Maintaining communications on source cell in conditional handover

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive information indicating a condition of a conditional handover and an indication of communicating on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The UE may send the message on the target cell in response to the condition that satisfies the condition handover. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 934,386, filed on September 22, 2022, entitled “MAINTAINING COMMUNICATION ON A SOURCE CELL IN A CONDITIONAL HANDOVER” and assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosure of the prior application is considered a part of this patent application and is incorporated by reference into this patent application. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and to techniques and apparatus for maintaining communications on a source cell in a conditional handover. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and long term evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0005] A wireless network may include one or more network nodes that support communications for wireless communication devices, such as user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs. A UE may communicate with a network node via downlink communications and uplink communications. A "downlink" (or "DL") refers to a communication link from a network node to a UE, and an "uplink" (or "UL") refers to a communication link from a UE to a network node. Some wireless networks may support device-to-device communications, such as via a local link (e.g., a side link (SL), a wireless local area network (WLAN) link, and / or a wireless personal area network (WPAN) link, etc.).

[0006] The above-mentioned multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different UEs to communicate at a city, country, region and / or global level. The new radio (NR), which may be referred to as 5G, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by: improving spectrum efficiency; reducing costs; improving services; utilizing new spectrum; and using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) with cyclic prefix (CP) on the downlink, CP-OFDM and / or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink to better integrate with other open standards; and supporting beamforming, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology and carrier aggregation. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in LTE, NR and other radio access technologies remain useful. Summary of the invention

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by an apparatus of a user equipment (UE). The method may include receiving information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The method may include sending a message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by an apparatus of a network node. The method may include generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The method may include sending the information indicating the condition for the conditional handover, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication at a UE. The apparatus may include: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The one or more processors may be configured to send the message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication at a network node. The apparatus may include: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to generate information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The one or more processors may be configured to send the information indicating the condition for the conditional handover, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

[0011] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a UE. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to receive information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to send the message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover.

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a network node. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to generate information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, may cause the network node to send the information indicating the condition for the conditional handover, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

[0013] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The apparatus may include means for sending the message on the target cell in response to the condition for the conditional handover being met.

[0014] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include components for: generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The apparatus may include components for: sending the information indicating the condition for the conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

[0015] The various aspects generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, network entities, network nodes, wireless communication devices and / or processing systems as fully described herein with reference to the drawings and description and as illustrated in the drawings and description.

[0016] The features and technical advantages of examples according to the present disclosure have been outlined quite extensively above so that the following specific embodiments may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be easily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for achieving the same purpose of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both in terms of their organization and method of operation, and the associated advantages will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the figures in the accompanying drawings is provided for the purpose of illustration and description and not as a definition of limitations to the claims.

[0017] Although various aspects are described in the present disclosure by illustrating some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such aspects can be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. The technology described herein can be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects can be implemented via integrated chip implementations or other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication equipment, computing equipment, industrial equipment, retail / shopping equipment, medical equipment and / or artificial intelligence devices). Various aspects can be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components and / or system-level components. The equipment incorporating the various aspects and features described may include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the various aspects claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals may include one or more components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components, including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders and / or summers). The various aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in various devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements and / or end-user devices of various sizes, shapes and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to fully understand the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure, a more specific description of the invention briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to various aspects (some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings). However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof, as the specification may admit of other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between a network node and a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station architecture according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of regenerative satellite deployment and an example of transparent satellite deployment in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a four-step random access procedure according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6is a diagram illustrating an example of conditional handover according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conditional handover timeline according to the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 is a diagram of an example associated with maintaining communications on a source cell in a conditional handover according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a UE according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example process, for example, performed by a network node, according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig.11 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communications according to the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.12 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communications according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms, and should not be interpreted as being limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout the present disclosure. Instead, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the protection scope of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein, whether it is implemented independently or in combination with any other aspect of the present disclosure. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein may be used to implement a device or practice method. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods implemented using other structures, functionality, or structures and functionality in addition to or different from the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the present claim.

[0032] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0033] Although various aspects may be described herein using terms generally associated with 5G or new radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT), various aspects of the present disclosure may be applied to other RATs, such as 3G RAT, 4G RAT and / or RATs beyond 5G (e.g., 6G).

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 may be a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, or may include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or elements of a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, etc. The wireless network 100 may include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as network node 110a, network node 110b, network node 110c, and network node 110d), user equipment (UE) 120 or multiple UEs 120 (shown as UE 120a, UE 120b, UE 120c, UE 120d, and UE 120e), and / or other entities. The network node 110 is a network node that communicates with the UE 120. As shown in the figure, the network node 110 may include one or more network nodes. For example, the network node 110 may be a converged network node, which means that the converged network node is configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single radio access network (RAN) node (e.g., within a single device or unit). For another example, the network node 110 may be a decomposed network node (sometimes referred to as a decomposed base station), which means that the network node 110 is configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more nodes (such as one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)).

[0035] In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as an RU) that communicates with the UE 120 via a radio access link. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as a DU) that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a fronthaul link or a midhaul link. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as a CU) that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a midhaul link or communicates with a core network via a backhaul link. In some examples, the network node 110 (such as an aggregated network node 110 or a decomposed network node 110) may include multiple network nodes, such as one or more RUs, one or more CUs, and / or one or more DUs. For example, the network node 110 may include an NR base station, an LTE base station, a Node B, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), a DU, a RU, a CU, a mobility element of a network, a core network node, a network element, a network equipment, a RAN node, or a combination thereof. In some examples, network nodes 110 may be interconnected to each other or to one or more other network nodes 110 in wireless network 100 via various types of fronthaul interfaces, midhaul interfaces, and / or backhaul interfaces (such as direct physical connections, air interfaces, or virtual networks) using any suitable transport network.

[0036] In some examples, the network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term "cell" may refer to the coverage area of ​​the network node 110 and / or the network node subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. The network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by a UE 120 associated with the femto cell (e.g., a UE 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A network node 110 for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro network node. A network node 110 for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico network node. The network node 110 for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto network node or a home network node. Figure 1In the example shown, network node 110a may be a macro network node for macro cell 102a, network node 110b may be a pico network node for pico cell 102b, and network node 110c may be a femto network node for femto cell 102c. The network node may support one or more (e.g., three) cells. In some examples, the cells may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​the cells may move depending on the location of the mobile network node 110 (e.g., a mobile network node).

[0037] In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to an aggregated base station, a decomposed base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or one or more components thereof. For example, in some aspects, a "base station" or "network node" may refer to a CU, a DU, a RU, a near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to a device configured to perform one or more functions (such as those described herein in conjunction with network node 110). In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to multiple devices configured to perform one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of a plurality of different devices (which may be located in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations) may be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to repeatedly perform at least a portion of the function, and the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to any one or more of these different devices. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one or more virtual base stations or one or more virtual base station functions. For example, in some aspects, two or more base station functions may be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one of the base station functions, but not another base station function. In this way, a single device may include more than one base station.

[0038] The wireless network 100 may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is a network node that can receive transmissions of data from an upstream node (e.g., a network node 110 or a UE 120) and transmit transmissions of data to a downstream node (e.g., a UE 120 or a network node 110). A relay station may be a UE 120 that can relay transmissions for other UEs 120. Figure 1 In the example shown, a network node 110d (e.g., a relay network node) may communicate with a network node 110a (e.g., a macro network node) and a UE 120d to facilitate communications between the network node 110a and the UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communications may be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay network node, a relay node, a relay, etc.

[0039] The wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes different types of network nodes 110, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, etc. These different types of network nodes 110 may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and / or different impacts on interference in the wireless network 100. For example, a macro network node may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 watts to 40 watts), while a pico network node, a femto network node, and a relay network node may have a lower transmit power level (e.g., 0.1 watt to 2 watts).

