- terminal relative motion conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving accurate joint channel estimation and determining an appropriate time window in satellite scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal device reports capability information (supported time domain window sizes) to the network device, and the network device provides configuration information about the determined time domain window. This bidirectional feedback allows the system to continuously optimize the time window configuration based on both satellite motion dynamics and terminal capabilities, ensuring phase continuity is maintained while enabling accurate joint channel estimation
2Speed
If the relative location between terminal device and network device changes frequently, then timing adjustment must be performed frequently, but this reduces the time window for maintaining phase continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network device calculate and determine the time domain window configuration in advance, before actual joint channel estimation is performed. The network device uses satellite orbital parameters and terminal capability information to pre-determine the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity, and provides this configuration to the terminal device beforehand. This allows the system to proactively adapt to relative location changes without interrupting the phase continuity maintenance, resolving the contradiction between frequent timing adjustments and maintaining adequate phase continuity duration
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to a communication method and apparatus. In the communication method, a relative location between a terminal device and a first network device changes, for example, an elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device decreases. This means that the terminal device needs to frequently perform timing adjustment. As a result, a time window in which the terminal device maintains phase continuity is reduced. In other words, the terminal device cannot continue to maintain phase continuity in a first time window. Therefore, the terminal device may send, to the first network device, second information used to determine a second time window, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update a maximum time window in which the terminal device maintains phase continuity. For example, the maximum time window in which the terminal device maintains phase continuity is adjusted from the first time window to a third time window. In this way, both requirements of uplink synchronization and phase continuity are met, so that smooth implementation of JCE is ensured, thereby improving reliability of the JCE.