Apparatus, method, and computer program

Abstract

A method, computer program and apparatus are provided for causing a non-stationary first access node to determine to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context, and providing a first proxy node to the user context with notification that the user context is stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present description relates generally to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not exclusively) to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for network devices. [Background technology]

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

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

[0004] Communication systems and associated devices typically operate according to predefined standards or specifications that define what the various entities involved in the system are allowed to do and how they should do it. The communication protocols and parameters used for connection are also generally defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: means for determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node, the first proxy node informing the first proxy node that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node.

[0006] The means for determining may include means for determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period, and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period, and / or determining, based on a traffic pattern associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data in a predetermined third time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

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

[0008] The means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node may include means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

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

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

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

[0012] The means for causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context may include means for performing providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0013] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include means for performing the providing of the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

[0014] The apparatus may comprise means for performing receiving an identifier of a non-stationary second access node from a non-stationary first access node.

[0015] The apparatus may comprise means for performing receiving an identifier of a non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying each access node.

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

[0017] The apparatus may comprise means for performing providing user context for each and every access node.

[0018] The apparatus may comprise means for performing identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0019] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node along with notification of when the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

[0022] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a first and / or second proxy node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment; and resuming a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0023] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include means for receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0024] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include means for performing the resumption in response to signaling a paging signal triggering the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0025] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may comprise means for performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the user equipment, a notification to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure, if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

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

[0029] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection may include means for receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

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

[0031] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include means for obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0032] The means for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include means for performing the resumption in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a paging signal trigger to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0035] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node along with a notification that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0036] The determining may include determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period, and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period, and / or determining that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data in a predetermined third time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period based on traffic patterns associated with the user equipment.

[0037] The apparatus may include identifying a non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and providing an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0038] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

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

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

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

[0042] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node may include performing providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0043] Having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context may include performing the providing of the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

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

[0047] The apparatus may include providing a user context for each and every access node.

[0048] The apparatus may include performing identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

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

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

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

[0052] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: receive, from a first and / or second proxy node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment; and resume a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0053] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0054] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to signaling a paging signal trigger to the user equipment to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0055] Restarting the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving a notification from the user equipment to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0058] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for user equipment, the apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: establish a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection defined by a user context; suspend the radio resource control connection using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure; and resume the radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0059] Resuming the radio resource control connection may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

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

[0061] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; generating a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the count value; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0062] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a paging signal trigger to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0065] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the method comprising: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and providing the user context to a first proxy node together with a notification that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0066] The determining may include determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period, and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period, and / or determining that, based on traffic patterns associated with the user equipment, the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data in a predetermined third time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0067] The method may include identifying a non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and providing an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0068] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0069] The first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of a land-based gateway to the core network, a database located in the core network, and / or a management entity.

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

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

[0072] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0073] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include performing direct provisioning of the user context to the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

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

[0077] The method may include providing a user context to each and every access node.

[0078] The method may include identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0079] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node along with notification of when the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

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

[0083] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the count value; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0084] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to signaling a paging signal trigger to the user equipment to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0085] Restarting the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving a notification from the user equipment to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

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

[0089] Resuming the radio resource control connection may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

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

[0091] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0092] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a paging signal trigger to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0095] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: a decision circuit for deciding to interrupt a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and a providing circuit for providing the user context to a first proxy node together with a notification that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0096] The determination circuit for making a determination may include executing circuitry for performing: determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period; and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period; and / or determining, based on a traffic pattern associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data in a predetermined third time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0097] The apparatus may include an identifying circuit for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and a providing circuit for providing an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0098] The identification circuit for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node comprises identification circuitry for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or a registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment. The identification circuit may comprise identification circuitry for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the following:

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

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

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

[0102] The triggering circuit for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include a providing circuit for providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context will be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

[0105] The apparatus may comprise a receiving circuit for receiving an identifier of a non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying each access node.

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

[0107] The apparatus may include a provisioning circuit for providing a user context to each and every access node.

[0108] The apparatus may include identification circuitry for identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0109] The triggering circuit for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include triggering circuitry for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node along with notification of when the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

[0112] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the apparatus comprising: a receiving circuit for receiving, from a first and / or second proxy node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment; and a resuming circuit for resuming a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0113] The resumption circuitry for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include a receiving circuitry for receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; a using circuitry for using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and a using circuitry for using the plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0114] The resuming circuitry for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include an executing circuit for performing the resuming in response to signaling a trigger in a paging signal to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0115] The resuming circuitry for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may comprise an executing circuit for performing the resuming in response to receiving a notification from the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure when the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

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

[0119] The resumption circuit for resuming the radio resource control connection may include a receiving circuit for receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node, a generating circuit for using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment, and a using circuit for using the plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment.

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

[0121] The resumption circuit for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may comprise means for obtaining notification of the count value from a user context; a using circuit for using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and using the plurality of keys to encrypt communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment.

[0122] The resuming circuitry for resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include an executing circuit for performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a trigger of a paging signal to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0125] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions to cause an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node to at least: determine to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and provide the user context to a first proxy node with notification that the user context is stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node.

[0126] The determining may include determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period, and / or determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the second time period, and / or determining, based on traffic patterns associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data in a predetermined third time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the third time period.

[0127] The apparatus may include identifying a non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and providing an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0128] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

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

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

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

[0132] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include performing providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context will be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0133] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include performing direct provisioning of the user context to the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

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

[0137] The apparatus may include providing a user context for each and every access node.

[0138] The apparatus may include performing identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0139] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node along with notification of when the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

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

[0142] According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions to cause an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node to at least: receive, from a first and / or second proxy node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment; and resume a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0143] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0144] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to signaling a paging signal trigger to the user equipment to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0145] Restarting the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving a notification from the user equipment to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

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

[0149] Resuming the radio resource control connection may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node; generating, using the count value, a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

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

[0151] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; generating a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the count value; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0152] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a paging signal trigger to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

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

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

[0155] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium capable of causing an apparatus to perform any of the methods described herein.

