In this chapter, we describe an acquisition method for LTE over satellite, based on the standard 3GPP LTE PRACH waveform and processing procedures. The method is applicable when the user terminals are equipped and can utilize a global navigation satellite system (GNSS, e.g., GPS) receiver. The method requires modification of LTE user equipment (UE) only in software at layer 2 and reuse the PRACH preamble processing (detection and estimation) at the base station (eNodeB).

Chapter Contents:

• 56.1 Introduction
• 56.2 LTE acquisition and synchronization background
• 56.2.1 LTE acquisition method overview
• 56.2.2 Need for modification to operate over a satellite
• 56.3 Review of prior work in the literature
• 56.4 A GNSS-assisted method for LTE acquisition and synchronization over satellite
• 56.5 Summary
• References

Inspec keywords: Global Positioning System; 3G mobile communication; mobile satellite communication; Long Term Evolution; radio receivers

Other keywords: LTE user equipment; eNodeB base station; PRACH preamble processing; Global Navigation Satellite System receiver; LTE over satellite; standard 3GPP LTE PRACH waveform; UE; GNSS-assisted acquisition technique; GPS receiver

Subjects: Satellite communication systems; Radionavigation and direction finding; Mobile radio systems