Periodically shutting off non-terrestrial network cells

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for periodically turning off geosynchronous cells. A method, which may be performed by a user equipment (UE), includes receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to Greek Patent Application No. 20220100664, filed on August 8, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all applicable purposes. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to techniques for wireless networks having non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells.

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts or other similar types of services. These wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies capable of supporting communications with multiple users by sharing available wireless communication system resources with those users.

[0005] Although wireless communication systems have made tremendous technological progress over the years, challenges still exist. For example, complex and dynamic environments can still attenuate or block signals between wireless transmitters and wireless receivers. Therefore, there is a continuous demand to improve the technical performance of wireless communication systems, including, for example: increasing the speed and data carrying capacity of communications, improving the efficiency of the use of shared communication media, reducing the power used by transmitters and receivers when performing communications, improving the reliability of wireless communications, avoiding redundant transmission and / or reception and related processing, improving the coverage of wireless communications, increasing the number and types of devices that can access wireless communication systems, increasing the intercommunication capabilities of different types of devices, increasing the number and types of wireless communication media available for use, etc. Therefore, there is a need for further improvements in wireless communication systems to overcome the above-mentioned technical challenges and other challenges. Summary of the invention

[0006] One aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE). The method includes: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and avoiding performing all IDLE mode tasks during the period of time.

[0007] Another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE). The method includes: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and in response to failure to detect a cell signal during a paging occasion (PO) during the period of time, avoiding performing a cell search during the period of time.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a method for wireless communication by a network entity is provided. The method includes: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and stopping transmission in the NTN cell during the period of time based on the indication.

[0009] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is provided. The apparatus includes one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and avoiding performing all IDLE mode tasks during the period of time.

[0010] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is provided. The apparatus includes one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and in response to failure to detect a cell signal during a paging occasion (PO) during the period of time, avoiding performing a cell search during the period of time.

[0011] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless communication at a network entity is provided. The apparatus includes one or more memories; and one or more processors, which are coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to perform the following operations: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and stopping one or more transmissions in the NTN cell during the period of time based on the indication.

[0012] In another aspect, a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0013] Yet another aspect provides a method for wireless communication by a network entity. The method includes: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0014] In another aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) is provided. The apparatus includes one or more memories; and one or more processors, which are coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0015] In another aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is provided. The apparatus includes one or more memories; and one or more processors, which are coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to perform the following operations: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0016] In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), causes the UE to perform a method of wireless communication. The method includes: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0017] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions is provided, which, when executed by one or more processors of a network entity, causes the network entity to perform a method of wireless communication. The method includes: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0018] In yet another aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus includes: means for receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and means for performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0019] Yet another aspect provides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus includes: means for sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time; and means for performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0020] The following description and drawings set forth certain features for purposes of illustration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings depict certain features of the various aspects described herein and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 An example wireless communication network is depicted.

[0023] Figure 2 An example disaggregated base station architecture is depicted.

[0024] Figure 3 Aspects of an example base station and example user equipment are depicted.

[0025] Figure 4A , 4B , 4C and 4D depict various example aspects of data structures for a wireless communication network.

[0026] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication network having non-terrestrial network entities.

[0027] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of discontinuous coverage of a non-terrestrial network.

[0028] Figure 7 Depicted is an example timeline of operation of a BS supporting and being served by a cell that is switched off in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 is a call flow diagram illustrating example signaling for periodically shutting down a geosynchronous cell.

[0030] Fig. 9

[0011] A method for wireless communication according to one aspect is described.

[0031] Fig.10

[0011] A method for wireless communication according to one aspect is described.

[0032] Fig.11

[0011] A method for wireless communication according to one aspect is described.

[0033] Fig.12

[0011] A method for wireless communication according to one aspect is described.

[0034] Fig.13

[0011] A method for wireless communication according to one aspect is described.

[0035] Fig.14 Aspects of an example communications device are depicted.

[0036] Fig.15 Aspects of an example communications device are depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer-readable media for periodically shutting down (also referred to herein as "turning off") non-terrestrial network (NTN) cells.

[0038] In cellular networks, network energy efficiency mechanisms can be used to save network resources during non-working hours. For example, in terrestrial networks (e.g., LTE, NR), network entities (e.g., central units (CUs)) can share coverage information and decide which cells (i.e., the coverage area of ​​the cellular network that can be uniquely identified according to the cell identifier broadcast from the cellular access point on the coverage area) to turn off (e.g., stop broadcasting cell identifiers or other cell signals) and which cells remain active. Turning off cells can reduce the power consumed by the network entities supporting the cells and can make the radio frequency spectrum available for other uses. In some cases, NTNs can provide discontinuous radio coverage to UEs, for example, some NTNs (e.g., low earth orbit (LEO) systems or medium earth orbit (MEO) systems) can have one or more revisit times (also referred to as response times or coverage gaps) in certain geographic areas. The revisit time can be the duration between continuous viewing (or coverage) of a given location of the NTN. For example, depending on the number of satellites deployed, the satellite revisit time (or coverage gap) of a location can be 10 to 40 minutes. During the revisit time, the wireless network (e.g., the core network) may not be able to reach the UE. If a cell is switched off, the UE may have the option to reselect to another cell using, for example, measurement, barring, and / or handover techniques. A UE served by an NTN cell may be notified shortly before the start of a revisit time for a satellite supporting the NTN cell that the cell is being switched off, and the UE may maintain service by reselecting to another cell during the satellite revisit time and / or save power by not searching for NTN cells during the satellite revisit time.

[0039] However, in the case where the UE is within the coverage of a cell (e.g., NTN cell) served by a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite (also referred to as a geosynchronous (GEO) cell, a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) cell, or a geosynchronous satellite orbit cell) or a non-GEO (NGSO) cell, especially in a remote area (e.g., a desert, an ocean, etc.), if the GEO cell or the non-GEO cell is turned off, there may not be any other cell that the UE can reselect. In an example where the UE is located in a remote area, if the GEO cell is turned off, the UE located in the remote area served by the GEO cell may not successfully search for another cell. An unsuccessful search may result in increased power consumption of the UE. Additionally or alternatively, if a network (e.g., a radio access network) has a communication to be sent to a UE served by a turned-off GEO cell, the network may report to the initiator of the communication that the UE is unreachable. In a different example where there is no UE to be served by the GEO cell, the GSO satellite that maintains the GEO cell in an active state has increased energy consumption, and the radio frequency (RF) spectrum used by the GEO cell is not available for other uses within the geographical area of ​​the GEO cell.

[0040] In various aspects of the present disclosure, non-terrestrial network cells (including GEO cells) are periodically turned off, and UEs served or potentially served by these cells are informed of the time period when the cells will be turned off. When the network has communications to send to the UE served by the turned-off NTN cell, the provided technology can also enable paging performed by the network to be postponed, rather than the network reporting (e.g., reporting to the initiator of the communication) that the UE is unreachable. In various aspects of the present disclosure, a UE that is notified that the NTN cell serving the UE will be turned off for a period of time (e.g., the UE obtains an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting synchronization signals) avoids performing (e.g., not performing or deferring performance) cell search or IDLE mode tasks (e.g., measuring reference signals of serving cells) during this period. Alternatively, the UE may attempt to detect a synchronization signal (SS) transmitted by the cell during the period, and upon failure to detect the SS (e.g., because the signal strength of the SS is too low for the UE to detect, or because the SS is not transmitted by the cell), the UE may avoid initiating a cell search, and instead listen to the SS and paging during the next paging opportunity (PO) of the UE. If the UE fails to detect an SS from a cell during a PO when the expected cell is turned on, the UE may initiate a cell search and / or declare a no cell available state in response to the failure to detect an SS from the cell.

[0041] The provided technology enables NTN cells (e.g., GEO cells) to be shut down during time periods when UEs served by the cell do not expect to communicate with the cell (e.g., all UEs are not performing user calls or other communications), thereby saving power consumption of both the satellite and the UE, and saving RF spectrum.

[0042] Similarly, in other cases (e.g., low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, or GEO satellites), it may not be desirable for the satellite to transmit continuously in all beams of the satellite. For example, in the case of an unloaded beam (e.g., providing service to few or no UEs), it may be more efficient to stop the satellite from transmitting broadcast signals than for the satellite to transmit broadcast signals from a power or bandwidth perspective. Additionally or alternatively, due to power limitations, the satellite may not be able to transmit at full power in all beams at the same time. According to one or more examples, a discontinuous cell shutdown mechanism may be used to indicate to the UE that a broadcast channel for a cell may not be transmitted during a period of time. In some cases, a synchronization signal block (SSB) for a cell is not broadcast, which may prevent the UE from receiving other broadcast channels from the cell. In other cases, the SSB is broadcast, but other broadcast channels (such as a system information block (SIB) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) are not transmitted in the cell during the cell shutdown duration. In this case, the SSB may also indicate whether other broadcast channels are transmitted.

[0043] According to an example, activation of discontinuous (e.g., repeated at regular intervals or irregular intervals) cell off durations also depends on the geographical location of the cells that are discontinuously switched off, e.g., activation may be longer in duration or may be shorter in duration in remote areas. Activation of discontinuous cell off durations may also depend on traffic patterns, e.g., activation may be longer in duration during non-working hours or around midnight local time.

[0044] Introduction to wireless communication networks

[0045] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network 100 is depicted in which various aspects described herein may be implemented.

[0046] In general, the wireless communication network 100 includes various network entities (alternatively, network elements or network nodes). A network entity is typically a communication device and / or a communication function performed by a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), a component of a BS, a server, etc.). For example, various functions of a network and various devices associated with and interacting with the network can be considered network entities. In addition, the wireless communication network 100 includes a terrestrial aspect (such as a ground-based network entity (e.g., BS 102)) and a non-terrestrial aspect (such as a satellite 140 and an aircraft 145), and the non-terrestrial aspect may include an onboard network entity (such as one or more BSs) that can communicate with other network elements (such as a terrestrial BS) and user equipment.

[0047] In the depicted example, the wireless communication network 100 includes a BS 102, a UE 104, and one or more core networks, such as an evolved packet core (EPC) 160 and a 5G core (5GC) network 190, which interoperate over various communication links (including wired and wireless links) to provide communication services.

