Apparatus, method, and computer program

Abstract

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

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 a communication session between two or more entities, such as communication devices, base stations and / or other nodes, by providing a carrier 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, such as 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 stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: means for establishing a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and providing to the user equipment information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context.

[0006] The apparatus can include means for providing the user context to the first proxy node along with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0007] The means for determining may comprise means for determining that the non-stationary second access node is better able to meet quality of service requirements for communications with and / or from the user equipment than the stationary first access node; determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or that the remaining energy is below a threshold; determining that the user equipment has indicated that it wishes communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from that provided by the stationary first access node; and / or enabling the exchange of communications via the non-stationary second access node by determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes.

[0008] The apparatus may comprise 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 the device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0009] The means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may comprise means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the 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 device including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0010] The apparatus may comprise means for suspending a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to serve the user equipment using the user context, and thereafter resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-stationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering a location where the user equipment is located.

[0011] The apparatus can comprise means for performing, after determining to suspend, signaling to the user equipment a configuration for transitioning the user equipment to a low power state.

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

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

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

[0015] The apparatus may comprise means for suspending a radio resource control connection with a user equipment and maintaining a user context at the stationary first access node after the suspension.

[0016] The apparatus may comprise means for providing user context directly to a non-stationary second access node via an inter-satellite communications link.

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

[0018] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

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

[0020] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may comprise means for providing the user context to the second proxy node together with an instruction to provide the user context to the non-stationary second access node.

[0021] The means for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node may comprise means for performing: providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

[0022] The apparatus may comprise means for receiving an identifier of a non-stationary second access node from a stationary first access node.

[0023] The apparatus may comprise means for performing reception of an identifier of a non-stationary second access node as part of reception of a series of identifiers identifying each access node.

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

[0025] The apparatus may comprise means for performing identification of the non-stationary second access node using at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the apparatus including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0026] The means for causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context may comprise means for causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context together with an indication of a time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0028] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0029] 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 a stationary first access node and a user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-stationary second access node in accordance with the radio resource control connection.

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

[0031] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0032] 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 stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context.

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

[0034] The apparatus may comprise means for performing receiving, from the stationary first access node, a configuration for transitioning to a low power state.

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

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

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

[0038] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0039] 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 the apparatus to: establish a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and provide the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context.

[0040] The apparatus may be operable to provide the user context to the first proxy node with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0041] The determining may include determining that the non-stationary second access node can better meet quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the stationary first access node; determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or that the remaining energy is below a threshold; determining that the user equipment has indicated that it desires communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from that provided by the stationary first access node; and / or enabling communications to be exchanged through the non-stationary second access node by determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes.

[0042] The apparatus may be configured to identify a non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and provide an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0043] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the current location of the user equipment, the orbit of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-stationary second access node, the orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or the characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0044] The apparatus may be configured to suspend a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context, and subsequently resume the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when it is expected that the non-stationary second access node will no longer provide a cell covering a location where the user equipment is located.

[0045] The device may be configured to, after determining to suspend, signal a configuration to the user equipment to transition the user equipment to a low power state.

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

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

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

[0049] The apparatus may be operable to suspend a radio resource control connection with a user equipment and to retain a user context in a stationary first access node after said suspension.

[0050] The apparatus may be operable to provide the user context directly to a non-stationary second access node via an inter-satellite communications link.

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

[0052] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0053] 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 stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the 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 cause the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0054] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node includes providing the user context to the second proxy node together with instructions to provide the user context to the non-stationary second access node.

[0055] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node means providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

[0056] The apparatus may be adapted to receive an identifier of a non-stationary second access node from a stationary first access node.

[0057] The apparatus may be performed to receive an identifier of a non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a series of identifiers identifying each access node.

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

[0059] The non-stationary second access node may be identified using at least one of the current location of the user equipment, the orbit of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-stationary second access node, the orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or the characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0060] Having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context may include having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context along with an indication of the time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0062] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0063] 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 stationary first access node and a user equipment; establish a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context; and receive data from the non-stationary second access node in accordance with the radio resource control connection.

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

[0065] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0066] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for user equipment, 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: establish a radio resource control connection with a stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and establish a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0067] The apparatus may be configured to suspend a radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node, and to transition to a low power state for at least a portion of a period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0068] The apparatus may be adapted to perform receiving a configuration for transitioning to a low power state from a stationary first access node.

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

[0070] The apparatus may be configured to suspend a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node when signal strength between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node drops below a threshold and / or when a link failure event occurs, and to resume a radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a user context.

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

[0072] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0073] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus for a stationary first access node, the method comprising: establishing a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and providing the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context.

[0074] The method may include providing the user context to the first proxy node with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0075] The determining may include determining that the non-stationary second access node is able to meet quality of service requirements for communications with and / or from the user equipment better than the stationary first access node, determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or the remaining energy is below a threshold, determining that the user equipment has indicated that it desires communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from that provided by the stationary first access node, and / or enabling the exchange of communications via the non-stationary second access node by determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes.

[0076] 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.

[0077] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the current location of the user equipment, the orbit of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-stationary second access node, the orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or the characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0078] The method may include suspending a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when the non-stationary second access node will be able to serve the user equipment using the user context, and thereafter resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-stationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering a location where the user equipment is located.

[0079] The method may include performing, after deciding to suspend, signaling a configuration to the user equipment to transition the user equipment to a low power state.

[0080] The method includes signaling to user equipment an identifier of the non-stationary second access node together with an indication of a time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

[0081] Signaling an identifier of the non-stationary second access node to the user equipment may include signaling the identifier of the non-stationary second access node and the period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control disconnect message.

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

[0083] The method may include suspending a radio resource control connection with the user equipment and, after the suspension, maintaining a user context at the stationary first access node.

[0084] The method includes providing a user context directly to a non-stationary second access node via an inter-satellite communications link.

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

[0086] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0087] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus for a first proxy node, the method comprising: receiving, from a stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the 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 stationary second access node.

[0088] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node includes performing provisioning of the user context to the second proxy node together with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0089] Having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context means directly providing the user context to the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0091] The method may include receiving an identifier of the non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a series of identifiers identifying each access node.

[0092] The method may include providing a user context to at least two of said access nodes.

[0093] The method may include performing identification of the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of a device including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0094] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node may include having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node along with an indication of the time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0096] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0097] 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 a stationary first access node and a user equipment; establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context; and receiving data from the non-stationary second access node in accordance with the radio resource control connection.