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

[0157] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a chipset comprising an apparatus as described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0158] Some embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a 5G system. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a 5G system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a user equipment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform one or more steps of the method of some embodiments. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the network. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the signaling between the devices. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example of a scenario between devices in this embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of signaling between devices in this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating example operations performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating example operations performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating example operations performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating example operations performed by the devices described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0159] In the following description of an embodiment, an aspect will be described with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system that provides service to such mobile communication device. For brevity and clarity, such an aspect will be described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that such an aspect is not limited to a 5G wireless communication system and may be applied to, for example, other wireless communication systems (e.g., the currently proposed 6G).

[0160] Before describing the embodiments in detail, the general principles of a 5G wireless communication system will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0161] 1A schematically illustrates a 5G system (5GS) 100. The 5GS includes a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as communication equipment or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) 104 (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP® interworking function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP® gateway function (TNGF) for untrusted / trusted non-3GPP® access or a wired access wired access gateway function (W-AGF)), a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0162] The 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0163] The 5GC 106 may include one or more Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) 112, one or more Session Management Functions (SMFs) 114, one or more Authentication Server Functions (AUSFs) 116, one or more Unified Data Management (UDM) Functions 118, one or more User Plane Functions (UPFs) 120, one or more Unified Data Repository (UDR) Functions 122, one or more Network Repository Functions (NRFs) 128, and / or one or more Network Exposure Functions (NEFs) 124. The role of the NEFs is to securely provide network services (e.g., voice, data connectivity, billing, subscriber data, etc.) towards third parties. While the NRF 128 is not depicted with interfaces, this is for clarity and it is understood that the NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0164] The 5GC 106 also includes a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) 126. The NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information in response to requests from one or more network functions or devices in the network. Network functions may also subscribe to the NWDAF 126 to receive information therefrom. Thus, the NWDAF 126 is configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices in the network. Data collection by the NWDAF 126 may be performed based on at least one subscription to events provided by at least one network function.

[0165] The network may further include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS management service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer can provide data analysis in the management plane that considers parameters including, for example, load levels and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer for a network function (NF) can collect load-related performance data for the NF, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data can provide a prediction of resource usage information for a predetermined future time window. This analysis can also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource scaling, admission control, traffic load balancing, etc.

[0166] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of 5GC as expressed in current 3GPP specifications. This architecture is intended to illustrate components that may be included in a core network, and it will be understood that the principles currently described are not limited to core networks that include only the components described.

[0167] 1B shows a 5G Core 106′ that includes a UPF 120′ connected to an SMF 114′ via an N4 interface. The SMF 114′ is connected to each of the UDM 122′, NEF 124′, NWDAF 126′, AF 108′, Policy Control Function (PCF) 130′, AMF 112′, and Charging Function 132′ via an interconnection medium that connects these network functions to each other. The 5G Core 106′ further includes a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133′ and Network Function 134′ that connect to the interconnection medium.

[0168] 3GPP® refers to a group of organizations that develops and releases various standardized communications protocols. 3GPP® develops and publishes documents related to a system of "Releases" (e.g., Release 15, Release 16, and later).

[0169] The following is about non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). NTNs refer to networks that can provide connectivity to a core network via space vehicles (such as satellites) and / or via airborne platforms. These networks can therefore provide wireless connectivity between terrestrial user equipment (UE) and vehicles / platforms.

[0170] NTN was defined in 3GPP® Release 17 for New Radio and Narrowband (NB)-Internet of Things (IoT) / enhanced Machine-Based Communications (eMTC). As part of preparations for Release 18, companies have submitted further proposals for NTN within the 3GPP® framework.

[0171] One possible operation / use case concerns the store and forward operation of the IoT NTN.

[0172] Store-and-Forward (S&F) is a new feature that enables satellites to provide services to IoT NTN devices even during periods / regions when the satellite is not connected to a terrestrial gateway that connects it to the core network. The eNB onboard architecture assumes that the satellite includes Radio Access Node (RAN) functionality so that the UE treats the satellite as a RAN node. There is a feeder link, which is the link connecting the satellite (including the eNB) to the gateway (which is connected to the core network). There is also a service link, which is the link connecting the satellite (eNB) to the UE. Non-simultaneous operation of the service link and feeder link is also supported. Messages received by the satellite during periods when the satellite is not connected to a terrestrial gateway can be stored in the satellite until line-of-sight with the gateway is established. To support this, the 3GPP framework may include separate signaling procedures (e.g., support for signaling between the UE and a satellite with an onboard Radio Access Network (RAN) node, and separate support for signaling between a satellite with an onboard RAN node and a gateway to a core network entity). It would also be useful to support dynamic attachment between gateways and satellites.

[0173] Dynamic attachment refers to dynamic connection setup and / or dynamic connection release. Dynamic attachment in this embodiment provides support for situations where a feeder link between an eNB on a satellite and a core network attachment point (e.g., a non-terrestrial network gateway) may be unavailable. In contrast, terrestrial-based access points always have access to the core network. It should be understood that the techniques described below in connection with a satellite with an access point can be applied to any access point to a core network that has intermittent access to the core network.

[0174] Store-and-forward operation is based on the Release 17 concept of a discontinuous coverage scenario where the UE only gets occasional, temporary coverage from the satellite. The discontinuous coverage scenario is extended by store-and-forward operation to also define that the satellite is not always connected to the core network.

[0175] A store-and-forward architecture can enable low-cost deployments involving just a few satellites and a few ground stations, which means that the connection cost per device can be further reduced compared to current NTN architectures, at the expense of only being able to support delay-tolerant data.

[0176] A key challenge in deploying store-and-forward is how the UE can establish a secure connection with the core network when the links between the UE and the satellite and between the satellite and the core network are simultaneously unavailable.

[0177] If a connection between a UE and a core network has previously been established, it may be beneficial to retain the Access Stratum (AS) security and Radio Resource Control (RRC) configurations established during that connection (the combination of which is referred to herein as the "UE context") on both the UE and core network sides.

[0178] After receiving an RRC Connection Release message indicating an RRC interruption as the cause, the UE may store the UE context. The UE context may store a resumption identifier (Resumption ID) for resuming the connection (for an Evolved Packet System (EPS), the Resumption ID is the Interactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) in 5GS). The UE may then notify the core network of the Resumption ID when the connection is resumed. For example, the connection may be resumed based on the availability of mobile-originated traffic, re-establishment after a radio link failure and / or handover failure, and / or network paging. When the eNB receives the Resumption ID, the eNB may load the UE context from the previous serving eNB. The Resumption ID may identify the previously serving eNB. This procedure is described in conjunction with FIG. 6.