[0048] Figure 1 Various example UEs 104 are depicted, which may more generally include: a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite wireless unit, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player, a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Always-On (AON) device, an edge processing device, or other similar devices. UE 104 may also be more generally referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a remote device, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, etc.

[0049] BS 102 wirelessly communicates with (e.g., transmits signals to or receives signals from) UE 104 via communication link 120. Communication link 120 between BS 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to BS 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from BS 102 to UE 104. Communication link 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity in various aspects.

[0050] BS 102 may generally include: NodeB, enhanced NodeB (eNB), next generation enhanced NodeB (ng-eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, transmission and reception point, etc. Each BS 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110, which may sometimes be referred to as a cell and may overlap in some cases (e.g., a small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of a macro cell). For example, a BS may provide communication coverage for a macro cell (covering a relatively large geographic area), a pico cell (covering a relatively small geographic area, such as a stadium), a femto cell (covering a relatively small geographic area (such as a residence)), and / or other types of cells.

[0051] Although BS102 is described as a single communication device in various aspects, BS102 can be implemented in various configurations. For example, one or more components of the base station can be decomposed, including a central unit (CU), one or more distributed units (DU), one or more radio units (RU), a near real-time (Near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) or a non-real-time (Non-RT) RIC, etc. In another example, various aspects of the base station can be virtualized. More generally, a base station (such as BS102) can include components located at a single physical location or components located at different physical locations. In an example in which the base station includes components located at various physical locations, each component can perform a function so that each component collectively implements a function similar to that of a base station located at a single physical location. In some aspects, a base station including components located at various physical locations can be referred to as a decomposed radio access network architecture (such as an open RAN (O-RAN) or virtualized RAN (VRAN) architecture). Figure 2 An example disaggregated base station architecture is depicted.

[0052] Different BSs 102 in the wireless communication network 100 may also be configured to support different radio access technologies, such as 3G, 4G, and / or 5G. For example, a BS 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may be interfaced with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., an S1 interface). A BS 102 configured for 5G (e.g., 5G NR or Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may be interfaced with the 5GC 190 via a second backhaul link 184. The BSs 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC 160 or the 5GC 190) via a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., an X2 interface) (which may be wired or wireless).

[0053] The wireless communication network 100 may subdivide the electromagnetic spectrum into various categories, frequency bands, channels, or other characteristics. In some aspects, such subdivision is typically provided based on wavelength and frequency, where frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, subcarrier, frequency channel, tone, or subband. For example, 3GPP currently defines a frequency range 1 (FR1) including 410 MHz-7125 MHz, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as "Sub-6 GHz". Similarly, 3GPP currently defines a frequency range 2 (FR2) including 24,250 MHz-52,600 MHz, sometimes referred to as "millimeter wave" ("mmW" or "mmWave") (interchangeably). A base station (e.g., a mmWave base station such as BS 180) configured to communicate using millimeter wave / near millimeter wave radio frequency bands may utilize beamforming (e.g., 182) to communicate with a UE (e.g., 104) to improve path loss and range.

[0054] The communication link 120 between the BS 102 and the UE 104 may be through one or more carriers, which may have different bandwidths (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, and / or other MHz), and which may be aggregated in different aspects. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric for DL ​​and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL).

[0055] Communications using higher frequency bands may have higher path loss and shorter range than communications using lower frequencies. Figure 1 180) can utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to improve path loss and range. BS 180 and UE 104 can each include multiple antennas (such as antenna elements, antenna panels and / or antenna arrays) to facilitate beamforming. In some cases, BS 180 can send beamformed signals to UE 104 in one or more transmit directions 182'. UE 104 can receive beamformed signals from BS 180 in one or more receive directions 182". UE 104 can also send beamformed signals to BS 180 in one or more transmit directions 182". BS 180 can also receive beamformed signals from UE 104 in one or more receive directions 182'. BS 180 and UE 104 can then perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of BS 180 and UE 104. It should be noted that the transmit and receive directions of BS 180 may be the same or may not be the same. Similarly, the transmit and receive directions of the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

[0056] Wireless communication network 100 also includes a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in, for example, the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum.

[0057] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH), and / or a physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH).

[0058] The EPC 160 may include various functional components, including: a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and / or a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172, such as in the depicted example. The MME 162 may communicate with a home subscriber server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that handles signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. In general, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management.

[0059] Typically, user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176, which may include, for example, the Internet, an Intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and Packet Switched (PS) streaming services and / or other IP services.

[0060] The BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and / or may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to BSs 102 belonging to a multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) area of ​​a broadcast specific service, and / or may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS related charging information.

[0061] 5GC 190 may include various functional components, including: access and mobility management function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, session management function (SMF) 194, and user plane function (UPF) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with unified data management (UDM) 196.

[0062] AMF 192 is a control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and 5GC 190. AMF 192 provides functions such as Quality of Service (QoS) flow and session management.

[0063] User Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transported through UPF 195, which connects to IP Services 197 and provides UE IP address allocation and other functions of 5GC 190. IP Services 197 may include, for example, the Internet, Intranet, IMS, PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0064] In various aspects, a network entity or network node may be implemented as a converged base station, a decomposed base station, a component of a base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a sidelink node, and the like.

[0065] Figure 2 An example decomposed base station 200 architecture is depicted. The decomposed base station 200 architecture may include one or more central units (CUs) 210, which may communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 220 through one or more decomposed base station units, such as a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 225 via an E2 link, or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC 215 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 205, or both. The CU 210 may communicate with one or more distributed units (DUs) 230 via corresponding mid-haul links, such as an F1 interface. The DU 230 may communicate with one or more radio units (RUs) 240 via corresponding fronthaul links. The RU 240 may communicate with corresponding UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 104 may be served by multiple RUs 240 simultaneously.

[0066] Each of the units (e.g., CU 210, DU 230, RU 240) and the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215, and the SMO framework 205 may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each unit in the unit or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to the communication interface of the unit may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. For example, a unit may include a wired interface configured to receive a signal on a wired transmission medium or to send a signal to one or more other units in the other units. Additionally or alternatively, a unit may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver) configured to receive a signal on a wireless transmission medium or to send a signal to one or more other units in the other units, or both.

[0067] In some aspects, CU 210 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to transmit signals with other control functions hosted by CU 210. CU210 may be configured to process user plane functions (e.g., central unit-user plane (CU-UP)), control plane functions (e.g., central unit-control plane (CU-CP)), or a combination thereof. In some implementations, CU 210 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. The CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (e.g., via an E1 interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration). If necessary, CU 210 may be implemented to communicate with DU 230 for network control and signaling.

[0068] DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RU 240. In some aspects, DU 230 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) at least in part according to a functional split, such as that defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some aspects, DU 230 may also host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to transmit signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by DU 230 or control functions hosted by CU 210.

[0069] The lower layer functions may be implemented by one or more RUs 240. In some deployments, based at least in part on a functional split (such as a lower layer functional split), a RU 240 controlled by a DU 230 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions (e.g., performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both. In such an architecture, the RU 240 may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 104. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communications with the RU 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable the DU 230 and CU 210 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0070] The SMO framework 205 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-cloud) 290) to perform network element lifecycle management (e.g., to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, and near-RT RIC 225. In some implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 211) via an O1 interface. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate directly with one or more RUs 240 via an O1 interface. The SMO framework 205 may also include a non-RT RIC 215 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 205 .

[0071] The non-RT RIC 215 may be configured to include logic functions that implement non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows (including model training and updating), or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 225. The non-RT RIC 215 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 225 (e.g., via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to include logic functions that implement near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions on an interface connecting one or more CUs 210, one or more DUs 230, or both, and an O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 225 (e.g., via an E2 interface).

[0072] In some implementations, in order to generate the AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 225 and may be received from a non-network data source or network function at the SMO framework 205 or the non-RT RIC 215. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 215 or the near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 215 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 205 (e.g., via reconfiguration of O1) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 policies).

[0073] Figure 3 Aspects of an example BS 102 and UE 104 are depicted.

[0074] In general, BS 102 includes various processors (e.g., 320, 330, 338, and 340), antennas 334a-t (collectively 334), transceivers 332a-t (collectively 332) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., data source 312) and wireless reception of data (e.g., data sink 339). For example, BS 102 can send and receive data between BS 102 and UE 104. BS 102 includes a controller / processor 340, which can be configured to implement various functions related to wireless communication described herein.

[0075] In general, the UE 104 includes various processors (e.g., 358, 364, 366, and 380), antennas 352a-t (collectively 352), transceivers 354a-t (collectively 354) including modulators and demodulators, and other aspects that enable wireless transmission of data (e.g., obtained from a data source 362) and wireless reception of data (e.g., provided to a data sink 360). The UE 104 includes a controller / processor 380, which can be configured to implement various functions related to wireless communications.

[0076] With respect to example downlink transmissions, BS 102 includes a transmit processor 320 that can receive data from a data source 312 and control information from a controller / processor 340. The control information can be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a group common PDCCH (GC-PDCCH), etc. In some examples, the data can be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0077] The transmit processor 320 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) data and control information, respectively, to obtain data symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 320 may also generate reference symbols, e.g., for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0078] The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 330 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols (if applicable), and may provide an output symbol stream to a modulator (MOD) 332a-332t in the transceiver. Each modulator 332a-332t in the transceiver may process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from the modulators 332a-332t in the transceiver may be transmitted via antennas 334a-334t, respectively.

[0079] To receive downlink transmissions, UE 104 includes antennas 352a-352r that can receive downlink signals from BS 102 and can provide received signals to demodulators (DEMODs) 354a-354r in the transceiver, respectively. Each demodulator 354a to 354r in the transceiver can condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a corresponding received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator can further process the input samples to obtain received symbols.

[0080] A MIMO detector 356 may obtain received symbols from all demodulators 354a-354r in the transceiver, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 358 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE 104 to a data sink 360, and provide decoded control information to a controller / processor 380.

[0081] With respect to example uplink transmissions, the UE 104 also includes a transmit processor 364 that can receive and process data from a data source 362 (e.g., for a PUSCH) and control information from a controller / processor 380 (e.g., for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)). The transmit processor 364 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., for a sounding reference signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor 364 can be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 366 (if applicable), further processed by modulators 354a-354r in the transceiver (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to the BS 102.