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

[0099] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

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

[0101] The method may include suspending a radio resource control connection with a stationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node, and transitioning to a low power state for at least a portion of a period between the suspension and the resumption.

[0102] The method includes receiving a configuration from a stationary first access node to transition to a low power state.

[0103] The method includes receiving, from a stationary first access node, an identifier of a non-stationary second access node and an indication of a time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

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

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

[0106] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0107] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a stationary first access node, the apparatus comprising: an establishing circuit for establishing a radio resource control connection between the 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 equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context.

[0108] The apparatus can include circuitry for providing the user context to the first proxy node along with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0109] The determination circuitry for making a determination may include: a determination circuitry for determining that the non-stationary second access node can better meet quality of service requirements for communications with and / or from the user equipment than the stationary first access node; a determination circuitry for determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or that the remaining energy is below a threshold; a determination circuitry for determining that the user equipment has indicated that it desires communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from the radio access technology provided by the stationary first access node; and / or a switching circuitry for enabling the exchange of communications via the non-stationary second access node by determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes.

[0110] 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.

[0111] The identification circuit for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may include identification circuitry for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the 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 device including 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.

[0112] The apparatus may include a suspending circuit for suspending a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context, and a resuming circuit for resuming the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-stationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering a location where the user equipment is located.

[0113] The apparatus may comprise a signaling circuit for signaling a setting to the user equipment to transition the user equipment to a low power state after determining to suspend.

[0114] The apparatus can include signaling circuitry for signaling to user equipment an identifier of the non-stationary second access node along with an indication of a time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

[0115] The signaling circuit for signaling an identifier of the non-stationary second access node to user equipment may comprise signaling circuitry for signaling the identifier of the non-stationary second access node and the period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control disconnect message.

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

[0117] The apparatus may comprise an execution circuit for suspending a radio resource control connection with a user equipment and, after the suspension, maintaining a user context in the stationary first access node.

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

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

[0120] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0121] 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 stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the 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 a circuit for causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0122] The circuitry for causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context may include providing circuitry for providing the user context to the second proxy node along with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0123] The providing circuitry for causing the non-stationary second access node to provide the user context may comprise providing circuitry for providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0125] The apparatus may include a receiving circuit that receives an identifier of a non-stationary second access node as part of a receiving sequence of identifiers that identify each access node.

[0126] The apparatus may comprise a providing circuit for providing user context to at least two of the access nodes.

[0127] The apparatus may comprise identification circuitry for identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of the apparatus including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

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

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

[0130] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0131] 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 a user context from a first and / or second proxy node defining a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and a user equipment; an establishing circuit for establishing a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context; and a receiving circuit for receiving data from the non-stationary second access node in accordance with the radio resource control connection.

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

[0133] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

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

[0135] The apparatus may comprise an interruption circuit for interrupting a radio resource control connection with a stationary first access node using a radio resource control connection interruption procedure before establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node, and a circuit for transitioning to a low power state during at least a portion of a period between the interruption and the resumption.

[0136] The apparatus can include a receiving circuit that receives a configuration to transition to a low power state from the stationary first access node.

[0137] The apparatus can include receiving circuitry for receiving from the stationary first access node an identifier of the non-stationary second access node and an indication of a time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

[0138] The apparatus may include an interruption circuit for interrupting a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node when signal strength between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node drops below a threshold and / or when a link failure event occurs, and a resumption circuit for resuming the radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a user context.

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

[0140] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0141] 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: establish a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and a user equipment, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context; and provide the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service to the user equipment using the user context.

[0142] The apparatus may be adapted to provide the user context to the first proxy node with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by the non-stationary second access node.

[0143] The determining may include determining that the non-stationary second access node can better meet quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment than the stationary first access node; determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or that the remaining energy is below a threshold; determining that the user equipment has indicated that it desires communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from that provided by the stationary first access node; and / or enabling the exchange of communications via the non-stationary second access node by determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes.

[0144] The apparatus may be configured to identify a non-stationary second access node and / or a device including the non-stationary second access node, and provide an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0145] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the current location of the user equipment, the orbit of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the device including the non-stationary second access node, the orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or the characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0146] The apparatus may be configured to suspend a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when a non-stationary second access node will be able to serve the user equipment using the user context, and subsequently resume the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when the non-stationary second access node is expected to no longer provide a cell covering the location where the user equipment is located.

[0147] The apparatus may be adapted to perform signaling a configuration to the user equipment to transition the user equipment to a low power state after deciding to suspend.

[0148] The apparatus may be configured to signal to the user equipment an identifier of the non-stationary second access node together with an indication of a time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

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

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

[0151] The apparatus may be adapted to suspend a radio resource control connection with a user equipment and, after said suspension, retain a user context in the stationary first access node.

[0152] The apparatus may be adapted to perform providing of user context directly to a non-stationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

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

[0154] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0155] 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 at least receive, from a stationary first access node, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the 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 cause the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0156] Causing the user context to be provided to the non-stationary second access node includes performing provisioning of the user context to the second proxy node together with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0157] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node means providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

[0158] The apparatus may be adapted to receive an identifier of a non-stationary second access node from a stationary first access node.

[0159] The apparatus may be adapted to receive an identifier of the non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a series of identifiers identifying each access node.

[0160] The apparatus may be adapted to perform providing a user context for at least two of the access nodes.

[0161] Identifying the non-stationary second access node using at least one of the following: a current location of the user equipment, an orbit of the user equipment, an ephemeris of a device including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0162] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node may include having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node along with an indication of the time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node.

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

[0164] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0165] 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 stationary first access node and a user equipment; establish a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node using the user context; and receive data from the non-stationary second access node in accordance with the radio resource control connection.

[0166] 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, an access and mobility management function, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0167] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0168] According to a twentieth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing at least a user equipment device to establish a radio resource control connection with a stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context, and establishing a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0169] The apparatus may be adapted to suspend a radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node, and to enter a low power state for at least a part of a period between said suspension and said resumption.

[0170] The apparatus may be adapted to perform receiving a configuration for transitioning to a low power state from a stationary first access node.

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

[0172] The apparatus may be configured to suspend a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node when signal strength between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node drops below a threshold and / or when a link failure event occurs, and to resume a radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a user context.

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

[0174] The user context may include at least one of radio resource control settings of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0175] According to a twentieth aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium capable of causing an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[0176] According to a twenty-second aspect, there is provided an electronic device capable of forming a device as described herein.

