UE Satellite Beam Switching Timing and Ephemeris Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In non-terrestrial networks, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing handover and beam switching due to frequent satellite movement, leading to increased signaling overhead, power consumption, and potential interruptions in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) and base station system that determines a target satellite beam and switching timing based on received coverage area information, ephemeris data, and location, allowing for efficient handover and beam switching without frequent measurement reporting, thereby reducing power consumption and minimizing communication interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent measurement reporting is performed for handover and beam switching in non-terrestrial networks, then the accuracy of beam selection is improved, but power consumption and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures the UE with coverage area information, ephemeris data, and satellite beam parameters before handover is needed. This allows the UE to perform autonomous beam switching decisions without frequent measurement reporting, reducing power consumption while maintaining accurate beam selection through pre-computed switching timing and target beam identification.
2Measurement precision
If frequent measurement reporting is performed for handover and beam switching, then beam selection accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement reporting function from the continuous handover process and replaces it with autonomous UE decision-making based on pre-configured parameters. The UE uses stored coverage area information, ephemeris data, and beam parameters to independently determine switching timing and target beams, eliminating the need for frequent measurement reports to the network.
3Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used in non-terrestrial networks, then connection reliability is maintained, but communication interruptions increase due to frequent satellite movement
Solution Approach 1:
The network provides the UE with pre-configured coverage area information and ephemeris data that enable the UE to predict satellite beam movements and perform proactive beam switching before handover is needed. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to maintain continuous connectivity by autonomously switching to target beams at predetermined switching timing, avoiding communication interruptions associated with traditional reactive handover procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques disclosed herein feature a user equipment (UE), a base station, and methods for a UE and abase station. The UE comprises a transceiver which, in operation receives coverage area information indicating a coverage area of at least one candidate satellite beam relative to a satellite location of at least one satellite generating, respectively, the at least one candidate satellite beam; and circuitry which, in operation, determines, based on the received coverage area information, ephemeris data of the at least one satellite generating the at least one candidate satellite beam, and a location of the user equipment, a target satellite beam for switching out of the at least one candidate satellite beam and a switching timing for switching to the target satellite beam, and controls the transceiver to perform switching to the determined target satellite beam at the determined switching timing.