[0040] The network controller 130 may be coupled to or in communication with a set of network nodes 110 and may provide coordination and control for the network nodes 110. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network nodes 110 via a backhaul communication link or a midhaul communication link. The network nodes 110 may also communicate directly with each other or indirectly via a wireless backhaul communication link or a wired backhaul communication link. In some aspects, the network controller 130 may be or may include a CU or a core network device.

[0041] UE 120 may be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 120 may be stationary or mobile. UE 120 may include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, and / or a subscriber unit. UE 120 may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet computer, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device, and / or a satellite radio), a vehicle component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, an industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, a UE function of a network node, and / or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

[0042] Some UEs 120 may be considered as machine type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC UEs and / or eMTC UEs may include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors and / or location tags, which may communicate with a network node, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs 120 may be considered as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and / or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband IoT) devices. Some UEs 120 may be considered as customer premises equipment. UE 120 may be included in a housing that houses components of UE 120, such as a processor component and / or a memory component. In some examples, the processor component and the memory component may be coupled together. For example, a processor component (e.g., one or more processors) and a memory component (e.g., a memory) may be operationally coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and / or electrically coupled.

[0043] In general, any number of wireless networks 100 may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network 100 may support a specific RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. RAT may be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. Frequency may be referred to as a carrier, frequency channel, etc. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

[0044] In some examples, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) may communicate directly using one or more side link channels (e.g., without using network node 110 as an intermediary to communicate with each other). For example, UE 120 may communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (e.g., which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocols), and / or mesh networks. In such examples, UE 120 may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by network node 110.

[0045] The devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using an electromagnetic spectrum, which may be subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., according to frequency or wavelength. For example, the devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using one or more operating bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz to 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that, although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "below 6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming problem sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the "millimeter wave" band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0046] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and therefore the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, currently exploring higher frequency bands to extend 5G NR operation to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designation FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz-71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz-114.25GHz) and FR5 (114.25GHz-300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0047] Considering the above examples, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "below 6 GHz" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may be lower than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and / or FR5) may be modified, and the techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

[0048] In some aspects, UE 120 may include a communications manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, communications manager 140 may receive information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover, send a message on the target cell. Additionally or alternatively, communications manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0049] In some aspects, the network node 110 may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 150 may generate information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and send the information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0050] As indicated above, Figure 1 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 1 The examples described are different.

[0051] Figure 2 2 is a diagram illustrating an example 200 of a network node 110 communicating with a UE 120 in a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The network node 110 may be equipped with a set of antennas 234a to 234t, such as T antennas (T≥1). The UE 120 may be equipped with a set of antennas 252a to 252r, such as R antennas (R≥1). The network node 110 of example 200 includes one or more radio frequency components, such as an antenna 234 and a modem 254. In some examples, the network node 110 may include an interface, a communication component, or another component that facilitates communication with the UE 120 or another network node. Some network nodes 110 may not include a radio frequency component that facilitates direct communication with the UE 120, such as one or more CUs or one or more DUs.

[0052] At the network node 110, the transmit processor 220 may receive data intended for the UE 120 (or a set of UEs 120) from the data source 212. The transmit processor 220 may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for the UE 120 based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQI) received from the UE 120. The network node 110 may process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for the UE 120 based at least in part on the MCS selected for the UE 120, and provide data symbols for the UE 120. The transmit processor 220 may process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and / or upper layer signaling), and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 220 may generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS) or demodulation reference signals (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signals (PSS) or secondary synchronization signals (SSS)). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-decoding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems 232 (e.g., T modems) (shown as modems 232a to 232t). For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of the modem 232. Each modem 232 may process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) using a corresponding modulator component to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem 232 may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and / or up-convert) the output sample stream using a corresponding modulator component to obtain a downlink signal. The modems 232a to 232t may transmit a set of downlink signals (e.g., T downlink signals) via a corresponding set of antennas 234 (e.g., T antennas) (shown as antennas 234a to 234t).

[0053] At the UE 120, a set of antennas 252 (shown as antennas 252a to 252r) may receive downlink signals from the network node 110 and / or other network nodes 110 and may provide a set of received signals (e.g., R received signals) to a set of modems 254 (e.g., R modems) (shown as modems 254a to 254r). For example, each received signal may be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of the modem 254. Each modem 254 may use a corresponding demodulator component to condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and / or digitize) the received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem 254 may use a demodulator component to further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from the modem 254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols where applicable, and may provide detected symbols. The receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) detected symbols, may provide decoded data for the UE 120 to the data sink 260, and may provide decoded control information and system information to the controller / processor 280. The term "controller / processor" may refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or a combination thereof. The channel processor may determine a reference signal received power (RSRP) parameter, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameter, a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameter, and / or a CQI parameter, among other things. In some examples, one or more components of the UE 120 may be included in the housing 284.

[0054] The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292. The network controller 130 may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network node 110 via the communication unit 294.

[0055] One or more antennas (e.g., antennas 234a to 234t and / or antennas 252a to 252r) may include or be included within one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, etc. Antenna panels, antenna groups, sets of antenna elements, and / or antenna arrays may include one or more antenna elements (in a single housing or multiple housings), sets of coplanar antenna elements, sets of non-coplanar antenna elements, and / or coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as, Figure 2 One or more antenna elements of one or more components in.

[0056] On the uplink, at the UE 120, the transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from the data source 262 and control information from the controller / processor 280 (e.g., for reports including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and / or CQI). The transmit processor 264 may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be pre-decoded by the TX MIMO processor 266, where applicable, further processed by the modem 254 (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and transmitted to the network node 110. In some examples, the modem 254 of the UE 120 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of an antenna 252, a modem 254, a MIMO detector 256, a receive processor 258, a transmit processor 264, and / or a TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver may be used by a processor (eg, controller / processor 280) and memory 282 to perform the functions described herein (eg, with reference to Figures 8 to 12 )Aspects of any of the methods described herein.

[0057] At the network node 110, uplink signals from the UE 120 and / or other UEs may be received by the antenna 234, processed by the modem 232 (e.g., a demodulator component of the modem 232 shown as DEMOD), detected by the MIMO detector 236 (where applicable), and further processed by the receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 120. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to the data sink 239 and the decoded control information to the controller / processor 240. The network node 110 may include a communication unit 244 and may communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 244. The network node 110 may include a scheduler 246 to schedule one or more UEs 120 for downlink and / or uplink communications. In some examples, the modem 232 of the network node 110 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the network node 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of antenna 234, modem 232, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, transmit processor 220, and / or TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 240) and memory 242 to perform operations described herein (e.g., with reference to Figures 8 to 12 )Aspects of any of the methods described herein.

[0058] The controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, or Figure 2 Any other components in the controller / processor 240 of the network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of the UE 120, and / or Figure 2 Any other component of the Fig. 9 The process of 900 Fig.10 1000 and / or operations of other processes as described herein. Memory 242 and memory 282 may store data and program codes for network node 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some examples, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores one or more instructions (e.g., code and / or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of network node 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly, or after compilation, conversion, and / or interpretation), may cause the one or more processors, UE 120, and / or network node 110 to perform or direct, for example, Fig. 9 The process of 900 Fig.10 The process 1000 and / or operations of other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running instructions, converting instructions, compiling instructions, and / or interpreting instructions, among others.

[0059] In some aspects, the UE 120 includes a component for: receiving information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication of communicating on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and a component for sending a message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover. The components for the UE 120 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 140, the antenna 252, the modem 254, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, the TX MIMO processor 266, the controller / processor 280, or the memory 282.