[0177] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a chipset capable of forming an apparatus as described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0178] 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] Figure 6 shows the noise at different frequencies. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example scenario. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates example signaling that may be performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the devices described herein. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the devices described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0179] In the following description of embodiments, certain aspects are described with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system that provides service to such mobile communication devices. For brevity and clarity, such aspects are described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that such aspects are not limited to 5G wireless communication systems and may be applied, for example, to other wireless communication systems (e.g., the currently proposed 6G).

[0180] 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.

[0181] 1A schematically illustrates a 5G system (5GS) 100. The 5GS comprises a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP® interworking function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP® gateway function (TNGF) for untrusted / trusted non-3GPP® access, or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, which comprises user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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 expose network services (e.g., voice, data connectivity, billing, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. While the NRF 128 is not depicted with an interface, this is for clarity and it should be understood that the NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces to other network functions.

[0184] 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 within the network. Network functions may also subscribe to the NWDAF 126 to receive information therefrom. Thus, the NWDAF 126 may be configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within 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.

[0185] 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 of the NF, e.g., resource usage of the NF. Analysis of the collected data can provide a prediction of resource usage information for a predefined future time window. This analysis can also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource scaling, admission control, traffic load balancing, etc.

[0186] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of 5GC as expressed in the current 3GPP specification. It should be understood that this architecture is intended to illustrate components that may be configured in a core network, and that the principles currently described are not limited to core networks consisting solely of the components described.

[0187] 1B shows a 5G Core 106' including 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 comprises a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133' and Network Function 134' that connect to the interconnection medium.

[0188] 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).

[0189] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are networks that can provide connectivity to a core network via spaceborne vehicles (such as satellites) and / or airborne platforms. These networks provide wireless connectivity between terrestrial user equipment (UE) and the vehicles / platforms.

[0190] NTN was defined for New Radio and Narrowband (NB) Internet of Things (IoT) / enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC) in 3GPP® Release 17. As part of preparations for Release 18, companies have submitted further proposals for NTN within the 3GPP® framework.

[0191] One possible behavior / use case concerns the store and forward behavior of IoT NTN.

[0192] Store-and-Forward (S&F) is a new feature that enables satellites to provide services to IoT NTN devices even during periods / regions when they are not connected to a terrestrial gateway that connects them to the core network. An eNB-on-board architecture is assumed in which the satellite has 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. Asynchronous operation of the service link and feeder link is also supported. Messages received by the satellite during periods when it is not connected to a terrestrial gateway may be stored on the satellite until coverage with the gateway is established. To support this, the 3GPP® framework may include separate signaling procedures (e.g., support for signaling between a UE and a satellite with an onboard Radio Access Network (RAN) node, and separately, support for signaling between a satellite with an onboard RAN node and a gateway to a core network entity). It is also useful to support dynamic attachment between gateways and satellites.

[0193] Dynamic attachment refers to dynamic connection setup and / or dynamic disconnection. Dynamic attachment in this embodiment provides support for situations where a feeder link between the satellite eNB and a core network attachment point (e.g., a non-terrestrial network gateway) may be unavailable. In contrast, a terrestrial-based access point always has access to the core network. It should be understood that the techniques described below with respect to a satellite comprising an access point can also be applied to an access point to a core network that has intermittent access to the core network.

[0194] 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 the store and forward operation to also define where the satellite is not always connected to the core network.

[0195] Store-and-forward architectures have the potential to enable low-cost deployments with just a few satellites and a few ground stations, which means that connectivity costs per device can be further reduced compared to current NTN architectures, at the cost of only being able to support delay-tolerant data.

[0196] A key challenge in store-and-forward deployment is how the UE can establish a secure connection with the core network when the link between the UE and the satellite and the link between the satellite and the core network are simultaneously unavailable.

[0197] The store-and-forward concept only applies to mobile, non-geostationary satellites. Non-geostationary satellites are low-earth orbit satellites with altitudes between 300 and 1,500 km. Geostationary satellites (GEO) do not move relative to the Earth. Geostationary satellites (often located at altitudes of approximately 36,000 km) have a much weaker link budget than non-geostationary satellites, making it very difficult to achieve the target data throughput (e.g., 10 kbps or less), especially on the uplink. A typical handset often requires repeated transmissions to reach the satellite. In contrast, a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite may achieve a throughput of 100 to 600 kbps from a typical handheld under high-load conditions. For this reason, using non-geostationary LEO satellites for data transmission is often preferable over GEO satellites. The quality "link budget" represents all of the gains and losses of a communication signal from source to target. Because the distance between a GEO satellite and a UE is greater than the distance between a LEO satellite and a UE, the link between a UE and a GEO satellite experiences greater loss than the link between a UE and a LEO satellite. This is represented by respective metrics of the link budget indicating that the link budget of the link between the GEO satellite and the UE is weaker than the link budget of the link between the LEO satellite and the UE.

[0198] In this regard, please refer to FIG.

[0199] Figure 6 shows the uplink carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) for different transmission bandwidths and satellite altitudes, where the different transmission bandwidths correspond to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Internet of Things (IoT), and new radio (NR). The satellites are denoted as GEO (geostationary satellites at an altitude of approximately 3600 km), LEO1200 (non-geostationary LEO satellites at an altitude of approximately 1200 km), and LEO600 (non-geostationary LEO satellites at an altitude of approximately 600 km).

[0200] Figure 6 shows that NB-IoT can achieve 2.6 dB when communicating with GEO using a single tone, while using full physical resource blocks (PRBs) in IoT results in -14.2 dB. Switching to a 600 km LEO satellite improves the CNR to -0.9 dB.

[0201] Also, store-and-forward constellations using LEO satellites can take a long time to set up a connection, as shown in Figure 7.

[0202] FIG. 7 shows signal connections in a first period 701, a second period 702, a third period 703, and a fourth period 704.

[0203] During a first time period 701, a UE 705 is shown sending a connection request to a first LEO satellite 706 because the UE 705 has data to transmit uplink. During the first time period 701, the first LEO satellite 706 does not have a connection to the core network.

[0204] During the second period 702, the first LEO satellite 706 obtains a connection to the core network via the gateway 707. During this time, the first LEO satellite 706 does not have a service link (SL) connection. The first LEO satellite 706 signals a connection request to the first gateway 707. The first LEO satellite 706 can provide the UE context to the first gateway 707.

[0205] During the third time period 703, the second LEO satellite 708 is in communication with a second gateway 709. The second gateway 709 may be the same as or different from the first gateway 707. The second gateway 709 provides a UE context to the second LEO satellite 708, which is usable by the UE 705 for connection to the core network. The second LEO satellite 708 does not have a service link connection. While the example of FIG. 7 refers to a second LEO satellite 708, it should be understood that the second LEO satellite may be the first LEO satellite 706 or a different LEO satellite than the first LEO satellite. This example is for illustrative purposes only.

