Non-terrestrial wireless communication method, device and storage medium

Abstract

A wireless communication method comprising: transmitting to a base station (BS) a first message including at least one of timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information of a user equipment (UE), the timing information indicating a time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve the system information, or instructions associated with the time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve the system information, and updating at least one of the GNSS positioning information or system information during the time period. Other wireless communication methods, wireless communication devices configured to perform the disclosed methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions for performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to non-terrestrial wireless communications. [Background technology]

[0002] background Wireless communication technologies are a critical component of increasingly interconnected global communication networks. Wireless communication relies on precisely allocated time and frequency resources to transmit and receive radio signals. In the context of non-terrestrial wireless communication, user equipment (UE) may need to rely on its own positioning information (indicating where the UE is located), satellite or unmanned aerial system (UAS) platform positioning information (indicating the location of intermediate communication stations), and timing advance (TA) information to keep communications synchronized with BS stations via satellites or UAS platforms. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] overview This summary is a brief description of certain aspects of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method including: transmitting a first message to a base station (BS), the first message including timing information associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information including at least one of timing information indicating a time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve the system information, or an instruction to the BS associated with the time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve the system information; and updating at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information during the time period.

[0005] Another embodiment of the disclosure provides another method of wireless communication, the method including: receiving, by a first base station (BS), a first message from a user equipment (UE), the first message including timing information associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information including at least one of timing information indicating a time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve the system information, or an instruction to the BS associated with the time period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information or system information; transmitting the system information to the UE for the UE to update its system information; and configuring the UE after the time period.

[0006] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: transmitting, by a base station (BS) to a user equipment (UE), an instruction to configure a time period used by the UE to update global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve system information, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information; and providing the system information to the UE for the UE to update the system information during the time period.

[0007] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), an instruction to a base station (BS) to configure a time period to be used by the UE to update global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve system information, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information; and receiving the system information by the UE for the UE to update the system information during the time period.

[0008] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: receiving, by a first base station (BS), from a user equipment (UE), a first message including timing information associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, wherein the system information includes at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information indicates a period for the UE to update the GNSS position information or retrieve the system information; and transmitting, to a second BS with which the UE establishes a connection, a second message including the timing information.

[0009] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE); and, after the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS, transmitting a message indicating a cause for the UE to release a second RRC connection with the BS or establish the first RRC connection with the BS.

[0010] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE); and, after the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS, receiving a message indicating a cause for the UE to release a second RRC connection with the BS or establish the first RRC connection with the BS.

[0011] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including providing information from an access stratum (AS) layer of a user equipment (UE) to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer regarding a cause for the UE to release a first RRC connection with a base station (BS) or re-establish a second RRC connection with the BS.

[0012]

[0010] Yet another embodiment of this disclosure provides a wireless communication device, such as a base station or user equipment, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores one or more instructions. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform any one of the methods disclosed in this disclosure.

