NTN measurement condition considering sidelink measurement

Abstract

Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) measurement condition considering Sidelink (SL) measurement is provided. A wireless device receives a first measurement configuration for a terrestrial cell measurement, a second measurement configuration for a sidelink measurement, and a third measurement configuration for a non-terrestrial cell measurement. Based on any applicable cell not being detected by terrestrial cell measurement results and sidelink measurement results, the wireless device considers a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell.

Description

NTN MEASUREMENT CONDITION CONSIDERING SIDELINK MEASUREMENT

[0001] The present disclosure relates to Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) measurement condition considering Sidelink (SL) measurement.

[0002] 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a technology for enabling high-speed packet communications. Many schemes have been proposed for the LTE objective including those that aim to reduce user and provider costs, improve service quality, and expand and improve coverage and system capacity. The 3GPP LTE requires reduced cost per bit, increased service availability, flexible use of a frequency band, a simple structure, an open interface, and adequate power consumption of a terminal as an upper-level requirement.

[0003] 3GPP New Radio (NR) targets a single technical framework addressing all usage scenarios, requirements and deployment scenarios including enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC), etc. The NR shall be inherently forward compatible. Further, the NR should be able to use any spectrum band ranging at least up to 100 GHz that may be made available for wireless communications even in a more distant future.

[0004] 6G is the successor to 5G cellular technology. 6G networks will be able to use higher frequencies than 5G networks and provide substantially higher capacity and much lower latency. The 6G technology market is expected to facilitate large improvements in the areas of imaging, presence technology and location awareness. Working in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the 6G computational infrastructure will be able to identify the best place for computing to occur. This includes decisions about data storage, processing and sharing.

[0005] Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) is being studied. The basic idea of NTN is to deliver 5G / NR service via space (satellite) or air (airborne platform). If it is realized as expected, it would be able to deliver the 5G service to those places where it is technically very difficult or cost too much to deliver with terrestrial network. Some examples of those places would be a remote area like deep forest that would be too costly with terrestrial delivery, or far islands or ship that would be technically almost forbidden in terrestrial connection.

[0006] In an aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises, receiving a first measurement configuration for a terrestrial cell measurement, a second measurement configuration for a sidelink measurement, and a third measurement configuration for a non-terrestrial cell measurement. The method further comprises, based on any applicable cell not being detected by terrestrial cell measurement results and sidelink measurement results, considering a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell.

[0007] In another aspect, an apparatus for implementing the above method is provided.

[0008] FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows an example of wireless devices to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0010] FIG. 3 shows an example of UE to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0011] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of protocol stacks in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a frame structure in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows a data flow example in the 3GPP NR system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0014] FIG. 8 shows an example of a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0015] FIG. 9 shows an example of AAM services to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0016] FIG. 10 shows an example of a method to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0017] FIG. 11 shows an example of another method to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0018] FIG. 12 shows an example of a scenario of air taxi with TN, NTN, and SL UE to which implementations of the present application are applied.

[0019] The following techniques, apparatuses, and systems may be applied to a variety of wireless multiple access systems. Examples of the multiple access systems include a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system, a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) system, and a Multi Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (MC-FDMA) system. CDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) or CDMA2000. TDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), or Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). OFDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, or Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA). UTRA is a part of a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a part of Evolved UMTS (E-UMTS) using E-UTRA. 3GPP LTE employs OFDMA in Downlink (DL) and SC-FDMA in Uplink (UL). Evolution of 3GPP LTE includes LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro, 5G New Radio (NR) and / or 6G.

[0020] For convenience of description, implementations of the present disclosure are mainly described in regards to a 3GPP based wireless communication system. However, the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, although the following detailed description is given based on a mobile communication system corresponding to a 3GPP based wireless communication system, aspects of the present disclosure that are not limited to 3GPP based wireless communication system are applicable to other mobile communication systems.

[0021] For terms and technologies which are not specifically described among the terms of and technologies employed in the present disclosure, the wireless communication standard documents published before the present disclosure may be referenced.

[0022] In the present disclosure, "A or B" may mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". In other words, "A or B" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as "A and / or B". For example, "A, B or C" in the present disclosure may mean "only A", "only B", "only C", or "any combination of A, B and C".

[0023] In the present disclosure, slash ( / ) or comma (,) may mean "and / or". For example, "A / B" may mean "A and / or B". Accordingly, "A / B" may mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". For example, "A, B, C" may mean "A, B or C".

[0024] In the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" may mean "only A", "only B" or "both A and B". In addition, the expression "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as same as "at least one of A and B".

[0025] In addition, in the present disclosure, "at least one of A, B and C" may mean "only A", "only B", "only C", or "any combination of A, B and C". In addition, "at least one of A, B or C" or "at least one of A, B and / or C" may mean "at least one of A, B and C".

[0026] Also, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean "for example". In detail, when it is shown as "control information (PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In other words, "control information" in the present disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH", and "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In addition, even when shown as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information".

[0027] Technical features that are separately described in one drawing in the present disclosure may be implemented separately or simultaneously.

[0028] Although not limited thereto, various descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts of the present disclosure disclosed herein can be applied to various fields requiring wireless communication and / or connection (e.g., 5G) between devices.

[0029] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to drawings. The same reference numerals in the following drawings and / or descriptions may refer to the same and / or corresponding hardware blocks, software blocks, and / or functional blocks unless otherwise indicated.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0031] The 5G usage scenarios shown in FIG. 1 are only exemplary, and the technical features of the present disclosure can be applied to other 5G usage scenarios which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] Three main requirement categories for 5G include (1) a category of enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), (2) a category of massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and (3) a category of Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC).

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes wireless devices 100a to 100f, Base Stations (BSs) 200, and a network 300. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a 5G network as an example of the network of the communication system 1, the implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to the 5G system, and can be applied to the future communication system beyond the 5G system.

[0034] The BSs 200 and the network 300 may be implemented as wireless devices and a specific wireless device may operate as a BS / network node with respect to other wireless devices.

[0035] The wireless devices 100a to 100f represent devices performing communication using Radio Access Technology (RAT) (e.g., 5G NR or LTE) and may be referred to as communication / radio / 5G devices. The wireless devices 100a to 100f may include, without being limited to, a robot 100a, vehicles 100b-1 and 100b-2, an eXtended Reality (XR) device 100c, a hand-held device 100d, a home appliance 100e, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device 100f, and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) device / server 400. For example, the vehicles may include a vehicle having a wireless communication function, an autonomous driving vehicle, and a vehicle capable of performing communication between vehicles. The vehicles may include an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone). The XR device may include an Augmented Reality (AR) / Virtual Reality (VR) / Mixed Reality (MR) device and may be implemented in the form of a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), a Head-Up Display (HUD) mounted in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone, a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance device, a digital signage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. The hand-held device may include a smartphone, a smartpad, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch or a smartglasses), and a computer (e.g., a notebook). The home appliance may include a TV, a refrigerator, and a washing machine. The IoT device may include a sensor and a smartmeter.

