Reliable link performance for cellular IoT and NR in non-terrestrial networks

Abstract

A method, network node and wireless device for reliable link performance of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in a non-terrestrial network. In some embodiments, a network node (16) configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network is provided. The network node (16) includes a processing circuit (68) configured to provide an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, wherein the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to reliable link performance of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks. Background Art

[0002] Cellular Internet of Things (IoT)

[0003] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 13, Extended Coverage Global System for Mobile Communications (EC-GSM) Internet of Things (IoT) and Narrowband (NB) IoT are specified, which supports Long Term Evolution (LTE) bandwidth reduced low complexity (BL) radio devices (WD) operating in Coverage Enhancement (CE) Modes A and B. LTE BL / CE mode operation is hereinafter referred to as LTE-M operation. NB-IoT and LTE-M are designed to provide qualities such as deep indoor coverage, high system capacity, and long device battery life.

[0004] In version 1.1 of the Multefire Alliance (MFA), unlicensed versions of LTE-M and NB-IoT operating in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) were specified.

[0005] Extended Coverage (EC)

[0006] EC-GSM-IoT, NB IoT, LTE-M, and other radio access technologies use time repetition of radio blocks to improve coverage and reliability. For example, in extreme cases, NB-IoT supports up to 2048 consecutive time repetitions of the Narrowband Physical Downlink Shared Channel (NPDSCH). In 3GPP and MFA specifications, this concept is called "blind repetition" or just "repetition". This type of repetition is transmitted without waiting for feedback from the receiving node, which describes why in some cases the concept is called blind repetition.

[0007] The use of time repetition is supported in both the uplink (UL) (eg, from the wireless device to the network node) and the downlink (DL) (eg, from the network node to the wireless device) to provide symmetrical performance improvements.

[0008] A receiving node can assume that the transmitting node for any given antenna port provides a coherent waveform that allows the receiver to distinguish the channel that conveyed a symbol on the antenna port from the channel that conveyed another symbol on the same antenna port. This means that the transmitter presents a well-defined time and frequency reference to the receiver, satisfying the strict requirements for maintaining constant amplitude, constant reference frequency, and continuous phase trajectory.

[0009] Equation 1 below illustrates an example of a signal s(t) that has a time-invariant amplitude A, carrier frequency fc, and phase ρ c And meet the coherence requirements:

[0010]

[0011] In addition, the 3GPP / MFA baseband specification provides a well-defined starting point for each repeated radio block. 0 and time length T, and a specified starting phase ρ o .

[0012] 3GPP Technical Standard (TS) 51.021 Section 6.3 specifies test cases and requirements for verifying the ability of an EC GSM IoT base station to provide a waveform with coherent phase and coherent amplitude. The test case requires the base station to generate four repeated radio blocks for which the transmitted complex IQ representation is combined. The measured power gain of the combined waveform shall not be less than 10dB relative to the power of the first block in the repeated block. This is comparable to the ideal power gain of 4 repetitions. Compare, where the amplitude of each repetition is A.

[0013] At the receiver, repeated blocks are often combined to improve receiver processing gain. Well-defined transmitter requirements allow the receiver to adjust and optimize the receiver combining method. The optimal combining scheme often depends on the radio technology. In the case of EC-GSM-IoT, a popular scheme is to accumulate the received complex IQ representation of each radio block in a set of repeated blocks. This allows the receiver to obtain sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) before performing time synchronization, channel estimation, and demodulation. In the case of NB-IoT and LTE-M, a popular combining method is to jointly estimate the radio channel for a set of consecutive radio blocks. This allows the receiver to improve the channel estimation and optimize the coherent demodulation performance over a set of repeated radio blocks.

[0014] If the assumptions above are not met for the transmitter, the receiving node reverts to a less efficient combining method. In the case of EC-GSM-IoT, the receiver performs soft bit combining, rather than IQ level combining. In the case of NB-IoT and LTE-M, the receiver performs channel estimation based on each received radio block.

[0015] New Radio (NR)

[0016] In 3GPP Release 15, the fifth generation (5G), also known as New Radio (NR), was developed. This is the next generation of radio access technology designed to serve use cases including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC).

[0017] 5G is based on the New Radio (NR) access layer interface and the 5G Core (5GC). The NR physical layer and higher layers reuse parts of the LTE specification and add to it components that support operation in a new set of frequency bands in the frequency range of 24.25 to 52.6 MHz. In the 3GPP specification, this frequency range is called Frequency Range 2 (FR2), while the range below 6 GHz is called Frequency Range 1 (FR1).

[0018] To overcome the challenging propagation conditions in FR2, NR supports advanced beamforming techniques. Concepts throughout NR operation and its beamforming techniques are the concepts of Quasi Co-location (QCL) and Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI), which are discussed below. QCL was initially introduced for LTE and evolved in the NR specification.

[0019] Quasi-co-located (QCL)

[0020] In order to enable the receiver to distinguish a channel that transmits a symbol on an antenna port from a channel that transmits another symbol on a possibly different antenna port, the WD may assume that two or more antenna ports are quasi co-located (QCL). Typically, several signals may be transmitted from the same base station physical antenna from different antenna ports. These signals may share the same large-scale characteristics, for example in terms of Doppler shift / spread, average delay spread, or average delay. These antenna ports are then referred to as quasi co-located (QCL).

[0021] The network / network node can signal to the WD that the two antenna ports are QCL. If the WD knows that the two antenna ports are QCL with respect to some parameter (e.g. Doppler spread), the WD can estimate the parameter based on one of the antenna ports and use the estimate when receiving the signal on the other antenna port. Typically, the first antenna port is represented by a measurement reference signal (RS) such as a channel state information (CSI)-RS (referred to as the source RS), while the second antenna port is a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) (referred to as the target RS).

[0022] For example, if antenna ports A and B are QCL with respect to an average delay spread, the WD can estimate the average delay spread based on the signal received from antenna port A (called the source reference signal (RS)) and assume that the signal received from antenna port B (the target RS) has the same average delay. This is useful for demodulation because the WD can know the characteristics of the channel in advance when trying to measure the channel with DMRS.

[0023] In LTE, a WD configured in transmission modes 1-9 for a serving cell can assume that antenna ports 0-3, 5, and 7-46 of the serving cell are quasi-co-located with respect to the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the channel. This is called QCL Type A in LTE.

[0024] Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI)

[0025] In NR, the above QCL concept is further generalized by introducing transmission configuration indication (TCI) states. For example, a WD can be configured with a TCI state configuration list for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) decoding. Each TCI-State contains parameters for configuring the QCL relationship between 1 or 2 downlink RSs (qcl-Type1 for the first downlink RS and qcl-Type2 for the second downlink RS, if configured) and the DMRS port of the PDSCH. The two QCL types qcl-Type1 and qcl-Type2 are not the same, even when the 2 downlink RSs reference the same downlink (DL) RS.

[0026] There are four types of QCL defined in NR:

[0027] - 'QCL-TypeA': {Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread}

[0028] - 'QCL-TypeB': {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}

[0029] - 'QCL-TypeC': {Doppler shift, average delay}

[0030] - 'QCL-TypeD': {spatial receive (Rx) parameters}

[0031] QCL-TypeA in NR is similar to the QCL Type A assumption in LTE. QCL-TypeB or QCL-TypeC includes a subset of channel statistics from those included in QCL-TypeA. A notable feature of NR is the operation in the high frequency range (such as millimeter wave), which requires highly directional beamforming transmission and reception. QCL-TypeD is introduced to facilitate beamforming operation in NR. Specifically, QCL-TypeD corresponds to receive beam information on the WD side. If the DMRS of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is quasi-colocated with the RS with QCL-TypeD, the WD can receive the PDSCH using the same spatial Rx beamforming parameters used to receive the RS.

[0032] To introduce dynamics in beam and transmission point (TRP) selection, a WD can be configured with N TCI states through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, where N is up to 128 in frequency range 2 (FR2) and up to 8 in FR1, depending on the WD capabilities.

[0033] Each TCI state may contain QCL information, i.e., one or two source downlink reference signals, each source RS being associated with a QCL type. For example, a TCI state contains a pair of reference signals, each reference signal being associated with a QCL type. For example, two different CSI-RS {CSI-RS1, CSI-RS2} are configured as {qcl-Type1,qcl-Type2} ={Type A, Type D} in the TCI state. This means that the WD can derive Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread from CSI-RS1, and derive spatial Rx parameters (i.e., the RX beam to be used) from CSI-RS2. If type D (spatial information) is not applicable, such as in low-band or mid-band operation, the TCI state contains only a single source RS.