[0060] In some aspects, the network node 110 includes means for generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and / or means for sending the information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. Means for the network node 110 to perform operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 150, the transmit processor 220, the TX MIMO processor 230, the modem 232, the antenna 234, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the controller / processor 240, the memory 242, or the scheduler 246.

[0061] Although Figure 2 The blocks in the 200 and 210 are illustrated as distinct components, but the functionality described above for these blocks may be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combined component or in various combinations of components. For example, the functionality described for the transmit processor 264, the receive processor 258, and / or the TX MIMO processor 266 may be performed by or under the control of the controller / processor 280.

[0062] As indicated above, Figure 2 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 2 The examples described are different.

[0063] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged with various components or components in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element, a base station or network equipment can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a base station (such as a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR BS, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a TRP or a cell, etc.) or one or more units (or one or more components) that perform base station functionality can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as an independent base station or a monolithic base station) or a decomposed base station. "Network entity" or "network node" may refer to a decomposed base station or one or more units of a decomposed base station (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, one or more RUs, or a combination thereof).

[0064] An aggregated base station (e.g., an aggregated network node) may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node (e.g., within a single device or unit). A decomposed base station (e.g., a decomposed network node) may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, or one or more RUs). In some examples, a CU may be implemented within a network node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed across one or more other network nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of a CU, a DU, and a RU may also be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), and the like.

[0065] Base station type operations or network designs may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a decomposed base station may be utilized in an IAB network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)) to facilitate the scaling of a communication system by separating base station functionality into one or more units that can be deployed separately. A decomposed base station may include functionality implemented across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as functionality implemented virtually for at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Individual units of a decomposed base station may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit of the decomposed base station.

[0066] Figure 3 3 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station architecture 300 according to the present disclosure. The disaggregated base station architecture 300 may include a CU 310, which may communicate directly with a core network 320 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 320 through one or more disaggregated control units (such as a near-RT RIC 325 via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC 315 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 305, or both). The CU 310 may communicate with one or more DUs 330 via respective midhaul links, such as via an F1 interface. Each of the DUs 330 may communicate with one or more RUs 340 via respective fronthaul links. Each of the RUs 340 may communicate with one or more UEs 120 via respective radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 120 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 340.

[0067] Each of the units (including CU 310, DU 330, RU 340) and the near-RT RIC 325, non-RT RIC 315, and SMO framework 305 may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to one or more communication interfaces of the corresponding unit may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. In some examples, each of these units may include a wired interface and a wireless interface, the wired interface being configured to receive signals or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium, and the wireless interface may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as an RF transceiver), which is configured to receive signals or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wireless transmission medium, or both.

[0068] In some aspects, the CU 310 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC) functions, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, or service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions, etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 310. The CU 310 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., central unit-user plane (CU-UP) functionality), control plane functionality (e.g., central unit-control plane (CU-CP) functionality), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 310 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface such as an E1 interface. As needed, the CU 310 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 330 for network control and signaling.

[0069] Each DU 330 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 340. In some aspects, the DU 330 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a MAC layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers, at least in part, according to a functional partition such as that defined by 3GPP. In some aspects, one or more high PHY layers may be implemented by one or more modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc. In some aspects, the DU 330 may also host one or more low PHY layers, such as one or more modules for fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming or physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc. Each layer (which may also be referred to as a module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 330 or with control functions hosted by the CU 310.

[0070] Each RU 340 may implement lower layer functionality. In some deployments, the RU 340 controlled by the DU 330 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions based on functional partitioning (e.g., functional partitioning defined by 3GPP) such as lower layer functional partitioning, or low PHY layer functions such as performing FFT, performing iFFT, digital beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering, etc. In such an architecture, each RU 340 may be operated to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 120. In some specific implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of the control and user planes of the communication with the RU 340 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 330. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable each DU 330 and CU 310 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture such as a vRAN architecture.

[0071] The SMO framework 305 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) platform 390) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 310, DU 330, RU 340, non-RT RIC 315, and near-RT RIC 325. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 305 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 311) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO framework 305 can communicate directly with each of the one or more RUs 340 via a corresponding O1 interface. The SMO framework 305 can also include a non-RT RIC 315 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 305.

[0072] The non-RT RIC 315 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 325. The non-RT RIC 315 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 325 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 325 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 310, one or more DUs 330, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 325.

[0073] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 325, the non-RT RIC 315 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. This information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 325 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 305 or the non-RT RIC 315. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 315 or the near-RT RIC 325 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 315 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 305 (such as via reconfiguration of the O1 interface) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 interface policies).

[0074] As indicated above, Figure 3 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 3 The examples described are different.

[0075] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 of a regenerative satellite deployment and an example 410 of a transparent satellite deployment in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) according to the present disclosure.

[0076] Example 400 illustrates a regenerative satellite deployment. In example 400, UE 120 is served by satellite 420 (e.g., a network device to which UE 120 is connected via air) via service link 430. For example, satellite 420 may include a network node 110 (e.g., network node 110a), such as a gNB. In some examples, satellite 420 may be referred to as a non-terrestrial base station, a regenerative repeater, or an onboard processing repeater. In some examples, satellite 420 may demodulate uplink radio frequency signals and may modulate baseband signals derived from the uplink radio signals to produce downlink radio frequency transmissions. Satellite 420 may transmit downlink radio frequency signals on service link 430. Satellite 420 may provide a cell covering UE 120. Satellite 420 may be a conventional satellite, a balloon, a drone, etc.

[0077] Example 410 illustrates a transparent satellite deployment, which may also be referred to as a bent-pipe satellite deployment. In example 410, UE 120 is served by satellite 440 (e.g., a network device to which UE 120 is connected over the air) via service link 430. Satellite 440 may be a transparent satellite. Satellite 440 may relay signals received from gateway 450 via feeder link 460 and / or signals received from UE 120 via service link 430. For example, satellite 440 may receive an uplink RF transmission from UE 120 and may send an RF transmission to gateway 450 without demodulating the uplink RF transmission. In some examples, satellite 440 may convert the frequency of the uplink RF transmission received on service link 430 to the frequency of the uplink RF transmission on feeder link 460, and may amplify and / or filter the uplink RF transmission. In some examples, the UE 120 shown in examples 400 and 410 may be associated with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) capability or a global positioning system (GPS) capability, but not all UEs have such capabilities. Satellite 440 may provide a cell covering UE 120. Satellite 440 may be a conventional satellite, a balloon, a drone, etc.

[0078] The service link 430 may include a link between the satellite 440 and the UE 120, and may include one or more of an uplink or a downlink. The feeder link 460 may include a link between the satellite 440 and the gateway 450, and may include one or more of an uplink (e.g., from the UE 120 to the gateway 450) or a downlink (e.g., from the gateway 450 to the UE 120).

[0079] Due to the movement of satellites 420 and 440 and the potential movement of UE 120, feeder link 460 and service link 430 may each experience Doppler effects. These Doppler effects may be significantly greater than the Doppler effects in the ground network. The Doppler effect on feeder link 460 can be compensated to a certain extent, but may still be associated with a certain amount of uncompensated frequency error. In addition, gateway 450 may be associated with residual frequency error, and / or satellite 420 or satellite 440 may be associated with onboard frequency error. These frequency error sources may cause the downlink frequency received at UE 120 to deviate from the target downlink frequency.

[0080] NTN can provide cellular service coverage to areas where terrestrial cellular service is not available. Due to the rapid movement of NTN's satellites (e.g., satellites in low earth orbit (LEO)), conditional handover (CHO) can be used for mobility support in NTN. According to the technology designed for terrestrial networks, NTN can support conditional handover. For example, conditional handover can be based on the measurement associated with the neighboring cell being higher than the measurement associated with the serving cell by an offset (referred to as an "A3" event), or can be based on the measurement associated with the neighboring cell being higher than a first threshold and the measurement associated with the serving cell being lower than a second threshold (referred to as an "A5" event). In addition, conditional handover can be based on the measurement associated with the neighboring cell being higher than a threshold (referred to as an "A4" event), can be based on a timer, or can be based on a location (e.g., as described in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331).

