Methods and apparatus for satellite switching in mobile communications

Description

1 / 25 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SATELLITE SWITCHING IN MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS Cross-reference to related patent application(s)

[0001] This disclosure forms part of a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of priority of PCT Application No. PCT / CN2023 / 094553, filed on May 16, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical field

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to mobile communications and, more particularly, to satellite switching in relation to user equipment (UE) and network devices (e.g., satellite) in mobile communications. State of the art

[0003] Unless otherwise indicated in this document, the approaches described in this section do not constitute prior art with respect to the claims listed below and are not admitted as prior art because they are included in this section.

[0004] In Release 17 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), NTN is introduced as a direct terminal-to-satellite communication technology based on the New Radio (NR) interface. With the integration of the satellite network and the terrestrial cellular network (e.g., fifth-generation (5G) network), NTN can provide ubiquitous coverage without being restricted by terrain and topography. As NTN continues to evolve into the 5GAdvanced phase, it has become an important part of the 3GPP Release 18 work plan. Currently, NTN can be included in two working groups: Internet of Things (IoT) NTN and New Radio (NR) NTN. The IoT NTN focuses on satellite IoT services that support enhanced low-complexity machine-type communication (eMTC) and narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) UEs. NR NTN uses the 5G framework. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 13 / 51 2 / 25 NR to enable direct connection between satellites and smartphones in order to provide voice and data services.

[0005] In an NTN, due to satellite movement, a UE may need to perform satellite switching in order to ensure normal transmission during a long connection time and avoid radio link failure. However, in the current 3GPP Release 18 standards, detailed operations related to satellite switching have not been fully discussed and defined. Therefore, there is a need to provide suitable schemes and designs for procedures that allow the UE and the network to perform satellite switching in mobile communications. Summary

[0006] The following summary is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, highlights, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Selected implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Thus, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] One objective of this disclosure is to propose schemes and designs for procedures that would allow the EU and the network to perform satellite switching in mobile communications.

[0008] In one aspect, a method may involve a device connecting to a first satellite of a wireless network to operate in a connected state. The method may also involve the device receiving a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite. The method may further involve the device switching from the first satellite to a second satellite based on the command or condition information. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 14 / 51 3 / 25

[0009] In one aspect, a device may comprise a transceiver that, during operation, communicates wirelessly with a first satellite or a second satellite of a wireless network. The device may also comprise a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor, during operation, may perform operations comprising connecting, via the transceiver, to the first satellite to operate in a connected state. The processor may also perform operations comprising receiving a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite. The processor may further perform operations comprising switching from the first satellite to the second satellite based on the command or condition information.

[0010] In one aspect, a method may involve a first satellite connecting to a device so that the device operates in a connected state. The method may also involve the first satellite transmitting a command or condition information to the device to trigger the device to switch from the first satellite to a second satellite.

[0011] It is noteworthy that, although the description provided herein may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks and network topologies, such as LongTerm Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, 5th Generation (5G), New Radio (NR), Internet of Things (IoT) and Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), beyond 5G (B5G) and 6th Generation (6G), the concepts, schemes and any variations / derivations proposed may be implemented in, for and by other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein. Brief description of the figures Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 15 / 51 4 / 25

[0012] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and are incorporated into and form part of this disclosure. The drawings illustrate implementations of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, as some components may be shown out of proportion to the size of an actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of this disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a satellite hard switching scenario according to the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a satellite soft switching scenario according to the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a communication environment scenario in which various solutions and schemes, according to this disclosure, can be implemented.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a satellite switching scenario according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example communication system according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example process according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another example process according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Detailed description of preferred implementations

[0020] Detailed modalities and implementations of Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 51 5 / 25 of the claimed materials are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the embodiments and implementations disclosed are merely illustrative of the claimed materials, which may be carried out in various ways. This disclosure, however, may be carried out in many different ways and should not be interpreted as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations presented herein. On the contrary, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that the description of this disclosure is complete and comprehensive and fully conveys the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description below, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments and implementations presented. Overview

[0021] Implementations according to this disclosure refer to various techniques, methods, schemes and / or solutions related to satellite switching in mobile communications. According to this disclosure, several possible solutions can be implemented separately or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one combination or another.