[0179] FIG. 6 shows signaling that may be performed between a UE 601, a new access node (new access node) 602, an old access node 603, a mobility management entity (MME) 604, and a serving gateway (S-GW) 605.

[0180] During 6001, the UE 601 signals the new access node 602. This 6001 signaling may include a random access preamble to access the new access node 602.

[0181] During 6002, the new access node 602 responds to the signaling of 6001. Thus, the signaling of 6002 may include a random access response.

[0182] During 6003, the UE 601 signals to the new access node 602. This 6003 signaling may include a request to resume the previous RRC connection. This 6003 signaling may include an RRCConnectionResumeRequest service operation. The 6003 signaling may include a resume ID and / or an indication of the cause of the 6003 request. The 6003 signaling may include a short Medium Access Control (MAC) address for a short resume procedure.

[0183] During 6004, the new access node signals the old access node 603. This 6004 signaling may include a request that the old access node 603 provide the new access node 602 with the UE context associated with the RRC connection being resumed. This signaling 6004 may include a Retrieve UE Context Request service operation, since in current systems the UE context is always stored in the last serving RAN node (e.g., eNB) that interrupted the UE's RRC connection. The Retrieve procedure may be facilitated directly via eNB-to-eNB (also referred to as the X2 interface) or via NG-RAN node-to-NG RAN node (also referred to as the Xn interface).

[0184] During 6005, the old access node 603 responds to the signaling of 6004. This response may include the UE context requested during 6004. This 6005 signaling may include the obtainable UE context response service operation.

[0185] During 6006, the new access node 602 responds to the signaling of 6003. This signaling of 6006 may include an RRCConnectionResume service operation. This signaling of 6006 may indicate the next hop number.

[0186] During 6007, the UE may enter an RRC connected state as AD security is re-established and signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs) are resumed using the UE context.

[0187] During 6008, the UE 601 signals to the new access node 602. This 6008 signaling may indicate that the RRC connection resumption procedure is complete. This 6008 signaling may include an RRCConnectionResumeComplete service operation.

[0188] During 6009, the new access node 602 may signal the MME 604. This 6009 signaling may include a request to the entity attempting to contact the UE 601 to perform a path switching operation.

[0189] During 6010, the MME 604 and the S-GW 605 may exchange signaling to modify the bearer to perform the path switch request.

[0190] During 6011, the MME 604 responds to the signaling of 6009. This signaling may be an acknowledgment of the path switch request of 6009.

[0191] During 6012, the new access node 602 signals the old access node 603. This 6012 signaling may be a request to release the UE context previously provided in 6005. In response to receiving this signaling, the old access node 603 may release the UE context.

[0192] During 6013, the UE 601 signals uplink data to the S-GW via the new access node 602.

[0193] During 6014, the UE 601 receives downlink data from the S-GW 605 via the new access node 602.

[0194] In the example of Figure 6, the new access node (which may be, for example, a satellite in a store-and-forward use case) is expected to obtain the UE context from the old access node (which may be on a different satellite). However, it is not always possible to obtain the UE context in a store-and-forward operation, since the two satellites are not directly connected and may not be connected to the core network at the same time. In other words, the two eNBs / access nodes considered in the store-and-forward operation may not be connected via an X2 interface, an Xn interface, or any other interface.

[0195] The following aims to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0196] To address at least one of the above-mentioned problems, the present application proposes a proactive transfer of UE context, such that the UE context is available at at least one satellite (e.g., access node / eNB) before that satellite provides coverage to the UE. In particular, the UE context may be pushed to the associated eNB(s) in advance, rather than being fetched in response to a request by the UE to resume an RRC connection, as in Figure 6. Pushing the UE context may depend on the predictable movement of satellites in the NTN.

[0197] It is understood that existing mechanisms exist for a gNB to proactively transfer UE context to one or more gNBs based on UE assistance information (e.g., radio resource management (RRM) measurements, UE mobility state, best neighbor) and network-implemented algorithms (e.g., based on RSRP targets). However, these known mechanisms do not consider non-terrestrial network scenarios where the serving eNB changes due to satellite movement, nor do they consider potential lack of connectivity between an access point and other access points / core network entities. This is addressed by the present disclosure.

[0198] The present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0199] 7 illustrates the relative positions of a first satellite 701, a second satellite 702, and a third satellite 703 during a first time 704A, a second time 704B, and a third time 704C. While a UE 705 is illustrated as being stationary during times 704A-C, it should be understood that the UE 705 may be moving. The second time 704B also illustrates a first NG gateway 706 and a second NG gateway 707.

[0200] During a first time 704A, the first satellite 701 acts as the first access node to the UE 705 because it is the closest access node.

[0201] During the second time 704B, the first satellite 701 determines that the third satellite 703 will soon approach the UE 705 to provide service to the UE 705, and therefore causes the UE context of the UE 705 to be pushed to the third satellite 703 via the first and second gateways 706, 707.

[0202] During a third time 704C, the UE 705 is served by the third satellite 703 using the pushed UE context. Although not shown, the second satellite 702 can provide coverage / core network connectivity to the UE 705 without receiving the UE context.

[0203] 7, a UE context may be created at a serving eNB on the first satellite 701 before the radio resource control connection between the eNB and the core network is suspended (e.g., due to SAT1 moving away). The decision to suspend the RRC connection may be based on a determination that a future satellite (e.g., the third satellite 703) is likely to have feedback to provide to the UE (e.g., if the UE transmitted uplink data via the first satellite 701) and / or a determination that the UE 705 has indicated that it has data to transmit on the uplink (i.e., the UE has indicated that it has a non-zero buffer status) while there is not enough time to perform the data transfer before the first satellite 701 moves out of range of the UE 705 and / or if the first satellite determines that the UE 705 is likely to transmit and / or receive data at some predictable time according to the UE's traffic pattern.

[0204] 7 further shows that the access node / eNB of the first satellite forwards the UE context to the core network, which means that if the first satellite 701 has a connection to a terrestrially located core network / gateway, the UE context may be terrestrially located rather than being located in the eNB (satellite).

