Apparatus, method and computer program

Abstract

A computer program, method and apparatus are provided for causing a stationary-to-ground first access node to: establish a radio resource control connection between the stationary-to-ground first access node and a user equipment, where the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The examples described herein relate generally to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not exclusively) to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for 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 carrier waves 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 are typically divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] Communication systems and associated devices typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies 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 will 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 geostationary first access node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: establishing a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0006] The apparatus may include means for providing the user context to a first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0007] The means for making a determination may comprise means for determining that the non-geostationary second access node is able to better meet quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy amount less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from that provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or determining a maximum acceptable delay for exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes that allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0008] The apparatus may include means for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including the non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including the non-geostationary second access node to a first proxy node.

[0009] The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device including the non-geostationary second access node may include a device for 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 current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0010] The apparatus may comprise means for performing the following operations: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information about when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context; and subsequently resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment.

[0011] The apparatus may include means for signaling to the user equipment a configuration causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend.

[0012] The apparatus may include means for signaling to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0013] The means for signalling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may comprise means for signalling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0014] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite, and the means for signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node may comprise means for signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0015] The apparatus may include means for suspending a radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retaining the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0016] The apparatus may include means for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0017] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0018] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving from a geostationary first access node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the 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.

[0020] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include means for providing the user context to a second proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0021] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include means for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0022] The apparatus may include means for receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

[0023] The apparatus may include means for receiving the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0024] The apparatus may include means for providing the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0025] The device may include means for performing identification of the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0026] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time when the user context will be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node.

[0027] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0028] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0029] According to a third aspect, a device for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the device comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving a user context from a first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

[0030] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0031] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0032] According to a fourth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the device comprising means for performing the following operations: establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0033] The apparatus may include means for suspending the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure prior to establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node, and entering a low power state during at least a portion of a time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0034] The apparatus may include means for receiving, from the geostationary first access node, a configuration for entering a low power state.

[0035] The apparatus may include means for receiving, from the geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0036] The apparatus may include means for suspending the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when a signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or when a link failure event occurs; and resuming the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using the user context.

[0037] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0038] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0039] 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, which comprises code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following operations: establish a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and provide information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0040] The apparatus may be caused to perform: providing the user context to a first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0041] The determination may include performing: determining that the non-geostationary second access node is able to better meet the quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or determining a maximum acceptable delay for exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes, which allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0042] The apparatus may be caused to perform: identifying the 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 a first proxy node.

[0043] The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node may include a device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0044] The device can be caused to perform: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information about when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage for the user equipment using the user context; and subsequently resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when it is expected that the non-geostationary second access node will no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment.

[0045] The device may be caused to perform the following operation: signaling to the user equipment a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend.

[0046] The apparatus may be caused to signal to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0047] Signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may include signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0048] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite, and signaling the identifier to the non-geostationary second access node may include signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0049] The apparatus may be caused to: suspend the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retain the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0050] The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the user context directly to a non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0051] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0052] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0053] 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, comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following operations: receiving a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a geostationary first access node, 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.

[0054] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context to a second proxy node with an indication to cause the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0055] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0056] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

[0057] The apparatus may be caused to receive the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0058] The apparatus may be caused to perform: providing the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0059] The device can be caused to perform: identifying the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of the ground-based gateway to the core network and / or characteristics of the service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0060] The causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time when the non-geostationary second access node will delete the user context.

[0061] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0062] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0063] 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, comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following operations: receiving a user context from a first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-geostationary second access node based on the radio resource control connection.

[0064] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0065] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0066] 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, comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform the following operations: establish a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establish a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0067] The device can be caused to perform: before establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node, using a radio resource control control connection suspension process to suspend the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node; and entering a low power state during at least a portion of the time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0068] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, from the geostationary first access node, a configuration for entering the low power state.

[0069] The apparatus may be caused to receive, from the geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0070] The device can be caused to perform: when the signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or a link failure event occurs, suspend the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node; and use the user context to resume the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node.

[0071] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0072] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0073] According to a ninth aspect, a method for a device for a geostationary first access node is provided, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0074] The method may include providing the user context to the first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-geostationary second access node.

[0075] The determination may include performing: determining that the non-geostationary second access node can better meet the quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or determining a maximum acceptable delay for exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes, which allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0076] The method may include performing: identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus including the non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or the apparatus including the non-geostationary second access node to a first proxy node.

[0077] The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node may include identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of the service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0078] The method may include performing: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage for the user equipment using the user context; and subsequently resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment.

[0079] The method may include performing: signaling to the user equipment a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend.

[0080] The method may include performing: signaling to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell covering the area where the user equipment is located.

[0081] The signaling of the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may include signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0082] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite, and the signaling of the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node may include signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0083] The method may include performing: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retaining the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0084] The method may include providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0085] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0086] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0087] According to the tenth aspect, a method for a device for a first proxy node is provided, the method comprising: receiving a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a geostationary first access node, 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.

[0088] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise performing: providing the user context to a second proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0089] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0090] The method may include receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

[0091] The method may include performing receiving the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0092] The method may include performing provisioning of the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0093] The method may include performing an operation to identify the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, an ephemeris of an apparatus including the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to a core network, and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0094] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time at which the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node.

[0095] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0096] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0097] 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 defining a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a first and / or second proxy node; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-geostationary second access node based on the radio resource control connection.

[0098] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0099] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0100] According to a twelfth aspect, a method for a device for a user equipment is provided, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0101] The method may include performing: suspending the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node; and entering a low power state during at least a portion of a time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0102] The method may include performing: receiving, from the geostationary first access node, a configuration for entering the low power state.

[0103] The method may include performing: receiving, from the geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0104] The method may include performing: suspending the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when the signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or a link failure event occurs; and resuming the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using the user context.

[0105] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0106] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0107] According to a thirteenth aspect, a device for a geostationary first access node is provided, the device comprising: establishing a circuit for establishing a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing a circuit for providing information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0108] The apparatus may include providing circuitry for providing the user context to a first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0109] The determination circuit for making a determination may include: a determination circuit for determining that the non-geostationary second access node can better meet the quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; a determination circuit for determining that a battery state of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; a determination circuit for determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or a determination circuit for determining a maximum acceptable delay for information to be exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes, which allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0110] The apparatus may comprise an identification circuit for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node, and a providing circuit for providing an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node to a first proxy node.

