Dual layer satellite network coverage
AssigneeT-Mobile Innovations LLC
InventorAkin OZOZLU
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods that address coverage gaps in satellite-based wireless networks by enabling user equipment (UE) to connect to higher orbit satellites, such as those in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), when Low Earth Orbit (LEO) coverage is weak or unavailable. The UE will handover to a lower-altitude satellite when it becomes available, ensuring consistent and reliable connectivity. This approach leverages higher altitude satellites as a fallback layer, enhancing network performance and coverage in underserved regions. By using higher altitude satellites for initial access and handover, the system mitigates service disruptions and improves user experience.
Claims20
A user equipment (UE) configured to wirelessly communicate with a satellite radio access network, the UE comprising:
- one or more antennas configured to wirelessly communicate with the satellite radio access network;
- and
- one or more computer processing components configured to perform operations comprising:
- determine, based on a measurement of a first set of signals received from a first satellite, that one or more key performance indicators of the first set of signals are worse than a predetermined threshold;
- responsive to said determination, monitor a first set of frequencies for one or more synchronization signals, the first set of frequencies used by a first set of satellites;
- based on a failure to detect one or more synchronization signals from the first set of satellites having one or more KPIs greater than a cell selection threshold, monitoring a second set of frequencies for one or more synchronization signals transmitted by a second set of satellites;
- communicating a first measurement report to the first satellite that one or more synchronization signals transmitted by a second satellite are greater than the cell selection threshold;
- and
- receiving an instruction from the first satellite to handover to the second satellite.
A method for performing handovers in a wireless network environment comprising:
- determine, based on a measurement of a first set of signals received from a first satellite, that one or more key performance indicators of the first set of signals are worse than a predetermined threshold;
- responsive to said determination, monitor a first set of frequencies for one or more synchronization signals, the first set of frequencies used by a first set of satellites;
- based on a failure to detect one or more synchronization signals from the first set of satellites having one or more KPIs greater than a cell selection threshold, monitoring a second set of frequencies for one or more synchronization signals transmitted by a second set of satellites;
- communicating a first measurement report to the first satellite that one or more synchronization signals transmitted by a second satellite are greater than the cell selection threshold;
- and
- receiving an instruction from the first satellite to handover to the second satellite.
A method for performing initial access in a wireless network environment comprising:
- performing a primary cell search operation for a first set of satellites, the primary cell search operation comprising monitoring one or more frequencies for signals transmitted by a satellite of the first set of satellites;
- determining the primary cell search operation failed;
- responsive to the primary cell search operation failing, performing a secondary cell search operation for a second set of satellites, the secondary cell search operation comprising monitoring one or more frequencies for signals transmitted by a satellite of the second set of satellites;
- determining that the signals transmitted by the satellite of the second set of satellites meets a minimum access criteria;
- and
- responsive to said determination, initiating initial access with the satellite of the second set of satellites.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.