[0081] As indicated above, Figure 4 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 4 The examples described are different.

[0082] Figure 5 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 of a four-step random access procedure according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, according to the present disclosure, the network node 110 and the UE 120 may communicate with each other to perform a four-step random access procedure.

[0083] As indicated by reference numeral 505, the network node 110 may send one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and random access configuration information, and the UE 120 may receive the one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and the random access configuration information. In some aspects, the random access configuration information may be sent and / or indicated by system information (e.g., one or more system information blocks (SIBs)) and / or SSBs, such as for contention-based random access (CBRA). Additionally or alternatively, the random access configuration information may be sent in an RRC message and / or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command message that triggers the random access procedure, such as for contention-free random access (CFRA). The random access configuration information may include one or more parameters to be used in the random access procedure, such as one or more parameters for sending a random access message (RAM) and / or one or more parameters for receiving a random access response (RAR).

[0084] As shown by reference numeral 510, UE 120 may send a RAM, which may include a preamble (sometimes referred to as a random access preamble, a random access channel (RACH) preamble, a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble, or a RAM preamble). The message including the preamble may be referred to as message 1, msg1, MSG1, a first message, or an initial message in the four-step random access process. The random access message may include a random access preamble identifier.

[0085] As shown by reference numeral 515, the network node 110 may send a RAR as a response to the preamble. The message including the RAR may be referred to as message 2, msg2, MSG2, or a second message in the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RAR may indicate a detected random access preamble identifier (e.g., received from the UE 120 in msg1). Additionally or alternatively, the RAR may indicate a resource allocation to be used by the UE 120 to send a third message of the random access procedure.

[0086] In some aspects, as part of the second step of the four-step random access procedure, the network node 110 may send a PDCCH communication for the RAR. The PDCCH communication may schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) communication including the RAR. For example, the PDCCH communication may indicate a resource allocation for the PDSCH communication. Also as part of the second step of the four-step random access procedure, the network node 110 may send a PDSCH communication for the RAR as scheduled by the PDCCH communication. The RAR may be included in a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (PDU) of the PDSCH communication.

[0087] As shown by reference numeral 520, UE 120 may send an RRC connection request message. The RRC connection request message may be referred to as message 3, msg3, MSG3, or a third message of the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RRC connection request may include a UE identifier, uplink control information (UCI), and / or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communication (e.g., RRC connection request). For example, the RRC connection request message may be an uplink transmission scheduled by the RAR and may include a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) associated with UE 120.

[0088] As shown by reference numeral 525, the network node 110 may send an RRC connection setup message. The RRC connection setup message may be referred to as message 4, msg4, MSG4, or a fourth message of the four-step random access procedure. In some aspects, the RRC connection setup message may include a detected UE identifier, a timing advance value, and / or contention resolution information. As shown by reference numeral 530, if the UE 120 successfully receives the RRC connection setup message, the UE 120 may send a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK). In some aspects, in conjunction with a conditional handover from a source cell to a new cell, the UE 120 may use a four-step random access procedure when attaching to the new cell.

[0089] As indicated above, Figure 5 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 5 The examples described are different.

[0090] Figure 6 600 is a diagram illustrating an example of conditional handover according to the present disclosure. As shown, the example 600 may include communications between a UE 120, a network node 110-1 serving a source cell, a network node 110-2 serving a target cell, a network node 110-3 serving an additional target cell, and one or more entities of a core network (such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity and one or more user plane functions (UPF) entities).

[0091] As shown by reference numeral 605, the network node 110-1 (associated with the source cell) may send a message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) indicating a conditional handover configuration, and the UE 120 may receive the message. For example, the message may indicate the configuration of the candidate target cells, and / or the message may include information indicating one or more conditions for performing the conditional handover. As shown by reference numeral 610, the UE 120 may evaluate the one or more conditions. If at least one candidate target cell satisfies the conditions, as shown by reference numeral 615, the UE 120 may detach from the network node 110-1 (associated with the source cell), apply the configuration for the target cell, and synchronize to the target cell. After the UE 120 detaches from the network node 110-1, the UE 120 may not monitor downlink transmissions from the network node 110-1. As indicated by reference numeral 620, UE 120 may send a message (eg, an RRC reconfiguration complete message) indicating that the handover process is complete, and network node 110-2 (associated with the target cell for the handover of UE 120) may receive the message.

[0092] As indicated above, Figure 6 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 6 The examples described are different.

[0093] Figure 7 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 700 of a conditional handover timeline according to the present disclosure. The conditional handover timeline is shown from the perspective of UE 120. As shown, at a first time t1, UE 120 may receive an RRC reconfiguration message indicating a conditional handover configuration. The conditional handover configuration may indicate a configuration of a candidate cell and / or information indicating one or more conditional handover execution conditions, such as in combination with Figure 6 As described by reference numeral 605. At a second time t2, UE 120 may send an RRC reconfiguration complete message, which indicates that UE 120 has configured itself according to the conditional handover configuration.

[0094] Between t2 and a third time t3, UE 120 may evaluate whether the candidate cell meets the conditional handover condition, such as combining Figure 6 At t3, UE 120 may determine that the candidate cell served by the target network node has satisfied the condition. Between t3 and a fourth time t4, UE 120 may detach from the source cell served by the source network node, synchronize with the candidate cell, and initiate a random access procedure.

[0095] At t4, UE 120 may send a first message (msg1) of a random access procedure to the target network node. At a fifth time t5, UE 120 may receive a second message (msg2) of a random access procedure from the target network node. The minimum delay between UE 120 sending the first message at t4 and receiving the second message at t5 may correspond to a round trip time between UE 120 and the target network node.

[0096] In some examples, at a sixth time t6, UE 120 may send a third message (msg3) of a random access procedure to the target network node. In some examples, at a seventh time t7, UE 120 may receive a fourth message (msg4) of a random access procedure from the target network node. UE 120 may send the third message and receive the fourth message in a CBRA. In a CFRA, the third message and the fourth message may not be used. At an eighth time t8, UE 120 may send an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target network node to indicate completion of the random access procedure, such as in conjunction with Figure 6 As described by reference number 620.

[0097] In NTN, due to high propagation delay (e.g., tens of milliseconds for LEO satellites and some medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and hundreds of milliseconds for some MEO satellites and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites), there may be a long round trip time (e.g., from t4 to t5 and / or from t6 to t7) between UE 120 and the target network node. Therefore, the minimum time between t3 when UE 120 sends the first message and t4 when UE 120 receives the second message may correspond to the round trip time. Similarly, the minimum time between t6 when UE 120 sends the third message and t7 when UE 120 receives the fourth message may correspond to the round trip time.

[0098] When the conditional handover condition is met at t3, UE 120 may autonomously separate from the source network node and access the target network node. As shown, after separation from the source network node at t3, UE 120 may not monitor the downlink transmission from the source network node. However, the source network node may continue to transmit downlink to UE 120 without knowing that UE 120 has stopped monitoring the downlink transmission from the source network node. For example, in NTN, UE 120 may not provide HARQ feedback, and therefore the source network node may not detect that UE 120 does not receive the downlink transmission. Therefore, during the round trip time of the communication between UE 120 and the target network node, the source network node may perform downlink transmission to UE 120.