[0034] Each of the N states in the TCI state list may be interpreted as a list of N possible beams transmitted from the network or a list of N possible transmit reception points (TRPs) used by the network to communicate with the WD.

[0035] The first list of available TCI states is configured for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the second list for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) contains pointers to a subset of TCI states configured for PDSCH, called TCI state IDs. The network then activates one TCI state for PDCCH (i.e., provides TCI for PDCCH) and up to eight active TCI states for PDSCH. The number of active TCI states supported by a WD is a WD capability, but the maximum value is 8.

[0036] Each configured TCI state contains parameters for quasi-co-location association between a source reference signal (CSI-RS or synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH)) and a target reference signal (e.g., PDSCH / PDCCH DMRS port). The TCI state is also used to convey QCL information for receiving CSI-RS.

[0037] Assume that the WD is configured with 4 active TCI states (from a total of 64 configured TCI state list). Therefore, 60 TCI states are inactive, and the WD does not need to be prepared to have large-scale parameters estimated for those. However, the WD keeps tracking and updating large-scale parameters for the 4 active TCI states by measuring and analyzing the source RS indicated by each TCI state.

[0038] When the TCI state has not been configured or activated, the WD may assume that the DMRS ports of the PDSCH of the serving cell are quasi-colocated with the SS / PBCH blocks determined during the initial access procedure for "QCL-TypeA" and, when applicable, also for "QCL-TypeD".

[0039] In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), airborne stations (high altitude platform stations) or spaceborne stations (satellites) may need to update transmit (Tx) beamforming vectors over time. For example, in a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system with an earth-fixed beam, different Tx beamforming vectors need to be applied to the spot beam so that the same geographical area can be covered when the LEO moves.

[0040] Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)

[0041] In 3GPP Release 15, a study project entitled "NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks" was completed, which resulted in Technical Report (TR) 38.811. In 3GPP Release 16, work on preparing NR for operation in NTNs continued, for example, the study project "Solutions for NR to support Non-TerrestrialNetwork".

[0042] A satellite radio access network typically consists of the following components:

[0043] · Refers to the satellite of the spaceborne platform;

[0044] Earth-based gateways that connect satellites to base stations or core networks, depending on the choice of architecture;

[0045] The feeder link refers to the link between the gateway and the satellite; and

[0046] · Refers to the service link between the satellite and the WD.

[0047] Two popular architectures are bent pipe repeater and regenerative repeater architectures. In the first case, the base station is located on Earth behind a gateway and the satellite operates as a repeater, forwarding the feeder link signal to the service link and vice versa. In the second case, the satellite is located in the base station and the service link connects it to the Earth-based core network.

[0048] Depending on the orbital altitude, satellites are classified as low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), or geosynchronous (GEO) satellites.

[0049] LEO: Typical altitudes range from 250–1,500 km, with orbital periods ranging from 90–130 minutes;

[0050] MEO: Typical altitudes range from 5,000–25,000 km, with orbital periods ranging from 2–14 hours; and

[0051] GEO: Altitude is approximately 35,786 km, with an orbital period of 24 hours.

[0052] Communications satellites typically generate several beams over a given area. The footprint of a beam is typically elliptical, which is traditionally considered a cell. The footprint of a beam is often also referred to as a spot beam. The footprint of a beam may move over the surface of the Earth as the satellite moves, or it may be fixed to the Earth by some beam pointing mechanism that the satellite uses to compensate for its motion. The size of a spot beam depends on the system design and can range from tens of kilometers to thousands of kilometers. Figure 1 An example architecture of a satellite network with bent pipe repeaters is shown.

[0053] A transmitting node that transmits repeated radio blocks may not be able to deliver the stable and coherent waveform expected by the receiving node because:

[0054] 1. Low-cost IoT devices may be equipped with a lossless frequency reference, also known as a local oscillator. In the most basic implementation, the local oscillator is free-running (i.e., not temperature controlled), where the frequency and phase reference drift and jitter in time.

[0055] 2. In transmitters utilizing advanced beamforming schemes, the reconfiguration of precoding weights that steer the beam direction may produce phase and / or amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal. In NR-based NTNs with mobile satellite transmitters, this may be an unavoidable consequence of providing Earth-fixed spot beams.

[0056] 3. In the case of a multi-carrier transmitter, it may be desirable to introduce a random starting phase on each transmitted radio block to reduce the correlation between the multiplexed carriers, thereby reducing the peak to average power ratio of the combined waveform.

[0057] Examples such as these may undermine the ability of a receiving node to perform efficient combining of repeated instances of a received signal.Phase discontinuities as described in the second example may, for example in the worst case of a 180 degree phase jump, completely cancel the received signal after combining.

[0058] In the NTN case, the second example may also challenge the ability to maintain the configured TCI state over time. This may deteriorate beam selection in NR-based NTN networks. Summary of the invention

[0059] Some embodiments can advantageously provide methods, network nodes, and wireless devices for reliable link performance of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks. In some embodiments, a network node or satellite generates transmission characteristic information that configures a WD to avoid combining received radio blocks during times when a coherent waveform is unavailable from a network node and / or when a beam switch is about to occur. The network node or satellite transmits the transmission characteristic information to the WD.

[0060] According to one aspect, the transmitting node indicates to the receiving node its ability to maintain coherent and stable transmission over time and the NRTCI state. The receiving node can use this information to adapt its receiver algorithm and NR beam selection to optimize its performance.

[0061] One or more embodiments described herein support reliable receiver implementations, such as for time-repetition-based transmission schemes or for beam selection in NR-based NTNs. This can optimize receiver performance and support reliable link-level performance compared to other solutions.

[0062] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a network node is configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network. The network node includes a processing circuit configured to provide an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, wherein the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

[0063] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, and the TCI indicates a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates multiple TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to activate one of the multiple TCI states via media access control MAC control element CE signaling before the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

[0064] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to cause transmission of downlink control information DCI for activating one of a plurality of TCI states before reconfiguration of precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs.

[0065] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to signal a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift indicating a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to provide a criterion for defining a stable signal before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal.

[0066] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a network node configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network is provided. An indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights is provided. The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

[0067] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, and the TCI indicates a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates multiple TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to activate one of the multiple TCI states via media access control MAC control element CE signaling before the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

[0068] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to cause transmission of downlink control information DCI for activating one of a plurality of TCI states before reconfiguration of precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs is configured. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs is configured.

[0069] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to signal a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift indicating a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to provide a criterion for defining a stable signal before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network is provided. The wireless device includes a processing circuit configured to: receive an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, and operate based at least in part on the indication of the transmission characteristic information, wherein the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

[0071] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, and the TCI indicates a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates multiple TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit is further configured to activate one of the multiple TCI states before the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on media access control MAC signaling.

[0072] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling, and the processing circuit is further configured to activate one of a plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on the downlink control information DCI for activation. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which the downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which the PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs.

[0073] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to receive a transmission of signaling indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift of a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which one of the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

[0074] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit is further configured to receive a criterion for defining a stable signal before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal.

[0075] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented by a wireless device, the wireless device being configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network, receiving an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, and performing operations based at least in part on the indication of the transmission characteristic information, wherein the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

[0076] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, and the TCI indicates a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates multiple TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling. One of the multiple TCI states is activated before the reconfiguration of the precoding weights at least in part based on media access control MAC signaling.

[0077] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via radio resource control RRC signaling. One of the multiple TCI states is activated before the reconfiguration of the precoding weights at least in part based on the downlink control information DCI for activation. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an operation is performed according to the time gap between the time slot in which the downlink control information DCI is transmitted and the time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an operation is performed according to the time gap between the time slot in which the PDSCH transmission is configured to start and the time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs.