[0022] In this disclosure, NTN refers to a network that utilizes radio frequency (RF) and information processing resources carried on high, medium, and low Earth orbit satellites or other high-altitude communication platforms to provide communication services to UEs. Depending on the satellite's payload capacity, there are two typical scenarios: transparent payload and regenerative payload. In transparent payload mode, the satellite does not process the signal and waveform in the communication service, but only functions as a Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 17 / 51 6 / 25 RF amplifier for forwarding data. In regenerative payload mode, the satellite, in addition to RF amplification, also has modulation / demodulation processing, encoding / decoding, switching, routing, and other capabilities. It is noteworthy that this disclosure is motivated by, but not limited to, an NTN scenario.

[0023] In 3GPP Release 18, for mobility enhancement, the unchanged Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) scenario, including hard satellite switching (coverage of non-overlapping satellites at the time of switching) and soft satellite switching (coverage of overlapping satellites at the time of switching), is discussed for the near-fixed cell use case relative to Earth. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hard satellite switching scenario according to this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of UEs are in an area covered by satellite 1 (denoted as SAT#1) at time T1 and covered by satellite 2 (denoted as SAT#2) at time T2, but in the time interval between T1 and T2, the area is not covered by either satellite 1 or satellite 2. Thus, UEs in the area may experience a temporary unavailability of connectivity during satellite switching. FIG.Figure 2 illustrates an example of a 200 scenario of satellite soft switching according to this disclosure. Scenario 200 is similar to scenario 100, except that, in the time interval between T1 and T2, the area is covered by both satellite 1 and satellite 2, so the connection remains available during satellite switching.

[0024] It was agreed in the 3GPP Radio Access Network (RAN) Working Group (WG) 2 (also called RAN2) that, in the case of a nearly fixed cell relative to Earth, satellite switching without PCI change (not requiring Layer 3 (L3) mobility) is supported for hard satellite switching. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 51 7 / 25 on the same synchronization signal block frequency (SSB) and on the same Next Generation Node-B (gNB). However, in the current 3GPP Release 18 standards, detailed operations related to satellite switching have not been fully discussed and defined.

[0025] In view of the foregoing, this disclosure proposes several schemes related to satellite switching with or without PCI change for 5G NR, B5G or 6G. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of scenario 300 of a communication environment in which various solutions and schemes, according to this disclosure, can be implemented. Scenario 300 involves a UE 310 in wireless communication with a network 320 (e.g., a wireless network including an NTN and a TN) via a terrestrial network node 322 (e.g., a base station (BS), such as an evolved Node-B (eNB), a gNB or a transmit / receive point (TRP)) and / or a non-terrestrial network node 324 (e.g., satellite(s)). In some implementations, the terrestrial network node 322 and the non-terrestrial network node 324 can form an NTN service cell for wireless communication with the UE 310.Alternatively, non-terrestrial network node 324 may have integrated BS functionalities to form an NTN service cell for wireless communication with UE 310, without involving any BS. In this communication environment, UE 310, network 320, and either or both terrestrial network node 322 and non-terrestrial network node 324 may implement various satellite switching schemes in mobile communications, according to this disclosure, as described below. It is noteworthy that, although the various proposed schemes may be described individually or separately below, in actual implementations some or all of the proposed schemes may be used or otherwise implemented together. Naturally, each of the proposed schemes may be used or otherwise implemented. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 19 / 51 8 / 25 individually or separately.

[0026] According to a first scheme proposed in this disclosure, an UE can connect to a first satellite of a wireless network to operate in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode). Then, the UE can receive a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite. After that, the UE can switch from the first satellite to a second satellite of the wireless network based on the command or condition information. Thus, by applying the first scheme proposed in this disclosure, the UE and the network can perform satellite switching to ensure normal operation on an NTN and avoid radio link failure.

[0027] In some implementations, the satellite switching triggering may be RRC-based or CE-based MAC. For example, the command may include an RRC signal or a medium access control (MAC) element. That is, a new RRC signal may be used to trigger satellite switching with or without PCI change (i.e., the PCI of the cell (NTN) serving the UE may or may not be changed after satellite switching). Alternatively, a new CE MAC address can be used to trigger satellite switching with or without PCI change.

