Apparatus, method, and computer program

Abstract

A method, computer program, and apparatus are provided for a non-geostationary first access node to: determine to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, where the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing the user context to the first proxy node, and an indication that the user context is to be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Examples of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and particularly (but not limited to) relate to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for multiple network devices. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as communication devices, base stations and / or other nodes) by providing a bearer between the various entities involved in the communication path.

[0003] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs) operating based on radio standards (such as those provided by 3GPP), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems can typically be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] Communication systems and associated devices typically operate according to given standards or specifications that specify what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. The communication protocols and / or parameters that should be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node, the apparatus comprising components for performing the following items: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node, and an indication that the user context is to be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0006] The components for determining may include components for performing the following items: determining that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously sent uplink data within a first time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or based on a business pattern associated with the user equipment, determining that the user equipment may send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0007] The apparatus may include means for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising a non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising a non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0008] Components of an apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node may include: components of an apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: a current location of a user device, a trajectory of the user device, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0009] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0010] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0011] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following items: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0012] Means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node include means for providing the user context to the second proxy node and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0013] Means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node include means for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0014] The apparatus may include means for performing receiving, from the non-geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node.

[0015] The apparatus may include means for performing receiving an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

[0016] The apparatus may include means for performing providing user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0017] The apparatus may include means for performing providing user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0018] The apparatus may include means for performing identification of a non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, and / or characteristics of traffic to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0019] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise means for causing the user context and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node

[0020] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0021] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0022] According to a third aspect, a device for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the device comprising a component for performing the following items: receiving a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment; and using the user context, restoring a radio resource control connection process between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node.

[0023] The components for resuming a radio resource control connection process may include components for performing the following items: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0024] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may comprise means for performing said resuming in response to: signalling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0025] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include means for performing said resuming in response to receiving an instruction from the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0026] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0027] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, comprising components for performing the following items: establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; and resuming the radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0029] The means for restoring a radio resource control connection may include means for performing the following items: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0030] The procedure for resuming the radio resource control connection may comprise means for performing said resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0031] The components for resuming a radio resource control connection process may include components for performing the following items: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0032] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may comprise means for performing said resuming in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0033] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0034] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0035] According to a fifth aspect, a device for a non-geostationary first access node is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node, and an indication that the user context will be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0036] The determination may include performing the following items: determining that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously sent uplink data within a first time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or based on a business pattern associated with the user equipment, determining that the user equipment may send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0037] The apparatus may include performing the following items: identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0038] The apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node may include: an apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: a current location of a user device, a trajectory of the user device, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0039] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0040] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0041] According to a sixth aspect, a device for a first proxy node is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0042] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing the user context to the second proxy node and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0043] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0044] The apparatus may include performing: receiving, from the non-geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node.

[0045] The apparatus may include performing: receiving an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

[0046] The apparatus may include performing: providing user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0047] The apparatus may include performing: providing user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0048] The apparatus may include performing identification of the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0049] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0050] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0051] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0052] According to a seventh aspect, a device for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following items: receiving a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment; and using the user context, restoring a radio resource control connection process between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node.

[0053] The process of restoring a radio resource control connection may include performing the following items: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0054] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to: signaling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0055] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving an instruction from the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0056] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0057] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0058] According to an eighth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following items: establish a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspend the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; and resume the radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0059] Restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing the following items: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0060] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0061] The process of restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing the following items: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0062] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0063] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0064] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0065] According to a ninth aspect, a method for an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node is provided, the method comprising: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node, and an indication that the user context will be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0066] The determination may include: determining that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously sent uplink data within a first time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or based on a business pattern associated with the user equipment, determining that the user equipment may send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0067] The method may comprise identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0068] The apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node may include: an apparatus for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: a current location of a user device, a trajectory of the user device, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0069] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0070] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0071] According to a tenth aspect, a method for an apparatus for a first proxy node is provided, the method comprising: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0072] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing the user context to the second proxy node and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0073] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0074] The method may include receiving an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node from a non-geostationary first access node.

[0075] The method may include receiving an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

[0076] The method may include providing user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0077] The method may include providing user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0078] The method may include identifying the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0079] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0080] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0081] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0082] According to an eleventh aspect, a method for an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the method comprising: receiving a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment; and using the user context, restoring a radio resource control connection process between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node.

[0083] The process of restoring a radio resource control connection may include: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0084] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to: signaling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0085] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving an instruction from the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0086] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0087] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0088] According to the twelfth aspect, a method for an apparatus for a user equipment is provided, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection with a first non-geostationary access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; and resuming the radio resource control connection with a second non-geostationary access node using the user context.

[0089] Restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing the following items: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0090] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0091] The process of restoring the radio resource control connection may include: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0092] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0093] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0094] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0095] According to a thirteenth aspect, a device for a non-geostationary first access node is provided, the device comprising: a determining circuit system for determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and a providing circuit system for providing the user context to a first proxy node, and an indication that the user context will be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0096] The determination circuit system for determining may include an execution circuit system for performing the following items: determining that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously sent uplink data within a first time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or based on a business pattern associated with the user equipment, determining that the user equipment may send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0097] The device may include: an identification circuit system for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or a device including a non-geostationary second access node; and a providing circuit system for providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or a device including a non-geostationary second access node to a first proxy node.

[0098] An identification circuit system for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node may include: an identification circuit system for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: a current location of a user device, a trajectory of the user device, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0099] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0100] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0101] According to a fourteenth aspect, a device for a first proxy node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context will be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and a causing circuit system for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0102] The causing circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing circuitry for providing the user context to the second proxy node and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0103] The causing circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing circuitry that provides the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0104] The apparatus may include receiving circuitry for receiving an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node from a non-geostationary first access node.

