Method, user equipment, antenna entity or functionality, system or mobile communication network, program and computer readable medium for communicating service time interval or service time information to user equipment in mobile communication network as or having non-terrestrial network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a service time interval or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network that is or at least comprises a part corresponding to or as a non-terrestrial network, in which the user equipment is served by a base station entity, the base station entity is part of the non-terrestrial network or part of the non-terrestrial network, where the base station entity has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality that moves along a movement direction relative to the earth surface, thereby providing radio coverage to a movement area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell, wherein the method comprises the step of the base station entity transmitting and the user equipment receiving reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to the current coverage area or a portion thereof, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity is likely to stop serving the current coverage area.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network which is a non-terrestrial network or has a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, which is part of the non-terrestrial network or part of the non-terrestrial network, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality, which antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality, or an antenna entity or functionality based on a high altitude platform.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for receiving service time intervals or service time information from a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein the base station entity is configured with at least an antenna entity or functionality in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment.

[0003] Additionally, the present invention relates to an antenna entity or functionality as part of a base station entity for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to user equipment in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least including corresponding to or being part of a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by the base station entity, the base station entity being part of the non-terrestrial network or part of the non-terrestrial network, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with the antenna entity or functionality, and the antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high-altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality.

[0004] Additionally, the present invention relates to a system or a mobile communication network for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network, which mobile communication network is or at least includes a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, which base station entity is a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality, which antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or an antenna entity or functionality based on a high altitude platform.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a program and a computer-readable medium for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to user equipment in a mobile communication network according to the method of the present invention, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network.

[0006] A mobile communication network (such as a public land mobile network) is typically implemented as a cellular mobile communication network, i.e. comprises (or uses or is associated with or is assigned to) a radio access network, which includes radio cells. Such cellular systems are known to conform to different mobile communication standards or radio access technologies, such as 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G radio access technologies (referring to different generations of radio access technologies), and typically comprise (or consist of) one or more cells (or radio cells) of the corresponding radio access technologies. Such mobile communication networks purely or mainly based on the terrestrial infrastructure of the radio access network are typically organized in a repetitive pattern of typical stationary (radio) cells (and associated base station entities) that typically belong to a mobile network operator (MNO) (or are used by or are associated with or are assigned to the MNO) throughout a country (or part of a country or a region within a country).

[0007] Modern mobile communication networks, such as 5G systems using in particular 5G NR (New Radio) radio (access) technology, are evolving using air-based and / or space-based infrastructures and are therefore at least partially dependent on non-terrestrial infrastructures, in particular in the form of satellites and / or high altitude platforms HAP, thereby implementing non-terrestrial networks NTN (or satellite communication networks). Examples of such air-based and / or space-based network infrastructures include, for example, mobile satellite connectivity with low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites and / or geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, as well as so-called high altitude platforms or high altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS).

[0008] Such non-terrestrial networks are capable of providing global cellular connectivity to handheld devices or user equipment (typically using satellite or HAP coverage with quasi-Earth fixed beams, i.e. attempting to provide radio coverage for a considered (quasi) fixed geographical area (of the considered radio cells) in an almost static or unchanging manner during a certain time interval or until a certain point in time).

[0009] This is in contrast to the use of earth-moving beams, by means of which radio coverage is provided in a mobile geographic area or earth-moving radio cell (which moves relative to the Earth's surface along with the movement of the satellite (or high-altitude platform device)); such earth-moving radio cells are typically located around a geographical location that typically corresponds to the projection of the current position of the satellite (or high-altitude platform device) onto the Earth's surface along a more or less vertical line.

[0010] However, in practice the use of such earth mobile radio cells is challenging since it implies a complete redesign of the classical mobility and coverage approaches of terrestrial networks (TNs) known for decades. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a technically simple, efficient and cost-effective solution for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to user equipment (especially multiple user equipment) served by a non-terrestrial network base station entity, which provides radio coverage to a mobile (geographical) area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell. A further object of the present invention is to provide corresponding user equipment, a system or a mobile communication network, and a corresponding program and computer-readable medium.

[0012] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality being a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality moving relative to the earth's surface along a moving direction, thereby providing radio coverage to a mobile area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell,

[0013] The method comprises the following steps:

[0014] - The base station entity transmits and the user equipment receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part thereof, and the service time information relating until when the base station entity may stop serving the current coverage area.

[0015] Thus, according to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to provide the service time interval to user equipment (i.e., to all user equipment) located within the earth mobile radio cell (or radio coverage area) in such a way that the service time interval is substantially uniformly applicable (or generally relevant to all these user equipment) throughout the earth mobile radio cell (in particular by means of transmitting service time information) (and, in particular and in addition, the reception of the service time interval or service time information is also substantially limited to such user equipment, i.e., there is substantially no user equipment that is receiving the corresponding control information carrying (or including) the service time interval or service time information and which is not intended for or related to the user equipment). In other words: the service time information corresponds to general service time information, i.e., applicable to all or nearly all user equipment located within the coverage area of ​​the radio cell. Thus, according to the present invention, it is advantageously possible to provide radio coverage in a more efficient manner.