[0028] In some implementations, satellite switching may be time-based. For example, condition information may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB, and may include new time duration parameter(s) or reuse existing time duration parameter(s), with satellite switching being triggered when the UE time is within the time duration. In one example, the condition information may include early time information (e.g., the 't-Service' field in a time information block) Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 51 The 9 / 25 system (SIB), such as the type 19 SIB (SIB19)), indicates when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second time information (e.g., the 't-ServiceStart' field in a SIB, such as the SIB19) indicates when the second satellite will begin serving the area. The UE can perform satellite switching between the time indicated by the first time information and the time indicated by the second time information.

[0029] In some implementations, satellite switching triggering may be location-based. For example, condition information may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB, and may include new (related) location information or reuse existing (related) location information about where the UE should be triggered for satellite switching.

[0030] In some implementations, satellite switching may be autonomously triggered by the UE. For example, condition information may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB, and may include a value of a (new) timer configured by the network to indicate when to trigger satellite switching. That is, the UE may perform satellite switching when the timer expires.

[0031] According to a second scheme proposed in this disclosure, the UE can receive a satellite switching configuration from the first satellite, i.e., a configuration signal for satellite switching is provided with or without PCI change. Thus, by applying the second scheme proposed in this disclosure, satellite switching can be performed based on the satellite switching configuration.

[0032] In some implementations, the configuration of Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 51 10 / 25 satellite switching may include a specific UE configuration and may be received via an RRC signal or a CE MAC.

[0033] In some implementations, the satellite switching configuration may include a common configuration (i.e., a configuration common to all UEs) and may be received via a SIB (e.g., a new SIB or an existing SIB, such as SIB19 with a new parameter).

[0034] In some implementations, the satellite switching configuration may include a UE group configuration (e.g., a group of UEs in the same service area / cell) and may be received via an RRC signal.

[0035] According to a third scheme proposed in this disclosure, detailed satellite switching configuration contents are provided (e.g., a common configuration), including at least one of the following: (i) ephemeris information (e.g., space service volume (SSV) information from the neighboring satellite consisting of position, velocity and time (PVT) and orbital parameters) of the target satellite (e.g., the second satellite); (ii) common time advance (TA) information from the target satellite (e.g., the second satellite), indicating the TA between the target satellite and the reference point (RP); (iii) the Koffset scheduling offset to allow the UE sufficient processing time between a downlink (DL) reception and an uplink (UL) transmission with the target satellite (e.g., the second satellite);(iv) the Kmac offset to delay the application of a DL configuration indicated by a CE MAC command on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) originating from the target satellite (e.g., the second satellite); and (v) a configuration for a hybrid uplink automatic repeat request (HARQ) after switching; Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 22 / 51 11 / 25 satellite.

[0036] In some implementations, the configuration for the UL HARQ after satellite switching may include a frequency hopping flag, a PUSCH frequency resource allocation, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a transmit power control (TPC) command for the shared physical uplink channel (PUSCH), a channel status information request (CSI), and a new K_s to indicate the PDSCH-to-PUSCH time indicator or indicate additional time offset for K_2, etc.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a 400 satellite switching scenario according to an implementation of this disclosure. In 401, the UE connects to the first satellite (denoted as SAT#1) and enters RRC_CONNECTED mode. In 402, the UE receives a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite. As described above, the command may include an RRC signal or a CE MAC for triggering, while the condition information may include time information, location information, or a timer value for triggering. In 403, the UE decides to perform the satellite switching by switching from the first satellite to the second satellite. In 404, the UE connects to the second satellite (denoted as SAT#2) to complete the switching. Depending on the network deployment, the connection between the UE and the first / second satellite may be established with or without the involvement of a BS (e.g., a gNB).If each of the first and second satellites possesses full BS functionalities (i.e., the first / second satellite can communicate directly with the UE without the involvement of a ground BS), then the PCI of the cell (formed by the first satellite) serving the UE before satellite switching will be different from the PCI of the cell (formed by the second satellite). Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 23 / 51 12 / 25 by the second satellite) that serves the UE after satellite switching, i.e., the aforementioned satellite switching with PCI change. Alternatively, if each of the first and second satellites does not have full BS functionalities (i.e., the first / second satellite depends on a terrestrial BS to communicate with the UE), then the cell (formed by the terrestrial BS) that serves the UE and the cell's PCI before and after satellite switching will remain the same, i.e., the aforementioned satellite switching without PCI change. Illustrative implementations

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a communication system 500 containing an example of a communication device 510 and an example of a network device 520, according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Each of the communication devices 510 and network device 520 can perform various functions to implement schemes, techniques, processes and methods described herein related to satellite switching in mobile communications, including the scenarios / schemes described above, as well as the processes 600 and 700 described below.