[0036] In the present disclosure, the wireless devices 100a to 100f may be called User Equipments (UEs). A UE may include, for example, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a navigation system, a slate Personal Computer (PC), a tablet PC, an ultrabook, a vehicle, a vehicle having an autonomous traveling function, a connected car, an UAV, an AI module, a robot, an AR device, a VR device, an MR device, a hologram device, a public safety device, an MTC device, an IoT device, a medical device, a FinTech device (or a financial device), a security device, a weather / environment device, a device related to a 5G service, or a device related to a fourth industrial revolution field.

[0037] The wireless devices 100a to 100f may be connected to the network 300 via the BSs 200. An AI technology may be applied to the wireless devices 100a to 100f and the wireless devices 100a to 100f may be connected to the AI server 400 via the network 300. The network 300 may be configured using a 3G network, a 4G (e.g., LTE) network, a 5G (e.g., NR) network, and a beyond-5G network. Although the wireless devices 100a to 100f may communicate with each other through the BSs 200 / network 300, the wireless devices 100a to 100f may perform direct communication (e.g., sidelink communication) with each other without passing through the BSs 200 / network 300. For example, the vehicles 100b-1 and 100b-2 may perform direct communication (e.g., Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) / Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication). The IoT device (e.g., a sensor) may perform direct communication with other IoT devices (e.g., sensors) or other wireless devices 100a to 100f.

[0038] Wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c may be established between the wireless devices 100a to 100f and / or between wireless device 100a to 100f and BS 200 and / or between BSs 200. Herein, the wireless communication / connections may be established through various RATs (e.g., 5G NR) such as uplink / downlink communication 150a, sidelink communication (or Device-to-Device (D2D) communication) 150b, inter-base station communication 150c (e.g., relay, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)), etc. The wireless devices 100a to 100f and the BSs 200 / the wireless devices 100a to 100f may transmit / receive radio signals to / from each other through the wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c. For example, the wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c may transmit / receive signals through various physical channels. To this end, at least a part of various configuration information configuring processes, various signal processing processes (e.g., channel encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and resource mapping / de-mapping), and resource allocating processes, for transmitting / receiving radio signals, may be performed based on the various proposals of the present disclosure.

[0039] NR supports multiples numerologies (and / or multiple Sub-Carrier Spacings (SCS)) to support various 5G services. For example, if SCS is 15 kHz, wide area can be supported in traditional cellular bands, and if SCS is 30 kHz / 60 kHz, dense-urban, lower latency, and wider carrier bandwidth can be supported. If SCS is 60 kHz or higher, bandwidths greater than 24.25 GHz can be supported to overcome phase noise.

[0040] The NR frequency band may be defined as two types of frequency range, i.e., Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR2). The numerical value of the frequency range may be changed. For example, the frequency ranges of the two types (FR1 and FR2) may be as shown in Table 1 below. For ease of explanation, in the frequency ranges used in the NR system, FR1 may mean "sub 6 GHz range", FR2 may mean "above 6 GHz range," and may be referred to as millimeter Wave (mmW).

[0041] Frequency Range designationCorresponding frequency rangeSubcarrier SpacingFR1450MHz - 6000MHz15, 30, 60kHzFR224250MHz - 52600MHz60, 120, 240kHz

[0042] As mentioned above, the numerical value of the frequency range of the NR system may be changed. For example, FR1 may include a frequency band of 410MHz to 7125MHz as shown in Table 2 below. That is, FR1 may include a frequency band of 6GHz (or 5850, 5900, 5925 MHz, etc.) or more. For example, a frequency band of 6 GHz (or 5850, 5900, 5925 MHz, etc.) or more included in FR1 may include an unlicensed band. Unlicensed bands may be used for a variety of purposes, for example for communication for vehicles (e.g., autonomous driving).

[0043] Frequency Range designationCorresponding frequency rangeSubcarrier SpacingFR1410MHz - 7125MHz15, 30, 60kHzFR224250MHz - 52600MHz60, 120, 240kHz

[0044] Here, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may include NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT) technology for low-power communication as well as LTE, NR and 6G. For example, NB-IoT technology may be an example of Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology, may be implemented in specifications such as LTE Cat NB1 and / or LTE Cat NB2, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. Additionally and / or alternatively, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may communicate based on LTE-M technology. For example, LTE-M technology may be an example of LPWAN technology and be called by various names such as enhanced MTC (eMTC). For example, LTE-M technology may be implemented in at least one of the various specifications, such as 1) LTE Cat 0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-bandwidth limited (non-BL), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine Type Communication, and / or 7) LTE M, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. Additionally and / or alternatively, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may include at least one of ZigBee, Bluetooth, and / or LPWAN which take into account low-power communication, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. For example, ZigBee technology may generate Personal Area Networks (PANs) associated with small / low-power digital communication based on various specifications such as IEEE 802.15.4 and may be called various names.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows an example of wireless devices to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0046] In FIG. 2, The first wireless device 100 and / or the second wireless device 200 may be implemented in various forms according to use cases / services. For example, {the first wireless device 100 and the second wireless device 200} may correspond to at least one of {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the BS 200}, {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the wireless device 100a to 100f} and / or {the BS 200 and the BS 200} of FIG. 1. The first wireless device 100 and / or the second wireless device 200 may be configured by various elements, devices / parts, and / or modules.

[0047] The first wireless device 100 may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver 106, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip 101, and / or one or more antennas 108.

[0048] The processing chip 101 may include at least one processor, such a processor 102, and at least one memory, such as a memory 104. Additional and / or alternatively, the memory 104 may be placed outside of the processing chip 101.

[0049] The processor 102 may control the memory 104 and / or the transceiver 106 and may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 102 may process information within the memory 104 to generate first information / signals and then transmit radio signals including the first information / signals through the transceiver 106. The processor 102 may receive radio signals including second information / signals through the transceiver 106 and then store information obtained by processing the second information / signals in the memory 104.