[0078] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a transmission of signaling is received indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift in which a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which one of the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a standard for defining a stable signal is received before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, reconfiguration of precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and the attendant advantages and features thereof will be more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0080] Figure 1 is a diagram of an exemplary non-terrestrial communication network;

[0081] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary network architecture illustrating a communication system connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0082] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with a wireless device via a network node over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0083] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device, the method for executing a client application at the wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] Figure 5is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for receiving user data at the wireless device;

[0085] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for receiving user data from the wireless device at the host computer;

[0086] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method for receiving user data at the host computer;

[0087] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process in a network node for generating and transmitting transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0088] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of another exemplary process in a network node for generating and transmitting transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0089] Fig.10 is a flow chart of an exemplary process in a wireless device for receiving and processing transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0090] Fig.11 is a flow chart of another exemplary process in a wireless device for receiving and processing transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0091] Fig.12 The figure shows the TTI where WD can assume the waveform is coherent;

[0092] Fig.13 illustrates a minimum time gap that determines the time slot at which beam switching occurs; and

[0093] Fig.14 is an alternative illustration of the minimum time gap that determines the time slot in which beam switching occurs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] Before describing the exemplary embodiments in detail, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in a combination of device components and processing steps related to reliable link performance for cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks. Thus, in the accompanying drawings, components have been represented by conventional symbols where appropriate, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0095] As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second", "top" and "bottom", etc., may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element, and do not necessarily require or imply any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprises", when used herein, specify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0096] In the embodiments described herein, the connection terms "in communication with..." and the like may be used to indicate electrical communication or data communication, which may be achieved, for example, by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling, or optical signaling. Those skilled in the art will recognize that multiple components may interoperate, and modifications and variations in achieving electrical and data communications are possible.

[0097] In some embodiments described herein, the terms "coupled," "connected," and the like may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily a direct connection, and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0098] The term "network node" used herein may be any kind of network node included in a satellite, radio network, which may further include a base station (BS), a radio base station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a g Node B (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), a Node B, a multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node (such as an MSR BS), a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), a relay node, a donor node controlling a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a radio access point (AP), a transmission point, a transmission node, a remote radio unit (RRU) remote radio head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., a mobile management entity (MME), a self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordination node, a positioning node, an MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., a third-party node, a node outside the current network), a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB), etc. The network node may also include a test device. As used herein, the term "radio node" may also be used to refer to a wireless device (WD), such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0099] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. The WD herein may be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another WD via a radio signal, such as a wireless device (WD). The WD may also be a radio communication device, a target device, a device-to-device (D2D) WD, a machine-type WD, or a WD capable of machine-to-machine communication (M2M), a low-cost and / or low-complexity WD, a sensor equipped with a WD, a tablet, a mobile terminal, a smart phone, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a narrowband IoT (NB-IOT) device, etc.

[0100] Also, in some embodiments, the general term "radio network node" is used. It can be any kind of radio network node, which can include any of a satellite, a ground-based network node or base station, a radio base station, a base transceiver station, a base station controller, a network controller, an RNC, an evolved Node B (eNB), a Node B, a gNB, a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), a relay node, an IAB node, an access point, a radio access point, a remote radio unit (RRU), a remote radio head (RRH), etc.

[0101] It should be noted that although technical terms from one particular wireless system such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR) may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned systems. Other wireless systems, including but not limited to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from applying the ideas covered in this disclosure.

[0102] An indication may generally indicate explicitly and / or implicitly the information it represents and / or indicates. An implicit indication may, for example, be based on a location and / or resource used for transmission. An explicit indication may, for example, be based on parameterization with one or more parameters and / or one or more indexes and / or one or more bit patterns representing information.

[0103] A cell may generally be a communication cell of a cellular or mobile communication network, for example provided by a node. A serving cell may be a cell on which or via which a network node (a node providing or associated to the cell, for example a base station, gNB or eNodeB) transmits and / or may transmit data (which may be data other than broadcast data), in particular control and / or user or payload data, to a user equipment, and / or via which or on which a user equipment transmits and / or may transmit data to the node; a serving cell may be a cell for which or on which a user equipment is configured and / or it is synchronized to and / or has performed an access procedure (for example a random access procedure), and / or with respect to other cells in RRCconnected or RRCidle state, for example if the node and / or the user equipment and / or the network complies with the LTE standard. One or more carriers (for example one or more uplink and / or downlink carriers and / or carriers for both uplink and downlink) may be associated with a cell.

[0104] Transmission in a downlink may involve transmission from a network or a network node to a terminal. Transmission in an uplink may involve transmission from a terminal to a network or a network node. Transmission in a sidelink may involve (direct) transmission from one terminal to another. Uplink, downlink and sidelink (e.g., sidelink transmission and reception) may be considered as communication directions. In some variants, uplink and downlink may also be used to describe wireless communications between network nodes, such as for wireless backhaul and / or relay communication and / or (wireless) network communication, such as communication between base stations or similar network nodes, in particular communication terminated there. It may be considered that backhaul and / or relay communication and / or network communication is implemented in the form of sidelink or uplink communication or similar communication thereto.

[0105] Configuring a terminal or wireless device or node may involve directing and / or causing the wireless device or node to change its configuration, such as at least one setting and / or registration entry and / or operating mode. A terminal or wireless device or node may be adapted to configure itself, for example, according to information or data in a memory of the terminal or wireless device. Configuring a node or terminal or wireless device by another device or node or network may refer to and / or include transmitting information and / or data and / or instructions to a wireless device or node by another device or node or network, such as allocation data (which may also be and / or include configuration data) and / or scheduling data and / or scheduling grants. Configuring a terminal may include sending allocation / configuration data to a terminal, indicating which modulation and / or coding to use. A terminal may be configured with and / or for scheduling data and / or for, for example, uplink resources for transmission, scheduling and / or allocation, and / or for receiving, scheduling and / or allocation of downlink resources. Uplink resources and / or downlink resources may be scheduled and / or provided with allocation or configuration data.

[0106] Further note that the functions performed by a wireless device or network node described herein may be distributed across multiple wireless devices and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network nodes and wireless devices described herein are not limited to being performed by a single physical device, and in fact, can be distributed across several physical devices.

[0107] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0108] Embodiments provide reliable link performance for cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks. In some embodiments, a network node signals to a WD whether the network node can provide a stable and coherent waveform and for how long. In some embodiments, the network node signals to the WD at the time when a beam switch occurs. During such times when a coherent waveform cannot be provided or when a beam switch occurs, the WD avoids combining received radio blocks to avoid errors in such combining.

[0109] Referring again to the drawings, wherein like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, Figure 2 0 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment, such as a 3GPP type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G). Figure 2The communication system 10 includes a satellite 8, an access network 12 (such as a radio access network), and a core network 14. The access network 12 includes a plurality of ground-based network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (collectively referred to as network nodes 16), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (collectively referred to as coverage area 18). Each ground-based network node 16a, 16b, 16c is connectable to the core network 14 via a wired or wireless connection 20. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in the coverage area 18a is configured to be wirelessly connected to or paged by the corresponding ground-based network node 16c. A second WD 22b in the coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding ground-based network node 16a. Although multiple WDs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as wireless devices 22) are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single WD is located in the coverage area or a single WD is connected to the corresponding ground-based network node 16. Note that although only two WDs 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include more WDs 22 and network nodes 16. In addition, it is contemplated that the WD 22 can communicate simultaneously and / or be configured to communicate with more than one ground-based network node 16 and more than one type of ground-based network node 16 alone. For example, the WD 22 can have dual connectivity with a ground-based network node 16 supporting LTE and the same or different ground-based network node 16 supporting NR. As an example, the WD 22 can communicate with an eNB for LTE / E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and a gNB for NR / NG-RAN (Radio Access Network). The WD 22 can communicate with a satellite 8 and / or one or more ground-based network nodes 16. In one or more embodiments, the satellite 8 is a type of network node 16 that performs the network node 16 functions as described herein, wherein the satellite 8 is modified to include hardware and / or software as described herein with respect to the network node 16.

[0110] The communication system 10 itself can be connected to a host computer 24, which can be implemented with hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or embodied as a processing resource in a server cluster. The host computer 24 can be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or can be operated by or on behalf of a service provider. The connections 26, 28 between the communication system 10 and the host computer 24 can extend directly from the core network 14 to the host computer 24, or can extend via an optional intermediate network 30. The intermediate network 30 can be a combination of one or more of a public network, a private network, or a managed network. The intermediate network 30 (if any) can be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 30 can include two or more subnets (not shown).