[0205] The MME or other core network node (e.g., an NTN-specific database) may act as a proxy for the gateway and therefore store the UE context received from the first satellite.

[0206] Alternatively, the UE context may be stored in the NTN-GW (e.g., as a type of X2 proxy).

[0207] In this regard, it should be noted that in most 3GPP® discussions, NTN gateways are considered transport nodes that do not affect 3GPP® communications. In this respect, they are similar to Internet Protocol (IP) routers. However, it may be beneficial to treat NTN gateways as devices that can store some information, rather than just route it elsewhere. Thus, the currently described NTN gateway can store X2 information (i.e., information related to the interface between two eNBs) such that information from a first access point / eNB of a first satellite is temporarily stored in the NTN gateway and pushed to a second access point / eNB of a second satellite when the NTN-GW provides service to the second access point. This avoids routing / storage in a separate core network node, thereby saving network resources.

[0208] The access node / eNB of the first satellite 701 can indicate the target satellite (e.g., using a satellite identifier and / or an access node identifier) based on knowledge of the UE's location, the satellite ephemeris / access node's orbit and / or velocity, the NTN-Gateway's location, and / or the expected traffic characteristics. Thus, in this embodiment, the first satellite 701 may include the identifier of the third satellite 703 and / or the access node configured therein in its signaling to the core network when providing the UE context to the core network.

[0209] The UE context may further include an indication of the UE's last known position (or information related thereto) and / or trajectory. The UE's last known position may be indicated, for example, using information provided by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and / or a mapped cell ID. As an aside, 3GPP has recently agreed that cell IDs can be mapped to specific locations on Earth, independent of how their coverage moves on Earth as satellites move.

[0210] Furthermore, in the example of Figure 7, the receiving core network proxy node forwards the UE context to at least one associated satellite / access node (the third satellite in this example).

[0211] The target satellite / access node may be identified based on the UE's location (and / or UE's orbit), the satellite ephemeris / access node's orbit and / or velocity, and / or the NTN-GW's location.

[0212] The target (third) satellite 703 may be identified as the first associated satellite. An associated satellite is considered herein to be a satellite that is expected to have core network connectivity after the first satellite loses core network connectivity and that provides coverage to an area of the UE after the first satellite ceases to provide a coverage area encompassing the UE 705. As described above, an associated satellite may be identified in response to the UE 705 having a non-zero buffer status and / or the core network having feedback / downlink data for the UE and / or determining that there is expected traffic to or from the UE 705 based on the UE's traffic pattern.

[0213] In one embodiment, the UE context is always transferred to future satellites (and / or access nodes located therein) that are determined to cover the UE's coverage area (eg, tracking area or larger area).

[0214] Additionally, a selected subset of satellites (eNBs) may be configured to receive the UE context with a "time to drop context" parameter set by the core network. Upon receiving the "time to drop context" parameter, the satellite starts a timer using the value associated with that parameter. Upon expiration of the timer (at a time proportional to the value), the receiving satellite deletes the UE context from the receiving satellite.

[0215] The associated satellite / access node (eg, the third satellite in this example) then uses the UE context when communicating with the UE 705 .

[0216] This process is further explained with reference to FIG.

[0217] Figure 8 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example of signaling between a UE 801, a first satellite 802, a third satellite 803, and a core network 804. This signaling may mirror the signaling performed in the embodiment of Figure 7. Each of the first and third satellites is equipped with at least one access point / eNB, and in the following, reference to a satellite means reference to the at least one access point / eNB equipped therewith.

[0218] During 8001, the UE 801 is expected to transmit and / or receive data at a future time when the first satellite 802 is not expected to be connected to the core network 804 and / or when the first satellite 802 is expected to be out of signaling range of the UE 801. The UE may be expected to transmit and / or receive data at a future time when, for example, the UE contains at least one packet in its uplink buffer and / or is expecting downlink data (e.g., feedback for previously transmitted data, etc.) and / or has a traffic pattern indicating that data is expected to be transmitted and / or received.

[0219] The expected value of 8001 may be determined by the UE 801 and / or the first satellite 802.

[0220] During 8002, the first satellite 802 signals the UE 801. This 8002 signaling may be an instruction to the UE to drop the previously established RRC connection between the UE 801 and the first satellite 802.

[0221] During 8003, the first satellite 802 stores the UE context associated with the UE 801.

[0222] During 8004, the first satellite 802 signals to the core network 804. This 8004 signaling can provide the UE context to the core network 803.

[0223] During 8005, the core network 804 determines that the third satellite 803 can provide service to the UE 801 at a future point in time, and as a result, decides to provide the UE context to the third satellite 803.

[0224] In response to the determination of 8005, the core network 804 transfers the UE context received during 8004 to the third satellite 803 during 8006.

[0225] During 8007, the third satellite 803 stores the UE context received during 8006.

[0226] During 8008, the UE 801 and the third satellite exchange signaling using the UE context to resume the suspended RRC connection.

[0227] During 8009, the UE 801 and the third satellite 803 exchange uplink and / or downlink signals for subsequent communication to the core network 804.

[0228] In this example of FIG. 8 , the first satellite 802 determines to suspend the currently active RRC connection between the UE 801 and the first satellite 802. Following this determination, the first satellite transfers the UE context to a core network entity. The core network entity may then determine that the third satellite 803 can likely use the UE context to facilitate communication between the UE 801 and the core network via the third satellite 803 and provide the UE context to the third satellite. Once the third satellite receives the UE context, the third satellite may accept an RRC connection resumption request from the UE 801. Once the RRC connection is resumed, data transfer between the UE 801 and the core network via the third satellite 803 begins.

[0229] In some variations on the above example, the UE context may be stored in an entity other than the core network. For example, the UE context may be stored in a third-party network and / or a radio access network node. For example, the first satellite may forward the UE context to a proxy node and / or a database node rather than to a core network node, as in the above example of FIG. 8.

[0230] In one embodiment, the proxy node may be a radio access node in a geostationary satellite. In this embodiment, the first satellite may transfer the UE context procedure using an X2AP procedure, where "X2AP procedure" refers to a procedure that uses direct signaling between two radio access network nodes. This may differ from the current X2AP acquire UE context procedure performed by a serving network access node to acquire the UE context from the old network access node because an intermediate radio access network entity stores the UE context, and the intermediate radio access network entity does not use the UE context to facilitate communication between the UE and the core network.