[0105] The apparatus may include receiving circuitry for receiving an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

[0106] The apparatus may include providing circuitry for providing user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0107] The apparatus may include providing circuitry for providing user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0108] The apparatus may include: an identification circuit system for identifying a non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of a user device, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user device, a trajectory of the user device, an ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user device.

[0109] The causing circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing circuitry for causing the user context and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0110] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0111] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0112] According to the fifteenth aspect, a device for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment; and a recovery circuit system for using the user context to recover a radio resource control connection process between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node.

[0113] A recovery circuit system for recovering a radio resource control connection process may include: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication of a count value from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node; a using circuit system for using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between a non-geostationary second access node and a user device; and a using circuit system for using multiple keys for encrypting communications between a non-geostationary second access node and a user device.

[0114] The restoration circuitry for restoring the radio resource control connection procedure may include execution circuitry for performing the restoration in response to signaling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the restoration radio resource control procedure.

[0115] The recovery circuit system for recovering the radio resource control connection process may include: an execution circuit system for performing the recovery in response to the following items: receiving an instruction from the user equipment, the instruction is used to initiate the recovery radio resource control process when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the recovery radio resource control process.

[0116] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0117] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0118] According to the sixteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: an establishment circuit system for establishing a radio resource control connection with a first non-geostationary access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; a suspension circuit system for suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; and a recovery circuit system for restoring the radio resource control connection with a second non-geostationary access node using the user context.

[0119] A recovery circuit system for recovering a radio resource control connection may include: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication of a count value from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between a non-geostationary second access node and a user device; and a using circuit system for using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user device.

[0120] The resuming circuitry for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure may include execution circuitry for executing the resuming in response to determining from a user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0121] A recovery circuit system for recovering a radio resource control connection process may include components for performing the following items: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between a non-geostationary second access node and a user device; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user device.

[0122] The restoration circuitry for restoring the radio resource control connection procedure may include execution circuitry for performing the restoration in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate the restoration radio resource control procedure.

[0123] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0124] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0125] According to a seventeenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, the program instructions being used to cause an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node to perform at least the following items: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node, and an indication that the user context will be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0126] The determination may include performing the following items: determining that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously sent uplink data within a first time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or based on a business pattern associated with the user equipment, determining that the user equipment may send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0127] The apparatus may include performing the following items: identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including a non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0128] The device for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node may include a device for identifying a non-geostationary second access node and / or including a non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: a current location of a user device, a trajectory of the user device, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0129] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0130] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0131] According to an eighteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer medium comprising program instructions is provided for causing an apparatus for a first proxy node to: receive a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and cause the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0132] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context to the second proxy node, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0133] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0134] The apparatus may include performing: receiving, from the non-geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node.

[0135] The apparatus may include performing: receiving an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

[0136] The apparatus may include performing: providing user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0137] The apparatus may include performing: providing user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0138] The apparatus may include performing identification of the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0139] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0140] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0141] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0142] According to the nineteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, wherein the program instructions are used to enable an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node to perform at least the following items: receiving a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment; and using the user context, restoring a radio resource control connection process between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node.

[0143] The process of restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0144] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to: signaling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0145] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving an instruction from the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0146] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0147] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0148] According to the twentieth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions is provided, wherein the program instructions are used to cause an apparatus for a user equipment to perform at least the following items: establish a radio resource control connection with a first non-geostationary access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspend the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; and resume the radio resource control connection with a second non-geostationary access node using the user context.

[0149] Restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0150] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0151] The process of restoring the radio resource control connection may include performing: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0152] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0153] The first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may include at least one of the following: a land-based gateway to the core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0154] The user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0155] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which medium can cause an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[0156] According to a twenty-second aspect, there is provided an electronic device which may include an apparatus as described herein.

[0157] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a chipset which may include an apparatus as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0158] By way of illustration only, some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0159] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a 5G system is shown;

[0160] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network device is shown;

[0161] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a user equipment is shown;

[0162] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of some example methods;

[0163] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the network is shown;

[0164] Figure 6 illustrates signaling between devices;

[0165] Figure 7 illustrates an example scenario between the devices described herein;

[0166] Figure 8 illustrates example signaling between the devices described herein;

[0167] Figures 9 to 12 is a flow chart illustrating example operations performed by the apparatus described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0168] In the description of the following examples, certain aspects are described with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these aspects are described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that these aspects are not limited to a 5G wireless communication system, for example, and can be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., the current 6G proposal).

[0169] Before describing the examples in detail, some basic principles of 5G wireless communication systems are referred to Figure 1A and 1B is succinctly described.

[0170] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include: a user equipment (UE) 102 (also referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5GAN, such as a non-3GPP interoperability function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for untrusted / trusted non-3GPP access, or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AF) 108, and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

[0171] The 5G RAN may include: one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0172] 5GC 106 may include: one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more unified data management (UDM) functions 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, one or more network warehouse functions (NRF) 128, and one or more network exposure functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide secure exposure of network services (such as voice, data connection, billing, user data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 does not describe its interface, it should be understood that this is for clarity reasons, and NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0173] 5GC 106 also includes a network data analysis function (NWDAF) 126. NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information based on requests from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Network functions can also subscribe to NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Accordingly, NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by NWDAF 126 can be performed based on at least one subscription to events provided by at least one network function.

[0174] The network may also include a Management Data Analysis Service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS Management Service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer may provide data analysis on the management plane, taking into account parameters including, for example, load level and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer for a network function (NF) may collect execution data related to the NF load, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data may provide a forecast of resource usage information within a predefined future time window. The analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as expansion of resources, admission control, load balancing of services, etc.

[0175] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a 5GC represented in the current 3GPP specification is shown. It should be understood that the architecture is intended to illustrate potential components that may be included in a core network, and the principles described herein are not limited to a core network comprising only the described components.