[0013] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a user equipment or a base station to perform any one of the methods disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0014] These and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting a first message to a base station (BS), the first message comprising: Timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, the timing information indicating a period for the UE to update GNSS position information or retrieve the system information; or an instruction to the BS associated with a period during which the UE should update the GNSS positioning information or retrieve system information; and updating at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information during the period; A method comprising: (Item 2) the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information, the time when the UE acquires the GNSS positioning information; the time when the UE receives the system information; an index indicating a transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; the value of one or more of said timers; the time remaining before the system information expires; the time difference between the UE receiving the system information and applying the system information; or The time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information. Item 1. The method according to item 1, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 3) Item 1. The method according to item 1, wherein the timing information indicates a valid duration of the GNSS positioning information and the system information. (Item 4) Item 4. The method of item 3, further comprising starting a timer associated with the valid duration after the UE receives one or more of the GNSS positioning information or the system information. (Item 5) Item 10. The method of item 1, further comprising receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message to activate transmission of the first message. (Item 6) Item 6. The method of item 5, wherein the RRC message includes at least one of the following messages: an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC establishment message, an RRC re-establishment message, an RRC resume message, or a UE information request message. (Item 7) The instruction is subject to the following conditions: determining that the UE is not synchronized with the BS within a first duration; the system information expires within a second time duration; a timer associated with the system information reaching a first threshold within a third time duration; the UE retrieving the system information or retrieving the system information within a fourth duration; the GNSS positioning information expires within a fifth time duration; a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a second threshold within a sixth time duration; or The UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or acquires the updated GNSS positioning information within a seventh duration. Item 1. The method according to item 1, wherein the transmission is made when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (Item 8) 8. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the first message includes transmitting the first message in a preamble sequence for random access or via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). (Item 9) 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for transmitting the first message, wherein the frequency and / or time domain resource configuration used for the transmission indicates that the condition is met. (Item 10) 8. The method of claim 7, wherein transmitting the first message includes transmitting the first message as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE). (Item 11) Item 11. The method of item 10, wherein the MAC CE comprises one or more first bits indicating that the condition is met. (Item 12) Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the MAC CE further comprises one or more second bits indicating at least one of the duration or length of the period. (Item 13) Item 10. The method of item 1, further comprising: initiating an update of the GNSS positioning information or a search for the system information for a predetermined duration after transmitting the first message including the instruction to the BS. (Item 14) receiving an acknowledgement message from the BS in response to the BS receiving the first message; updating the GNSS positioning information or retrieving the system information after the acknowledgement message is received and a timer associated with at least one of the system information or the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold; Item 1, the method of claim 1 further comprising: (Item 15) Item 10. The method of item 1, further comprising sending separate timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information to a core network connected to the BS. (Item 16) other timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information is derived from the timing information; a valid time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until said GNSS positioning information expires, or The start time of the GNSS positioning information Item 16. The method according to item 15, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 17) Item 1. The method of item 1, further comprising, after the UE re-establishes an RRC connection with the BS after the GNSS positioning information is updated, sending a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection with the BS or re-establish an RRC connection with the BS. (Item 18) the cause includes at least one of the following: expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; The second message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC re-establishment request message, an RRC resume request message, an RRC connection request message, an RRC early data request message, a UE information response message, or a UE assistance information message. Item 17. The method according to item 17. (Item 19) Item 18. The method of item 17, further comprising receiving an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including the cause, and an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE providing the cause to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the UE. (Item 20) Item 1. The method of item 1, further comprising providing information from an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer regarding a cause for the UE to release a first RRC connection with the BS or re-establish a second RRC connection with the BS. (Item 21) Item 1. The method of item 1, further comprising providing UE positioning information to a core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE. (Item 22) 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the RRC message includes at least one of a UE context release message, a PDU session resource setup response message, a downlink NAS transport message, an initial context setup request message, and a UE information transfer message. (Item 23) 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the UE positioning information includes at least one of physical location information of the UE or an identification of a preferred core network. (Item 24) 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the system information from the BS, the system information being accompanied by an index associated with a transmission time of the system information. (Item 25) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a first base station (BS), a first message from a user equipment (UE), the first message comprising: Timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, the timing information indicating a period for the UE to update GNSS position information or retrieve the system information; or an instruction to the BS associated with a period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or system information; and transmitting system information to the UE to update its system information; configuring the UE after the period of time; A method comprising: (Item 26) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising transmitting a second message to a second BS with which the UE establishes a connection, the second message including the timing information. (Item 27) The second message comprises: the time remaining before the system information expires; a timer value associated with the system information; the start time of the timer; a threshold value of the timer; the time remaining until the timer reaches the threshold; the validity period of the system information; or The start time of the system information 27. The method according to item 26, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 28) The second message comprises: a valid time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until said GNSS position information expires, or The start time of the GNSS position information 27. The method according to item 26, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 29) Item 26. The method of item 25, further comprising transmitting a BS switch request to the second BS directly or via a core network. (Item 30) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining the period and configuring the period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information and the system information. (Item 31) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining an expiration time of at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information based on the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information. (Item 32) the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information, the time when the UE acquires the GNSS positioning information; the time when the UE receives the system information; an index indicating a transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; the value of one or more of said timers; the time remaining before the system information expires; the time difference between the UE receiving the system information and applying the system information; or The time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information. 26. The method according to item 25, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 33) Item 26. The method of item 25, wherein the timing information indicates a valid duration of the GNSS positioning information and the system information. (Item 34) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising determining a start time of a timer of the UE associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information. (Item 35) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message to the UE to activate transmission of the first message. (Item 36) Item 36. The method of item 35, wherein the RRC message includes at least one of the following messages: an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC establishment message, an RRC re-establishment message, an RRC resume message, or a UE information request message. (Item 37) The instruction is subject to the following conditions: determining that the UE is not synchronized with the BS within a first duration; the system information expires within a second time duration; a timer associated with the system information reaching a first threshold within a third time duration; the UE retrieving the system information or retrieving the system information within a fourth duration; the GNSS positioning information expires within a fifth time duration; a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a second threshold within a sixth time duration; or The UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or acquires the updated GNSS positioning information within a seventh duration. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the transmission is made when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (Item 38) Item 38. The method according to item 37, wherein the first message is transmitted in a preamble sequence for random access or via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). (Item 39) Item 39. The method of item 38, further comprising transmitting an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for the first message, wherein the frequency and / or time domain resource configuration used by the preamble sequence indicates that the condition is met. (Item 40) Item 38. The method of item 37, wherein the first message is transmitted as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE). (Item 41) Item 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the MAC CE comprises one or more first bits indicating that the condition is met. (Item 42) Item 42. The method of item 41, wherein the MAC CE further comprises one or more second bits indicating at least one of the duration or length of the period. (Item 43) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement message to the UE in response to the BS receiving the first message. (Item 44) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving another timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information and sending the corresponding timing information to a core network. (Item 45) other timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information is derived from the timing information; a valid time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until said GNSS positioning information expires, or The start time of the GNSS positioning information Item 45. The method according to item 44, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 46) Item 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the corresponding timing information is transmitted in a payload establishment / modification request message or an initial context setup response message. (Item 47) Item 1. The method of item 1, further comprising, after the GNSS positioning information is updated, and after the UE re-establishes another RRC connection with the BS, receiving a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection with the BS or re-establish another RRC connection with the BS. (Item 48) the cause includes at least one of the following: expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; The second message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC re-establishment request message, an RRC resume request message, an RRC connection request message, an RRC early data request message, a UE information response message, or a UE assistance information message. Item 48. The method according to item 47. (Item 49) Item 48. The method of item 47, further comprising adjusting the period for future use according to the second message. (Item 50) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising transmitting an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection with the BS or re-establish another RRC connection with the BS. (Item 51) 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving UE positioning information for a core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE. (Item 52) Item 52. The method of item 51, wherein the RRC message includes at least one of a UE context release message, a PDU session resource setup response message, a downlink NAS transport message, an initial context setup request message, and a UE information transfer message. (Item 53) Item 52. The method of item 51, wherein the UE positioning information includes at least one of physical location information of the UE or an identification indication of a preferred core network. (Item 54) Item 10. The method of item 1, wherein the system information is accompanied by an index associated with a transmission time of the system information. (Item 55) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting, by a base station (BS), to a user equipment (UE), an instruction to configure a period used by the UE to update global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve system information, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information; providing the system information to the UE so that the UE updates the system information during the period; A method comprising: (Item 56) Item 56. The method of item 55, wherein the instruction is transmitted as at least one of an RRC message, a MAC control element, or downlink control information (DCI). (Item 57) The instruction: the start time of said period; The length of the preliminary period, periodicity information for said period; or The delay before the start of the period Item 56. The method according to Item 55, comprising at least one of: (Item 58) Item 56. The method of item 55, wherein the period is associated with an inactive period of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration. (Item 59) Item 59. The method of item 58, further comprising transmitting an RRC message to configure the DRX configuration or to configure whether the inactive period is used as the period. (Item 60) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), an instruction to a base station (BS) to configure a time period used by the UE to update Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve system information, the system information including at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information; receiving the system information by the UE so that the UE updates the system information during the period; A method comprising: (Item 61) Item 61. The method of item 60, wherein the instruction is transmitted as at least one of an RRC message, a MAC control element, or downlink control information (DCI). (Item 62) The instruction: the start time of said period; the length of said period; periodicity information for said period; or a delay time before the start of said period; Item 61. The method according to item 60, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 63) Item 61. The method of item 60, wherein the period is associated with an inactive period of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration. (Item 64) Item 64. The method of item 63, further comprising receiving an RRC message to configure the DRX configuration or to configure whether the inactive period is used as the period. (Item 65) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a first base station (BS), from a user equipment (UE), a first message including timing information associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information indicating a period for the UE to update its GNSS position information or retrieve the system information; transmitting a second message to a second BS with which the UE establishes a connection, the second message including the timing information; A method comprising: (Item 66) The second message comprises: the time remaining before the system information expires; a timer value associated with the system information; the start time of the timer; a threshold value of the timer; the time remaining until the timer reaches the threshold; the validity period of the system information; or The start time of the system information Item 66. The method according to item 65, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 67) The second message comprises: a valid time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until said GNSS position information expires, or The start time of the GNSS position information Item 66. The method according to item 65, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 68) Item 66. The method according to item 65, wherein the first message is transmitted via a core network connected between a first BS and a second BS. (Item 69) Item 66. The method of item 65, further comprising transmitting a switch request to a core network or the second base station. (Item 70) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: Establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE); After the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS, the UE transmits a message indicating a cause for releasing the second RRC connection with the BS or establishing the first RRC connection with the BS. A method comprising: (Item 71) the cause includes at least one of the following: expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; The message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC Re-establishment Request message, an RRC Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Request message, an RRC Early Data Request message, a UE Information Response message, or a UE Assistance Information message; Item 70. The method according to item 70. (Item 72) Item 71. The method of item 70, further comprising receiving an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including the cause, and an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE providing the cause to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. (Item 73) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: Establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE); After the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS, receiving a message indicating a cause for the UE to release a second RRC connection with the BS or establish the first RRC connection with the BS; A method comprising: (Item 74) Item 74. The method of item 73, further comprising adjusting a period used by the UE to update Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information of the UE or system information of the UE according to the message, wherein the system information includes at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information. (Item 75) the cause includes at least one of: expiration of GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; The message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC Re-establishment Request message, an RRC Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Request message, an RRC Early Data Request message, a UE Information Response message, or a UE Assistance Information message; Item 73. The method according to item 73. (Item 76) Item 74. The method of item 73, further comprising transmitting an RRC release message to the UE, the RRC release message including the cause. (Item 77) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: 1. A method comprising: providing information from an access stratum (AS) layer of a user equipment (UE) to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer regarding a cause for the UE to release a first RRC connection with a base station (BS) or re-establish a second RRC connection with the BS. (Item 78) Item 78. The method of item 77, wherein the cause includes at least one of expiration of GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information. (Item 79) Item 78. The method of item 77, further comprising receiving an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including the cause, and the AS layer providing the cause to the NAS layer. (Item 80) Item 78. The method of item 77, further comprising triggering an RRC release process by the AS layer or the NAS layer. (Item 81) A wireless communication device, a memory storing one or more instructions; a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions to perform the method of any one of items 1 to 80; A wireless communication device comprising: (Item 82) Item 82. The wireless communication device of item 81, comprising a user equipment or a base station. (Item 83) 81. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a user equipment or a base station to perform the method of any one of items 1 to 80. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure. As such, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example network architecture for a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates signal transmission between a base station and user equipment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary signal transmission process according to an example of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates an exemplary MAC Control Element used by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates another exemplary MAC Control Element used by embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 illustrates signal transmission between two base stations and a user equipment according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates signal transmission between a base station and a user equipment according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and [Figure 7] 10 illustrates signal transmission between a base station and a user equipment according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Detailed Description 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 150 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. System 150 may perform various methods / steps disclosed below. System 150 may include components and elements configured to support operational features that need not be described in detail herein.