[0050] The memory 104 may be operably connectable to the processor 102. The memory 104 may store various types of information and / or instructions. The memory 104 may store a firmware and / or a software code 105 which implements codes, commands, and / or a set of commands that, when executed by the processor 102, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 105 may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor 102, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 105 may control the processor 102 to perform one or more protocols. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 105 may control the processor 102 to perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

[0051] Herein, the processor 102 and the memory 104 may be a part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver 106 may be connected to the processor 102 and transmit and / or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 108. Each of the transceiver 106 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 106 may be interchangeably used with Radio Frequency (RF) unit(s). In the present disclosure, the first wireless device 100 may represent a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0052] The second wireless device 200 may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver 206, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip 201, and / or one or more antennas 208.

[0053] The processing chip 201 may include at least one processor, such a processor 202, and at least one memory, such as a memory 204. Additional and / or alternatively, the memory 204 may be placed outside of the processing chip 201.

[0054] The processor 202 may control the memory 204 and / or the transceiver 206 and may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 202 may process information within the memory 204 to generate third information / signals and then transmit radio signals including the third information / signals through the transceiver 206. The processor 202 may receive radio signals including fourth information / signals through the transceiver 106 and then store information obtained by processing the fourth information / signals in the memory 204.

[0055] The memory 204 may be operably connectable to the processor 202. The memory 204 may store various types of information and / or instructions. The memory 204 may store a firmware and / or a software code 205 which implements codes, commands, and / or a set of commands that, when executed by the processor 202, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 205 may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor 202, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 205 may control the processor 202 to perform one or more protocols. For example, the firmware and / or the software code 205 may control the processor 202 to perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

[0056] Herein, the processor 202 and the memory 204 may be a part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver 206 may be connected to the processor 202 and transmit and / or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 208. Each of the transceiver 206 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 206 may be interchangeably used with RF unit. In the present disclosure, the second wireless device 200 may represent a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0057] Hereinafter, hardware elements of the wireless devices 100 and 200 will be described more specifically. One or more protocol layers may be implemented by, without being limited to, one or more processors 102 and 202. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may implement one or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as Physical (PHY) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer). The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate one or more Protocol Data Units (PDUs), one or more Service Data Unit (SDUs), messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate signals (e.g., baseband signals) including PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure and provide the generated signals to the one or more transceivers 106 and 206. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may receive the signals (e.g., baseband signals) from the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 and acquire the PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0058] The one or more processors 102 and 202 may be referred to as controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or microcomputers. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. As an example, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), one or more Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), one or more Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) may be included in the one or more processors 102 and 202. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may be configured by a set of a communication control processor, an Application Processor (AP), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphic Processing Unit (GPU), and a memory control processor.

[0059] The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 and store various types of data, signals, messages, information, programs, code, instructions, and / or commands. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be configured by Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drive, register, cash memory, computer-readable storage medium, and / or combinations thereof. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be located at the interior and / or exterior of the one or more processors 102 and 202. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 through various technologies such as wired or wireless connection.

[0060] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, to one or more other devices. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, from one or more other devices. For example, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 and transmit and receive radio signals. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control so that the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data, control information, or radio signals to one or more other devices. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control so that the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data, control information, or radio signals from one or more other devices.

[0061] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one or more antennas 108 and 208. Additionally and / or alternatively, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may include one or more antennas 108 and 208. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be adapted to transmit and receive user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, through the one or more antennas 108 and 208. In the present disclosure, the one or more antennas 108 and 208 may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports).

[0062] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert received user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., from RF band signals into baseband signals in order to process received user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., using the one or more processors 102 and 202. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert the user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., processed using the one or more processors 102 and 202 from the base band signals into the RF band signals. To this end, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may include (analog) oscillators and / or filters. For example, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 can up-convert OFDM baseband signals to OFDM signals by their (analog) oscillators and / or filters under the control of the one or more processors 102 and 202 and transmit the up-converted OFDM signals at the carrier frequency. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive OFDM signals at a carrier frequency and down-convert the OFDM signals into OFDM baseband signals by their (analog) oscillators and / or filters under the control of the one or more processors 102 and 202.

[0063] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the wireless devices 100 and 200 may further include additional components. The additional components 140 may be variously configured according to types of the wireless devices 100 and 200. For example, the additional components 140 may include at least one of a power unit / battery, an Input / Output (I / O) device (e.g., audio I / O port, video I / O port), a driving device, and a computing device. The additional components 140 may be coupled to the one or more processors 102 and 202 via various technologies, such as a wired or wireless connection.

[0064] In the implementations of the present disclosure, a UE may operate as a transmitting device in UL and as a receiving device in DL. In the implementations of the present disclosure, a BS may operate as a receiving device in UL and as a transmitting device in DL. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is mainly assumed that the first wireless device 100 acts as the UE, and the second wireless device 200 acts as the BS. For example, the processor(s) 102 connected to, mounted on or launched in the first wireless device 100 may be adapted to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) 106 to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The processor(s) 202 connected to, mounted on or launched in the second wireless device 200 may be adapted to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) 206 to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0065] In the present disclosure, a BS is also referred to as a node B (NB), an eNode B (eNB), or a gNB.

[0066] FIG. 3 shows an example of UE to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3, a UE 100 may correspond to the first wireless device 100 of FIG. 2.

[0068] A UE 100 includes a processor 102, a memory 104, a transceiver 106, one or more antennas 108, a power management module 141, a battery 142, a display 143, a keypad 144, a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card 145, a speaker 146, and a microphone 147.

[0069] The processor 102 may be adapted to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The processor 102 may be adapted to control one or more other components of the UE 100 to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. Layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the processor 102. The processor 102 may include ASIC, other chipset, logic circuit and / or data processing device. The processor 102 may be an application processor. The processor 102 may include at least one of DSP, CPU, GPU, a modem (modulator and demodulator). An example of the processor 102 may be found in SNAPDRAGONTMseries of processors made by Qualcomm®, EXYNOSTMseries of processors made by Samsung®, A series of processors made by Apple®, HELIOTMseries of processors made by MediaTek®, ATOMTMseries of processors made by Intel®or a corresponding next generation processor.

[0070] The memory 104 is operatively coupled with the processor 102 and stores a variety of information to operate the processor 102. The memory 104 may include ROM, RAM, flash memory, memory card, storage medium and / or other storage device. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The modules can be stored in the memory 104 and executed by the processor 102. The memory 104 can be implemented within the processor 102 or external to the processor 102 in which case those can be communicatively coupled to the processor 102 via various means as is known in the art.

[0071] The transceiver 106 is operatively coupled with the processor 102, and transmits and / or receives a radio signal. The transceiver 106 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 106 may include baseband circuitry to process radio frequency signals. The transceiver 106 controls the one or more antennas 108 to transmit and / or receive a radio signal.