[0099] For RLC acknowledged mode (AM) radio bearers, downlink packets sent by the source network node to UE 120 during t3 to t8 may be resent by the target network node to UE 120 after UE 120 connects to the target network node (e.g., based at least in part on a status report sent by UE 120 and / or the source network node to the target network node). As a result, the source network node may consume computing resources and network resources to send downlink packets that are not monitored by UE 120. For RLC unacknowledged mode (UM) radio bearers, downlink packets sent by the source network node to UE 120 during t3 to t8 may not be resent by the target network node to UE 120, resulting in lost packets and affecting communication performance at UE 120. Due to the long round trip time associated with NTN, the resources consumed by the source network node to send downlink packets that are not monitored and / or the number of lost downlink packets may be excessive.

[0100] In some aspects, after initiating a conditional handover (e.g., in response to satisfying a conditional handover condition), UE 120 may send an indication to the source network node that UE 120 is performing a conditional handover to the target network node. The indication and the signaling scheduling the indication may also experience a long round trip time in the NTN. In some cases, UE 120 may not have a mechanism to ensure that the source network node receives the indication.

[0101] Some techniques and devices described herein enable a UE to maintain communication with a source network node (which serves a source cell) in conjunction with conditional handover during a round trip time associated with a message (e.g., a random access message) between the UE and the target network node (which serves the target cell). For example, after the UE sends a random access message on the target cell and while waiting for a response to the random access message on the target cell, the UE may communicate on the source cell (e.g., to receive a downlink transmission). In this way, the UE may monitor and receive downlink transmissions on the source cell while waiting for a response on the target cell. Therefore, processing resources and / or network resources used by the source network node are efficiently utilized, and packet loss at the UE is reduced, thereby improving communication performance at the UE.

[0102] As indicated above, Figure 7 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 7 The examples described are different.

[0103] Figure 8 8 is a diagram of an example 800 associated with maintaining communications on a source cell in a conditional handover according to the present disclosure. Figure 8 As shown in , the source cell of UE 120 may be served by network node 110-1, and the target cell (e.g., candidate target cell) of UE 120 may be served by network node 110-2. Network nodes 110-1, 110-2 may include one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and / or one or more RUs, etc. UE 120, network node 110-1, and network node 110-2 may be part of a wireless network. For example, UE 120, network node 110-1, and network node 110-2 may be part of an NTN network. As an example, network nodes 110-1, 110-2 may be one or more entities of one or more satellites or one or more gateways, such as in combination with a wireless network. Figure 4 UE and network node 110-1 may be Figure 8 The operations shown are performed after a wireless connection has been established.

[0104] As shown by reference numeral 805, network node 110-1 may send (e.g., provide or output) configuration information, and UE 120 may receive the configuration information. In some aspects, UE 120 may receive the configuration information via one or more of a system information block (SIB), RRC signaling, one or more MAC control elements (MAC-CEs), and / or downlink control information (DCI), etc. For example, the configuration information may be indicated in an RRC reconfiguration message. In some aspects, the configuration information may include an indication of one or more configuration parameters for UE selection (e.g., already known to UE 120 and / or previously indicated by network node 110-1 or other network devices), and / or explicit configuration information for UE 120 to use to configure UE 120, etc.

[0105] In some aspects, the configuration information may indicate the configuration of one or more candidate cells (e.g., a target cell). For example, the UE 120 may use the configuration of the candidate cell to connect to the candidate cell in a conditional handover. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may include information indicating one or more conditions for the conditional handover. For example, as described herein, the conditions for the conditional handover may be an A3 event, an A4 event, and / or an A5 event, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the configuration information may include an indication that the UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell after sending a message (e.g., a message of a random access procedure) on the target cell (e.g., a conditional handover associated with the target cell) and before receiving an additional message (e.g., a response message of a random access procedure) on the target cell. In other words, the indication may indicate that the UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell between communications (e.g., random access communications) on the target cell (e.g., during at least a portion of the round trip time between the UE 120 and the network node 110-2 associated with the target cell, from when the message on the target cell is sent).

[0106] In some aspects, UE 120 may receive, from network node 110-1, a configuration of a candidate cell, information indicating conditions for a conditional handover, and an indication that UE 120 is to communicate in separate communication on a source cell. For example, UE 120 may receive the configuration of the candidate cell and the information indicating conditions for a conditional handover via SIB and / or RRC signaling, and UE 120 may receive an indication that UE 120 is to communicate on a source cell in a DCI, in a MAC-CE, in a SIB, and / or in separate RRC signaling. In some aspects, UE 120 may receive an indication that UE 120 is to communicate on a source cell from network node 110-2.

[0107] In some aspects, the indication that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell may be an explicit indication that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell (e.g., the indication may indicate whether UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell). Here, the indication may be based at least in part on the type of satellite used for communication on the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite used for communication on the target cell, the reported position of UE 120 (e.g., as reported by UE 120), and / or information related to traffic at UE 120 (e.g., whether UE 120 has data to send) and quality of service (QoS) requirements at UE 120, etc. In other words, network node 110-1 may determine to provide the indication that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell based at least in part on the type of satellite, ephemeris information, reported position, and / or information related to traffic and QoS, etc.

[0108] In some aspects, UE 120 may receive multiple indications (e.g., the indication is one of multiple indications) that UE 120 is to communicate on a source cell. Each indication may be associated with a corresponding candidate target cell and / or a corresponding conditional handover event. For example, if a specific conditional handover event occurs, or if a specific candidate target cell satisfies a conditional handover condition, UE 120 may apply an indication associated with the conditional handover event or the candidate target cell.

[0109] In some aspects, the indication that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell may indicate at least one condition (e.g., an additional condition from the conditions of the conditional handover) for communicating on the source cell (e.g., UE 120 communicates on the source cell only if the condition is met). In some aspects, information indicating the condition may be provided to UE 120 (e.g., preconfigured).

[0110] The condition may relate to a round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2 associated with the target cell (e.g., if the round trip time satisfies a threshold, the condition may indicate that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell). For example, if the round trip time is longer than a threshold (e.g., a threshold configured for UE 120), UE 120 may communicate on the source cell (e.g., because there may be a long delay between UE 120 sending a random access message to network node 110-2 and UE 120 receiving a response random access message from network node 110-2). Additionally or alternatively, the condition may relate to a type of satellite (e.g., LEO, MEO, or GEO satellite) used to communicate on the target cell (e.g., if the type of satellite is one or more specific types, the condition may indicate that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell). For example, if the target cell uses a GEO satellite (e.g., which is associated with a longer round trip time), UE 120 may communicate on the source cell.

[0111] Additionally or alternatively, the condition may relate to a configuration of UE 120 (e.g., if UE 120 has a specific configuration for one or more parameters (such as HARQ feedback parameters), the condition may indicate that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell). For example, if HARQ feedback for all downlink HARQ processes is disabled for UE 120, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell. Additionally or alternatively, the condition may relate to a measurement performed by UE 120 (e.g., if the measurement satisfies a threshold or condition, the condition may indicate that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell). For example, if the measurement of the source cell satisfies a specific condition (e.g., the RSRP of the source cell is greater than a threshold), UE 120 may communicate on the source cell. In this way, processing resources and / or network resources associated with transmission on the source cell may be saved. Additionally or alternatively, the condition may relate to a condition and / or event of conditional handover (e.g., one of the conditions and / or events configured for UE 120) (e.g., the condition may indicate that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell only when the condition of conditional handover relates to a specific type of handover event). For example, if the condition and / or event for triggering and performing conditional handover relates to a specific handover event, such as an A4 event, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell.