[0039] The 510 communication device may be part of an electronic device, which may be a UE, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, the 510 communication device may be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, an electronic control unit (ECU) in a vehicle, a digital camera, or a computing device such as a tablet, laptop, or notebook. The 510 communication device may also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an IoT, NB-IoT, IIoT, low-bandwidth and low-complexity (BL), or increased coverage (CE) UE, such as a stationary or fixed device, a household appliance, a Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 24 / 51 13 / 25 roadside unit (RSU), a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, the 510 communication device can be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. Alternatively, the 510 communication device can be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set processors (RISCs), or one or more complex instruction set processors (CISCs). The 510 communication device may include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 5, such as, for example, a 512 processor.The 510 communication apparatus may also include one or more other components not relevant to the scheme proposed in this disclosure (for example, internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device) and, therefore, such component(s) of the 510 communication apparatus are not shown in FIG. 5 nor described below in the interest of simplicity and conciseness.

[0040] The 520 network device may be part of an electronic device, which may be a network node, such as a satellite, a BS, a small cell, a router, or an NTN gateway. For example, the 520 network device may be implemented in a satellite and / or in an eNB / gNB / TRP in a 4G / 5G, NR, IoT, NB-IoT, or IIoT network. Alternatively, the 520 network device may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuits (ICs), such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more RISC or CISC processors. The 520 network device may include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 5, such as, for example, a Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 25 / 51 14 / 25 processor 522. The network device 520 may also include one or more other components not relevant to the scheme proposed in this disclosure (for example, internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device) and, therefore, such component(s) of the network device 520 are not shown in FIG. 5 nor described below in the interest of simplicity and conciseness.

[0041] In one aspect, each of the 512 and 522 processors may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, although the singular term “a processor” is used herein to refer to the 512 and 522 processors, each of the 512 and 522 processors may include multiple processors in some implementations and a single processor in other implementations, according to the present disclosure. In another aspect, each of the 512 and 522 processors may be implemented in the form of hardware (and optionally firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more varactors, configured and arranged to achieve specific purposes according to the present disclosure.In other words, in at least some implementations, each of the 512 and 522 processors is a special-purpose machine, designed, arranged, and configured specifically to perform specific tasks, including satellite switching in mobile communications, in a device (for example, represented by the 510 communication apparatus) and in a network node (for example, represented by the 520 network apparatus), according to various implementations of the present disclosure.

[0042] In some implementations, the device of Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 26 / 51 15 / 25 communication 510 may also include a transceiver 516 coupled to processor 512 and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, transceiver 516 may be able to wirelessly communicate with different types of UEs and / or wireless networks of different radio access technologies (RATs). In some implementations, transceiver 516 may be equipped with a plurality of antenna ports (not shown), such as four antenna ports. That is, transceiver 516 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for multi-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications. In some implementations, network appliance 520 may also include a transceiver 526 coupled to processor 522. Transceiver 526 may include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data.In some implementations, the 526 transceiver may be able to communicate wirelessly with different types of UEs from different RATs. In some implementations, the 526 transceiver may be equipped with a plurality of antenna ports (not shown), such as four antenna ports. That is, the 526 transceiver may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for MIMO wireless communications.

[0043] In some implementations, the communication device 510 may also include a memory 514 coupled to the processor 512 and capable of being accessed by the processor 512 and storing data therein. In some implementations, the network device 520 may also include a memory 524 coupled to the processor 522 and capable of being accessed by the processor 522 and storing data therein. Each of the memories 514 and 524 may include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, or additionally, each of the memories 514 and 524 may include Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 27 / 51 16 / 25 a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM) and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, or additionally, each of the 514 and 524 memories may include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) and / or phase-change memory.