[0111] Figure 2The communication system as a whole realizes the connection between one of the connected WD 22a, 22b and the host computer 24. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 24 and the connected WD 22a, 22b are configured to use the access network 12, the core network 14, any intermediate network 30 and possible additional infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries to pass data and / or signaling via the OTT connection. The OTT connection may be transparent in the sense that at least some of the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection passes do not know the routes of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the network node 16 based on the ground may not be notified or need not be notified of the past routes of the incoming downlink communications, where the data originating from the host computer 24 will be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected WD 22a. Similarly, the network node 16 based on the ground does not need to know the future routes of the outgoing uplink communications originating from the WD 22a toward the host computer 24. The ground-based network node 16 is configured to include a generation unit 32 configured to generate transmission characteristic information that configures the WD to avoid combining received radio blocks during the time when the coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node and / or the time when the beam switch is about to occur. The wireless device 22 is configured to include a configuration unit 34 configured to receive transmission characteristic information indicating the time when the coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node and / or the time when the beam switch is about to occur. Note that the satellite 8 may include some or all of the components and functionality of the ground-based network node 16, and therefore, the ground-based network node 16 and the onboard satellite 8 may be collectively referred to as a network node herein. Thus, for example, the satellite 8 includes an RF interface for communicating with the ground-based network node 16 and / or the wireless device 22. In addition, the satellite 8 may include a generation unit 32, which may be implemented in a processor and / or processing circuit of the satellite 8 to generate transmission characteristic information, as described herein with reference to the generation unit 32, wherein the RF interface of the satellite 8 communication transmits the transmission characteristic information to the WD 22.

[0112] According to the embodiment, reference will now be made to Figure 3An example implementation of the satellite 8, WD 22, ground-based network node 16, and host computer 24 discussed in the previous paragraphs is described. In the communication system 10, the host computer 24 includes hardware (HW) 38, which includes a communication interface 40, which is configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection with the interface of different communication devices of the communication system 10. The host computer 24 further includes a processing circuit 42, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. The processing circuit 42 may include a processor 44 and a memory 46. In particular, in addition to or in place of a processor such as a central processing unit and a memory, the processing circuit 42 may include an integrated circuit for processing and / or control, for example, one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and / or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 44 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) a memory 46, which may include any type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (random access memory) and / or ROM (read only memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0113] Processing circuitry 42 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein, and / or to cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, for example, by host computer 24. Processor 44 corresponds to one or more processors 44 for performing the functions of host computer 24 described herein. Host computer 24 includes memory 46 configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, software 48 and / or host application 50 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42, cause processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42 to perform the processes described herein with respect to host computer 24. The instructions may be software associated with host computer 24.

[0114] The software 48 may be executable by the processing circuit 42. The software 48 includes a host application 50. The host application 50 is operable to provide services to remote users, such as WD 22 connected via an OTT connection 52 that terminates at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. When providing services to remote users, the host application 50 may provide user data transmitted using the OTT connection 52. "User data" may be data and information that implements the functionality described herein. In one embodiment, the host computer 24 may be configured to provide control and functionality to a service provider, and may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. The processing circuit 42 of the host computer 24 may enable the host computer 24 to observe, monitor, control, and transmit and / or receive to and from the network nodes 16 and / or wireless devices 22 based on the ground.

[0115] The communication system 10 further includes a ground-based network node 16, which is disposed in the communication system 10 and includes hardware 58 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 24 and the WD 22. The hardware 58 may include a communication interface 60 for establishing and maintaining a wired or wireless connection to the interface of different communication devices of the communication system 10, and a radio interface 62 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 64 with the WD 22 located in the coverage area served by the ground-based network node 16. The radio interface 62 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 60 may be configured to facilitate connection 66 to the host computer 24. The connection 66 may be direct, or it may be through the core network 14 of the communication system 10 and / or through one or more intermediate networks 30 external to the communication system 10.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 58 of the ground-based network node 16 further includes a processing circuit 68. The processing circuit 68 may include a processor 70 and a memory 72. In particular, in addition to or in place of a processor such as a central processing unit and a memory, the processing circuit 68 may include an integrated circuit for processing and / or control, for example, one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 70 may be configured to access (e.g., write and / or read) the memory 72, which may include any type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as a cache and / or buffer memory and / or a RAM (random access memory) and / or a ROM (read-only memory) and / or an optical memory and / or an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0117] Thus, the ground-based network node 16 further has software 74, which is stored internally, for example, in the memory 72, or stored in an external memory (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.) accessible by the ground-based network node 16 via an external connection. The software 74 can be executed by the processing circuit 68. The processing circuit 68 can be configured to control any method and / or process described herein, and / or cause such a method and / or process to be performed, for example, by the ground-based network node 16. The processor 70 corresponds to one or more processors 70 for performing the functions of the ground-based network node 16 described herein. The memory 72 is configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 74 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 70 and / or the processing circuit 68, cause the processor 70 and / or the processing circuit 68 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the ground-based network node 16. For example, the processing circuit 68 of the ground-based network node 16 may include a generation unit 32 configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions described herein. In one or more embodiments, generation unit 32 is configured to generate transmission characteristic information that configures the WD to avoid combining received radio blocks during times when coherent waveforms are unavailable from network nodes and / or when beam switching is about to occur.

[0118] The communication system 10 further includes the already mentioned WD 22. The WD 22 may have hardware 80, which may include a radio interface 82 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a ground-based network node 16 serving the coverage area 18 in which the WD 22 is currently located. The radio interface 82 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers.

[0119] The hardware 80 of the WD 22 further includes a processing circuit 84. The processing circuit 84 may include a processor 86 and a memory 88. In particular, in addition to or in place of a processor and a memory such as a central processing unit, the processing circuit 84 may include an integrated circuit for processing and / or control, for example, one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and / or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 86 may be configured to access (e.g., write and / or read) a memory 88, which may include any type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as a cache and / or buffer memory and / or a RAM (random access memory) and / or a ROM (read-only memory) and / or an optical memory and / or an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0120] Thus, WD 22 may further include software 90, which is stored in memory 88 at, for example, WD 22, or in an external memory (e.g., a database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible to WD 22. Software 90 may be executable by processing circuit 84. Software 90 may include client application 92. Client application 92 may be operable to provide services to human or non-human users via WD 22 with the support of host computer 24. In host computer 24, the executing host application 50 may communicate with the executing client application 92 via an OTT connection 52 terminated at WD 22 and host computer 24. When providing services to users, client application 92 may receive request data from host application 50 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 52 may transmit both request data and user data. Client application 92 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0121] The processing circuit 84 may be configured to control any method and / or process described herein, and / or to cause such method and / or process to be performed, for example, by the WD 22. The processor 86 corresponds to one or more processors 86 for performing the WD 22 functions described herein. The WD 22 includes a memory 88 configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 90 and / or the client application 92 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 86 and / or the processing circuit 84, cause the processor 86 and / or the processing circuit 84 to perform the process described herein with respect to the WD 22. The configuration unit 34 of the processor 86 may be configured to perform one or more WD 22 functions as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the configuration unit 34 is configured to receive transmission characteristic information indicating the time when the coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node and / or the time when the beam switching is about to occur.

[0122] In some embodiments, the internal workings of satellite 8, ground-based network node 16, WD 22, and host computer 24 may be as follows: Figure 3 shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 2 network topology.

[0123] exist Figure 3In FIG. 5 , the OTT connection 52 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate communication between the host computer 24 and the wireless device 22 via the ground-based network node 16, without explicitly mentioning any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to be hidden from the WD 22 or the service provider operating the host computer 24, or from both. When the OTT connection 52 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., based on network reconfiguration or load balancing considerations).

[0124] The wireless connection 64 between the WD 22 and the ground-based network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improves the performance of the OTT service provided to the WD 22 using the OTT connection 52, where the wireless connection 64 can form the last leg. More specifically, the teachings of some of these embodiments can improve data rates, latency, and / or power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restrictions on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery life, and the like.

[0125] In some embodiments, a measurement process may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors that are improved by one or more embodiments. There may also be optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 between the host computer 24 and the WD 22 in response to changes in the measurement results. The measurement process and / or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 may be implemented in the software 48 of the host computer 24 or in the software 90 of the WD 22 or in both. In an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with a communication device through which the OTT connection 52 passes; the sensor may participate in the measurement process by providing the values ​​of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or providing the values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 48, 90 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 52 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routes, etc.; the reconfiguration does not need to affect the ground-based network node 16, and may be unknown or imperceptible to the network node 16. Some such processes and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary WD signaling to facilitate host computer measurements 24 of throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. In some embodiments, the measurements may be accomplished by software 48, 90 using the OTT connection 52 to transmit messages, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, while it monitors propagation time, errors, etc.