[0112] Prior to sending the configuration information, network node 110-1 and / or network node 110-2 may generate the configuration information. For example, network node 110-1 and / or network node 110-2 may generate information indicating the conditions for the conditional handover, and / or network node 110-1 and / or network node 110-2 may generate an indication that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell. To generate the information and / or indication, network node 110-1 and / or network node 110-2 may encode and / or modulate data (e.g., information and / or indication) for UE 120 (e.g., using MCS). In some aspects, network node 110-2 may generate the configuration information, and the configuration information may be sent to UE 120 via network node 110-1, or vice versa.

[0113] UE 120 may configure itself based at least in part on the configuration information. In some aspects, UE 120 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein based at least in part on the configuration information. Additionally or alternatively, UE 120 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein based at least in part on information provided (e.g., pre-configured) for UE 120.

[0114] After receiving the information indicating the one or more conditions, the UE 120 may monitor (e.g., evaluate) the one or more conditions for the conditional handover. For example, the UE 120 may perform measurements of the source cell and / or one or more candidate cells (such as a target cell) to determine whether the one or more measurements satisfy the conditions for the conditional handover and / or the event that triggers the conditional handover.

[0115] As shown in reference numeral 810, UE 120 may determine that a condition for conditional handover is satisfied. For example, UE 120 may determine that the target cell satisfies the condition for conditional handover. Therefore, the conditional handover of UE 120 may be to the target cell. In some aspects, in response to the condition for conditional handover being satisfied and / or in response to UE 120 applying the configuration of the target cell, UE 120 may store first information related to communicating on the source cell (e.g., related to the downlink and / or uplink of the source cell). For example, the information may indicate a frequency shift associated with the source cell, time slot timing information associated with the source cell, etc. In some aspects, UE 120 may initiate execution of the conditional handover by synchronizing to the target cell. In some aspects, in response to initiating execution of the conditional handover (e.g., synchronizing to the target cell and / or sending a random access-related message on the target cell, such as described at reference numeral 815), the UE 120 may store second information related to communicating on the target cell (e.g., related to a downlink and / or uplink of the target cell). For example, the second information may indicate a frequency shift associated with the target cell, time slot timing information associated with the target cell, etc.

[0116] In some aspects, the UE 120 may store the first information in association with (e.g., together with) the first ephemeris-related information associated with the source cell (e.g., when switching from the source cell to the target cell), and / or the UE 120 may store the second information in association with (e.g., together with) the second ephemeris-related information associated with the target cell (e.g., when switching from the target cell to the source cell; "source" and "target" are used here for clarity, and in practice, the cells may have opposite names). The stored information / association may be used by the UE 120 for fast switching between cells (e.g., the information / association may be used by the UE 120 to derive time domain and / or frequency domain resource information for transmission and / or reception).

[0117] In some aspects, in response to satisfying the conditions for conditional handover and / or in response to initiating execution of conditional handover, UE 120 may avoid resetting the MAC entity associated with the source cell and / or avoid reestablishing the RLC entity associated with the source cell. This may enable UE 120 to communicate on the source cell between communications (e.g., random access communications) on the target cell. In some aspects, UE 120 may set up a new MAC entity and / or establish a new RLC entity associated with the target cell without resetting the MAC entity and / or reestablishing the RLC entity associated with the source cell.

[0118] As shown by reference numeral 815, UE 120 may send a message on the target cell, and network node 110-2 may receive (e.g., obtain) the message on the target cell. UE 120 may send a message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for conditional handover. The message may be associated with a random access procedure of the target cell. For example, as described herein, the message may be a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of a random access procedure, or an RRC reconfiguration complete message (e.g., represented as a "fifth message"). As described herein, there may be a long delay between UE 120 sending a message to network node 110-2 (at time t) and UE 120 receiving a response message from network node 110-2 (at time t+round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2). During this time, network node 110-1 may not be aware of the conditional handover of UE 120 to the target cell, and may continue downlink transmission to UE 120.

[0119] As shown by reference numeral 820, after UE 120 sends a message on the target cell and before UE 120 receives a response message on the target cell, UE 120 and network node 110-1 may communicate on the source cell. For example, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell according to the indication described in conjunction with reference numeral 805. Specifically, if the indication explicitly indicates that UE 120 is to communicate on the source cell, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell, or if the conditions for communicating on the source cell indicated by the indication are met, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell. Communicating on the source cell may include downlink reception at UE 120 and / or uplink transmission by UE 120. For example, communicating on the source cell may include both downlink reception at UE 120 and uplink transmission by UE 120. In some aspects, in order to communicate on the source cell, UE 120 may monitor downlink transmission on the source cell.

[0120] UE 120 may communicate on the source cell during at least a portion of a round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2, from when UE 120 sends a message on the target cell. For example, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell during at least a portion of a time period from time t to time t+round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2. In some aspects, UE 120 may determine (e.g., calculate) the round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2 based at least in part on ephemeris information and / or a common set of timing advance parameters associated with a satellite of the target cell (e.g., which may be provided in configuration information with a conditional handover configuration and / or in a SIB broadcasted on the target cell), a Kmac timing parameter (e.g., indicating a feeder link round trip delay between an uplink time slot at network node 110-2 and a corresponding downlink time slot at network node 110-2), and / or a location of UE 120.

[0121] To communicate on the source cell, after sending the message on the target cell, UE 120 may switch from communicating on the target cell to communicating on the source cell.To communicate on the source cell, UE 120 may use first information stored by UE 120 related to communicating on the source cell.

[0122] As shown by reference numeral 825, network node 110-2 may send (e.g., provide or output) an additional message on the target cell, and UE 120 may receive the additional message on the target cell. The additional message may also be associated with a random access procedure of the target cell. For example, as described herein, the additional message may be a second message of a random access procedure, a fourth message of a random access procedure, or a downlink communication (e.g., a first downlink communication to UE 120 or a "sixth message" after receiving the fifth message described above). The additional message may be in response to a message sent by UE 120. For example, if the message sent by UE 120 is a first message of a random access procedure, the additional message may be a second message of the random access procedure.

[0123] To receive the additional message, UE 120 may switch from communicating on the source cell to communicating on the target cell. For example, UE 120 may switch to communicating on the target cell when the round trip time between UE 120 and network node 110-2 expires (e.g., at or immediately before the expiration). To communicate on the target cell, UE 120 may use second information stored by UE 120 related to communicating on the target cell.

[0124] UE 120 may switch between communicating with the target cell and communicating with the source cell one or more times (e.g., multiple times). For example, as shown at reference numeral 830, in a manner similar to that described above, UE 120 may send a further message on the target cell, and network node 110-2 may receive (e.g., obtain) the further message on the target cell. As an example, if the message sent by UE 120 at reference numeral 815 is the first message of the random access procedure, and the additional message received by UE 120 at reference numeral 825 is the second message of the random access procedure, then the further message sent by UE 120 at reference numeral 830 may be the third message or the fifth message of the random access procedure.

[0125] As shown by reference numeral 835, after UE 120 sends the further message on the target cell and before UE 120 receives the response message on the target cell, in a manner similar to that described above, UE 120 and network node 110-1 may communicate on the source cell. For example, UE 120 may communicate on the source cell according to the instructions described in conjunction with reference numeral 805. As shown by reference numeral 840, in a manner similar to that described above, network node 110-2 may send (e.g., provide or output) another message on the target cell, and UE 120 may receive the another message on the target cell. For example, if the further message sent by UE 120 at reference numeral 830 is the third message or the fifth message of the random access procedure, the message received by UE 120 at reference numeral 840 may be the fourth message or the sixth message of the random access procedure, respectively.

[0126] In this way, after sending a random access message on the target cell and while waiting to receive a response message on the target cell, the UE 120 can communicate on the source cell. Therefore, the UE 120 can receive downlink transmissions on the source cell that would otherwise need to be retransmitted on the target cell after the random access procedure is completed, or would otherwise be lost. Therefore, the techniques described herein save computing resources and / or network resources, and improve communication performance at the UE 120.