[0082] At BS 102, the UL signals from UE 104 may be received by antennas 334a-t, processed by demodulators 332a-332t in the transceiver, detected by MIMO detector 336 (if applicable), and further processed by receive processor 338 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE 104. Receive processor 338 may provide decoded data to a data sink 339 and decoded control information to a controller / processor 340.

[0083] Memories 342 and 382 may store data and program codes for BS 102 and UE 104, respectively.

[0084] A scheduler 344 may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0085] In various aspects, BS 102 may be described as sending and receiving various types of data related to the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 312, a scheduler 344, a memory 342, a transmit processor 320, a controller / processor 340, a TX MIMO processor 330, a transceiver 332a-t, an antenna 334a-t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from an antenna 334a-t, a transceiver 332a-t, an RX MIMO detector 336, a controller / processor 340, a receive processor 338, a scheduler 344, a memory 342, and / or other aspects described herein.

[0086] In various aspects, the UE 104 may also be described as sending and receiving various types of data related to the methods described herein. In these contexts, "sending" may refer to various mechanisms for outputting data, such as outputting data from a data source 362, a memory 382, ​​a transmit processor 364, a controller / processor 380, a TX MIMO processor 366, a transceiver 354a-t, an antenna 352a-t, and / or other aspects described herein. Similarly, "receiving" may refer to various mechanisms for obtaining data, such as obtaining data from an antenna 352a-t, a transceiver 354a-t, a RX MIMO detector 356, a controller / processor 380, a receive processor 358, a memory 382, ​​and / or other aspects described herein.

[0087] In some aspects, the processor may be configured to perform various operations, such as operations associated with the methods described herein, as well as to send (output) or receive (obtain) data to or from another interface configured to send or receive data, respectively.

[0088] Figure 4A , 4B , 4C and 4D depict wireless communication networks (e.g., Figure 1 Aspects of the data structure of the wireless communication network 100).

[0089] Specifically, Figure 4A is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G (e.g., 5G NR) frame structure, Figure 4B is a diagram 430 showing an example of DL channels within a 5G subframe, Figure 4C is a diagram 450 showing an example of a second subframe within a 5G frame structure, and Figure 4D FIG480 is a diagram showing an example of UL channels within a 5G subframe.

[0090] Wireless communication systems can utilize Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with Cyclic Prefix (CP) on both the uplink and downlink. Such systems can also support half-duplex operation using Time Division Duplex (TDD). OFDM and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing (SC-FDM) can be used to increase the system bandwidth (e.g. Figure 4B and 4D The modulation symbols may be sent in the frequency domain using OFDM and / or in the time domain using SC-FDM.

[0091] The wireless communication frame structure may be frequency division duplex (FDD), where, for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to DL or UL. The wireless communication frame structure may also be time division duplex (TDD), where, in the case of TDD, for a particular set of subcarriers, subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL.

[0092] exist Figure 4A and 4C In the wireless communication frame structure, TDD is used, where D is DL, U is UL, and X is used flexibly between DL / UL. The UE can be configured with a slot format (dynamically configured by DL control information (DCI), or semi-statically / statically configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). In the depicted example, a 10ms frame is divided into 10 1ms subframes of equal size. Each subframe may include one or more slots. In some examples, each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols, depending on the slot configuration. A subframe may also include mini slots, which typically have fewer symbols than a full slot. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0093] In some aspects, the number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and numerology. For example, for slot configuration 0, different numerologies (μ) 0 to 5 allow 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different numerologies 0 to 2 allow 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Thus, for slot configuration 0 and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols / slot and 2μ slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are a function of the numerology. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ × 15kHz, where μ is the digital scheme 0 to 5. Thus, digital scheme μ=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, and digital scheme μ=5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely proportional to the subcarrier spacing. Figure 4A , 4B 4C and 4D provide examples of slot configuration 0 with 14 symbols per slot and a digital scheme μ = 2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs.

[0094] like Figure 4A , 4B, 4C and 4D, a resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as a physical RB (PRB)) extending, for example, 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE may depend on the modulation scheme.

[0095] like Figure 4A As shown in , some of the REs carry data for UEs (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 The RS may include a demodulation RS (DMRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may also include a beam measurement RS (BRS), a beam refinement RS (BRRS), and / or a phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0096] Figure 4B Examples of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame are shown. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs), each CCE comprising, for example, nine RE Groups (REGs), each REG comprising, for example, four consecutive REs in one OFDM symbol.

[0097] The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be in symbol 2 of a particular subframe of a frame. A UE (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 3 104) uses PSS to determine subframe / symbol timing and physical layer identification.

[0098] The Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) may be in symbol 4 of a specific subframe of a frame. The UE uses the SSS to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing.

[0099] Based on the physical layer identifier and the physical layer cell identifier group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DMRS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) (which carries the master information block (MIB)) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information (such as system information blocks (SIBs)) that is not sent via the PBCH, and / or paging messages.

[0100] like Figure 4CAs shown, some of the REs carry DMRS for channel estimation at the base station (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DMRS configurations are possible). The UE may send DMRS for PUCCH and DMRS for PUSCH. For example, the PUSCH DMRS may be sent in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. In different configurations, the PUCCH DMRS may be sent depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used. UE 104 may send a sounding reference signal (SRS). For example, the SRS may be sent in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and the UE may send the SRS on one of these combs. The base station may use the SRS for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-based scheduling on the UL.

[0101] Figure 4D An example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame is shown. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may additionally or alternatively be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0102] Example Non-Terrestrial Network

[0103] Figure 5 An example of a wireless communication network 500 including a non-terrestrial network (NTN) entity 140 (which may generally be referred to as NTN 140) is shown in which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced. In some examples, the wireless communication network 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communication network 100. For example, the wireless communication network 500 may include a BS 102, a UE 104, and a non-terrestrial network entity 140 such as a satellite. In the case of a terrestrial network, the BS 102 may serve a coverage area (also referred to herein as a cell) 110a, and in the case of a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the non-terrestrial network entity 140 may serve a coverage area 110b. Some NTNs may employ airborne platforms (e.g., balloons or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also referred to as drones) and / or spaceborne platforms (e.g., satellites).

[0104] The non-terrestrial network entity 140 may communicate with the BS 102 and the UE 104 as part of wireless communications in the NTN. In the case of a terrestrial network, the UE 104 may communicate with the BS 102 via a communication link 514. In the case of NTN wireless communications, the non-terrestrial network entity 140 may be a serving cell for the UE 104 via a communication link 516. In certain aspects, the non-terrestrial network entity 140 may act as a relay (or remote radio head) for the BS 102 and the UE 104. For example, the BS 102 may communicate with the non-terrestrial network entity 140 via a communication link 518, and the non-terrestrial network entity may relay signaling between the BS 102 and the UE 104 via the communication links 516, 518.

[0105] In some cases, for example, due to the orbits of the NTN satellites, the NTN may provide discontinuous radio coverage to the UE. For example, some NTNs (such as low earth orbit (LEO) systems or medium earth orbit (MEO) systems) may have one or more revisit times (also called response times or coverage gaps) in certain geographic areas. The revisit time may be the duration between consecutive views (or coverage areas) of a given location of the NTN. For example, the satellite revisit time (or coverage gap) may be 10 to 40 minutes, depending on the number of satellites deployed. During the revisit time, the wireless network (e.g., core network) may not be able to reach the UE.

[0106] Figure 6 600 with a revisit time 606 between two satellites 602a and 602b. As shown, UE 104 may be on the edge of the coverage area 110b of the second satellite 602b. The revisit time 606 may provide a coverage gap between the coverage areas 110a and 110b of satellites 602a and 602b. Since satellites 602a and 602b generally orbit in respective directions 604a and 604b, the coverage areas 110a and 110b and the revisit time 606 pass through UE 104, so that UE 104 may experience discontinuous coverage of NTN 600. For example, when a UE (e.g., UE 104) is in a coverage area (e.g., coverage area 110a or 110b) of an NTN, the UE may be considered to be in an in-coverage state with the NTN, where the UE may communicate with the NTN. When the UE is in a coverage gap (e.g., revisit time 606), the UE may be considered to be in an out-of-coverage state with the NTN for a specific duration (e.g., revisit time), where the UE cannot communicate with the NTN. In some cases, when the UE is able to communicate with the NTN, the UE may be considered to be in an in-coverage state with the NTN, and when the UE cannot communicate with the NTN, the UE may be considered to be in an out-of-coverage state with the NTN.

[0107] In some cellular networks, network energy efficiency mechanisms can be used to save network resources during off-hours. For example, in a terrestrial network (e.g., LTE or NR), network entities (e.g., a central unit (CU)) can share coverage information and decide which cells (i.e., a coverage area of ​​a cellular network that can be uniquely identified based on a cell identity broadcast from a cellular access point over the coverage area) to turn off (e.g., stop broadcasting a cell identity or other cell signal) and which cells remain active. If a cell is turned off, the UE may have the option of reselecting to another cell using, for example, measurement, barring, and / or switching techniques.

[0108] However, in the case where the UE is covered by a cell (e.g., an NTN cell) served by a GSO satellite (i.e., a GEO cell or a GSO cell), especially in remote areas (e.g., deserts, oceans, etc.), if the GEO cell is turned off, there may not be any other cell that the UE can reselect. Of course, in densely populated areas, such as cities, the UE will first avoid reselecting to the GEO cell. Therefore, most UEs that have selected a GEO cell may be in remote areas, where the UE may have few or no other cells that the UE can reselect. According to one or more examples, if there are no UEs served by the GEO cell that need to be in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the GSO satellite that maintains the GEO cell in an active state has increased energy consumption, and the RF spectrum used by the GEO cell is not available for other purposes in the geographical area of ​​the GEO cell.

[0109] If a GEO cell is turned off, a UE located in a remote area served by the GEO cell may unsuccessfully search for another cell. An unsuccessful search may result in increased power consumption of the UE. Additionally or alternatively, if a network (e.g., a radio access network) has a communication to be sent to a UE served by a turned-off GEO cell, the network may report to the initiator of the communication that the UE is unreachable.

[0110] Therefore, it is desirable to develop techniques and apparatus for periodically shutting down geosynchronous cells while saving power and supporting paging UEs for mobile terminal (MT) calls.