[0176] Figure 1BA 5GC 106' is shown including a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to each of the following items: UDM 122', NEF 124', NWDAF 126', AF 108', Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', AMF 112', and Charging Function 132' via an interconnect medium that also interconnects these network functions with each other. The 5G Core 106' also includes a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133' and a Network Function 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0177] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develops and releases different standard communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes documents associated with a "release" system (eg, Release 15, Release 16, and subsequent releases).

[0178] The following relates to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). NTNs refer to networks that can provide connectivity to a core network via an onboard vehicle (such as a satellite) and / or via an onboard platform. These networks can therefore provide a radio connection between a user equipment (UE) on the ground and a vehicle / platform.

[0179] In 3GPP's Release 17, NTN was defined for New Radio and Narrowband (NB)-IoT / enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC). In preparation for Release 18, various companies submitted further proposals for NTN within the 3GPP framework.

[0180] A potential operation / use case for store and forward operation of NTN for IoT.

[0181] Store and Forward (S&F) is a new feature that allows satellites to provide services to IoT NTN devices even during periods / areas when the satellite is not connected to a terrestrial gateway to connect the satellite to the core network. An onboard eNB architecture is assumed, i.e., the satellite is assumed to include a radio access node (RAN) function so that the UE sees the satellite as a RAN node. There is a feeder link, which is a link connecting the satellite (including the eNB) with the gateway (which is then connected to the core network). There is also a service link, which is a link connecting the satellite (including the eNB) with the UE. It is assumed that non-simultaneous operation of the service link and the feeder link is supported. During the period when the satellite is not connected to the terrestrial gateway, messages received by the satellite can be stored on the satellite until the gateway forms a line-of-sight connection. To help support this, decoupled signaling procedures can be included in the 3GPP framework (e.g., support for signaling between a UE with an onboard radio access network (RAN) node and a satellite, and, independently of this, support for signaling between a satellite with an onboard RAN node and a gateway to a core network entity. It is also useful to support dynamic connections between gateways and satellites.

[0182] Dynamic connection refers to dynamic connection establishment and / or dynamic connection release. In this example, the dynamic connection provides support for a feeder link between an eNB on a satellite and a core network connection point (e.g., a non-terrestrial network gateway) that is sometimes unavailable. In contrast, ground-based access points typically have access to the core network. It should be understood that the techniques described below in relation to a satellite including an access point are equally applicable to any core network access point that can intermittently access the core network.

[0183] Store and forward operation builds on the concept of discontinuous coverage scenarios from Release 17, where the UE only occasionally and temporarily has coverage from the satellite. The discontinuous coverage scenario is extended by store and forward operation to define that the satellite is not always connected to the core network.

[0184] The store and forward architecture can enable low-cost deployments that only include a small number of satellites and a small number of ground stations. This means that the connection cost per device can be further reduced with respect to the current NTN architecture, but at the expense of only being able to support delay-tolerant data.

[0185] The key challenge in store and forward deployment is how the UE can establish a secure connection with the core network when the link between the UE and the satellite and the link between the satellite and the core network are not available at the same time.

[0186] When a connection between a UE and a core network has been established, it may be beneficial to retain any access stratum (AS) security and radio resource control (RRC) configuration established during that connection (this combination is hereinafter referred to as the "UE context") on both the UE side and the core network side.

[0187] The UE may store the UE context upon receiving an RRC connection release message indicating that RRC is suspended. The UE context may be stored along with a resumption identifier (resumption ID) for use in resuming the connection (for Evolved Packet System (EPS), the resumption ID will be the Inactive-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) for 5GS). When the connection is resumed at a later point in time, the UE may subsequently indicate the resumption ID to the core network. For example, the connection may be resumed based on mobile initiated services becoming available, reestablishment after radio link failure and / or handover failure and / or network paging. When the eNB receives the resumption ID, the eNB may be caused to obtain the UE context from the past serving eNB. The resumption ID may identify the previously serving eNB. This process refers to Figure 6 is illustrated.

[0188] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates signaling that may be performed between a UE 601, a new access node 602, and an old access node 603, a mobility management entity (MME) 604, and a serving gateway (S-GW).

[0189] During 6001 , UE 601 signals a new access node 602 . The signaling of 6001 may include a random access preamble for accessing the new access node 602 .

[0190] During 6002, the new access node 602 responds to the signaling of 6001. The signaling of 6002 may therefore include a random access response.

[0191] During 6003, UE 601 signals new access node 602. The signaling of 6003 may include a request to resume the previous RRC connection. The signaling of 6003 may include an RRCConnectionResumeRequest service operation. The signaling of 6003 may include: a resume ID, and / or an indication of the reason for the request of 6003. The signaling of 6003 may include a medium access control (MAC) address for a short resume procedure.

[0192] During 6004, the new access node signals the old access node 603. The signaling of 6004 may include a request for the old access node 603 to provide the new access node 602 with the UE context associated with the RRC connection being resumed. The signaling of 6004 may include a Get UE Context Request service operation. This is because in current systems, the UE context is typically stored in the last serving RAN node (e.g., eNB) that suspended the UE's RRC connection. The acquisition process may be facilitated via direct eNB-eNB (also known as the X2 interface) or via NG-RAN node-NG RAN node (also known as the Xn interface).

[0193] During 6005, the old access node 603 responds to the signaling of 6004. The response may include the UE context requested during 6004. The signaling of 6005 may include a Get UE Context Response service operation.

[0194] During 6006, the new access node 602 responds to the signaling of 6003. The signaling of 6006 may include an RRCConnectionResume service operation. The signaling of 6006 may indicate a next hop count.

[0195] During 6007, the UE may enter the RRC Connected state when AD security is reestablished and signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs) are restored using the UE context.

[0196] During 6008, UE 601 signals new access node 602. The signaling of 6008 may indicate that the RRC connection resumption procedure has been completed. The signaling of 6008 may include a RRCConectionResumeComplete service operation.

[0197] During 6009 , the new access node 602 may signal the MME 604 . This signaling of 6009 may include a request to perform a path switching operation for the entity wanting to contact the UE 601 .