[0016] Thus, it is advantageously possible that a user equipment which is receiving service time information indicating a service time interval can be served by the base station entity (i.e. its antenna entity or functionality) during the service time interval indicated by the service time information, and in particular such user equipment does not need to determine its positioning or position (in particular its lateral distance relative to reference position information and / or relative to a position indicated by multiple pieces of reference position information along a direction of movement of the antenna entity or functionality).

[0017] In particular, capability requirements (of the user equipment, e.g. regarding the determination of position or location) and / or the computational workload and energy consumption of the user equipment and / or time delay (for performing such calculations) can thereby advantageously be reduced: within an Earth mobile radio cell or a radio coverage area, the user equipment only needs to receive service time information indicating a service time interval and ensure that the user equipment is served by the base station entity or its antenna entity or functionality during this service time interval.

[0018] The service time generally corresponds to or indicates the duration or period during which the user equipment is able to be provided with radio coverage by the antenna entity or functionality (of the base station entity), and according to the present invention, the service time (interval) is substantially consistent or equal within the radio cell (i.e., the geographical area served by the antenna entity or functionality).

[0019] The present invention focuses on low earth orbit (LEO) satellites or high altitude platform entities, which are typically located 300km to 1500km (especially 800km to 1000km) above the ground and typically travel at a speed of about 7km / s, which results in a round trip time around the earth of typically about 100 minutes.

[0020] According to the invention, a radio cell or coverage area is an Earth mobile radio cell or coverage area, which moves or travels on the surface of the Earth generally in concert with the movement of a satellite or high altitude platform device. This means that the satellite or high altitude platform device under consideration is able to provide coverage and / or services (or communication services) to user equipment that is assumed to be stationary or nearly stationary (at least compared to the physical or functional ground speed of the antenna) on or above the surface of the Earth only during defined time periods or time intervals.

[0021] Of course, this defined period of time or time interval of coverage or service depends on the size and / or geometry of the earth mobile radio cell or coverage area, as well as the speed and / or direction of movement and / or trajectory of the satellite or high altitude platform equipment on the ground; however, according to the invention, the geometry of the earth mobile radio cell or coverage area (in particular with respect to the direction of movement) is specifically chosen so that the service period or time interval of service (or coverage) does not depend on the relative position of the considered user equipment within or relative to the earth mobile radio cell or coverage area, i.e. the service time information transmitted by the antenna entity or functionality corresponds to general service time information, i.e. the duration of the service time interval applicable (meaningfully) to all user equipment within the radio cell. Depending on the geometry or shape of the radio cell, this may cover the case where the indicated service time duration corresponds to the minimum service time duration applicable to all such user equipment within the radio cell, i.e. - again depending on the geometry or shape of the radio cell - there may be user equipment (usually located in a fairly central part of the radio cell) for which a larger duration of the service time interval (than the duration indicated by the service time information) is possible.

[0022] According to the present invention, the user equipment is connected to (or in) a mobile communication network that is a non-terrestrial network; alternatively, the mobile communication network at least includes a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network. The user equipment (or more precisely, a plurality of user equipments) is served by a base station entity as in conventionally known mobile communication networks; however, the serving base station entity is assumed to be a portion of the non-terrestrial network of the mobile communication network (or at least the non-terrestrial network portion).

[0023] According to the present invention, the base station entity is provided with at least one antenna entity or functionality (but preferably, the base station entity is provided with more than one antenna entity or functionality), and the at least one antenna entity or functionality (of the base station entity) is a satellite-based (i.e., located on a satellite) antenna entity or functionality, or an antenna entity or functionality based on a high-altitude platform device (i.e., located on such a high-altitude platform device). The base station entity is able to serve a user equipment (or multiple user equipments) (i.e., provide communication services to the user equipment (or multiple user equipments)) with the help of or using the at least one antenna entity or functionality (usually using a service (radio) link towards and / or from the user equipment to achieve downlink and / or uplink data transmission).

[0024] According to the present invention, all (or a major part) of the functionality of the base station entity may be located on a satellite or on a high altitude platform device (thus, in this case, some kind of backhaul connection to an earth or ground station and / or to another satellite or high altitude platform device is generally required). Alternatively, a major part of the functionality of the base station entity may be located at or in an earth or ground station, or at or in another satellite or high altitude platform device (in this case, some kind of feeder link or feeder connectivity to an earth or ground station and / or to another satellite or high altitude platform device is generally required).

[0025] Thus, an antenna entity or functionality (as part of a satellite or as part of a high altitude platform device) moves relative to the surface of the Earth along a moving direction (and / or following a certain usually predefined trajectory) and is thereby able to provide radio coverage to an Earth mobile radio cell. In the case of satellite-based antenna entities or functionality, the moving trajectory of the satellite (at least from a fixed or quasi-stationary ground perspective) can usually be well approximated by an almost straight line, since from such a perspective the curvature of such satellite trajectory is almost negligible. However, in the case of a high altitude platform device, the trajectory of such a device may be less straight, i.e. have a non-negligible curvature.

