Terminal NTN Type Indication for Timing Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems for non-terrestrial networks (NTN) lack a defined method to specify and indicate the type of NTN, which is essential for accurately designing timing-related parameters due to varying propagation delays across different NTN types.

Innovation Solution

A terminal is equipped with a reception unit to receive information indicating the type of NTN from a base station and a control unit to perform controls based on the specified NTN type, allowing for accurate parameter configuration and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If timing-related parameters are designed without defined NTN type specification, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of timing parameters deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of NTN type specificationVSAvoidprecision of timing-related parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter (NTN type indication information) to distinguish different non-terrestrial network types. This parameter enables the terminal to select appropriate timing-related parameters (such as timing advance values) based on the specific NTN type, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity through standardized parameter definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If NTN type is not specified, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of communication deteriorates due to inaccurate timing parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of terminal operationVSAvoidreliability of communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal autonomously determines the NTN type by receiving NTN type indication information from the base station and automatically selects the appropriate timing-related parameters based on this determination. This self-service mechanism improves reliability through accurate parameter selection while maintaining ease of operation as the terminal handles the complexity internally without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If common timing advance parameters are used for all NTN types, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information about specific propagation delays increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of parameter managementVSAvoidloss of propagation delay information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing advance parameters into different sets corresponding to different NTN types (e.g., terrestrial network parameters vs. satellite network parameters). Each segment contains parameters optimized for specific propagation characteristics, allowing the terminal to select the appropriate segment based on the identified NTN type, thereby reducing information loss while managing complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240430835A1Terminal and communication method

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A terminal that performs a communication with a base station via a satellite or a flying object, includes a reception unit configured to receive from the base station, during the communication with the base station, information indicating a type of a non-terrestrial network, and a control unit configured to perform a control based on the type of the non-terrestrial network.