[0126] Thus, in some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 configured to provide user data and a communication interface 40 configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to the WD 22. In some embodiments, the cellular network also includes a ground-based network node 16 having a radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the ground-based network node 16 is configured to and / or the processing circuitry 68 of the network node 16 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / terminating transmissions to the WD 22 and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / terminating reception of transmissions from the WD 22.

[0127] In some embodiments, host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 and communication interface 40 configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from WD 22 to ground-based network node 16. In some embodiments, WD 22 is configured to and / or includes a radio interface 82 and / or processing circuitry 84 configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / terminating a transmission to ground-based network node 16 and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / terminating receipt of a transmission from ground-based network node 16.

[0128] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The communication system may include a satellite 8, a host computer 24, a ground-based network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced Figure 3 Those described herein. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (block S100). In an optional sub-step of the first step, the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application (such as, for example, the host application 50) (block S102). In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (block S104). In an optional third step, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the ground-based network node 16 transmits the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer 24 to the WD 22 (block S106). In an optional fourth step, the WD 22 executes a client application (such as, for example, the client application 114) associated with the host application 50 executed by the host computer 24 (block S108).

[0129] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 2The communication system may include a satellite 8, a host computer 24, a ground-based network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced Figure 2 and Figure 3 Those described. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (block S110). In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application (such as, for example, the host application 50). In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (block S112). According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the transmission can be delivered via the ground-based network node 16. In an optional third step, the WD 22 receives the user data carried in the transmission (block S114).

[0130] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 2 The communication system may include a satellite 8, a host computer 24, a ground-based network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced Figure 2 and Figure 3 Those described. In an optional first step of the method, WD 22 receives input data provided by host computer 24 (box S116). In an optional sub-step of the first step, WD 22 executes client application 114, which responds to the received input data provided by host computer 24 to provide user data (box S118). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, WD 22 provides user data (box S120). In an optional sub-step of the second step, WD provides user data by executing a client application (such as, for example, client application 114) (box S122). When providing user data, the executed client application 114 may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner of providing user data, in an optional third sub-step, WD 22 may initiate transmission of user data to host computer 24 (box S124). In a fourth step of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, host computer 24 receives user data transmitted from WD 22 (box S126).

[0131] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 2 The communication system may include a satellite 8, a host computer 24, a ground-based network node 16, and a WD 22, which may be referenced Figure 2 and Figure 3In an optional first step of the method, the ground-based network node 16 receives user data from the WD 22 (block S128) in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second step, the ground-based network node 16 initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer 24 (block S130). In a third step, the host computer 24 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the ground-based network node 16 (block S132).

[0132] Figure 8 Flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node (such as a satellite 8 or a ground-based network node 16) for generating and transmitting transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more of the boxes described herein may be performed by one or more elements of the satellite 8 or the ground-based network node 16, such as by one or more of the processing circuit 68, the processor 70 (including the generation unit 32), the radio interface 62, and / or the communication interface 60. The ground-based network node 16 is optionally configured to generate transmission characteristic information, such as via the processing circuit 68 and / or the processor 70 and / or the radio interface 62 and / or the communication interface 60, which configures the WD to avoid combining received radio blocks during the time when the coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node and / or the time when the beam switch is about to occur (box S134). The process also optionally includes transmitting the transmission characteristic information to the WD 22 (box S136).

[0133] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary process in a network node, such as a satellite 8 (i.e., a type of network node 16) or a ground-based network node 16, for generating and transmitting transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of the satellite 8 or ground-based network node 16, such as by one or more of the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70 (including the generation unit 32), the radio interface 62, and / or the communication interface 60. In one or more embodiments, the network node 16, 8 is configured, such as via one or more of the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70, the generation unit 32, the communication interface 60, and the radio interface 62, to provide (block S138) an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, wherein the indication of transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel, as described herein.

[0134] According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, the TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates a plurality of TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and the processing circuit 68 is further configured to cause activation of one of the plurality of TCI states via MACCE signaling prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

[0135] According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and the processing circuit 68 is further configured to cause the transmission of a DCI for activating one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 68 is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which the downlink DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 68 is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which the PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs.

[0136] According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit is further configured to signal a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift indicating a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which one of the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit is further configured to provide a criterion for defining a stable signal before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments, the reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal.

[0137] Fig.10 is a flow chart of an exemplary process in a wireless device 22 for receiving and processing transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of the wireless device 22, such as by one or more of the processing circuit 84, the processor 86 (including the configuration unit 34), the radio interface 82, and / or the communication interface 60. The wireless device 22 is configured to receive transmission characteristic information, such as via the processing circuit 84 and / or the processor 86 and / or the radio interface 82, indicating the time when the coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node and / or the time when the beam switching is about to occur (block S140). The process also includes avoiding combining received radio blocks during the indicated time (block S142).

[0138] Fig.11 is a flow chart of another exemplary process in the wireless device 22 for receiving and processing transmission characteristic information according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of the wireless device 22, such as by one or more of the processing circuit 84, the processor 86 (including the configuration unit 34), the radio interface 82, and / or the communication interface 60. In one or more embodiments, the wireless device 22, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the configuration unit 34, and the radio interface 82, is configured to receive (block S144) an indication of transmission characteristic information associated with reconfiguration of precoding weights, as described herein. In one or more embodiments, the wireless device 22, such as via one or more of the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the configuration unit 34, and the radio interface 82, is configured to operate (block S146) based at least in part on the indication of transmission characteristic information, wherein the indication of transmission characteristic information provides information associated with decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel, as described herein.

[0139] According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information corresponds to a transmission configuration indication TCI, the TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of the precoding weights. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicates a plurality of TCI state configurations. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit 84 is further configured to activate one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on MAC signaling.

[0140] According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information is transmitted via RRC signaling, and wherein the processing circuit 84 is further configured to activate one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on the DCI for activation. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 84 is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which the downlink DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs. According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 84 is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which the PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of the precoding weights occurs.

[0141] According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 84 is further configured to receive a transmission of signaling indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift of a signal discontinuity will occur. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which one of the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable. According to one or more embodiments, the indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

[0142] According to one or more embodiments, the processing circuit 84 is further configured to receive a criterion for defining a stable signal before providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information. According to one or more embodiments, the reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmission signal.

[0143] Having described the general process flow of the arrangements of the present disclosure, and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the present disclosure, the following section provides details and examples of arrangements for reliable link performance for cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks.

[0144] Example 1

[0145] In a first embodiment, the radio interface 62 of the transmitting node (which may be a ground-based network node 16 or a satellite 8 (i.e., a type of network node 16)) may signal to the transceiver (e.g., the radio interface 82) of the wireless device 22 whether the transmitting node 8, 16 is able to provide a stable and coherent waveform, and for how long. For example, this may include an expected TTI during which the WD 22 may assume that the waveform is coherent, such as Fig.12 Depicted.

[0146] Example 2

[0147] In a second embodiment, the transmitting node 8, 16 may signal to the WD 22 that it should not assume that the transmitter of the transmitting node 8, 16 is able to provide a stable and coherent waveform across time-repeating radio blocks.

[0148] Example 3

[0149] In a third embodiment, the transmitting node 8, 16 may signal to the WD 22 when the transmitting node 8, 16 will destroy the coherence of the transmitted waveform.

[0150] Example 4

[0151] In another embodiment, before the transmitter node 8, 16 signals its ability to provide a stable waveform, the receiving node (i.e., WD 22) optionally signals a stable waveform definition to the transmitting node 8, 16. The definition includes information that is considered a stable signal. For example, the definition may be amplitude, frequency f c and phase ρ c For example, f c It should be ensured that the range [f low , f high ], or with a certain probability. The transmitting node then signals the time information about when the constraint cannot be met.

[0152] Signaling Example

[0153] This information may be in the format of an absolute time, or in a format appropriate to the applicable radio access technology. For EC-GSM-IoT, the time indication may be based on the concepts of a burst, a radio block, a time division multiple access (TDMA) frame, a superframe and / or a (e-enhanced) discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. For NB-IoT and LTE-M, the time indication may be based on the concepts of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a time slot, a subframe, a radio frame, a superframe and / or a (e)DRX cycle.

[0154] This information may be signaled, for example, in the physical layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, or the radio resource control (RRC) layer. The signaling may be in the format indicated by the physical layer, or in the format of a coded bit sequence. The signaling may be dedicated, public, or broadcast, and may reuse already existing formats or signaling.