[0018] The system 150 may include a first base station (BS) 102-1, a second BS 102-2 (collectively BSs 102), and a user equipment (UE) 104. The first BS 102-1 and the second BS 102-2 each include a BS transceiver or transceiver module 152, a BS antenna system 154, a BS memory or memory module 156, a BS processor or processor module 158, and a network interface 160. The components of the BSs 102-1, 102-2 can be electrically coupled to and communicate with each other as needed via a data communication bus 180. Similarly, the UE 104 includes a UE transceiver or transceiver module 162, a UE antenna system 164, a UE memory or memory module 166, a UE processor or processor module 168, and an I / O interface 169. The components of the UE 104 can be electrically coupled to and communicate with each other as needed via a data communication bus 190. The BS 102-1 and / or BS 102-2 communicate with the UE 104 via a communication channel 192, which may be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for transmission of data as described herein or known in the art. For example, the communication channel 192 may be established via one or more satellites (or UAS platforms) 194. Data or signals from the BSs 102-1, 102-2 to the UE 104 may be relayed by the satellites 194. The communication channel 192 may include a feeder link between the BSs 102-1, 102-2 and the satellites, and the communication channel 192 may include a service link between the UE 104 and the satellites 192.

[0019] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, system 150 may include any number of additional modules other than those illustrated in FIG. 1 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a manner suitable for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Wireless transmission from the transmit antennas (referred to as singular for convenience but may include multiple antennas) of the UE 104 to the receive antennas (referred to as singular for convenience but may include multiple antennas) of the BS 102 is known as uplink (UL) transmission, and wireless transmission from the transmit antennas of the BS 102 to the receive antennas of the UE 104 is known as downlink (DL) transmission. According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 162 may be referred to herein as an “uplink” transceiver 162, including RF transmitter and receiver circuitry each coupled to the UE antenna 164. Alternatively, a duplexing switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplexing manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 152 may be referred to herein as a “downlink” transceiver 152, including RF transmitter and receiver circuitry each coupled to the antenna array 154. Alternatively, a downlink duplexing switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna array 154 in a time-duplexing manner. The operation of the two transceivers 152 and 162 is coordinated in time so that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna array 154 while the uplink receiver is coupled to the uplink UE antenna 164 to receive transmissions over a wireless communication channel 192. There may be tightly synchronized timing with only a minimal guard time between changes in duplex direction. The UE transceiver 162 communicates with the BS 102 via the UE antenna 164 over the wireless communication channel 192. The BS transceiver 152 communicates with another BS (e.g., a second BS 102-2) via the BS antenna 154 of the BS (e.g., a first BS 102-1) over the wireless communication channel 192. The wireless communication channel 196 may be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for direct communication between BSs or known in the art.

[0021] The UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 are configured to communicate over a wireless data communication channel 192 and cooperate with appropriately configured RF antenna devices 154 / 164 capable of supporting a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, the UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G standards (e.g., NR). However, it will be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited to application to a particular standard and associated protocol. Rather, the UE transceiver 162 and the BS transceiver 152 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

[0022] Processor modules 158 and 168 may be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, a content-addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. As such, a processor module may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. A processor module may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0023] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, firmware, software modules executed by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively, or any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 156 and 166 may be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 156 and 166 may be coupled to processor modules 158 and 168, respectively, such that processor modules 158 and 168 can read information from and write information to memory modules 156 and 166, respectively. Memory modules 156 and 166 may also be integrated into respective processor modules 158 and 168. In some embodiments, memory modules 156 and 166 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions executed by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively. Memory modules 156 and 166 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions executed by processor modules 158 and 168, respectively.

[0024] The network interface 160 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 102 that enable bidirectional communication between the BS transceiver 152 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with the BS 102. For example, the network interface 160 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, but without limitation, the network interface 160 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface to enable the BS transceiver 152 to communicate with conventional Ethernet-based computer networks. In this manner, the network interface 160 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)) or one or more core networks 195 for mobile communications. The terms “configured for” or “configured to,” as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function. The network interface 160 may enable the BS 102 to communicate with other BSs or CNs via wired or wireless connections.