[0206] During a fourth time period, the second LEO satellite 708 uses the UE context to exchange data with the UE 705. During the fourth time period, the second LEO satellite 708 does not have a connection to the core network.

[0207] In the example of Figure 7, the first LEO satellite needs to be within communication range of the first gateway 707 to be able to connect to the core network, and then after the core network provides the UE context to the second LEO satellite as part of the connection request response, the second LEO satellite 708 needs to be located within communication range of the UE 705 to provide the UE context, resulting in a longer connection setup time.

[0208] Depending on the type of access requested by the UE 705 in the initial connection request message in this embodiment 701 (e.g., the connection request is a request to establish a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection or an RRC resumption request, e.g., for early or small data transmission using Random Access Channel (RACH) resources or pre-configured uplink resources), the node to which the access is made (last serving node vs. target node), and the security level, the number of control plane messages exchanged between the UE 705 and the core network to establish the connection / UE context may be significant. The UE context needs to be established (and therefore communication performed) before actual user plane data transfer can begin. The exact delay due to the UE communicating with the core network via at least one satellite varies depending on the satellite constellation and could be several hours.

[0209] The following aims to address at least one of the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the following aims to address at least one of the above-mentioned problems using geostationary satellites.

[0210] Simultaneous connectivity between different systems, where one system does not connect to the 3GPP® core network, is known as LTE-WiFi® interworking and involves data offload to the WiFi® system. In such cases, the data transfer over WiFi® is completely transparent to the 3GPP® system; the 3GPP® system is unaware that data transfer is occurring over the WiFi® network. This interworking architecture also securely transmits data away from the 3GPP® system, making it susceptible to interference and interception. However, one of the biggest differences in this disclosure compared to the LTE-WiFi® interworking scenario is that in this NTN scenario, radio access to one of the systems alternates (even if the UE is not moving), while the other system in the NTN scenario can control and monitor the completion of data transmission from the UE.

[0211] To address at least one of the above problems, the following describes signaling mechanisms that allow a UE and / or a network to propose the use of a non-geostationary / LEO satellite when at least one predetermined condition is met. The non-geostationary satellites are described herein in the context of store-and-forward operation. However, it should be understood that the presently described techniques may be applied to non-geostationary / LEO satellites that are not currently configured to operate using a store-and-forward mechanism. Furthermore, while the following examples are described in the context of NB-IoT, it should be understood that the presently described mechanisms may be applied to other transmission bands / systems, such as, for example, enhanced machine type communications (eMTC) or new radio (NR).

[0212] This is explained with respect to the signal diagram of FIG.

[0213] Figure 8 illustrates signaling that may occur between a UE 801, a LEO satellite 802, a GEO satellite 803, and a core network 804. The LEO satellite 802 and the GEO satellite 803 may configure respective access points to facilitate access to the core network 804. Thus, it should be understood that references to either of these satellites in Figure 8 may refer to the respective access points.

[0214] During 8001, the UE 801 transmits a signal to the GEO satellite 803. This signaling may consist of a random access preamble. This 8001 signaling may correspond to a new wireless random access procedure.

[0215] During 8002, the Geo satellite 803 responds to the signaling of 8001. The signaling of 8001 may include a random access response.

[0216] During 8003, the UE 801 sends a signal to the GEO satellite 803. This 8003 signaling may constitute an RRC connection request service operation. Related to currently known RRC connection request signaling, the 8003 signaling may include information indicating that the UE 801 desires to connect to a LEO, such as a store-and-forward LEO. This 8003 signaling may include information indicating a maximum tolerable delay for the information exchange. This maximum tolerable delay may depend on at least one of several different factors, such as an application associated with the data transmitted on the uplink, a quality of service associated with the data transmitted on the uplink, the amount of data being exchanged, the current UE battery state, and / or a decision by the UE to utilize a different radio access technology (RAT) via the LEO satellite (e.g., eMTC or NR when the initial access to GEO is NB-IoT to optimize the link budget).

[0217] Thus, an RRC connection request from a UE may include at least one of the following elements:

[0218] First, the request may include information indicating a maximum delay for information exchanged by the UE 801. This maximum delay may be used by the core network and / or GEO satellite to estimate whether a LEO satellite will be close enough to transmit and / or receive data within the maximum delay. If it is determined that a LEO satellite is within range within the maximum delay, the core network and / or GEO satellite may decide to provide an indication of the LEO satellite to the UE 801. If it is determined that a LEO satellite is not within the maximum delay, the core network and / or GEO satellite may decide to provide an indication to the UE that the UE should attempt to upload data to the core network and / or GEO satellite via the GEO satellite (without going via the LEO satellite).

[0219] Second, the request may include an indication of a quantity of data that the UE 801 should exchange. The core network and / or GEO satellites can use this indicated quantity of data, knowledge of the throughput of the GEO satellites, knowledge of the throughput of the LEO satellites, an indication of a period of time that the LEO satellites are expected to be within communication range of the UE 801, and an indication of a delay time for the quantity of data to be transmitted via each of the GEO satellites and the LEO satellites to determine whether to cause the quantity of data to be transmitted via the GEO satellites and / or the LEO satellites.

[0220] Third, the request may include an indication of the UE's battery status and / or usage. Battery usage for uploading a certain amount of data differs between transmission via LEO satellites and transmission via GEO satellites. This is because uplink transmission of data via LEO satellites requires less battery usage than uplink transmission of data via GEO satellites because LEO satellites are closer to the Earth than GEO satellites. Thus, if the core network and / or GEO satellites determine that the UE's battery needs to be optimized (e.g., if the UE's current battery status is low and / or the UE is not currently charging), the core network and / or GEO satellites may be more likely to cause the UE to transmit uplink data via LEO satellites instead of transmitting uplink data via GEO satellites.

[0221] Fourth, the request may include an indication that the UE wishes to use a particular radio access technology, where the particular radio access technology is available via a LEO satellite but not via a GEO satellite. This indication is used, for example, when NB-IoT is used by the UE to access a GEO satellite (e.g., to overcome link budgets), but the LEO satellite may provide access to the core network via, for example, enhanced machine type communications. The core network and / or GEO satellite can use this information to select a LEO satellite that can provide the requested access network type.

