Timers for uplink transmission extensions

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a timer for uplink transmission extension. A method includes: starting a timer for uplink transmission extension; performing global navigation satellite system measurements during the connected mode discontinuous reception inactive period; sending a report message to an access node of the radio access network; determining whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and stopping the timer based on determining that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or based on determining that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, restricting initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with the timer or restricting exit from the radio resource control connected mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following example embodiments relate to wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] For communication in non-terrestrial networks, in principle, a UE is not allowed to transmit in the uplink when its location is outdated, because the expected pre-compensation would be incorrect. However, if the network determines that the UE is accurately pre-compensating, the network can configure a T390 timer for the UE to extend uplink transmission. This allows the UE to continue uplink transmission after the location has expired. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought by the various exemplary embodiments is set forth in the claims. Exemplary embodiments and features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples that can be used to understand the various embodiments.

[0004] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the apparatus's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and, based on determining that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message, stop the timer; or, based on determining that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict leaving the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode.

[0005] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and, at least based on receiving the report message, determine that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0006] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: components for initiating a timer for uplink transmission extension; components for performing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; components for sending a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the apparatus's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurements performed during the period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; components for determining whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and components for stopping the timer based on determining that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or components for restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restricting departure from Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode based on determining that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0007] According to another aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: components for receiving a report message from a user equipment, the report message indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and components for determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0008] According to another aspect, a method is provided, comprising: initiating a timer for uplink transmission extension; performing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; sending a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the effective duration of the GNSS following the GNSS measurements performed during the period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; determining whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and stopping the timer based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restricting departure from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0009] According to another aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer extended with uplink transmissions, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0010] According to another aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the device's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; stop the timer based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict leaving the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0011] According to another aspect, a non-transient computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a period of discontinuous reception in the connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0012] According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactivity in the connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the device's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactivity in the connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; stop the timer based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict leaving the radio resource control connected mode based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0013] According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0014] According to another aspect, a computer program is provided, comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactivity in the connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of the radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the device's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactivity in the connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; stop the timer based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict leaving the radio resource control connected mode based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0015] According to another aspect, a computer program is provided, comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a period of discontinuous reception in the connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires. Attached Figure Description

[0016] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

[0017] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 The signal flow graph is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 The signal flow graph is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 The signal flow graph is shown;

[0021] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 A flowchart is shown;

[0023] Figure 7 A flowchart is shown;

[0024] Figure 8 An example of the device is shown; and

[0025] Figure 9 An example of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to "a," "an," or "some" embodiments in various places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that the same embodiment is referred to every time, or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the words "comprising" and "including" should be understood not to limit the described embodiments to consisting only of those features already mentioned, and such embodiments may also include features not yet specifically mentioned. In the specification and / or claims, reference numerals are used to illustrate embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, and not to limit the embodiments to these examples.

[0027] Some example embodiments described herein can be implemented in wireless communication networks that include radio access technologies (RATs) based on one or more of the following: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or any other second-generation (2G) radio access technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS, 3G) based on Basic Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC), fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Advanced 5G (i.e., 3GPP NR Rel-18 and later), or sixth-generation (6G). Some examples of radio access networks include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRA), or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). The wireless communication network may also include a core network, and some example embodiments may also be applied to the network functions of the core network.

[0028] It should be noted that the embodiments are not limited to the wireless communication networks given as examples, but those skilled in the art can also apply this technical solution to other wireless communication networks or systems that provide the necessary attributes. For example, some example embodiments can also be applied to communication systems based on the IEEE 802.11 standard or communication systems based on the IEEE 802.15 standard. IEEE is an abbreviation for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0029] Figure 1 An example of a simplified wireless communication network is depicted, showing some physical and logical entities. Figure 1 The connection shown can be a physical connection or a logical connection. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the wireless communication network may also include, in addition to… Figure 1 Other physical and logical entities besides those shown.

[0030] However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not limited to the wireless communication networks given as examples, but those skilled in the art can apply the exemplary embodiments described herein to other wireless communication networks that provide the necessary properties.

[0031] Figure 1 The example wireless communication network shown includes a radio access network (RAN) and a core network 110.

[0032] Figure 1 User equipment (UE) 100, 102 is shown that is configured to wirelessly connect to access node 104 of radio access network on one or more communication channels in radio cell.

[0033] Access node 104 may include a computing device configured to control the radio resources of access node 104 and to wirelessly connect to one or more UEs 100, 102. Access node 104 may also be referred to as a base station, base transceiver station (BTS), access point, cell site, network node, radio access network node, or RAN node.

[0034] Access node 104 may be, for example, an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) providing a radio cell, a next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB), or a next-generation Node B (gNB or gNodeB). Access node 104 may include or be coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of access node 104, a connection may be provided to an antenna element that establishes a bidirectional radio link to one or more UEs 100, 102. The antenna element may include an antenna or antenna element, or multiple antennas or antenna elements.

[0035] The radio connection (e.g., a radio link) from UE 100, 102 to access node 104 may be referred to as an uplink (UL) or reverse link, and the radio connection (e.g., a radio link) from access node 104 to UE 100, 102 may be referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link. UE 100 may also communicate directly with another UE 102 via a radio connection commonly referred to as a side link (SL), and vice versa. It should be understood that access node 104 or its functionality can be implemented using any node, host, server, access point, or other entity suitable for providing such functionality.

[0036] A radio access network may include more than one access node 104, in which case the access nodes may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links. These links between access nodes may be used to send and receive control plane signaling, and also to route data from one access node to another.

[0037] Access node 104 can also connect to core network (CN) 110. Core network 110 may include an evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or a fifth-generation core network (5GC). EPC may include network entities such as a serving gateway (SG for routing and forwarding data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW) for providing connectivity to external packet data networks for the UE, and / or a mobility management entity (MME). 5GC may include one or more network functions such as at least one of the following: user plane function (UPF), access and mobility management function (AMF), location management function (LMF), and / or session management function (SMF).

[0038] The core network 110 may also be able to communicate with or utilize services provided by one or more external networks 113, such as the public switched telephone network or the Internet. For example, in a 5G wireless communication network, the UPF of the core network 110 may be configured to communicate with an external data network via the N6 interface. In an LTE wireless communication network, the PG of the core network 110 may be configured to communicate with an external data network.

[0039] It should also be understood that, compared to LTE or 5G, the functional distribution between core network operations and access node operations may differ in future wireless communication networks, or may not even exist.

[0040] The UEs 100 and 102 shown are a type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface can be allocated and assigned. UEs 100 and 102 may also be referred to as wireless communication devices, subscriber units, mobile stations, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, terminal equipment, or user equipment, to name just a few. UEs 100 and 102 may be computing devices operating with or without a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of computing devices: mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices, computing devices including wireless modems (e.g., alarm or measuring devices), laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, game consoles, laptops, multimedia devices, redcap devices, wearable devices with radio components (e.g., watches, headphones, or glasses), sensors including wireless modems, or computing devices including wireless modems integrated in vehicles.

[0041] It should be understood that UEs 100 and 102 can also be almost dedicated uplink-only devices, examples of which could be cameras or video cameras that load image or video clips onto the network. UEs 100 and 102 can also be devices capable of operating in Internet of Things (IoT) networks, which are scenarios where the ability to deliver data over a network to objects can be provided without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

[0042] Wireless communication networks can also support the use of cloud services. For example, at least a portion of the core network operation can be used as a cloud service (this is in...). Figure 1 The computation is performed in the cloud (described by “cloud” 114). UEs 100 and 102 can also utilize cloud 114. In some applications, computations for a given UE can be performed in cloud 114 or in another UE.

[0043] Wireless communication networks may also include a central control entity, such as a Network Management System (NMS). An NMS is a centralized suite of software and hardware used to monitor, control, and manage network infrastructure. The NMS is responsible for a wide range of tasks, such as fault management, configuration management, security management, performance management, and billing management. The NMS enables network operators to efficiently manage and optimize network resources, ensuring the network delivers high performance, reliability, and security.