[0111] Aspects related to periodically shutting down geosynchronous cells

[0112] Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for periodically shutting down geosynchronous cells. The provided techniques enable power saving for geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellites and UEs served by GSO satellites while supporting UE paging for MT calls.

[0113] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a cell that is turned off (eg, a GEO cell) stops broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) or other broadcast signals. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a cell that is to be turned off may provide one or more indications that the cell will stop broadcasting a SS.

[0114] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a GEO cell may broadcast an indication in one or more system information blocks (SIBs) that the GEO cell will stop broadcasting an SS. In some NTN cells, the serving cell may broadcast a SystemInformationBlockType32 (SIB32) that provides serving satellite and neighbor satellite information, including the cell start time. The NTN cell's broadcast indication of SIB32 is used to support satellite support for discontinuous coverage of the cell, and when the UE should wake up to find satellite coverage after the current satellite coverage has stopped. The serving NTN cell also broadcasts a parameter in SystemInformationBlockType3 (SIB3) to indicate the time (t-service) when the current cell coverage will be stopped to notify the served UE. However, for some GEO cells, the t-service parameter may not be supported.

[0115] In aspects of the present disclosure, the GEO cell may broadcast the t-service time in SIB3 and the satellite ID (of the satellite serving the GEO cell) in SIB31. The GEO cell may also broadcast the serving cell satellite ID alone in SIB32, or broadcast both the serving cell satellite ID and two-line element (TLE) ephemeris data of the satellite serving the GEO cell. The GEO cell may also broadcast the cell start time in SIB32. The cell start time may be provided in an IE named t-ServiceStart-r17. Providing the t-service time, satellite ID, and cell start time enables the served UE to know when the satellite serving the GEO cell will be turned off and back on.

[0116] According to aspects of the present disclosure, during a GEO cell's off-time (e.g., the GEO cell start time minus the immediately preceding GEO cell stop time), a UE served by the GEO cell prior to the off-time may not perform any IDLE mode tasks. For example, the UE may avoid (e.g., not perform or defer to a later time) listening to a page addressed to the UE during a paging occasion, or the UE may avoid sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) to the GEO cell when the UE attempts to initiate a call (e.g., when a user of the UE attempts to initiate a call or access network resources), and the UE avoids performing IDLE mode tasks.

[0117] In various aspects of the present disclosure, during the off time of the GEO cell, the UE served by the GEO cell before the off time can still perform one or more IDLE mode tasks. However, if the UE does not find the serving cell signal during the paging occasion (PO) (e.g., the UE cannot receive the synchronization signal from the GEO cell), the UE stops detecting the PDCCH from the GEO cell and waits until the next PO before performing one or more additional IDLE mode tasks.

[0118] In some NTN cells (e.g., GSO cells and non-GSO (NGSO) cells), a UE receiving a t-service time in SIB3 performs intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and / or inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements on RSs (e.g., other cells) before the time indicated by the t-service time, regardless of whether the serving cell meets the criteria for performing these measurements (e.g., S rxlev >S IntraSearchP and S qual >S IntrasearchQ , or S rxlev >S nonIntraSearchP and S qual >S nonIntraSearchQ ), although the exact time to start measurements before t-service can be determined by the UE. The UE can perform measurements on higher priority inter-frequency or inter-RAT frequencies regardless of the remaining service time of the serving cell. Performing these measurements before the time indicated by the t-service parameter enables the UE to be prepared to switch to another cell at any time, which is desirable for NTN cells because the UE may suddenly leave the coverage area of ​​the NTN cell due to orbital movement of the satellite serving the NTN cell.

[0119] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a UE that receives a t-service time in SIB3 and a t-ServiceStart-r17 IE in SIB32 from a serving cell may determine whether to perform intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and / or inter-RAT measurements before the time indicated by the t-service parameter based on whether the serving cell is a GSO cell or an NGSO cell and other measurement rules. For example, the UE may determine not to perform intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and / or inter-RAT measurements before the time indicated by the t-service parameter based on whether the serving cell is a GSO cell.

[0120] In various aspects of the present disclosure, since the coverage area of ​​a GEO cell does not change, a GEO cell may be treated similarly to a fixed terrestrial network cell. In this case, if a cell is to be turned off, the UE may be expected to obtain an indication of the on / off periodicity of the cell or when the cell will be turned off and for how long.

[0121] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, information about the on / off periodicity of a cell or when a cell will be turned off and for how long can be indicated to the UE via system information (e.g., sent to the UE in a SIB), a unicast radio resource control (RRC) message, or a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0122] In various aspects of the present disclosure, during a cell off period (i.e., when a cell has been turned off), the UE may maintain the access stratum (AS) configuration that the UE had during a previous cell on period, may continue all running timers that the UE had started prior to the cell off period, and may not perform any IDLE mode tasks.

[0123] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, during a cell off period, the UE may perform one or more IDLE mode tasks (e.g., periodic measurement of RSs of higher priority frequencies and / or cells), but if a serving cell signal is not detected during a paging occasion (PO), the UE may attempt to detect the serving cell signal again in the next PO without initiating a cell search process. That is, when the UE fails to detect a signal (e.g., a synchronization signal) from a cell, the UE may not trigger a measurement or cell reselection process.

[0124] Figure 7 An example timeline 700 of the operation of a network entity (e.g., BS 102 or satellite 140) according to various aspects of the present disclosure is depicted, the network entity supporting a cell (e.g., a GEO cell) that is turned off and a UE (e.g., UE 104) served by the cell. As shown, the cell is turned on during the on period 702 and 706. The cell is turned off during the off period 704 and does not send any signal during the off period. Each UE served by the cell is configured to listen for paging during the paging occasion (PO) configured for the UE. As previously described, each of the UEs may not perform IDLE mode activities during the cell off period, as indicated by the PO shown without shading during the off period. Alternatively, each of the UEs may attempt to detect an SS sent by the cell during the off period, and when the SS fails to be detected, each UE may avoid starting a cell search, and may instead listen for the SS and paging during the next PO of the UE. If the UE fails to detect a SS from a cell during one of the on periods 702 and 706, the UE may initiate a cell search and / or declare a no cell available status in response to failing to detect a SS from the cell.

[0125] Figure 8An example call flow diagram 800 for periodically shutting down geosynchronous cells in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is depicted. In this example, a network entity 102, which may be a BS or a node of a decomposed base station, may communicate wirelessly with a UE 104 (eg, via a Uu interface).

[0126] At 802, a network entity sends an indication to a UE that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time. For example, the indication may be information about a discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the NTN cell. Such a DTX cycle may be cell-specific, that is, a DTX cycle may apply to one NTN cell served by a satellite, while other NTN cells supported by the satellite may have other DTX cycles or no DTX cycles.

[0127] At 804, the UE performs one or more actions during the time period based on the indication. For example, as shown at 812, the UE may avoid communicating with the NTN cell, for example, by transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH), or powering on a receiver to attempt to receive an SS or paging from the NTN cell. In another example, as shown at 816, the UE may not be able to detect an SS from the NTN cell (e.g., the signal strength of the SS may be too low for the UE to detect the SS, the SS may not be transmitted, or the UE's receiver may be tuned to another frequency range for communication with other cells), and then avoid measuring other cells (e.g., to prepare for switching to other cells). In addition, at 804, the network entity performs one or more actions during the time period based on the indication. For example, the network entity may stop all transmissions in the cell (e.g., SS, SIB, paging, etc.), as shown at 814. In another example, the network entity may obtain an indication to page the UE during the PO and postpone paging the UE until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX on period, as shown at 818.

[0128] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 8 The call flow shown in is an example, and other signaling flows may be employed to periodically shut down a geosynchronous cell. Figure 8 The example signaling flow in FIG. 1 is described with a specific timing of a certain signaling to facilitate understanding, but various aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to other timing arrangements of the signaling.

[0129] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a cell may use a cell-specific DTX cycle. The DTX cycle may have some similarities to a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle assigned to a UE. Information about the DTX cycle of a cell may be provided to all UEs served by the cell. Figure 8As shown in 802 of diagram 800 of the present invention, the information provided herein may be an example of a network entity sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time. This information may tell the UE about the on and off cycle period of the cell. DTX may only be applied to one cell supported by the network entity and is therefore cell-specific, while other cells supported by the network entity may not have a DTX cycle or may have other DTX cycles.

[0130] In various aspects of the present disclosure, information about the DTX cycle may include parameters such as: a start offset (which may be named dtxOffset), which indicates a system frame number (SFN) within a super system frame in which DTX for a cell starts; a DTX cycle length (which may be named dtxPagingCycle), which indicates the length of time between the start of each DTX cycle (which may be in a digital super system frame); and a DTX off period (which may be referred to as dtxOff), which indicates the length of each off period.

[0131] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a DTX off period may start in a super system frame where the super system frame number (H-SFN) modulo (DTX cycle length) is zero.

[0132] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a network entity may change the DTX cycle of a cell, and a BS operating the cell may send information about the change to the DTX cycle to a served UE. Figure 8 As shown at 802 in diagram 800 of , sending information to the served UE regarding the change to the DTX cycle as proposed herein may be an example of a network entity sending an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting the SS during a period of time.

[0133] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a network entity may be restricted to changing the DTX cycle of a cell only during an On period of the cell.

[0134] In various aspects of the present disclosure, during the DTX on period of a cell, the DTX parameters may be updated using the SI change procedure in a manner similar to any other static cell-specific parameters. However, there may be UEs in power saving mode (e.g., using PSM and / or enhanced DRX (eDRX)) that may miss paging notifying of SI changes. These UEs may wake up during the DTX on cycle of the cell's previous DTX cycle and fail to detect the cell because the cell is off at these times due to the updated DTX cycle.

[0135] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a network entity (eg, BS) may configure PSM and / or eDRX for a UE so that the UE's paging window does not drop during a DTX off period of a cell, thereby enabling the UE to be paged when the DTX cycle changes.

[0136] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a default shut-down period or a maximum shut-down period may be configured at the UE, so that before the UE declares a no cell available state, the UE attempts to find a cell at least within the default shut-down period or the maximum shut-down period.

