Distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication. A base station can determine a terrestrial characteristic of a cell associated with the base station. A UE can perform a synchronization procedure with the cell, and as part of the synchronization procedure, can receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell. The broadcast signaling can identify the terrestrial characteristic of the cell. The base station can initiate a communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling including an indication of the terrestrial characteristic of the cell.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 047,238, entitled "DIFFERENTIATION OF TERRESTRIAL AND NON-TERRESTRIAL CELLS", filed July 1, 2020, by Sengupta et al., and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 348,526, entitled "DIFFERENTIATION OF TERRESTRIAL AND NON-TERRESTRIAL CELLS", filed June 15, 2021, by Sengupta et al.; each of these applications is assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The following text generally refers to wireless communication, and in particular to the distinction between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth-generation (5G) systems, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems can employ various technologies, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Extended Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each of which simultaneously supports communication from multiple communication devices, which may also be referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0005] Some wireless communication networks can be narrowband (NB) Internet of Things (IoT) networks that support non-terrestrial communication. NB-IoT non-terrestrial networks can be associated with characteristics different from those of terrestrial networks, and therefore, conventional signaling techniques used for terrestrial networks may not be suitable or efficient when implemented in non-terrestrial networks.

[0006] Overview

[0007] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells. Generally, the described technology enables user equipment (UE) to identify whether broadcast signaling is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. For example, a base station can determine the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with it. The UE can perform a synchronization procedure with that cell, and as part of the synchronization procedure, can receive broadcast signaling associated with that cell. The broadcast signaling can identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. The base station can initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling, which includes an indication of the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0008] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: performing a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell.

[0009] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: perform a synchronization procedure with a cell; and, as part of the synchronization procedure, receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0010] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: means for performing a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and means for receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell.

[0011] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor for: performing a synchronization procedure with a cell; and, as part of the synchronization procedure, receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, receiving broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving at least one synchronization signal that identifies the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration may be specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0014] In some examples of the method, apparatus (device), and non-transient computer-readable medium, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, and the method, apparatus (device), and non-transient computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the cell as potentially associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0015] In some examples of the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, and the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the cell as potentially associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0016] Examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying at least one of a base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift that is associated with the at least one synchronization signal and is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the cell for the at least one synchronization signal.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the at least one synchronization signal.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal may be specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0021] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the at least one synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the primary synchronization signal includes a narrowband primary synchronization signal, the secondary synchronization signal includes a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, receiving broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving physical broadcast channel transmissions that identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a resource mapping configuration for transmission on the physical broadcast channel, wherein the resource mapping configuration may be specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0025] In some examples of the method, apparatus (device), and non-transient computer-readable medium, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, and the method, apparatus (device), and non-transient computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the cell as potentially associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0026] In some examples of the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, and the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying the cell as potentially associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0027] In some examples of the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communications, and the method, apparatus (device), and nontransient computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that the cell may be associated with a non-terrestrial network based on at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration being mapped to the one or more resource elements.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying scrambling sequences that are associated with physical broadcast channel transmissions and specific to the cell.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more time locations specific to the cellular ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel.

[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel may be specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the physical broadcast channel transmission includes narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission.

[0033] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, receiving broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a master information block transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0034] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the ground characteristics of a cell corresponds to a bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the transmission of the master information block.

[0035] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the master information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in the set may be specific to ground characteristics.

[0036] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for: determining, based on the ground characteristics of the cell, that the cell may be a target for the UE to occupy; and occupying the cell based on that determination.

[0037] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, terrestrial characteristics indicate whether a cellular cell can be associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0038] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the cellular cell includes narrowband cellular cells (NCells).

[0039] A method for wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include: determining the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmitting broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell; and initiating communication with a UE based on the terrestrial characteristics identified by the broadcast signaling.

[0040] An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions are executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell; and initiate communication with a UE based on the terrestrial characteristics identified by the broadcast signaling.

[0041] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include: means for determining ground characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; means for transmitting broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the ground characteristics of the cell; and means for initiating communication with a UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0042] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a base station. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: determine the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell; and initiate communication with a UE based on the terrestrial characteristics identified by the broadcast signaling.

[0043] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, transmitting broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting at least one synchronization signal that identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0044] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration may be specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, and wherein transmission of the at least one synchronization signal may be based on the determined resource mapping configuration.

[0045] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal.

[0046] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot.

[0047] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying at least one of a base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift associated with the at least one synchronization signal and specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, wherein transmission of the at least one synchronization signal may be based on at least one of the determined base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift.

[0048] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the cell for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein transmission of the at least one synchronization signal may be based on the determined one or more time locations.

[0049] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0050] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the at least one synchronization signal.

[0051] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal may be specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0052] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the at least one synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0053] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the primary synchronization signal includes a narrowband primary synchronization signal, the secondary synchronization signal includes a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0054] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, transmitting broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting physical broadcast channel transmissions that identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0055] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a resource mapping configuration for transmission on the physical broadcast channel, wherein the resource mapping configuration may be specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, and wherein transmission on the physical broadcast channel may be based on the determined resource mapping configuration.

[0056] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with a resource mapping configuration used for transmission of the physical broadcast channel.

[0057] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot.

[0058] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communications.

[0059] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a scrambling sequence associated with and specific to the cellular characteristics of the physical broadcast channel transmission, wherein the transmission of the physical broadcast channel transmission may be based on the determined scrambling sequence.

[0060] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more time locations specific to the cellular ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel.

[0061] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0062] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel may be specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0063] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the physical broadcast channel transmission includes narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission.

[0064] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, transmitting broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting master information blocks that identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0065] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the ground characteristics of a cell corresponds to a bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the transmission of the master information block.

[0066] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the master information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in the set may be specific to ground characteristics.

[0067] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, terrestrial characteristics indicate whether a cellular cell can be associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0068] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the cellular cell includes narrowband cellular cells (NCells).

[0069] A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is described. The method may include: performing a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cellular cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0070] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. These instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: perform a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and receive broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cellular cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0071] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: means for performing synchronization procedures with a cellular cell; and means for receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cellular cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0072] A non-transient computer-readable medium is described, storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor for: performing synchronization procedures with a cellular cell; and receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cellular cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cellular cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0073] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, receiving broadcast signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving information block transmissions that identify the cellular characteristics.

[0074] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the indication of the ground characteristics of a cellular cell corresponds to a bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the transmission of the information block.

[0075] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, and the deployment modes in the set may be specific to ground characteristics.

[0076] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, wherein the resource mapping configuration may be specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0077] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with a resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, and the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that the cell may be associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0078] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and nontransient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, and the method, apparatus (device) and nontransient computer-readable media may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that the cell may be associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0079] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and nontransient computer-readable media described herein, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying reference signals that vary from cell to cell in terrestrial communications, and the methods, apparatus (devices) and nontransient computer-readable media may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying that the cell may be associated with a non-terrestrial network based on at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration being mapped to the one or more resource elements.

[0080] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying at least one of a base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift that is associated with the broadcast signaling and specific to the cellular.

[0081] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one or more time locations specific to the cellular characteristics of the broadcast signaling.

[0082] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, and for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the broadcast signaling.

[0083] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, one or more time locations of the broadcast signaling may be specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0084] Some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for: determining, based on the ground characteristics of the cell, that the cell may be a target for the UE to occupy; and occupying the cell based on that determination.

[0085] In some examples of the methods, apparatus (devices) and non-transient computer-readable media described herein, the cellular cell includes narrowband cellular cells (NCells). Brief description of the attached diagram

[0087] Figure 1 Examples of wireless communication systems that distinguish between terrestrial cellular cells and non-terrestrial cellular cells based on various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0088] Figure 2 Examples of wireless communication systems that distinguish between terrestrial cellular cells and non-terrestrial cellular cells based on various aspects of this disclosure are explained.

[0089] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of resource mapping configurations that distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells, supported by various aspects of this disclosure, is explained.

[0090] Figure 4 An example of the process flow for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells based on various aspects of this disclosure is explained.