[0026] The reference location information relates to a specific part of the current coverage area of ​​the radio cell, typically the center of the current coverage area (or radio cell). The service time information relates to until when (i.e. at which (future) point in time) the base station entity (via its satellite-based antenna entity or functionality) may cease to be able to serve the current coverage area.

[0027] According to the present invention, it is assumed that reference position information and service time information are repeatedly transmitted (in particular at regular time intervals of, for example, 320ms or 640ms or 1280ms or another duration), and the values ​​of the transmitted reference position information and service time information are updated so as to correspond to the correct (or current) value at a transmission time point or at a time point corresponding to a predetermined (relatively small) offset time relative to the transmission time point; therefore, continuous indications of the (repeatedly updated) reference position information (by the base station entity and towards the user equipment) provide (or correspond to) a series of points or positions (typically on the surface of the Earth), which together at least roughly define a travel path of an Earth mobile radio cell (or at least such a travel path can be derived therefrom), in particular a central trajectory path of the Earth mobile radio cell.

[0028] For simplicity, in the context of the present invention, it is assumed that one radio cell or coverage area is provided by one satellite or high altitude platform equipment.

[0029] According to the invention, it is advantageously possible and preferred that the antenna entity or functionality provides a coverage area such that a relatively rectangular Earth mobile radio cell or coverage area is generated or such that a rectangular Earth mobile radio cell or coverage area is at least covered or included,

[0030] In particular, two sides of the rectangular-shaped Earth mobile radio cell or coverage area are substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the Earth mobile radio cell or substantially parallel to the central trajectory path of the moving Earth mobile radio cell.

[0031] By means of configuring and / or controlling the antenna entity or functionality so as to achieve a rectangular or relatively rectangular coverage area on or near the ground (i.e. the surface of the Earth), it is advantageously possible according to the present invention that the duration of the service time interval is not only independent of the position at which the user equipment is located or positioned laterally (i.e. in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement) relative to the antenna entity or functionality; in addition, it is also verified that the duration of the service time interval indicated by the service time information corresponds almost completely to the actual service duration. Since the coverage area of ​​the satellite-based antenna base station entity is rather well defined (i.e. the absolute value of the signal strength gradient of the antenna radio signal is rather low inside the radio cell and rather high outside the radio cell compared to a terrestrial radio cell), according to the present invention it is advantageously possible (except for edge effects) that in case of user equipment (positioned relative to the antenna entity or functionality such that it) is able to receive a control signal carrying service time information (e.g. the signal of a broadcast control channel), the indicated service time interval is also (almost exactly) relevant (or applicable) for such user equipment, i.e. such user equipment will be able to be served by the antenna entity or functionality during the entire time interval indicated by this service time information and (exactly) only during this time interval (again except for the case where, at a border or edge of the radio cell, such user equipment moves rather quickly in a lateral direction away from a central part of the radio cell).

[0032] In other words, by configuring and / or controlling the antenna entity or functionality, a rectangular coverage area is achieved, and all user equipment to which the service time information is precisely related (or applicable) can be reached by the control signal carrying the service time information, and only such user equipment is reached by the control signal, that is, the service time information transmitted by the antenna entity or functionality not only corresponds to the general service time information that is (meaningfully) applicable to all user equipment within the radio cellular cell, but also the general service time information also basically and exactly corresponds to the possible service time (duration).

[0033] However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the realization of a coverage area in which the antenna entity or functionality provides a relatively rectangular earth mobile radio cell or coverage area corresponds exactly to an optimal point that almost ideally satisfies the above condition (all user equipments for which the service time information is exactly related (or exactly applicable) can be reached by the control signal carrying the service time information, and only such user equipments are reached by the control signal). As mentioned above, according to other embodiments of the invention and in particular depending on the geometry or shape of the radio cell, the service time duration (indicated by the service time information) corresponds only to the minimum service time duration that is generally applicable within the radio cell (i.e., applicable to all such user equipments).

[0034] According to a variant of the invention, a relatively rectangular radio coverage area of ​​a radio cell can be achieved by making the shape of the coverage area obtained by a specifically considered configuration or operating mode of the antenna entity or functionality conform as much as possible to a desired rectangular shape; one possibility of measuring whether the shape of the coverage area conforms to (or matches) the desired rectangular shape can be, for example, to try to reduce, in particular to reduce as much as technically meaningfully as possible, one or both of the following:

[0035] - the (absolute or relative) surface area of ​​the radio cell that is not covered by the desired rectangular shape,

[0036] - the (absolute or relative) surface area of ​​the radio cell that exceeds the desired rectangular shape; another possibility for such a measure may be to indicate the maximum (absolute or relative) distance between the radio cell and the desired rectangular shape (e.g. along a direction orthogonal to an edge of the desired rectangular shape, or along a direction from a center (or weighted center; 'center of gravity') of the coverage area or the desired rectangular shape). In this respect, the effective extension of the considered radio cell may, for example, be defined by considering those locations where the signal strength (of a radio signal received by the user equipment from an antenna entity or functionality) exceeds a certain predefined (absolute or relative) threshold.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also advantageously possible and preferably possible to implement one or more of the following operations:

[0038] - the antenna entities or functionality direct the transmissions in such a way that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​a radio cell, in particular using multiple-input multiple-output beam-steering or beam-forming,

[0039] - the antenna entity or functionality generates at least one mobile beam or spot beam, wherein the mobile beam is oriented in different spatial directions at different points in time so that the coverage area is swept during a predetermined time interval and so that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to a rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​a radio cell,

[0040] - the antenna entity or functionality comprises a plurality of antenna panels, wherein the plurality of antenna panels generate constructive and / or destructive interference such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to a rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​a radio cell,

[0041] -- The antenna physically or functionally generates a plurality of static or quasi-static spot beams of different shapes such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​a radio cell.

[0042] It is thus advantageously possible according to the invention to be able to configure the coverage area of ​​a radio cell according to various possibilities and using a plurality of different technical solutions or a combination of such solutions.

[0043] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is also advantageously possible and preferred that the reference position information defines a central part of the Earth mobile radio cell, in particular a central trajectory path of the mobile Earth mobile radio cell.

[0044] Therein, in particular, the reference position information also indicates a lateral extension of the Earth mobile radio cell from a central part of the Earth mobile radio cell, in particular a central trajectory path of the mobile Earth mobile radio cell.

[0045] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is also advantageously possible and preferred that the reference position information defines two lateral boundary portions of the Earth mobile radio cell in a direction substantially parallel to the physical or functional direction of movement of the antenna,

[0046] and / or

[0047] The reference position information comprises at least one reference point information, at least one height information and / or at least one width information, preferably first height information, second height information, first width information and second width information, wherein the height information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement of the antenna entity or functionality, and wherein the width information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of movement of the antenna entity or functionality.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is also advantageously possible and preferred that the base station entity transmits and the user equipment receives the reference location information and the service time information as information elements that are part of a system information block (particularly a system information block 19 utilizing 3GPP NR technology) (particularly broadcast by the base station entity).

[0049] Thus, according to the invention it is advantageously possible that reference location information as well as service time information can be transmitted to the user equipment by the base station entity or antenna entity or functionality in an efficient manner. In particular, according to the invention, the reference location information is indicated in UTC seconds remaining in units of 10 ms since 00:00:00 on the Gregorian calendar date January 1, 1900 (midnight between Sunday, December 31, 1899 and Monday, January 1, 1900).

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for receiving a service time interval or service time information from a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity is configured with at least an antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality moving relative to the surface of the Earth along a moving direction, thereby providing radio coverage to a mobile area corresponding to an Earth mobile radio cell,

[0051] The user equipment is configured such that the user equipment receives reference location information and service time information from an antenna entity or functionality of a base station entity, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part thereof, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity may stop serving the current coverage area.

[0052] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an antenna entity or functionality as part of a base station entity for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a portion of a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by the base station entity, the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with the antenna entity or functionality, and the antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality and moves relative to the surface of the Earth along a moving direction, thereby providing radio coverage to a mobile area corresponding to an Earth mobile radio cell,

[0053] Wherein the antenna entity or functionality is configured such that:

[0054] - The base station entity transmits and the user equipment receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part thereof, and the service time information relating until when the base station entity may stop serving the current coverage area.

[0055] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system or a mobile communication network for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment is served by a base station entity, the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or the non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment, the base station entity has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality being a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality moving relative to the surface of the Earth along a moving direction, thereby providing radio coverage to a mobile area corresponding to an Earth mobile radio cell,

[0056] The system or mobile communication network is configured such that:

[0057] - The base station entity transmits and the user equipment receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part thereof, and the service time information relating until when the base station entity may stop serving the current coverage area.

[0058] Additionally, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer-readable program code, which, when executed on a computer, and / or on a user equipment, and / or on a network node of a mobile communication network, or partly on the user equipment, and / or partly on the network node of the mobile communication network, causes the computer and / or the user equipment and / or the network node of the mobile communication network to perform the method according to the present invention.

[0059] Additionally, the present invention relates to a computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, and / or on a user equipment, and / or on a network node of a mobile communication network, or partly on the user equipment, and / or partly on the network node of the mobile communication network, causes the computer and / or the user equipment and / or the network node of the mobile communication network to perform the method according to the present invention.

[0060] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the principles of the present invention are illustrated in an exemplary manner. This description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The reference figures cited below are referenced to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] Figure 1 Schematically illustrated is a situation in which a user equipment is in a mobile communication network, which is a non-terrestrial network or at least includes a portion corresponding to a non-terrestrial network, and the user equipment is served by a base station entity having at least an antenna entity or functionality, which antenna entity or functionality is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality.