[0044] 5G enables the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas in access node 104, and / or UEs 100, 102, far more base stations or access nodes than LTE networks (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites cooperating with smaller stations, and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases, and / or available spectrum. 5G wireless communication networks can support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different data sharing methods, and various forms of machine-type applications such as (massive) machine-type communication (mMTC), including vehicle safety, various sensors, and real-time control.

[0045] In 5G wireless communication networks, access nodes and / or UEs can have multiple radio interfaces, such as sub-6 GHz, centimeter wave (cmWave), and millimeter wave (mmWave), and can also be integrated with traditional radio access technologies (such as LTE). Integration with LTE can be implemented, for example, in a system where macro coverage can be provided by LTE, and 5G radio interface access can originate from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G wireless communication networks can support both RAT interoperability (such as interoperability between LTE and 5G) and RI interoperability (interoperability between radio interfaces, such as between sub-6 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave).

[0046] 5G wireless communication networks can also apply network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) can be created within the same physical infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0047] In one embodiment, access node 104 may include: a radio unit (RU) 103, including a radio transceiver (TRX), i.e., a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx); one or more distributed units (DUs) 105, which can be used for so-called Layer 1 (L1) processing and real-time Layer 2 (L2) processing; and a central unit (CU) 108 (also called a centralized unit), which can be used for non-real-time Layer 2 and Layer 3 (L3) processing. CU 108 may be connected to one or more DUs 105, for example, via an F1 interface. Such an embodiment of access node 104 allows for the centralization of CUs relative to cell sites and DUs, while DUs can be more distributed and may even be retained at the cell site. CUs and DUs together may also be referred to as baseband or baseband unit (BBU). CUs and DUs may also be included in a radio access point (RAP).

[0048] CU 108 may be a logical node hosting the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and / or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) for the NR protocol stack used by access node 104. CU 108 may include a control plane (CU-CP), which may be a logical node hosting the RRC and control plane portions of the PDCP protocol for the NR protocol stack used by access node 104. CU 108 may also include a user plane (CU-UP), which may be a logical node hosting the user plane portions of the PDCP and SDAP protocols for the CU used by access node 104.

[0049] DU 105 can be a logical node hosting the Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and / or Physical (PHY) layers of the NR protocol stack used by Access Node 104. The operation of DU 105 can be controlled at least partially by CU 108. It should also be understood that the functional distribution between DU 105 and CU 108 can vary depending on the implementation.

[0050] Cloud computing systems can also be used to provide CU 108 and / or DU 105. CUs provided by cloud computing systems can be referred to as virtualized CUs (vCUs). In addition to vCUs, virtualized DUs (vDUs) provided by cloud computing systems can also exist. Furthermore, combinations can exist where DUs can be implemented on so-called bare-metal technologies, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or customer-specific standard product (CSSP) system-on-chips (SoCs).

[0051] Edge cloud can be brought into the radio access network by leveraging Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Using edge cloud can mean that access node operations will be performed, at least partially, on a computing system operatively coupled to the Remote Radio Head (RRH) or Radio Unit (RU) 103 at access node 104. Access node operations can also be performed on a distributed computing system or cloud computing system located at access node 104. The application of a cloud RAN architecture enables the execution of real-time RAN functions at the radio access network (e.g., in DU 105) and the execution of non-real-time functions in a centralized manner (e.g., in CU 108).

[0052] 5G (or New Radio (NR)) wireless communication networks can support multiple tiers, where multi-access edge computing (MEC) servers can be placed between the core network 110 and access nodes 104. It should be understood that MEC can also be applied to LTE wireless communication networks.

[0053] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that Figure 1 The access node 104 depicted is merely an example of a portion of a radio access network, and in practice, a radio access network may include multiple access nodes 104, UEs 100 and 102 may access multiple radio cells, and the radio access network may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay access nodes or other entities. At least one of the access nodes may be a home eNodeB or a home gNodeB. A home gNodeB or home eNodeB is a type of access node that can be used to provide indoor coverage in a home, office, or other indoor environment.

[0054] In addition, multiple different types of radio cells and multiple radio cells can be provided within the geographical area of ​​the radio access network. Radio cells can be macrocells (or umbrella cells), which can be areas with diameters of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as microcells, femtocells, or picocells. Figure 1 Access node 104 can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio network can be implemented as a multi-layered access network comprising several types of radio cells. In a multi-layered access network, one access node can provide one or more radio cells, and therefore multiple access nodes may be required to provide such a multi-layered access network.

[0055] To meet the need for improved electrical performance in radio access networks, the concept of "plug-and-play" access nodes can be introduced. Besides home eNodeBs or home gNodeBs, radio access networks capable of using "plug-and-play" access nodes can also include home node B gateways (HNB-GW). Figure 1(Not shown in the image). An HNB-GW, which can be installed within an operator's radio access network, can aggregate traffic from a large number of home eNodeBs or home gNodeBs back to the operator's core network 110.

[0056] 6G wireless communication networks are expected to employ flexible decentralized and / or distributed computing systems and architectures, along with ubiquitous computing, where local spectrum licensing, spectrum sharing, infrastructure sharing, and intelligent automated management are determined by mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence, short packet communication, and blockchain technologies. Key features of 6G may include intelligent connectivity management and control capabilities, programmability, integrated sensing and communication, reduced energy consumption, trusted infrastructure, scalability, and affordability. In addition, 6G addresses new use cases by integrating location and sensing capabilities into the system definition to unify the user experience across the physical and digital worlds.

[0057] Wireless communication networks (e.g., 5G or 6G networks) may also include non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as satellite communication networks, to enhance or supplement the coverage of the radio access network. For example, satellite communications can support data transmission between the 5G radio access network and the core network 110, thereby enabling broader network coverage. Possible use cases may include providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on transportation vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future rail, maritime, or air communications. Satellite communications may utilize geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) or low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, such as mega-constellations (i.e., systems in which hundreds of (nanometer) satellites are deployed). Alternatively, satellites may be aerial devices, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or high-altitude platform systems (HAPS). A given satellite 106 may provide communication services on Earth via one or more satellite beams. One or more satellite beams create one or more cells over a given service area that can be defined by the field of view of satellite 106.

[0058] In the transparent architecture of the non-terrestrial network, the access node (NTN gateway) 104 of the non-terrestrial network is located on the ground (i.e., the base station 104 is on Earth). In this case, the satellite 106 can simply forward the signals it receives from the NTN gateway 104 to one or more UEs 100, 102, and vice versa (i.e., the satellite 106 acts as a repeater between one or more UEs 100, 102 and the NTN gateway 104). In the transparent architecture, there can be a feeder link between the satellite 106 and the terrestrial NTN gateway 104, as well as a service link between the satellite 106 and one or more UEs 100, 102 within the target service area. The transparent architecture can also be referred to as a transparent payload architecture.

[0059] Alternatively, in a regenerative architecture for a non-terrestrial network, the access nodes for the non-terrestrial network (i.e., some or all base station functions) reside on the satellite 106 itself. In this architecture, a terrestrial NTN gateway 104 or feeder link is not required. This means that the satellite 106 does not merely forward signals; it can process the signals it receives, performing functions such as decoding, demodulation, and remodulation, and then transmit the processed signals to one or more UEs 100 and 102 via a serving link. This regenerative architecture can also be referred to as having a regenerative payload.

[0060] One or more UEs 100, 102 may have Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) support. GNSS is a network of satellites that transmit positioning and timing data to GNSS receivers (e.g., UEs 100, 102) located on or near the Earth's surface. These receivers (e.g., UEs 100, 102) then use the data to determine their location (i.e., positioning). Global Positioning System (GPS) is an example of GNSS. It should be noted that NTN satellite 106 may be separate from the GNSS satellites.