[0231] Instead of using direct signaling between two radio access network nodes located on a geostationary satellite and a non-geostationary satellite (i.e., a low earth orbit satellite), respectively, communication between the two satellites can be performed using a satellite-based communication link (i.e., non-3GPP-based communication).

[0232] As another example, the proxy node may be a database node configured to provide a service-based interface in, for example, a 6G (or later) architecture.

[0233] In any of the above embodiments, the RRC Suspend message may include an indication of the next entity carrying the UE context and / or the time when the UE context will be available to other satellites. If a time is provided, this may define when the UE is first allowed to attempt to resume the RRC connection. The timing and / or an identifier of the network node may be provided along with a new release cause, such as "resume_store_forward". The new release cause may serve as an indicator that other satellites may resume the RRC connection.

[0234] In all of the above examples, the first satellite can receive a list of satellites (e.g., satellite #3, satellite #4, satellite #5) each associated with a time at which the satellite may contain the UE context. For example, the first satellite can receive the list of satellites combined with notification that satellite #3 provides coverage in area X at time T1, satellite #4 provides coverage in area X at time T2, and satellite #5 provides coverage in area X at time T3. This information can be received from an entity in the core network. While the areas are shown to be identical, it should be understood that this is not limiting and the network can indicate areas independently for each satellite-time combination. This is useful when the network determines the future location of a UE based on the UE's current orbit. Providing such a list to the first satellite allows the first satellite to also provide this information to the UE without having to make its own estimations.

[0235] AS security between a UE and a radio access node may rely on at least three different security keys (denoted herein as KRRCint, KRRCenc, and KUPenc), all of which are derived from a key associated with the radio access node. The associated keys are denoted herein as KeNB keys. These four keys may change every time the RRC connection is restarted, and the UE derives a new KeNB key using a predefined parameter. In current 3GPP specifications, this parameter appears as the "nextHopChainingCount" parameter (see, for example, 3GPP TS 36.331 and 3GPP TS 33.401).

[0236] When the RRC connection is interrupted, the UE stores the value of the nextHopChainingCount parameter provided by the network. When the UE prepares to send an RRC Connection Resume Request message to the target eNB, the UE uses the nextHopChainingCount parameter to derive a new KeNB key and AS Secure related keys. The UE then uses these keys to configure lower layers to resume integrity protection and ciphering during upstream communication. Upon receiving an RRC Connection Resume message from the target satellite containing the new value of the nextHopChainingCount parameter, the UE can update the current KeNB to the new KeNB (together with all associated keys) to reflect the change in the value of the nextHopChainingCount parameter.

[0237] As described above, a UE may communicate with the core network using multiple different satellites (and therefore eNBs) at different times. Therefore, the UE may update the value of KeNB when switching from one target eNB (on a satellite) to another target eNB (on another satellite). To ensure that the UE uses the correct set of security keys in such a situation, the serving access node (i.e., the access node where the UE context was originally created) may provide the UE with multiple nextHopChainingCount values to generate multiple target KeNB values for each target satellite. In such a system, a set of target eNBs may be able to communicate with the UE even if the UE changes its KeNB key.

[0238] The presently described system can preferably maintain UE context, including in store-and-forward scenarios, thereby simplifying connection establishment procedures when a new satellite provides coverage to the UE. Furthermore, forwarding the UE context to a proxy on Earth can enable proactive pushing of the UE context to the associated satellite in time (i.e., while the associated satellite still has core network connectivity).

[0239] As an aside, the above uses eNB / LTE as an example illustrating the presently described principles. However, it should be understood that other RAN nodes (e.g., gNBs, etc.) may also apply the presently described principles, as well as eNBSs in the present examples. Thus, examples described with respect to eNBs should not be considered limited to eNBs.

[0240] 9 through 12 illustrate one aspect of the above embodiment. Accordingly, it should be understood that the features described above in connection with the previous embodiment may be implemented in the following aspect. While the terms geostationary and non-geostationary are used throughout in connection with various devices, it should be understood that these terms do not constrain the devices to be located on or within a satellite / satellite orbit. For example, a geostationary device is considered to be a device that maintains a constant displacement relative to a fixed location on the Earth, and a non-geostationary device is considered to be a device that changes its displacement relative to a fixed location on the Earth. For example, a geostationary device may be considered a geostationary base station and / or access node, and a non-geostationary device may be considered a mobile base station and / or access node, regardless of whether they are mounted on or within a satellite.

[0241] 9 illustrates operations that may be performed by a device of a non-stationary first access node. The non-stationary access node may be configured to provide a service / serving area to a user equipment while the user equipment is located in the service / serving area. The service / serving area may correspond to a coverage area defined by at least one cell provided by the non-stationary first access node. The non-stationary first access node may interact with any of the devices of FIGS. 10-12.

[0242] During 901, the apparatus determines to suspend a radio resource control connection between a non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context. The user context may be a radio access context. This means that the user context may define at least one set of parameters for enabling the user equipment to access a network via an access node (e.g., via the first access node).

[0243] During 902, the apparatus provides the user context to the first proxy node along with notification that the user context is stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node.

[0244] Deciding to suspend the radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and the user equipment may include at least one of the following:

[0245] First, the apparatus may determine that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for uplink data previously transmitted within a first time period, and determine that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment for at least a portion of the first time period.

[0246] Second, the apparatus may determine that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node does not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the second time period.

[0247] Third, the apparatus may determine, based on traffic patterns associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data during a predetermined third time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the third time period.

[0248] If any of the first to third is determined affirmatively, the device may decide to interrupt the radio resource control connection.

[0249] The apparatus may identify the non-stationary second access node and / or apparatus comprising the non-stationary second access node and provide an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or apparatus comprising the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node. The apparatus comprising the non-stationary second access node may comprise, for example, a satellite and / or a vehicle.

[0250] The apparatus may identify the non-stationary second access node and / or an apparatus including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to the core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0251] Figure 10 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a first proxy node, which may be as described above in connection with Figure 9. The first proxy node may interact with any of the apparatuses of Figures 9, 11, and / or 12.

[0252] During 1001, the apparatus receives from a non-stationary first access node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, and a notification that the user context is to be provided to a non-stationary second access node.