[0063] Figure 2 Schematically illustrated is a situation where user equipment is served by a base station entity having a satellite based antenna entity or functionality which moves relative to the Earth's surface in a moving direction thereby providing radio coverage to a moving area corresponding to an Earth mobile radio cell.

[0064] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is schematically illustrated that user equipment is served by a base station entity having an antenna entity or functionality providing a rectangular radio coverage area.

[0065] Figure 5 and 6 Different exemplary embodiments for implementing a rectangular radio coverage area are schematically illustrated. Specific implementation plan

[0066] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are merely schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes.

[0067] When referring to a singular noun an indefinite or definite article is used, for example "a", "an", "the" include plural forms of that noun unless something else is stated.

[0068] In addition, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in a sequence different from that described or illustrated herein.

[0069] exist Figure 1In the embodiment of the present invention, a user equipment 20 is schematically shown in a mobile communication network 100. In this example, the mobile communication network 100 comprises an access network 110 and a core network 120. The mobile communication network 100 is preferably a cellular telecommunication network, which typically comprises a plurality of network cells (or radio cells). According to the present invention, the mobile communication network 100 comprises or uses or is associated with or assigned to a radio access network 110, and the radio access network 110 (of the mobile communication network 100) comprises at least one base station entity, but typically comprises a plurality of base station entities. Figure 1 A first base station entity 111 and a second base station entity 112 are schematically and exemplarily shown.

[0070] The mobile communication network 100 (or telecommunication network 100) is or at least comprises a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network. The user equipment 20 is served by a (first) base station entity 111 being a part of or being a portion of the non-terrestrial network.

[0071] In view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment 20, the base station entity 111 has or is provided with at least one antenna entity or functionality 111', which is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality, or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality; Figure 1 An alternative to a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality 111' is shown. The antenna entity or functionality 111' as part of a non-terrestrial network of the mobile communication network 100 is being routed along the Figure 1 The moving direction schematically indicated by reference numeral 115 in FIG. 1 is relative to the surface of the Earth. Thus, the base station entity 111 via or by means of the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ can provide radio coverage to a mobile area (on the surface of the Earth) corresponding to the Earth mobile radio cell 11 . Figure 1 Also schematically shown in the figure is a second or further base station entity 112 and a further antenna entity or functionality 111 ″ which provides or serves a further radio cell 12 .

[0072] The base station entity 111 (via the antenna entity or functionality 111') transmits and the user equipment 20 receives reference position information and service time information. The reference position information relates to a specific part of the current coverage area and the service time information relates to until when the base station entity 111 may stop serving the current coverage area (based on the fact that the radio cell 11 is moving (due to the movement of the satellite-based antenna entity or functionality 111') and is therefore at a certain point in time in a position where no point of the currently serving radio cell 11 can be served (i.e. in this case the satellite is completely away from the current radio cell 11, or is no longer visible from any point of the current radio cell 11)).

[0073] According to the invention, the base station entity 111 is provided with at least one antenna entity or functionality 111' (but preferably, the base station entity 111 is provided with more than one antenna entity or functionality 111', 111"), at least one antenna entity or functionality 111' (of the base station entity 111) being based on a satellite (i.e. Figure 1 antenna physical or functional on a satellite, or on a high altitude platform device (i.e., located on such a high altitude platform device, Figure 1 The base station entity 111 is capable of serving the user equipment 20 (i.e., providing communication services to the user equipment 20) by means of or using at least one antenna entity or functionality 111' (or by means of using a first antenna entity or functionality 111' during one time interval and by means of using a second antenna entity or functionality 111" during a subsequent additional time interval). In any case, a service (radio) link towards and / or from the user equipment 20 is typically used in order to enable downlink and / or uplink data transmission; this is in Figure 1 This is schematically indicated in FIG. 1 by means of a dotted arrow pointing from the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ to the user equipment 20 .

[0074] Figure 1 Schematically and exemplarily, a configuration is shown in which the main part of the functionality of the base station entity 111 is located separately from the antenna entity or functionality 111' (in particular at or in the earth or ground station 111); alternatively, the main part of the functionality of the base station entity 111 can also be located at or in another satellite or high-altitude platform equipment. In such a scenario in which the main part of the functionality of the base station entity 111 is located separately from the antenna entity or functionality 111' (and from the further antenna entity or functionality 111"), the antenna entity or functionality 111' (and the further antenna entity or functionality 111") usually requires some kind of feeder link or feeder connection (i.e. some kind of feeder link or feeder connection to the earth or ground station and / or to another satellite or high-altitude platform equipment); this is Figure 1 This is schematically indicated by means of dotted arrows from the base station entity 111 towards the antenna entities or functionalities 111 ′, 111 ″, respectively.

[0075] As Figure 1 As an alternative to the configuration shown, it is also possible and preferred according to the invention that the entire functionality of the base station entity 111 (or a major part thereof) may be located on a satellite or on a high altitude platform device. In this case, a backhaul connection is typically provided from the combined satellite-based base station entity 111 including the antenna entity or functionality 111' to an earth or ground station and / or to another satellite or high altitude platform device.