[0111] The identification circuit for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device including the non-geostationary second access node may include an identification circuit for 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 current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0112] The device may include: a suspension circuit for suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using a user context; and a resumption circuit for subsequently resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment.

[0113] The apparatus may include a signaling circuit for signaling to the user equipment a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend.

[0114] The apparatus may comprise a signalling circuit for signalling to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0115] The signaling circuit for signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may include the signaling circuit for signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0116] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite, and the signaling circuit for signaling an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node may include a signaling circuit for signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0117] The apparatus may include execution circuitry for: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retaining the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0118] The apparatus may include providing circuitry for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0119] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0120] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0121] According to a fourteenth aspect, a device for a first proxy node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a geostationary first access node, and an indication causing the user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and a causing circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0122] The operating circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node may include providing circuitry for providing the user context to a second proxy node with an indication to cause the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0123] The operating circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node may include providing circuitry for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0124] The apparatus may include a receiving circuit for receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

[0125] The apparatus may include receiving circuitry for receiving the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0126] The apparatus may include providing circuitry for providing the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0127] The device may include an identification circuit for identifying the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, a trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, a trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0128] The operational circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include operational circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time when the user context will be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node.

[0129] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0130] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0131] According to a fifteenth aspect, a device for a non-geostationary second access node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving a user context from a first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment; an establishing circuit for establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and a receiving circuit for receiving data from the non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

[0132] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0133] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0134] According to the sixteenth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the device comprising: establishing a circuit for establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establishing a circuit for using the user context to establish a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node.

[0135] The apparatus may include a suspension circuit for suspending the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node, and a circuit for entering a low power state during at least a portion of the time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0136] The apparatus may include a receiving circuit for receiving a configuration for entering the low power state from the geostationary first access node.

[0137] The apparatus may comprise receiving circuitry for receiving, from the geostationary first access node, an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0138] The device may include: a suspend circuit for suspending the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when the signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or a link failure event occurs; and a resume circuit for resuming the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using the user context.

[0139] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0140] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0141] According to the seventeenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node to perform at least the following operations: establishing a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and providing information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0142] The apparatus may be caused to perform: providing the user context to a first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-geostationary second access node.

[0143] The determination may include performing: determining that the non-geostationary second access node can better meet the quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or determining a maximum acceptable delay in exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes, which allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0144] The apparatus may be caused to perform: identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node; and providing an indication of an apparatus that is not the non-geostationary second access node and / or comprising the non-geostationary second access node to a first proxy node.

[0145] The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node may include identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0146] The device can be caused to perform the following operations: after providing the user equipment with information about when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage for the user equipment using the user context, suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and subsequently when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment, using the user context to resume the radio resource control connection with the user equipment.

[0147] The apparatus may be caused to perform: signaling to a user equipment a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend.

[0148] The apparatus may be caused to perform: signaling to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0149] Signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may include signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0150] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite and signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node may include signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0151] The apparatus may be caused to: suspend the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retain the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0152] The apparatus may be caused to perform providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0153] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0154] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0155] According to the eighteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing a device of a proxy node to perform at least the following operations: receiving a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a geostationary first access node, and causing an indication that the user context is provided to a non-geostationary second access node; and causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0156] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include performing: providing the user context to a second proxy node with an indication to cause the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0157] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise performing: providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0158] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

[0159] The apparatus may be caused to receive the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0160] The apparatus may be caused to perform: providing the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

[0161] The device can be caused to perform: identifying the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of the service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0162] The causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time when the non-geostationary second access node is to delete the user context.

[0163] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0164] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0165] According to the nineteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node to perform at least the following operations: receiving a user context defining a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment from a first and / or second proxy node; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-geostationary second access node based on the radio resource control connection.

[0166] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0167] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0168] According to the twentieth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing a device for a user device to perform at least the following operations: establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0169] The device can be caused to perform: before establishing a radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node, using a radio resource control control connection suspension process to suspend the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node; and entering a low power state during at least a portion of the time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0170] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving a configuration for entering a low power state from the geostationary first access node.

[0171] The apparatus may be caused to receive from the geostationary first access node an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0172] The device can be caused to perform: suspending the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when the signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or when a link failure event occurs; and using the user context to resume the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node.

[0173] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0174] The user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

[0175] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which can cause an apparatus to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0176] According to a twenty-second aspect, there is provided an electronic device, which may comprise the apparatus as described herein.

[0177] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a chipset, which may comprise the apparatus as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0178] Some examples will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0179] Figure 1A and 1B shows a schematic diagram of a 5G system;

[0180] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing network equipment is shown;

[0181] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a user device is shown;

[0182] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of some example methods is shown;

[0183] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the network is shown;

[0184] Figure 6 The noise at different frequencies is shown;

[0185] Figure 7 An example scenario is shown;

[0186] Figure 8 shows example signaling that may be performed by the devices described herein; and

[0187] Figures 9 to 12 is a flow chart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the devices described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0188] In the description of the following examples, certain aspects are explained 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 and may be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., the current 6G proposal), for example.

[0189] Before describing each example in detail, refer to Figure 1A and 1B Briefly explain some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems.

[0190] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be 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 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) / a 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.

[0191] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0192] 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 unified database (UDR) functions 122, one or more network repository functions (NRF) 128 and / or one or more network exposure functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide a secure exposure of network services (such as voice, data connectivity, billing, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 does not depict its interface, it should be understood that this is for clarity reasons and that NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0193] 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. Therefore, NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection caused by NWDAF 124 can be performed based on at least one subscription to events provided by at least one network function.

[0194] 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 in 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 load-related performance data of the NF, 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. This analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource scaling, admission control, traffic load balancing, etc.

[0195] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a 5GC as 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 so far are not limited to a core network comprising only the described components.

[0196] Figure 1BA 5GC 106' is shown, which includes a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to each of the UDM 122', NEF 124', NWDAF 126', AF 108', Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', AMF 112', and Charging Function 132' via an interconnect medium, which also connects these network functions to each other. The 5G Core 106' also includes a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133' and a Network Function 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0197] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develop and publish different standardized communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes documents related to "release" systems (e.g., Release 15, Release 16 and beyond).