[0137] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the length of the DTX off period may be a fixed value in the wireless communication specification. In this case, a cell operating with DTX may only broadcast the DTX cycle length and the starting offset. Figure 8 As shown at 802 in diagram 800 of , broadcasting the DTX cycle length and starting offset as proposed herein may be an example of a network entity sending an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting the SS during a period of time.

[0138] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a default duty cycle for DTX may be defined in a wireless communication standard. For example, the default duty cycle may be 1 / 10 of a DTX cycle, such that a cell is active for 1 / 10 of each DTX cycle. In this example, if a DTX cycle is 1 super system frame (i.e., 1024 system frames), the off period of such a DTX cycle is 922 system frames, and the on period is 102 system frames.

[0139] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a cell may provide a UE with assistance information about a DTX cycle of a neighboring cell.

[0140] In some networks, when a UE moves from a terrestrial network (TN) coverage area or a LEO or GEO coverage area, when the UE searches for a GEO cell, the UE may not have information about whether the GEO cell is using DTX.

[0141] In aspects of the present disclosure, the serving cell may provide an indication to the UE as to whether a neighboring GEO cell uses DTX in an inter-frequency list or a neighbor cell list provided by the serving cell to the UE.

[0142] According to aspects of the present disclosure, during the RRC release process, when the UE is redirected to the GEO cell, information about the DTX cycle of the GEO cell (e.g., DTX start offset, DTX cycle length, DTX period, DTX duty cycle, etc.) may also be provided to the UE. Figure 8As shown in 802 of diagram 800 of , providing information about the DTX cycle as proposed herein during the RRC release procedure may be an example of a network entity sending an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time. The UE may avoid sending PRACH transmissions to the GEO cell during the DTX off period of the cell. Avoiding sending PRACH in the cell using DTX during the DTX off period of the cell as proposed herein may be an example of the UE performing one or more actions during the period based on the indication, such as Figure 8 As shown in 804 in Figure 800.

[0143] In various aspects of the present disclosure, when a UE is configured to measure (e.g., measure RS when preparing for handover) a GEO cell or a frequency used by a GEO cell, information about a DTX cycle (e.g., DTX start offset, DTX cycle length, DTX period, DTX duty cycle, etc.) of the GEO cell may also be provided to the UE using a unicast RRC message. Providing information about the DTX cycle in a unicast RRC message as proposed herein may be an example of a network entity sending an indication that a NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS during a period of time, such as Figure 8 As shown in 802 in Figure 800.

[0144] According to aspects of the present disclosure, when measuring a cell that is using DTX, the UE may perform measurement based on DTX information of the cell, so that the UE may perform measurement on the cell in a power-efficient manner.

[0145] In various aspects of the present disclosure, if a cell is using DTX and the last known location of the UE is in the cell, a network entity (e.g., a central unit (CU)) may defer paging the UE when the cell is in a DTX off period. Before sending a command to another network entity (e.g., a BS or a satellite) to page the UE, the network entity may wait until a paging opportunity for the UE occurs during the DTX on period of the cell. As proposed herein, deferring paging of the UE in a cell using DTX during the DTX off period of the cell may be an example of the network entity performing one or more actions during the period based on the indication, such as Figure 8 As shown in 804 in Figure 800.

[0146] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, when a UE's paging occasion falls at the beginning of a DTX-on period of a cell using DTX, the network entity may postpone paging the UE to the UE's next paging occasion because the UE may be preparing for paging (e.g., reading necessary SIBs) at the beginning of the DTX-on period and cannot receive the paging.

[0147] In various aspects of the present disclosure, a paging preparation gap may be defined between the DTX-off period and the DTX-on period, during which paging of the UE may be postponed and the UE may read the necessary SIBs. After the paging preparation gap has passed, the UE may be ready for paging (e.g., able to receive paging).

[0148] Example Operations of User Equipment

[0149] Fig. 9 The method for use by a UE (eg Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of method 900 for performing wireless communications with a UE 104).

[0150] Method 900 begins at step 905 by receiving an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS for a period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0151] Method 900 then proceeds to step 910, where one or more actions are performed during the period of time based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by, for example, referring to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0152] In some aspects, the one or more actions include avoiding communications with the NTN cell.

[0153] In some aspects, the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and receiving the indication comprises: receiving a start time and an end time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0154] In some aspects, method 900 also includes performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0155] In some aspects, the method 900 further comprises, when a signal from the cell cannot be detected, refraining from performing at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency, or inter-RAT measurements based on the NTN cell comprising a GSO cell. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for avoiding and / or codes for avoiding are implemented.

[0156] In some aspects, the one or more actions include avoiding execution of all IDLE mode tasks during the period of time.

[0157] In some aspects, the one or more actions include: attempting to detect a cell signal during a PO during the period of time; and responsive to a failure to detect a cell signal during the PO, refraining from performing a cell search during the period of time.

[0158] In some aspects, receiving the indication includes receiving information regarding a cell-specific DTX cycle of the NTN cell.

[0159] In some aspects, the information includes: a start offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period.

[0160] In some aspects, the information includes: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0161] In some aspects, the indication is received in a SIB. In some aspects, the method 900 further comprises receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or may be performed by reference Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0162] In some aspects, the method 900 further includes, after the period of time, searching for cells within a default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for searching and / or codes for searching are performed.

[0163] In some aspects, method 900 further includes declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect a cell during a default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.14 The described circuit for announcing and / or code for announcing are implemented.

[0164] In some aspects, the default off period is defined in the communication specification.

[0165] In some aspects, the indication includes a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined to be a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0166] In some aspects, the indication is received from another cell.

[0167] In some aspects, the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbor cell list.

[0168] In some aspects, the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0169] In some aspects, the method 900 further includes measuring the NTN cell based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for measuring and / or codes for measuring are performed.

[0170] In some aspects, the indication includes at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0171] In some aspects, the NTN cells are supported by a satellite, where the satellite is in one of GSO, LEO, or MEO.

[0172] In one aspect, method 900 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by, for example, Fig.14 The method 900 may be performed by an apparatus 1400, which includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 900. The apparatus 1400 will be described in more detail below.

[0173] Notice, Fig. 9 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0174] Fig.10 The method for use by a UE (eg Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of a method 1000 for performing wireless communications with a UE 104).

[0175] Method 1000 begins at step 1005 by receiving an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS for a period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0176] Method 1000 then proceeds to step 1010, where execution of all IDLE mode tasks is avoided during the period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0177] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes avoiding communicating with the NTN cell.

[0178] In some aspects, the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and receiving the indication comprises: receiving a start time and an end time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0179] In some aspects, receiving the indication includes receiving information regarding a cell-specific DTX cycle of the NTN cell.

[0180] In some aspects, the information includes: a start offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period.

[0181] In some aspects, the information includes: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0182] In some aspects, the indication is received in a SIB. In some aspects, the method 1000 further comprises receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or may be performed by reference Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0183] In some aspects, method 1000 further includes, after the period of time, searching for cells within a default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for searching and / or codes for searching are performed.

[0184] In some aspects, method 1000 also includes declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect a cell during a default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.14 The described circuit for announcing and / or code for announcing are implemented.

[0185] In some aspects, the default off period is defined in the communication specification.

[0186] In some aspects, the indication includes a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined to be a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0187] In some aspects, the indication is received from another cell.

[0188] In some aspects, the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbor cell list.

[0189] In some aspects, the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0190] In some aspects, the method 1000 further includes measuring the NTN cell based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for measuring and / or codes for measuring are performed.

[0191] In some aspects, the indication includes at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0192] In some aspects, the NTN cells are supported by a satellite, where the satellite is in one of GSO, LEO, or MEO.

[0193] In one aspect, method 1000 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by, for example, Fig.14 The method 1000 may be performed by an apparatus 1400, which includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1000. The apparatus 1400 will be described in more detail below.

[0194] Notice, Fig.10 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0195] Fig.11 The method for use by a UE (eg Figure 1 and Figure 3 An example of a method 1100 for performing wireless communications with a UE 104).

[0196] Method 1100 begins at step 1105 by receiving an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS for a period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0197] The method 1100 then proceeds to step 1110, and in response to failure to detect a cell signal during a paging occasion (PO) during the period of time, avoid performing a cell search during the period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0198] In some aspects, the one or more actions include avoiding communications with the NTN cell.

[0199] In some aspects, the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and receiving the indication comprises: receiving a start time and an end time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0200] In some aspects, method 1100 also includes performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0201] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time; and, when a cell signal cannot be detected, avoiding performing at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency, or inter-RAT measurements on a terrestrial network cell, an NTN cell, or a non-GSO (NGSO) cell. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for avoiding and / or codes for avoiding are implemented.

[0202] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time; and attempting to detect a cell signal during a PO during the period of time.

[0203] In some aspects, the method 1100 further comprises performing a cell search during the period of time based at least on the arrival of uplink data.

[0204] In some aspects, receiving the indication includes receiving information regarding a cell-specific DTX cycle of the NTN cell.

[0205] In some aspects, the information includes: a start offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period.

[0206] In some aspects, the information includes: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0207] In some aspects, the indication is received in a SIB. In some aspects, the method 1100 further comprises receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication. In some cases, the operation of this step involves or may be performed by reference Fig.14 The described circuits for receiving and / or codes for receiving are executed.

[0208] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes, after the period of time, searching for cells within a default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for searching and / or codes for searching are performed.

[0209] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect a cell during the default off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.14 The described circuit for announcing and / or code for announcing are implemented.

[0210] In some aspects, the default off period is defined in the communication specification.

[0211] In some aspects, the indication includes a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined to be a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0212] In some aspects, the indication is received from another cell.

[0213] In some aspects, the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbor cell list.

[0214] In some aspects, the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0215] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes measuring the NTN cell based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.14 The described circuits for measuring and / or codes for measuring are performed.

[0216] In some aspects, the indication includes at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0217] In some aspects, the NTN cells are supported by a satellite, where the satellite is in one of GSO, LEO, or MEO.

[0218] In some aspects, the method 1100 further includes performing periodic measurements of higher priority frequencies and / or cells when the UE avoids performing cell searches for NTN cells. In some cases, the operations of this step refer to or may be performed by reference to Fig.14 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0219] In one aspect, method 1100 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by, for example, Fig.14 The method 1100 may be performed by an apparatus 1400, which includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1100. The apparatus 1400 will be described in more detail below.