[0253] During 1002, the apparatus causes the user context to be provided to a non-stationary second access node.

[0254] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include providing the user context to the second proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0255] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node, in other words, the first proxy node may signal the user context to the non-stationary node without going through an intermediary node.

[0256] The apparatus may receive an identifier of the non-stationary second access node from the non-stationary first access node.

[0257] The apparatus may receive an identifier of the non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying each access node.

[0258] The apparatus may provide the user context to at least two of the access nodes. The non-stationary second access node may be one of the at least two respective access nodes. The apparatus may provide the user context to all of the access nodes.

[0259] The apparatus may identify the non-stationary second access node using at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial-based gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0260] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may include causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node together with notification of a time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node, wherein the non-stationary second access node may delete the user context from the non-stationary second access node when the notified time is reached.

[0261] When a user context is provided to multiple access nodes (e.g., at least two and / or all of the respective access nodes described above), each of the multiple access nodes may be provided with a respective time indicating the time at which the user context will be deleted by that access node. Each of the multiple access nodes may be configured to delete the user context when the respective time is reached. The respective times may be different from one another.

[0262] 11 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node. The non-stationary second access node may interact with any of the apparatuses of FIGS. 9, 10, and / or 12.

[0263] During 1101, the apparatus receives from the first and / or second proxy node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between a non-stationary first access node and a user equipment.

[0264] During 1102, the apparatus resumes a radio resource control connection procedure between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0265] The resumption of the radio resource control connection procedure may include: the apparatus may receive notification of a count value from the first and / or second proxy node; the apparatus may use the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; the apparatus may use the plurality of keys to encrypt communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; and the encrypted communications may be signaled between the user equipment and the second access node.

[0266] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to signaling a paging signal trigger to the user equipment to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0267] Restarting the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the user equipment, an instruction to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0268] 12 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for user equipment. The user equipment may interact with any of the apparatuses of FIGS. 9, 10, and / or 11.

[0269] In 1201, the apparatus establishes a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary first access node, where the radio resource control connection is defined by a user context.

[0270] At 1202, the apparatus suspends the radio resource control connection using a procedure for suspending the radio resource control connection.

[0271] At 1203, the apparatus resumes a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0272] Resuming the radio resource control connection may include receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node, generating a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the count value, and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys. The encrypted communications may be transmitted from the user equipment to the non-stationary second access node.

[0273] Restarting the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate a resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0274] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; generating a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the count value; and encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment using the plurality of keys.

[0275] Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure may include performing the resuming in response to receiving, from the non-stationary second access node, a paging signal trigger to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of the radio resource control procedure.

[0276] In all the above embodiments of Figures 9 to 12, the first and / or second proxy node may be at least one of an access and mobility management function, a land-based gateway to the core network, a database located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0277] Furthermore, in all the above examples of Figures 9 to 12, the user context may include at least one of the known location of the user equipment, information related to the radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information related to the access stratum security of the connection between the user equipment and the access network, the trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of the cell in which the user equipment is operating.

[0278] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a control device for a communication system coupled to and / or controlling a station of an access system, e.g., a RAN node, e.g., a base station, gNB, eNB, access point (AP), a central unit of a cloud architecture, or a node of a core network, e.g., an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity, e.g., a spectrum management entity, or a server or host, e.g., a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc. These terms for a station of an access system / control device are used interchangeably. The control device may be integrated with or external to a node or module of the core network or RAN. The base station in this example includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, e.g., a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 may be arranged to provide control over communications within a service area of the system. The device 200 comprises at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit (202, 203), and an input / output interface 204. Through the interface, the controller can connect to the receiver and transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or transmitter can be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the controller 200 or processor 202 can be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide the control functions.

[0279] A possible wireless communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 , which illustrates a schematic, partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300. Such communication devices are often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal equipment. Suitable mobile communication devices may be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Non-limiting examples include mobile stations (MS) or mobile devices, such as mobile phones or what are called "smartphones," computers equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., USB dongles), vehicles, UEs mounted in or on vehicles, personal data assistants (PDAs), and / or tablets equipped with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination thereof. Mobile communication devices may provide communication of data, for example, for communicating voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia, and the like. Thus, user equipment may provide a number of services via the communication device. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calling, data communication or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system such as the Internet. Broadcast and multicast data may also be provided to users. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television programs, radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

[0280] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As described herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication equipment.

[0281] The communication device 300 can receive signals via an air or wireless interface 307 via suitable devices for reception and can transmit signals via suitable devices for transmitting wireless signals. In Figure 3, a transceiver device is generally designated by block 306. The transceiver device 306 can be provided with, for example, a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement can be located inside or outside the wireless device.

[0282] A wireless device typically comprises at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302, and possibly other components 303 for use in software- and hardware-assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage, and other related control devices may be provided on a suitable circuit board and / or within a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. A user may control the operation of the wireless device by means of a suitable user interface, such as a keypad 305, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or pad, or a combination thereof. A display 308, a speaker, and a microphone may also be provided. Furthermore, a wireless communication device may comprise suitable connectors (either wired or wireless) for connecting other devices and / or external accessories (e.g., hands-free devices).

[0283] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates non-volatile memory media 400a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 402 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more steps of the methods of FIG. 9, and / or FIG. 10, and / or FIG. 11, and / or FIG. 12, and / or methods otherwise described above.

[0284] Aspects of the present embodiments are described in the detailed description of the embodiments and in the claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, it is understood that these blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods in the present embodiments may be implemented in, by way of non-limiting example, hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or any combination thereof.

[0285] The present embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the relevant entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard, it should be noted that any procedures, e.g., as illustrated in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and / or elsewhere herein, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks, and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks, and functions. Software may be stored on physical media, such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media (such as hard disks or floppy disks), and optical media (e.g., DVDs and their data variants, CDs, etc.).

[0286] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technology environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed and removable memory, etc. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technology environment and may include, by way of non-limiting examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (AStudy item C), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0287] Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may be implemented using circuitry that may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and / or method steps described above, and that may be provided in a base station and / or a communications device and / or a core network entity.