[0155] An example of a signaling form is system information broadcast by the cell, which can be provided by the network node 16, or provided in a dedicated RRC message. The phase-discontinuous timing is expressed in a form similar to the current NR synchronization signal block (SSB) measurement timing configuration (SMTC) specified in 3GPP Technical Standard (TS) 38.331 or the discovery signal measurement timing configuration (DTMC) in LTE specified in 3GPP TS 36.331. That is, there is a periodicity and an offset and a window duration during which the WD 22 can assume that the waveform is not continuous. The offset can be relative to the serving cell timing or absolute time. In NR, this can be specific to one SSB beam or all SSB beams of an SSB burst; that is, all SSBs belonging to the same physical cell identity (PCI) and the same frequency position.

[0156] Solutions related to NR TCI reconfiguration due to beam switching

[0157] Example 5

[0158] In another embodiment, the NR WD 22 is configured with a list of M TCI state configurations for decoding the corresponding PDCCH or PDSCH.

[0159] - In one example, TCI states m=0, ..., M-1 in time interval is activated, where t m It is a configurable parameter. You can use the TCI state m in the time interval In other words, there are M TCI state configurations, and the active TCI state cycles between these M TCI state configurations, where the Mth TCI state is in the time interval The inside is active.

[0160] - In another example, the number of time slots that the TCI state is active is configured, denoted by T. Then MT is equal to the duration of the TCI state window, where each of the M TCI states is active for T time slots. An offset value denoted by o may be configured.

[0161] - use Indicates the time slot number within the frame used for the subcarrier spacing configuration μ. f Indicates the system frame number. TCI state m is in the frame number n f From the frame numbered The time slot starts to be used. and n f The value of can be determined by the following equation:

[0162]

[0163] in is the number of slots per frame used for the subcarrier spacing configuration μ. Channel coherence may be assumed in each time interval in which the TCI state is applied.

[0164] In the time intervals where TCI state m is applied, WD 22 performs radio link monitoring using RS (e.g., CSI-RS or SS / PBCH) provided for the active TCI state for PDCCH / PDSCH reception, such as via processing circuit 84. Channel coherence may be assumed in each time interval where the TCI state is applied.

[0165] In time intervals where TCI state m is applied, WD 22 makes measurements using RS (eg, CSI-RS or SS / PBCH) provided for the active TCI state for PDCCH / PDSCH reception, such as via processing circuitry 84. Channel coherence may be assumed in each time interval where a TCI state is applied.

[0166] Example 6

[0167] In NR Release 15, it is possible to schedule PDSCH with time repetition via the RRC parameter pdsch-AggregationFactor (reference: 3GPP TS38.331). In this case, the PDSCH is scheduled by a DCI carrying a downlink scheduling grant, and the PDSCH is transmitted in a plurality of adjacent time slots, such as via the radio interface 62 of the network node 16, until the number of repetitions determined by the pdsch-AggregationFactor has been met.

[0168] In this embodiment, the transmitter (which may be a network node 16 (e.g., a gNB) serving the NTN may reconfigure the precoding weights to steer the direction of the beam at a given time slot (i.e., the reconfiguration of one or more precoding weights may be referred to herein as beam switching). In order to avoid transmitting PDSCH repetitions during beam switching (when pdsch-AggregationFactor is configured), a minimum time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information (DCI) is transmitted and a time slot in which beam switching occurs may be defined, i.e., configured, for example, by the processing circuit 68 of the network node 16. As Fig.13 As shown, the minimum time gap T DCI,min can be defined such that T DCI > T DCI,min , where T DCI,min This may include one or more of the following:

[0169] - the number of slots required to complete pdsch-AggregationFactor times of PDSCH repetitions; and

[0170] - The time offset between the last PDCCH symbol carrying downlink DCI and the first PDSCH symbol.

[0171] Alternatively, repeated transmission of PDSCH via the radio interface 62 may be avoided during beam switching by defining a minimum time gap between the start of the timeslot in which PDSCH transmission starts and the timeslot in which beam switching occurs. Fig.13 As shown, the minimum time gap T PDSCH_Start,min can be defined such that T PDSCH_Start > T PDSCH_Start,min , where T PDSCH_Start,min It may include the number of time slots required to complete PDSCH-aggregation times PDSCH repetition.

[0172] Example 7

[0173] In NR Release 15, a PDCCH control resource set (CORESET) may be configured by RRC with up to M TCI states, and one of the TCI states may be activated by sending a MAC control element (CE) to the WD 22 via the radio interface 62 of the network node 16. The value of N is 128 for frequency range 2 (FR2) and up to 8 for frequency range 1 (FR1). After receiving a MAC CE activating a TCI state, such as via the radio interface 82, the WD 22 may send an acknowledgment (ACK) confirming receipt of the MAC CE, such as via the radio interface 82. The network may assume that the WD 22 will use the newly activated TCI state 3 milliseconds after the ACK is transmitted from the WD 22.

[0174] In embodiment 7, a transmitter, which may be a gNB serving the NTN, may perform beam switching at a given timeslot. In some cases, the NTN WD 22 may be monitoring a PDCCH CORESET with an active TCI state corresponding to the beam currently used by the gNB to transmit the PDCCH to the NTN WD 22. Therefore, in these cases, a new TCI state may be activated for the PDCCH CORESET before the beam switching occurs. In this embodiment, a minimum time gap between the timeslot in which the MAC CE message activating the new TCI state for the PDCCH CORESET is sent and the timeslot in which the beam switching occurs may be defined. Fig.14 As shown, the minimum time gap T MAC CE can be defined such that T MAC CE > T MAC CE,min , where T MAC CE,min This may include one or more of the following:

[0175] -Time to decode / process MAC CE message;

[0176] - The time to prepare and transmit the ACK corresponding to the MAC CE message;

[0177] - a constant delay after transmitting an ACK (e.g., 3ms delay); and

[0178] - Additional time margin for retransmitting the MAC CE message in case the WD 22 does not receive the MAC CE message and / or the ACK of the WD 22 is not successfully received.

[0179] In some cases, PDSCH reuses the same TCI state as PDCCH. Therefore, in these cases, the above minimum time gap may also apply to activate a new TCI state for PDSCH.

[0180] A benefit of this embodiment is that the WD 22 can continue to reliably receive the PDCCH in the CORESET via the radio interface 82 using the newly activated TCI state corresponding to the new beam used by the network after the beam switch.

[0181] Example 8

[0182] In NR Release 15, it is possible to explicitly indicate the TCI state for PDSCH in DCI. When WD 22 is configured with the tci-PresentInDCI option, the network / network node 16 activates up to 8 TCI states out of the total number of TCI states configured by RRC, such as via processing circuit 68, and a 3-bit field in DCI indicates to WD 22 which of the activated TCI states should be used for PDSCH.

[0183] In this embodiment, when the transmitter performs beam switching in a given timeslot, it may not be necessary to activate the TCI state for PDSCH. The TCI state corresponding to the currently used beam and the new beam to which the gNB (i.e., the network node 16) intends to switch may be pre-activated because it is possible to activate multiple TCI states when the tci-PresentInDCI option is configured. Before the gNB performs beam switching, the gNB may indicate the TCI state corresponding to the currently used beam for PDSCH to the WD 22 via the TCI field, such as via the radio interface 62. After the gNB performs beam switching, the gNB may indicate the TCI state corresponding to the new beam for PDSCH to the WD 22 via the TCI field, such as via the radio interface 62.

[0184] Example 9

[0185] Due to the deterministic and periodic motion of the communication satellite 8, phase and / or amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal due to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights that steer the beam direction can sometimes be expected to follow a predictable pattern. For example, for a GEO satellite 8 with an inclined orbit, where the transmitter of the satellite 8 cycles through a series of fixed precoding weights during the orbital period of the satellite 8 (approximately 1 day), the signal discontinuities experienced at a given location at a given time of day can be known in advance.

[0186] In this embodiment, the transmitting node 8, 16 signals the phase and / or amplitude shift of the signal discontinuity together with the time it will occur to the receiver (eg WD 22). Depending on the spatial variation of the phase / amplitude shift, this information may be cell-specific or WD 22-specific, for example.

[0187] In another embodiment, for a given change in the precoding weights at its given (fixed) position, the stationary WD 22 can estimate and memorize the phase / amplitude discontinuities experienced. In this case, the transmitting node 8, 16 signals the receiver (e.g., WD 22) which change in the precoding weights will occur at a given point in time (e.g., by means of a sequence number). The receiver associates the sequence number with a given phase / amplitude discontinuity, such as via processing circuitry 84, and gradually learns the characteristics of the signal discontinuities associated with different precoding weight changes.