[0222] Fifth, the request may include an indication that the UE expects to receive downlink data that is not delay critical. Non-delay critical data may be suitable for delivery via a store-and-forward LEO satellite, and thus this information may be used by the core network and / or GEO satellite to select a satellite from which the UE will communicate data with the core network and / or GEO satellite.

[0223] During 8004, the GEO satellite 803 responds to the signaling of 8003. The signaling of 8004 may include a signaling operation for RRC connection setup. The RRC connection setup signaling of 8004 may include an instruction notifying the UE 801 that the connection being set up may use the LEO satellite 802 for communication with the core network 804. This instruction may be provided based on a determination by the core network and / or the GEO satellite using information included in the request, as described above. The signaling of 8004 may include an instruction notifying the UE 801 that it would be preferable for the UE 801 to use the GEO satellite 803 for communication with the core network 804. The instruction provided to the UE 801 during 8004 may be selected depending on the information received from the UE 801 during 8003.

[0224] During 8005, the UE 801 performs signaling to the GEO satellite 803. This 805 signaling may include an RRC connection setup complete service operation. The 8005 signaling may include an indication that the UE 801 understood the 8004 connection setup signaling. If the 8004 signaling indicates that the LEO satellite 802 can be used for communication with the core network 804, the 8005 signaling may include an indication that the UE 804 is ready to use the LEO satellite 802 when the next LEO satellite is detected by the UE 801.

[0225] During 8006, the GEO satellite 803 exchanges signaling with the core network 804. This 8006 signaling may relate to establishing a connection with the core network 804 on behalf of the UE 801. The 8006 signaling may include, for example, information related to UE 801 registration, UE 801 authentication, Non-Access Stratum (NAS) / core network context setup, and / or security context. The GEO satellite 803 may receive information identifying the LEO satellite 805 from the core network 804 during 8006. The LEO satellite 802 may be identified by the core network depending on information maintained by the core network 804 regarding the orbit of the LEO satellite 805 and information relevant when the UE intends to transmit and / or receive information via the LEO satellite.

[0226] During 8007, GEO satellite 803 performs signaling to UE 801. The 8007 signaling may include information related to LEO satellite 803. For example, the 8007 signaling may include information indicating the time (e.g., using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or a relative time delay) when LEO satellite 802 is expected to be available to UE 801 for communication of data. The 8007 signaling may include configuration for the UE to transition to a low power mode (e.g., discontinuous reception, PSM, etc.) until LEO satellite 802 is available.

[0227] The signaling of 8007 may include instructions to cause the UE 801 to switch or change idle priority to a LEO cell upon receiving the signaling of 8007. This is to avoid the UE monitoring or camping on a GEO cell that may have better coverage than a LEO cell in a discontinuous coverage scenario.

[0228] The signaling of 8007 may be performed in a variety of different ways and / or using one or more different service operations. As one example, the RRCConnectionRelease service operation may be enhanced relative to its current definition to redirect UE 801 to a LEO satellite during 8007. This may be performed by including information related to and / or identifying the LEO satellite (e.g., the time the LEO satellite is available) in the RRCConnectionRelease message. As another example, the RRC Reconfiguration service operation may be enhanced to effect the signaling of 8007.

[0229] As an example, the 8007 signaling may include a GEO System Information Block (SIB) with advertisement tables of NTNs from different domains (e.g., different public land mobile networks (PLMNs)). This GEO SIB may include information for optimizing cell search. It should be understood that even if the provided GEO SIB provides information for other systems (e.g., LEO satellites), the term SIB is used here because the signaling may be based on the same principle as a SIB (broadcast within the GEO cell area). This GEO SIB is also referred to in this specification as a LEO advertisement SIB.

[0230] Service providers within the network may be configured to exchange information with other service providers to obtain updates provided in the SIBs and to send new SIBs.

[0231] During 8008, the core network 804 exchanges signaling with the LEO satellite 802. This signaling at 8008 may provide the UE context from the core network 804 to the LEO satellite 802. This signaling at 8008 may include the access stratum (AS) context / security context already established for the UE at the GEO satellite 803 and / or other information to enable the LEO satellite 802 to resume an RRC connection with the UE 801.

[0232] In the current operating specifications of NB-IoT, the connection to the GEO satellite 803 is released first, and in future releases or other radio access technologies, this may occur simultaneously. Some further examples of this embodiment are described below.

[0233] During 8009, the UE 801 may transition to an energy-saving state (e.g., a sleep state, an idle state (e.g., an RRC IDLE state), and / or an inactive state (e.g., an RRC INACTIVE state), etc.). This energy-saving state may be maintained by the UE 801 until a time when the indicated LEO satellite 802 is expected to be detectable by the UE.

[0234] This may occur during a period when the UE 801 expects the LEO satellite to be available to the UE 801 for communication. While this example shows the UE 801 paging the LEO satellite, it will be appreciated that the LEO satellite 802 may instead page the UE 801 during 8010. While this is illustrated with respect to a random access procedure, it will be appreciated that other types of access procedures may be used by the UE to initiate a connection with the LEO satellite 802 for connection to the core network.

[0235] During 8010, the LEO satellite 802 has received UE context (e.g., AS security parameters) from the GEO satellite 803 via the core network 804. The LEO satellite 802 can use the received UE context to connect with the UE 801 faster than if the UE context were not used. For example, the received UE context can be used to perform an RRC connection resumption procedure to connect with the UE. Importantly, this RRC connection may occur between the UE and the LEO satellite 802 even if the LEO satellite 802 does not currently have an active connection with the core network 804.

[0236] During 8011, the LEO satellite 802 performs signaling to the UE 801. This 8011 signaling may correspond to the LEO satellite 802 scheduling the UE 801 for transmission and / or reception operations according to a radio access node located on the LEO satellite 802.

[0237] During 8012, the UE 801 and the LEO satellite 802 exchange signaling according to the scheduling of 8011.

[0238] Between 8012 and 8013, LEO satellite 802 becomes undetectable to UE 801, or UE 801 determines that the signal strength of communication between UE 801 and LEO satellite 802 has fallen below a threshold. In this case, UE 801 determines whether UE 801 has transmitted and / or received all of the data that UE 801 intended to transmit and / or receive.

[0239] When the UE 801 determines that it has transmitted and / or received all data that it intended to transmit and / or receive, the UE 801 may transition to an energy saving mode (e.g., an inactive mode and / or a sleep mode).

[0240] If UE801 determines that it has not transmitted and / or received all of the data it intended to transmit and / or receive, UE801 may indicate to GEO satellite 803 and / or LEO satellite 802 that UE801 has more data to transmit and / or receive.