[0220] Notice, Fig.11This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0221] Example Operations of Network Entities

[0222] Fig.12 A method for transmitting data to a network entity (eg Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102) or as regards Figure 2 An example of a method 1200 of performing wireless communications with a decomposed base station is discussed.

[0223] Method 1200 begins at step 1205 by sending an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS for a period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0224] Method 1200 then proceeds to step 1210, where one or more actions are performed during the period of time based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by, for example, referring to Fig.15 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0225] In some aspects, the one or more actions include ceasing transmission in the NTN cell.

[0226] In some aspects, the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and sending the indication comprises: sending a start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and sending an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0227] In some aspects, the indication includes: a starting offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a length of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle.

[0228] In some aspects, the indication includes: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0229] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending the indication in a SIB.

[0230] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes sending a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or may be referred to by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0231] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX-on period and a DTX-off period.

[0232] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes sending new information about a new DTX cycle of the network entity during the DTX on period, wherein the new DTX cycle includes a new DTX on period and a new DTX off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0233] In some aspects, the method 1200 also includes updating the PSM or eDRX cycle of the UE so that the PO for the UE occurs during the new DTX On period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuit for updating and / or code for updating are executed.

[0234] In some aspects, the information about the DTX cycle includes a DTX cycle length of the network entity.

[0235] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX-on period and a DTX-off period.

[0236] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes obtaining an indication to page the UE during the PO period during the paging preparation portion of the DTX-on period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuits for obtaining and / or codes for obtaining are performed.

[0237] In some aspects, the method 1200 further includes deferring paging the UE until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX on period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for deferring and / or codes for deferring are performed.

[0238] In one aspect, method 1200 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by, for example, Fig.15 The method 1200 may be performed by an apparatus 1500, which includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1200. The apparatus 1500 will be described in more detail below.

[0239] Notice, Fig.12 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0240] Fig.13A method for transmitting data to a network entity (eg Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102) or as regards Figure 2 An example of a method 1300 of performing wireless communications with a decomposed base station is discussed.

[0241] Method 1300 begins at step 1305 by sending an indication that the NTN cell will stop broadcasting SS for a period of time. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0242] Method 1300 then proceeds to step 1310, where transmission is stopped in the NTN cell during the period of time based on the indication. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be performed by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for execution and / or codes for execution are executed.

[0243] In some aspects, the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and sending the indication comprises: sending a start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and sending an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0244] In some aspects, the indication includes: a starting offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a length of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle.

[0245] In some aspects, the indication includes: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0246] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending the indication in a SIB.

[0247] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes sending a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or may be referred to by reference to Fig.15 The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0248] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX-on period and a DTX-off period.

[0249] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes sending new information about a new DTX cycle of the network entity during the DTX on period, wherein the new DTX cycle includes a new DTX on period and a new DTX off period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15The described circuits for sending and / or codes for sending are executed.

[0250] In some aspects, the method 1300 also includes updating the PSM or eDRX cycle of the UE so that the PO for the UE occurs during the new DTX On period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuit for updating and / or code for updating are executed.

[0251] In some aspects, the information about the DTX cycle includes a DTX cycle length of the network entity.

[0252] In some aspects, sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX-on period and a DTX-off period.

[0253] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes obtaining an indication to page the UE during the PO period during the paging preparation portion of the DTX-on period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuits for obtaining and / or codes for obtaining are performed.

[0254] In some aspects, the method 1300 further includes deferring paging the UE until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX on period. In some cases, the operation of this step refers to or can be referred to by Fig.15 The described circuits for deferring and / or codes for deferring are performed.

[0255] In one aspect, method 1300 or any aspect related thereto may be performed by, for example, Fig.15 The method 1300 may be performed by an apparatus 1500, which includes various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform the method 1300. The apparatus 1500 will be described in more detail below.

[0256] Notice, Fig.13 This is merely one example of a method, and other methods including fewer, additional, or alternative steps may be consistent with the present disclosure.

[0257] Example Communication Device

[0258] Fig.14 1400 is a diagram illustrating an example of an implementation of code and circuitry for an apparatus 1400 according to the present disclosure. The circuitry may include processing circuitry and memory circuitry. In some aspects, the apparatus 1400 is a user device, such as described above with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The depicted UE 104 , or UE, may include apparatus 1400 .

[0259] The communication device 1400 includes a processing system 1405 coupled to a transceiver 1485 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver). The transceiver 1485 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1400, such as the various signals described herein, via an antenna 1490. The processing system 1405 may be configured to perform processing functions for the apparatus 1400, including processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the apparatus 1400.

[0260] The processing system 1405 includes one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410. In various aspects, the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410 may represent one or more of the receive processor 358, the transmit processor 364, the TX MIMO processor 366, and / or the controller / processor 380, as described with respect to FIG. Figure 3 One or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410 are coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1445 via a bus 1480. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1445 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410, cause the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410 to perform operations related to the processing of the computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1445. Fig. 9 , 10 1400 , or any aspects related thereto. Note that references to a processor that performs the functions of the device 1400 may include one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410 that perform the functions of the device 1400 .

[0261] In the depicted example, computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1445 stores code (e.g., executable instructions), such as code for receiving 1450, code for executing 1455, code for avoiding 1460, code for searching 1465, code for announcing 1470, and code for measuring 1475. Processing of code for receiving 1450, code for executing 1455, code for avoiding 1460, code for searching 1465, code for announcing 1470, and code for measuring 1475 may cause apparatus 1400 to perform operations related to Fig. 9 , 10 and 11 described methods 900, 1000 or 1100, or any aspects related thereto.

[0262] The one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1410 include circuits configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in a computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1445, including circuits such as circuits for receiving 1415, circuits for executing 1420, circuits for avoiding 1425, circuits for searching 1430, circuits for announcing 1435, and circuits for measuring 1440. The processing of the circuits for receiving 1415, executing 1420, avoiding 1425, searching 1430, announcing 1435, and measuring 1440 may cause the apparatus 1400 to perform operations related to Fig. 9 , 10 The method 900, 1000 or 1100 described in and 11, or any aspect related thereto. The one or more processors may operate individually or collectively to send a message via a non-terrestrial network. The one or more processors are configured to individually or collectively cause the UE to perform a Fig. 9 , 10 One or more of methods 900, 1000, or 1100 described in and 11, or any aspects related thereto.

[0263] The various components of the apparatus 1400 may provide for performing Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The method 900, 1000 or 1100 described herein or any aspect thereof. For example, a unit for sending, emitting, or outputting for transmission may include: Figure 3 The transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.14 The transceiver 1485 and antenna 1490 of the device 1400 in FIG. 1400. The unit for receiving or obtaining may include Figure 3 The transceiver 354 and / or antenna 352 and / or Fig.14 The transceiver 1485 and antenna 1490 of the device 1400.

[0264] Fig.15 1500 is a diagram showing an example of an implementation of code and circuitry for apparatus 1500. The circuitry may include processing circuitry and memory circuitry. In some aspects, apparatus 1500 is a network entity, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 BS102, or as Figure 2 The decomposed base station discussed. In some aspects, the apparatus 1500 is included in a network entity.

[0265] The communication device 1500 includes a processing system 1505 coupled to a transceiver 1575 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver) and / or a network interface 1585. The transceiver 1575 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communication device 1500, such as the various signals described herein, via an antenna 1580. The network interface 1585 is configured to obtain and transmit signals for the device 1500 via a communication link, such as a backhaul link, a midhaul link, and / or a fronthaul link as described herein, such as with respect to Figure 2 Processing system 1505 may be configured to perform processing functions for device 1500 , including processing signals received by and / or to be transmitted by device 1500 .

[0266] The processing system 1505 includes one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510. In various aspects, the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510 may represent one or more of the receive processor 338, the transmit processor 320, the TX MIMO processor 330, and / or the controller / processor 340, as described with respect to FIG. Figure 3 One or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510 are coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1540 via a bus 1570. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1540 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510, cause the one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510 to perform operations related to the processing of the computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1540. Fig.12 and 13 The described methods 1200 or 1300, or any aspects related thereto. Note that reference to a processor of the apparatus 1500 performing a function may include one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510 of the apparatus 1500 performing the function.

[0267] In the depicted example, computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1540 stores code (e.g., executable instructions), such as code for sending 1545, code for executing 1550, code for updating 1555, code for obtaining 1560, and code for deferring 1565. Processing of code for sending 1545, code for executing 1550, code for updating 1555, code for obtaining 1560, and code for deferring 1565 may cause apparatus 1500 to perform operations related to Fig.12 and 13 The described methods 1200 or 1300, or any aspects related thereto.

[0268] The one or more processors (or processing circuits) 1510 include circuits configured to implement (e.g., execute) code stored in a computer-readable medium / memory (or memory circuit) 1540, including circuits such as circuits for sending 1515, circuits for executing 1520, circuits for updating 1525, circuits for obtaining 1530, and circuits for deferring 1535. Processing using the circuits for sending 1515, circuits for executing 1520, circuits for updating 1525, circuits for obtaining 1530, and circuits for deferring 1535 may cause the apparatus 1500 to perform operations related to Fig.12 and 13 The method 1200 or 1300 described herein, or any aspect thereof. The one or more processors may operate individually or collectively to send a message via a non-terrestrial network. The one or more processors may be configured to individually or collectively cause the UE to perform a Fig.12 and 13 One or more of the described methods 1200 or 1300, or any aspect related thereto.

[0269] The various components of the apparatus 1500 may provide for performing Fig.12 and Fig.13 The apparatus of the method 1200 or 1300 described herein or any aspect thereof. The means for sending, emitting, or outputting for transmission may include: Figure 3 The transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1575 and antenna 1580 of the apparatus 1500 in FIG. 1500. The unit for receiving or obtaining may include Figure 3 The transceiver 332 and / or antenna 334 and / or Fig.15 The transceiver 1575 and antenna 1580 of the device 1500.

[0270] Sample Clauses

[0271] Examples of implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0272] Clause 1: A method for wireless communications by a UE, comprising: receiving an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting an SS during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0273] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the one or more actions include avoiding communication with the NTN cell.