[0198] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) refer to networks that can provide connectivity to a core network via spacecraft (such as satellites) and / or via airborne platforms. Thus, these networks can provide radio connectivity between user equipment (UE) on the ground and vehicles / platforms.

[0199] NTN was defined for New Radio and Narrowband (NB)-IoT / enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC) in 3GPP Release 17. As part of the preparations for Release 18, the company submitted further proposals for NTN in the 3GPP framework.

[0200] One potential operation / use case involves store and forward operation for IoT NTN.

[0201] Store-and-forward (S&F) is a new feature that allows satellites to provide services for IoT NTN devices even in periods / areas where the satellite is not connected to a gateway on the ground to connect the satellite to the core network. Assuming an eNB onboard architecture, it is assumed that the satellite includes a radio access node (RAN) function so that the UE sees the satellite as a RAN node. The feeder link is a link connecting the satellite (including the eNB) and the gateway (which is then connected to the core network). There is also a service link, which is a link connecting the satellite (eNB) and the UE. It is also 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, the message received by the satellite can be stored on the satellite until there is a line of sight with the gateway. To help support this, a decoupled signaling process may be included in the 3GPP framework (e.g., support for signaling between a UE and a satellite with an onboard radio access network (RAN) node, 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.

[0202] Dynamic connection refers to dynamic connection setup and / or dynamic connection release. In this example, dynamic attachment provides support for a feeder link between an eNB on a satellite and a core network connection point that is sometimes unavailable (e.g., a non-terrestrial network gateway). In contrast, ground-based access nodes always have access to the core network. It is understood that the techniques described below in relation to satellites including access points can be applied to any access point to the core network that intermittently accesses the core network.

[0203] 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 satellites. Store and forward operation not only extends the discontinuous coverage scenarios, but also defines that the satellites are not always connected to the core network.

[0204] The store-and-forward architecture enables low-cost deployments consisting of only a few satellites and a few ground stations. This means that the connection cost per device can be further reduced relative to the current NTN architecture, but at the expense of only supporting delay-tolerant data.

[0205] A key challenge in a 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.

[0206] The store and forward concept is applicable only to non-geostationary satellites in motion. Non-geostationary satellites are typically low earth orbit satellites located at an altitude of 300-1500 km. This is because geostationary (GEO) satellites do not move relative to the earth. The link budget of geostationary satellites (usually located at an altitude of about 36,000 km) is much weaker than that of non-geostationary satellites, which makes it difficult to achieve the target data throughput (e.g., 10 kbps or less), especially in the uplink. With a regular cell phone, repeated transmissions are usually required to reach the satellite. In contrast, low earth orbit (LEO) satellites can achieve a throughput of 100-600 kbps from a regular handheld device under high load conditions. This is why using non-geostationary LEO satellites for data transmission is usually preferred over using GEO satellites. The quality "link budget" represents all the gains and losses of the communication signal from the source to the destination. Since the distance between the GEO satellite and the UE is greater than the distance between the LEO satellite and the UE, the losses across the link between the UE and the GEO satellite are greater than the losses across the UE and the LEO satellite. This is represented by the corresponding measures of the link budget, which show that the link budget of the link between the GEO satellite and the UE is weaker compared to the link budget of the link between the LEO satellite and the UE.

[0207] This is based on Figure 6 And shown.

[0208] Figure 6 Uplink carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) for different transmission bandwidths and satellite altitudes are shown, with the different transmission bandwidths corresponding to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Internet of Things (IoT) and New Radio (NR). The satellites are labeled GEO (representing a geostationary satellite at an altitude of about 3600 kilometers), LEO1200 (representing a non-geostationary LEO satellite at an altitude of 1200 kilometers), and LEO600 (representing a non-geostationary LEO satellite at an altitude of about 600 kilometers).

[0209] Figure 6 It is shown that NB-IoT communicating with GEO via a single tone can achieve 2.6dB, while using full physical resource blocks (PRBs) in IoT will result in -14.2dB. Switching to low earth orbit satellites at 600 km improves the CNR to -0.9dB.

[0210] For store-and-forward constellations using LEO satellites, there are also potentially long connection establishment times. Figure 7 As shown.

[0211] Figure 7Signaling connections at a first time 701 , a second time 702 , a third time 703 , and a fourth time 704 are shown.

[0212] During the first time 701, it is shown that the UE 705 is transmitting a connection request to the first LEO satellite vehicle 706 because the UE 705 has data to transmit uplink. During the first time 701, the first LEO satellite vehicle 706 does not have a connection to the core network.

[0213] During the second time 702, the first LEO satellite vehicle 706 obtains a connection to the core network via the gateway 707. During this time, the first LEO satellite vehicle 706 does not have a service link (SL) connection. The first LEO satellite vehicle 706 signals a connection request to the first gateway 707. The first LEO satellite vehicle 706 may provide the first gateway 707 with a UE context.

[0214] During the third time 703, the second LEO satellite vehicle 708 communicates with the second gateway 709. The second gateway 709 can be the same as the first gateway 707 or different from the first gateway 707. The second gateway 709 provides the UE context to the second LEO satellite vehicle 708, wherein the UE context can be used by the UE 705 to connect to the core network. The second LEO satellite vehicle 708 does not have a serving link connection. It should be understood that although Figure 7 The example of refers to the second LEO satellite vehicle 708, but the second LEO satellite vehicle may be the first LEO satellite vehicle 706 or a different LEO satellite vehicle than the first LEO satellite vehicle. This example is for illustration purposes only.

[0215] During a fourth time, second LEO satellite vehicle 708 uses the UE context to exchange data with UE 705. During the fourth time, second LEO satellite vehicle 708 does not have a connection to the core network.

[0216] exist Figure 7 In the example of , the connection establishment time is long because the first LEO satellite needs to be within the communication range of the first gateway 707 where it can connect to the core network, and then, after the core network provides the UE context to the second LEO satellite as part of the connection request response, the second LEO satellite 708 needs to be within the communication range of the UE 705 to provide the UE context.

[0217] Depending on the type of access requested in the initial connection request message made by the UE 705 during 701 (e.g., the connection request may be a request to establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection or resume RRC resumption, for example using random access channel (RACH) resources or pre-configured uplink resources for early or small data transmission), the node where the access occurs (last serving node vs. target node), and the security level, the number of control plane messages exchanged between the UE 705 and the core network to establish the connection / UE context may be quite large. The UE context must be established (and thus communication performed) before the actual user plane data transfer can begin. The exact delay incurred by the UE communicating with the core network via at least one satellite will depend on the satellite constellation and may be several hours.