[0044] Each of the 510 communication apparatus and the 520 network apparatus can be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various schemes proposed in accordance with this disclosure. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, a description of the capabilities of the 510 communication apparatus, as a UE, and of the 520 network apparatus, as a network node (e.g., satellite), is provided below.

[0045] According to certain schemes proposed in this disclosure regarding satellite switching from the UE perspective, the processor 512 of the communication device 510 can connect, via the transceiver 516, to a first satellite to operate in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode). Then, the processor 512 can receive, via the transceiver 516, a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switch from the first satellite. Furthermore, the processor 512 can switch, via the transceiver 516, from the first satellite to a second satellite based on the command or condition information. On the other hand, from the network perspective, the processor 522 of the network device 520 (for example, a first satellite) can connect, via the transceiver 526, to the communication device 510 so that the communication device 510 operates in a connected state (for example, RRC_CONNECTED mode).Next, the 522 processor. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 28 / 51 17 / 25 can transmit, via transceiver 526, a command or condition information to communication device 510 to trigger communication device 510 to switch from the first satellite to a second satellite.

[0046] In some implementations, the command or condition information may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB.

[0047] In some implementations, the condition information may include at least one of the following: (i) first time information about when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second time information about when the second satellite will begin serving the area; (ii) location information about where the device should be triggered for satellite switching; and (iii) a timer value, at which switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed if the timer expires.

[0048] In some implementations, switching from the first satellite to the second satellite can be performed between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information.

[0049] In some implementations, processor 512 can also receive, via transceiver 516, a satellite switching configuration from the first satellite, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed based on the satellite switching configuration.

[0050] In some implementations, the satellite switching configuration may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB, and include a UE-specific configuration, a common configuration, or a Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 29 / 51 18 / 25 EU group configuration.

[0051] In some implementations, the common configuration may include at least one of the following: (i) ephemeris information (e.g., neighboring satellite SSV information consisting of PVT and orbital parameters) from the second satellite; (ii) common TA information from the second satellite, indicating the TA between the second satellite and the RP; (iii) the Koffset scheduling offset to allow the UE sufficient processing time between a DL reception and a UL transmission with the second satellite; (iv) the Kmac offset to delay the application of a DL configuration indicated by a CE MAC command in a PDSCH originating from the second satellite; and (v) a configuration for a UL HARQ after satellite switching.

[0052] In some implementations, a PCI of a cell serving the 510 communication device may be changed or not changed after satellite switching. Illustrative processes

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of process 600 according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 600 may be an example implementation of the above scenarios / schemes, either partially or completely, with respect to satellite switching in mobile communications. Process 600 may represent an aspect of the implementation of functionalities of the communication device 510. Process 600 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 610 to 630. Although illustrated as distinct blocks, several blocks of process 600 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the blocks of process 600 may be executed in the order shown in FIG. 6 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 600 may be implemented Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 30 / 51 19 / 25 by or on the 510 communication apparatus or on any suitable EU or machine-type devices. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, process 600 is described below in the context of the 510 communication apparatus. Process 600 may begin on block 610.

[0054] In block 610, process 600 may involve processor 512 of communication device 510 connecting, via transceiver 516, to a first satellite (e.g., network device 510) of a wireless network to operate in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode). Process 600 may proceed from block 610 to block 620.

[0055] In block 620, process 600 may involve processor 512 receiving, via transceiver 516, a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite. Process 600 may proceed from block 620 to block 630.

[0056] In block 630, process 600 may involve processor 512 switching, via transceiver 516, from the first satellite to a second satellite of the wireless network based on command or condition information.

[0057] In some implementations, the command or condition information may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB.

[0058] In some implementations, the condition information may include at least one of the following: (i) first time information about when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second time information about when the second satellite will begin serving the area; (ii) location information about where the device should be triggered for satellite switching; and (iii) a timer value, at which switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed if the timer is set. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 31 / 51 20 / 25 expire.

[0059] In some implementations, switching from the first satellite to the second satellite can be performed between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information.

[0060] In some implementations, process 600 may also involve processor 512 receiving, via transceiver 516, a satellite switching configuration from the first satellite, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed based on the satellite switching configuration.

[0061] In some implementations, the satellite switching configuration may be received via an RRC signal, a CE MAC, or a SIB, and include a UE-specific configuration, a common configuration, or a UE group configuration.