[0076] exist Figure 2, for two different locations of a particular user equipment 20, a situation in which the user equipment 20 is served by a base station entity 111 having a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality 111' moving relative to the surface of the earth along a moving direction 115 is schematically shown. At the considered point in time, the base station entity 111 provides radio coverage to the radio cell 11 via the antenna entity or functionality 111', as shown in FIG. Figure 2 1 , wherein the mobile radio cell typically moves together with the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′, i.e. corresponds to an earth mobile radio cell 11. In the direction of movement 115 of the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′, the earth mobile radio cell 11 comprises a central part 116, which typically comprises the position of the reference position information 116 (e.g. in the center of the radio cell 11). The user equipment 20 exemplarily shown in its first position at or on the central part 116 of the radio cell 11 will be able to be served by the base station entity 111 and via the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ during the entire time interval required for the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ to sweep over the radio cell 11 - i.e. from the point in time when radio coverage by means of the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ is first provided to the area indicated by means of reference numeral 117 (on the central part of the radio cell 11) to the point in time when radio coverage by means of the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ is lost from the perspective of the area indicated by means of reference numeral 118 (on the central part of the radio cell 11). In contrast to this (i.e., in contrast to its first considered position in which the user equipment 20 is located at or on the central part of the radio cell 11), in the case where the user equipment 20 is located at a position which is substantially far from the central part 116 of the radio cell 11 (to Figure 2 In the case of the left side in FIG. 1 ), the time interval in which it experiences or sees radio coverage (provided by the same antenna entity or functionality 111 ′) is much shorter.

[0077] Roughly, the duration of the corresponding service time intervals for these two exemplary considered locations of the user equipment 20 can be given by Figure 2 The lengths of the two rectangles (parallel to the moving direction 115) shown in FIG. 1 are schematically represented. Due to the distance (by means of Figure 2 25 in the figure), and due to the generally circular (or elliptical) shape of the radio cell 11, in the case where the specific user equipment 20 is located in the second position, the service time interval is much shorter.

[0078] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4In the example, the user equipment 20 is served by a base station entity, and the base station entity has or is associated with an antenna entity or functionality 111'. Again, the radio cell 11 has or includes (in the direction of movement 115 of the antenna entity or functionality 111') Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment and in Figure 4 In an embodiment of the present invention, the central portion 116 generally includes the location of the reference location information 116 (eg, in the central portion or center of the radio cell 11). Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the antenna entity or functionality 111' provides a rectangular radio coverage area 11 or radio cell 11, in particular having at least approximately an extension h (e.g. a certain number of kilometres) parallel or substantially parallel to its direction of movement 115, and an extension w (e.g. a certain number of kilometres) orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to its direction of movement 115.

[0079] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The representations can all be understood as showing an earth mobile radio cell 11. Considering the movement 115 of the antenna entity or functionality 111', the base station entity 111 (or the antenna entity or functionality 111') serves the coverage area 11 (or provides communication services to user equipment 20 located in the coverage area 11) at a first point in time, and the radio coverage moves to a different coverage area (at a later (or second) point in time). Figure 4 denoted by reference numeral 11').

[0080] The user equipment 20 shown exemplarily can be served by the base station entity 111 and via the antenna entity or functionality 111' during a certain time period; the time interval required for the antenna entity or functionality 111' to sweep over (the height extension of the radio coverage area of) the radio cell 11, i.e. from the point in time when radio coverage by means of the antenna entity or functionality 111' is first provided to the area indicated by means of reference numeral 117 to the point in time when radio coverage by means of the antenna entity or functionality 111' is lost from the perspective of the area indicated by means of reference numeral 118. By providing a relatively rectangular extension of the radio coverage area 11, the service time interval is independent of the lateral distance of the user equipment from the central part of the radio cell 11; moreover, the duration of the service time interval is equal for each user equipment 20 within the radio cell 11.

[0081] According to the invention, the base station entity 111 (via the antenna entity or functionality 111') transmits and the user equipment 20 receives reference position information 116 and service time information (both generally applicable to the user equipment 20 located within the respective coverage area 11, i.e. independently of its lateral distance from the central part of the coverage area). In particular, the reference position information 116 relates to a specific part of the radio cell 11 and the service time information (or also referred to as general service time information) relates to until when the base station entity 111 may stop serving the radio cell 11 (in particular due to the movement of the moving satellite-based antenna entity or functionality 111').

[0082] By providing a relatively rectangular earth mobile radio cell 11, it is advantageously possible that the service time information not only indicates a generally applicable service time interval (independent of the lateral position of the user equipment 20) as a minimum service time interval, but also that the service time is equal for all user equipment 20 within the radio cell 11. In particular, according to such an embodiment, two sides of the rectangular shaped earth mobile radio cell 11 or coverage area are substantially parallel to the moving direction 115 of the earth mobile radio cell 11 or substantially parallel to the central trajectory path of the moving earth mobile radio cell 11.