[0061] For example, GNSS satellites can be distributed in a medium Earth orbit (MEO) approximately 20,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. GNSS satellites can be arranged such that at least four satellites are visible from any point on the Earth's surface at any given time. This visibility allows UEs 100 and 102 to calculate the precise time delay of signals received from a given GNSS satellite, and thus calculate the distances from UEs 100 and 102 to the GNSS satellites. With the distances to at least four satellites known, UEs 100 and 102 can determine their GNSS positions in three dimensions.

[0062] For a serving cell in a non-terrestrial communication network, the network (e.g., NTN gateway 104 or satellite 106) can broadcast ephemeris information (i.e., the trajectory of satellite 106) and common timing advance (TA) parameters. The ephemeris information indicates the position of satellite 106 relative to time. Before connecting to the NTN cell, UEs 100 and 102 should have a valid GNSS position, as well as ephemeris information and common TA. To achieve synchronization, before and during connection to the NTN cell, UEs 100 and 102 should pre-compensate for timing advance by taking into account the common TA, UE 100 and 102's GNSS position, and NTN payload position using the ephemeris information. Timing advance is the amount of time UEs 100 and 102 use to adjust or advance the timing of uplink frames to align with downlink frames in the time domain. Pre-compensation refers to adjustments made by UEs 100 and 102 to their signal transmissions to achieve synchronization with the NTN cell (e.g., to mitigate Doppler shift experienced on the serving link).

[0063] For example, UEs 100 and 102 can calculate the frequency Doppler shift of the serving link between UEs 100 and 102 and satellite 106 by considering the UE's location and the ephemeris of satellite 106, and pre-compensate for it in uplink transmissions. In another example, UEs 100 and 102 can calculate the time shift of the serving link between UEs 100 and 102 and satellite 106, as well as the feeder link between satellite 106 and NTN gateway 104. If UEs 100 and 102 do not have valid ephemeris and common TA, they may not transmit until they are reacquired. If the GNSS location becomes outdated, UEs 100 and 102 should not transmit unless an active uplink transmission extension is configured.

[0064] In connected (RRC_CONNECTED) mode, UEs 100 and 102 should continuously update timing advance and frequency precompensation. UEs 100 and 102 can be triggered to perform or configured to autonomously perform GNSS acquisition. In connected mode, UEs 100 and 102 should acquire broadcast parameters when ephemeris and common timing advance are outdated. In the event of GNSS acquisition failure, if the GNSS location is outdated and uplink transmission extension is inactive, UEs 100 and 102 can move to idle (RRC_IDLE) mode. With outdated GNSS locations, UEs 100 and 102 can move to idle mode unless GNSS acquisition is triggered or uplink transmission extension is active. Upon completion of GNSS acquisition, UEs 100 and 102 can trigger a report of the remaining effective GNSS duration.

[0065] The GNSS effective duration defines the period during which the GNSS location of UEs 100 and 102 is expected to be valid. In other words, when the GNSS effective duration expires, it means that the GNSS location of UEs 100 and 102 is outdated. For example, stationary UEs or pedestrian UEs can expect a long GNSS effective duration because their location changes little, while fast-moving UEs (e.g., in cars, trains, or airplanes) will have a shorter GNSS effective duration due to their rapid movement.

[0066] When the location of UEs 100 and 102 becomes outdated (i.e., the effective GNSS duration has expired), UEs 100 and 102 are generally not allowed to transmit in the uplink because the expected pre-compensation would be incorrect. However, if the network determines that UEs 100 and 102 are accurately pre-compensating, the network can configure a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension for the UEs. In other words, the T390 timer is a feature that the network can configure if it determines that the UEs' uplink transmissions are well aligned in time and frequency. This allows UEs 100 and 102 to continue uplink transmissions after their GNSS location has expired. This is possible, for example, if UEs 100 and 102 are stationary (not moving), meaning that the previously reported GNSS location is still valid and can therefore be used for pre-compensation (even though the effective GNSS duration has expired).

[0067] In this specification, the terms "T390 timer" and "timer for uplink transmission extension" are used interchangeably. In this document, the T390 timer refers to timer T390 as defined in the 3GPP specification (e.g., TS36.331). The T390 timer may also be referred to as the uplink transmission extension timer, or simply as a timer. When the GNSS location has become obsolete at RRC_CONNECTED, if ul-TransmissionExtensionEnable is configured and if timeAligmentTimer is configured to infinity, the UE may start timer T390, where the timer value is set to ul-TransmissionExtensionValue, and the UE may later restart timer T390 (before its expiration) upon indication from a lower layer to extend UL transmission (extending the time allowed for the UE to transmit in the uplink).

[0068] Otherwise, if the timeAligmentTimer is not configured to infinity, the UE can start timer T390, where the timer value is set to the remaining time of the timeAligmentTimer, and the UE can later restart timer T390 (before its expiration) to extend the UL transmission upon indication from a lower layer, where the timer value is set to the remaining time of the timeAligmentTimer. The timeAligmentTimer (TAT) is a UE-specific timer defined in the MAC layer to account for the effectiveness of timing advance, i.e., the UE is uplink time-aligned. The UE starts the TAT based on certain conditions, so it will have a remaining value at some later point in time. The UE can check the remaining value internally.

[0069] In other words, when the effective duration of GNSS expires (if ul-TransmissionExtensionEnabled is configured), the UE can start timer T390, and the cell can then trigger further extensions (i.e., a restart of T390) by using the Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0070] The T390 timer can be stopped when leaving RRC_CONNECTED mode or when receiving a network-triggered GNSS measurement.

[0071] If timer T390 expires and no indication of a network-triggered GNSS measurement has been received from a lower layer, the UE can perform autonomous GNSS measurements (if configured). If not configured to perform autonomous GNSS measurements, the UE can move to RRC_IDLE mode when T390 expires. GNSS measurements mean estimating the UE's position (location) based on signals received from GNSS satellites. In the current specification, the duration of timer T390 can range from 0.5 seconds to 10 seconds.

[0072] The UE can be configured to perform GNSS measurements during GNSS measurement gaps based on network triggering, or the UE can be configured to autonomously initiate GNSS measurements when the valid GNSS duration expires or when the T390 timer expires. If an instruction to perform GNSS measurements is received from a lower layer, the UE can perform GNSS measurements using a measurement gap with a gap length indicated by the lower layer, and if running, timer T390 is stopped. If gnss-AutonomousEnabled is configured, the UE can perform GNSS measurements using an autonomous gap starting from the expiration of T390, if ul-TransmissionExtensionEnabled is configured. Otherwise, the UE can initiate GNSS measurements from the expiration of the valid GNSS duration, where the gap length is indicated by the lower layer or, if not indicated by the lower layer, equal to the duration of the latest report required for the UE to acquire GNSS position.

[0073] The UE can also autonomously initiate GNSS measurements during available idle periods in RRC_CONNECTED to keep GNSS active. The exact time to initiate GNSS measurements during available idle periods can be left to the UE to implement.

[0074] For example, a UE may be allowed to perform GNSS measurements during Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception (C-DRX) inactive periods. This is feasible when the C-DRX period is long enough to accommodate GNSS measurements between C-DRX active periods (defined by C-DRX in terms of duration).

[0075] C-DRX is a power-saving technology that allows a UE to periodically switch its communication functions to a low-power mode while in connected mode. Without C-DRX, the UE would be constantly awake to decode downlink data, as downlink data can arrive at any time. C-DRX introduces inactive periods ('sleep' state) and active periods ('wake-up' state). During the 'sleep' state (off duration), the UE does not need to monitor the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), thus saving power. The UE is awake during the 'wake-up' state (on duration) to monitor the PDCCH for any possible downlink data.