[0127] As indicated above, Figure 8 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 8 The examples described are different.

[0128] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example process 900 performed, for example, by a UE in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 900 is an example in which a UE (eg, UE 120) performs operations associated with maintaining communications on a source cell in a conditional handover.

[0129] like Fig. 9 As shown, in some aspects, process 900 may include receiving information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell (block 910). For example, as described above, a UE (e.g., using Fig.11 The communication manager 140 and / or receiving component 1102 depicted in FIG. 1 may receive information indicating conditions for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving additional messages on the target cell.

[0130] like Fig. 9As further shown, in some aspects, process 900 may include, in response to a condition for the conditional handover being met, sending a message on the target cell (block 920). For example, as described above, the UE (e.g., using Fig.11 The depicted communications manager 140 and / or transmitting component 1104) can transmit a message on the target cell in response to the conditions for the conditional handover being met.

[0131] Process 900 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0132] In a first aspect, process 900 includes communicating on a source cell in accordance with an instruction after sending a message on a target cell and before receiving an additional message on the target cell.

[0133] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, communicating is performed on the source cell during at least a portion of a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, starting from when the message on the target cell is sent.

[0134] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the indication indicates an additional condition for communicating on the source cell.

[0135] In a fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the additional condition relates to one or more of the following: a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, the type of satellite used for communication on the target cell, the configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or conditions for conditional handover.

[0136] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: the type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, information associated with the satellite, the reported location of the UE, or information related to the service and QoS requirements at the UE.

[0137] In the sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the indication is one of multiple indications, and each of the multiple indications is associated with at least one of the corresponding candidate target cells or the corresponding conditional handover events.

[0138] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 900 includes storing at least one of first information related to communicating on a source cell or second information related to communicating on a target cell.

[0139] In an eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the first information is stored in association with first ephemeris information associated with a source cell, or the second information is stored in association with second ephemeris information associated with a target cell.

[0140] In the ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the message is the first message of the random access process, the third message of the random access process or the RRC reconfiguration completion message, and the additional message is the second message of the random access process, the fourth message of the random access process or the downlink communication.

[0141] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, process 900 includes avoiding resetting a MAC entity associated with a source cell or avoiding reestablishing an RLC entity associated with a source cell.

[0142] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

[0143] although Fig. 9 An example block diagram of process 900 is shown, but in some aspects, process 900 may include Fig. 9 The blocks depicted may be additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 900 may be performed in parallel.

[0144] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1000, performed, for example, by a network node, in accordance with the present disclosure. The example process 1000 is an example in which a network node (eg, network node 110) performs operations associated with maintaining communications on a source cell in a conditional handover.

[0145] like Fig.10 As shown, in some aspects, process 1000 may include generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell (block 1010). For example, as described above, a network node (e.g., using Fig.12 The communication manager 150 and / or generation component 1208 depicted in the figure can generate information indicating the conditions of the conditional handover and an indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending a message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving additional messages on the target cell.

[0146] like Fig.10As further shown, in some aspects, process 1000 may include sending the information indicating the condition of the conditional handover and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell (block 1020). For example, as described above, the network node (e.g., using Fig.12 The communication manager 150 and / or sending component 1204 depicted in the figure may send the information indicating the conditions of the conditional handover, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending a message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving additional messages on the target cell.

[0147] Process 1000 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0148] In a first aspect, the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

[0149] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, the additional condition relates to one or more of: a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, a type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, a configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or conditions for conditional handover.

[0150] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to second aspects, the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: a type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, information associated with the satellite, a reported location of the UE, or information related to services and QoS requirements at the UE.

[0151] In a fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

[0152] In the fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the message is the first message of the random access process, the third message of the random access process or the RRC reconfiguration completion message, and the additional message is the second message of the random access process, the fourth message of the random access process or downlink communication.

[0153] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

[0154] although Fig.10An example block diagram of process 1000 is shown, but in some aspects, process 1000 may include Fig.10 The blocks depicted may be additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process 1000 may be performed in parallel.

[0155] Fig.11 1 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1100 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. The apparatus 1100 may be a UE, or the UE may include the apparatus 1100. In some aspects, the apparatus 1100 includes a receiving component 1102 and a sending component 1104 that may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 1100 may communicate with another apparatus 1106 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the receiving component 1102 and the sending component 1104. As further shown, the apparatus 1100 may include a communication manager 140. The communication manager 140 may include one or more of an evaluation component 1108 or a storage component 1110, among others.

[0156] In some aspects, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein (such as Fig. 9 In some aspects, Fig.11 The apparatus 1100 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 1 may include a combination of Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, Fig.11 One or more of the components shown may be combined with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes that are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and can be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0157] The receiving component 1102 may receive communications from the device 1106, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 1102 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 1100. In some aspects, the receiving component 1102 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 1100. In some aspects, the receiving component 1102 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of a described UE.

[0158] The transmitting component 1104 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, to the device 1106. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 1100 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 1104 for transmission to the device 1106. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1104 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 1106. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1104 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described UE. In some aspects, the transmit component 1104 can be co-located with the receive component 1102 in a transceiver.

[0159] The receiving component 1102 can receive information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The sending component 1104 can send a message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover. The evaluating component 1108 can monitor whether the condition for the conditional handover is satisfied and / or can determine whether the condition for the conditional handover is satisfied.

[0160] The receiving component 1102 and / or the sending component 1104 can communicate on the source cell in accordance with the instructions after sending the message on the target cell and before receiving additional messages on the target cell.

[0161] The storage component 1110 may store at least one of first information related to communicating on a source cell or second information related to communicating on a target cell.

[0162] Fig.11 The number and arrangement of components shown are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig.11 Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown. Fig.11 Two or more components shown may be implemented in a single component, or Fig.11 The single component shown may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig.11 The illustrated set of component(s) may be described as being executable by Fig.11Another collection of components shown performs one or more functions.

[0163] Fig.12 1 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1200 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 1200 may be a network node, or a network node may include apparatus 1200. In some aspects, apparatus 1200 includes a receiving component 1202 and a sending component 1204 that may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, apparatus 1200 may communicate with another apparatus 1206 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using receiving component 1202 and sending component 1204. As further shown, apparatus 1200 may include a communication manager 150. Communication manager 150 may include generating component 1208, etc.

[0164] In some aspects, the apparatus 1200 may be configured to perform Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 1200 may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein (such as Fig.10 In some aspects, Fig.12 The apparatus 1200 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 1 may include a combination of Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, Fig.12 One or more of the components shown may be combined with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes that are stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and can be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0165] The receiving component 1202 may receive communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, from the device 1206. The receiving component 1202 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 1200. In some aspects, the receiving component 1202 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 1200. In some aspects, the receiving component 1202 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof, of the described network nodes.

[0166] The transmitting component 1204 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, to the device 1206. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 1200 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 1204 for transmission to the device 1206. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1204 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 1206. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1204 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described network nodes. In some aspects, the transmit component 1204 can be co-located with the receive component 1202 in a transceiver.

[0167] The generating component 1208 can generate information indicating the condition of the conditional handover and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending a message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell. The sending component 1204 can send the information indicating the condition of the conditional handover and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending a message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell.

[0168] Fig.12 The number and arrangement of components shown are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig.12 Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown. Fig.12 Two or more components shown may be implemented in a single component, or Fig.12 The single component shown may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig.12 The illustrated set of component(s) may be described as being executable by Fig.12 Another collection of components shown performs one or more functions.

[0169] The following provides an overview of some aspects of the disclosure:

[0170] Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a device of a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving information indicating a condition for conditional handover, and an indication of communicating on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and sending the message on the target cell in response to satisfying the condition for the conditional handover.