[0091] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A block diagram of an apparatus for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0092] Figure 7 A block diagram is shown that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0093] Figure 8 A diagram of a system including a device that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0094] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A block diagram of an apparatus for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0095] Figure 11 A block diagram is shown that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0096] Figure 12 A diagram of a system including a device that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0097] Figures 13 to 17 A flowchart illustrating a method for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells in support of various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0098] Detailed description

[0099] In some examples, the User Equipment (UE) can perform a synchronization procedure with the base station's cell. Performing a synchronization procedure may involve the UE receiving broadcast transmissions (e.g., one or more synchronization signals, such as a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), an associated Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) transmission, a block transmission (e.g., a Main Information Block (MIB)), or any combination thereof). Synchronization signals, PBCH transmissions, and block transmissions are commonly referred to as broadcast signaling. After successfully performing a synchronization procedure with the base station's cell, the UE can camp on that cell.

[0100] A base station can communicate with a UE in a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial (NTN) network (e.g., including satellites between a ground station and the UE). If the base station is associated with a terrestrial network, the cell through which the UE communicates with the base station can be referred to as a terrestrial cell; if the base station is associated with an NTN, the cell through which the UE communicates with the base station can be referred to as an NTN cell. In some cases, it may be desirable for a UE without NTN capability (e.g., a UE that can be configured to communicate with terrestrial cells but may not be configured to communicate with NTN cells) to communicate with terrestrial cells, and for a UE with NTN capability (e.g., a UE configured to communicate with NTN cells and, in some examples, communicating with terrestrial cells) to communicate with NTN cells. However, there may be instances where the NTN band is close in frequency to the terrestrial band (e.g., within the threshold range of the terrestrial band). In such cases, UEs without NTN capability or UEs with NTN capability can receive broadcast signaling from NTN cells or terrestrial cells respectively, and can attempt to camp on the associated NTN cells or terrestrial cells respectively.

[0101] The techniques described herein can prevent UEs without NTN capability from camping on NTN cells and / or enable NTN-capable UEs to distinguish between terrestrial and NTN cells. For example, terrestrial and NTN cells can communicate broadcast signaling using different associated formats, configurations, or parameters, making it possible to distinguish between terrestrial and NTN cells from the broadcast signaling. For example, terrestrial network broadcast signaling and NTN broadcast signaling can have different resource element mappings, different associated sequences (e.g., base sequences, Zadoff-Chu roots, binary sequences, overlay codes, or cyclic shifts), different applied scrambling, different time locations, or any combination thereof.

[0102] The aspects of this disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communication systems. Additional aspects of this disclosure are described in the context of resource mapping configuration and process flow. The aspects of this disclosure are further explained and described by way of, and with reference to, apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts relating to the distinction between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells.

[0103] Figure 1 Examples of wireless communication systems 100 that support the distinction between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. Wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some examples, wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low latency communication, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0104] Base station 105 can be distributed across a geographical area to form wireless communication system 100, and can be different types of devices or devices with different capabilities. Base station 105 and UE 115 can communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 can provide a coverage area 110, and UE 115 and base station 105 can establish one or more communication links 125 on the coverage area 110. Coverage area 110 can be an example of a geographical area over which base station 105 and UE 115 can support signal communication according to one or more radio access technologies.

[0105] Each UE 115 can be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile, or stationary and mobile at different times. Each UE 115 can be a different type of device or a device with different capabilities. Figure 1 The document describes some example UE 115s. The UE 115 described herein can communicate with various types of devices, such as other UE 115s, base station 105, or network equipment (e.g., core network nodes, relay equipment, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network equipment). Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0106] Each base station 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, base station 105 may interface with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). Base stations 105 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105), indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or directly and indirectly on backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, backhaul link 120 may be or include one or more radio links.

[0107] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include, or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as, base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, B node, evolved B node (eNB), next-generation B node or gigabit B node (any of which may be referred to as gNB), home B node, home evolved B node, or other suitable terms.

[0108] UE 115 may include or be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or subscriber device, or any other suitable term, wherein "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, etc. UE 115 may also include or be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or machine-type communication (MTC) device, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0109] The UE 115 described herein can communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that sometimes act as relays, as well as base station 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc. Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0110] UE 115 and base station 105 can wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a collection of one or more radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, a carrier for communication link 125 may include a portion of the radio spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth portion (BWP)) operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. Wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE 115 may be configured to have multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used in conjunction with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0111] The signal waveform transmitted on the carrier may include multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform extended OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM, a resource element may include a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the code rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Thus, the more resource elements the UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate the UE 115 can achieve. Wireless communication resources can refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, temporal resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and using multiple spatial layers can further improve the data rate or data integrity of communication with the UE 115.

[0112] The time interval of base station 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as a multiple of a basic time unit, such as the sampling period T. s =1 / (Δf) max ·N f ) seconds, where Δf max This can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, while N f This can represent the maximum supported Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) size. The time interval of the communication resources can be organized according to radio frames, each with a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a System Frame Number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0113] Each frame may include multiple consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may (e.g., in the time domain) be divided into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into several time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include several symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix added before each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, time slots may be further divided into multiple mini-time slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N) symbols. f (Number) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period can depend on the subcarrier interval or the operating frequency band.

[0114] A subframe, time slot, mini-slot, or symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain) and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the duration of the TTI (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0115] Physical channels can be multiplexed on a carrier using various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels can be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time-division multiplexing (TDM), frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for physical control channels can be defined by the number of symbol periods and can extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESET) can be configured for one or more sets of UEs 115. For example, one or more UEs 115 can monitor or search control regions for control information based on one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for control channel candidates can refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with coded information in a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include a common search space set configured to send control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set configured to send control information to a specific UE 115.

[0116] Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macrocells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier used to distinguish adjacent cells (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID), or others). In some examples, a cell may also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion of geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which a logical communication entity operates. The extent of such cells may vary from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas depending on various factors (such as the capabilities of base station 105). For example, a cell may be or include buildings, subsets of buildings, or external space between or overlapping geographic coverage areas 110, among other examples.

[0117] Macrocells typically cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and allow unrestricted access for UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider supporting the macrocell. Small cells may be associated with a lower-power base station 105 (compared to macrocells) and may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed or unlicensed) frequency bands as macrocells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have service subscriptions with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), or UEs 115 associated with a user in a home or office). Base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication on one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0118] In some examples, a carrier can support multiple cells and can be configured with different cells based on different protocol types that can provide access for different types of devices (e.g., MTC, Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)).

[0119] In some examples, base station 105 may be mobile, and thus provide communication coverage to mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different base stations 105. Wireless communication system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network, in which different types of base stations 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage to various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0120] Some UE 115 devices (such as MTC or IoT devices) can be low-cost or low-complexity devices and can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC can refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that have integrated sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that uses the information or presents it to people interacting with the application. Some UE 115 devices may be designed to collect information or automate the behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include: smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wilderness survival monitoring, weather and geographic event monitoring, queue management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based commercial toll collection.

[0121] Wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low latency, or mission-critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication may include private or group communication and may be supported by one or more mission-critical services, such as Mission-Critical Talk-to-Talk (MCPTT), Mission-Critical Video (MCVideo), or Mission-Critical Data (MCData)). Support for mission-critical functions may include prioritization of services, and mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general business applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low latency are used interchangeably herein.

[0122] In some examples, UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UE 115 on a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UE 115s utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105. Other UE 115s in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of base station 105 or may be unable to receive transmissions from base station 105 for other reasons. In some examples, groups of UE 115s communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, where each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between the individual UE 115s without involving base station 105.

[0123] Core network 130 provides user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Core network 130 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC). The EPC or 5GC may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)) for managing access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a Serving Gateway (S-GW), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW), or User Plane Function (UPF)) for routing packets or interconnecting to external networks. The control plane entity manages non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management of UE 115 served by base station 105 associated with core network 130. User IP packets can be delivered through the user plane entity, which provides IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity can connect to network operator IP service 150. Carrier IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, intranets, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0124] Some network devices (such as base station 105) may include sub-components, such as access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with each UE 115 through one or more other access network transport entities 145, which may be referred to as a radio headend, smart radio headend, or transmit / receive point (TRP). Each access network transport entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio headends and ANCs) or combined into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0125] Wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Generally, the 300 MHz to 3 GHz band is referred to as a UHF band or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately 1 decimeter to 1 meter. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but these waves can penetrate various structures sufficiently for macrocells to provide service to UE 115 located indoors. Compared to transmissions using smaller frequencies and longer waves in the lower HF or VHF portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz, UHF wave transmission can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 km).