[0072] The power management module 141 manages power for the processor 102 and / or the transceiver 106. The battery 142 supplies power to the power management module 141.

[0073] The display 143 outputs results processed by the processor 102. The keypad 144 receives inputs to be used by the processor 102. The keypad 144 may be shown on the display 143.

[0074] The SIM card 145 is an　integrated circuit　that is intended to　securely store the　International Mobile Subscriber Identity　(IMSI) number and its related　key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on　mobile telephony　devices (such as　mobile phones　and　computers). It is also possible to store contact information on many SIM cards.

[0075] The speaker 146 outputs sound-related results processed by the processor 102. The microphone 147 receives sound-related inputs to be used by the processor 102.

[0076] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of protocol stacks in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0077] In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a radio interface user plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS and FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a radio interface control plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS. The control plane refers to a path through which control messages used to manage call by a UE and a network are transported. The user plane refers to a path through which data generated in an application layer, for example, voice data or Internet packet data are transported. Referring to FIG. 4, the user plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer 1 (i.e., a PHY layer) and Layer 2. Referring to FIG. 5, the control plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer 1 (i.e., a PHY layer), Layer 2, Layer 3 (e.g., an RRC layer), and a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer. Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3 are referred to as an Access Stratum (AS).

[0078] In the 3GPP LTE system, the Layer 2 is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, and PDCP. In the 3GPP NR system, the Layer 2 is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, PDCP and SDAP. The PHY layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels, the MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels, the RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels, the PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers. The SDAP sublayer offers to 5G core network Quality of Service (QoS) flows.

[0079] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the MAC sublayer include: mapping between logical channels and transport channels; multiplexing / de-multiplexing of MAC SDUs belonging to one or different logical channels into / from Transport Blocks (TB) delivered to / from the physical layer on transport channels; scheduling information reporting; error correction through Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) (one HARQ entity per cell in case of Carrier Aggregation (CA)); priority handling between UEs by means of dynamic scheduling; priority handling between logical channels of one UE by means of logical channel prioritization; padding. A single MAC entity may support multiple numerologies, transmission timings and cells. Mapping restrictions in logical channel prioritization control which numerology(ies), cell(s), and transmission timing(s) a logical channel can use.

[0080] Different kinds of data transfer services are offered by MAC. To accommodate different kinds of data transfer services, multiple types of logical channels are defined, i.e., each supporting transfer of a particular type of information. Each logical channel type is defined by what type of information is transferred. Logical channels are classified into two groups: control channels and traffic channels. Control channels are used for the transfer of control plane information only, and traffic channels are used for the transfer of user plane information only. Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) is a downlink logical channel for broadcasting system control information, Paging Control Channel (PCCH) is a downlink logical channel that transfers paging information, system information change notifications and indications of ongoing Public Warning Service (PWS) broadcasts, Common Control Channel (CCCH) is a logical channel for transmitting control information between UEs and network and used for UEs having no RRC connection with the network, and Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) is a point-to-point bi-directional logical channel that transmits dedicated control information between a UE and the network and used by UEs having an RRC connection. Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point logical channel, dedicated to one UE, for the transfer of user information. A DTCH can exist in both uplink and downlink. In downlink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: BCCH can be mapped to Broadcast Channel (BCH); BCCH can be mapped to Downlink Shared Channel (DL-SCH); PCCH can be mapped to Paging Channel (PCH); CCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; DCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to DL-SCH. In uplink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: CCCH can be mapped to Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH); DCCH can be mapped to UL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to UL-SCH.

[0081] The RLC sublayer supports three transmission modes: Transparent Mode (TM), Unacknowledged Mode (UM), and Acknowledged Mode (AM). The RLC configuration is per logical channel with no dependency on numerologies and / or transmission durations. In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RLC sublayer depend on the transmission mode and include: transfer of upper layer PDUs; sequence numbering independent of the one in PDCP (UM and AM); error correction through ARQ (AM only); segmentation (AM and UM) and re-segmentation (AM only) of RLC SDUs; reassembly of SDU (AM and UM); duplicate detection (AM only); RLC SDU discard (AM and UM); RLC re-establishment; protocol error detection (AM only).

[0082] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the user plane include: sequence numbering; header compression and decompression using Robust Header Compression (ROHC); transfer of user data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; PDCP PDU routing (in case of split bearers); retransmission of PDCP SDUs; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; PDCP SDU discard; PDCP re-establishment and data recovery for RLC AM; PDCP status reporting for RLC AM; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers. The main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the control plane include: sequence numbering; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; transfer of control plane data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers.

[0083] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of SDAP include: mapping between a QoS flow and a data radio bearer; marking QoS Flow ID (QFI) in both DL and UL packets. A single protocol entity of SDAP is configured for each individual PDU session.

[0084] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RRC sublayer include: broadcast of system information related to AS and NAS; paging initiated by 5G Core network (5GC) or Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN); establishment, maintenance and release of an RRC connection between the UE and NG-RAN; security functions including key management; establishment, configuration, maintenance and release of Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs) and Data Radio Bearers (DRBs); mobility functions (including: handover and context transfer, UE cell selection and reselection and control of cell selection and reselection, inter-RAT mobility); QoS management functions; UE measurement reporting and control of the reporting; detection of and recovery from radio link failure; NAS message transfer to / from NAS from / to UE.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a frame structure in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0086] The frame structure shown in FIG. 6 is purely exemplary and the number of subframes, the number of slots, and / or the number of symbols in a frame may be variously changed. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system, OFDM numerologies (e.g., SCS, Transmission Time Interval (TTI) duration) may be differently configured between a plurality of cells aggregated for one UE. For example, if a UE is configured with different SCSs for cells aggregated for the cell, an (absolute time) duration of a time resource (e.g., a subframe, a slot, or a TTI) including the same number of symbols may be different among the aggregated cells. Herein, symbols may include OFDM symbols (or Cyclic Prefix (CP)-OFDM symbols), SC-FDMA symbols (or Discrete Fourier Transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols).

[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, downlink and uplink transmissions are organized into frames. Each frame has Tf= 10ms duration. Each frame is divided into two half-frames, where each of the half-frames has 5ms duration. Each half-frame consists of 5 subframes, where the duration Tsfper subframe is 1ms. Each subframe is divided into slots and the number of slots in a subframe depends on a subcarrier spacing. Each slot includes 14 or 12 OFDM symbols based on a CP. In a normal CP, each slot includes 14 OFDM symbols and, in an extended CP, each slot includes 12 OFDM symbols. The numerology is based on exponentially scalable subcarrier spacing Δf = 2u*15 kHz.

