Satellite node b, user devices, and methods for supporting satellite wireless access by user devices to public terrestrial mobile networks

Abstract

The invention relates to methods for supporting wireless satellite access by user equipment (UE) to a public terrestrial mobile network. Satellite access to a public terrestrial mobile network (PLMN) with a 5G Core Network (5GCN) is supported by a satellite NodeB (gNB) serving. The gNB identifies or verifies the country where the user equipment (UE) is located to ensure that the UE is located in the same country as the 5GCN. The gNB receives support data from the Location server and receives measurements of the UE's DL signals from a group of multiple satellites, for example, GNSS satellites and / or communication satellites. Support data may or may not be requested by the gNB. The gNB uses the UE's measurements and support data to determine the UE's location and country. The gNB allows the UE to access the 5GCN when its country matches the 5GCN's country and can provide the 5GCN with an indicator of whether the UE's country has been verified. The invention also refers to a satellite Node B and user equipment configured to implement this method.