[0025] In the context of a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, a user equipment (UE) may need to have GNSS positioning information and system information from a base station (BS) to maintain synchronization of communications with the BS. The GNSS positioning information indicates the location of the UE. The system information may include satellite positioning information indicating the positions of one or more satellites (or UAS platforms) 194 associated with communications with the BS. The system information may further include timing advance (TA) information. The timing advance information may be used by the UE to calculate an advance amount of time for transmitting a signal to compensate for transmission delays so that the transmitted signal can be received by the BS within an acceptable time window. However, when the UE is updating the GNSS positioning information, TA information, and / or satellite positioning information, the UE may not be able to receive other configuration signals from the BS. If the BS continues to transmit signals to the UE when such an update process is taking place, delivery of such configuration commands may fail.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method. The method includes: transmitting a first message by a user equipment (UE) to a BS, the first message including at least one of timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information or an instruction associated with a first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or system information (e.g., an instruction instructing the BS to avoid / suspend communication with the UE during the first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or system information); and updating at least one of the GNSS positioning information or system information during the first period. The system information may include at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information. The timing information may indicate or be associated with the first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or retrieves the system information.

[0027] Specifically, the UE may transmit a first message including timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or system information, and the first message may be used by the BS to evaluate when current GNSS positioning information or system information will expire so that the BS may transmit a configuration signal, such as updated system information, before the first period during which the UE is updating its GNSS positioning information and / or system information, thereby allowing the BS to avoid configuring the UE during the first period during which the UE is updating its GNSS positioning information and / or system information by suspending transmission of additional configuration signals to the UE.

[0028] In one embodiment, the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information may include at least one of the following: a time when the UE acquired the GNSS positioning information; a time when the UE received (and / or applied) the system information; an index indicating the transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; values ​​of one or more of the timers; a remaining time before the system information expires; a time difference between the UE receiving the system information and the UE applying the system information; or a time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information. The remaining time until the system information or the GNSS positioning information expires may be determined by the total validity time of the system information and the GNSS positioning information and the timing at which the UE applies or retrieves the system information or the GNSS positioning information. For example, the remaining validity time may be calculated by subtracting the period from the start of the validity time until the UE reports the timing information to the BS from the total validity time of the system information or the GNSS positioning information. The remaining validity time until the system information or the GNSS positioning information expires may also be indicated by a timer value. The timer may start from a number corresponding to the total validity time and count down to 0 (as a threshold). Alternatively, the timer may start from 0 and count up to a threshold corresponding to the total validity time of the system information and the GNSS positioning information. The timer may start when the UE receives or applies the system information. The timer may also start when the UE updates the GNSS positioning information (or the validity duration begins). The validity duration may be related to the relative movement between the communicating entities involved (e.g., UE, satellite, and base station).

[0029] The timing information may indicate the validity duration of the GNSS positioning information and system information. The time information may be indicated in normal time units or in units of radio frames, subframes, time slots, or higher frames. The time information may also be indicated by an index into a radio frame, subframe, time slot, or higher frame.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the UE may start a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information after the UE receives (or applies) one or more pieces of GNSS positioning information or system information. There may be a preset threshold. The UE may use the timer to calculate when the GNSS positioning information and / or system information will expire or when the UE needs to update the GNSS positioning information or system information. The timer threshold may be set to the validity time length of the GNSS positioning information or system information so that the UE can obtain timing information on the validity of the GNSS positioning information or system information. Furthermore, the UE may report the start time of the timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information. The values ​​of one or more of the timers may also be reported to the BS so that the BS can evaluate when the GNSS positioning information or system information will expire.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the BS may transmit a system information block (SIB) carrying satellite positioning information to the UE. After acquiring the SIB, the UE starts a UE timer 169 (as shown in FIG. 1) and reports the timer's start time to the BS. After receiving the UE timer's start time, the BS may start its own timer 159 (as shown in FIG. 1) to transmit an RRC message carrying updated satellite positioning information in a timely manner. After the RRC message carrying the updated satellite positioning information is transmitted, the BS can avoid sending additional configuration signals to the UE during the first period BLK T. The UE can acquire the RRC message carrying the updated satellite positioning information during the period BLK T and transmit an ACK / RACH signal to the BS. Thereafter, the BS can continue to communicate with the BS via the satellite. This example uses satellite positioning information as an example, and TA information and other types of system information can also be updated according to this mechanism. Here, the system information transmitted by the BS may be accompanied by an index. The index may directly or indirectly indicate the transmission time of the system information. The UE can use the index to determine the transmission time of the received system information. The UE can report the index to the BS so that the BS can use the index to inform the UE of its current system information and look up when the system information is transmitted by looking up the index.

[0032] As described above, the system information transmitted from the BS may be accompanied by an index related to the transmission time of the system information. Therefore, when the UE applies or searches for the system information, the UE can convey the identification information of the system information. The index can indicate the transmission time of the system information. The index can simply identify the system information, and the UE can therefore report the index of the system information to the BS. The BS can then use the reported index of the system information to notify or search for the identification information of the system information and the corresponding transmission time of the system information.

[0033] In one embodiment, the BS may transmit a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message activating transmission of the first message, and the UE may receive the first message. For example, the RRC message may carry an indication of whether the UE is enabled to report transmission of the first message. The RRC message may include at least one of an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC establishment message, an RRC reestablishment message, an RRC resume message, or a UE information request message.

[0034] Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present disclosure of FIG. 2, the UE may transmit a first message including an instruction to the BS to avoid / suspend communication with the UE during a first period in which the UE updates its GNSS positioning information or system information. In this embodiment, the UE may send an instruction to the BS indicating that the UE intends to update its GNSS positioning information or system information during the next first period. The BS may avoid or suspend transmission of further configuration signals to the UE during the first period so as to avoid interference with the configuration signals transmitted during the first period.

[0035] For example, the instruction may be transmitted when at least one of the following conditions is met: the UE is determined to be out of sync with the BS within a specific period of time; the UE determines that the system information will expire within a specific period of time; a timer associated with the system information reaches a first threshold within a specific period of time; the UE retrieves / updates the system information or retrieves / updates the system information within a specific period of time; the GNSS positioning information expires within a specific period of time; a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold within a specific period of time; or the UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or acquires updated GNSS positioning information within a specific period of time. The period and threshold for the above different conditions may be the same or different according to different situations. The specific period of time may be short enough that the first message with the instruction is transmitted just before the condition (e.g., the UE is determined to be out of sync with the BS) is met.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first message can be transmitted in a preamble sequence for random access or via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). Furthermore, the BS can transmit an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for transmitting the first message via the preamble sequence for random access or the PUCCH, and the UE can receive the RRC message. Furthermore, the frequency and / or time domain resource configuration used to transmit the first message can indicate which of the above conditions are met and which condition triggers transmission of the first message of the instruction. That is, the BS can have a mapping between the time / frequency domain resource configuration of the preamble sequence and the preamble or PUCCH used to transmit the instruction and the above different conditions. Depending on the time and / or frequency configuration used to transmit the first message, the BS can convey which one or more conditions are met and trigger transmission of the first message. For example, a BS may configure a PRACH resource configuration (including a period, a starting time, and / or a frequency point) to use for a preamble sequence carrying a first message for a condition that triggers the reporting of the first message. In response, if the BS receives a preamble sequence in such a PRACH resource configuration, the BS can confirm that the corresponding condition is met. This approach can reduce the amount of information a message needs to carry and can reduce reporting overhead.