[0062] In some implementations, the common configuration may include at least one of the following: (i) ephemeris information (e.g., neighboring satellite SSV information consisting of PVT and orbital parameters) from the second satellite; (ii) common TA information from the second satellite, indicating the TA between the second satellite and the RP; (iii) the Koffset scheduling offset to allow the UE sufficient processing time between a DL reception and a UL transmission with the second satellite; (iv) the Kmac offset to delay the application of a DL configuration indicated by a CE MAC command in a PDSCH originating from the second satellite; and (v) a configuration for a UL HARQ after satellite switching.

[0063] In some implementations, a single-cell PCI serving the 510 communication device may be changed or left unchanged after satellite switching. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 32 / 51 21 / 25

[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of process 700 according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 700 may be an example implementation of the above scenarios / schemes, either partially or completely, with respect to satellite switching in mobile communications. Process 700 may represent an aspect of the implementation of functionalities of the network appliance 520. Process 700 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 710 and 720. Although illustrated as distinct blocks, several blocks of process 700 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the blocks of process 700 may be executed in the order shown in FIG. 7 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 700 may be implemented by or on the network appliance 520, as well as in any variations thereof.For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, process 700 is described below in the context of network device 520. Process 700 can start in block 710.

[0065] In block 710, process 700 may involve processor 522 of network device 520 (e.g., a first satellite) connecting, via transceiver 526, to communication device 510 so that communication device 510 operates in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode). Process 700 may proceed from block 710 to block 720.

[0066] In block 720, process 700 may involve processor 522 transmitting, via transceiver 526, a command or condition information to communication device 510 to trigger communication device 510 to switch from the first satellite to a second satellite.

[0067] In some implementations, the command or the Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 33 / 51 22 / 25 condition information can be transmitted via an RRC signal, a CE MAC or a SIB.

[0068] In some implementations, the condition information may include at least one of the following: (i) first time information about when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second time information about when the second satellite will begin serving the area; (ii) location information about where the device should be triggered for satellite switching; and (iii) a timer value, at which switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed if the timer expires.

[0069] In some implementations, switching from the first satellite to the second satellite can be performed between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information. Additional notes

[0070] The material described here sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected to, different other components. It should be understood that such represented architectures are merely examples and that, in fact, many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively associated so that the desired functionality is achieved. Thus, any two components combined here to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as associated with each other so that the desired functionality is achieved, regardless of architectures or intermediate components. Similarly, any two components thus associated can also be Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 34 / 51 23 / 25 are viewed as being operationally connected or operationally coupled to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being thus associated can also be viewed as being operationally coupled to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operationally coupled components include, but are not limited to, physically connectable and / or physically interactive components and / or wireless interactive and / or wirelessly interactive components and / or logically interactive and / or logically interactive components.

[0071] Furthermore, with regard to the use of plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the technique may translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural as appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.

[0072] Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in general, the terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, for example, bodies of the appended claims, are generally intended as open terms, for example, the term including should be interpreted as including, but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes, but not limited to, etc. It will further be understood by those skilled in the art that, if a specific number of a recitation introduced in a claim is intended, such intention will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intention is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce recitations of the claim. In Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 35 / 51 24 / 25 However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any specific claim containing such recitation introduced to implementations containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases a or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an, for example, a and / or an should be interpreted as meaning at least one or one or more; the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the technique will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted as meaning at least the number recited; for example, the mere recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations. Additionally, in cases where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc., is used, such a construction is generally intended in the sense that someone versed in the technique would understand the convention; for example, a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include, but not be limited to, systems that have only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. In cases where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, or C, etc.It is generally used that such a construction is intended in the sense that someone versed in the technique would understand the convention, for example, a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include, but not be limited to, systems that have only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. It will also be understood by those within the technique that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase featuring two "or"s is used. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 36 / 51 25 / 25 plus alternative terms, whether in the description, claims or drawings, should be understood as encompassing the possibilities of including one of the terms, any of the terms, or both terms. For example, the sentence “A or B” will be understood as including the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”.