[0198] During 6010, the MME 604 and the S-GW 605 may exchange signaling to modify the bearer to perform the path switch request.

[0199] During 6011, MME 604 responds to the signaling of 6009. The signaling may be a confirmation of the path switch request of 6009.

[0200] During 6012, the new access node 602 signals the old access node 603. This signaling of 6012 may be a request to release the UE context previously provided in 6005. The old access node 603 may release the UE context in response to receipt of this signaling.

[0201] During 6013 , UE 601 signals uplink data to the S-GW via the new access node 602 .

[0202] During 6014 , UE 601 receives downlink data from S-GW 605 via new access node 602 .

[0203] exist Figure 6In this example, the new access node (which may be a satellite in a store and forward use case, for example) is expected to obtain the UE context from the old access node (which may be on a different satellite). However, in a store and forward operation, it may not always be possible to obtain the UE context because the two satellites may not have a direct connection and may not have a core network connection at the same point in time. In other words, the two eNBs / access nodes considered in the store and forward operation may not be connected via an X2 interface, an Xn interface, or any other interface.

[0204] The following object is to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0205] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, the present application proposes active transmission of UE context so that the UE context is available in at least one satellite (e.g., access node / eNB) before the satellite provides coverage to the UE. Figure 6 In the case of UE context, the UE context may be pre-pushed to the relevant eNB(s) rather than being retrieved in response to the UE requesting to resume the RRC connection. The pushing of the UE context may depend on the predictable movement of the satellites in the NTN.

[0206] It should be appreciated that there is an existing mechanism for the gNB to proactively transfer UE context to one or more gNBs based on UE assistance information (e.g., relying on Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements, UE mobility state, best neighbors) and network implemented algorithms (e.g., based on RSRP targets). However, these known mechanisms do not consider non-terrestrial network scenarios where the serving eNB changes due to satellite mobility and do not consider the potential lack of connectivity between the access point and other access points / core network entities. The present disclosure addresses this.

[0207] This disclosure is Figures 7 to 12 is illustrated.

[0208] Figure 7 The relative positions of a first satellite 701, a second satellite 702, and a third satellite 703 are illustrated during a first time 704A, a second time 704B, and a third time 704C. UE 705 is illustrated as being stationary during time 704A-C, although it should be understood that UE 705 can move. The second time 704B also illustrates a first NG gateway 706 and a second NG gateway 707.

[0209] During the first time 704A, the first satellite 701 acts as the first access node to the UE 705 because it is the closest access node.

[0210] During the second time 704B, the first satellite 701 determines that the third satellite 703 will soon approach the UE 705 to serve the UE 705 , and thus causes the UE context of the UE 705 to be pushed to the third satellite 703 via the first gateway 706 and the second gateway 707 .

[0211] During a third time 704C, the UE 705 is served by the third satellite 703 using the pushed UE context. Although not shown, the second satellite 702 may provide overlay / core network connectivity to the UE 705 without receiving the UE context.

[0212] exist Figure 7 In the example of , before the radio resource control connection between the eNB and the core network is suspended (e.g., because SAT1 moves away), the UE context may be created in the serving eNB on the first satellite 701. The decision to suspend the RRC connection may be based on determining that a future satellite (e.g., the third satellite 703) may have feedback to provide to the UE (e.g., when the UE has sent uplink data via the first satellite 701), and / or the UE 705 has indicated that it has data to send uplink (i.e., the UE has indicated that the UE has a non-zero buffer status) and does not have sufficient time to perform data transmission before the first satellite 701 moves out of range of the UE 705, and / or when the first satellite determines that the UE 705 may send and / or receive data at a predictable point in time based on the UE's traffic pattern.

[0213] also, Figure 7 The access node / eNB of the first satellite is shown transmitting the UE context to the core network. This means that when the first satellite 701 has a connection to the core network / gateway located on the ground, the UE context may not be located in the eNB (satellite) but on the earth.

[0214] The MME or some other core network node (eg, NTN specific database) may act as a proxy for the gateway and may therefore store the UE context received from the first satellite.

[0215] Alternatively, the UE context may be stored at the NTN-GW (eg as a type of X2 proxy).

[0216] In this regard, it is worth noting that in most 3GPP discussions, the NTN Gateway is considered a transport node, which does not affect 3GPP communications. This is similar to an Internet Protocol (IP) router. However, it may be beneficial to instead consider the NTN Gateway as a device that can store some information instead of just routing it onwards to another location. The NRN Gateway currently described can store X2 information (i.e., information related to the interface between two eNBs) so that information from a first access point / eNB of a first satellite is temporarily stored in the NTN-Gateway and then pushed to a second access point / eNB of a second satellite when the NTN-GW serves the second access point. This will avoid routing / storage in another core network node, which saves network resources.

[0217] The access node / eNB of the first satellite 701 may indicate the target satellite(s) (using, for example, a satellite identifier and / or an access node identifier) ​​based on knowledge of the UE location, satellite ephemeris / access node trajectory and / or velocity, NTN-gateway location, and / or characteristics of the expected traffic. Therefore, in the example of the present disclosure, when providing the UE context to the core network, the first satellite 701 may include the identifier of the third satellite 703 and / or the access node included therein in the signaling to the core network.

[0218] The UE context may additionally include the last known location of the UE (or information related thereto) and / or an indication of the UE's trajectory. For example, the last known location of the UE may be represented using information provided by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and / or a mapped cell ID. As an aside, it is worth noting that 3GPP has recently agreed that a cell ID may be mapped to a specific location on the earth regardless of how radio coverage on the earth changes as satellites move.

[0219] In addition, Figure 7 In the example of , the receiving core network proxy node transmits the UE context to at least one related satellite / access node (the third satellite in the example of the present disclosure).