[0126] Wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 may employ licensed assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band). When operating in unlicensed radio spectrum bands, devices (such as base station 105 and UE 115) may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operation in unlicensed frequency bands may be based on carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) in coordination with component carriers operating in licensed frequency bands. Operation in unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, etc.

[0127] Base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ technologies such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may coexist at an antenna assembly (such as an antenna tower). In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with base station 105 may be located in different geographical locations. Base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that base station 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with UE 115. Similarly, UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0128] Beamforming (also known as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or guide an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting and receiving devices. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array, such that some signals propagating relative to a particular orientation of the antenna array experience constructive interference, while others experience destructive interference. Adjustments to the signals transmitted via the antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying amplitude offset, phase offset, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with that device. The adjustments associated with each antenna element may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., the antenna array relative to the transmitting or receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0129] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Wireless networks (e.g., wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as Wi-Fi (i.e., IEEE 802.11 networks)) may include access points (APs) that can communicate with one or more wireless or mobile devices. APs may be coupled to a network (such as the Internet) and enable mobile devices to communicate via that network (or with other devices coupled to the access point). Wireless devices can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, a device can communicate with an associated AP via a downlink (e.g., a communication link from the AP to the device) and an uplink (e.g., a communication link from the device to the AP). Wireless personal area networks (PANs) (which may include Bluetooth connectivity) can provide short-range wireless connectivity between two or more paired wireless devices. For example, wireless devices (such as cellular phones) can use wireless PAN communication to exchange information such as audio signals with wireless headsets.

[0130] Terrestrial radio equipment (e.g., UE 115 and / or base station 105) performing narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communications can support one or more deployment modes. For example, the terrestrial equipment can support an in-band deployment mode where multiple radio access technologies (RATs) (such as NR and LTE) share the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI). Alternatively, the terrestrial equipment can support an in-band deployment mode where some or each of some RATs has a different associated PCI. In both of these in-band deployment modes, the terrestrial equipment can communicate within the frequency band of the carrier associated with the RAT (such as NR or LTE). Additionally, the terrestrial equipment can support a guard band deployment mode, where the terrestrial equipment communicates in a guard band (e.g., the guard band of a carrier). Furthermore, the terrestrial equipment can support a self-deployed deployment mode.

[0131] In some examples, the deployment modes supported for NTN NB-IoT and terrestrial NB-IoT can be different. For example, NTN devices can support self-deployment mode, guard band deployment mode, and in-band NR deployment mode. NTN devices communicating in self-deployment mode may not use a grid offset and may not have reserved resource elements (REs). NTN devices communicating in guard band deployment mode may have a predefined grid offset value (e.g., + / -2.5kHz or + / -7.5kHz), but may not have reserved REs. NTN devices communicating in in-band NR deployment mode may have a predefined grid offset value (e.g., + / -2.5kHz or + / -7.5kHz), but may not have reserved REs for cell-specific reference signals (CRS). In some examples, NTN devices may have reserved REs for control areas. NB-IoT devices communicating on NTN may not support in-band LTE deployment modes. Since the in-band NR deployment mode does not have REs for CRS, and in some examples there are no REs for the control area, the in-band NR deployment mode of NTN equipment may differ from the in-band deployment mode of terrestrial equipment (e.g., in-band LTE deployment mode), which may support reserved REs for LTE control area and CRS for LTE communication.

[0132] Because the in-band NR deployment of NTN devices differs from the in-band LTE deployment of terrestrial devices, the Master Information Block (MIB) (i.e., NB-MIB) for terrestrial devices performing NB-IoT communication may have different information or content than the MIB (i.e., NB-MIB-NTN) for NTN devices. The NB-MIB may indicate a first deployment mode (e.g., in-band LTE, guard band, autonomous), while the NB-MIB-NTN may indicate a second deployment mode (e.g., in-band NR, guard band, autonomous). Additionally, to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells, the NB-MIB-NTN may include an indication (e.g., a one-bit indication) indicating whether a cell is terrestrial or NTN.

[0133] In some examples, a UE 115 without NTN capability can receive broadcast signaling from an NTN cell. In such examples, if the UE 115 without NTN capability detects this broadcast signaling, it may waste power while attempting to camp on the NTN cell (e.g., during synchronization with the cell or by reading System Information Blocks (SIBs) received from the cell). The method described herein helps prevent a UE 115 without NTN capability from camping on an NTN cell by making one or more signals received at the UE 115 without NTN capability unrecognizable to it.

[0134] In general, the described techniques enable UE 115 to identify whether broadcast signaling is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. For example, base station 105 can determine the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with base station 105. UE 115 can perform synchronization procedures with that cell, and as part of the synchronization procedures, can receive broadcast signaling associated with that cell. The broadcast signaling can identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. Base station 105 can initiate communication with UE 115 based on the indication of the terrestrial characteristics of the cell included in the broadcast signaling.

[0135] Figure 2 Examples of a wireless communication system 200 that supports the distinction between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, UE 115-a may be as described in the reference... Figure 1 The example of UE 115 described herein, while base station 105-a may be as referenced Figure 1 An example of the described base station 105.

[0136] NTN device 205 (e.g., satellite) may be associated with NTN cell 207, while base station 105-a may be associated with terrestrial cell 208. In some examples, UE 115-a may be an example of UE 115 without NTN capability and may perform synchronization procedures with terrestrial cell 208. Performing synchronization procedures may involve UE 115-a receiving terrestrial broadcast signaling 210, which may include one or more synchronization signals (e.g., PSS and SSS) and / or PBCH. Additionally, UE 115-a may receive information block transmissions (e.g., MIB). In the case where UE 115-a is a UE 115 without NTN capability, UE 115-a may not perform synchronization procedures with NTN cell 207 (e.g., satellite). In this case, according to the method described herein, UE 115-a may not receive or may not detect NTN broadcast signaling 215.

[0137] In other examples, UE 115-a may be an example of an NTN-capable UE 115 and may perform synchronization procedures with NTN cell 207. Performing synchronization procedures may involve UE 115-a receiving NTN broadcast signaling 215, which may include one or more synchronization signals (e.g., PSS and SSS) and / or PBCH transmissions. Additionally, UE 115-a may receive information block transmissions (e.g., MIB). In the case where UE 115-a is an NTN-capable UE 115, UE 115-a may not perform synchronization procedures with terrestrial cell 208. In this case, according to the method described herein, UE 115-a may not receive or may not detect terrestrial broadcast signaling 210.

[0138] To enable UE 115-a to distinguish between terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 and NTN broadcast signaling 215, terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 (e.g., terrestrial narrowband primary synchronization signal (NPSS), terrestrial narrowband secondary synchronization signal (NSSS), or terrestrial narrowband physical broadcast channel (NPBCH)) may have different designs, parameters, or mappings than NTN broadcast signaling 215 (e.g., NTN-NPSS, NTN-NSSS, or NTN-NPBCH, respectively). For example, a different RE mapping may be used for NTN broadcast signaling 215 compared to terrestrial broadcast signaling 210. In one example, terrestrial cell 208 may map terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 (e.g., NPSS, NSSS, and NPBCH) to 11 symbols in a subframe or time slot, while NTN cell 207 may map NTN broadcast signaling 215 (e.g., NTN-NPSS, NTN-NSSS, and NTN-NPBCH) to more than 11 symbols (e.g., 14 symbols) in a subframe or time slot. Additionally or alternatively, terrestrial cell 208 may not map terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 to a set of one or more start symbols in a subframe or time slot (e.g., up to 3 symbols at the beginning of a subframe), while NTN cell 207 may map NTN broadcast signaling 215 to a set of one or more start symbols in a subframe or time slot. In some examples, the set of one or more start symbols may correspond to a control region of the subframe (e.g., a region used to convey Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmissions). Alternatively, terrestrial cell 208 may not map terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 to an LTE CRS RE, while NTN cell 207 may map NTN broadcast signaling 215 to an RE reserved in terrestrial cell 208 for LTE CRS. In some examples, for in-band NR deployments, higher-priority NR signals (e.g., control signals) may puncture NTN-NPSS and / or NTN-NSSS. Having more symbols for NTN broadcast signaling 215 can improve NPBCH coverage. Additional details regarding RE mapping can be found in this document, for example, by referring to Figure 3A and Figure 3B Describe it.