[0076] When a UE performs GNSS measurements during a C-DRX inactive period, the network (e.g., the UE's serving cell) is unaware of the measurement until the UE has reported a new remaining effective GNSS duration. The UE can perform such GNSS measurements before T390 expires because the C-DRX period is long enough to accommodate GNSS measurements. It may be unclear when the UE should stop T390 and how to ensure that the UE and the cell have a shared understanding of the T390 state.

[0077] For example, if the UE stops T390 without the cell's knowledge, the cell can assume that autonomous measurement started when T390 expired. This wastes time because the cell does not schedule the UE during the autonomous measurement interval. Furthermore, if the cell does not receive new remaining GNSS validity duration, it can assume the UE has left RRC_CONNECTED when T390 expired.

[0078] Therefore, having a shared understanding of the T390 state between the UE and the cell will help avoid situations where the cell assumes that autonomous GNSS measurements have started or that the UE has moved to RRC_Idle (changing the state to RRC_Idle).

[0079] The 3GPP community has agreed that UEs should report new remaining GNSS effective durations. Therefore, whether a UE should stop T390 can be discussed based on the UE's reported new remaining GNSS effective duration. For example, if a UE performs GNSS measurements during a C-DRX inactive period, it can stop T390 when it receives confirmation from the cell that it has received confirmation of the new remaining GNSS effective duration reported by the UE. In this way, the UE and the cell have a shared understanding of the T390 status, regardless of when the UE decides to report the new remaining GNSS effective duration (e.g., during C-DRX inactive or active periods).

[0080] In some example implementations, when the UE performs a successful GNSS measurement during a C-DRX inactive period, the UE stops T390 when it receives confirmation of receiving a cell with a new remaining GNSS effective duration. If T390 expires and the UE's new remaining GNSS effective duration report is pending, the UE implementation can ensure that autonomous measurement does not begin.

[0081] When an indication that GNSS (i.e., the UE's GNSS location) has become valid is received, the UE may instruct the lower layer to report the remaining valid duration of the GNSS measurement. If the GNSS measurement is triggered by the UE using an available idle period (e.g., a C-DRX inactive period), and if the lower layer's indication that the report of the remaining valid duration of the GNSS measurement has been successfully acknowledged has been received, the UE may stop timer T390 (if it is running).

[0082] The example implementation described below ensures that when the UE performs GNSS measurements during a C-DRX inactive period, the UE and its serving cell have a common understanding of when to stop the T390 timer. The example implementation allows the UE to avoid initiating autonomous GNSS measurements while a report for a new remaining effective GNSS duration is pending (i.e., before the UE has sent such a report). For example, the UE could decide to postpone the transmission of a report for a new remaining effective GNSS duration until the C-DRX active period begins. If T390 expires before the UE has sent a report, the UE should not resume autonomous measurements because it has already acquired a valid GNSS position.

[0083] Figure 2 A signal flow diagram is shown according to an example embodiment for defining when the UE stops the T390 timer.

[0084] Reference Figure 2 At point 201, access nodes 104 and 106 of the radio access network (e.g., a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network) send a T390 configuration to UE 100. UE 100 can be configured to support NTN communication. UE 100 receives the T390 configuration. The T390 configuration may include configuration values ​​for a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension. The configuration values ​​indicate the duration of the T390 timer, for example, the time period after the T390 timer expires. The T390 configuration may also include an indication for enabling the T390 timer for uplink transmission extension (e.g., ul-TransmissionExtensionEnabled).

[0085] Access nodes 104 and 106 also send C-DRX configuration to UE 100, wherein the C-DRX configuration indicates one or more C-DRX inactive periods and one or more C-DRX active periods. The C-DRX configuration can be sent together with the T390 configuration or separately from the T390 configuration. UE 100 receives the C-DRX configuration.

[0086] Access nodes 104 and 106 can be satellite 106 or terrestrial access node 104 of the serving cell controlling UE 100.

[0087] At position 202, because the effective duration of GNSS for UE 100 expires (i.e., because the GNSS location of UE 100 becomes outdated), UE 100 starts a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension. UE 100 can start the T390 timer during C-DRX active periods or during C-DRX inactive periods. When started, the T390 timer can begin counting down from the configured value to zero over time.

[0088] At point 203, UE 100 performs GNSS measurements during C-DRX inactivity periods. UE 100 can perform this GNSS measurement while the T390 timer is running. Alternatively, UE 100 can perform the GNSS measurement before the T390 timer starts, and the T390 timer can start during the GNSS measurement (i.e., during C-DRX inactivity periods).

[0089] At position 204, UE 100 sends a report message to access nodes 104 and 106, indicating the remaining time of the (new) effective GNSS duration for UE 100 after GNSS measurements performed during the C-DRX inactivity period. UE 100 reports the new remaining effective GNSS duration starting when the GNSS measurements during the C-DRX inactivity period have been completed. Access nodes 104 and 106 receive the report message.

[0090] For example, when GNSS measurements have been successfully completed during a C-DRX inactive period, the UE 100 can send a report message.

[0091] As another example, UE 100 can send a report message when a C-DRX active period begins after a C-DRX inactive period in which GNSS measurements have already been performed.

[0092] At point 205, access nodes 104 and 106 generate and send response messages to UE 100 indicating that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message. UE 100 receives the response messages. As an example, the response message may include an RRC message indicating ACK. As another example, the response message may include a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback indicating ACK (HARQ ACK).

[0093] At point 206, based on the fact that a response message was received before the T390 timer expired, UE100 determined that access nodes 104 and 106 had received the report message before the T390 timer expired.

[0094] At point 207, based on the receipt of the response message and the determination that the T390 timer had not expired before access nodes 104 and 106 had received the report message (or before UE 100 had received the response message), UE 100 stops the T390 timer. In other words, the receipt of the response message (i.e., the acknowledgment) causes UE 100 to stop the T390 timer (if it is still running). Stopping the T390 timer means that UE 100 restricts the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the T390 timer. Otherwise, if the T390 timer had not stopped, autonomous GNSS measurements would have been initiated when the T390 timer expired or when UE 100 was about to leave RRC_CONNECTED mode.

[0095] At point 208, based at least on receiving a report message and / or sending a response message, access nodes 104 and 106 determine that UE100 has stopped the T390 timer, that is, UE100 is restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the T390 timer.

[0096] At 209, based on the determination at 208, access nodes 104 and 106 schedule radio resources (e.g., for uplink and / or downlink communication) to UE 100 during the time period associated with the autonomous GNSS measurements initiated by UE 100 under restrictions. This helps avoid wasted time, as access nodes 104 and 106 would otherwise be unable to schedule UE 100 during the intervals between autonomous GNSS measurements.

[0097] Figure 3 A signal flow diagram according to an example embodiment is shown, in which the T390 timer expires before a response message (acknowledgment) is received.

[0098] Reference Figure 3At point 301, access nodes 104 and 106 of the radio access network (e.g., a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network) send a T390 configuration to UE 100. UE 100 can be configured to support NTN communication. UE 100 receives the T390 configuration. The T390 configuration may include configuration values ​​for a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension, wherein the configuration values ​​indicate the duration of the T390 timer, i.e., the time period after the T390 timer expires. The T390 configuration may also include an indication for enabling the T390 timer for uplink transmission extension (e.g., ul-TransmissionExtensionEnabled).

[0099] Access nodes 104 and 106 also send C-DRX configuration to UE 100, wherein the C-DRX configuration indicates one or more C-DRX inactive periods and one or more C-DRX active periods. The C-DRX configuration can be sent together with the T390 configuration or separately from the T390 configuration. UE 100 receives the C-DRX configuration.

[0100] Access nodes 104 and 106 can be satellite 106 or terrestrial access node 104 of the serving cell controlling UE 100.

[0101] At point 302, due to the expiration of the effective duration of UE 100's GNSS (i.e., due to the obsolescence of UE 100's GNSS location), UE 100 starts a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension. UE 100 can start the T390 timer during C-DRX active periods or during C-DRX inactive periods. When started, the T390 timer can begin counting down from its configured value to zero over time. While the T390 timer is running, UE 100 can be in RRC connected mode.