[0241] This may be followed in 8013 by signaling according to step 8001 (including subsequent signaling) or 8007 (including subsequent signaling).

[0242] On the UE side in the above example of Figure 8, the UE may first scan radio frequency channels to search for a network. If the UE cannot find a home PLMN or an enhanced home PLMN but can find a roaming PLMN (e.g., a GEO cell) that supports the LEO advertisement SIB, the UE may: Update the PLMN selection priority list (defined in 3GPP TS 23.122) and create new criteria to promote neighboring PLMNs that support LEO advertisement SIBs. · Camp at the PLMN associated with the LEO advertisement SIB and read the supporting information provided in the LEO advertisement SIB. · Do not attempt to register with the network so that the 3GPP legacy procedures mandating registration (and associated counters, failure logs, etc.) are bypassed. Based on the information in the LEO advertisement SIB, it determines the information to optimize cell search in the LEO network and the time to restart.

[0243] After the UE disconnects from the LEO network, the UE may start an internal timer for the validity of the acquired ephemeris for future discovery of LEO networks. The length of the timer may depend on the level of detail provided by the LEO ephemeris and the aging of this information. While the timer is still valid, the LEO network may be preferred in new PLMN searches. When the timer expires, the UE may initiate a PLMN search in a PLMN associated with a GEO cell (which has more stable continuity, time, and frequency offsets).

[0244] In all the above embodiments, in a deployment scenario where a GEO satellite and at least one LEO satellite configure respective gNBs to serve a UE (where the GEO satellite may provide full / continuous coverage while at least one LEO satellite may provide discontinuous coverage supporting store-and-forward (SF)), the UE may be configured to select to connect to the core network using a cell served by the GEO satellite when the UE needs to perform uplink non-access stratum transmission (i.e., when the UE needs to perform uplink non-access stratum transmission) (e.g., when the UE has control plane data to provide upstream). The UE may further be configured to select to connect to the core network using a cell served by the GEO satellite when the UE needs to perform uplink data transmission (i.e., when the UE has user plane data to provide upstream).

[0245] In addition, in this embodiment, when the GEO satellite transfers the UE context to the LEO satellite via the core network, the GEO satellite can maintain / save the UE context. Furthermore, every time the UE context is updated in the LEO satellite (e.g., by performing an RRC resumption procedure), the core network can update the UE context maintained by the GEO satellite so that the GEO satellite can process direct non-access stratum signals from the UE without SF.

[0246] While the above example has been described in the context of NB-IoT and the UE disconnecting from a GEO satellite before connecting to a LEO satellite, it should be understood that this is used merely as an example and that other radio access technologies and / or mechanisms exist for causing the UE to prefer other satellites over GEO satellites for providing access to the core network. For example, radio access technologies considered are enhanced machine type communications and / or new radio. Furthermore, the procedure for causing the UE to switch from a GEO satellite to a LEO satellite may be a conditional handover procedure, etc.

[0247] Additionally, a UE may have the ability to connect to GEO and LEO satellites simultaneously. In this case, the radio access technologies used by the UE to access the different types of satellites may be the same or different. For example, a UE may communicate with GEO satellites using NB-IoT while simultaneously communicating with LEO satellites using eMTC and / or NR.

[0248] In all of the above embodiments, the GEO satellites broadcast that they can support store-and-forward non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite facilitation, and the UE is aware that this is an option.

[0249] Optionally, the GEO satellites may provide the UE with further information regarding potential delays and / or availability of store-and-forward NGSO satellites.

[0250] 9 to 12 illustrate aspects of the above embodiment. It will therefore be appreciated that the features described above in relation to the previous embodiment may be implemented in the following aspects.

[0251] FIG. 9 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for 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 apparatuses of FIGS. 10 through 12. While the terms stationary and non-stationary are used throughout with respect to 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 stationary device may be considered a device that maintains a constant displacement relative to a fixed location on the Earth, while a non-stationary device may be considered a device that changes its displacement relative to a fixed location on the Earth. For example, a stationary device may be considered a stationary base station and / or access node, and a non-stationary device may be considered a mobile base station and / or access node, regardless of whether they are mounted on or within a satellite.

[0252] During 901, the device establishes a radio resource control connection between a 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. By this, it is meant that the user context may define at least one set of parameters for enabling the user equipment to access a network via an access node (e.g., via the first access node).

[0253] During 902, the apparatus provides information to the user equipment relating to when a non-stationary second access node will be available to provide coverage to the user equipment using the user context.

[0254] The providing may be performed directly with the user equipment or indirectly with the user equipment (e.g., via a proxy node). After providing the user context to the user equipment, the apparatus can maintain a radio resource control connection with the user equipment. For example, the user equipment may be configured to maintain radio resource control connections with multiple access points at a single point in time. After providing the user context to the user equipment, the apparatus can suspend the radio resource control connection with the user equipment. For example, the user equipment may be configured to maintain a radio resource control connection with a single access point at a single point in time.

[0255] The apparatus may provide the user context to the first proxy node along with instructions to store the user context for retrieval by a non-stationary second access node.

[0256] The determining may comprise determining that the non-stationary second access node is able to meet quality of service requirements for communications to and / or from the user equipment better than the stationary first access node, determining that the battery condition of the user equipment is in a predetermined state and / or determining that the remaining energy is below a threshold, determining that the user equipment has indicated that it desires communications to be provided via a radio access technology different from that provided by the stationary first access node, and / or determining a maximum tolerable delay for information exchanged between the user equipment and a core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes, thereby allowing communications to be exchanged through the non-stationary second access node.

[0257] The device may identify the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node and provide an indication of the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node to the first proxy node.

[0258] Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node may include identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the 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 device including the non-stationary second access node, an orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, a location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0259] The apparatus can suspend a radio resource control connection with the user equipment after providing the user equipment with information regarding when the non-stationary second access node will be able to provide service coverage to the user equipment using the user context, and then resume the radio resource control connection with the user equipment using the user context when it is expected that the non-stationary second access node will no longer provide a cell that covers the location where the user equipment is located.

[0260] After determining to suspend, the apparatus may signal a configuration to the user equipment to place the user equipment in a low power state, the configuration may be at least part of a radio reconfiguration.

[0261] The apparatus may signal an identifier of the non-stationary second access node to the user equipment along with an indication of the time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering the area in which the user equipment is located.

[0262] Signaling an identifier of the non-stationary second access node to the user equipment may include signaling the identifier of the non-stationary second access node and a period of time during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a radio resource control disconnect message.