[0218] The following aims to solve at least one of the above problems. In particular, the following aims to solve at least one of the above problems using a geostationary satellite.

[0219] It is known from LTE WiFi interworking to connect to different systems simultaneously, where one system is not connected to the 3GPP core network and includes offloading data to the WiFi system. In these cases, the data transmission on WiFi is completely transparent to the 3GPP system, so 3GPP is not aware that the data transmission is carried out over the WiFi network. This interworking architecture also causes the data to leave the secure 3GPP system, which makes it more susceptible to interference and / or interception. However, the biggest difference of the present disclosure compared to the LTE WiFi interworking scenario is that in this NTN scenario, radio access to one of the multiple systems will come and go in a timely manner (even when the UE is not moving), while the other system in the NTN scenario is able to control / monitor to what extent the data transmission from the UE has been completed.

[0220] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, a signaling mechanism is described below, wherein the UE and / or the network may suggest the use of a non-geostationary / LEO satellite when at least one predetermined condition is met. Non-geostationary satellites are described herein in conjunction with store-and-forward operations. However, it should be understood that the presently described technology may be applied to non-geostationary / LEO satellites that are not currently configured to operate using a store-and-forward mechanism. In addition, although the following examples are described in the context of NB-IoT. However, it should be understood that the presently described mechanism may be applied to other transmission bands / systems, such as, for example, enhanced machine type communications (eMTC) or new air interfaces (NR).

[0221] This is based on Figure 8 The signaling diagram is shown in FIG.

[0222] Figure 8804. Signaling that may be performed between UE 801, LEO satellite 802, GEO satellite 803, and core network 804 is shown. LEO satellite 802 and GEO satellite 803 may include respective access points for facilitating access to core network 804. Therefore, it can be appreciated that Figure 8 Any of these satellites mentioned in the may refer to their respective access points.

[0223] During 8001, UE 801 sends signaling to GEO satellite 803. The signaling may include a random access preamble. The signaling of 8001 may correspond to a new air interface random access procedure.

[0224] During 8002, Geo satellite 803 responds to the signaling of 8001. The signaling of 8001 may include a random access response.

[0225] During 8003, UE 801 sends signaling to GEO satellite 803. This signaling of 8003 may include an RRC connection request service operation. Relative to currently known RRC connection request signaling, the signaling of 8003 may include information indicating that UE 801 wants to connect to LEO (such as store and forward LEO). This signaling of 8003 may include information indicating a maximum acceptable delay for information exchange. This maximum acceptable delay may depend on at least one of a number of different factors such as, for example, the following: an application associated with the data to be transmitted on the uplink, a quality of service associated with the data to be transmitted on the uplink, an amount of data to be exchanged, a current UE battery state, and / or a decision made by the UE to use a different radio access technology (RAT) via the LEO satellite (such as, for example, eMTC or NR to optimize link budget when the initial access to GEO is NB-IoT).

[0226] Therefore, the RRC connection request from the UE may include at least one of the following elements.

[0227] First, the request may include information indicating a maximum delay for information to be exchanged by the UE 801. The core network and / or the GEO satellite may use the maximum delay to estimate whether the LEO satellite will be close enough within the time frame for data transmitted and / or received within the maximum delay. When it is determined that there will be a LEO satellite within the range of the maximum delay time, the core network and / or the GEO satellite may determine to provide an indication of the LEO satellite to the UE 801. When it is determined that there will be no LEO satellite within the range of the maximum delay time, the core network and / or the GEO satellite may determine to provide an indication to the UE to enable the UE to attempt to upload data to the core network and / or the GEO satellite through the GEO satellite (rather than via the LEO satellite).

[0228] Second, the request may include an indication of an amount of data to be exchanged by UE 801. The core network and / or the GEO satellite vehicle may determine whether to transmit the amount of data via the GEO and / or LEO satellite vehicles using the indicated amount of data, knowledge of the GEO satellite vehicle throughput, knowledge of the LEO satellite vehicle throughput, indications of time periods during which the LEO satellite vehicle is expected to be within communication range of UE 801, and respective indications of delay times for the amount of data transmitted via each of the GEO and LEO satellite vehicles.

[0229] Third, the request may include an indication of the battery status and / or usage of the UE. The battery usage for uploading a certain amount of data via transmission via a LEO satellite is different than transmission via a GEO satellite. This is because transmitting uplink data via a LEO satellite uses less battery than transmitting uplink data via a GEO satellite because LEO satellites are closer to the ground than GEO satellites. Therefore, when the core network and / or the GEO satellite determines that the UE's battery should be optimized (for example, when the UE's current battery status is low, and / or when the UE is not currently charging), the core network and / or the GEO satellite may be more likely to cause the UE to transmit uplink data via a LEO satellite rather than via a GEO satellite.

[0230] Fourth, the request may include an indication that the UE wants to use a specific radio access technology, where the specific radio access technology is available via a LEO satellite but not via a GEO satellite. For example, this indication may be used when the UE uses NB-IoT to access a GEO satellite (e.g., to overcome link budget), but the LEO satellite may provide access to the core network via, for example, enhanced machine type communications). The core network and / or the GEO satellite may use this information to select a LEO satellite that can provide the requested access network type request.

[0231] Fifth, the request may include an indication that the UE desires to receive delayed downlink data. The data for which latency is not a critical factor may be suitable for provision via a store-and-forward LEO satellite vehicle, and thus the core network and / or GEO satellite vehicle may use this information to select a satellite vehicle through which the UE should communicate the data with the core network and / or GEO satellite vehicle.

[0232] During 8004, the GEO satellite 803 responds to the signaling of 8003. The signaling of 8004 may include an RRC connection setup signaling operation. The RRC connection setup signaling of 8004 may include an indication notifying UE 801 that the connection being set up may use LEO satellite 802 to communicate with the core network 804. As described above, the indication may be provided based on a determination by the core network and / or the information included in the GEO satellite usage request. The signaling of 8004 may include an indication notifying UE 801 that it is preferred for UE 801 to use GEO satellite 803 to communicate with the core network 8004. The indication provided to UE 801 during 8004 may be selected based on information received from UE 801 during 8003.