[0102] At 303, UE 100 performs GNSS measurements during C-DRX inactivity periods. UE 100 can perform this GNSS measurement while the T390 timer is running. Alternatively, UE 100 can perform the GNSS measurement before the T390 timer starts, and the T390 timer can start during the GNSS measurement (i.e., during C-DRX inactivity periods).

[0103] At point 304, UE 100 sends a report message to access nodes 104 and 106, indicating the remaining time of the (new) effective GNSS duration for UE 100 after the GNSS measurement performed during the C-DRX inactivity period. In other words, UE 100 reports the new remaining effective GNSS duration that began when the GNSS measurement was completed during the C-DRX inactivity period. Access nodes 104 and 106 receive the report message.

[0104] For example, when a GNSS measurement has been successfully completed during a C-DRX inactive period, the UE100 can send a report message.

[0105] As another example, UE 100 can send a report message when a C-DRX active period begins after a C-DRX inactive period during which GNSS measurements are performed.

[0106] At 305, UE 100 determines that the T390 timer expires before access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message (or before the acknowledgment response message indicating that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message is received from access nodes 104 and 106).

[0107] At 306, if autonomous GNSS measurement is configured to UE 100 by access nodes 104 and 106 at 301, UE 100 restricts the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurement associated with the T390 timer based on the determination that the T390 timer has expired before the response message is received (otherwise, UE 100 will initiate the autonomous GNSS measurement when the T390 timer expires).

[0108] Alternatively, if autonomous GNSS measurements are not configured to UE 100 by access nodes 104 and 106 at point 301, UE 100 restricts its exit from the Radio Resource Control Connected (RRC_CONNECTED) mode based on the determination that the T390 timer has expired before the response message is received (otherwise, UE 100 will exit the RRC_CONNECTED mode when the T390 timer expires). In other words, after the T390 timer expires, UE 100 remains in the RRC connected mode and does not switch to another RRC mode, such as RRC idle, RRC inactive, RRC paused, or RRC resumed. For example, UE 100 can restrict entry into the RRC idle mode, which it would otherwise enter when the T390 timer expires.

[0109] At point 307, access nodes 104 and 106 generate and send response messages to UE 100 to acknowledge receipt of the report message. UE 100 receives the response messages. As an example, the response message may include an RRC message indicating ACK. As another example, the response message may include a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) feedback indicating ACK (HARQ ACK).

[0110] At 308, if autonomous GNSS measurements are configured to UE 100 by access nodes 104 and 106 at 301, access nodes 104 and 106 determine, at least based on receiving a report message, that UE 100 is restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the T390 timer.

[0111] Alternatively, if autonomous GNSS measurements are not configured to UE 100 by access nodes 104 and 106 at point 301, access nodes 104 and 106 determine, at least based on the received report message, that UE 100 is restricted from leaving RRC_CONNECTED mode when the T390 timer expires. It is useful for access nodes 104 and 106 to know that UE 100 is still in RRC_CONNECTED mode, so that access nodes 104 and 106 can then directly schedule UE 100, rather than having to first page UE 100 to, for example, switch from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED mode (thus reducing signaling overhead).

[0112] At 309, based on the determination in 308, access nodes 104 and 106 schedule radio resources (e.g., for uplink and / or downlink communication) to UE 100 during the time period associated with UE 100 restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements (if autonomous GNSS measurements are configured) or during the time period when UE 100 is restricting leaving RRC_CONNECTED mode (if autonomous GNSS measurements are not configured).

[0113] Figure 4 A signal flow graph according to an example embodiment is shown, where acknowledgment is implicit (rather than as shown). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (The explicit confirmation shown).

[0114] Reference Figure 4At 401, access nodes 104 and 106 of the radio access network (e.g., a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network) send a T390 configuration to UE 100. UE 100 can be configured to support NTN communication. UE 100 receives the T390 configuration. The T390 configuration may include configuration values ​​for a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension. The configuration values ​​indicate the duration of the T390 timer, for example, the time period after the T390 timer expires. The T390 configuration may also include an indication for enabling the T390 timer for uplink transmission extension (e.g., ul-TransmissionExtensionEnabled).

[0115] Access nodes 104 and 106 also send C-DRX configuration to UE 100, wherein the C-DRX configuration indicates one or more C-DRX inactive periods and one or more C-DRX active periods. The C-DRX configuration can be sent together with the T390 configuration or separately from the T390 configuration. UE 100 receives the C-DRX configuration.

[0116] Access nodes 104 and 106 can be satellite 106 or terrestrial access node 104 of the serving cell controlling UE 100.

[0117] At position 402, because the effective duration of GNSS for UE 100 expires (i.e., because the GNSS location of UE 100 becomes outdated), UE 100 starts a T390 timer for uplink transmission extension. UE 100 can start the T390 timer during C-DRX active periods or during C-DRX inactive periods. When started, the T390 timer can begin counting down from the configured value to zero over time.

[0118] At 403, UE 100 performs GNSS measurements during C-DRX inactivity periods. UE 100 can perform this GNSS measurement while the T390 timer is running. Alternatively, UE 100 can perform the GNSS measurement before the T390 timer starts, and the T390 timer can start during the GNSS measurement (i.e., during C-DRX inactivity periods).

[0119] At position 404, UE 100 sends a report message to access nodes 104 and 106, indicating the remaining time of the (new) effective GNSS duration for UE 100 after GNSS measurements performed during the C-DRX inactivity period. The report message may include, for example, a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) sent in Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) HARQ mode B. UE 100 reports the new remaining effective GNSS duration that began when GNSS measurements were completed during the C-DRX inactivity period. Access nodes 104 and 106 receive the report message.

[0120] For example, UE 100 can send a report message when GNSS measurements have been successfully completed during C-DRX inactive periods.

[0121] As another example, UE 100 can send a report message when a C-DRX active period begins after a C-DRX inactive period in which GNSS measurements have already been performed.

[0122] At 405, based at least on the received report message, access nodes 104 and 106 determine that UE 100 is restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the T390 timer.

[0123] At 406, based on the determination at 405, access nodes 104 and 106 schedule radio resources (e.g., for uplink and / or downlink communication) to UE 100 during the time period associated with the autonomous GNSS measurements initiated by UE 100 under restrictions. This helps avoid wasted time, as access nodes 104 and 106 would otherwise be unable to schedule UE 100 during the intervals between autonomous GNSS measurements.

[0124] At point 407, access nodes 104 and 106 send downlink control information (DCI) to UE 100, in which the New Data Indicator (NDI) is switched to indicate that new data is scheduled for UE 100. This implicitly indicates that the report message (i.e., the previous data) was correctly received, because the new data can be used in a specific HARQ procedure. If the NDI is not switched, UE 100 will have to retransmit the report message.

[0125] In other words, in this example embodiment, if access nodes 104 and 106 correctly decode the uplink packets (report messages), they can decide not to provide any explicit acknowledgment of receiving the report message. This could happen, for example, if a report message (e.g., MAC CE) is sent in PUSCH HARQ mode B, where HARQ feedback (e.g., HARQ ACK) is not expected. In this case, if UE 100 receives a new DCI (which is scheduled for the same HARQ procedure used for the transmission of the report message) and the NDI is switched, UE 100 can determine that the previous transmission of the report message was successful.

[0126] Another example of implicit acknowledgment is when UE 100 can determine that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message based on the fact that no response message or ACK / NACK has been received within a predefined time period following the transmission of the report message to access nodes 104 and 106. NACK is an abbreviation for negative acknowledgment.

[0127] At 408, based on the received NDI handover DCI, UE 100 determines that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message before the T390 timer expires.