[0083] In particular, the radio coverage area generated by the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′ is achieved by means of one or more of the following:

[0084] - Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) beam-steering or beam-forming (i.e. the antenna entity or functionality 111' directs the transmission in such a way that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell 11, in particular using Multiple-Input Multiple-Output beam-steering or beam-forming),

[0085] - beam sweeping (i.e. the antenna entity or functionality 111' generates at least one mobile beam or spot beam, wherein the mobile beam is oriented in different spatial directions at different points in time such that the coverage area is swept during a predetermined time interval and such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell 11),

[0086] a plurality of antenna panels (i.e. the antenna entity or functionality 111' comprises a plurality of antenna panels, wherein the plurality of antenna panels generate constructive and / or destructive interference such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell 11),

[0087] - Spot beams (ie the antenna entity or functionality 111 ' generates a plurality of static or quasi-static spot beams of different shapes such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell 11).

[0088] For example, the possibility of implementing a rectangular coverage area according to the invention is Figure 5 Schematically shown in FIG: as part of the antenna entity or functionality 111 ', a plurality of antenna panels 1110 or antenna elements 1110 are used, wherein each such antenna panel 1110 covers a specific sub-area or part 1111 of the radio coverage area 11 of the radio cell. Thereby, a rectangular coverage area 11 may be achieved.

[0089] Furthermore, by way of example, the possibility of implementing a rectangular coverage area according to the invention is Figure 6 Schematically shown in . According to this embodiment, at least one antenna beam sweeps across the coverage area 11: for example, it is possible to cover the area of ​​the radio cell 11 by means of relatively fast scanning or sweeping across a plurality of different positions, for example, providing coverage to a first position 1112 at a first point in time, providing coverage to a second position 1113 at a second point in time, providing coverage to a third position 1114 at a third point in time, providing coverage to a fourth position 1115 at a fourth point in time, and so on, in order to cover and thereby provide radio coverage to the radio cell 11. Of course, more than one antenna beam may advantageously be used, or even one antenna beam per coverage line (e.g. between the first and second positions 1112, 1113, or between the third and fourth positions 1114, 1115). In particular, such scanning or sweeping of the antenna beam may be achieved by means of continuous movement or by means of discontinuous targeting of different discrete positions (at specific respective points in time).

[0090] Additionally, preferably according to the present invention, reference location information 116 as well as (general) service time information are transmitted by the base station entity 111 (or by the antenna entity or functionality 111 ′) to the user equipment 20 .

[0091] In particular, the base station entity 111 transmits and the user equipment 20 receives the reference location information and the service time information as information elements that are part of a system information block (in particular, a system information block 19 utilizing 3GPP NR technology) (in particular, broadcasted by the base station entity 111).

[0092] In the case of a rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell 11, the reference position information in particular comprises at least one reference point information, at least one height information (h) and / or at least one width information (w), preferably first height information, second height information, first width information and second width information, wherein the height information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement 115 of the antenna entity or functionality 111', and wherein the width information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement 115 of the antenna entity or functionality 111'.

[0093] Therefore, for the signaling of the rectangular coverage area created by the satellite (or created by the high altitude platform), in the case of 3GPP New Radio NR, it is preferred to utilize the relevant Radio Resource Control RRC signaling of the corresponding radio technology, in particular the system information broadcast (e.g., System Information Block SIB 19), by means of which the relevant information is added using RRC signaling.

[0094] For example, for a rectangular shape of coverage area 11, RRC signaling is used to convey the coverage area height and width:

[0095] -- Regarding the height of the coverage area 11: h1:RP:h2 (i.e., the distance 1 / 2H(h1) in the direction covered by the mobile satellite + 1 / 2H(h2) in the opposite direction);

[0096] -- Regarding the width of the coverage area 11: w1:RP:w2 (i.e., the distance of 1 / 2W(w1) to the left + 1 / 2W(w2) to the right of the center line in the direction of mobile satellite coverage);

[0097] Using such signaling (h1=h2&w1=w2), the reference point 116 is located at the center (center of gravity) of the coverage area rectangle; alternatively, using (h1<>h2&w1<>w2), the reference point 116 is flexibly located inside the rectangle; using (h1=h2=w1=w2), the reference point 116 corresponds to the center of the square coverage area 11, and using (h1+h2=w1+w2), the reference point is flexibly located inside the square coverage.

[0098] Therefore, the following ASN.1 supplement to SIB19 is proposed (for rectangular coverage shapes):

[0099]

[0100]

Claims

1. A method for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment (20) in a mobile communication network (100), the mobile communication network (100) being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment (20) is served by a base station entity (111), the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment (20), the base station entity (111) has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality (111'), the antenna entity or functionality (111') being a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality (111') moving relative to the surface of the earth along a moving direction (115), thereby providing radio coverage to a moving area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell (11), The method comprises the following steps: The base station entity (111) transmits and the user equipment (20) receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part of the current coverage area, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity (111) may stop serving the current coverage area.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna entity or functionality (111') provides a coverage area such that a relatively rectangular Earth mobile radio cell (11) or coverage area is generated or such that a rectangular Earth mobile radio cell (11) or coverage area is at least covered or included, In particular, two sides of the rectangular-shaped earth mobile radio cell (11) or coverage area are substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the earth mobile radio cell (11) or substantially parallel to the central trajectory path of the moving earth mobile radio cell (11).

3. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the following operations are implemented: - an antenna entity or functionality (111') directs transmissions in such a way that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell (11), in particular using multiple-input multiple-output beam-steering or beam-forming, the antenna entity or functionality (111') generates at least one mobile beam or spot beam, wherein the mobile beam is oriented in different spatial directions at different points in time so that the coverage area is swept during a predetermined time interval and so that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell (11), the antenna entity or functionality (111') comprises a plurality of antenna panels, wherein the plurality of antenna panels generate constructive and / or destructive interference such that a resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to a rectangular-shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell (11), - the antenna entity or functionality (111') generates a plurality of static or quasi-static spot beams of different shapes such that the resulting coverage area approximates or corresponds to the rectangular shaped coverage area of ​​the radio cell (11).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reference position information defines a central part (116) of the Earth mobile radio cell (11), in particular a central trajectory path of a mobile Earth mobile radio cell (11), In particular, the reference position information further indicates a lateral extension of the earth mobile radio cell (11) from a central part (116) of the earth mobile radio cell (11), in particular a central trajectory path of the mobile earth mobile radio cell (11).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reference position information defines two lateral boundary portions of the Earth mobile radio cell (11) in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement (115) of the antenna entity or functionality (111'), and / or The reference position information comprises at least one reference point information, at least one height information and / or at least one width information, preferably first height information, second height information, first width information and second width information, wherein the height information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of movement (115) of the antenna entity or functionality (111'), and wherein the width information preferably corresponds to an extension of the coverage area from the reference point in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of movement (115) of the antenna entity or functionality (111').

6. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base station entity (111) transmits and the user equipment (20) receives the reference location information and the service time information as information elements that are part of a system information block, in particular a system information block 19 broadcast by the base station entity (111), in particular utilizing 3GPP NR technology.

7. A user equipment (20) for receiving service time intervals or service time information from a mobile communication network (100), the mobile communication network (100) being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment (20) is served by a base station entity (111), the base station entity being part of the non-terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network portion, wherein: In view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment (20), the base station entity (111) is configured with at least an antenna entity or functionality (111') which moves relative to the surface of the earth along a moving direction (115) thereby providing radio coverage to a moving area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell (11), The user equipment (20) is configured such that the user equipment (20) receives reference location information and service time information from an antenna entity or functionality (111') of the base station entity (111), the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part of the current coverage area, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity (111) may stop serving the current coverage area.

8. An antenna entity or functionality (111') as part of a base station entity (111) for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment (20) in a mobile communication network (100), the mobile communication network (100) being or at least comprising corresponding to or being part of a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment (20) is served by the base station entity (111), the base station entity (111) being part of the non-terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network part, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment (20), the base station entity (111) has or is provided with the antenna entity or functionality (111'), and the antenna entity or functionality (111') is a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality and moves relative to the surface of the earth along a moving direction (115), thereby providing radio coverage to a moving area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell (11), wherein the antenna entity or functionality (111') is configured such that: The base station entity (111) transmits and the user equipment (20) receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part of the current coverage area, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity (111) may stop serving the current coverage area.

9. A system or mobile communication network (100) for transmitting service time intervals or service time information to a user equipment (20) in a mobile communication network (100), the mobile communication network (100) being or at least comprising a portion corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, wherein the user equipment (20) is served by a base station entity (111), the base station entity being a portion of the non-terrestrial network or a non-terrestrial network portion, wherein in view of serving or providing radio coverage to the user equipment (20), the base station entity (111) has or is provided with at least an antenna entity or functionality (111'), the antenna entity or functionality (111') being a satellite-based antenna entity or functionality or a high altitude platform-based antenna entity or functionality, the antenna entity or functionality (111') moving relative to the surface of the earth along a moving direction (115), thereby providing radio coverage to a moving area corresponding to an earth mobile radio cell (11), The system or the mobile communication network (100) is configured such that: The base station entity (111) transmits and the user equipment (20) receives reference location information and service time information, the reference location information relating to a current coverage area or a part of the current coverage area, and the service time information relating to until when the base station entity (111) may stop serving the current coverage area.

10. A program comprising a computer-readable program code, which, when executed on a computer, and / or on a user equipment (20), and / or on a network node of a mobile communication network (100), or partly on the user equipment (20), and / or partly on the network node of the mobile communication network (100), causes the computer and / or the user equipment (20) and / or the network node of the mobile communication network (100) to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, and / or on a user equipment (20), and / or on a network node of a mobile communication network (100), or partially on the user equipment (20), and / or partially on the network node of the mobile communication network (100), causes the computer and / or the user equipment (20) and / or the network node of the mobile communication network (100) to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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