[0263] The non-geostationary second access node may be located on a non-geostationary satellite, and signaling an identifier of the non-geostationary second access node may include signaling satellite assistance information of the non-geostationary satellite and / or ephemeris information of the non-geostationary satellite.

[0264] The apparatus is capable of suspending a radio resource control connection with a user equipment and maintaining a user context at a stationary first access node after the suspension.

[0265] The apparatus is capable of providing user context directly to a non-stationary second access node via an inter-satellite communication link.

[0266] Figure 10 illustrates operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a first proxy node. The first proxy node 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.

[0267] During 1001, the apparatus receives from a stationary first access node a user context defining a radio resource control connection between the stationary first access node and the user equipment and an indication that the user context is to be provided to a non-stationary second access node. The user context may be a radio access context, as described above.

[0268] During 1002, the device causes a user context to be provided to a non-stationary second access node.

[0269] Having the user context provided to the non-stationary second access node includes providing the user context to the second proxy node together with an indication that the user context is to be provided to the non-stationary second access node.

[0270] Having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context may include providing the user context directly to the non-stationary second access node.

[0271] The apparatus is capable of receiving an identifier of a non-stationary second access node from a stationary first access node.

[0272] The apparatus may receive an identifier of the non-stationary second access node as part of receiving a series of identifiers identifying each access node.

[0273] The apparatus can provide user context to at least two of the access nodes. The non-stationary second access node can be one of the at least two access nodes. The apparatus can provide user context to all of the respective access nodes.

[0274] The apparatus may identify the non-stationary second access node using at least one of the current location of the user equipment, a tracking area and / or cell associated with the user equipment, the orbit of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the non-stationary second access node, the orbit and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of a terrestrial gateway to the core network, and / or characteristics of traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

[0275] Having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context may include having the non-stationary second access node provide the user context along with an indication of a time at which the user context will be deleted by the non-stationary second access node, where the non-stationary second access node may delete the user context from the non-stationary second access node when the indicated time is reached.

[0276] If the 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.

[0277] 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.

[0278] At 1101, the apparatus receives, from the first and / or second proxy nodes, a user context defining a radio resource control connection between a stationary first access node and a user equipment. The user context may be a radio access context, as described above.

[0279] At 1102, the apparatus establishes a radio resource control connection between the user equipment and a non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0280] At 1103, the apparatus can receive data from a non-stationary second access node according to the radio resource control connection.

[0281] 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.

[0282] During 1201, the device establishes a radio resource control connection with a stationary first access node, the radio resource control connection being defined by a user context.

[0283] During 1202, the device establishes a radio resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node using the user context.

[0284] The apparatus may suspend the radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a radio resource control connection suspension procedure before establishing the radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node, and may transition to a low power state for at least a portion of the period between suspension and resumption.

[0285] The apparatus is capable of receiving a configuration from a stationary first access node to transition to a low power state.

[0286] The apparatus may receive from the stationary first access node an identifier of the non-stationary second access node and an indication of the time period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide a cell covering an area in which the user equipment is located.

[0287] The apparatus suspends a radio resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node when signal strength between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node drops below a threshold and / or when a link failure event occurs, and resumes a radio resource control connection with the stationary first access node using a user context.

[0288] In all of the above embodiments of Figures 9 to 12, 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, an access and mobility management function, and / or a mobility management entity.

[0289] In all the above embodiments, the user context may comprise at least one of the radio resource control configuration of the user equipment, access stratum security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously served the user equipment.

[0290] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a communication system controller connected to and / or controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g., a base station such as an MME or S-GNB, an access point (AP), an access node (AN), a gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture, or a node of a core network. For example, a base station, eNB, access point (AP), access node (AN), gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture, or a node of a core network such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity such as a frequency management entity, or a server or host, e.g., a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc. These terms are used herein to refer to any station of the access system and / or controller. The controller may be integrated with or external to a node or module of the core network or RAN. The base station in this example is implemented as a separate controller unit or module. In other examples, the controller may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The controller 200 may be configured to provide control over communications within the 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. Via the interface, the control device can be connected to a receiver and a 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 control device 200 or the processor 201 can be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide the control functions.

[0291] A possible wireless communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3, which shows a schematic, partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300. Such communication devices are often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminals. A suitable mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals. Non-limiting examples may include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or what is called a "smartphone," a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface equipment (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA), a vehicle, a vehicle equipped with user equipment, or a tablet 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.

[0292] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or may be a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction for communication. As described herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication equipment.

[0293] The wireless 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 diagrammatically represented by block 306. The transceiver device 306 can be provided, for example, by a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement can be located internal or external to the wireless device.

[0294] 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 designated 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. Additionally, a wireless communication device may comprise suitable connectors (either wired or wireless) for connecting other devices and / or external accessories, such as hands-free devices.

[0295] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating non-volatile memory media 400a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) that store instructions and / or parameters 402 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of FIG. 9, and / or FIG. 10, and / or FIG. 11, and / or FIG. 12, and / or the methods otherwise described above.

[0296] Various embodiments are described in the detailed description and claims of the present embodiments. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some embodiments 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. Although various embodiments may be shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein 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 some combination thereof.

[0297] 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 shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and / or otherwise described above, may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks, and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks, and functions. 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.).

[0298] 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 comprise, 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), gate level circuitry, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0299] 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 in a communication device, and / or in a core network entity.

[0300] As used herein, 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), software, and portions of a hardware processor with memory(s) that cooperate to cause a device, such as a communications device or base station, to perform the various functions described above; (c) A hardware circuit or processor, such as a microprocessor or part of a microprocessor, that requires software (such as 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:

[0301] 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 merely 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.

[0302] 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.

[0303] Although various 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.

[0304] 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. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a system may typically include functions and structures other than those shown in FIG. 5.

[0305] 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.

[0306] The example of Figure 5 illustrates a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support service link communications, which are described in more detail below.

[0307] 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, such as a NodeB, is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and a physical link from a NodeB to a device is 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.

[0308] A communication system may typically include, for example, multiple NodeBs, 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 radio resources of the communication system to which it is connected. 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 is provided from the transceiver of the NodeB to an antenna unit that establishes a bidirectional wireless link to the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. For example, the NodeB may be further connected to a core network 506 (CN or Next Generation Core NGC). Depending on the technology deployed, for example, a NodeB may be 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 devices 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.

[0309] Examples of devices include subscriber units, user equipment, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, and the like.