[0139] In some examples, terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 and NTN broadcast signaling 215 may be associated with different sequences. For example, the NTN-NPSS and / or NTN-NSSS included in NTN broadcast signaling 215 may be associated with base sequences (e.g., Gold sequences, m sequences) that are different from the NPSS and / or NSSS in terrestrial broadcast signaling 210, different Zadoff-Chu roots, binary sequences, and / or overlay codes (e.g., b in NSSS or NTN-NSSS). q(.), S(.) in NPSS or NTN-NPSS), cyclic shift (e.g., θ in NTN-NSSS or NSSS) f Additionally or alternatively, terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 and NTN broadcast signaling 215 may be associated with different applied scrambling (e.g., different initializations of the Gold sequence generator). init For example, scrambling may typically involve performing a bitwise XOR operation between a binary sequence and a randomly generated sequence, and may differ between terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 and NTN broadcast signaling 215 (e.g., between NTN-NPSS, NTN-NSSS, or NTN-NPBCH and NPSS, NSSS, or NPBCH, respectively).

[0140] In some examples, terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 and NTN broadcast signaling 215 can be mapped to different time locations (e.g., specific subframe locations within a specific radio frame). UE 115-a can identify the absolute value of the time location, or, in cases where the broadcast signaling includes one or more synchronization signals, can identify a time location with a value relative to one or more synchronization signals. In some examples, the time mapping can be further different for narrowband cells (NCells) with different duplex modes (e.g., FDD, TDD).

[0141] In some examples, the methods described herein may be associated with one or more advantages. For example, by distinguishing terrestrial broadcast signaling 210 from NTN broadcast signaling 215, UE 115-a can differentiate between terrestrial networks and NTN networks. By enabling the UE to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, UE 115-a can suppress camping on cells of networks to which UE 115-a is not configured to communicate. Instead, UE 115-a can camp on cells of networks to which UE 115-a is configured to communicate.

[0142] Figure 3A and Figure 3B Examples of resource mapping configurations 300-a and 300-b that support the distinction between terrestrial cellular and non-terrestrial cellular cells according to various aspects of this disclosure are explained. In some examples, resource mapping configurations 300-a and 300-b can be implemented by various aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, resource mapping configuration 300-a can represent a resource mapping configuration for NB-IoT communication within a terrestrial cellular cell, while resource mapping configuration 300-b can represent a resource mapping configuration for NB-IoT communication within a non-terrestrial cellular cell.

[0143] Figure 3A and Figure 3BA corresponding resource grid defined by several subcarriers 320 and several symbols 325 can be interpreted. For example, in this example, the resource grid may include 12 subcarriers 320 and 14 symbols 325. The intersection of subcarriers 320 and symbols 325 can form a RE.

[0144] exist Figure 3A In this configuration, the first set of REs 305 can be allocated to transmit the narrowband reference signal (NRS); the second set of REs 310 can be allocated to transmit CRS and PDCCH transmissions; and the third set of REs 315 is allocated to transmit NPBCH. The REs 310 within the leftmost three symbols 325 of the resource grid can represent the control area of ​​that resource grid and can be REs 310 allocated to transmit PDCCH transmissions. The remaining REs 310 in the second set can be allocated to receive CRS.

[0145] exist Figure 3B In this context, the first RE set 305 can be allocated for conveying NRS, and the second RE set 330 can be allocated for conveying NTN-NPBCH (e.g., NPBCH for NTN communication). Figure 3B The second RE set 330 may include Figure 3A The second RE set 310 and the third RE set 315. In some examples, Figure 3B The second RE set 330 may include Figure 3A The second RE set 310 includes some REs but not others (e.g., those REs associated with the control area or CRS of the second RE set 310).

[0146] As discussed in this article, the deployment scenarios for NTN NB-IoT communication can differ from those for terrestrial NB-IoT communication. For example, NTN devices performing NTN NB-IoT communication may not reserve resources (e.g., REs) for control areas used for CRS and / or subframes. For NPBCH, RE mapping may involve the following operations: They can be mapped sequentially, starting with... Mapping to resource elements (k, l). Mapping to resource elements (k, l) not reserved for transmitting reference signals can be done in ascending order of indexing k first, then l. The first three OFDM symbols in a subframe may not be used during the mapping process. For mapping purposes, UE 115 may not assume the existence of a CRS for antenna port 903 and NB reference signals for antenna ports 2000 and 2001, regardless of the actual configuration. The frequency shift of the CRS can be achieved by... shift In calculation replace However, suppressing the REs and CRS REs that map the NTN-NPBCH to the three OFDM symbols may be wasteful in scenarios where NTN NB-IoT does not support in-band LTE deployments, as one or more of these symbols or REs may not be used for other signaling, such as CRS or LTE PDCCH.

[0147] Accordingly, the resource mapping for NTN-NPBCH can differ from that for NPBCH. For example, REs reserved for CRS and / or the first 3 OFDM symbols can be used for NTN-NPBCH mapping. This can be achieved by using... Figure 3A The second set of REs 310, or each RE, is used to transmit NTN-NPBCH transmissions. NTN cells can allocate more resources to transmit NTN-NPBCH transmissions and increase the likelihood that NTN-NPBCH transmissions will be received.

[0148] Figure 4 Examples of process flow 400 supporting the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure are described. In some examples, process flow 400 may be implemented by various aspects of wireless communication system 100. For example, UE115-b may be as described in reference Figure 1 The example of UE 115 described herein, while device 402 may be as referenced Figure 1 The described base station 105 or as referenced Figure 2 An example of the described NTN device 205.

[0149] At 405, device 402 can determine the terrestrial characteristics of a cell associated with device 402. In some cases, the cell includes or may be an NCell. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics can indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or an NTN.

[0150] At 410, UE 115-b can perform synchronization procedures with the cell of device 402.

[0151] At 415, device 402 can transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. UE 115-b can receive the associated broadcast signaling. In some examples, UE 115-b can receive broadcast signaling as part of a synchronization procedure (e.g., the synchronization procedure performed at 410).

[0152] In some examples, broadcast signaling may include at least one synchronization signal identifying the ground characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the at least one synchronization signal may include a PSS, an SSS, or both. In some examples, the PSS may include or may be an NPSS, and the secondary synchronization signal may include or may be an NSSS, or both.

[0153] In some examples, UE 115-b may identify a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal. In some such examples, UE 115-b may identify the cell as associated with an NTN based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot exceeding a threshold number. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot. In some such examples, UE 115-b may identify the cell as associated with an NTN based on at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping being mapped to the set of one or more start symbols. In some examples, UE 115-b may identify at least one of the following: a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, a cover code, or a cyclic shift, which is associated with the at least one synchronization signal and is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0154] In some examples, UE 115-b may identify one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal specific to the cellular's ground characteristics. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame specific to the cellular's ground characteristics. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the cellular's ground characteristics, or a relative location specific to the cellular's ground characteristics within the at least one synchronization signal. In some examples, the one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal are specific to the cellular's duplex mode.

[0155] In some examples, broadcast signaling may include a PBCH transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. The PBCH transmission may include or may be an NPBCH. In some examples, UE 115-b may identify a scrambling sequence that is associated with the physical broadcast channel transmission and is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0156] In some examples, UE 115-b may identify a resource mapping configuration used for the physical broadcast channel transmission, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration used for the physical broadcast channel transmission. In some such examples, UE 115-b may identify the cell as associated with an NTN based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot exceeding a threshold number. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot. In some such examples, UE 115-b may identify the cell as associated with an NTN based on whether the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration are mapped to the set of one or more start symbols. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying reference signals that vary from cell to cell in terrestrial communication. In some such examples, UE 115-b can identify that the cell is associated with the NTN based on the mapping of one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration to one or more resource elements.