[0128] At position 409, UE 100 stops the T390 timer based on the determination that the T390 timer has not expired before access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message. Stopping the T390 timer means that UE 100 restricts the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the T390 timer. Otherwise, if the T390 timer is not stopped, autonomous GNSS measurements will be initiated when the T390 timer expires or when UE 100 leaves RRC connected mode.

[0129] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown as an example embodiment of a method for defining the behavior of an uplink transmission extension timer for C-DRX inactive periods. Figure 5 The method can be derived from Figure 8 The device 800 depicted herein performs the function. For example, device 800 may be or include user equipment (UE) 100, or be included in user equipment (UE) 100. UE 100 may be configured to support NTN communication (i.e., communication with non-terrestrial networks).

[0130] Reference Figure 5 In block 501, device 800 starts a timer for uplink transmission extension due to the expiration of the effective duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System. This timer may refer to the T390 timer mentioned above.

[0131] In box 502, device 800 performs Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during periods of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception.

[0132] In block 503, device 800 sends a report message to access nodes 104 and 106 of the radio access network, indicating the remaining time of the device 800's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception. The radio access network can be a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network.

[0133] For example, a report message can be sent based on the successful completion of a Global Navigation Satellite System measurement during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception.

[0134] As another example, a report message can be sent based on the start of a connected mode discontinuous reception active period after a period of inactive connected mode reception.

[0135] In block 504, device 800 determines whether the timer has expired before access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message (or before determining that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message).

[0136] In box 505, based on the determination that the timer has expired before access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message (box 504: Yes), device 800 restricts the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with the timer, or device 800 restricts leaving the radio resource control (RRC) connection mode. For example, device 800 may restrict entry into one of the following: RRC idle mode, RRC inactive mode, RRC paused mode, or RRC resumed mode.

[0137] Alternatively, at box 506, based on the determination that the timer has not yet expired (box 504: no), device 800 determines whether access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message.

[0138] As an example, determining whether access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message can be based on whether a response message indicating that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message has been received (e.g., an explicit ACK or RRC message). If a response message indicating ACK has been received, device 800 can determine that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message.

[0139] As another example, determining whether access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message can be based on whether they have received an implicit acknowledgment to indicate that they have received the report message. For example, an implicit acknowledgment could refer to a DCI with a New Data Indicator (NDI) for handover, as referenced above. Figure 4 As described. If an implicit acknowledgment has been received, device 800 can determine that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message.

[0140] Another example of implicit acknowledgment is when device 800 can determine that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message based on the fact that no response message or ACK / NACK has been received within a predefined time period after the transmission of the report message to access nodes 104 and 106.

[0141] For example, determining block 506 may include: determining that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message based on receiving a response message from access nodes 104 and 106 confirming that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message; or determining that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message based on not receiving a response message from access nodes 104 and 106 within a predefined time period after the transmission of the report message.

[0142] As another example, determining whether access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message can be based on whether the report message has been sent to access nodes 104 and 106. If the report message has been sent, the device 800 can determine that access nodes 104 and 106 have received the report message.

[0143] In block 507, device 800 stops the timer based on receiving a response message (block 506: Yes) and based on determining that the timer had not expired before the response message was received (block 504: No).

[0144] Alternatively, based on the determination that the response message was not received (box 506: No), the process can return to box 504 and continue from there. If the response message includes a negative ACK or negative acknowledgment (NACK), the device 800 can retransmit the report message (i.e., the process can return to box 503).

[0145] Figure 6 A flowchart is shown as an example embodiment of a method for defining the behavior of an uplink transmission extension timer for C-DRX inactive periods. Figure 6 The method can be derived from Figure 8The device 800 depicted herein performs the operation. For example, device 800 may be or include user equipment (UE) 100, or be included in user equipment (UE) 100. UE 100 may be configured to support NTN communication.

[0146] refer to Figure 6 In block 601, device 800 starts a timer for uplink transmission extension due to the expiration of the effective duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System. This timer may refer to the T390 timer mentioned above.

[0147] In box 602, device 800 performs Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during periods of inactivity in discontinuous reception in connected mode.

[0148] In block 603, device 800 sends a report message to access nodes 104 and 106 of the radio access network, indicating the remaining time of the device 800's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception. The radio access network can be a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network.

[0149] For example, a report message can be sent based on the successful completion of a Global Navigation Satellite System measurement during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception.

[0150] As another example, a report message can be sent based on the start of a connected mode discontinuous reception active period after a period of inactive connected mode reception.

[0151] In block 604, if the timer is running (i.e., if the timer has not yet expired), device 800 stops the timer based on or in response to sending a report message.

[0152] Figure 7 A flowchart is shown as an example embodiment of a method for defining the behavior of an uplink transmission extension timer for C-DRX inactive periods. Figure 7 The method can be derived from Figure 9 The apparatus 900 depicted herein is implemented. For example, apparatus 900 may be, or include, access nodes 104, 106 of a radio access network, or be included in access nodes 104, 106 of a radio access network. Access nodes may be included in satellite 106 (e.g., an eNB or gNB on satellite 106), or access nodes may be terrestrial access nodes 104. In other words, the radio access network may be a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network.

[0153] Reference Figure 7In block 701, device 900 receives a report message from user equipment 100 indicating the remaining time of the effective duration of the user equipment 100's global navigation satellite system after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by user equipment 100 during a period of inactive discontinuous reception in connected mode.

[0154] In block 702, device 900 determines, at least based on receiving a report message, that user equipment 100 is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that user equipment 100 is restricting its departure from radio resource control connection mode when the timer expires. This timer may refer to the aforementioned T390 timer.

[0155] Based on this determination, device 900 can schedule radio resources to user equipment 100 during the time period associated with autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements initiated by user equipment 100 under restrictions.

[0156] Alternatively, based on this determination, device 900 may schedule radio resources to user equipment 100 during the period when user equipment 100 is restricted from leaving radio resource control connection mode.

[0157] The device 900 can generate a response message indicating that the device 900 has received the report message and send the response message to the user equipment 100.

[0158] If the timer has not expired before the response message is received at user equipment 100, the response message can cause or be configured to cause user equipment 100 to stop the timer.

[0159] Alternatively, device 900 may choose not to send a response message to user equipment 100.

[0160] The above relies on Figures 2 to 7 The described boxes, related functions, and information exchanges (messages) are not in absolute chronological order, and some of them may be executed simultaneously or in an order different from that described. Other functions may also be executed between or within them, and other information may be sent and / or other rules may be applied. Some boxes or portions of boxes or one or more messages may also be omitted or replaced by corresponding boxes or portions of boxes or one or more messages.

[0161] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0162] Figure 8 The illustration includes examples for performing one or more of the above-described example embodiments (e.g., Figure 5 or Figure 6 Examples of devices 800 that are components of a method. For example, device 800 may be a device such as user equipment (UE) 100, 102, or that includes or is included in user equipment (UE) 100, 102.

[0163] The device 800 may include circuitry or chipsets suitable for implementing one or more of the example embodiments described above. For example, the device 800 may include at least one processor 810. The at least one processor 810 interprets instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) and processes data. The at least one processor 810 may include one or more programmable processors. The at least one processor 810 may include programmable hardware with embedded firmware and may alternatively or additionally include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0164] At least one processor 810 is coupled to at least one memory 820. The at least one processor is configured to read data from and write data to at least one memory 820. At least one memory 820 may include one or more memory cells. Memory cells may be volatile or non-volatile. It should be noted that one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present, or alternatively, one or more cells of non-volatile memory, or alternatively, one or more cells of volatile memory. Volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Non-volatile memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage, or magnetic storage. Generally, memory may be referred to as a non-transient computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transient" refers to a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM). At least one memory 820 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by at least one processor 810 to perform one or more of the example embodiments described above. For example, non-volatile memory stores computer-readable instructions, and at least one processor 810 uses volatile memory for temporary storage of data and / or instructions to execute instructions. Computer-readable instructions may refer to computer program code.