[0220] Target satellite(s) / access node(s) may be identified based on UE position (and / or UE trajectory), satellite ephemeris / access node trajectory and / or velocity, and / or NTN-GW position.

[0221] The target (third) satellite 703 may be identified as a first associated satellite. An associated satellite is considered herein to be a satellite that is expected to have core network connectivity after the first satellite has lost core network connectivity, and a satellite that will provide coverage to an area of ​​the UE after the first satellite no longer provides coverage that includes the UE 705. As described above, the associated satellite is identified in response to determining that the UE 705 has a non-zero buffer state, and / or there is feedback / downlink data for the UE in the core network, and / or there is expected traffic for or from the UE 705 based on the traffic pattern of the UE.

[0222] In one example, the UE context is typically transferred to future satellites (and / or access nodes located therein) that are determined to cover the coverage area (eg, a tracking area or larger area) of the UE.

[0223] In addition, the selected subset of satellites (eNBs) may be configured to receive UE contexts with a "time to discard context" parameter set by the core network. Upon receiving the "time to discard context" parameter, the satellite starts a timer using the value associated with the parameter. When the timer expires (at a time proportional to the value), the receiving satellite deletes the UE context from the receiving satellite.

[0224] The associated satellite / access node (eg, the third satellite in the disclosed example) then uses the UE context when communicating with UE 705.

[0225] This process refers to Figure 8 is further illustrated.

[0226] Figure 8 801, the first satellite 802, the third satellite 803, and the core network 804. The signaling may be reflected in Figure 7 Each of the first and third satellites has at least one onboard access point / eNB, and in the following, reference to a satellite means reference to at least one onboard access point / eNB.

[0227] During 8001, the UE 801 is expected to send and / or receive data at a future point in time when the first satellite 802 is not expected to be connected to the core network 804 and / or the first satellite 802 is expected to be outside the signaling range of the UE 801. The UE is expected to send and / or receive data at a future point in time when, for example, the UE may include at least one packet in its uplink buffer, and / or downlink data (such as feedback on previously sent data) is expected, and / or the UE may have a traffic pattern indicating data expected to be sent and / or received.

[0228] This expectation of 8001 can be determined by UE 801 and / or by the first satellite 802.

[0229] During 8002 , the first satellite 802 signals the UE 801 . The signaling of 8002 may be an instruction to the UE to suspend the RRC connection previously established between the UE 801 and the first satellite 802 .

[0230] During 8003 , the first satellite 802 stores a UE context associated with the UE 801 .

[0231] During 8004, the first satellite 802 signals the core network. The signaling of 8004 can provide the core network 803 with UE context.

[0232] During 8005 , the core network 804 determines that the third satellite 803 is able to serve the UE 801 at the future time point, and therefore determines to provide the UE context to the third satellite 803 .

[0233] In response to the determination of 8005 , the core network 804 forwards the UE context received during 8004 to the third satellite 803 during 8006 .

[0234] During 8007 , the third satellite 803 stores the UE context received during 8006 .

[0235] During 8008, UE 801 and the third satellite exchange signaling for resuming the suspended RRC connection using UE context.

[0236] During 8009 , UE 801 and third satellite 803 exchange uplink and / or downlink signaling for later communication to core network 804 .

[0237] exist Figure 8 In this example, the first satellite 802 determines to suspend the currently active RRC connection between the UE 801 and the first satellite 802. After the determination, the first satellite forwards the UE context to an entity in the core network. The entity in the core network may then determine that the third satellite 803 may be able to use the UE context to facilitate communication between the UE 801 and the core network via the third satellite 803, and provide the UE context to the third satellite. When the third satellite has received the UE context, the third satellite can receive a request to resume the RRC connection from the UE 801. When the RRC connection has been resumed, data transmission between the UE 801 and the core network may begin via the third satellite 803.

[0238] In a slight variation of the above example, the UE context may be stored in a non-core network entity. For example, the UE context may be stored in a third party network and / or radio access network node. For example, the first satellite may forward the UE context to a proxy node and / or a database node instead of a core network node, such as in Figure 8 .

[0239] In one example, the proxy node may be a radio access node in a geostationary satellite. In this example, the first satellite may forward the UE context procedure using an X2AP procedure, where an "X2AP procedure" refers to a procedure using direct signaling between two radio access network nodes. This may be different from a current X2AP obtain UE context procedure, which is performed by a serving network access node to obtain a UE context from an old network access node when an intermediate radio access network entity stores the UE context, which does not use the UE context to facilitate communication between the UE and the core network.

[0240] Instead of using direct signaling between two radio access network nodes located in a geostationary satellite and a non-geostationary satellite (ie, a low earth orbit satellite), respectively, communication between the two satellites may be effectuated using a satellite-based communication link (ie, non-3GPP based communication).

[0241] As another example, a proxy node may be a database node configured to provide a service-based interface, such as in a 6G (or above) architecture.

[0242] In any of the above examples, the RRC suspend message may include an indication of the next entity that will carry the UE context, and / or a time at which the UE context is available in other satellites. When a time is provided, the time may define when the UE is first allowed to attempt to resume the RRC connection. The time and / or an identifier of a network node may be provided along with a new release cause, such as "repair_store_forward". The new release cause may be considered an indicator that another satellite will be able to resume the RRC connection.

[0243] In all of the above examples, the first satellite may receive a list of satellites (e.g., satellite #3, satellite #4, satellite #5) that are associated with times at which these satellites may include UE context, respectively. For example, the first satellite may receive a list of satellites combined with an indication that satellite #3 will provide coverage in region X at time T1, satellite #4 will provide coverage in region X at time T2, and satellite #5 will provide coverage in region X at time T3. This information may be received from an entity in the core network. Although the regions are indicated as being the same, it should be understood that this is not limiting and that the network may indicate the regions independently for each satellite-time combination. This may be usefully applied when the network determines a possible future location of a UE based on the current trajectory of the UE. Providing such a list to the first satellite may enable the first satellite to also provide this information to the UE without the first satellite having to perform its own estimation.