[0088] Table 3 shows the number of OFDM symbols per slot Nslotsymb, the number of slots per frameNframe,uslot, and the number of slots per subframe Nsubframe,uslotfor the normal CP, according to the subcarrier spacing Δf = 2u*15 kHz.

[0089] uNslotsymbNframe,uslotNsubframe,uslot01410111420221440431480841416016

[0090] Table 4 shows the number of OFDM symbols per slot Nslotsymb, the number of slots per frameNframe,uslot, and the number of slots per subframe Nsubframe,uslotfor the extended CP, according to the subcarrier spacing Δf = 2u*15 kHz.

[0091] uNslotsymbNframe,uslotNsubframe,uslot212404

[0092] A slot includes plural symbols (e.g., 14 or 12 symbols) in the time domain. For each numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing) and carrier, a resource grid ofNsize,ugrid,x*NRBscsubcarriers andNsubframe,usymbOFDM symbols is defined, starting at Common Resource Block (CRB)Nstart,ugridindicated by higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling), whereNsize,ugrid,xis the number of Resource Blocks (RBs) in the resource grid and the subscript x is DL for downlink and UL for uplink.NRBscis the number of subcarriers per RB. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system,NRBscis 12 generally. There is one resource grid for a given antenna portp, subcarrier spacing configurationu, and transmission direction (DL or UL). The carrier bandwidthNsize,ugridfor subcarrier spacing configurationuis given by the higher-layer parameter (e.g., RRC parameter). Each element in the resource grid for the antenna portpand the subcarrier spacing configurationuis referred to as a Resource Element (RE) and one complex symbol may be mapped to each RE. Each RE in the resource grid is uniquely identified by an indexkin the frequency domain and an indexlrepresenting a symbol location relative to a reference point in the time domain. In the 3GPP based wireless communication system, an RB is defined by 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain.

[0093] In the 3GPP NR system, RBs are classified into CRBs and Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs). CRBs are numbered from 0 and upwards in the frequency domain for subcarrier spacing configurationu. The center of subcarrier 0 of CRB 0 for subcarrier spacing configurationucoincides with 'point A' which serves as a common reference point for resource block grids. In the 3GPP NR system, PRBs are defined within a BandWidth Part (BWP) and numbered from 0 toNsizeBWP,i-1, where i is the number of the bandwidth part. The relation between the physical resource block nPRBin the bandwidth part i and the common resource block nCRBis as follows: nPRB= nCRB+NsizeBWP,i, whereNsizeBWP,iis the common resource block where bandwidth part starts relative to CRB 0. The BWP includes a plurality of consecutive RBs. A carrier may include a maximum of N (e.g., 5) BWPs. A UE may be configured with one or more BWPs on a given component carrier. Only one BWP among BWPs configured to the UE can active at a time. The active BWP defines the UE's operating bandwidth within the cell's operating bandwidth.

[0094] In the present disclosure, the term "cell" may refer to a geographic area to which one or more nodes provide a communication system, or refer to radio resources. A "cell" as a geographic area may be understood as coverage within which a node can provide service using a carrier and a "cell" as radio resources (e.g., time-frequency resources) is associated with bandwidth which is a frequency range configured by the carrier. The "cell" associated with the radio resources is defined by a combination of downlink resources and uplink resources, for example, a combination of a DL Component Carrier (CC) and a UL CC. The cell may be configured by downlink resources only, or may be configured by downlink resources and uplink resources. Since DL coverage, which is a range within which the node is capable of transmitting a valid signal, and UL coverage, which is a range within which the node is capable of receiving the valid signal from the UE, depends upon a carrier carrying the signal, the coverage of the node may be associated with coverage of the "cell" of radio resources used by the node. Accordingly, the term "cell" may be used to represent service coverage of the node sometimes, radio resources at other times, or a range that signals using the radio resources can reach with valid strength at other times.

[0095] In CA, two or more CCs are aggregated. A UE may simultaneously receive or transmit on one or multiple CCs depending on its capabilities. CA is supported for both contiguous and non-contiguous CCs. When CA is configured, the UE only has one RRC connection with the network. At RRC connection establishment / re-establishment / handover, one serving cell provides the NAS mobility information, and at RRC connection re-establishment / handover, one serving cell provides the security input. This cell is referred to as the Primary Cell (PCell). The PCell is a cell, operating on the primary frequency, in which the UE either performs the initial connection establishment procedure or initiates the connection re-establishment procedure. Depending on UE capabilities, Secondary Cells (SCells) can be configured to form together with the PCell a set of serving cells. An SCell is a cell providing additional radio resources on top of Special Cell (SpCell). The configured set of serving cells for a UE therefore always consists of one PCell and one or more SCells. For Dual Connectivity (DC) operation, the term SpCell refers to the PCell of the Master Cell Group (MCG) or the Primary SCell (PSCell) of the Secondary Cell Group (SCG). An SpCell supports Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) transmission and contention-based random access, and is always activated. The MCG is a group of serving cells associated with a master node, comprised of the SpCell (PCell) and optionally one or more SCells. The SCG is the subset of serving cells associated with a secondary node, comprised of the PSCell and zero or more SCells, for a UE configured with DC. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED not configured with CA / DC, there is only one serving cell comprised of the PCell. For a UE in RRC_CONNECTED configured with CA / DC, the term "serving cells" is used to denote the set of cells comprised of the SpCell(s) and all SCells. In DC, two MAC entities are configured in a UE: one for the MCG and one for the SCG.

[0096] FIG. 7 shows a data flow example in the 3GPP NR system to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 7, "RB" denotes a radio bearer, and "H" denotes a header. Radio bearers are categorized into two groups: DRBs for user plane data and SRBs for control plane data. The MAC PDU is transmitted / received using radio resources through the PHY layer to / from an external device. The MAC PDU arrives to the PHY layer in the form of a transport block.

[0098] In the PHY layer, the uplink transport channels UL-SCH and Random Access Channel (RACH) are mapped to their physical channels Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), respectively, and the downlink transport channels DL-SCH, BCH and PCH are mapped to Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) and PDSCH, respectively. In the PHY layer, Uplink Control Information (UCI) is mapped to PUCCH, and Downlink Control Information (DCI) is mapped to Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). A MAC PDU related to UL-SCH is transmitted by a UE via a PUSCH based on an UL grant, and a MAC PDU related to DL-SCH is transmitted by a BS via a PDSCH based on a DL assignment.