[0073] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described herein for illustrative purposes, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Thus, the various implementations disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 37 / 51

Claims

1 / 6 CLAIMS 1. A method characterized in that it comprises: connecting, by means of a device processor, to a first satellite of a wireless network to operate in a connected state; receiving, by the processor, a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite; and switching, by means of the processor, from the first satellite to a second satellite of the wireless network based on the command or condition information.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the command or condition information is received through a radio resource control (RRC) signal, a medium access control (MAC) element, or a system information block (SIB).

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the condition information comprises at least one of the following: first, time information about when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second, time information about when the second satellite will begin serving the area; location information about where the device should be activated for satellite switching; and a timer value, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed on an event when the timer expires.

4. Method, according to claim 3, characterized in that the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information.

5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: receiving, by the processor, a satellite switching configuration from the first satellite, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed based on the satellite switching configuration.

6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the satellite switching configuration is received via an RRC signal, a MAC CE, or a SIB, and wherein the satellite switching configuration comprises a user equipment (UE) specific configuration, a common configuration, or a UE group configuration.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the common configuration comprises at least one of the following: ephemeris information from the second satellite; common timing advance (TA) information from the second satellite; a scheduling offset to allow the apparatus sufficient processing time between a downlink (DL) reception and an uplink (UL) transmission with the second satellite; an offset to delay the application of a DL configuration indicated by a MAC CE command on a shared downlink physical channel (PDSCH) from the second satellite; and a configuration for a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) of UL after satellite switching.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a physical cell identifier (PCI) of a server cell to the device is altered or not altered after satellite switching.

9. Apparatus characterized in that it comprises: a transceiver which, during operation, communicates wirelessly with a first satellite or a second satellite of a wireless network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver such that, during operation, the processor performs operations comprising: connecting, via the transceiver, to the first satellite to operate in a connected state; receiving, via the transceiver, a command or condition information to trigger a satellite switching from the first satellite; and switching, via the transceiver, from the first satellite to the second satellite based on the command or condition information.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the command or condition information is received through a radio resource control (RRC) signal, a medium access control (MAC) element, or a system information block (SIB).

11. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that the condition information comprises at least one of the following: first, time information about when the first satellite will cease to serve an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second, time information about when the second satellite will begin to serve the area; location information about where the apparatus should be activated for satellite switching; and a timer value, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed on an event when the timer expires.

12. Apparatus, according to claim 11, characterized in that the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is carried out between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information.

13. Apparatus, according to claim 9, characterized in that, during operation, the processor additionally performs the operations of: receiving, through the transceiver, a satellite switching configuration from the first satellite, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed based on the satellite switching configuration.

14. Apparatus, according to claim 13, characterized in that the satellite switching configuration is received via an RRC signal, a MAC CE, or a SIB, and wherein the satellite switching configuration comprises a user equipment (UE) specific configuration, a common configuration, or a UE group configuration.

15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the common configuration comprises at least one of the following: ephemeris information from the second satellite; common timing advance (TA) information from the second satellite; a scheduling offset to allow the device sufficient processing time between a downlink (DL) reception and an uplink (UL) transmission with the second satellite; an offset to delay the application of a DL configuration indicated by a MAC CE command in a shared downlink physical channel (PDSCH) from the second satellite; and a configuration for a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) of UL after satellite switching.

16. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that a physical cell identifier (PCI) of a server cell to the device is changed or not changed after satellite switching.

17. A method characterized by the fact that it comprises: connecting, via a processor on a first satellite, to an apparatus so that the apparatus operates in a connected state; and transmitting, via the processor, a command or condition information to the apparatus to trigger the apparatus to switch from the first satellite to a second satellite.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the command or condition information is transmitted via a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a medium access control (MAC) element, or a system information block (SIB).

19. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the condition information comprises at least one of the following: first, time information about when the first satellite will cease serving an area that the first satellite is currently covering, and second, time information about when the second satellite will begin serving the area; location information about where the device should be activated for satellite switching; and a timer value, wherein the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed on an event when the timer expires. Petition 870250090156, dated 10 / 03 / 2025, pp. 42 / 51 6 / 6 20. Method, according to claim 19, characterized in that the switching from the first satellite to the second satellite is performed between a first time indicated by the first time information and a second time indicated by the second time information. Petition 870250090156, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, pp. 43 / 51

Images