[0244] AS security between the UE and the radio access node may rely on at least three different security keys (labeled here as KRRCint, KRRCenc, KUPenc), which are all derived from keys associated with the radio access node. The associated keys will be labeled here as KeNB keys. The four keys may change each time an RRC connection recovery is performed, where the UE derives a new KeNB key using a predetermined parameter. In current 3GPP specifications, this parameter is labeled as the "nextHopChainingCount" parameter (e.g., see 3GPP TS 36.331 and 3GPP TS 33.401).

[0245] When the RRC Connection is suspended, the UE shall store the value of the nextHopChainingCount parameter that has been provided by the network. When the UE prepares to send an RRC Connection Resume Request message to the target eNB, the UE shall use the nextHopChainingCount parameter to derive new KeNB keys and related keys for AS security. The UE shall then use these keys to configure its lower layers to resume integrity protection and ciphering when communicating upstream. Upon receiving an RRC Connection Resume message from the target satellite including a new value for the nextHopChainingCount parameter, the UE may update the current KeNB to the new KeNB (along with any related keys) to reflect the change in the value of the nextHopChainingCount parameter.

[0246] As described above, a UE may communicate with the core network using multiple different satellites (and therefore eNBs) at different times. The UE may therefore update the value of KeNB when switching from one target eNB (on a satellite) to another target eNB (on another satellite). To ensure that the UE uses the correct set of security keys in this case, the serving access node (i.e., the access node on which the UE context was originally generated) may provide the UE with multiple nextHopChainingCount values ​​for generating multiple target KeNB values ​​to respective target satellites. Such a system may enable a set of target eNBs to communicate with the UE even when such a system has changed the KeNB key.

[0247] The presently described system can advantageously maintain UE context including in a store and forward scenario, which can result in a simpler connection establishment process when a new satellite provides coverage to the UE. In addition, transferring the UE context to an agent on Earth can enable proactive push of the UE context to the relevant satellite in a timely manner (i.e., when the relevant satellite still has a core network connection).

[0248] As an aside, the above uses eNB / LTE as an example to illustrate the principles currently described. However, it should be understood that other RAN nodes (such as, for example, gNB) can also apply the principles currently described in the same way as the eNB mentioned here. The examples described with respect to eNB can therefore be considered not to be limited to eNB.

[0249] Figures 9 to 12 Aspects of the above examples are illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood that the above described features with respect to the previous examples can be implemented in the following aspects. It should be understood that although the terms "geostationary" and "non-geostationary" are used throughout the text with respect to various devices, these terms do not require that those devices are located on or in a satellite / satellite orbit. For example, a geostationary device can be considered to be a device that maintains a fixed displacement relative to a fixed position on the earth, while a non-geostationary device can be considered to be a device that changes its displacement relative to a fixed position on the earth. For example, a geostationary device can be considered to be a static base station and / or access node, and a non-geostationary device can be considered to be a mobile base station and / or access node, whether those are installed on or in a satellite.

[0250] Fig. 9 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node are illustrated. The non-geostationary access node may be configured to provide a service / service provision area to a user equipment when the user equipment is located in the service / service provision area. The service / service provision area may correspond to a coverage area defined by at least one cell provided by the non-geostationary first access node. The non-geostationary first access node may be associated with Figures 10 to 12Interact with any device in the

[0251] During 901, the apparatus determines to suspend a radio resource control connection between a non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context. The user context may be a radio access context. By this, it is meant that the user context may define at least one parameter set for enabling the user equipment to access a network via an access node (e.g., via the first access node).

[0252] During 902, the apparatus provides a user context to a first proxy node, along with an indication that the user context is to be stored for acquisition by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0253] Determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and the user equipment may include at least one of the following.

[0254] First, the apparatus may determine that the user equipment may receive feedback on previously transmitted uplink data during a first time period, and that the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least part of the first time period.

[0255] Second, the apparatus may determine that the user equipment has uplink data to send during the second time period, and that the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the second time period.

[0256] Third, the apparatus determines, based on a traffic pattern associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and that the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least part of the third time period.

[0257] When any one of the first to third items is explicitly determined, the device may determine to suspend the radio resource control connection.

[0258] The device can identify a non-geostationary second access node and / or a device including a non-geostationary second access node; and provide an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or a device including a non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node. The device including the non-geostationary second access node can include, for example, a satellite and / or a vehicle.

[0259] The device can identify the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device including the non-geostationary second access node by identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device including the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following items: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, the ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of the terrestrial gateway to the core network, the tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or the characteristics of the services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0260] Fig.10 The diagram illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a first proxy node. The first proxy node may be related to Fig. 9 As mentioned above, the first proxy node can Fig. 9 , 11 , and / or interact with any of the devices in 12.

[0261] During 1001 , an apparatus receives a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node.

[0262] During 1002, the apparatus causes a user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node.

[0263] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing the user context to the second proxy node and an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0264] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node. In other words, the first proxy node may signal the user context to the non-geostationary node without passing through an intermediate node.

[0265] The apparatus may receive an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node from the non-geostationary first access node.

[0266] The apparatus may receive an identifier of a second non-geostationary access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0267] The apparatus may provide user context to at least two of the corresponding access nodes. The non-geostationary second access node may be one of the at least two of the corresponding access nodes. The apparatus may provide user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

[0268] The apparatus may perform identification of the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

[0269] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context and an indication of when the user context will be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node. When the indicated time is reached, the non-geostationary second access node may delete the user context from the non-geostationary second access node.

[0270] When the user context is provided to a plurality of access nodes (e.g., at least two of the respective access nodes discussed above and / or all of the respective access nodes), each of the plurality of access nodes may be provided with a respective time indicating when the user context is deleted by the access node. When the respective time of each of the plurality of access nodes is reached, each of the plurality of access nodes may be configured to delete the user context. The respective times may be different from each other.