[0274] Clause 3: A method according to any one of clauses 1 and 2, wherein: the NTN cell includes a GSO cell; and receiving the indication includes: receiving the start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving the end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0275] Clause 4: The method according to Clause 3 also includes: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time; and avoiding performing at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurements on a terrestrial network cell, an NTN cell including the GSO cell, or a non-GSO (NGSO) cell when a signal from the cell cannot be detected.

[0276] Clause 5: A method according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein the one or more actions include avoiding execution of all IDLE mode tasks during the period of time.

[0277] Clause 6: A method according to any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the one or more actions include: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks and attempting to detect a cell signal during a PO during the period of time; and in response to a failure to detect a cell signal during the PO, avoiding performing a cell search during the period of time.

[0278] Clause 7: A method according to any of clauses 1-6, wherein the one or more actions include performing a cell search during the period of time based at least on the arrival of uplink data.

[0279] Clause 8: A method as described in any of clauses 1-7, wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving an indication of a cell-specific DTX cycle for the NTN cell.

[0280] Clause 9: A method according to clause 8, wherein the information includes: a starting offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period of the DTX cycle.

[0281] Clause 10: A method according to clause 8, wherein the information includes: a start time of a DTX off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX off period.

[0282] Clause 11: A method as described in any of clauses 1-10, wherein the indication is received in a SIB, and the method further comprises: receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication.

[0283] Clause 12: A method according to any one of clauses 1-11, further comprising: searching for cells during a default off period after the period of time; and declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect a cell during the default off period.

[0284] Clause 13: The method of clause 12, wherein the default off period is defined in a communication specification.

[0285] Clause 14: A method as described in clause 12, wherein the indication comprises a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined as a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0286] Clause 15: A method as described in any of clauses 1-14, wherein the indication is received from another cell.

[0287] Clause 16: A method as described in clause 15, wherein the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbor cell list.

[0288] Clause 17: A method as described in clause 15, wherein the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0289] Clause 18: The method of clause 15, further comprising: measuring the NTN cell based on the indication.

[0290] Clause 19: The method of any of clauses 1-18, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0291] Clause 20: The method of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the NTN cell is supported by a satellite, wherein the satellite is located in one of GSO, LEO or MEO.

[0292] Clause 21: A method for wireless communications by a network entity, comprising: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting a SS during a period of time; and performing one or more actions during the period of time based on the indication.

[0293] Clause 22: The method of clause 21, wherein the one or more actions include ceasing transmission in the NTN cell.

[0294] Clause 23: A method according to clause 22, wherein: the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and sending the indication comprises: sending the start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and sending the end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0295] Clause 24: A method according to any of clauses 21-23, wherein the indication comprises: a start offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a length of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle.

[0296] Clause 25: A method according to any of clauses 21-24, wherein the indication comprises: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0297] Clause 26: A method as described in any of clauses 21-25, wherein sending the indication comprises sending the indication in a SIB, and the method further comprises sending a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB.

[0298] Clause 27: A method according to any one of clauses 21-26, wherein sending the indication includes sending information about the DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the method further includes: sending new information about a new DTX cycle of the network entity during the DTX on period, wherein the new DTX cycle includes a new DTX on period and a new DTX off period; and updating the PSM or eDRX cycle of the UE so that the PO for the UE occurs during the new DTX on period.

[0299] Clause 28: A method according to clause 27, wherein: the information about the DTX cycle includes the length of the DTX cycle of the network entity.

[0300] Clause 29: A method according to any one of clauses 21-28, wherein sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the method further includes: obtaining an indication to page the UE during the PO during a paging preparation portion of the DTX on period; and postponing paging the UE until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX on period.

[0301] Clause 30: An apparatus comprising: a memory including executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any of clauses 1-29.

[0302] Clause 31: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any of clauses 1-29.

[0303] Clause 32: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising: executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of any of clauses 1-29.

[0304] Clause 33: A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium, comprising code for executing the method according to any of clauses 1-29.

[0305] Clause 34: A method for wireless communications by a UE, comprising: receiving an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting an SS during a period of time; and refraining from performing all IDLE mode tasks during the period of time.

[0306] Clause 35: The method of clause 34, further comprising avoiding communicating with the NTN cell.

[0307] Clause 36: A method according to any one of clauses 34 and 35, wherein: the NTN cell comprises a GSO cell; and receiving the indication comprises: receiving a start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving an end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0308] Clause 37: A method according to any of clauses 34-36, wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving an indication of a cell-specific DTX cycle for the NTN cell.

[0309] Clause 38: A method according to clause 37, wherein the information includes: a starting offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period of the DTX cycle.

[0310] Clause 39: A method according to clause 37, wherein the information includes: the start time of the DTX off period of the DTX cycle; and the end time of the DTX off period.

[0311] Clause 40: A method as set forth in any of clauses 34-39, wherein the indication is received in a SIB, and the method further comprises: receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication.

[0312] Clause 41: A method as described in any of clauses 34-40, further comprising: searching for cells during a default off period after the period of time; and declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect a cell during the default off period.

[0313] Clause 42: The method of clause 41, wherein the default off period is defined in a communication specification.

[0314] Clause 43: A method as described in clause 41, wherein the indication comprises a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined as a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0315] Clause 44: A method as described in any of clauses 34-43, wherein the indication is received from another cell.

[0316] Clause 45: A method as set out in clause 44, wherein the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbour cell list.

[0317] Clause 46: A method according to clause 44, wherein the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0318] Clause 47: The method of clause 44, further comprising: measuring the NTN cell based on the indication.

[0319] Clause 48: The method of any of clauses 34-47, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0320] Clause 49: The method of any of clauses 34-48, wherein the NTN cell is supported by a satellite, wherein the satellite is located in one of GSO, LEO or MEO.

[0321] Clause 50: A method for wireless communications by a UE, comprising: receiving an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting an SS during a period of time; and in response to a failure to detect a cell signal during a paging occasion (PO) during the period of time, avoiding performing a cell search during the period of time.

[0322] Clause 51: The method of clause 50, wherein the one or more actions include avoiding communications with the NTN cell.

[0323] Clause 52: A method according to any one of clauses 50 and 51, wherein: the NTN cell includes a GSO cell; and receiving the indication includes: receiving the start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and receiving the end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0324] Clause 53: The method according to clause 52 further includes: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time; and avoiding performing at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurements on a terrestrial network cell, an NTN cell or a non-GSO (NGSO) cell when a cell signal cannot be detected.

[0325] Clause 54: The method of any one of clauses 50-53, further comprising: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks, and attempting to detect the cell signal during the PO during the period of time.

[0326] Clause 55: A method as described in any of clauses 50-54, further comprising: performing a cell search during the period of time based at least on the arrival of uplink data.

[0327] Clause 56: A method according to any of clauses 50-55, wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving an indication of a cell-specific DTX cycle for the NTN cell.

[0328] Clause 57: A method according to clause 56, wherein the information includes: a starting offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a DTX off period of the DTX cycle.

[0329] Clause 58: A method according to clause 56, wherein the information includes: a start time of a DTX off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX off period.

[0330] Clause 59: A method as described in any of clauses 50-58, wherein the indication is received in a SIB, and the method further comprises: receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and receiving the SIB in response to the paging indication.

[0331] Clause 60: A method as described in any of clauses 50-59, further comprising: searching for an NTN cell during a default off period after the period of time; and declaring a no cell available state in response to failure to detect an NTN cell during the default off period.

[0332] Clause 61: The method of clause 62, wherein the default off period is defined in a communication specification.

[0333] Clause 62: A method as described in clause 60, wherein the indication comprises a length of a DTX cycle of the NTN cell; the default OFF period is determined as a portion of the DTX cycle; and the portion is defined in a communication specification.

[0334] Clause 63: A method as described in any of clauses 50-62, wherein the indication is received from another cell.

[0335] Clause 64: A method as set out in clause 63, wherein the indication is included in an inter-frequency list or a neighbour cell list.

[0336] Clause 65: A method according to clause 63, wherein the indication is received during an RRC release procedure.

[0337] Clause 66: The method of clause 63, further comprising: measuring the NTN cell based on the indication.

[0338] Clause 67: The method of any of clauses 50-66, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

[0339] Clause 68: The method of any of clauses 50-67, wherein the NTN cell is supported by a satellite, wherein the satellite is located in one of GSO, LEO or MEO.

[0340] Clause 69: A method for wireless communications by a network entity, comprising: sending an indication that an NTN cell will stop broadcasting a SS during a period of time; and ceasing one or more transmissions in the NTN cell during the period of time based on the indication.

[0341] Clause 70: A method according to clause 69, wherein: the NTN cell includes a GSO cell; and sending the indication includes: sending the start time of the period of time in a first SIB; and sending the end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell in a second SIB.

[0342] Clause 71: A method according to any of clauses 69-70, wherein the indication comprises: a start offset of the DTX cycle; a length of the DTX cycle; and a length of a DTX off period of the DTX cycle.

[0343] Clause 72: A method according to any of clauses 69-71, wherein the indication comprises: a start time of a DTX-off period of the DTX cycle; and an end time of the DTX-off period.

[0344] Clause 73: A method as described in any of clauses 69-72, wherein sending the indication comprises sending the indication in a SIB, and the method further comprises sending a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB.

[0345] Clause 74: A method according to any one of clauses 69-73, wherein sending the indication includes sending information about the DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the method further includes: sending new information about a new DTX cycle of the network entity during the DTX on period, wherein the new DTX cycle includes a new DTX on period and a new DTX off period; and updating the PSM or eDRX cycle of the UE so that the PO for the UE occurs during the new DTX on period.

[0346] Clause 75: A method according to clause 74, wherein: the information about the DTX cycle includes the length of the DTX cycle of the network entity.

[0347] Clause 76: A method according to any one of clauses 69-75, wherein sending the indication includes sending information about a DTX cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the method further includes: obtaining an indication to page the UE during the PO during a paging preparation portion of the DTX on period; and postponing paging the UE until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX on period.

[0348] Clause 77: An apparatus comprising: a memory including executable instructions; and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions and cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any of clauses 34-76.

[0349] Clause 78: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method according to any of clauses 34-76.

[0350] Clause 79: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising: executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method of any of clauses 34-76.