[0233] During 8005, UE 801 sends signaling to GEO satellite 803. This signaling at 805 may include an RRC connection setup complete service operation. The signaling at 8005 may include an indication that UE 801 has understood the connection setup signaling at 8004. When the signaling at 8004 indicates that LEO satellite 802 can be used to communicate with core network 804, the signaling at 8005 may include an indication that UE 804 is ready to use LEO satellite 802 when UE 801 detects the next LEO satellite.

[0234] During 8006, GEO satellite vehicle 803 exchanges signaling with core network 804. This signaling of 8006 may involve establishing a connection to core network 804 for UE 801. The signaling of 8006 may include, for example, information related to registration of UE 801, authentication of UE 801, setup of non-access stratum (NAS) / core network context, and / or security context. During 8006, GEO satellite vehicle 803 may receive information identifying LEO satellite vehicle 805 from core network 804. LEO satellite vehicle 802 may be identified by the core network based on information maintained by core network 804 regarding the trajectory of LEO satellite vehicle 805 and information regarding when the UE may transmit and / or receive information via the LEO satellite vehicle.

[0235] During 8007, GEO satellite vehicle 803 transmits signaling to UE 801. The signaling at 8007 may include information related to LEO satellite vehicle 803. For example, the signaling at 8007 may include information indicating a time (e.g., using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or a relative time delay) when LEO satellite vehicle 802 is expected to be available for data communication with UE 801. The signaling at 8007 may include a configuration for causing the UE to enter a low power mode (such as, for example, discontinuous reception, PSM, etc.) until LEO satellite vehicle 802 is available.

[0236] The signaling of 8007 may include an indication for causing UE 801 to switch or change its idle priority to a LEO cell upon receiving the signaling of 8007. This is to avoid the UE from monitoring or camping on a GEO cell, which may have better coverage than LEO in the case of discontinuous coverage.

[0237] The signaling of 8007 may be performed in a variety of different ways and / or using any or a plurality of different service operations. As one example, an RRCConnectionRelease message service operation may be enhanced relative to its current definition to redirect UE 801 to a LEO satellite during 8007. This may be accomplished by including information associated with and / or identifying a LEO satellite in the RRCConnectionRelease message (e.g., the time at which the LEO satellite is available). As another example, an RRCReconfiguration service operation may be enhanced to implement the signaling of 8007.

[0238] As an example, the signaling of 8007 may include a GEO system information block (SIB) having an advertisement table for NTNs from different domains (e.g., different public land mobile networks (PLMNs)). This GEO SIB may include information for optimizing cell search. It should be understood that although the provided GEO SIB provides information for another system (e.g., for LEO satellites), the term SIB is still used here because this signaling may be based on the same principles as the SIB (broadcast within the GEO cell area). This GEO SIB will also be referred to herein as the LEO announcement SIB.

[0239] Service providers in the network may be configured to exchange information with other service providers to obtain updated information to be provided in SIBs, as well as to transmit new SIBs.

[0240] During 8008, the core network 804 exchanges signaling with the LEO satellite 802. This signaling at 8008 may provide the UE context from the core network 804 to the LEO satellite 802. This signaling at 8008 may include the access stratum (AS) context / security context established for the UE in the GEO satellite 803, and / or other information for enabling the LEO satellite 802 to resume the RRC connection with the UE 801.

[0241] For the current operating specification of NB-IoT, the connection with the GEO satellite 803 is released first. This may also be done in future versions or for some other radio access technologies at the same time. Some further examples will be described later.

[0242] During 8009, UE 801 may enter a power saving state such as, for example, a sleep state, an idle state (e.g., an RRC idle state), and / or an inactive state (e.g., an RRC inactive state). UE 801 may remain in this power saving state until the indicated LEO satellite 802 is expected to be detected by the UE.

[0243] At 8010, UE 801 signals a random access channel access request and / or a paging procedure to LEO satellite vehicle 802. This may occur during a time period when UE 801 expects the LEO satellite vehicle to be available to UE 801 for communication. It should be understood that while this example shows UE 801 paging the LEO satellite vehicle, LEO satellite vehicle 802 may page UE 801 during 8010. It should be understood that while this is shown with respect to a random access procedure, the UE may also use other types of access procedures to initiate a connection with LEO satellite vehicle 802 to connect to the core network.

[0244] During 8010, LEO satellite vehicle 802 has a UE context (e.g., AS security parameters) as received from GEO satellite vehicle 803 via core network 804. LEO satellite vehicle 802 may use the received UE context to connect with UE 801 more quickly than without using the UE context. For example, an RRC connection recovery procedure may be performed using the received UE context to connect with the UE. Importantly, this RRC connection may be made between the UE and LEO satellite vehicle 802 without the LEO satellite vehicle 802 currently having an active connection with core network 804, where a connection between core network 804 and LEO satellite vehicle 802 may not be available.

[0245] During 8011, LEO satellite vehicle 802 sends signaling to UE 801. This signaling of 8011 may correspond to LEO satellite vehicle 802 scheduling UE 801 for transmit and / or receive operations according to a radio access node located on LEO satellite vehicle 802.

[0246] During 8012 , UE 801 and LEO satellite 802 exchange signaling according to the scheduling of 8011 .

[0247] Between 8012 and 8013, LEO satellite vehicle 802 becomes undetectable to UE 801, or UE 801 determines that the communication signal strength between UE 801 and LEO satellite vehicle 802 has dropped below a threshold amount. In this case, UE 801 determines whether UE 801 has transmitted and / or received all data that UE 801 intended to transmit and / or receive.

[0248] When UE 801 determines that UE 801 has transmitted and / or received all data that UE 801 intended to transmit and / or receive, UE 801 may enter a power saving mode (eg, an inactive and / or sleep mode).

[0249] When UE 801 determines that UE 801 has not transmitted and / or received all the data that UE 801 intended to transmit and / or receive, UE 801 may indicate to GEO satellite 803 and / or LEO satellite 802 that UE 801 has more data to be transmitted or received by UE 801.

[0250] Thereafter, at 8013, signaling may be performed according to step 8001 (including subsequent signaling) or 8007 (including subsequent signaling).

