US-12621817-B1 - Methods and devices to generate a spectrum utilization map for determining use of radio spectrum guard bands for a mobile satellite service network

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for allocating spectrum by a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellite to a User Equipment (UE). The method includes monitoring radio spectrum designated as guard bands of a terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network to generate a spectrum usage map of guard band frequencies of the guard bands. The spectrum usage map includes available guard band frequency bands including unlicensed frequency bands. The method includes selecting a guard band or a sub-band within the available guard band frequency bands for uplink communication based on the spectrum usage map, and receiving, by the MSS satellite from the UE, uplink signals on the guard band or the sub-band that was selected. Related wireless electronic devices and systems are also discussed.

Inventors

• Rajendra Singh

Assignees

• TELCOM VENTURES, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20251027

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A method of allocating spectrum by a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellite to a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising: monitoring radio spectrum designated as guard bands of a terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network to generate a spectrum usage map of guard band frequencies of the guard bands, wherein the spectrum usage map comprises available guard band frequency bands comprising unlicensed frequency bands; selecting a guard band or a sub-band within the available guard band frequency bands for uplink communication based on the spectrum usage map; and receiving, by the MSS satellite from the UE, uplink signals on the guard band or the sub-band that was selected.
2. 2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting, by the MSS satellite to the UE, an indication of the guard band or the sub-band that was selected for uplink communication.
3. 3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum usage map comprises a spectrum usage map in a spot beam of the MSS satellite.
4. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the spectrum usage map comprises a spectrum usage map in a coverage area of a repeater station associated with the MSS satellite.
5. 5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the coverage area of the repeater station associated with the MSS satellite is smaller than a coverage area of a spot beam of the MSS satellite.
6. 6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the repeater station is configured to maintain a connection with the MSS satellite, receive downlink signals from the MSS satellite, and re-broadcast the downlink signals to the UE.
7. 7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring radio spectrum comprises: using a sounding signal by the MSS satellite to determine power flux density in the unlicensed frequency bands of the available guard band frequency bands.
8. 8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, by the UE from the MSS satellite, downlink signals on a different guard band or different sub-band of the BWA network based on the spectrum usage map.
9. 9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sub-bands within the guard band are pre-designated or dynamically assigned.
10. 10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting, by the MSS satellite, the spectrum usage map for use by the UE.
11. 11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring radio spectrum comprises: receiving, by the MSS satellite, sounding signals in the guard bands of the terrestrial BWA network from one or more UEs including the UE; and measuring respective signal strengths of the signals in the guard bands of the terrestrial BWA network from the one or more UEs.
12. 12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring radio spectrum comprises: listening, by the MSS satellite, for sounding signals from the UE; and transmitting, by the MSS satellite, downlink data to the UE using massive MIMO techniques.
13. 13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the guard band is a frequency band between a terrestrial uplink frequency band and a terrestrial downlink frequency band.
14. 14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the guard band or the sub-band is selected based on a received noise power, allowed transmit power, and/or link power budget.
15. 15 . A method of communication by a User Equipment (UE) in a communication network served by a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellite, the method comprising: receiving, by the UE, a spectrum usage map comprising guard band frequency bands of a terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network comprising unlicensed frequency bands available for use by the UE; selecting a communication frequency band among the guard band frequency bands of the BWA network for communication with the MSS satellite; and establishing, by the UE, a communication link with the MSS satellite using the communication frequency band that was selected.
16. 16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the selecting the communication frequency band comprises: receiving an indication from the MSS satellite of the communication frequency band among the guard band frequency bands of the BWA network that was selected for uplink communication, wherein the communication frequency band comprises a guard band or a sub-band of the terrestrial BWA network.
17. 17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the spectrum usage map comprises a spectrum usage map in a spot beam of the MSS satellite.
18. 18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the spectrum usage map comprises a spectrum usage map in a coverage area of a repeater station associated with the MSS satellite.
19. 19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the coverage area of the repeater station associated with the MSS satellite is smaller than a coverage area of a spot beam of the MSS satellite.
20. 20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising: receiving downlink signals from the MSS satellite or downlink signals that are re-broadcast from the repeater station, based on respective signal strengths of the downlink signals from the MSS satellite and the downlink signals that are re-broadcast from the repeater station.