[0037] Similarly, the BS may configure the UE to use a specific PUCCH configuration (including period, time to start, and frequency point) to transmit an instruction when certain conditions are met, allowing the BS to know which conditions are met and which conditions trigger the transmission of the instruction based on the resource configuration of the received instruction.

[0038] Alternatively, transmitting the first message may include transmitting the first message as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE). The MAC CE has a larger capacity for carrying more information. As shown in FIG. 4A, the MAC CE used to transmit the first message may include a reserved / optional bit R followed by one or more subsequent bits (condition indications) indicating that a condition is met. As an example, the reserved bit R may be followed by three digits, indicating a total of eight different conditions. Specifically, 000, 001, 011, 111, etc. may represent met conditions. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the MAC CE may further include one or more additional subsequent bits (time indications) indicating at least one of the duration or duration length of the first period. The duration or duration length may be a relative time indicating the length of the first period that the UE requires after a specific point in time. The duration or duration length may also be an absolute time specifying a specific period as the first period. The additional bits may also indicate the length of the first period expected by the UE, whether or not to indicate a specific point in time for the first period.

[0039] Alternatively, the UE may transmit a first message carrying a first command to the BS via one or more RRC messages. If one or more conditions for signaling the BS are met, the UE may transmit an RRC message carrying a command requesting that the BS update its GNSS positioning information and / or system information for a first period of time, with other configuration signals from the BS being suspended. The RRC message used to carry the first message along with the command may be a measurement report message, a fault information message, a UE assistance information message, an RRC system information request message, or other message. The RRC message used to carry the command may also indicate the condition being met and include one or more bits for indicating a specific duration or duration length information, as described above.

[0040] In one embodiment, the method may include initiating updating of GNSS positioning information or retrieving / applying system information at a predetermined time period after transmitting a first message carrying the instruction to the BS. After the BS transmits an instruction to the BS requesting the first time period at time n, the UE may initiate updating of the GNSS positioning information or system information at time n+k. k may be a preset time gap, which may be configured by the BS. Thus, the BS possesses information about the length of the preset time gap, and the BS may calculate when the first time period begins by using information associated with the transmission time of the first message and the preset time gap k. The BS may use the instruction transmitted by the UE to convey that the UE cannot receive additional configuration signals between time n+k and time n+k+q, where q may be the preset length of the first time period, so that the BS may suspend / avoid transmitting additional configuration signals during such first time period. The time information (such as the length of the time gap k and the length of the first period q) can be configured by the BS in advance or can be requested by the UE using an instruction carried by the first message or by other means. This approach can reduce the overhead of setting the periods.

[0041] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the method includes receiving an acknowledgement message from the BS in response to the BS receiving the first message; and updating the GNSS positioning information and / or retrieving / applying the system information after the acknowledgement message is received and a timer associated with at least one of the system information or the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold. In this embodiment, the UE waits for the acknowledgement message from the BS. The BS transmits the acknowledgement message after the BS receives an instruction from the UE requesting the first period. When the UE receives the acknowledgement, the UE can infer that the BS will suspend transmission of other configuration signals during the first period. This approach further ensures that the BS receives the UE's request for the first period and that the BS suspends signal transmission during the first period. Thus, when a timer associated with at least one of the system information or the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold indicating that either of the information has expired or will soon expire, the UE can timely update the GNSS positioning information and system information when the BS suspends transmission of additional configuration signals.

[0042] In one embodiment, the method may further include sending timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information to a core network 195 (as shown in FIG. 1 ) connected to the BS. The UE may provide the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information to the core network via the BS. In this situation, the timing information is relayed to the BS by a satellite (or a UAS platform), and the BS may provide the timing information to the core network. Thus, the core network may obtain the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information. The timing information may include at least one of a validity period of the GNSS positioning information, a remaining time until the GNSS positioning information expires, or a start time of the GNSS positioning information. The timing information may also be other timing information disclosed in the present disclosure. This allows the core network to obtain, for example, the validity period of the GNSS positioning information, the location information of the UE, and a period during which the UE can maintain a connection in a synchronized state.

[0043] In one embodiment, the UE can further provide UE positioning information to the core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE. In some situations, a BS may be connected to many core networks. The BS may need the UE's positioning information to select an appropriate core network for the UE. Therefore, the UE may provide the positioning information in the NAS data packet when transmitting an RRC message. When the BS receives the RRC message with the positioning information, the BS can provide the UE's positioning information to one or more core networks. For example, the BS can use an uplink initial message to carry a message including the UE positioning information to the core network. The message used to carry the positioning information can be a UE context release message, a PDU session resource setup response message, a downlink NAS transport message, an initial context setup request message, or a UE information transfer message. As an example, the UE positioning information includes at least one of the UE's physical location information or a preferred core network identification, such as a mobility management entity (MME) identification.

[0044] In one embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the method may further include, after the UE re-establishes an RRC connection with the BS after the GNSS positioning information is updated, sending a second message to the BS indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS. When the GNSS positioning information expires, the UE may need to update its GNSS positioning information. It may take a while, e.g., several seconds, for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information. Therefore, the UE may first disconnect from the satellite (or UAS platform) by releasing the RRC connection with the BS. After new GNSS positioning information is acquired, the UE can reconnect to the BS with the satellite. After the connection is established, the BS may need to obtain a cause for the UE to release the previous RRC connection with the BS, and the BS may perform some adjustments to configure future operation. For example, the BS may adjust the time slot and / or the time length of the first period. Therefore, after the UE re-establishes the RRC connection with the BS, the UE may send a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS. The cause may include at least one of expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, and an update of the GNSS positioning information. The second message may also be transmitted as at least one of an RRC re-establishment request message, an RRC resume request message, an RRC connection request message, an RRC early data request message, a UE information response message, or a UE assistance information message.

[0045] In one embodiment, the method may further include providing information regarding a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS from an access stratum (AS) layer to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the UE. Specifically, the UE may include an AS layer and a NAS layer. The AS layer may provide information regarding a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS to the NAS layer. The NAS layer may initiate the RRC connection release process. Alternatively, the AS layer may trigger the release of the RRC connection, and the AS layer may indicate to the NAS layer that the GNSS positioning information has expired and needs to be updated. Alternatively, the BS may receive an RRC release message from the BS. The RRC release message may include a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS to the NAS layer, and the AS layer may provide the cause to the NAS layer.

[0046] Corresponding to the above-described method performed by a UE, another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method performed by a base station (BS). As shown in FIG. 2, the method includes receiving, by a first base station (BS) from a user equipment (UE) (e.g., via a satellite), a first message including at least one of timing information associated with the UE's global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information, or an instruction to the BS associated with a first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or system information (e.g., an instruction to suspend / avoid communication with the UE during the first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or system information), transmitting the system information for the UE to update its system information, and configuring the UE after the first period. The system information may include at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information may indicate or be associated with the first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or retrieves the system information. The system information may be accompanied by an index related to the transmission time of the system information.

