Terminal Capability Reporting for NTN and Terrestrial Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the large distance between base stations and terminals results in significant propagation delays, and the movement of base stations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) scenarios complicates communication. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity on how IoT devices report their capabilities to the network in NTN scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A terminal is equipped with a reception unit to receive capability enquiries from a base station, a control unit to determine which terminal capabilities to report, and a transmission unit to transmit these capabilities. The terminal can report capabilities for supporting narrow band IoT or coverage enhancement, distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If terminal capability reporting is performed in NTN scenarios using existing methods, then terrestrial network capabilities can be reported, but non-terrestrial network specific capabilities cannot be properly distinguished or reported
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal capability reporting is segmented into separate indication fields: one for terrestrial network (TN) capabilities and another for non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities. This allows the terminal to independently indicate whether it supports optional functions in TN, NTN, or both scenarios, preventing information loss while maintaining adaptability to different network types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optional functions are supported in both TN and NTN, then versatility is improved, but capability reporting clarity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality indicators are applied to different network scenarios. The terminal uses separate indication fields with distinct meanings: one field specifically for TN capability support and another for NTN capability support. This local differentiation ensures that even when the terminal supports both networks, the network can clearly understand which capabilities are available in which scenario.
3Device complexity
If terminal capability reporting is simplified, then reporting overhead is reduced, but reporting accuracy for NTN scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reporting mechanism uses parameter changes in the indication fields to convey different capability states. By modifying the indication field values to represent TN support, NTN support, or both, the system achieves accurate capability reporting without requiring complex separate reporting mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while improving precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal includes: a reception unit configured to receive a terminal capability enquiry from a base station; a control unit configured to determine, from among terminal capabilities for TN (Terrestrial Network) and terminal capabilities for NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network), at least one terminal capability to be reported; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the terminal capability to be reported. The terminal capability is a terminal capability for a case of supporting a narrow band IoT (Internet of Things) or coverage enhancement.