[0271] Fig.11 The diagram illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node. The non-geostationary second access node may be associated with Fig. 9 , 10 , and / or interact with any of the devices in 12.

[0272] During 1101 , the apparatus receives a user context from a first proxy node and / or a second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between a non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment.

[0273] During 1102, the apparatus resumes a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and a second non-geostationary access node using the user context.

[0274] The process of restoring a radio resource control connection may include the following items: the device may receive an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node. The device may use the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment. The device uses a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment. The encrypted communications may be signaled between the user equipment and the second access node.

[0275] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to: signaling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0276] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving an instruction from the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0277] Fig.12 The diagram illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a user device. The user device may be associated with Fig. 9 , 10 , and / or interact with any of the devices in 11.

[0278] At 1201 , an apparatus establishes a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context.

[0279] At 1202, the device suspends a radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure.

[0280] At 1203, the apparatus resumes a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0281] Restoring the radio resource control connection may include: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment. The encrypted communications may be sent from the user equipment to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0282] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0283] The process of restoring the radio resource control connection may include: obtaining an indication of a count value from a user context; using the count value to generate multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the multiple keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0284] The resuming radio resource control connection procedure may include performing said resuming in response to receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate a resuming radio resource control procedure.

[0285] exist Figures 9 to 12 In all the above examples, the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node may be at least one of: an access and mobility management function, a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a data set located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0286] In addition, Figures 9 to 12 In all of the above examples, the user context may include at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0287] Figure 2 An example of a control device for a communication system is shown, for example, a station coupled to and / or used to control an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station, gNB, eNB, access node (AN), access point (AP), a central unit of a cloud architecture, or a node of a core network (such as an MME or S-GW), a scheduling entity (such as a spectrum management entity), or a server or host (such as a hosting NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR), etc. These terms for stations for access systems / control devices will be used interchangeably. The control device may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 may be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203, and an input / output interface 204. Via the interface, the control device may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.For example, the control device 200 or the processor 201 may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functionality.

[0288] Wireless communication devices will now refer to Figure 3 is described in more detail, Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include: a mobile station (MS) or a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smart phone", a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface device (e.g., a USB dongle), a vehicle, a UE installed in or on a vehicle, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and / or a tablet computer equipped with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination of these, etc. The mobile communication device can provide, for example, data communications for carrying communications such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Users can therefore be given and provided with a variety of services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system such as the Internet. Users can also be provided with broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0289] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a fixed device. A wireless device may require human interaction to communicate, or may not require human interaction to communicate. As described herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0290] The wireless device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the wireless device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by a block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by components of a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0291] The wireless device is typically equipped with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302, and other possible components 303 for software and hardware assistance in performing the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control devices can be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or in chipsets. This feature is represented by reference 304. The user can control the operation of the wireless device through an appropriate user interface (such as a keypad 305, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc.). A display 308, a speaker, and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the wireless communication device may include appropriate connectors to other devices (whether wired or wireless) and / or for connecting to the outside (whether wired or wireless).

[0292] Figure 4 Schematic representations of non-volatile storage media 400a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 402 that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform Fig. 9 , and / or Fig.10 , and / or Fig.11 , and / or Fig.12 One or more steps of the method, and / or another previously described method.

[0293] As provided herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of examples and claims. Typically, some examples can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples can be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be well understood that these boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented as non-limiting examples in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combinations thereof.

[0294] These examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and may be executed by at least one data processor or hardware or a combination of software and hardware of the entities involved. In addition, in this regard, it is worth noting that, for example Fig. 9 , and / or Fig.10 , and / or Fig.11 , and / or Fig.12, and / or any of the processes previously described may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media (such as hard disk or floppy disk) and optical media (such as DVD and data variants thereof, CD, etc.).

[0295] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As non-limiting examples, the data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of the following: a plurality of general-purpose computers, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0296] Alternatively or additionally, some examples may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the aforementioned functions and / or method steps. The circuit system may be provided in a base station and / or in a communication device and / or in a core network entity.

[0297] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0298] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0299] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0300] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0301] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions), and

[0302] (c) hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), which require software (e.g., firmware)

[0303] The software can be operated, but it can be non-existent when the operation is not needed.

[0304] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0305] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of some examples by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0306] In the above, as examples of access architectures to which the described technology may be applied, different examples use radio access architectures based on Advanced Long Term Evolution (Advanced LTE, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G), but the examples are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, these examples may also be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate components. Some examples of other options for appropriate systems are Mobile Telecommunications UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WIFI), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), using Sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and (IMS) or any combination thereof.

[0307] Figure 5 An example of a simplified system architecture is described, showing only some elements and functional entities which are all logical units, the implementation of which may differ from what is shown. Figure 5 The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a system typically includes Figure 5 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0308] However, the examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solutions to other communication systems having the necessary properties.

[0309] Figure 5The example of shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support sidelink communications as described in more detail below.

[0310] Figure 5 Devices 500 and 502 are shown. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to be wirelessly connected to node 504 on one or more communication channels. Node 504 is also connected to core network 506. In one example, node 504 can be an access node, such as an (e / g) NodeB service device in a cell. In one example, node 504 can be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from the device to the (e / g) NodeB is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from the (e / g) NodeB to the device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that (e / g) NodeB or their functions can be implemented by using entities such as any node, host, server, or access point suitable for such use.

[0311] The communication system usually includes more than one (e / g)NodeB, in which case the (e / g)NodeB may also be configured to communicate with each other with wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection to an antenna unit that establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device is provided. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 506 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the deployed technology, the (e / g)NodeB is connected to a Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or a User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing the device's connectivity to one or more external packet data networks, and a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of devices.

[0312] Examples of devices are subscriber units, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, etc.