[0157] In some examples, UE 115-b may identify one or more time locations specific to the cell's ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some examples, the one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel are specific to the cell's duplex mode.

[0158] In some examples, broadcast signaling may include a MIB transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of a cell. In some examples, the indication of the terrestrial characteristics of a cell corresponds to a bit field in the MIB transmission indicating the terrestrial characteristics. In some examples, the MIB transmission may indicate one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in that set are specific to the terrestrial characteristics.

[0159] In some examples, UE 115-b can determine that the cell of device 402 is the target cell for the UE to occupy based on the terrestrial characteristics of the cell (e.g., UE 115-b can determine that device 402 is a terrestrial cell). In some examples, UE 115-b can occupy the cell based on this determination.

[0160] At 420, device 402 can initiate communication with UE115-b based on the broadcast signaling identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the indication of the terrestrial characteristics of the cell corresponds to a bit field in the master block transmission indicating the terrestrial characteristics. In some examples, the master block transmission may indicate one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in the set are specific to the terrestrial characteristics.

[0161] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 of an apparatus 505 supporting the differentiation of terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Apparatus 505 may be an example of various aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. Apparatus 505 may include a receiver 510, a communications manager 515, and a transmitter 520. Apparatus 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0162] Receiver 510 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells). This information can be transmitted to other components of device 505. Receiver 510 can be a reference... Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 815 described. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of one or more antennas.

[0163] The communication manager 515 may: perform a synchronization procedure with the cell; and, as part of the synchronization procedure, receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 810 described herein.

[0164] The communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be performed by a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0165] The communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, other computing devices, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof).

[0166] Transmitter 520 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 505. In some examples, transmitter 520 may coexist with receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 520 may be a reference... Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 815 described. The transmitter 520 may utilize a single antenna or a combination of one or more antennas.

[0167] By including or configuring a communication manager 515 according to the examples described herein, device 505 (e.g., a processor that controls or otherwise couples to receiver 510, transmitter 520, communication manager 515, or a combination thereof) can support technologies that allow device 505 to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. By distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, device 505 can selectively suppress occupancy on cells of networks to which the UE is not configured to communicate.

[0168] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 is shown of an apparatus 605 supporting the differentiation of terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure. Apparatus 605 may be an example of aspects of apparatus 505 or UE 115 as described herein. Apparatus 605 may include a receiver 610, a communications manager 615, and a transmitter 630. Apparatus 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0169] Receiver 610 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells). The information can be transmitted to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 can be a reference... Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 815 described. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of one or more antennas.

[0170] Communication manager 615 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 515 as described herein. Communication manager 615 may include synchronization procedure component 620 and broadcast signaling receiver 625. Communication manager 615 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 810 as described herein.

[0171] Synchronization procedure component 620 can perform synchronization procedures with cellular cells.

[0172] Broadcast signaling receiver 625 can receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0173] Transmitter 630 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 605. In some examples, transmitter 630 may coexist with receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 630 may be a reference... Figure 8 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 815 described. The transmitter 630 may utilize a single antenna or a combination of one or more antennas.

[0174] Figure 7 A block diagram 700 is shown of a communication manager 705 that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure. Communication manager 705 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 515, communication manager 615, or communication manager 810 described herein. Communication manager 705 may include a synchronization procedure component 710, a broadcast signaling receiver 715, a UE resource mapping component 720, a UE sequence component 725, a UE time and location component 730, and a UE occupancy component 735. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0175] The synchronization procedure component 710 can perform synchronization procedures with a cellular cell. In some cases, this cellular cell includes a narrowband cellular (NCell).

[0176] Broadcast signaling receiver 715 may receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, receiving broadcast signaling by broadcast signaling receiver 715 may involve receiving at least one synchronization signal identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the at least one synchronization signal may include a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both. In some examples, the primary synchronization signal may include a narrowband primary synchronization signal, and the secondary synchronization signal may include a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0177] In some examples, the broadcast signaling receiver 715 may receive a physical broadcast channel transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some cases, the physical broadcast channel transmission includes a narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission. In some examples, the broadcast signaling receiver 715 may receive a master information block transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the indication of the terrestrial characteristics of the cell corresponds to a bit field in the master information block transmission indicating the terrestrial characteristics. In some examples, the master information block transmission may indicate one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in the set are specific to the terrestrial characteristics. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics may indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0178] The UE resource mapping component 720 can identify a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal. In some such examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 can identify that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot. In some such examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 can identify that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network based on at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping being mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0179] In some examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 may identify a resource mapping configuration for the physical broadcast channel transmission, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the physical broadcast channel transmission. In some such examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 may identify that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot exceeding a threshold number. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot. In some such examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 may identify that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network based on whether the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration are mapped to the set of one or more start symbols. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying reference signals that vary from cell to cell in terrestrial communication. In some such examples, the UE resource mapping component 720 can identify the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based on the mapping of one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration to one or more resource elements.

[0180] The UE sequence component 725 may identify at least one of the following: a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, a cover code, or a cyclic shift, which is associated with the at least one synchronization signal and is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. In some examples, the UE sequence component 725 may identify a scrambling sequence associated with physical broadcast channel transmission and specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0181] The UE timing and positioning component 730 can identify one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal that are specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the cell's ground characteristics, or a relative location specific to the cell's ground characteristics within the at least one synchronization signal. In some examples, the one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal are specific to the cell's duplex mode. In some examples, the UE timing and positioning component 730 can identify one or more time locations of the physical broadcast channel transmission that are specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some examples, one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel are specific to the duplex mode of that cell.

[0182] The UE occupancy component 735 can determine, based on the ground characteristics of the cell, that the base station's cell is the UE's occupancy target. In some examples, the UE occupancy component 735 can occupy the cell based on this determination.

[0183] Figure 8 A diagram of a system 800 including device 805 supporting the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Device 805 may be an example of device 505, device 605, or UE 115 as described herein, or a component including such devices. Device 805 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 810, a transceiver 815, an antenna 820, a memory 825, and a processor 835. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 840).

[0184] The communication manager 810 can perform a synchronization procedure with the cell and, as part of the synchronization procedure, receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0185] Transceiver 815 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 815 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 815 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0186] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 820. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna 820, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0187] Memory 825 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 825 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 830, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 825 may particularly include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0188] Code 830 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of this disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 830 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 830 may not be directly executed by processor 835, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0189] Processor 835 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 835 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 835. Processor 835 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 825) to cause device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., supporting functions or tasks that distinguish between terrestrial cellular and non-terrestrial cellular cells).

[0190] By including or configuring a communication manager 810 according to examples disclosed herein, device 805 may support technologies that enable device 805 to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. By distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, device 805 may selectively suppress occupancy on cells of networks to which the UE is not configured to communicate.

[0191] Figure 9A block diagram 900 is shown of an apparatus 905 supporting the differentiation of terrestrial cellular cells and non-terrestrial cellular cells according to various aspects of this disclosure. Apparatus 905 may be an example of various aspects of base station 105 as described herein. Apparatus 905 may include a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 920. Apparatus 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0192] Receiver 910 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells). This information can be transmitted to other components of device 905. Receiver 910 can be a reference... Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 described herein. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a combination of one or more antennas.

[0193] The communication manager 915 may: determine the ground characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the ground characteristics of the cell; and initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the ground characteristics of the cell. The communication manager 915 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1210 described herein.

[0194] The communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functionality of the communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure.

[0195] The communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components (including, but not limited to, input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, other computing devices, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof).

[0196] Transmitter 920 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 905. In some examples, transmitter 920 may coexist with receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 920 may be a reference... Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 described. The transmitter 920 may utilize a single antenna or a combination of one or more antennas.

[0197] By including or configuring a communication manager 915 according to the examples described herein, device 905 (e.g., a processor that controls or otherwise couples to receiver 910, transmitter 920, communication manager 915, or a combination thereof) can support technologies that enable device 905 to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. By enabling the UE to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, device 905 can enable the UE to suppress occupancy on cells of networks to which the UE is not configured to communicate.