[0288] As used in this application, the term "circuit" means (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., analog and / or digital-only implementations); (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software; (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; (ii) software (including digital signal processors), portions of a hardware processor with software and memory(s) that cooperate to cause a device, such as a communications device or base station, to perform the various functions previously described; (c) A hardware circuit or processor, such as a microprocessor or part of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not required for operation; It may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0289] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of the term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term circuit also covers simply a hardware circuit or processor (or processors) or part of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. The term circuit also covers, for example, integrated devices.

[0290] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of several embodiments, by way of non-limiting example. However, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar variations of the present teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0291] Although different embodiments have been described above using radio access architectures based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as examples of access architectures to which the described techniques may be applied, the embodiments are not limited to such architectures. Furthermore, the embodiments may be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate means by appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Bluetooth, Personal Communications Services (PCS), ZigBee, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0292] 5 is a simplified example of a system architecture, showing only some elements and functional entities. The connections shown in FIG. 5 are logical connections, and the actual physical connections may differ. It is clear to those skilled in the art that a system typically comprises functions and structures other than those shown in FIG. 5.

[0293] However, the present embodiment is not limited to the system given as an example, and a person skilled in the art can apply the solution to other communication systems having the required characteristics.

[0294] The example of Figure 5 illustrates a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support sidelink communications, which are described in more detail below.

[0295] FIG. 5 illustrates devices 500 and 502. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to be wirelessly connected to a node 504 via one or more communication channels. Node 504 is further connected to a core network 506. In one embodiment, node 504 may be an access node, such as a NodeB, that serves devices within a cell. In one example, node 504 may be a non-3GPP access node. A physical link from a device to a NodeB may be referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and a physical link from a NodeB to a device may be referred to as a downlink or forward link. For example, it should be understood that a NodeB or its functionality may be implemented using any node, host, server, access point, or other entity suitable for such use.

[0296] A communication system typically includes one or more NodeBs, for example, which may be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. For example, a NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. A NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or another type of interface device, including a relay station operable in a wireless environment. For example, a NodeB may include or be connected to a transceiver. For example, a connection may be provided from the NodeB's transceiver to an antenna unit that establishes a bidirectional wireless link to the device. The antenna unit may consist of multiple antennas or antenna elements. For example, a NodeB may further be connected to a core network 506 (CN or Next Generation Core NGC). Depending on the deployed technology, for example, a NodeB is connected to a Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and providing connectivity of user equipment to one or more external packet data networks, and to a Mobile Management Entity (MME) or Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling device access and mobility.

[0297] Examples of devices include subscriber units, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, and mobile devices.

[0298] A device generally refers to a mobile or stationary device (e.g., a portable or non-portable computing device), including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including, but not limited to, mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handsets, devices that use wireless modems (such as alarms or measuring devices), laptop and / or touchscreen computers, tablets, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia device types. It should be understood that a device may also be an almost exclusively uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips onto a network. A device may also be capable of operating in an Internet of Things (IoT) network. An IoT network is a scenario that provides objects with the ability to power data over a network without the need for human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as in smart power grids and connected cars. A device may also utilize the cloud. In some applications, a device may consist of a user-portable device (such as a watch, earphones, or glasses) with a wireless portion, and computing may be performed in the cloud.

[0299] A device exemplifies one type of device to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore any functionality described herein using a device may be implemented in a corresponding device, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a Layer 3 relay (self-backhauling relay) towards a base station. User equipment (or Layer 3 relay node in this example) is configured to perform one or more of the functions of the user equipment.

[0300] The various techniques described herein can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS), which are collaborative systems of computational elements that control physical entities. CPS can enable the implementation and use of large numbers of interconnected information and communication technology (ICT) devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects in different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices carried by humans or animals.

[0301] Furthermore, although the device has been depicted as a single entity, it may be implemented with different units, processors and / or memory units (not all of which are shown in FIG. 5).

[0302] 5G will use multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antennas and allow for the use of many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller base stations. It will employ a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases, and available frequencies. 5G mobile communications will support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, various data sharing methods, and various forms of machine-based applications (e.g., vehicle safety, various sensors, and real-time control, including (massive) machine-based communications (mMTC)). 5G will have multiple air interfaces, including sub-6 GHz, above 24 GHz, centimeter wave, and millimeter wave, and is expected to be able to integrate with existing legacy radio access technologies such as LTE. At least initially, integration with LTE may be implemented as a system in which macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G air interface access is provided by small cells aggregated to LTE. In other words, 5G is expected to support both inter-RAT interoperability (e.g., LTE-5G) and inter-RI interoperability (inter-air interface interoperability, e.g., below 6 GHz - centimeter wave, above 6 GHz and below 24 GHz - centimeter wave, millimeter wave).One concept expected to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, which allows the creation of multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements regarding latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0303] The LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. 5G's low-latency applications and services require content to be closer to the radio, which leads to local breakout and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that are not always connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for hosting applications and services. It also has the ability to store and process content closer to mobile subscribers, improving response times. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies including wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing, local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, what can be classified as cloudlets, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (large-scale connectivity and / or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, road safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0304] The communications system may also communicate with and utilize services provided by other networks 512, such as the public switched telephone network, a VoIP network, the Internet, or private networks. The communications network may also support the use of cloud services, e.g., at least a portion of the core network operations may be implemented as cloud services (illustrated in this example by "cloud" 514). When performed away from the core network, this is also referred to as edge computing. The communications system may also comprise a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for different operators' networks to cooperate, for example, in spectrum sharing.

[0305] Edge computing techniques can be brought to the Radio Access Network (RAN) by utilizing Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN). Using edge cloud techniques may mean that the operations of an access node are performed, at least in part, on a server, host, or node operatively connected to a remote radio head or base station that constitutes the radio portion. It is also possible that the operations of a node are distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. The application of a cloudRAN architecture allows the real-time functions of the RAN to be performed at or near the remote antenna site (in the distributed unit DU 508) and the non-real-time functions to be performed centrally (in the centralized unit CU 510).