[0188] Solutions related to receiver implementation

[0189] Example 10

[0190] In yet another embodiment, the receiver (eg, WD 22 ), such as via processing circuit 84 , adapts its combining method of repeatedly receiving radio blocks in accordance with information received according to embodiments 1-9.

[0191] Thus, according to some aspects, a method of indicating / receiving transmission characteristic information for transmissions from a network node 8, 16 to / at a wireless device 22 (or vice versa), wherein the information includes or is associated with one or more of the following:

[0192] - Frequency and phase reference drift and jitter in the time domain; and

[0193] - Reconfigure the precoding weights that steer the beam, creating phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal.

[0194] According to this aspect, the indicated transmission characteristic information includes at least one of the following:

[0195] - an indication of the duration for which the transmission is expected to be stable with a coherent waveform,

[0196] - an indication of the time when the coherence of the transmitted waveform will be destroyed,

[0197] - an indication of a first DCI for scheduling a PDSCH with an associated first minimum time gap constraint before reconfiguration of precoding weights,

[0198] - an indication of a MAC CE message activating a new TCI state for a PDCCH CORESET with an associated second minimum time gap constraint prior to reconfiguration of precoding weights; and

[0199] - An indication of a second DCI indicating a new TCI for the PDSCH after reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

[0200] According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the transmission characteristic information indicates that one or more of physical layer signaling, MAC layer signaling, and RRC signaling are completed. In some embodiments, an indication of the duration of expected stability of transmission under a coherent waveform is given in units of TTI. In some embodiments, the receiver, i.e., the wireless device, such as via processing circuit 84, adapts its combination of repeatedly received radio blocks according to the indicated transmission characteristic information. In some embodiments, the PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI has a preconfigured number of repetitions determined by the RRC parameter pdsch-AggregationFactor. In some embodiments, the first minimum time gap is determined by one or a combination of the preconfigured number of repetitions and the time offset between the last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the DCI and the first symbol of the PDSCH. In some embodiments, the second minimum time gap is determined by one or a combination of the time of decoding / processing the MAC CE message, the time of preparing / transmitting the ACK corresponding to the MAC CE message, the constant delay after transmitting the ACK, and the additional time margin. In some embodiments, the TCI field in the second DCI is used to indicate a new TCI state for the PDSCH.

[0201] In some embodiments, a network node 16 (such as a satellite 8 or a base station 16) configured to communicate with a wireless device (WD 22) includes a processing circuit 68 configured to generate / determine / obtain / transmit transmission characteristic information for use by the WD 22 to avoid combining received radio blocks during times when coherent waveforms are not available from the network node 8, 16 and / or when beam switching is about to occur. The network node 16 may be further configured to transmit the transmission characteristic information to the WD, such as via the radio interface 62.

[0202] In some embodiments, the transmission characteristic information includes a phase shift and / or amplitude shift of a signal discontinuity experienced by the network node 8, 16 and a time when the signal discontinuity will occur. In some embodiments, a beam switch corresponds to a time to recalculate precoding weights to steer the beam direction of the satellite 8 communicating with the WD 22. In some embodiments, the transmission characteristic information includes a transmission configuration indication state indicating a time when the WD 22 can assume coherent transmissions from the network node 8, 16.

[0203] In some embodiments, a wireless device (WD22) configured to communicate with a network node such as a satellite 8 or a base station 16 includes processing circuitry configured to receive transmission characteristic information indicating a time when a coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node 8, 16 and / or a time when a beam switch is about to occur, and to avoid combining received radio blocks during the indicated time.

[0204] Example:

[0205] Example A1. A network node 16 (such as a base station or a satellite) configured to communicate with a wireless device 22 (WD 22), the network node 16 being configured and / or comprising a radio interface 62 and / or comprising a processing circuit 68 configured to:

[0206] generating / determining / obtaining transmission characteristic information for use by the WD 22 to avoid combining received radio blocks during times when a coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node 16 and / or when a beam switch is about to occur; and / or

[0207] The transmission characteristic information is transmitted to the WD 22 .

[0208] Example A2. The network node 16 of Example A1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a phase shift and / or amplitude shift of a signal discontinuity experienced by the network node 16 and a time when the signal discontinuity will occur.

[0209] Example A3. The network node 16 of Example A1, wherein: the beam switch corresponds to a time to recalculate precoding weights to steer the beam direction of a satellite communicating with the WD 22.

[0210] Example A4 The network node 16 of Example A1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a transmission configuration indicating a state indicating when the WD 22 may assume coherent transmissions from the network node 16 .

[0211] Example B1. A method implemented in a network node 16 (such as a base station or a satellite), the method comprising:

[0212] generating / determining / obtaining transmission characteristic information for use by the WD 22 to avoid combining received radio blocks during times when a coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node 16 and / or when a beam switch is about to occur; and / or

[0213] The transmission characteristic information is transmitted to the WD 22 .

[0214] Example B2. The method of Example B1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a phase shift and / or amplitude shift of the signal discontinuity experienced by the network node 16 and a time when the signal discontinuity will occur.

[0215] Example B3. The method of Example B1, wherein: the beam switch corresponds to a time when precoding weights are recalculated to steer the beam direction of a satellite communicating with WD22.

[0216] Example B4. The method of Example B1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a transmission configuration indicating a state indicating when WD 22 may assume coherent transmissions from network node 16.

[0217] Example C1. A wireless device 22 (WD 22) configured to communicate with a network node 16 (such as a base station or a satellite), the WD 22 being configured to and / or including a radio interface 82 and / or a processing circuit 84 configured to:

[0218] receiving transmission characteristic information indicating a time when a coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node 16 and / or a time when a beam switch is about to occur; and

[0219] Avoid combining received radio blocks during the indicated time.

[0220] Example C2. The WD 22 of Example C1, wherein the transmission characteristic information includes a phase shift and / or amplitude shift of the signal discontinuity experienced by the network node 16 and a time when the signal discontinuity will occur.

[0221] Example C3. The WD 22 of Example C1, wherein the beam switch corresponds to a time to recalculate precoding weights to steer a beam direction of a satellite in communication with the WD 22.

[0222] Example C4. The WD 22 of Example C1, wherein the transmission characteristic information includes a transmission configuration indicating a state indicating when the WD 22 may assume coherent transmissions from the network node 16.

[0223] Example D1. A method implemented in a wireless device 22 (WD 22), the method comprising:

[0224] receiving transmission characteristic information indicating a time when a coherent waveform is unavailable from the network node 16 and / or a time when a beam switch is about to occur; and

[0225] Avoid combining received radio blocks during the indicated time.

[0226] Example D2. The method of Example D1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a phase shift and / or amplitude shift of a signal discontinuity experienced by the network node and a time when the signal discontinuity will occur.

[0227] Example D3. The method of Example D1, wherein: the beam switch corresponds to a time to recalculate precoding weights to steer the beam direction of a satellite in communication with WD22.

[0228] Example D4. The method of Example D1, wherein: the transmission characteristic information includes a transmission configuration indicating a state indicating when WD 22 may assume coherent transmissions from network node 16.

[0229] Example E1. A method of indicating / receiving transmission information (or transmission characteristic information) for transmission from a network node 16 to a wireless device 22 (or vice versa),

[0230] The information may include or be associated with one or more of the following:

[0231] oFrequency and phase reference drift and jitter in the time domain; and

[0232] oReconfigure the precoding weights that steer the beam, creating phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal

[0233] The indicated transmission characteristic information includes at least one of the following:

[0234] o an indication of the duration for which the transmission is expected to be stable under a coherent waveform,

[0235] oIndication of the time when the coherence of the transmitted waveform will be destroyed

[0236] o an indication of a first DCI for scheduling a PDSCH with an associated first minimum time gap constraint before reconfiguration of the precoding weights,

[0237] o Indication of a MAC CE message activating a new TCI state for a PDCCH CORESET with an associated second minimum time gap constraint prior to reconfiguration of precoding weights.

[0238] o Indication of a second DCI indicating a new TCI for the PDSCH after reconfiguration of precoding weights.

[0239] Example E2. The method of Example E1, wherein the transmission characteristic information indication is accomplished via one or more of physical layer signaling, MAC layer signaling, and RRC signaling.