[0198] Figure 10 A block diagram 1000 of an apparatus 1005 supporting the differentiation of terrestrial cellular cells and non-terrestrial cellular cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Apparatus 1005 may be an example of an apparatus 905 as described herein or an aspect of a base station 105. Apparatus 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communications manager 1015, and a transmitter 1035. Apparatus 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0199] Receiver 1010 can receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells). This information can be transmitted to other components of device 1005. Receiver 1010 can be a reference... Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 described herein. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of one or more antennas.

[0200] Communication manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 915 as described herein. Communication manager 1015 may include ground characteristics determination component 1020, broadcast signaling transmitter 1025, and communication initiation component 1030. Communication manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of communication manager 1210 as described herein.

[0201] The ground characteristics determination component 1020 can determine the ground characteristics of the cells associated with the base station.

[0202] The broadcast signaling transmitter 1025 can transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0203] The communication initiation component 1030 can initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0204] Transmitter 1035 can transmit signals generated by other components of device 1005. In some examples, transmitter 1035 may coexist with receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example, transmitter 1035 may be a reference... Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 described herein. The transmitter 1035 may utilize a single antenna or a combination of one or more antennas.

[0205] Figure 11 A block diagram 1100 is shown of a communication manager 1105 that supports the differentiation between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure. The communication manager 1105 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 915, communication manager 1015, or communication manager 1210 described herein. The communication manager 1105 may include a ground characteristics determination component 1110, a broadcast signaling transmitter 1115, a communication initiation component 1120, a BS resource mapping component 1125, a BS sequence component 1130, and a BS time and location component 1135. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0206] The ground characteristics determination component 1110 can determine the ground characteristics of the cells associated with the base station. In some examples, the ground characteristics indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. In some cases, the cell includes a narrowband cell (NCell).

[0207] The broadcast signaling transmitter 1115 can transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0208] In some examples, the broadcast signaling transmitter 1115 may transmit at least one synchronization signal identifying the ground characteristics of the cell. In some cases, the at least one synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both. In some cases, the primary synchronization signal includes a narrowband primary synchronization signal, and the secondary synchronization signal includes a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0209] In some examples, the broadcast signaling transmitter 1115 may transmit a physical broadcast channel transmission identifying the ground characteristics of the cell. In some cases, the physical broadcast channel transmission includes narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission. In some examples, the broadcast signaling transmitter 1115 may transmit a master information block transmission identifying the ground characteristics of the cell. The indication of the cell's ground characteristics may correspond to a bit field in the master information block transmission indicating the ground characteristics. In some examples, the master information block transmission may indicate one of a set of one or more deployment modes, wherein the deployment modes in the set are specific to the ground characteristics.

[0210] The communication initiation component 1120 can initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0211] The BS resource mapping component 1125 can identify a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, and wherein the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based on the determined resource mapping configuration. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot.

[0212] In some examples, the BS resource mapping component 1125 may identify a resource mapping configuration for physical broadcast channel transmission, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, and wherein the transmission of the physical broadcast channel is based on the determined resource mapping configuration. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the physical broadcast channel transmission. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot. In some examples, the terrestrial characteristics of the cell may correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communication.

[0213] The BS sequence component 1130 may identify at least one of a base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift associated with the at least one synchronization signal and specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based on at least one of the determined base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift. In some examples, the BS sequence component 1130 may identify a scrambling sequence associated with physical broadcast channel transmission and specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the transmission of the physical broadcast channel transmission is based on the determined scrambling sequence.

[0214] The BS timing and location component 1135 can identify one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the cell for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based on the determined one or more time locations. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame specific to the ground characteristics of the cell. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the at least one synchronization signal. The one or more time locations of the at least one synchronization signal are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0215] In some examples, the BS time location component 1135 may identify one or more time locations specific to the cell's ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel. In some cases, each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some cases, for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the cell's ground characteristics. In some examples, the one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel are specific to the cell's duplex mode.

[0216] Figure 12A diagram of a system 1200 including device 1205 supporting the differentiation between terrestrial cellular and non-terrestrial cellular cells is shown according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 1205 may be an example of device 905, device 1005, or base station 105 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 1205 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1210, a network communication manager 1215, a transceiver 1220, an antenna 1225, a memory 1230, a processor 1240, and an inter-site communication manager 1245. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1250).

[0217] The communication manager 1210 may: determine the ground characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the ground characteristics of the cell; and initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0218] The network communication manager 1215 can manage communication with the core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 1215 can manage the delivery of data communication by client devices (such as one or more UEs 115).

[0219] Transceiver 1220 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links, as described above. For example, transceiver 1220 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1220 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0220] In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1225. However, in other cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1225, which may be able to transmit or receive multiple wireless transmissions concurrently.

[0221] Memory 1230 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 1230 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1235 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1230 may, in particular, include a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0222] Code 1235 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of this disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 1235 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or other types of memory. In some cases, code 1235 may not be directly executed by processor 1240, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0223] Processor 1240 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1240 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 1240. Processor 1240 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 1230) to cause device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., supporting functions or tasks that distinguish between terrestrial cellular and non-terrestrial cellular cells).

[0224] Inter-site communication manager 1245 manages communication with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for cooperating with other base stations 105 to control communication with UE 115. For example, inter-site communication manager 1245 may coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, inter-site communication manager 1245 may provide an X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to facilitate communication between base stations 105.

[0225] By including or configuring a communication manager 1210 according to examples disclosed herein, device 1205 may support technologies that enable a UE to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. By enabling the UE to distinguish between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, device 905 may enable the UE to suppress occupancy on cells of networks to which the UE is not configured to communicate.

[0226] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a method 1300 for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1300 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1300 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 5 to 8 The described communication manager is used to execute this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of one or more instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the described function. Alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0227] In 1305, the UE can perform synchronization procedures with the cell. The operation of 1305 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1305 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The described synchronization procedure components are used to execute it.

[0228] In step 1310, the UE can receive broadcast signaling associated with the cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. Operation of step 1310 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of step 1310 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The broadcast signaling receiver described is used to perform this.

[0229] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1400 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1400 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 5 to 8 The described communication manager is used to execute this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of one or more instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the described function. Alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0230] In step 1405, the UE can perform synchronization procedures with the cell. The operation of step 1405 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of step 1405 can be described as follows: Figures 5 to 8 The described synchronization procedure components are used to execute it.

[0231] At 1410, the UE may, as part of the synchronization procedure, receive at least one synchronization signal associated with the cell, wherein the at least one synchronization signal identifies the ground characteristics of the cell. Operation of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1410 may be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The broadcast signaling receiver described is used to perform this.

[0232] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1500 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1500 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 5 to 8The described communication manager is used to execute this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of one or more instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the described function. Alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0233] In 1505, the UE can perform synchronization procedures with the cell. The operation of 1505 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1505 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The described synchronization procedure components are used to execute it.

[0234] In step 1510, the UE can receive physical broadcast channel transmissions associated with the cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the physical broadcast channel transmissions identify the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. Operation of step 1510 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of step 1510 can be determined by reference to... Figures 5 to 8 The broadcast signaling receiver described is used to perform this.

[0235] Figure 16 A flowchart illustrating a method 1600 for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1600 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1600 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 5 to 8 The described communication manager is used to execute this function. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of one or more instructions to control the UE's functional elements to perform the described function. Alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.

[0236] In 1605, the UE can perform synchronization procedures with the cell. The operation of 1605 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1605 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The described synchronization procedure components are used to execute it.

[0237] In 1610, the UE can receive a master information block transmission associated with the cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the master information block transmission identifies the ground characteristics of the cell. Operation of 1610 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1610 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 5 to 8 The broadcast signaling receiver described is used to perform this.

[0238] Figure 17A flowchart illustrating a method 1700 for distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial cells according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Operation of method 1700 may be implemented by a base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 1700 may be implemented by, as referred to... Figures 9 to 12 The described communication manager is used to execute this. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of one or more instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0239] In step 1705, the base station can determine the ground characteristics of the cells associated with it. The operation of step 1705 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of step 1705 can be determined by referring to... Figures 9 to 12 The described ground characteristics are determined by the component.

[0240] In 1710, the base station can transmit broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the ground characteristics of the cell. Operation of 1710 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1710 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 9 to 12 The broadcast signaling transmitter described is used to execute this.