[0251] In the above Figure 8 In the example of , on the UE side, the UE may first scan the RF channel to search for the network. When the UE cannot find the home PLMN or enhanced home PLMN, but can find the roaming PLMN (such as GEO cell) that supports LEO notification SIB, the UE may:

[0252] Update the preference list for PLMN selection (as defined in 3GPP TS 23.122), create new criteria that move up to support neighboring PLMNs for LEO to advertise SIBs;

[0253] Stay on the PLMN associated with the LEO Notification SIB and read the assistance information provided in the LEO Notification SIB;

[0254] Do not attempt to register with the network, so that the traditional procedures for mandatory registration in 3GPP (and associated counters, fault logs, etc.) are bypassed; and

[0255] Based on the information in the LEO notification SIB, determine the time to wake up again and the information used to optimize the cell search in the LEO network.

[0256] After the UE is disconnected from the LEO network, the UE may start an internal timer for verifying the validity of the ephemeris acquired for future discovery of the LEO network. The length of the timer may depend on the level of detail provided by the LEO ephemeris and the aging of this information. While the timer is still valid, the LEO network may have priority in new PLMN searches. When the timer expires, the UE may initiate a PLMN search for a PLMN associated with a GEO cell (which is more stable in terms of continuity, time, and frequency offset).

[0257] For all of the above examples, for deployment scenarios where GEO and at least one LEO satellite include corresponding gNBs for serving the UE (wherein the GEO satellite may provide full / continuous coverage and the at least one LEO satellite provides discontinuous coverage supporting store and forward (SF)), the UE may be configured to select to use a cell provided by the GEO satellite to connect to the core network when the UE has an uplink non-access stratum transmission to be performed (i.e., when the UE has control plane data to provide upstream). The UE may also be configured to select to use a cell provided by the GEO satellite to connect to the core network when the UE has an uplink data transmission to be performed (i.e., when the UE has user plane data to provide upstream).

[0258] Still in the above example, when the GEO satellite transmits the UE context to the LEO satellite via the core network, the GEO satellite may retain / save the UE context. In addition, whenever the UE context is updated at the LEO satellite (e.g., because an RRC recovery procedure is being performed), the core network may update the UE context retained by the GEO satellite to enable the GEO satellite to process direct non-access stratum signaling from the UE without a SF.

[0259] Although the above example is described in the scenario of NB-IoT and the UE disconnecting from the GEO satellite before connecting to the LEO satellite, it is understood that this is only used as an example, and other radio access technologies and / or mechanisms make the UE prefer another satellite rather than the GEO satellite to provide access to the core network. For example, the radio access technology under consideration may be enhanced machine type communication and / or new air interface. In addition, the process of switching the UE from the GEO satellite to the LEO satellite may be a similar conditional handover process.

[0260] In addition, the UE may have the ability to connect to GEO satellites and LEO satellites simultaneously. In this case, the radio access technologies used by the UE to access different types of satellites may be the same or different. For example, the UE may use NB-IoT to communicate with GEO satellites while using eMTC and / or NR to communicate with LEO satellites.

[0261] In all of the above examples, the GEO satellite may broadcast that the GEO satellite is capable of supporting facilitating store-and-forward non-GEO satellite orbit (NGSO) satellites so that the UE knows that this is an option.

[0262] Optionally, the GEO satellite vehicle may provide the UE with further information regarding potential delays and / or availability of the store-and-forward NGSO satellite vehicle.

[0263] Figures 9 to 12 Various aspects of the above examples are shown. Therefore, it can be understood that the features described with respect to the above examples can be implemented in the following aspects.

[0264] Fig. 9 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node are shown. 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 a 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 connected to Figures 10 to 12 It should be understood that although the terms "geostationary" and "non-geostationary" are used throughout for various devices, these terms do not mandate that these devices are located in a satellite / satellite orbit. For example, a geostationary device may be considered a device that maintains a fixed displacement relative to a fixed position on the earth, while a non-geostationary device may be considered a device that changes its displacement relative to a fixed position on the earth. For example, a geostationary device may be considered a static base station and / or access node, while a non-geostationary device may be considered a base station and / or access node that is mobile, whether they are installed on or in a satellite.

[0265] During 901, the device establishes a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and the 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 set of parameters for enabling the user equipment to access a network via an access node (e.g., via a first access node).

[0266] During 902, the device provides information to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0267] The providing may be performed directly with the user equipment or indirectly with the user equipment (e.g., via a proxy node). After providing the user context to the user equipment, the device may maintain a radio resource control connection with the user equipment. For example, the user equipment may be configured to maintain a radio resource control connection with multiple access nodes at a single point in time. After providing the user context to the user equipment, the device may suspend a radio resource control connection with the user equipment. For example, the user equipment may be configured to maintain a radio resource control connection with a single access node at a single point in time.

[0268] The apparatus may provide the user context to the first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-geostationary second access node.

[0269] The determination may include: determining that the non-geostationary second access node can better meet the quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or determining a maximum acceptable delay in exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes, which allows communications to be exchanged via the non-geostationary second access node.

[0270] The apparatus may identify a non-geostationary second access node and / or a device comprising the non-geostationary second access node; and provide an indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device comprising the non-geostationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0271] The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node may include identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or including the non-geostationary second access node based on at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary first access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of the service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0272] The device may suspend a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information about when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage for the user equipment using the user context; and then resume the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment.

[0273] The apparatus may signal to the user equipment a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state after the determination to suspend. The configuration may be at least part of a radio reconfiguration.

[0274] The apparatus may signal to the user equipment an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

[0275] The signaling of the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment may comprise signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

[0276] The non-geostationary second access node may be located in a non-geostationary satellite and signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary first access node may include signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

[0277] The apparatus may suspend the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and retain the user context at the geostationary first access node after the suspending.

[0278] The device may provide the user context to the non-geostationary second access node directly via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0279] Fig.10 The operations that can be performed by the user equipment for the first proxy node are shown. The first proxy node can be combined with Fig. 9 The first proxy node can be connected to Fig. 9 , 11 and / or any one of 12 devices interacting.

[0280] During 1001, the device receives from a geostationary first access node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment and an indication to cause the user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node. The user context may be a radio access context as described above.

[0281] During 1002, the device causes a user context to be provided to a non-geostationary second access node.

[0282] Said 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 with an indication to cause the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0283] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may comprise providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

[0284] The apparatus may receive an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node from a geostationary first access node.

[0285] The apparatus may receive an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

[0286] The apparatus may provide user context to at least two of the respective access nodes. The non-geostationary second access node may be one of the at least two of the respective access nodes. The apparatus may provide user context to all of the respective access nodes.