[0240] Example E3. The method of any of Examples E1-E2, wherein the indication is given in units of TTIs for a duration for which transmission is expected to be stable under the coherent waveform.

[0241] Example E4. The method of any of Examples E1-E3, wherein a receiver in the wireless device 22 (eg, the radio interface 82) adapts its combining of repeatedly received radio blocks according to the indicated transmission characteristic information.

[0242] Example E5. The method of Example E1, wherein the PDSCH scheduled by the first DCI has a preconfigured number of repetitions determined by an RRC parameter pdsch-AggregationFactor.

[0243] Example E6. The method of any of Examples E1 and E5, wherein the first minimum time gap is determined by one or a combination of a preconfigured number of repetitions and a time offset between a last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the DCI and a first symbol of the PDSCH.

[0244] Example E7. The method of Example E1, wherein the second minimum time gap is determined by one or a combination of a time to decode / process the MAC CE message, a time to prepare / transmit an ACK corresponding to the MAC CE message, a constant delay after transmitting the ACK, and an additional time margin.

[0245] Example E8. The method of Example E1, wherein a TCI field in the second DCI is used to indicate a new TCI state for the PDSCH.

[0246] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as methods, data processing systems, computer program products, and / or computer storage media storing executable computer programs. Thus, the concepts described herein may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects, generally all referred to herein as "circuits" or "modules". Any process, step, action, and / or functionality described herein may be performed and / or associated with a corresponding module, which may be implemented with software and / or firmware and / or hardware. Further, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer-usable storage medium, in which a computer program code executable by a computer is implemented. Any suitable tangible computer-readable medium may be utilized, including a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an electrical storage device, an optical storage device, or a magnetic storage device.

[0247] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems, and computer program products. It will be appreciated that each frame of the flowchart illustration and / or block diagram and the combination of frames in the flowchart illustration and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer (thereby creating a special-purpose computer), a processor of a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that instructions executed via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create components for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram frame or multiple frames.

[0248] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory or storage medium, which can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture, which includes instruction components that implement the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0249] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operable steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowchart and / or one or more block diagram blocks.

[0250] It is to be understood that the functions / actions indicated in these blocks may not occur in the order indicated in the operational diagrams. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality / actions involved. Although some of these figures include arrows on communication paths to illustrate the primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the direction opposite to the arrows depicted.

[0251] The computer program code for the operation of the concepts described herein can be written in an object-oriented programming language such as Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for the operation of the present disclosure can also be written in a conventional process programming language such as "C" programming language. The program code can be executed completely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, executed as an independent software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or completely on a remote computer. In the latter case, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., using an Internet service provider through the Internet).

[0252] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein in conjunction with the above description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that literally describing and illustrating every combination and subcombination of these embodiments would be overly repetitive and confusing. Therefore, all embodiments can be combined in any manner and / or combination, and this specification including the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as constituting a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein and the manner and process of making and using them, and should support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0253] Abbreviations that may be used in the preceding description include:

[0254] abbreviation illustrate

[0255] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0256] BS Base Station

[0257] BL / CE Bandwidth Limited / Coverage Extension

[0258] CP Cyclic Prefix

[0259] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0260] MAC Media Access Control

[0261] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0262] SI System Information

[0263] UE User Equipment

[0264] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein are not limited to those specifically shown and described herein above. In addition, unless otherwise noted above, it should be noted that all drawings are not to scale. Various modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A network node (16) configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network, the network node (16) comprising: A processing circuit (68), the processing circuit being configured to: An indication of transmission characteristic information is provided to a wireless device, the indication of the transmission characteristic information including reconfiguration of precoding weights and also indicating multiple transmission configuration indications (TCI) state configurations for decoding a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

2. The network node (16) according to claim 1, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information corresponds to a TCI, the TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of precoding weights.

3. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via Radio Resource Control, RRC signaling.

4. The network node (16) according to claim 3, wherein: The processing circuit (68) is further configured to: cause one of the plurality of TCI states to be activated via MAC CE signaling prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

5. The network node (16) of claim 3, wherein: The processing circuit (68) is further configured to: cause transmission of downlink control information (DCI) for activating one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

6. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The processing circuit (68) is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

7. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The processing circuit (68) is further configured to configure a time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

8. The network node (16) of claim 1, the processing circuit (68) being further configured to cause transmission of signaling indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift of a signal discontinuity is to occur.

9. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable.

10. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

11. The network node (16) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein: The processing circuit (68) is further configured to provide criteria for defining a stable signal prior to providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information.

12. The network node (16) of claim 1, wherein: The reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal.

13. A method implemented in a network node (16), the network node (16) being configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network, the method comprising: An indication of transmission characteristic information is provided (S138) to the wireless device, the indication of the transmission characteristic information including reconfiguration of precoding weights and also indicating a plurality of transmission configuration indications (TCI state configurations) for decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information corresponds to a TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of precoding weights.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via Radio Resource Control, RRC signaling.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: The method further comprises: prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights, activating one of the plurality of TCI states via medium access control MAC control element CE signaling.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein: The method further comprises causing transmission of downlink control information (DCI) for activating one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: A time gap is configured between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which said reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: A time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which said reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs is configured.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Signaling is caused to be transmitted indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift in which the signal is discontinuous will occur.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein: The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

23. The method of any one of claims 21-22, further comprising: Criteria for defining a stable signal are provided prior to providing said indication of transfer characteristic information.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein: The reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal.

25. A wireless device (22) configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network, the wireless device (22) comprising: A processing circuit (84), the processing circuit being configured to: receiving an indication of transmission characteristic information including a reconfiguration of precoding weights from a network node; and The method operates based at least in part on the indication of transmission characteristic information, the indication of transmission characteristic information indicating multiple transmission configurations indicating TCI state configurations for decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

26. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information corresponds to a TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of precoding weights.

27. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via Radio Resource Control, RRC signaling.

28. The wireless device (22) of claim 27, wherein: The processing circuit (84) is further configured to activate one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of precoding weights based at least in part on medium access control (MAC) signaling.

29. The wireless device (22) of claim 27, wherein: The processing circuit (84) is further configured to activate one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on downlink control information (DCI) for activation.

30. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The processing circuit (84) is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

31. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The processing circuit (84) is further configured to operate according to a time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which the reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

32. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, the processing circuit (84) being further configured to receive a transmission of signaling indicating a time period during which at least one of a discontinuous phase shift and a discontinuous time shift of the signal is to occur.

33. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable.

34. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

35. The wireless device (22) of any one of claims 33-34, wherein: The processing circuit (84) is further configured to receive criteria for defining a stable signal prior to providing the indication of the transmission characteristic information.

36. The wireless device (22) of claim 25, wherein: The reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal.

37. A method implemented by a wireless device (22), the wireless device (22) being configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network, the method comprising: receiving (S144) from a network node an indication of transmission characteristic information including a reconfiguration of precoding weights; as well as Operating (S146) based at least in part on the indication of transmission characteristic information, the indication of the transmission characteristic information indicating a plurality of transmission configurations indicating TCI state configurations for decoding a physical downlink shared channel or a physical downlink control channel.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information corresponds to a TCI indicating a TCI state to be achieved after the reconfiguration of precoding weights.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information is transmitted via Radio Resource Control, RRC signaling.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein: The method further includes activating one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of precoding weights based at least in part on medium access control (MAC) signaling.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein: The method further includes activating one of the plurality of TCI states prior to the reconfiguration of the precoding weights based at least in part on downlink control information (DCI) for activation.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising: It operates according to a time gap between a time slot in which downlink control information DCI is transmitted and a time slot in which said reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising: The method operates according to a time gap between a time slot in which PDSCH transmission is configured to start and a time slot in which said reconfiguration of precoding weights occurs.

44. The method of claim 37, further comprising: A transmission of signaling is received indicating a time period during which at least one of a phase shift and a time shift of a signal discontinuity is to occur.

45. The method of claim 37, wherein: The indication of the transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform will be destroyed and during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be unstable.

46. ​​The method of claim 37, wherein: The indication of transmission characteristic information provides an indication of a time period during which the coherence of the transmission waveform is expected to be stable.

47. The method of any one of claims 45-46, further comprising: A criterion for defining a stable signal is received prior to providing said indication of the transmission characteristic information.

48. The method of claim 37, wherein: The reconfiguration of the precoding weights produces phase and amplitude discontinuities in the transmitted signal.

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