[0171] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1 further comprises: after sending the message on the target cell and before receiving the additional message on the target cell, communicating on the source cell according to the indication.

[0172] Aspect 3: The method according to aspect 2, wherein communication is performed on the source cell during at least a portion of a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell starting from when the message on the target cell is sent.

[0173] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the indication indicates an additional condition for communicating on the source cell.

[0174] Aspect 5: A method according to Aspect 4, wherein the additional conditions relate to one or more of the following: a round-trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, a type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, a configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or the conditions for the conditional handover.

[0175] Aspect 6: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the indication is based at least in part on one or more of the following: the type of satellite used for communication on the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite, the reported position of the UE, or information related to the service and quality of service (QoS) requirements at the UE.

[0176] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

[0177] Aspect 8: According to the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, the method further includes: storing at least one of first information related to communication on the source cell or second information related to communication on the target cell.

[0178] Aspect 9: The method according to aspect 8, wherein the first information is stored in association with first ephemeris information, the first ephemeris information is associated with the source cell, or the second information is stored in association with second ephemeris information, the second ephemeris information is associated with the target cell.

[0179] Aspect 10: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the message is the first message of the random access process, the third message of the random access process, or the radio resource control reconfiguration completion message, and wherein the additional message is the second message of the random access process, the fourth message of the random access process, or downlink communication.

[0180] Aspect 11: According to the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, the method further includes: avoiding resetting a medium access control entity associated with the source cell or reestablishing a radio link control entity associated with the source cell.

[0181] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

[0182] Aspect 13: A method of wireless communication performed by a device of a network node, the method comprising: generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover, and an indication that a user equipment (UE) is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and sending the information indicating the condition for the conditional handover, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

[0183] Aspect 14: The method according to aspect 13, wherein the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

[0184] Aspect 15: A method according to Aspect 14, wherein the additional conditions relate to one or more of the following: a round-trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, a type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, a configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or the conditions for the conditional handover.

[0185] Aspect 16: A method according to any one of Aspects 13 to 15, wherein the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: the type of satellite used for communicating on the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite, the reported position of the UE, or information related to the service and quality of service (QoS) requirements at the UE.

[0186] Aspect 17: A method according to any one of aspects 13 to 16, wherein the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and wherein each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

[0187] Aspect 18: A method according to any one of Aspects 13 to 17, wherein the message is a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of the random access procedure, or a radio resource control reconfiguration completion message, and wherein the additional message is a second message of the random access procedure, a fourth message of the random access procedure, or downlink communication.

[0188] Aspect 19: The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 18, wherein the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

[0189] Aspect 20: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 1 to 12.

[0190] Aspect 21: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 12.

[0191] Aspect 22: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 12.

[0192] Aspect 23: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 12.

[0193] Aspect 24: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 1 to 12.

[0194] Aspect 25: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 13 to 19.

[0195] Aspect 26: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 13 to 19.

[0196] Aspect 27: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 13 to 19.

[0197] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 13 to 19.

[0198] Aspect 29: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 13 to 19.

[0199] While the foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of these aspects.

[0200] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other names, "software" should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads implemented, procedures and / or functions, etc. As used herein, a "processor" is implemented in a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. It will be clear that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented by a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software in different forms. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit various aspects. Therefore, the operation and behavior of the system and / or method are not described herein with reference to specific software codes, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the system and / or method based at least in part on the description herein.

[0201] As used herein, "satisfying a threshold" may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0202] Although specific combinations of features are set forth in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features can be combined in a manner that is not specifically described in the claims and / or is not disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim combined with each other claim in the claim set. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" the list of items refers to any combination of these items (including a single member). As an example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c and a+b+c, and any combination with multiple identical elements (e.g., a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c and c+c+c, or any other ordering of a, b and c).

[0203] Any element, action or instruction used herein should not be interpreted as key or necessary, unless explicitly described as such. In addition, as used herein, the articles "one" and "a kind of" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "said" is intended to include one or more items connected to the article "said", and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the terms "set" and "group" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". If only one item is intended to be referred to, the phrase "only one" or similar terms are used. Moreover, as used herein, the terms "have", "have" etc. are intended to be open terms, which do not limit the elements they modify (for example, "elements with" A can also have B). In addition, the phrase "based on" is intended to represent "based at least in part on", unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be open-ended and may be used interchangeably with "and / or" unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in conjunction with "either" or "only one of").

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving information indicating conditions for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and In response to the condition for the conditional handover being met, sending the message on the target cell.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: After sending the message on the target cell and before receiving the additional message on the target cell, communicating on the source cell according to the indication.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: Communicating on the source cell occurs during at least a portion of a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell starting from when the message on the target cell is sent.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the additional condition relates to one or more of the following: the round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, the type of satellite used for communications over the target cell, the configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or The conditions for the transfer of the conditions.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: the type of satellite used to communicate over the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite, the reported location of the UE, or Information related to traffic and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements at the UE.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and Each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: At least one of first information related to communicating on the source cell or second information related to communicating on the target cell is stored.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first information is to be stored in association with first ephemeris information associated with the source cell, or the second information is to be stored in association with second ephemeris information associated with the target cell.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the message is a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of the random access procedure, or a radio resource control reconfiguration complete message, and The additional message is the second message of the random access procedure, the fourth message of the random access procedure, or downlink communication.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: Resetting a medium access control entity associated with the source cell or reestablishing a radio link control entity associated with the source cell is avoided.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

13. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network node, the apparatus comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that a user equipment (UE) is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; as well as The information indicating the condition of the conditional handover is sent, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the additional conditions relate to one or more of the following: the round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell, the type of satellite used for communications over the target cell, the configuration of the UE, measurements performed by the UE, or The conditions for the transfer of the conditions.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: the type of satellite used to communicate over the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite, the reported location of the UE, or Information related to traffic and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements at the UE.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and Each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the message is a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of the random access procedure, or a radio resource control reconfiguration complete message, and The additional message is the second message of the random access procedure, the fourth message of the random access procedure, or downlink communication.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the target cell is associated with a non-terrestrial network.

20. A method of wireless communication performed by a device of a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving information indicating conditions for a conditional handover and an indication to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; and In response to the condition for the conditional handover being met, sending the message on the target cell.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: After sending the message on the target cell and before receiving the additional message on the target cell, communicating on the source cell according to the indication.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein communicating on the source cell occurs during at least a portion of a round trip time between the UE and a network node associated with the target cell starting from when the message on the target cell is sent.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the indication is based at least in part on one or more of: the type of satellite used to communicate over the target cell, ephemeris information associated with the satellite, the reported location of the UE, or Information related to traffic and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements at the UE.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the indication is one of a plurality of indications, and Each of the plurality of indications is associated with at least one of a corresponding candidate target cell or a corresponding conditional handover event.

26. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: At least one of first information related to communicating on the source cell or second information related to communicating on the target cell is stored.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein the message is a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of the random access procedure, or a radio resource control reconfiguration complete message, and The additional message is the second message of the random access procedure, the fourth message of the random access procedure, or downlink communication.

28. A method of wireless communication performed by an apparatus of a network node, the method comprising: generating information indicating a condition for a conditional handover and an indication that a user equipment (UE) is to communicate on a source cell after sending a message on a target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving an additional message on the target cell; as well as The information indicating the condition of the conditional handover is sent, and the indication that the UE is to communicate on the source cell after sending the message on the target cell associated with the conditional handover and before receiving the additional message on the target cell.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the indication indicates additional conditions for communicating on the source cell.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the message is a first message of a random access procedure, a third message of the random access procedure, or a radio resource control reconfiguration complete message, and The additional message is the second message of the random access procedure, the fourth message of the random access procedure, or downlink communication.

Images