[0287] The device may identify the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of: a current location of the 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 ground-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of services to be transmitted and / or received by the user device.

[0288] Said causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the node with an indication of a time at which the non-geostationary second access node deletes the user context. When the indicated time is reached, the non-geostationary second access node may delete the user context from the non-geostationary second access node.

[0289] When the user context is provided to multiple access nodes (e.g., at least two and / or all of the above-mentioned access nodes), a corresponding time may be provided to each of the multiple access nodes, indicating when the access node will delete the user context. Each of the multiple access nodes may be configured to delete the user context when its respective time is reached. The respective times may be different from each other.

[0290] Fig.11 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node are shown. The non-geostationary second access node may be associated with Fig. 9 , 10 and / or interact with any one of the 12 devices.

[0291] At 1101, the device receives a user context from a first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between a geostationary first access node and a user equipment. The user context may be a radio access context as described above.

[0292] At 1102, the device establishes a radio resource control connection between a user equipment and a non-geostationary second access node using a user context.

[0293] At 1103, the apparatus may receive data from a non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

[0294] Fig.12 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a user device are shown. The user device may be Fig. 9 , 10 and / or interact with any one of the devices in 11.

[0295] During 1201, the device establishes a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context.

[0296] During 1202, the device establishes a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

[0297] Prior to establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-geostationary second access node, the device may suspend a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure; and enter a low power state during at least a portion of a time period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0298] The apparatus may receive a configuration to enter a low power state from a geostationary first access node.

[0299] The apparatus may receive from the geostationary first access node an identifier of a non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where a user equipment is located.

[0300] The device may: suspend a radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when a signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold amount and / or when a link failure event occurs; and resume a radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using the user context.

[0301] exist Figures 9 to 12In all the above examples, the first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of: a ground based gateway to the core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

[0302] In all of the above examples, the user context may include at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0303] Figure 2 An example of a control device for a communication system, for example, coupled to and / or used to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station, eNB, access point (AP), access node (AN), gNB, 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 device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc., is shown. These terms will be used herein to refer to any station of the access system and / or control device. The control device may be integrated with or located outside 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 system service area. 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 the control functionality.

[0304] Now refer to Figure 3 describing in more detail possible wireless communication devices, Figure 3A schematic partial cutaway view 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 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or so-called "smart phone", a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA), a vehicle, a vehicle including a user device, or a tablet computer provided with a wireless communication function, or any combination of these, etc. The mobile communication device may provide, for example, data communications for carrying such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, users may obtain and provide 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). Broadcast or multicast data may also be provided to users. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms, and other information.

[0305] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As used herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0306] 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 FIG. 3 , block 306 schematically designates a transceiver device. The transceiver device 306 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0307] The wireless device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and possibly other components 303, which are used to assist in performing the tasks it is designed to perform in software and hardware, including controlling access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control means may be provided in appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is represented by reference numeral 304. The user can control the operation of the wireless device with the help of a suitable user interface such as a keyboard 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 (wired or "wireless") connectors to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (such as a hands-free device).

[0308] Figure 4 shows that storage, when executed by a processor, allows the processor to execute Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , Fig.12 Schematic diagram of non-volatile memory media 400a (e.g., a computer compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) containing instructions and / or parameters 402 for one or more steps of the methods described above.

[0309] As provided herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of the examples and in the claims. In general, some examples may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples may be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof as non-limiting examples.

[0310] These examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, in this regard, it should be noted that any program, e.g. Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 and / or Fig.12 , and / or other procedures described above, 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 in a processor, magnetic media (such as hard disk or floppy disks), and optical media (such as, for example, DVDs and data variants thereof, CDs, etc.).

[0311] 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. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general-purpose computer, 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.

[0312] Additionally or alternatively, some examples may be implemented using circuits. The circuits may be configured to perform one or more functions and / or method steps described previously. The circuits may be arranged in a base station and / or a communication device and / or a core network entity.

[0313] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0314] (a) hardware circuit implementations only (such as implementations in analog and / or digital circuits only) and

[0315] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0316] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0317] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor and software (including a digital signal processor), software and memory that work together to enable a device (such as a communication device or base station) to perform various functions, and

[0318] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but where the software may not be present, the software may not be required for operation.

[0319] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of merely 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. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0320] The above 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 above description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar modifications to the teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0321] In the above, different examples are described using radio access architectures based on advanced long term evolution (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) or new air interface (NR, 5G) as examples of access architectures to which the described technology can be applied, however, these examples are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, these examples can also be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate means. Some examples of other options for applicable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (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), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0322] Figure 5 An example of a simplified system architecture is described, showing only some elements and functional entities, which are all logical units and whose implementation may differ from what is shown. Figure 5 The connections shown in the figure are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the system typically includes Figure 5 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0323] However, the examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, and a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0324] Figure 5 The example of shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support service link communications as described in more detail below.

[0325] 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 that provides services for devices 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 called an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from the (e / g)NodeB to the device is called 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 node suitable for such purposes.

[0326] The communication system typically includes more than one (e / g for example) NodeB, in which case the (e / g) NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used to send signaling. (e / g) NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system coupled thereto. NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access node or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g) NodeB includes a transceiver or is coupled to a transceiver. A connection to an antenna unit is provided from the transceiver of the (e / g) NodeB, which establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device. 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 connecting the device to one or more external packet data networks, and to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of the device.

[0327] Examples of apparatus are subscriber units, user devices, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, and the like.

[0328] The device generally refers to a mobile or static device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices operating 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.), laptops and / or touch screen computers, vehicles, user devices installed in / on vehicles, tablets, game consoles, laptops, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that the device can also be almost exclusively an uplink-only device, where an example is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to a network. The device may also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, in which case objects are able to transmit data on the network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as used in smart grids and connected vehicles. The device may also use the cloud. In some applications, the device may include a user-portable device with a radio component (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud.

[0329] The device illustrates a type of device to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore any features of the device described herein can be implemented with a corresponding device 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.

[0330] Various techniques described herein may also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS may implement and exploit 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 subcategory of cyber-physical systems where the physical system in question has an inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronics transported by humans or animals.

[0331] Furthermore, although these devices are depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units may be implemented. Figure 5 Not all are shown in the table).