[0241] In step 1715, the base station can initiate communication with the UE based on the broadcast signaling identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell. The operation of step 1715 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of step 1715 can be derived from, as referenced... Figures 9 to 12 The described undefined method is executed.

[0242] It should be noted that the methods described in this paper describe possible implementations, and the operations and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are also possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods can be combined.

[0243] The following provides an overview of the various aspects of this disclosure:

[0244] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: performing a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell as part of the synchronization procedure, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies ground characteristics of the cellular cell.

[0245] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein receiving broadcast signaling includes: receiving at least one synchronization signal identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0246] Aspect 3: The method of aspect 2 further includes: identifying a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0247] Aspect 4: The method of aspect 3, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0248] Aspect 5: The method of any one of Aspects 3 to 4, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0249] Aspect 6: The method of any one of Aspects 2 to 5 further includes: identifying at least one of a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, a cover code, and a cyclic shift that is associated with the at least one synchronization signal and specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0250] Aspect 7: The method of any one of Aspects 2 to 6 further includes: identifying one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the at least one synchronization signal.

[0251] Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, wherein each of the one or more time locations includes a subframe or time slot location within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0252] Aspect 9: The method of aspect 8, wherein for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the at least one synchronization signal.

[0253] Aspect 10: The method of any one of Aspects 7 to 9, wherein the time position of the at least one synchronization signal is specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0254] Aspect 11: The method of any one of Aspects 2 to 10, wherein the at least one synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0255] Aspect 12: The method of aspect 11, wherein the primary synchronization signal includes a narrowband primary synchronization signal, the secondary synchronization signal includes a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0256] Aspect 13: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein receiving broadcast signaling includes: receiving a physical broadcast channel transmission identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0257] Aspect 14: The method of aspect 13 further includes: identifying a resource mapping configuration for transmission on the physical broadcast channel, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0258] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for transmission of the physical broadcast channel, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0259] Aspect 16: The method of any one of Aspects 14 to 15, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0260] Aspect 17: The method of any one of Aspects 14 to 16, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communication, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the one or more resource elements.

[0261] Aspect 18: The method of any one of Aspects 13 to 17 further includes: identifying a scrambling sequence that is associated with physical broadcast channel transmission and is specific to the cellular characteristics.

[0262] Aspect 19: The method of any one of Aspects 13 to 18 further includes: identifying one or more time locations specific to the cellular ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel.

[0263] Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, wherein each of the one or more time locations includes a subframe or time slot location within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0264] Aspect 21: The method of any one of Aspects 19 to 20, wherein the one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0265] Aspect 22: The method of any one of Aspects 13 to 21, wherein the physical broadcast channel transmission includes narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission.

[0266] Aspect 23: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 22, wherein receiving broadcast signaling includes: receiving a master information block transmission identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0267] Aspect 24: The method of aspect 23, wherein the indication of the ground characteristics of the cell corresponds to the bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the main information block transmission.

[0268] Aspect 25: The method of any one of Aspects 23 to 24, wherein the master information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, the deployment modes in the set being specific to ground characteristics.

[0269] Aspect 26: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 25 further includes: determining, at least in part, that the cell is the target cell for the UE to occupy, based on the ground characteristics of the cell; and occupying the cell, at least in part, based on the determination.

[0270] Aspect 27: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 26, wherein the ground characteristic indicates whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0271] Aspect 28: The method of any one of Aspects 1 to 27, wherein the cell includes a narrowband cell (NCell).

[0272] Aspect 29: A method for wireless communication at a base station: determining ground characteristics of a cell associated with the base station; transmitting broadcast signaling associated with the cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies the ground characteristics of the cell; and initiating communication with a UE based at least in part on the ground characteristics of the cell identified by the broadcast signaling.

[0273] Aspect 30: The method of aspect 29, wherein transmitting broadcast signaling includes transmitting at least one synchronization signal identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0274] Aspect 31: The method of aspect 30 further includes: identifying a resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, and wherein the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based at least in part on the determined resource mapping configuration.

[0275] Aspect 32: The method of aspect 31, wherein the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the at least one synchronization signal.

[0276] Aspect 33: The method of any one of Aspects 31 to 32, wherein the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot.

[0277] Aspect 34: The method of any one of aspects 30 to 33 further includes: identifying at least one of a base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift associated with the at least one synchronization signal and specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, wherein the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based at least in part on at least one of the determined base sequence, Zadoff-Chu root, scrambling sequence, binary sequence, overlay code, or cyclic shift.

[0278] Aspect 35: The method of any one of aspects 30 to 34 further includes: identifying one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the cell for the at least one synchronization signal, wherein the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal is based at least in part on the determined one or more time locations.

[0279] Aspect 36: The method of aspect 35, wherein each of the one or more time locations includes a subframe or time slot location within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0280] Aspect 37: The method of aspect 36, wherein for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the at least one synchronization signal.

[0281] Aspect 38: The method of any one of Aspects 35 to 37, wherein the time position of the at least one synchronization signal is specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0282] Aspect 39: The method of any one of Aspects 30 to 38, wherein the at least one synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0283] Aspect 40: The method of aspect 39, wherein the primary synchronization signal includes a narrowband primary synchronization signal, the secondary synchronization signal includes a narrowband secondary synchronization signal, or both.

[0284] Aspect 41: The method of any one of Aspects 29 to 40, wherein transmitting broadcast signaling includes: transmitting a physical broadcast channel transmission identifying the terrestrial characteristics of the cell.

[0285] Aspect 42: The method of aspect 41 further includes: identifying a resource mapping configuration for the physical broadcast channel transmission, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, and wherein the transmission of the physical broadcast channel is based at least in part on the determined resource mapping configuration.

[0286] Aspect 43: The method of aspect 42, wherein the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for transmission of the physical broadcast channel.

[0287] Aspect 44: The method of any one of Aspects 42 to 43, wherein the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot.

[0288] Aspect 45: The method of any one of Aspects 42 to 44, wherein the ground characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying reference signals that vary from cell to cell in terrestrial communications.

[0289] Aspect 46: The method of any one of aspects 41 to 45 further includes: identifying a scrambling sequence associated with the physical broadcast channel transmission and specific to the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the transmission of the physical broadcast channel transmission is based at least in part on the determined scrambling sequence.

[0290] Aspect 47: The method of any one of aspects 41 to 46 further includes: identifying one or more time locations specific to the cellular ground characteristics transmitted by the physical broadcast channel.

[0291] Aspect 48: The method of aspect 47, wherein each of the one or more time locations includes a subframe or time slot location within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0292] Aspect 49: The method of any one of Aspects 47 to 48, wherein the one or more time locations transmitted by the physical broadcast channel are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0293] Aspect 50: The method of any one of Aspects 41 to 49, wherein the physical broadcast channel transmission includes narrowband physical broadcast channel transmission.

[0294] Aspect 51: The method of any one of Aspects 29 to 50, wherein transmitting broadcast signaling includes: transmitting a master information block that identifies the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0295] Aspect 52: The method of aspect 51, wherein the indication of the ground characteristics of the cell corresponds to the bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the main information block transmission.

[0296] Aspect 53: The method of any one of Aspects 51 to 52, wherein the master information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, the deployment modes in the set being specific to ground characteristics.

[0297] Aspect 54: The method of any one of Aspects 29 to 53, wherein the ground characteristic indicates whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0298] Aspect 55: The method of any one of Aspects 29 to 54, wherein the cell includes a narrowband cell (NCell).

[0299] Aspect 56: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory, which can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method as described in any one of Aspects 1 to 28.

[0300] Aspect 57: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one means for performing a method as described in any one of aspects 1 to 28.

[0301] Aspect 58: A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform methods as described in any of Aspects 1 to 28.

[0302] Aspect 59: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method as described in any one of aspects 29 to 55.

[0303] Aspect 60: An apparatus comprising at least one means for performing a method as described in any of aspects 29 to 55.

[0304] Aspect 61: A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code including instructions executable by a processor to perform methods as described in any of Aspects 29 to 55.

[0305] Aspect 62: A method for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: performing a synchronization procedure with a cellular cell; and receiving broadcast signaling associated with the cellular cell, wherein the broadcast signaling identifies a terrestrial characteristic of the cellular cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristic indicates whether the cellular cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network.