[0313] Device generally refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (alarm or measurement devices, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that a device may also be an almost exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to the network. A device may also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, in which case objects are provided with the ability to transmit data on the network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as for smart grids and connected vehicles. The device may also utilize the cloud. In some applications, a device may include a user-portable device with a radio component (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses) and perform calculations in the cloud.

[0314] The device illustrates a type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore any features described herein with the device can be implemented with corresponding apparatus such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station. The device (or, in some examples, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more user equipment functions.

[0315] The various techniques described here can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS can enable the implementation and utilization of a large number of interconnected information and communication technologies, ICTs, devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subclass of cyber-physical systems, where the physical systems mentioned have inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0316] Additionally, although the apparatus has been described as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units (not shown) may be Figure 5 All shown in the figure) can be implemented.

[0317] 5G enables the use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in collaboration with smaller stations and employing various radio technologies depending on the service needs and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of sharing data and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control). 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies such as LTE. At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be achieved as a system where macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz-cmWave, 6 or above 24GHz-cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0318] LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, which leads to local outages and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that can be discontinuously connected to the network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content near cellular users for faster response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networking and processing can also be classified as local cloud / fog computing and grid / grid computing, open air computing, mobile edge computing, small cloud, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analysis, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0319] The communication system can also communicate with other networks 512, such as a public switched telephone network, or a VoIP network, or the Internet, or a private network, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network can also support the use of cloud services, for example, at least part of the core network operation can be performed as a cloud service (this is in Figure 5 514). When performed away from the core network, this may also be referred to as edge computing. The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to collaborate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0320] The technology of edge computing can be introduced into the radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using the technology of edge cloud can mean performing access node operations at least partially in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station including a radio part. Node operations can also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloud RAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed at or near the remote antenna site (in the distributed unit DU 508), and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in the centralized unit CU 510).

[0321] It should also be understood that the labor distribution between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which can change the way networks are constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures in which edge computing servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). An example of edge computing is MEC, which is defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied in 4G networks.

[0322] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service connectivity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on board, mobile broadband (MBB), or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future rail / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but can also make use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular megaconstellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite in a megaconstellation can cover several satellite-enabled network entities creating a ground cell. The ground cell can be created by a ground relay node or by a gNB located on the ground or in a satellite.

[0323] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, and in practice, the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, the device may have access to multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the (e / g)NodeBs may be a home (e / g)nodeB. In addition, in the geographical area of ​​the radio communication system, multiple different kinds of radio cells as well as multiple radio cells may be provided. The radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells), which are large cells, typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells, such as micro cells, femto cells or pico cells. Figure 5 The (e / g)NodeB can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising multiple types of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, an access node.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following: Determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and The user context is provided to a first proxy node, along with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means for determining comprises means for performing: determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data during a first time period, and that the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to send during a second time period, and that the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the second time period; and / or Based on a traffic pattern associated with the user equipment, it is determined that the user equipment is likely to send and / or receive data during a third predetermined time period, and the non-geostationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least part of the third time period.

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means for performing the following: identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or means comprising the non-geostationary second access node; and An indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or the apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node is provided to the first proxy node.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or the apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node comprises: Components of the apparatus for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or comprising the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, a tracking and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of services to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

5. An apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and The user context is caused to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node comprises means for: The user context is provided to a second proxy node, along with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node comprises means for: The user context is provided directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, comprising means for performing receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the non-geostationary first access node.

9. The device according to claim 8, comprising: Means for performing receiving said identifier of said non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying corresponding access nodes.

10. The device according to claim 9, comprising: Means for performing provisioning of the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

11. The device according to claim 10, comprising: Means for performing provisioning of the user context to all of the corresponding access nodes.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising a component for performing identification of the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of the following items: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or a cell associated with the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or a speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to a core network, and / or characteristics of a service to be sent and / or received by the user equipment.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node comprises: Means for causing the user context, and an indication of when the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node, to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

14. An apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node, the apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving a user context from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and the user equipment; and A radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and The plurality of keys are used to encrypt communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing the resuming in response to: A trigger in a paging signal is signaled to the user equipment for causing the user equipment to initiate the resumption of radio resource control procedure.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing the resuming in response to: An instruction is received from a user equipment, the instruction being to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resuming radio resource control procedure.

18. An apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising means for performing: establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; The radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for resuming the radio resource control connection comprises means for: receiving an indication of a count value from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and The plurality of keys are used to encrypt communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing the resuming in response to: It is determined from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resume radio resource control procedure.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing: obtaining an indication of a count value from the user context; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment; and The plurality of keys are used to encrypt communications between the non-geostationary second access node and the user equipment.

22. The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 19, wherein the means for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure comprises means for performing the resuming in response to: A trigger is received in a paging signal from the non-geostationary second access node for causing the user equipment to initiate the resume radio resource control procedure.

23. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node is at least one of: a land-based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

24. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the user context comprises at least one of the following: a known location of the user equipment, information associated with a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information associated with access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

25. A method for an apparatus of a non-geostationary first access node, the method comprising: Determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; as well as The user context is provided to a first proxy node, along with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

26. A method for a first proxy node device, the method comprising: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; as well as The user context is caused to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

27. A method for an apparatus of a non-geostationary second access node, the method comprising: receiving a user context from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and the user equipment; as well as A radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

28. A method for a user equipment apparatus, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; The radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

29. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node, causes the apparatus to execute: Determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and The user context is provided to a first proxy node, along with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

30. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a first proxy node, causes the apparatus to execute: receiving a user context from a non-geostationary first access node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and The user context is caused to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

31. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node, causing the apparatus to perform: receiving a user context from the first proxy node and / or the second proxy node, the user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-geostationary first access node and the user equipment; and A radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

32. A computer program product which, when executed on an apparatus for a user device, causes the apparatus to perform: establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspended radio resource control connection procedure; The radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node is resumed using the user context.

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