[0351] Clause 80: A computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, comprising code for executing the method according to any of clauses 34-76.

[0352] Clause 81: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: a processing system, the processing system including a processor circuit and a memory circuit storing code and coupled to the processor circuit, the processor system being configured to cause the UE to execute one or more of the methods in clauses 1-20.

[0353] Clause 82: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: a processing system, the processing system including a processor circuit and a memory circuit storing code and coupled to the processor circuit, the processor system being configured to cause the UE to execute one or more of the methods of clauses 34-68.

[0354] Clause 83: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: a processing system including a processor circuit and a memory circuit storing code and coupled to the processor circuit, the processor system being configured to cause the network entity to perform the method of one or more of clauses 69-76.

[0355] Clause 84: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to perform one or more of the methods of clauses 1-20.

[0356] Clause 85: An apparatus for wireless communications at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to perform the method of one or more of clauses 21-29.

[0357] Clause 86: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to execute one or more of the methods of clauses 34-68.

[0358] Clause 87: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to perform the method of one or more of clauses 69-76.

[0359] Clause 88: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to independently or collectively cause the UE to execute one or more of the methods of clauses 1-20.

[0360] Clause 89: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to independently or collectively cause the network entity to perform one or more of the methods of clauses 21-29.

[0361] Clause 90: An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to independently or collectively cause the UE to execute one or more of the methods of clauses 34-68.

[0362] Clause 91: An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to independently or collectively cause the network entity to execute one or more of the methods of clauses 69-76.

[0363] Other considerations

[0364] The above description is provided to enable any skilled person in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The examples discussed herein do not limit the scope of protection, applicability or aspects set forth in the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may also be applied to other aspects. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the functions and arrangements of the elements discussed may be changed. Various examples may be appropriately omitted, replaced or added with various processes or components. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various actions may be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with respect to some examples may be combined in other examples. For example, using any number of aspects set forth herein, a device may be implemented or a method may be implemented. In addition, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods practiced using other structures, functions, or structures and functions other than the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein or structures, functions, or structures and functions different from the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0365] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the present disclosure may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0366] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiples of the same elements (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0367] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, estimating, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., searching in a table, data pool, or other data structure), verifying, etc. In addition, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. In addition, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0368] As used herein, "processor," "at least one processor," or "one or more processors" generally refers to a single processor configured to perform one or more operations or multiple processors configured to perform one or more operations together. In the case of multiple processors, the performance of one or more operations may be divided between different processors, although a processor may perform multiple operations and multiple processors may perform a single operation together. Similarly, "memory," "at least one memory," or "one or more memories" generally refers to a single memory configured to store data and / or instructions, or multiple memories configured to store data and / or instructions together.

[0369] In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to the coverage area of ​​a Node B (NB) and / or a NB subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In NR systems, the terms "cell" and BS, next-generation Node B (gNB or gNodeB), access point (AP), distributed unit (DU), carrier, or transmit receive point (TRP) may be used interchangeably. A BS may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or other types of cells. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by a UE with a service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by a UE with a service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by a UE associated with a femto cell (e.g., a UE in a closed subscriber group (CSG), a UE of a user in a home, etc.). A BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS.

[0370] UE may also be referred to as a mobile station, terminal, access terminal, subscriber unit, station, customer premises equipment (CPE), cellular phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet computer, camera, gaming device, netbook, smartbook, ultrabook, appliance, medical device or medical equipment, biometric sensor / device, wearable device (such as smart watch), smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wristband, smart jewelry (such as smart ring, smart bracelet, etc.), entertainment device (such as music device, video device, satellite wireless unit, etc.), vehicle component or sensor, smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, global positioning system device or any other suitable device configured to communicate via wireless or wired medium. Some UEs may be considered as machine type communication (MTC) devices or evolved MTC (eMTC) devices. MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, location tags, etc., which can communicate with a BS, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. A wireless node can provide, for example, a connection to or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired communication link or a wireless communication link. Some UEs can be considered Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which can be narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) devices.

[0371] In some examples, access to the air interface may be scheduled. A scheduling entity (e.g., BS) allocates resources for communications between some or all devices and apparatuses within its service area or cell. A scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, allocating, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more subordinate entities. That is, for scheduled communications, subordinate entities utilize resources allocated by the scheduling entity. The base station is not the only entity that can be used as a scheduling entity. In some examples, a UE may be used as a scheduling entity, and resources may be scheduled for one or more subordinate entities (e.g., one or more other UEs), and other UEs may use the resources scheduled by the UE for wireless communications. In some examples, a UE may act as a scheduling entity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network and / or in a mesh network. In a mesh network example, in addition to communicating with a scheduling entity, UEs may also communicate directly with each other.

[0372] The method disclosed herein includes one or more steps or actions for implementing the described method. Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the method actions can be interchangeable. In other words, unless a specific order of actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific actions can be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. The various operations of the above method can be performed by any appropriate unit that can perform the corresponding function. The unit may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including but not limited to circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or processors.

[0373] Therefore, the appended claims are not intended to limit the aspects shown herein, but are given the full scope consistent with the expression of the claims. In the claims, unless otherwise specified, the reference element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one", but "one or more". Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. No claim element is interpreted according to the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is explicitly recorded using the phrase "unit for...". All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout the present disclosure, which are known or will be known later to those of ordinary skill in the art, are expressly incorporated herein by reference, and are intended to be covered by the claims. In addition, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly mentioned in the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; as well as One or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will cease broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and Execution of all IDLE mode tasks is avoided during the period of time.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to avoid communicating with the NTN cell.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The NTN cell comprises a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) cell; and In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving a start time of the period of time in a first system information block (SIB); and An end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell are received in a second SIB.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive information about a cell-specific discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the NTN cell.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The information includes: The starting offset of the DTX cycle; The length of the DTX cycle; and The DTX-off period of the DTX cycle.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The information includes: The start time of the DTX off period of the DTX cycle; and The end time of the DTX off period.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive the indication in a system information block (SIB), and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and The SIB is received in response to the paging indication.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to: search for the cell during a default off period after the period of time; and In response to failure to detect the cell during the default off period, a no cell available status is declared.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The indication includes the length of a discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the NTN cell; as well as A default OFF period is determined as part of the DTX cycle.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive the indication from another cell.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The indication is at least one of the following: is included in the inter-frequency list or the neighbor cell list; or It is received during the Radio Resource Control (RRC) release process.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: The NTN cell is measured based on the indication.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The indication includes at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The NTN cells are supported by a satellite, wherein the satellite is located in one of a geosynchronous orbit (GSO), a low earth orbit (LEO), or a medium earth orbit (MEO).

15. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories; as well as One or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the UE to: receiving an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will cease broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; and In response to failure to detect a cell signal during a paging occasion (PO) during the period of time, performing a cell search during the period of time is avoided.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to avoid communicating with the NTN cell.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The NTN cell comprises a geosynchronous orbit (GSO) cell; and In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving a start time of the period of time in a first system information block (SIB); and An end time of the period of time and an identifier of the GSO cell are received in a second SIB.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: performing one or more IDLE mode tasks during the period of time; and When the cell signal cannot be detected, at least one of intra-frequency, inter-frequency or inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) measurements on a terrestrial network cell, the NTN cell or a non-GSO (NGSO) cell is avoided.

19. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: One or more IDLE mode tasks are performed, and the cell signal is attempted to be detected during the PO during the period of time.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform a cell search during the period of time based at least on arrival of uplink data.

21. The device according to claim 15, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive information about a cell-specific discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the NTN cell.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein The information includes: The starting offset of the DTX cycle; The length of the DTX cycle; and The DTX-off period of the DTX cycle.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein The information includes: The start time of the DTX off period of the DTX cycle; and The end time of the DTX off period.

24. The device according to claim 15, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive the indication in a system information block (SIB), and the one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: receiving a paging indication indicating a change to the SIB; and The SIB is received in response to the paging indication.

25. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: After the period of time, searching for the NTN cell during a default off period; and In response to failure to detect the NTN cell during the default off period, a no cell available status is declared.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein: The indication includes the length of a discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the NTN cell; as well as A default OFF period is determined as part of the DTX cycle.

27. The device according to claim 15, wherein: In order for the UE to receive the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to receive the indication from another cell.

28. The device according to claim 27, wherein The indication is at least one of the following: is included in the inter-frequency list or the neighbor cell list; or It is received during the Radio Resource Control (RRC) release process.

29. The device according to claim 27, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to cause the UE to perform the following operations: The NTN cell is measured based on the indication.

30. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The indication includes at least one of a start time of the period of time, a duration of the period of time, or a stop time of the period of time.

31. The device according to claim 15, wherein: The NTN cells are supported by a satellite, wherein the satellite is located in one of a geosynchronous orbit (GSO), a low earth orbit (LEO), or a medium earth orbit (MEO).

32. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity, comprising: one or more memories; as well as One or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and configured to cause the network entity to: send an indication that a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell will stop broadcasting a synchronization signal (SS) during a period of time; as well as One or more transmissions are stopped in the NTN cell during the period of time based on the indication.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein: The NTN cell comprises a geosynchronous satellite orbit (GSO) cell; and In order to send the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the network entity to perform the following operations: sending a start time of the period of time in a first system information block (SIB); and The end time of the period and the identifier of the GSO cell are sent in a second SIB.

34. The device according to claim 32, wherein: To cause the network entity to send the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the network entity to send information about a discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to perform the following operations: sending new information about a new DTX cycle of the network entity during the DTX-on period, wherein the new DTX cycle comprises a new DTX-on period and a new DTX-off period; and A power saving mode (PSM) or extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle of a user equipment (UE) is updated so that a paging occasion (PO) for the UE occurs during the new DTX-on period.

35. The device according to claim 32, wherein: To cause the network entity to send the indication, the one or more processors are configured to cause the network entity to send information about a discontinuous transmission (DTX) cycle of the network entity, wherein the DTX cycle includes a DTX on period and a DTX off period, and the one or more processors are further configured to cause the network entity to perform the following operations: obtaining an indication to page a user equipment (UE) during a paging occasion (PO) during a paging preparation portion of the DTX-On period; and Paging the UE is deferred until after the paging preparation portion of the DTX-on period.

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