UE NTN Registration via Terrestrial Network Pre-Registration

Solution Overview

Problem

The registration process of user equipment (UE) with non-terrestrial networks is time-consuming, consumes significant air interface resources, and results in high power consumption due to the need for direct signaling with satellites.

Innovation Solution

A method where UE registers with a terrestrial network first, using a mobile communication module to access a non-terrestrial network core network via the terrestrial network core network, reducing the need for direct signaling with the non-terrestrial network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UE performs direct registration with non-terrestrial network via satellite signaling, then network access capability is achieved, but signaling overhead and air interface resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a terrestrial network as an intermediary to facilitate UE registration with the non-terrestrial network. Instead of direct satellite signaling, the UE first registers with the terrestrial network, which then forwards registration information to the non-terrestrial network core network, reducing direct signaling requirements between UE and satellite

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary registration actions through the terrestrial network before actual non-terrestrial network access is needed. The UE completes initial registration procedures with the terrestrial network, which pre-establishes the connection and forwards necessary information to the non-terrestrial network, preparing the system in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If UE performs complete registration procedure with non-terrestrial network, then network access is established, but registration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access establishmentVSAvoidregistration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary registration actions through the terrestrial network before actual non-terrestrial network access is needed. The UE completes initial registration procedures with the terrestrial network, which pre-establishes the connection and forwards necessary information to the non-terrestrial network, preparing the system in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the terrestrial network registration procedure with the non-terrestrial network registration procedure. The UE performs a unified registration process where the terrestrial network handles both terrestrial and non-terrestrial network registration simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate registration procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If UE communicates directly with satellite for registration, then non-terrestrial network access is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-terrestrial network accessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a terrestrial network as an intermediary to facilitate UE registration with the non-terrestrial network. Instead of direct satellite signaling, the UE first registers with the terrestrial network, which then forwards registration information to the non-terrestrial network core network, reducing direct signaling requirements between UE and satellite

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by having the UE perform only necessary registration steps through the terrestrial network for non-terrestrial access, rather than completing full separate registration procedures for both networks. The UE leverages the terrestrial network connection to achieve non-terrestrial network access with reduced signaling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4730881A1Registration method, system and related apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

This application discloses a registration method, a system, and a related apparatus. A UE includes an NTN communication module and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module obtains registration information of the NTN communication module. After the mobile communication module registers with a terrestrial network core network, the NTN communication module performs a registration procedure of a non-terrestrial network core network via the mobile communication module, a terrestrial network radio access network, and the terrestrial network core network. After finding an NTN-RAN, the NTN communication module accesses the non-terrestrial network core network. In this way, after the UE finds a non-terrestrial network, because the UE has performed the registration procedure of the non-terrestrial network in a terrestrial network, and the non-terrestrial network core network stores registration information of the UE, the UE does not need to perform the registration procedure in the non-terrestrial network. This reduces signaling overheads between the UE and the non-terrestrial network core network, time required for the UE to perform the registration procedure in the non-terrestrial network, and power consumption of the UE.