[0310] 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, the following types of devices: mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handsets, devices using wireless modems (such as alarms or measurement devices), laptops and / or touchscreen computers, vehicles, user equipment mounted / mounted in vehicles, tablets, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. 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 provide 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. Depending on the application, a device may consist of user equipment (such as a watch, earphones, or glasses) with a wireless portion, with computations performed in the cloud.

[0311] A device exemplifies one type of device to which resources over 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. The device (or Layer 3 relay node in this example) is configured to perform one or more of the functionalities of a user equipment.

[0312] 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 has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices carried by humans or animals.

[0313] 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).

[0314] 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 / or 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-type applications (e.g., vehicle safety, various sensors, and (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC) including real-time control). 5G will have multiple air interfaces, including sub-6 GHz, above 24 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave, 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 - cmWave, above 6 GHz and below 24 GHz - cmWave, mmWave).One concept expected to be used in 5G networks is network slicing, which allows the creation of multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements regarding latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0315] The LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. 5G 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 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, which can be categorized as dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlets, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented reality and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (where massive connectivity and latency are critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, road safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0316] The communication 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, private networks, etc. The communication network may also support the use of cloud services. For example, at least some of the operations of the core network may be performed as cloud services (depicted by "cloud" 514 in this example). When performed at a location separate from the core network, this may also be referred to as edge computing. The communication system may also comprise a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0317] 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 the node are distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. The application of a Cloud RAN architecture allows for 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).

[0318] It should also be understood that the division of responsibilities between core network operation and base station operation may be different from LTE or may not exist. Other technological advances include big data and all-IP, which may 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 located 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.

[0319] 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), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or vehicle passengers; ensuring service availability for mobile broadband (MBB); 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.

[0320] The depicted system is only an example of a portion of a radio access system. In practice, the system may include multiple NodeBs, for example, and devices may have access to multiple radio cells. The system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes and other network elements. For example, at least one of the NodeBs may be a home NodeB. Furthermore, multiple radio cells, as well as multiple different types of radio cells, may be provided in the geographical area of ​​the radio communication system. The radio 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, for example, may provide these cells. A cellular radio 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. A device for a stationary first access node, wherein the device is Establishing a wireless resource control connection between the stationary first access node and the user equipment, wherein the wireless resource control connection is defined by the user context, and establishing the connection. Providing the user device with information regarding when the non-static second access node will be able to provide service coverage to the user device using the user context, A device equipped with means for performing an action.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing the user context to the first proxy node, along with an instruction to save the user context for acquisition by a non-static second access node.

3. The means for determining is: The non-stationary second access node is determined to be able to better satisfy the quality of service requirements for communication with and / or communication from the user equipment than the stationary first access node. The battery state of the user device is in a predetermined state, and / or the remaining energy is determined to be below a threshold. Determining that the user device has indicated that it wishes for communication to be provided through a wireless access technology different from the wireless access technology provided by the stationary first access node, and / or, To enable communication exchange via the non-stationary second access node by determining the maximum allowable delay of information exchanged between the user equipment and the core network associated with the first and non-stationary second access nodes, The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for performing the following actions.

4. Identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node, To provide the first proxy node with instructions for the non-static second access node and / or the device including the non-static second access node, The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for performing the following actions.

5. The means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the device including the non-stationary second access node is: The apparatus according to claim 4, comprising means for identifying the non-stationary second access node and / or the apparatus including the non-stationary second access node based on at least one of the following: the current location of the user equipment, the trajectory of the user equipment, the ephemeris of the apparatus including the non-stationary second access node, the trajectory and / or velocity of the non-stationary second access node, the location of the ground gateway to the core network, and / or the characteristics of the traffic transmitted and / or received by the user equipment.

6. After providing the user device with information regarding when the non-static second access node will be able to provide service coverage to the user device using the user context, the wireless resource control connection with the user device is interrupted. Subsequently, if it is expected that the non-stationary second access node will no longer provide a cell covering the location where the user device is located, the user context is used to resume the wireless resource control connection with the user device. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for performing the following actions.

7. After deciding to interrupt the service, signal the user device to initiate a setting to transition it to a low-power state. The apparatus according to claim 6, including means for performing the following.

8. Signaling the user device with the identifier of the non-stationary second access node, along with an indication of the period for which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide cells covering the area where the user device is located. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for performing the following actions.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the means for signaling the identifier of the non-stationary second access node to the user equipment comprises means for signaling the identifier of the non-stationary second access node and the period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide the cell as part of a wireless resource control disconnection message.

10. A device for a first proxy node, wherein the device is Receiving from a stationary first access node a user context defining a wireless resource control connection between the stationary first access node and the user equipment, and an instruction that the user context is to be provided to a non-stationary second access node, The user context is provided to the non-static second access node, A device equipped with means for performing an action.

11. The means for providing the user context to a non-static second access node is: The user context is provided to the second proxy node along with an instruction that the user context is provided to the non-static second access node. The apparatus according to claim 10, comprising means for performing the following.

12. Means for providing the user context to the non-static second access node are: Providing the user context directly to the non-static second access node, The apparatus according to claim 10, comprising means for performing the following.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for receiving an identifier of the non-static second access node from the stationary first access node.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for performing the reception of the identifier of the non-static second access node as part of the reception of a set of identifiers that identify each access node.

15. A device for user equipment, the device is Establishing a wireless resource control connection with a stationary first access node, wherein the wireless resource control connection is defined by the user context, Using the aforementioned user context, establish a wireless resource control connection with a non-stationary second access node, A device equipped with means for performing an action.

16. Before establishing a wireless resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node, interrupt the wireless resource control connection with the stationary first access node using the wireless resource control connection interruption procedure, During at least a portion of the period between the interruption and the establishment, the transition to a low-power state occurs. The apparatus according to claim 15, including means for performing the following.

17. Receiving the settings for transitioning to the low-power state from the static first access node, The apparatus according to claim 16, including means for performing the following.

18. Receiving from the stationary first access node the identifier of the non-stationary second access node and an instruction for the period during which the non-stationary second access node is expected to provide cells covering the area where the user equipment is located. The apparatus according to claim 16, comprising means for performing the following.

19. When the signal strength between the user equipment and the non-stationary second access node falls below a threshold, and / or when a link failure event occurs, the wireless resource control connection with the non-stationary second access node is interrupted. Using the user context, the wireless resource control connection with the stationary first access node is restarted. The apparatus according to claim 15, comprising means for performing the following.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the user context includes at least one of the following: the wireless resource control settings of the user device, access layer security key information, and / or an identifier of an access node that previously provided services to the user device.

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