[0332] 5G supports the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller base stations, and adopting various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases 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 cmWave and mmWave below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, and can also be integrated with existing traditional radio access technologies such as LTE. At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be achieved as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G plans to support inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (interoperability between radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz – cmWave, 6 or above 24 GHz – cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts being considered for use in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0333] 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 breakthroughs and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analysis and knowledge generation at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may not be continuously 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 close to the cellular subscriber for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer networking and processing, which can also be divided into local cloud / fog computing and mesh / grid computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlets, distributed data storage and extraction, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented reality 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).

[0334] The communication system can also communicate with or utilize services provided by other networks 512, such as a public switched telephone network, or a VoIP network, or the Internet or a private network. The communication network can also support the use of cloud services, for example, at least part of the core network operations can be performed as a cloud service (this is in the Figure 5 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 the networks of different operators to collaborate, for example, in terms of spectrum sharing.

[0335] Edge computing technology can be introduced into the radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud technology 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 radio components. 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 remote antenna sites (in distributed units DU 508), and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in centralized units CU 510).

[0336] It should also be understood that the distribution of labor between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE, or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that can be used are big data and all-IP, which can change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio, NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures, where edge computing servers can be placed between the core and the base station or Node B (gNB). An example of edge computing is MEC as 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.

[0337] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on board vehicles, mobile broadband (MBB), or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of both geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems with hundreds of (nano) satellites deployed). Each satellite in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite network entities creating terrestrial cells. Terrestrial cells can be created by ground relay nodes or by gNBs located on the ground or on satellites.

[0338] 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, which may access 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, a variety of different types of radio cells and a plurality of radio cells may be provided. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell, which has a diameter of typically up to tens of kilometers, or a smaller cell, such as a micro cell, a femto cell or a pico cell. Figure 5 The (e / g)NodeB of a cellular radio system can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network comprising several types of cells. Typically, in a multi-layer network, an access node.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a geostationary first access node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: A radio resource control connection is established between the geostationary first access node and the user equipment, wherein: The radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; as well as Information is provided to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for providing the user context to the first proxy node with an indication that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-geostationary second access node.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein: The means for determining includes means for performing the following operations: determining that the non-geostationary second access node can better meet quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the geostationary first access node; determining that a battery status of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or has a remaining energy less than a threshold amount; determining that the user equipment has indicated that the user equipment wishes to provide communications via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the geostationary first access node; and / or A maximum acceptable delay for exchanging information between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-geostationary second access nodes is determined that allows communications to be exchanged through the non-geostationary second access node.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for: identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node; and An indication of the non-geostationary second access node and / or an apparatus comprising the non-geostationary second access node is provided to a first proxy node.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein: The device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node and / or the device including the non-geostationary second access node comprises a device for 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 current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information about when the non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context; and Subsequently, when the non-geostationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location of the user equipment, the radio resource control connection with the user equipment is restored using the user context.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising means for performing the following operations: After the determining to suspend, a configuration for causing the user equipment to enter a low power state is signaled to the user equipment.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for: An identifier of the non-geostationary second access node is signaled to the user equipment with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein: The means for signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node to the user equipment comprises means for signaling the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node and the time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control connection release message.

10. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein: The non-geostationary second access node is located in a non-geostationary satellite, and the means for signaling an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node comprises means for signaling satellite assistance information for the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information for the non-geostationary satellite.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for: suspending the radio resource control connection with the user equipment; and After the pausing, the user context is retained at the geostationary first access node.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for providing the user context directly to the non-geostationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

13. An apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving from a geostationary first access node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment and an indication causing the user context 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.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein: The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node comprises means for performing the following operations: The user context is provided to a second proxy node with an indication causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node comprises means for performing the following operations: The user context is provided directly to the non-geostationary second access node.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15, comprising means for performing receiving an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node from the geostationary first access node.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising means for performing receiving the identifier of the non-geostationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising means for performing provisioning of user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

19. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising a device for identifying the non-geostationary second access node using at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-geostationary second access node, the trajectory and / or speed of the non-geostationary second access node, the location of a ground-based gateway to a core network and / or characteristics of a service to be transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 19, 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 to be provided to the non-geostationary second access node with an indication of a time at which the user context is to be deleted by the non-geostationary second access node.

21. An apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node, the apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and the user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; as well as Data is received from the non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

22. A device for a user equipment, the device comprising means for performing the following operations: establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by the user context; and A radio resource control connection is established with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising means for performing the following operations: before establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node, suspending the radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure; and A low power state is entered during at least a portion of a time period between the suspending and the resuming.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, comprising means for performing the following operations: A configuration for entering the low power state is received from the geostationary first access node.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 24, comprising means for: An identifier of the non-geostationary second access node is received from the geostationary first access node with an indication of a time period during which the non-geostationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area where the user equipment is located.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, comprising means for: suspending the radio resource control connection with the non-geostationary second access node when a signal strength between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node drops below a threshold and / or when a link failure event occurs; and The radio resource control connection with the geostationary first access node is resumed using the user context.

27. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The first and / or second proxy node is at least one of: a ground based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, an access and mobility management function and / or a mobility management entity.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: The user context includes at least one of: a radio resource control configuration for the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided service to the user equipment.

29. A method for an apparatus for a geostationary first access node, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, wherein the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; and Information is provided to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

30. A method for a first proxy node device, the method comprising: receiving, from a geostationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, with an indication causing the user context 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.

31. A method for an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node, the method comprising: receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and the user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; as well as Data is received from the non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

32. A method for a user equipment device, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection with a geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; as well as A radio resource control connection is established with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

33. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a non-geostationary first access node, causes the apparatus to perform: A radio resource control connection is established between the geostationary first access node and the user equipment, wherein: The radio resource control connection is defined by a user context; as well as Information is provided to the user equipment regarding when a non-geostationary second access node will be available to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

34. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a first proxy node, causes the apparatus to execute: receiving, from a geostationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and a user equipment, with an indication causing the user context 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.

35. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for a non-geostationary second access node, causes the apparatus to perform: receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node, which defines a radio resource control connection between the geostationary first access node and the user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-geostationary second access node using the user context; and Data is received from the non-geostationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

36. 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 geostationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by the user context; and A radio resource control connection is established with a non-geostationary second access node using the user context.

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