[0306] It should also be understood that the division of roles between core network operation and base station operation may be different from that of LTE, or may not even exist. Other technological advances, such as big data and all-IP, are expected to change how networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio (NR)) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchies, and edge computing servers may be deployed between the core and base stations or Node Bs (gNBs). One example of edge computing is MEC, defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0307] 5G can also use satellite communications to enhance or complement 5G service coverage, for example, by providing backhauling. Potential use cases include providing service continuity to machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices or vehicle passengers, ensuring service availability for mobile broadband (MBB), critical communications, and future rail, maritime, and aviation communications. Satellite communications can utilize not only geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems but also low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, especially megaconstellations (systems with hundreds of (nano)satellites). Each satellite in a megaconstellation can cover multiple satellite-enabled network entities, forming ground cells. Ground cells are created by terrestrial relay nodes or gNBs located on the ground or on the satellites.

[0308] The illustrated system is merely an example of a portion of a wireless access system. In practice, the system may include multiple NodeBs, devices may have access to multiple wireless cells, and the system may include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. For example, at least one of the NodeBs may be a home NodeB. Furthermore, multiple wireless cells, as well as multiple different types of wireless cells, may be provided in a geographical area of the wireless communication system. The wireless cells may be macrocells (or umbrella cells), which are large cells typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as microcells, femtocells, and picocells. The NodeBs in FIG. 5 may provide these cells. A cellular wireless system may be implemented as a multi-tier network including multiple types of cells. Typically, a single access node is used in a multi-tier network.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; When executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus - determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; providing the user context to a first proxy node, the first proxy node informing the first proxy node that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node; at least one memory containing code for executing An apparatus comprising:

2. The determining step comprises: determining that the user equipment is likely to receive feedback for previously transmitted uplink data within a first time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the first time period; determining that the user equipment has uplink data to transmit during a second time period and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the second time period; or determining, based on traffic patterns associated with the user equipment, that the user equipment is likely to transmit and / or receive data during a predetermined third time period, and that the non-stationary first access node will not provide a service connection to the user equipment during at least a portion of the third time period; The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

3. The device further comprises: identifying said non-stationary second access node and / or a device comprising said non-stationary second access node; providing notification of the non-stationary second access node and / or the device comprising the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node; 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, adapted to perform:

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the identifying is based on at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-geostationary first access node, an ephemeris of the non-geostationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-geostationary first access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-geostationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to a core network, a tracking area and / or registration area associated with the user equipment, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

5. An apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; When executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus receiving, from a non-stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between said non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that said user context is provided to a non-stationary second access node; causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node; at least one memory containing code for executing An apparatus comprising:

6. causing a non-stationary second access node to provide the user context, providing the user context to a second proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node; The apparatus of claim 5 , comprising:

7. causing a non-stationary second access node to provide the user context, providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node; The apparatus of claim 5 , comprising:

8. An apparatus as described in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive an identifier of the non-stationary second access node from the non-stationary first access node.

9. The device further comprises: receiving an identifier of the non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a set of identifiers identifying respective access nodes; providing the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes; 9. The apparatus of claim 8, adapted to perform:

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to provide the user context to at least two of the respective access nodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further configured to provide the user context to all of the respective access nodes.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to identify the non-stationary second access node using at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a ground-based gateway to a core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

13. 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context includes causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context together with notification of a time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

14. 1. An apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; When executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and the user equipment; resuming a radio resource control connection procedure between said user equipment and said non-stationary second access node using said user context; at least one memory containing code for executing An apparatus comprising:

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

16. Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure comprises: signalling a trigger in a paging signal to the user equipment to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of radio resource control procedures, or receiving a notification to initiate the resumption of a radio resource control procedure from a user equipment if the user context defines that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resumption of a radio resource control procedure; performing the resuming in response to one of 16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15.

17. 1. An apparatus for user equipment, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor; When executed by the at least one processor, the apparatus establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; deferring the radio resource control connection using a deferral of a radio resource control connection procedure; resuming the radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context; at least one memory containing code for executing An apparatus comprising:

18. resuming the radio resource control connection receiving notification of the count value from the first and / or second proxy node or obtaining notification of the count value from the user context; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; using the plurality of keys to encrypt communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; 20. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising performing:

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the resuming of the radio resource control connection procedure comprises: determining from the user context that the user equipment is configured to initiate the resumption of a radio resource control procedure; performing the resuming in response to 19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18.

20. Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure comprises: Obtaining notification of a count value from the user context; using the count value to generate a plurality of keys for encrypting communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; using the plurality of keys to encrypt communications between the non-stationary second access node and the user equipment; 20. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising performing:

21. Resuming the radio resource control connection procedure comprises: receiving a trigger in a paging signal from the non-stationary second access node to cause the user equipment to initiate the resumption of radio resource control procedures; 19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, comprising performing the resuming in response to:

22. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first and / or second proxy node is at least one of a land-based gateway to a core network, a database located in the core network, and / or a mobility management entity.

23. 19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the user context comprises at least one of a known location of the user equipment, information related to a radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, information related to access stratum security of a connection between the user equipment and an access network, a trajectory of the user equipment, and / or an identifier of a cell in which the user equipment is operating.

24. 1. A method for an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the method comprising: determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; providing the user context to a first proxy node, the first proxy node informing the first proxy node that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node; A method comprising:

25. 1. A method for an apparatus for a first proxy node, the method comprising: receiving, from a non-stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between said non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that said user context is provided to a non-stationary second access node; causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node; A method comprising:

26. 1. A method for an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the method comprising: receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and the user equipment; resuming a radio resource control connection procedure between said user equipment and said non-stationary second access node using said user context; A method comprising:

27. 1. A method for an apparatus for user equipment, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspend radio resource control connection procedure; resuming the radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context; A method comprising:

28. When executed in an apparatus for a non-stationary first access node, the apparatus - determining to suspend a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; providing the user context to a first proxy node along with notification that the user context is to be stored for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node; A computer program product that causes the

29. When executed on an apparatus for a first proxy node, the apparatus receiving, from a non-stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between said non-stationary first access node and a user equipment, and an indication that said user context is provided to a non-stationary second access node; causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node; A computer program product that causes the

30. When executed in an apparatus for a non-stationary second access node, the apparatus receiving a user context from the first and / or second proxy node defining a radio resource control connection between the non-stationary first access node and the user equipment; resuming a radio resource control connection procedure between said user equipment and said non-stationary second access node using said user context; A computer program product that causes the

31. When executed in a device for user equipment, the device establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; suspending the radio resource control connection using a suspend radio resource control connection procedure; resuming a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using said user context; A computer program product that causes the

Images