[0099] FIG. 8 shows an example of a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0100] The NTN provides non-terrestrial NR access to the UE by means of an NTN payload and an NTN Gateway. Referring to FIG. 8, a service link between the NTN payload and a UE, and a feeder link between the NTN gateway and the NTN payload are described.

[0101] The NTN payload transparently forwards the radio protocol received from the UE (via the service link) to the NTN gateway (via the feeder link) and vice-versa. The following connectivity is supported by the NTN payload:

[0102] - A NTN gateway may serve multiple NTN payloads;

[0103] - An NTN payload may be served by multiple NTN gateways.

[0104] The NTN payload may change the carrier frequency, before re-transmitting it on the service link, and vice versa (respectively on the feeder link).

[0105] For NTN, the following network identities (IDs) are further applied.

[0106] - A Tracking Area (TA) corresponds to a fixed geographical area. Any respective mapping is configured in the RAN;

[0107] - A mapped cell ID

[0108] Three types of service links are supported:

[0109] - Earth-fixed: provisioned by beam(s) continuously covering the same geographical areas all the time (e.g., the case of Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) satellites);

[0110] - Quasi-Earth-fixed: provisioned by beam(s) covering one geographic area for a limited period and a different geographic area during another period (e.g., the case of Non-Geosynchronous Orbit (NGSO) satellites generating steerable beams);

[0111] - Earth-moving: provisioned by beam(s) whose coverage area slides over the Earth surface (e.g., the case of NGSO satellites generating fixed or non-steerable beams).

[0112] With NGSO satellites, the gNB may provide either quasi-Earth-fixed service link or Earth-moving service link, while gNB operating with GSO satellite may provide Earth-fixed service link.

[0113] Advanced Air Mobility (AAM, also referred to as Urban Air Mobility (UAM)) service provides communication systems on-board flying vehicles such as air taxi and offers mobile communication services to passengers. In an AAM setting, passengers on AAM vehicles (e.g., air taxis, drones) may access immersive media services such as (ultra-) high-definition live-streaming, real-time news, and interactive 3D content.

[0114] One scenario of the AAM service may include TN-NTN interworking to maintain UE's connection. The TN-NTN interworking is designed to provide AAM services even in areas where TN coverage is unexpected or originally not supported. Leveraging a hybrid network solution that combines TN (e.g., 6G network) and NTN connectivity, passengers may experience uninterrupted high-quality media services with immersive contents tailored to passenger preferences, regardless of altitude or coverage gaps. This hybrid connectivity ensures consistent quality even when AAM vehicles transition through urban corridors or low-coverage areas.

[0115] FIG. 9 shows an example of AAM services to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0116] In FIG. 9, an AAM vehicle has an onboard system (e.g., that can act as a mobile base station relay or UE relay) that can connect to NTN and / or TN (i.e., gNB on the ground) and provide an extension of the backhaul connectivity to its passenger UEs. For example, the term “onboard system” mounted on an AAM vehicle may be a 3GPP entity that can provide connectivity to one or more UEs, e.g., acting as a mobile base station relay or UE relay customized to AAM.

[0117] In order to clarify the intended time window where the immersive media service will be provided for passengers during AAM services, the service flow may include one of the following steps.

[0118] 1. Pre-flight setup: During flight check-in, passengers may connect their devices to the AAM's onboard system for media service access and select from various content options. The service may be enabled to tailor media options for each passenger based on preferences, dynamically adjusting recommendations based on anticipated network coverage along the flight path.

[0119] 2. Initiation of immersive media service: Upon (vertical) takeoff, the onboard system mounted on AAM may initiate streaming for its passenger devices (i.e., UEs) via the cellular network (e.g., 6G network) if terrestrial coverage is available for that onboard system. The onboard system may keep checking the availability of NTN connectivity and compare the relevance of choice between TN and NTN connectivity, getting ready for a seamless handover if cellular coverage becomes limited and / or if other applicable criteria, defined by the mobile (satellite) network operator or by a service agreement, are satisfied.

[0120] 3. Media streaming with hybrid connectivity: As the AAM vehicle travels, the onboard system may seamlessly maintain the connectivity to meet the traffic demand incurred by the passengers' devices. When approaching low-coverage areas or higher altitudes, the system may shift to NTN to maintain continuity. The network may dynamically adjust data flow between the cellular network (e.g., 6G network) and NTN as needed to optimize bandwidth and minimize interruptions. For interactive content (e.g., VR), low-latency satellite links may help maintain responsiveness, supporting immersive passenger experiences.

[0121] 4. Ultra-fine handover during flight: The onboard system may synchronize data between edge servers and satellite networks, reducing latency when switching networks, ensuring uninterrupted streaming, and minimizing buffering during handovers. The onboard system may be able to maintain ultra-fine synchronization using a variety of novel methods with both so-called the source base station and the target base station even when using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite(s), e.g., when switching from a LEO satellite to another LEO satellite, from a LEO satellite to TN, or from TN to a LEO satellite.

[0122] 5. End of service inherently determined by the AAM transportation service completion: As the AAM vehicle approaches its destination, the hybrid system may transition back to a terrestrial connection, preparing passengers for network continuity after disembarkation. Passengers may receive prompts to save content or queue downloads before arrival.

[0123] In the TN-NTN interworking scenario, the UE may also consider other sidelink UE as a target cell (i.e., PC5-RRC connection) for mobility robustness. In addition, NTN is disadvantageous in terms of data transmission for AAM users due to the critical characteristic of NTN signal delay. When connections for TN coverage and / or sidelink UE are available, moving to the NTN cell may unnecessarily cause data delay for UEs utilizing AAM services.

[0124] If the network provides TN cell, NTN cell, and sidelink UE as candidate cells for conditional mobility to the UE, it would be beneficial to introduce an evaluation rule and / or measurement rule that selects NTN cell only under optimal conditions. For example, in order to select NTN cell only under optimal conditions as little as possible, NTN cell may be considered as the lowest priority.

[0125] Therefore, a method to provide a rule of NTN measurement for the UE in TN-NTN interworking scenario to select NTN cell as the lowest priority may be proposed according to implementations of the present disclosure.

[0126] According to implementations of the present disclosure, during a step where the UE starts to perform measurements and / or evaluations for TN cell, NTN cell, and sidelink UE, the UE may determine whether to perform measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell based on measurement results of the TN cell and sidelink UE.

[0127] For example, the UE may start performing measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell under the following conditions:

[0128] 1) If no TN cell of which a measurement result is above a certain threshold (e.g., s-criteria) in the cell measurement interval is detected; and

[0129] 2) If no sidelink UE of which a measurement result is above a certain threshold (e.g., s-criteria) in the Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) measurement interval associated with the PC5-RRC connection is detected.