[0165] Computer-readable instructions may be pre-stored in at least one memory 820, or alternatively or additionally, they may be received by the device via an electromagnetic carrier signal and / or copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product. Execution of the computer-readable instructions by at least one processor 810 causes the device 800 to perform one or more of the methods and / or blocks described above. That is, at least one processor and at least one memory storing the instructions can provide components for providing or causing execution of any of the methods and / or blocks described above.

[0166] In the context of this document, "memory" or "computer-readable medium" can be any non-transient medium or component that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. As used herein, the term "non-transient" is a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile) and not on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0167] The device 800 may also include or be connected to the input unit 830. The input unit 830 may include one or more interfaces for receiving input. The one or more interfaces may include, for example, one or more temperature, motion and / or orientation sensors, one or more cameras, one or more accelerometers, one or more microphones, one or more buttons and / or one or more touch detection units. In addition, the input unit 830 may include interfaces to which external devices can be connected.

[0168] The device 800 may also include an output unit 840. The output unit may include or be connected to one or more displays capable of displaying visual content, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and / or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) display. The output unit 840 may also include one or more audio outputs. The one or more audio outputs may be, for example, speakers.

[0169] Device 800 also includes a connection unit 850. Connection unit 850 enables wireless connectivity to one or more external devices. Connection unit 850 includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver that can be integrated into or connected to device 800. The at least one transmitter includes at least one transmitting antenna, and the at least one receiver includes at least one receiving antenna. Connection unit 850 may include an integrated circuit or a set of integrated circuits providing wireless communication capabilities to device 800. Alternatively, the wireless connection may be a hard-wired application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Connection unit 850 may also provide components for performing at least some blocks or functions of one or more of the above example embodiments. Connection unit 850 may include one or more components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as: a power amplifier, a digital front-end (DFE), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a frequency converter, a (de)modulator, and / or encoder / decoder circuitry.

[0170] It should be noted that device 800 may further include Figure 8 Various components are not shown. These components can be hardware components and / or software components.

[0171] Figure 9 The illustration includes examples for performing one or more of the above-described example embodiments (e.g., Figure 7 Examples of apparatus 900 (method) components. For example, apparatus 900 may be, or include, access nodes 104, 106 of a radio access network, or be included in access nodes 104, 106 of a radio access network. Access nodes may be included in satellite 106 (e.g., an eNB or gNB on satellite 106), or access nodes may be terrestrial access nodes 104. In other words, the radio access network may be a non-terrestrial network or a terrestrial network.

[0172] Apparatus 900 may include, for example, circuitry or chipsets suitable for implementing one or more of the example embodiments described above. Apparatus 900 may be an electronic device including one or more electronic circuits. Apparatus 900 may include communication control circuitry 910, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 920 storing instructions 922, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause apparatus 900 to perform one or more of the example embodiments described above. Such instructions 922 may, for example, include computer program code (software). At least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions may provide components for providing or causing the execution of any of the methods and / or blocks described above.

[0173] A processor is coupled to memory 920. The processor is configured to read data from memory 920 and write data to memory 920. Memory 920 may include one or more memory cells. Memory cells may be volatile or non-volatile. It should be noted that one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present, or alternatively, one or more cells of non-volatile memory, or alternatively, one or more cells of volatile memory. Volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Non-volatile memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage, or magnetic storage devices. Generally, memory may be referred to as a non-transient computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transient" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), not a limitation of data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM). Memory 920 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by the processor. For example, non-volatile memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor uses volatile memory for temporary storage of data and / or instructions to execute instructions.

[0174] Computer-readable instructions may be pre-stored in memory 920, or alternatively or additionally, they may be received by the device via an electromagnetic carrier signal and / or copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product. Execution of the computer-readable instructions causes the device 900 to perform one or more of the functions described above.

[0175] The memory 920 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. The memory may include a configuration database for storing configuration data, such as a current list of neighboring cells, and in some example embodiments, the memory includes the structure of frames used in detected neighboring cells.

[0176] The device 900 may also include or be connected to a communication interface 930 (such as a radio unit), which includes hardware and / or software for establishing a communication connection with one or more wireless communication devices according to one or more communication protocols. The communication interface 930 includes at least one transmitter (Tx) and at least one receiver (Rx) that can be integrated into or connected to the device 900. The communication interface 930 may provide components for performing some blocks and / or functions (e.g., transmitting and receiving) of the one or more example embodiments described above. The communication interface 930 may include one or more components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as: a power amplifier, a digital front end (DFE), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a frequency converter, a (de)modulator, and / or encoder / decoder circuitry.

[0177] Communication interface 930 provides the device with radio communication capabilities for communication within a wireless communication network. The communication interface may, for example, provide a radio interface to one or more UEs 100, 102. Device 900 may also include or connect to another interface toward core network 110 (such as a network coordinator device or AMF), and / or connect to other access nodes in the wireless communication network.

[0178] The apparatus 900 may also include a scheduler 940 configured to allocate radio resources. The scheduler 940 may be configured together with the communication control circuitry 910 or may be configured separately.

[0179] It should be noted that device 900 may further include Figure 9 Various components are not shown. These components can be hardware components and / or software components.

[0180] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: a) a hardware circuit implementation only (such as an implementation only in analog and / or digital circuits); and b) a combination of hardware circuits and software, such as (where applicable): i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware, and ii) any part of a hardware processor having software (including digital signal processors, software, and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone to perform various functions); and c) hardware circuits and / or processors that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, such as a microprocessor or a portion thereof, but which may be absent when operation is not required.

[0181] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application (including any claims). As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or processors) or a portion thereof and their accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit" also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0182] The techniques and methods described herein can be implemented through various components. For example, these techniques can be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof. For hardware implementations, the apparatus(s) of the example embodiments can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof. For firmware or software, the implementation can be executed by a module of at least one chipset (e.g., processes, functions, etc.) performing the functions described herein. Software code can be stored in memory cells and executed by a processor. Memory cells can be implemented within or outside the processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various components known in the art. Furthermore, as those skilled in the art will understand, the components of the systems described herein can be rearranged and / or supplemented by additional components to facilitate implementation of the various aspects described herein, and they are not limited to the precise configurations illustrated in the given figures.

[0183] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, with advancements in technology, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Embodiments are not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but may vary within the scope of the claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments.

[0184] Clause 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the apparatus's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message, stop the timer; or based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict leaving the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode.

[0185] Clause 2. The apparatus according to Clause 1, wherein the reporting message is transmitted based on the successful completion of the Global Navigation Satellite System measurement during the period of inactivity of the discontinuous reception in the connection mode.

[0186] Clause 3. The apparatus according to Clause 1, wherein the reporting message is sent based on the start of a connection mode discontinuous reception active period after the connection mode discontinuous reception inactive period.

[0187] Clause 4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses is further configured to: determine whether the access node has received the report message, wherein the determination includes: determining that the access node has received the report message based on receiving a response message from the access node acknowledging that the access node has received the report message; or determining that the access node has received the report message based on not receiving a response message from the access node within a predetermined time period after the transmission of the report message.

[0188] Clause 5. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 1 to 3 is further configured to: determine whether the access node has received the report message based on whether the report message has been sent to the access node.

[0189] Clause 6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the radio access network is a non-terrestrial network, and wherein the apparatus is configured to support communication with the non-terrestrial network.

[0190] Clause 7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment.

[0191] Clause 8. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a report message from a user equipment, the report message indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and, at least based on receiving the report message, determine that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0192] Clause 9. The apparatus according to Clause 8 is further configured to: based on the determination, schedule radio resources to the user equipment during a time period associated with the user equipment being restricted from initiating the autonomous global navigation satellite system measurement.

[0193] Clause 10. The apparatus according to Clause 8 is further configured to: schedule radio resources to the user equipment during the time period in which the user equipment is restricted from leaving the radio resource control connection mode, based on the determination.