[0047] As described above, the timing information may be used by the BS to calculate a first period during which the UE needs to update its GNSS positioning information and system information. The BS may further transmit system information to the UE so that the UE can have updated satellite positioning information and / or TA information. This allows the BS to suspend other configuration operations during the first period. The BS may then configure the UE after the first period when the UE is in a situation where it receives a configuration command from the BS. In one embodiment, the BS further determines the timing of the first period. Thus, the BS may avoid transmitting a configuration command to the BS during the first period to avoid losing the configuration command. Furthermore, the BS may configure the first period for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information and system information.

[0048] In another embodiment, the BS determines an expiration time of at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information based on timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information provided to the BS, so that the BS can transmit updated system information to the UE before the first period arrives and suspend transmission of other configuration commands to the UE during the first period, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the BS can avoid losing the configuration commands.

[0049] In one embodiment, the timing information or system information associated with the GNSS positioning information may include at least one of the following: a time when the UE obtained the GNSS positioning information; a time when the UE received the system information; an index indicating a transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; one or more values ​​of the timer; a remaining time before the system information expires; a time difference between the UE receiving the system information and the UE applying the system information; or a time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information.

[0050] Generally speaking, the timing information may indicate the validity duration of the GNSS positioning information and system information. For example, the BS may use the time information to determine the start time of a UE timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or system information. The UE starts the timer when applying the GNSS positioning information and / or system information, and using the start time of the UE timer, the BS may obtain information regarding when the GNSS positioning information and / or system information is applied. The BS may use this information, along with other information such as the validity duration of the system information and GNSS positioning information, to calculate when the UE is scheduled to update the GNSS positioning information and system information.

[0051] In one embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 2, the BS may transmit a radio resource control (RRC) message to the UE to activate transmission of the first message. The RRC message used to activate transmission of the first message may include at least one of an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC establishment message, an RRC reestablishment message, an RRC resume message, or a UE information request message.

[0052] Alternatively, as described above, the BS can receive an instruction from the UE to specify or request a first period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information and system information. For example, the instruction may be transmitted when at least one of the following conditions is met: the UE determines that it is not synchronized with the BS within a specific period; the UE determines that the system information will expire within a specific period; a timer associated with the system information reaches a first threshold within a specific period; the UE retrieves / updates the system information or retrieves / updates the system information within a specific period; the GNSS positioning information expires within a specific period; a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold within a specific period; or the UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or acquires updated GNSS positioning information within a specific period. The period and threshold for the above different conditions may be the same or different depending on different situations. The specific period may be short enough that the first message with the instruction is transmitted just before the condition (e.g., the UE is determined to be not synchronized with the BS) is met.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first message of the instruction may be transmitted in a preamble sequence for random access or via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). Further, the BS may transmit an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for the first message. The frequency and / or time domain resource configuration used by the preamble sequence or PUCCH indicates that the condition is met.

[0054] Alternatively, the first message may be transmitted as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE). As shown in Figure 4A, the MAC CE may include a reserved bit R and one or more subsequent bits indicating that a condition is met. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4B, the MAC CE may further include additional subsequent bits indicating at least one of the duration or duration length of the first period.

[0055] In one embodiment, the BS may transmit an acknowledgement message to the UE in response to the BS receiving the first message including the instruction to request the first period of time. The acknowledgement message may confirm that the BS received the instruction from the UE, and the BS may take corresponding action in response to the request for the first period of time, such as suspending other configuration transmissions during the first period of time.

[0056] In one embodiment, as described above, the UE can choose to report its timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information to the core network. Accordingly, the BS can further receive timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information and send the corresponding timing information to the core network. The timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information may include at least one of a validity time length of the GNSS positioning information, a remaining time until the GNSS positioning information expires, or a start time of the GNSS positioning information. The corresponding timing information can be transmitted in a payload establishment / modification request message or an initial context establishment response message.

[0057] If the UE provides a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS, the BS may further receive a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection and / or re-establish the RRC connection with the BS after the UE re-establishes another RRC connection with the BS after the GNSS positioning information is updated. The cause may include at least one of expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, and an update of the GNSS positioning information. Additionally, the second message may be transmitted as at least one of an RRC re-establishment request message, an RRC resume request message, an RRC connection request message, an RRC early data request message, a UE information response message, and a UE assistance information message. In one embodiment, the BS may further adjust the UE configuration, such as adjusting the first period for future use, according to the second message. Alternatively, the BS may transmit an RRC release message from the BS. The RRC release message may include the cause.

[0058] When the UE reports its GNSS positioning information to the core network, the BS can receive the UE positioning information and provide it to the core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE. Messages used to carry the positioning information can be a UE Context Release message, a PDU Session Resource Setup Response message, a Downlink NAS Transport message, an Initial Context Setup Request message, or a UE Information Transfer message. As an example, the UE positioning information can include at least one of the UE's physical location information or a preferred core network identification, such as a mobility management entity (MME) identification.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the BS may further transmit a second message to a second BS with which the UE will establish a connection via a satellite. The second message includes timing information. With a change of BS, the UE may need to schedule to a new BS or update its GNSS positioning information and system information. In this situation, the original BS, which owns the timing information, may need to forward the timing information to the new BS with which the UE will establish a connection. If there is a direct connection between the original BS and the new BS, the timing information may be forwarded directly to the new BS. The timing information may also be forwarded via a core network connected between the original BS or the new BS. Using the timing information from the original BS, the new BS may connect with the UE and perform the functions of suspending transmission of configuration messages and / or configuring the first period for the UE. For example, the second message may include at least one of the remaining time before the system information expires, the value of a timer associated with the system information, the start time of the timer, the timer threshold, the remaining time until the timer reaches the threshold, the validity period of the system information, or the start time of the system information.

[0060] 5, the second message provided to the second BS may include GNSS positioning information or timing information related to the GNSS positioning information. The second message may include at least one of a validity time length of the GNSS positioning information, a time remaining until the GNSS positioning information expires, or a start time of the GNSS positioning information. The original BS may further transmit the BS switch request to the second BS directly or via a core network, depending on whether there is a direct connection between the two base stations.

[0061] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the present disclosure provides another wireless communication method, the method including: a base station (BS) transmitting, via a satellite, to a user equipment (UE) an instruction to set a first period used by the UE to update global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve / apply system information; and providing system information to the UE so that the UE updates the system information during the first period. The system information includes at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information. In this embodiment, the BS can determine the first period for the UE to update or apply / retrieve the system information and / or GNSS positioning information, and the BS can provide the system information to the UE before or after the first period during which synchronization of the connection between the BS and the UE is established. The BS can also suspend transmission of other configuration signals to the UE during the first period during which the UE is updating its GNSS positioning information and / or system information. The appropriate first period can be determined by the BS based on time information provided by the UE or other information possessed by the BS. The details of the time information and how it is provided have been described above, and the basic principles should be applicable to this embodiment. This approach gives more control to the BS and reduces the overhead of reporting more information from the UE.