Description

BACKGROUND Various embodiments described herein relate to methods, devices, and computer program products for communication networks, and more particularly to wireless communication networks that include satellite communication. Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) Networks for wireless user equipment (UEs), the Internet, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and many other applications are growing in coverage and usage scenarios. Networks using thousands of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are planned for launch. These MSS networks are to be used in areas where there is little or no coverage provided by terrestrial networks, such as wired or wireless networks. Wired networks are more available in populated areas using cable, fiber, or fixed networks. In less populated areas, there may be limited or no available terrestrial networks. In such areas, an MSS network, which can directly connect to the UEs and other applications in use, such as farming or transportation, is predicted to achieve widespread use. Radio spectrum is a natural resource that is in limited supply. An efficient use of radio spectrum is, therefore, highly desirable. SUMMARY Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of allocating spectrum by a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellite to a User Equipment (UE). The method includes monitoring radio spectrum designated as guard bands of a terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network to generate a spectrum usage map of guard band frequencies of the guard bands. The spectrum usage map includes available guard band frequency bands including unlicensed frequency bands. The method includes selecting a guard band or a sub-band within the available guard band frequency bands for uplink communication based on the spectrum usage map, and receiving, by the MSS satellite from the UE, uplink signals on the guard band or the sub-band that was selected. According to some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting, by the MSS satellite to the UE, an indication of the guard band or the sub-band that was selected for uplink communication. According to some embodiments, the spectrum usage map may include a spectrum usage map in a spot beam of the MSS satellite. According to some embodiments, the spectrum usage map may include a spectrum usage map in a coverage area of a repeater station associated with the MSS satellite. The coverage area of the repeater station associated with the MSS satellite may be smaller than a coverage area of a spot beam of the MSS satellite. The repeater station may be configured to maintain a connection with the MSS satellite, receive downlink signals from the MSS satellite, and re-broadcast the downlink signals to the UE. According to some embodiments, the monitoring radio spectrum may include using a sounding signal by the MSS satellite to determine power flux density in the unlicensed frequency bands of the available guard band frequency bands. The method may further include receiving, by the UE from the MSS satellite, downlink signals on a different guard band or different sub-band of the BWA network based on the spectrum usage map. Sub-bands within the guard band may be pre-designated or dynamically assigned. The method may further include transmitting, by the MSS satellite, the spectrum usage map for use by the UE. According to some embodiments, monitoring radio spectrum may include receiving, by the MSS satellite, sounding signals in the guard bands of the terrestrial BWA network from one or more UEs including the UE, and measuring respective signal strengths of the signals in the guard bands of the terrestrial BWA network from the one or more UEs. The guard band may be a frequency band between a terrestrial uplink frequency band and a terrestrial downlink frequency band. The guard band or the sub-band may be selected based on a received noise power, allowed transmit power, and/or link power budget. Various embodiments may be directed towards a method of communication by a User Equipment (UE) in a communication network served by a Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellite. The method includes receiving, by the UE, a spectrum usage map including guard band frequency bands of a terrestrial Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) network including unlicensed frequency bands available for use by the UE. The method includes selecting a communication frequency band among the guard band frequency bands of the BWA network for communication with the MSS satellite, and establishing, by the UE, a communication link with the MSS satellite using the communication frequency band that was selected. According to some embodiments, the selecting the communication frequency band may include receiving an indication from the MSS satellite of the communication frequency band among the guard band frequency bands of the BWA network that was selected for uplink communication. The communication frequency band may include a guard band or a sub-band of the terrestrial BWA netw