[0130] In other words, the UE may start performing measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell if no TN cell is detected in the cell measurement interval and no sidelink UE is detected in the sidelink measurement interval.

[0131] For example, the UE may stop measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell under the following conditions during the ongoing measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell:

[0132] 1) If a TN cell of which a measurement result is above a certain threshold (e.g., s-criteria) in the cell measurement interval is detected; or

[0133] 2) If a sidelink UE of which a measurement result is above a certain threshold (e.g., s-criteria) in the DMRS measurement interval associated with the PC-RRC connection is detected.

[0134] In other words, the UE may discontinue measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell if a TN cell is detected in the cell measurement interval or a sidelink UE is detected in the sidelink measurement interval.

[0135] The UE may also apply this measurement / evaluation rule similarly in conditional mobility procedure for the UE behavior when performing measurements for frequencies of a candidate cells and / or when performing evaluations based on measurement results for frequencies of a candidate cells. In other words, the UE may check whether there is at least one candidate cell which is a sidelink UE, and after obtaining measurement results for the sidelink UE, the UE may determine to start / stop measurement and / or evaluation for other candidate cell(s) which is(are) NTN cell.

[0136] The following drawings are created to explain specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The names of the specific devices or the names of the specific signals / messages / fields shown in the drawings are provided by way of example, and thus the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific names used in the following drawings.

[0137] FIG. 10 shows an example of a method to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0138] In step S1000, the method comprises receiving, by a first wireless device, a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement from a network.

[0139] In step S1010, the method comprises receiving a second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement from a second wireless device.

[0140] In step S1020, the method comprises deriving terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration.

[0141] In step S1030, the method comprises deriving sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration.

[0142] In step S1040, the method comprises receiving a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement from the network.

[0143] In step S1050, the method comprises, based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, considering a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell.

[0144] In step S1060, the method comprises transmitting a measurement report related to the neighbor cell to the network.

[0145] In some implementations, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell may comprise starting deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. Additionally and / or alternatively, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell may comprise starting evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. In other words, measuring and / or evaluating of the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration may be started, when any applicable cell is not detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results.

[0146] In some implementations, any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results may comprise, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, and ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold not being detected by the sidelink measurement results. In other words, when both of any applicable terrestrial cell satisfying a first threshold and any applicable sidelink wireless device satisfying a second threshold are not detected, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results may be considered as applicable cell.

[0147] In some implementations, the method further may comprise, based on any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results, considering the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell.

[0148] In some implementations, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell may comprise stopping deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. Additionally and / or alternatively, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell may comprise stopping evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. In other words, measuring and / or evaluating of the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration may be stopped, when any applicable cell is detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results.

[0149] In some implementations, any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results may comprise, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, or ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold being detected by the sidelink measurement results. In other words, when one of any applicable terrestrial cell satisfying a first threshold or any applicable sidelink wireless device satisfying a second threshold is detected, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results may not be considered as applicable cell.

[0150] In some implementations, the one or more reference signal configurations included in the second measurement configuration may be related to a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS).

[0151] In some implementations, the second measurement configuration may include frequency information related to the second wireless device.

[0152] In some implementations, the sidelink measurement results may be derived in a DMRS measurement interval associated with a PC5-RRC connection.

[0153] In some implementations, the method may be related to AAM functions.

[0154] In some implementations, the first wireless device may be in communication with at least one of a mobile device, a network, and / or autonomous vehicles other than the first wireless device.

[0155] Furthermore, the method described above in FIG. 10 may be performed by the first wireless device 100 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the UE 100 shown in FIG. 3.

[0156] The first wireless device comprises at least one transceiver, at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform the method described in FIG. 10.

[0157] More specifically, the first wireless device receives a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement from a network.

[0158] The first wireless device receives a second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement from a second wireless device.

[0159] The first wireless device derives terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration.

[0160] The first wireless device derives sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration.

[0161] The first wireless device receives a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement from the network.

[0162] Based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, the first wireless device considers a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell.

[0163] The first wireless device transmits a measurement report related to the neighbor cell to the network.

[0164] In some implementations, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell may comprise starting deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. Additionally and / or alternatively, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell may comprise starting evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. In other words, measuring and / or evaluating of the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration may be started, when any applicable cell is not detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results.

[0165] In some implementations, any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results may comprise, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, and ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold not being detected by the sidelink measurement results. In other words, when both of any applicable terrestrial cell satisfying a first threshold and any applicable sidelink wireless device satisfying a second threshold are not detected, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results may be considered as applicable cell.

[0166] In some implementations, the method further may comprise, based on any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results, considering the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell.

[0167] In some implementations, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell may comprise stopping deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. Additionally and / or alternatively, considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell may comprise stopping evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration. In other words, measuring and / or evaluating of the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration may be stopped, when any applicable cell is detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results.

[0168] In some implementations, any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results may comprise, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, or ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold being detected by the sidelink measurement results. In other words, when one of any applicable terrestrial cell satisfying a first threshold or any applicable sidelink wireless device satisfying a second threshold is detected, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results may not be considered as applicable cell.

[0169] In some implementations, the one or more reference signal configurations included in the second measurement configuration may be related to DMRS.

[0170] In some implementations, the second measurement configuration may include frequency information related to the second wireless device.

[0171] In some implementations, the sidelink measurement results may be derived in a DMRS measurement interval associated with a PC5-RRC connection.

[0172] Furthermore, the method described above in FIG. 10 may be performed by control of the processor 102 included in the first wireless device 100 shown in FIG. 2 and / or by control of the processor 102 included in the UE 100 shown in FIG. 3.

[0173] A processing apparatus adapted to control a wireless device comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor. The at least one processor is adapted to perform the method described in FIG. 10.

[0174] Furthermore, the method described above in FIG. 10 may be performed by a software code 105 stored in the memory 104 included in the first wireless device 100 shown in FIG. 2.

[0175] The technical features of the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For example, a method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, a software may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other storage medium.

[0176] Some example of storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. For other example, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.

[0177] The computer-readable medium may include a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0178] For example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM such as Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), ROM, Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM), EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, or any other medium that can be used to store instructions or data structures. Non-transitory computer-readable media may also include combinations of the above.

[0179] In addition, the method described herein may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer.

[0180] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a non-transitory Computer-Readable Medium (CRM) stores instructions that, based on being executed by at least one processor, perform the method described in FIG. 10.

