Tracking Area Code Cell Barring NTN
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, there is a need to differentiate between terrestrial (TN) and non-terrestrial (NTN) networks to prevent inappropriate cell camping by user equipment (UE) that do not support specific network types, leading to suboptimal connections due to the absence of clear indicators in System Information Blocks (SIBs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of mechanisms to include tracking area codes or lists in SIBs to distinguish between TN and NTN networks, allowing UE to skip or select cells based on their supported network types, thereby preventing inappropriate camping and ensuring optimal network selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tracking area code is not included in SIB, then device complexity is reduced, but UE cannot distinguish between TN and NTN networks leading to inappropriate cell camping
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking area code is included in the SIB in advance to enable UEs to perform network type differentiation before cell selection. This preliminary information provision allows UEs to make informed decisions about whether to camp on TN or NTN cells, preventing inappropriate camping while maintaining simple SIB structures.
2Reliability
If tracking area list is added to SIB for NTN, then network selection accuracy is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking area information is segmented into two distinct fields: trackingAreaCode for TN networks and trackingAreaList for NTN networks. This segmentation allows the SIB to provide network-type-specific information without redundancy, enabling UEs to differentiate between TN and NTN while minimizing information overhead by only including relevant tracking area data for each network type.
3Area of stationary object
If UEs attempt to camp on incompatible network cells, then coverage is extended, but communication reliability deteriorates due to lack of support
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking area code and tracking area list provide preliminary anti-action by enabling UEs to identify and avoid incompatible network cells before attempting to camp. TN UEs use the trackingAreaCode to identify TN cells, while NTN-capable UEs use the trackingAreaList to identify NTN cells, preventing incompatible camping attempts that would otherwise extend coverage but compromise reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for tracking area code (TAC) based cell barring. An example method at a user equipment (UE) may include receiving, from at least one cell, a system information block (SIB) comprising a tracking area list associated with a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and the at least one cell, the SIB not including a tracking area code associated with a terrestrial network (TN) or the NTN, a supported network of the UE corresponding to the TN. The example method may further include skipping, based on the tracking area code being absent and the tracking area list being present or both the tracking area code and the tracking area list being absent in the SIB, a selection of the at least one cell for subsequent communication.