[0306] Aspect 63: The method of aspect 62, wherein receiving broadcast signaling includes: receiving a block of information identifying the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0307] Aspect 64: The method of aspect 63, wherein the indication of the ground characteristics of the cell corresponds to the bit field indicating the ground characteristics in the information block transmission.

[0308] Aspect 65: The method of any one of Aspects 63 to 64, wherein the information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes, the deployment modes in the set being specific to ground characteristics.

[0309] Aspect 66: The method of any one of aspects 62 to 65 further includes: identifying a resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

[0310] Aspect 67: The method of aspect 66, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the number of symbols in the subframe or time slot being higher than a threshold number.

[0311] Aspect 68: The method of any one of Aspects 66 to 67, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the set of one or more start symbols.

[0312] Aspect 69: The method of any one of Aspects 66 to 68, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communication, the method further comprising: identifying the cell as associated with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the one or more resource elements.

[0313] Aspect 70: The method of any one of Aspects 62 to 69 further includes: identifying at least one of a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, an overlay code, and a cyclic shift that is associated with the broadcast signaling and specific to the cellular characteristics.

[0314] Aspect 71: The method of any one of aspects 62 to 70 further includes: identifying one or more time locations specific to the ground characteristics of the broadcast signaling.

[0315] Aspect 72: The method of aspect 71, wherein each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, and for each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the broadcast signaling.

[0316] Aspect 73: The method of any one of Aspects 71 to 72, wherein the one or more time locations of the broadcast signaling are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

[0317] Aspect 74: The method of any one of Aspects 62 to 73 further includes: determining, at least in part, that the cell is the target cell for the UE to occupy, based on the ground characteristics of the cell; and occupying the cell, at least in part, based on the determination.

[0318] Aspect 75: The method of any one of Aspects 62 to 74, wherein the cell includes a narrowband cell (NCell).

[0319] Aspect 76: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory, which can be executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method as described in any one of aspects 62 to 75.

[0320] Aspect 77: An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE, comprising at least one means for performing a method as described in any one of aspects 62 to 75.

[0321] Aspect 78: A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform methods as described in any of Aspects 62 to 75.

[0322] While aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes, and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein can also be applied to networks other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques can be applied to a variety of other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0323] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a wide variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout this description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0324] The various illustrative boxes and components described herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0325] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the function are implemented at different physical locations.

[0326] Computer-readable media includes both non-transient computer storage media and communication media, encompassing any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Non-transient storage media can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transient medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Similarly, any connection is also legitimately referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then that coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable media. As used in this article, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs, floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks often magnetically reproduce data while discs optically reproduce data using lasers. Combinations of these media are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0327] As used herein (including in the claims), the word "or" in an enumeration of items (e.g., an enumeration of items accompanied by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive enumeration, such that an enumeration of at least one of, for example, A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0328] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, components of the same type may be distinguished by a dash following the reference numeral and a second reference numeral used to differentiate between similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the description, the description may apply to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral or other subsequent reference numerals.

[0329] This document, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes exemplary configurations but does not represent all examples that can be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not imply "superior" or "outperforming" other examples. This detailed description includes specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0330] The description provided herein is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the universal principles defined herein can be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for conducting wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: Synchronization procedures with cellular networks; As part of the synchronization procedure, broadcast signaling is received including information block transmissions associated with the cell, wherein the information block transmissions include a bit field indicating the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. The UE determines that the cell is a target for camping based at least in part on the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, indicating that the cell is associated with a terrestrial network, and camps on the cell at least in part on the cell based on the determination. as well as The cell is determined not to be the target of the UE's camping, at least in part, based on the fact that the UE is a UE without non-terrestrial NTN capability and that the terrestrial characteristics of the cell indicate that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network, and camping on the cell is suppressed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes; and The one or more deployment patterns in the set are specific to the ground characteristics.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Identify the resource mapping configuration used for the broadcast signaling, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, the method further comprising: The cell is identified as being associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the number of symbols in the subframe or the time slot being higher than a threshold number.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, the method further comprising: The cell is associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to a set of one or more start symbols.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying a reference signal that varies from cell to cell in terrestrial communication, the method further comprising: The cell is associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the one or more resource elements.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The identifier is at least one of the following: a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, a cover code, or a cyclic shift, which is associated with the broadcast signaling and is specific to the cellular ground characteristics.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: One or more time locations that identify the broadcast signaling specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: Each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell; and For each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or the time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the broadcast signaling.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more time locations of the broadcast signaling are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular cell comprises a narrowband cellular cell (NCell).

12. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: processor; Memory coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions stored in the memory, which can be executed by the processor to cause the device to: Synchronization procedures with cellular networks; As part of the synchronization procedure, broadcast signaling is received including information block transmissions associated with the cell, wherein the information block transmissions include a bit field indicating the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. The UE determines that the cell is a target for camping based at least in part on the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, indicating that the cell is associated with a terrestrial network, and camps on the cell at least in part on the cell based on the determination. as well as The cell is determined not to be the target of the UE's camping, at least in part, based on the fact that the UE is a UE without non-terrestrial NTN capability and that the terrestrial characteristics of the cell indicate that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network, and camping on the cell is suppressed.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: The information block transmission indicates one of a set of one or more deployment modes; and The one or more deployment patterns in the set are specific to the ground characteristics.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Identify the resource mapping configuration used for the broadcast signaling, wherein the resource mapping configuration is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to the number of symbols in a subframe or time slot associated with the resource mapping configuration for the broadcast signaling, and the instructions can be further executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The cell is identified as being associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the number of symbols in the subframe or the time slot being higher than a threshold number.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to a set of one or more start symbols associated with a control area for terrestrial communication in a subframe or time slot, and the instructions can be further executed by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The cell is associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to a set of one or more start symbols.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the terrestrial characteristics of the cell correspond to whether one or more resources of the resource mapping configuration are mapped to one or more resource elements associated with conveying reference signals that vary from cell to cell in terrestrial communications, and the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The cell is associated with the non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the fact that at least one of the one or more resources in the resource mapping configuration is mapped to the one or more resource elements.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: The identifier is at least one of the following: a base sequence, a Zadoff-Chu root, a scrambling sequence, a binary sequence, a cover code, or a cyclic shift, which is associated with the broadcast signaling and is specific to the cellular ground characteristics.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: One or more time locations that identify the broadcast signaling specific to the ground characteristics of the cell.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: Each of the one or more time locations includes the location of a subframe or time slot within a radio frame that is specific to the ground characteristics of the cell; and For each of the one or more time locations, the location of the subframe or the time slot includes an absolute location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell, or a relative location specific to the ground characteristics of the cell within the broadcast signaling.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more time locations of the broadcast signaling are specific to the duplex mode of the cell.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cellular cell comprises a narrowband cellular cell (NCell).

23. An apparatus for performing wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: Device for performing synchronization procedures with cellular cells; A means for receiving, as part of the synchronization procedure, broadcast signaling including information block transmissions associated with the cell, wherein the information block transmissions include a bit field indicating the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. A means for determining that the cell is a target for the UE to occupy, based at least in part on the terrestrial characteristics of the cell indicating that the cell is associated with a terrestrial network, and for occupying the cell at least in part based on the determination; as well as A means for determining, at least in part, that the UE is a UE without non-terrestrial NTN capability and that the terrestrial characteristics of the cell indicate that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network, and for suppressing occupancy on the cell.

24. A non-transient computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code including instructions executable by a processor for the following operations: Synchronization procedures with cellular networks; As part of the synchronization procedure, broadcast signaling is received including information block transmissions associated with the cell, wherein the information block transmissions include a bit field indicating the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, wherein the terrestrial characteristics indicate whether the cell is associated with a terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network. The UE determines that the cell is a target for camping based at least in part on the terrestrial characteristics of the cell, indicating that the cell is associated with a terrestrial network, and camps on the cell at least in part on the cell based on the determination. as well as The cell is determined not to be the target of the UE's camping, at least in part, based on the fact that the UE is a UE without non-terrestrial NTN capability and that the terrestrial characteristics of the cell indicate that the cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network, and camping on the cell is suppressed.

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