[0194] Clause 11. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 8 to 10 is further configured to: generate a response message indicating that the apparatus has received the report message; and send the response message to the user equipment.

[0195] Clause 12. The apparatus according to Clause 11, wherein the response message is configured to cause the user equipment to stop the timer if the timer has not expired before the response message is received at the user equipment.

[0196] Clause 13. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 8 to 12, wherein the apparatus is an access node of a radio access network.

[0197] Clause 14. The apparatus described in Clause 13, wherein the radio access network is a non-terrestrial network.

[0198] Clause 15. An apparatus comprising: components for initiating a timer for uplink transmission extension; components for performing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements during a connected mode discontinuous reception inactivity period; components for sending a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the apparatus's GNSS effective duration after the GNSS measurements performed during the connected mode discontinuous reception inactivity period; components for determining whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; and components for stopping the timer based on determining that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or components for restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restricting departure from Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode based on determining that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0199] Clause 16. The apparatus of Clause 15, wherein the component for transmitting the report message is configured to transmit the report message based on the successful completion of the Global Navigation Satellite System measurement during a period of inactivity in the connection mode.

[0200] Clause 17. The apparatus according to Clause 15, wherein the component for sending the report message is configured to send the report message based on the start of a connection mode discontinuous reception active period after the connection mode discontinuous reception inactive period.

[0201] Clause 18. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 15 to 17 further includes: a component for determining whether the access node has received the report message, wherein the determination includes: determining that the access node has received the report message based on receiving a response message from the access node acknowledging that the access node has received the report message; or determining that the access node has received the report message based on not receiving a response message from the access node within a predetermined time period after the transmission of the report message.

[0202] Clause 19. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 15 to 17 further includes: a component for determining whether the access node has received the report message based on whether the report message has been sent to the access node.

[0203] Clause 20. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 15 to 19, wherein the radio access network is a non-terrestrial network, and wherein the apparatus is configured to support communication with the non-terrestrial network.

[0204] Clause 21. The device pursuant to any one of Clauses 15 to 20, wherein the device is a user equipment.

[0205] Clause 22. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving a report message from a user equipment, the report message indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and a component for determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0206] Clause 23. The apparatus according to Clause 22 further includes: a component for scheduling radio resources to the user equipment based on the determination during a time period associated with the user equipment being restricted from initiating the autonomous global navigation satellite system measurement.

[0207] Clause 24. The apparatus according to Clause 22 further includes: a component for scheduling radio resources to the user equipment based on the determination that the user equipment is restricted from leaving the radio resource control connection mode during the time period.

[0208] Clause 25. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 22 to 24 further includes: components for generating a response message indicating that the apparatus has received the report message; and components for sending the response message to the user equipment.

[0209] Clause 26. The apparatus according to Clause 25, wherein the response message is configured to cause the user equipment to stop the timer if the timer has not expired before the response message is received at the user equipment.

[0210] Clause 27. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 22 to 26, wherein the apparatus is an access node of a radio access network.

[0211] Clause 28. The apparatus described in Clause 27, wherein the radio access network is a non-terrestrial network.

[0212] Clause 29. A method comprising: initiating a timer for uplink transmission extension; performing a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of discontinuous reception inactivity in connected mode; sending a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the effective duration of the GNSS following the GNSS measurement performed during the period of discontinuous reception inactive in connected mode; determining whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; stopping the timer based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message; or restricting the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restricting departure from Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message.

[0213] Clause 30. The method according to Clause 29, wherein the reporting message is sent based on the successful completion of the Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during the period of inactivity of the discontinuous reception in the connection mode.

[0214] Clause 31. The method according to Clause 29, wherein the reporting message is sent based on the start of a connection mode discontinuous reception active period after the connection mode discontinuous reception inactive period.

[0215] Clause 32. The method according to any one of Clauses 29 to 31 further includes: determining whether the access node has received the report message, wherein the determination includes: determining that the access node has received the report message based on receiving a response message from the access node acknowledging that the access node has received the report message; or determining that the access node has received the report message based on not receiving a response message from the access node within a predetermined time period after the sending of the report message.

[0216] Clause 33. The method according to any one of Clauses 29 to 31 further includes: determining whether the access node has received the report message based on whether the report message has been sent to the access node.

[0217] Clause 34. A method comprising: receiving a report message from a user equipment, the report message indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a discontinuous reception inactivity period in connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

[0218] Clause 35. The method according to Clause 34 further comprises: scheduling radio resources to the user equipment during a time period associated with the user equipment being restricted from initiating the autonomous global navigation satellite system measurement, based on the determination.

[0219] Clause 36. The method according to Clause 34 further comprises: scheduling radio resources to the user equipment during the time period in which the user equipment is restricted from leaving the radio resource control connection mode, based on the determination.

[0220] Clause 37. The method according to any one of Clauses 34 to 36 further includes: generating an acknowledgment response message indicating that the report message has been received; and sending the response message to the user equipment.

[0221] Clause 38. The method according to Clause 37, wherein the response message is configured to cause the user equipment to stop the timer if the timer has not expired before the response message is received at the user equipment.

[0222] Clause 39. A non-transient computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: initiate a timer for uplink transmission extension; perform a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurement during a period of inactive connected mode discontinuous reception; send a report message to an access node of a radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the device's effective GNSS duration after the GNSS measurement performed during the period of inactive connected mode discontinuous reception; determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message, stop the timer; or based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, restrict the initiation of autonomous GNSS measurements associated with the timer or restrict departure from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode.

[0223] Clause 40. A non-transient computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving a report message from a user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration after a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a period of discontinuous reception in the connected mode; and determining, at least based on receiving the report message, that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connected mode when the timer expires.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Start a timer for uplink transmission extension; Perform Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during periods of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; Send a report message to the access node of the radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the device's effective global navigation satellite system duration after the global navigation satellite system measurement performed during the non-continuous reception inactivity period of the connection mode; Determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; as well as Based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message, the timer is stopped; or Based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with the timer is restricted or the departure from radio resource control connection mode is restricted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reporting message is transmitted based on the successful completion of the Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during the period of inactivity in the connection mode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the report message is sent based on the start of a connection mode discontinuous reception active period after the connection mode discontinuous reception inactive period.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 is further configured such that: Determining whether the access node has received the report message, wherein the determination includes: Based on receiving a response message from the access node confirming that the access node has received the report message, it is determined that the access node has received the report message; or If no response message is received from the access node within a predetermined time period after the report message is sent, it is determined that the access node has received the report message.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Whether the access node has received the report message is determined based on whether the report message has been sent to the access node.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio access network is a non-terrestrial network, and wherein the apparatus is configured to support communication with the non-terrestrial network.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment.

8. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive a report message from the user equipment indicating the remaining time of the user equipment's effective global navigation satellite system duration following a global navigation satellite system measurement performed by the user equipment during a period of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; and Based at least on receiving the reported message, it is determined that the user equipment is restricting the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with a timer for uplink transmission extension, or that the user equipment is restricting leaving the radio resource control connection mode when the timer expires.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: Based on the determination, radio resources are scheduled to the user equipment during the time period associated with the user equipment's restricted initiation of the autonomous global navigation satellite system measurement.

10. A method for communication, comprising: Start a timer for uplink transmission extension; Perform Global Navigation Satellite System measurements during periods of inactivity in connected mode discontinuous reception; Send a report message to the access node of the radio access network, the report message indicating the remaining time of the effective duration of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) following the GNSS measurement performed during the non-continuous reception inactivity period of the connection mode; Determine whether the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message; Based on the determination that the timer has not expired before the access node has received the report message, the timer is stopped; or Based on the determination that the timer has expired before the access node has received the report message, the initiation of autonomous global navigation satellite system measurements associated with the timer is restricted or the departure from radio resource control connection mode is restricted.

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