METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISCONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION IN BENT-PIPE RELAY IN SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

• US 20170027017A1
• Filed: 06/25/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: BLACK, Peter John, WU, Qiang
• Granted Patent: US 10,805,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/02 Power saving arrangements in wired systems H04L12/12; signaling of mobile application services, e.g. low battery notifications H04W4/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1273 of downlink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Power consumption by a communication satellite may be reduced by operating in a transmission time interval (TTI) gating mode, in which an on period is provided for the satellite to transmit a reference signal (RS), control signals, and a portion of data within an on period through a forward link to a user terminal (UT), followed by an off period in which forward link transmission ceases. During the off period of the TTI, the satellite may turn off its forward link power amplifier and cease transmission of data to the UT. A gateway may send a signal enabling the TTI gating mode, as well as information specifying the TTI gating configuration, such as the length of the on or off period of the TTI, to the satellite.

Claims

1. A method of controlling power of transmission of a satellite, the method comprising:

enabling a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI) for the satellite;

sending gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof, to the satellite; and

transmitting data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a gateway.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising powering off a gateway power amplifier in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is synchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is asynchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to a user terminal.

11. An apparatus configured to control power of transmission of a satellite, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being configured to;

enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI) for the satellite;

send gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof, to the satellite; and

transmit data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are further configured to transmit a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus is included in a gateway.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are further configured to power off a gateway power amplifier in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is synchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is asynchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to a user terminal.

21. An apparatus for controlling power of transmission of a satellite, the apparatus comprising:

means for enabling a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI) for the satellite;

means for sending gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof, to the satellite; and

means for transmitting data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for transmitting a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is included in a gateway.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising means for powering off a gateway power amplifier in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is synchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is asynchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to a user terminal.

31. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computer or processor to perform a method to control power of transmission of a satellite, the instructions comprising instructions to:

enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI) for the satellite;

send gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof, to the satellite; and

transmit data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the instructions further comprise at least one instruction to transmit a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the computer-readable medium is included in a gateway.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein the instructions further comprise at least one instruction to power off a gateway power amplifier in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is synchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the DTX mode for the gateway is asynchronous with respect to the gating mode for the TTI of the satellite.

40. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to a user terminal.

41. A method of controlling transmission of power by a satellite, the method comprising:

receiving a signal to enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI);

receiving gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof;

transponding data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI; and

ceasing transmission of data in the off period of the TTI.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising transponding a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

46. The method of claim 41, wherein transponding data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI comprises relaying one or more signals between a gateway and a user terminal.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to the user terminal.

48. An apparatus configured to control power of transmission by a satellite, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being configured to;

receive a signal to enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI);

receive gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof;

transpond data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI; and

cease transmission of data in the off period of the TTI.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are further configured to transpond a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory are further configured to relay one or more signals between a gateway and a user terminal.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to the user terminal.

55. An apparatus for controlling power of transmission by a satellite, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a signal to enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI);

means for receiving gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof;

means for transponding data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI; and

means for ceasing transmission of data in the off period of the TTI.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising means for transponding a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

60. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the means for transponding data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI comprises means for relaying one or more signals between a gateway and a user terminal.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to the user terminal.

62. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing a computer or processor to perform a method to control power of transmission by a satellite, the instructions comprising instructions to:

receive a signal to enable a gating mode for a transmission time interval (TTI);

receive gating configuration information including at least one of an on period or an off period of the TTI, or a combination thereof;

transpond data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI; and

cease transmission of data in the off period of the TTI.

63. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the instructions further comprise at least one instruction to transpond a reference signal (RS) and at least one control signal during the on period of the TTI.

64. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH).

65. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the at least one control signal comprises a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

66. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the data region comprises a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs).

67. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the instructions to transpond data in a portion of a data region in the on period of the TTI comprises at least one instruction to relay one or more signals between a gateway and a user terminal.

68. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the gating mode for the TTI is not communicated to the user terminal.

69. A method of controlling power of transmission of a satellite, the method comprising:

enabling a gating mode for a transponded transmission time interval (TTI) for the satellite, wherein the gating mode defines an on period and an off period of the TTI;

setting the on period to span a time interval associated with data transmission scheduling for one or more user terminals;

providing gating configuration information indicating the on period of the TTI to the satellite; and

transmitting data to the one or more user terminals via the satellite during at least a portion of the on period of the TTI.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the setting comprises selecting a start time and a length for the on period.

71. The method of claim 69, further comprising transmitting a reference signal, a control signal, or a combination thereof during at least one other portion of the on period of the TTI.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the reference signal, the control signal, and the data are transmitted during the on period in a manner that is decodable at the one or more user terminals independent of any signaling during the off period.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein the providing gating configuration information comprises sending the gating configuration information directly to the satellite from a gateway.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein the providing gating configuration information comprises determining the gating configuration information indirectly by the satellite.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the determining comprises determining the gating configuration information based on a transmit waveform associated with transmission from a gateway.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the determining comprises determining the gating configuration information based on a position of the satellite.

77. The method of claim 69, wherein the transmitting data to the one or more user terminals comprises:

receiving the data from a gateway during at least a portion of the off period of the TTI; and

transponding the data to the one or more user terminals during at least a portion of the on period of the TTI.

78. The method of claim 69, wherein the time interval that the on period is set to span corresponds to a valid scheduler interval in which transmission resources are assigned to the one or more user terminals.