[0062] In one embodiment, the instruction is transmitted as at least one of an RRC message, a MAC control element (MAC CE), or downlink control information (DCI). The BS can use an RRC message to convey the configuration of the first period to configure the first period for the UE. The RRC message can be an RRC release message, an RRC reassignment message, or other message. The RRC message or MAC CE can include information regarding a specific time for the first period to be executed, which can be an absolute time or a relative time. The RRC message or MAC CE can also indicate relatively how long after the first period should start. The RRC message or MAC CE can also indicate how often the first period should be set. The instruction can include at least one of a start time of the first period, a length of the first period, periodicity information for the first period, or a delay time until the start of the first period.

[0063] In one embodiment, the first period may be associated with an inactive period of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration. For example, the first period used to update the system information and / or the GNSS positioning information may be a specific timer period within the inactive period of the DRX configuration. Furthermore, the BS may further transmit an RRC message to configure the DRX configuration or to configure whether the inactive period is used as the first period.

[0064] Corresponding to the above-mentioned method performed by a BS, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method performed by a UE. Referring to Figure 6, the method includes: receiving, by a UE from a base BS via a satellite (or a UAS platform), an instruction to configure a first period used by the UE to update Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or retrieve / apply system information, where the system information includes at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information; and receiving, by the UE, the system information, for the UE to update the system information during the first period.

[0065] As previously mentioned, the instruction may be transmitted as at least one of an RRC message, a MAC control element, or downlink control information (DCI). The instruction may include at least one of a start time of the first period, a length of the first period, periodicity information of the first period, or a delay time until the start of the first period.

[0066] As mentioned above, the first period may be associated with an inactive period of a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration. The UE may further receive an RRC message to configure the DRX configuration or to configure whether the inactive period is used as the first period.

[0067] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, another exemplary wireless communication method is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a first base station (BS), from a user equipment (UE) a first message including timing information associated with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, where the system information includes at least one of timing advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, and the timing information indicates a period for the UE to update the GNSS position information or retrieve the system information; and transmitting a second message to a second BS with which the UE establishes a connection, where the second message includes the timing information.

[0068] When a UE changes (or switches or hands over) the BS to which it is connected, it may need to initiate scheduling or synchronization with the new BS or update its GNSS positioning information and system information. In this situation, the original BS that owns the timing information may need to forward the timing information to the new BS with which the UE will establish a connection. If there is a direct connection or link between the original BS and the new BS, the timing information may be forwarded directly to the new BS. The timing information may also be forwarded via a core network connected between the original BS or the new BS. Using the timing information obtained from the original BS, the new BS can establish a connection with the UE and perform the functions of suspending transmission of configuration messages and / or configuring the UE's first period. The original BS can further transmit a BS switch request to the second BS directly or via the core network, depending on whether there is a direct connection between the two base stations.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the second message may include timing information related to the system information, such as, for example, at least one of the time remaining before the system information expires, the value of a timer associated with the system information, the start time of the timer, the threshold of the timer, the time remaining until the timer reaches the threshold, the validity period of the system information, or the start time of the system information.

[0070] Additionally, the second message may additionally or alternatively include timing information for the GNSS positioning information, such as the validity time length of the GNSS positioning information, the time remaining until the GNSS positioning information expires, or the start time of the GNSS positioning information.

[0071] 7, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, another wireless communication method is provided. The method includes: re-establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE); and transmitting a message indicating a cause for the UE to release a previous second RRC connection and / or establish the first RRC connection with the BS after the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS.

[0072] When the GNSS positioning information expires, the UE may need to update its GNSS positioning information. It may take a while, e.g., several seconds, for the UE to update the GNSS positioning information. Therefore, the UE may first disconnect from the satellite (or UAS platform) by releasing the RRC connection with the BS. After new GNSS positioning information is acquired, the UE can reconnect to the BS with the satellite. After the connection is established, the BS may need to obtain the reason why the UE released the previous RRC connection with the BS, and the BS can perform some adjustments to configure future operation. For example, the BS can adjust the time slot and / or the time length of the first period. Therefore, after the UE reestablishes the RRC connection with the BS, the UE can send a message indicating the reason why the UE released the RRC connection and / or reestablished the RRC connection with the BS.

[0073] The cause may include at least one of expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, and an update of the GNSS positioning information. Also, the second message may be transmitted as at least one of an RRC re-establishment request message, an RRC resume request message, an RRC connection request message, an RRC early data request message, a UE information response message, and a UE assistance information message.

[0074] In one embodiment, the UE may receive an RRC release message from the BS. The RRC release message may include a cause for the release / re-establishment. In this case, the AS layer of the UE may provide the cause to the NAS layer of the UE.

[0075] 7, a wireless communication method performed by a base station is provided. The method includes establishing a first RRC connection between a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE), and receiving a message indicating a cause for the UE to release a second RRC connection with the BS or establish the first RRC connection with the BS after the UE establishes the first RRC connection with the BS. As described above, the BS can adjust a period used by the UE to update the UE's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or the UE's system information according to the message.

[0076] According to another embodiment, another wireless communication method is provided. The method may include providing information about a cause of a user equipment (UE) releasing a first RRC connection with a base station (BS) and / or re-establishing a second RRC connection from an access stratum (AS) layer to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. The cause may include at least one of expiration of GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, and an update of the GNSS positioning information. Furthermore, the UE may receive an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including the cause, and the AS layer may provide the cause to the NAS layer. In this case, the AS layer and / or the NAS layer may trigger the RRC release process.

[0077] The above-disclosed method / steps may be performed by the UE, the BS, and the wireless communication system as disclosed in Figure 1. Furthermore, the UE, the BS, and the hardware of the wireless communication system may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more instructions. The one or more instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the wireless communication device to perform the above-disclosed method / steps.

[0078] To enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an example approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in a disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in an example order, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise specified.

[0079] Table 1 below lists the acronyms used in this disclosure. [Table 1]

[0080] This disclosure is intended to cover any conceivable variation, use, combination, or adaptive modification of this disclosure in accordance with the general principles of this disclosure, and includes well-known knowledge and conventional technical means in the art that are not disclosed in this application.

[0081] It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exact construction or operation described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this application, which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, the method being performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message from a base station (BS); activating, in response to receiving the RRC message, transmitting a first message to the BS, the first message comprising: Timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, the timing information indicating a period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or a period during which the UE searches for the system information; or an instruction to the BS, the instruction being associated with the period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or the period during which the UE searches for the system information; and updating at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information during the period; A method comprising:

2. The timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information, the time when the UE acquires the GNSS positioning information; the time at which the UE receives the system information; an index indicating a transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; the value of one or more of said timers; the time remaining before the system information expires; the time difference between the UE receiving the system information and the UE applying the system information; or The time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information The method of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

3. the timing information further indicates a valid duration of the GNSS positioning information or the system information; The method of claim 1 , further comprising starting a timer associated with the valid duration after the UE receives one or more of the GNSS positioning information or the system information.

4. The instruction: a condition in which the UE is determined to be out of synchronization with the BS within a first duration; a condition that the system information expires within a second time duration; a condition that a timer associated with the system information reaches a first threshold within a third duration; a condition that the UE retrieves the system information or that the UE retrieves the system information within a fourth duration; the GNSS positioning information expires within a fifth time duration; a condition in which a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a second threshold within a sixth duration; or a condition that the UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or the UE acquires the updated GNSS positioning information within a seventh duration. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission occurs when at least one of the following conditions is met:

5. Transmitting the first message includes: transmitting the first message as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE), the MAC CE comprising one or more first bits indicating that the condition is met and one or more second bits indicating at least one of the duration or length of the period; or transmitting the first message in a preamble sequence for random access or via a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the method further including receiving an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for transmitting the first message, the frequency and / or time domain resources indicating that the condition is met. The method of claim 4, comprising:

6. The method comprises: Initiating an update of the GNSS positioning information or a search for the system information for a predetermined duration after transmitting the first message including the instruction to the BS; or receiving an acknowledgement message from the BS in response to the BS receiving the first message, and updating the GNSS positioning information or retrieving the system information after the acknowledgement message is received and a timer associated with at least one of the system information or the GNSS positioning information reaches a threshold. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. The method further comprising sending another timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information to a core network connected to the BS; the further timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information is derived from the timing information; and The validity time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until the GNSS positioning information expires, or The start time of the GNSS positioning information The method of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

8. The method further includes, after the UE re-establishes an RRC connection with the BS after the GNSS positioning information is updated, sending a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection with the BS or for the UE to re-establish an RRC connection with the BS; the cause includes at least one of an expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC Re-establishment Request message, an RRC Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Request message, an RRC Early Data Request message, a UE Information Response message, or a UE Assistance Information message.

9. The method comprises: providing information from an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the UE regarding the cause of the UE releasing the first RRC connection with the BS or the cause of the UE re-establishing a second RRC connection with the BS; or Providing UE positioning information to a core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE, the RRC message including at least one of a UE context release message, a PDU session resource setup response message, a downlink NAS transport message, an initial context setup request message, and a UE information transfer message, and the UE positioning information includes at least one of physical location information of the UE or an identification of a preferred core network. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

10. 1. A method of wireless communication, said method comprising: A first base station (BS) transmits a radio resource control (RRC) message to a user equipment (UE) to activate the UE to transmit a first message to the BS, the first message comprising: Timing information associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning information or system information of the UE, the system information including at least one of Timing Advance (TA) information or satellite positioning information, the timing information indicating a period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or a period during which the UE searches for the system information; or an instruction to the BS, the instruction being associated with the period during which the UE should update the GNSS positioning information or the system information; and transmitting the system information to the UE to update its system information; configuring the UE after the period of time; A method comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting a second message to a second BS, wherein the UE establishes a connection to the second BS, and the second message includes the timing information.

12. The second message comprises: the time remaining before the system information expires; a value of a timer associated with said system information; the start time of the timer; a threshold value of the timer; the time remaining until the timer reaches the threshold; The validity period of the system information, or The start time of the system information At least one of, or The validity time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until the GNSS positioning information expires, or The start time of the GNSS positioning information At least one of The method of claim 11 , comprising:

13. The method comprising: determining the period and configuring the period during which the UE updates the GNSS positioning information or the system information; or determining an expiration time of at least one of the GNSS positioning information or the system information based on the timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

14. The timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information or the system information indicates a valid duration of the GNSS positioning information; and the time when the UE acquires the GNSS positioning information; the time at which the UE receives the system information; an index indicating a transmission time of the system information; a start time of a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information or a timer associated with the system information; the value of one or more of said timers; the time remaining before the system information expires; the time difference between the UE receiving the system information and the UE applying the system information; or The time difference between the BS transmitting the system information and the UE receiving the system information The method of claim 10 , comprising at least one of:

15. The instruction: a condition in which the UE is determined to be out of synchronization with the BS within a first duration; a condition that the system information expires within a second time duration; a condition that a timer associated with the system information reaches a first threshold within a third duration; a condition that the UE retrieves the system information or that the UE retrieves the system information within a fourth duration; the GNSS positioning information expires within a fifth time duration; a condition in which a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaches a second threshold within a sixth duration; or a condition that the UE starts acquiring updated GNSS positioning information or the UE acquires the updated GNSS positioning information within a seventh duration; 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the transmission occurs when at least one of the following conditions is met:

16. the first message is transmitted as a MAC Control Element (MAC CE), the MAC CE comprising one or more first bits indicating that the condition is met and one or more second bits indicating at least one of the duration or length of the period; or 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first message is transmitted in a preamble sequence for random access or via a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), the method further comprising receiving an RRC message to configure frequency and / or time domain resources for transmitting the first message, the configuration of the frequency and / or time domain resources indicating that the condition is met.

17. The method further comprises receiving another timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information and sending corresponding timing information to a core network in a payload establishment / modification request message or an initial context setup response message, wherein the another timing information associated with the GNSS positioning information is derived from the timing information, and The validity time length of the GNSS positioning information; the time remaining until the GNSS positioning information expires, or The start time of the GNSS positioning information The method of claim 10 , comprising at least one of:

18. The method comprising: After the UE re-establishes another RRC connection with the BS after the GNSS positioning information is updated, receiving a second message indicating a cause for the UE to release the RRC connection with the BS or for the UE to re-establish another RRC connection with the BS; adjusting the period for future use according to the second message; and further comprising the cause includes at least one of an expiration of the GNSS positioning information, a timer associated with the GNSS positioning information reaching a threshold, or an update of the GNSS positioning information; 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second message is transmitted as at least one of an RRC Re-establishment Request message, an RRC Resume Request message, an RRC Connection Request message, an RRC Early Data Request message, a UE Information Response message, or a UE Assistance Information message.

19. The method comprising: transmitting an RRC release message from the BS, the RRC release message including a cause for the UE to release an RRC connection with the BS or for the UE to re-establish another RRC connection with the BS; or receiving UE positioning information for a core network via a NAS data packet in an RRC message transmitted by the UE; further comprising The RRC message includes at least one of a UE context release message, a PDU session resource setup response message, a downlink NAS transport message, an initial context setup request message, and a UE information transfer message; The method of claim 10 , wherein the UE positioning information includes at least one of physical location information of the UE or an identification of a preferred core network.

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