[0181] In the above description, deriving of the terrestrial cell measurement results and / or non-terrestrial cell measurement results may be performed as follows.

[0182] The network may configure the UE in RRC_CONNECTED to derive Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) and Signal-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) measurement results per cell associated to NR measurement objects based on parameters configured in themeasObject(e.g., maximum number of beams to be averaged and beam consolidation thresholds) and in thereportConfig(rsTypeto be measured, Synchronization Signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Block (SSB) or CSI-RS).

[0183] The network may configure the UE in RRC_IDLE or in RRC_INACTIVE to derive RSRP and RSRQ measurement results per cell associated to NR carriers based on parameters configured inmeasIdleCarrierListNRwithinVarMeasIdleConfigfor measurements performed.

[0184] The UE shall:

[0185] 1> for each cell measurement quantity to be derived based on SS / PBCH block:

[0186] 2> ifnrofSS-BlocksToAverageis not configured in the associatedmeasObjectin RRC_CONNECTED or in the associated entry inmeasIdleCarrierListNRwithinVarMeasIdleConfigin RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE; or

[0187] 2> ifabsThreshSS-BlocksConsolidationis not configured in the associatedmeasObjectin RRC_CONNECTED or in the associated entry inmeasIdleCarrierListNRwithinVarMeasIdleConfigin RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE; or

[0188] 2> if the highest beam measurement quantity value is below or equal toabsThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation:

[0189] 3> derive each cell measurement quantity based on SS / PBCH block as the highest beam measurement quantity value;

[0190] 2> else:

[0191] 3> derive each cell measurement quantity based on SS / PBCH block as the linear power scale average of the highest beam measurement quantity values aboveabsThreshSS-BlocksConsolidationwhere the total number of averaged beams shall not exceednrofSS-BlocksToAverage;

[0192] 2> if in RRC_CONNECTED, apply layer 3 cell filtering;

[0193] 1> for each cell measurement quantity to be derived based on CSI-RS:

[0194] 2> consider a CSI-RS resource to be applicable for deriving cell measurements when the concerned CSI-RS resource is included in thecsi-rs-CellMobilityincluding thephysCellIdof the cell in theCSI-RSResourceConfigMobilityin the associatedmeasObject;

[0195] 2> ifnrofCSI-RS-ResourcesToAveragein the associatedmeasObjectis not configured; or

[0196] 2> ifabsThreshCSI-RS-Consolidationin the associatedmeasObjectis not configured; or

[0197] 2> if the highest beam measurement quantity value is below or equal toabsThreshCSI-RS-Consolidation:

[0198] 3> derive each cell measurement quantity based on applicable CSI-RS resources for the cell as the highest beam measurement quantity value;

[0199] 2> else:

[0200] 3> derive each cell measurement quantity based on CSI-RS as the linear power scale average of the highest beam measurement quantity values aboveabsThreshCSI-RS-Consolidationwhere the total number of averaged beams shall not exceednrofCSI-RS-ResourcesToAverage;

[0201] 2> apply layer 3 cell filtering.

[0202] In the above description, sidelink measurement including deriving of the sidelink measurement results may be performed as follows.

[0203] The UE may configure the associated peer UE to perform NR sidelink measurement and report on the corresponding PC5-RRC connection in accordance with the NR sidelink measurement configuration for unicast byRRCReconfigurationSidelinkmessage.

[0204] The NR sidelink measurement configuration includes the following parameters for a PC5-RRC connection:

[0205] 1. NR sidelink measurement objects:Object(s) on which the associated peer UE shall perform the NR sidelink measurements.

[0206] - For NR sidelink measurement, a NR sidelink measurement object indicates the NR sidelink frequency of reference signals to be measured.

[0207] 2. NR sidelink reporting configurations: NR sidelink measurement reporting configuration(s) where there can be one or multiple NR sidelink reporting configurations per NR sidelink measurement object. Each NR sidelink reporting configuration consists of the following:

[0208] - Reporting criterion: The criterion that triggers the UE to send a NR sidelink measurement report. This can either be periodical or a single event description.

[0209] - RS type: The RS that the UE uses for NR sidelink measurement results. In this release, only DMRS is supported for NR sidelink measurement.

[0210] - Reporting format: The quantities (e.g., RSRP) that the UE includes in the measurement report.

[0211] 3. NR sidelink measurement identities: A list of NR sidelink measurement identities where each NR sidelink measurement identity links one NR sidelink measurement object with one NR sidelink reporting configuration. By configuring multiple NR sidelink measurement identities, it is possible to link more than one NR sidelink measurement object to the same NR sidelink reporting configuration, as well as to link more than one NR sidelink reporting configuration to the same NR sidelink measurement object. The NR sidelink measurement identity is also included in the NR sidelink measurement report that triggered the reporting, serving as a reference to the network.

[0212] 4. NR sidelink quantity configurations: The NR sidelink quantity configuration defines the NR sidelink measurement filtering configuration used for all event evaluation and related reporting, and for periodical reporting of that NR sidelink measurement. In each configuration, different filter coefficients can be configured for different NR sidelink measurement quantities.

[0213] Both UEs of the PC5-RRC connection maintains a NR sidelink measurement object list, a NR sidelink reporting configuration list, and a NR sidelink measurement identities list.

[0214] A UE may derive NR sidelink measurement results by measuring one or multiple DMRS associated per PC5-RRC connection as configured by the peer UE associated. For all NR sidelink measurement results, the UE applies the layer 3 filtering, before using the measured results for evaluation of reporting criteria and measurement reporting.

[0215] The UE shall:

[0216] 1> for eachsl-MeasIdincluded in thesl-MeasIdListwithinVarMeasConfigSL:

[0217] 2> if thesl-MeasObjectis associated to NR sidelink and thesl-RS-Typeis set todmrs:

[0218] 3> derive the layer 3 filtered NR sidelink measurement result based on Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH) DMRS for the trigger quantity and each measurement quantity indicated insl-ReportQuantityusing parameters from the associatedsl-MeasObject.

[0219] 2> perform the evaluation of reporting criteria.

[0220] The UE may be configured by the peer UE associated to derive NR sidelink RSRP measurement results per PC5-RRC connection associated to the NR sidelink measurement objects based on parameters configured in thesl-MeasObjectand in thesl-ReportConfig.

[0221] The UE shall:

[0222] 1> for each NR sidelink measurement quantity to be derived based on NR sidelink DMRS / SL-Positioning Reference Signal (PRS):

[0223] 2> derive the corresponding measurement of NR sidelink frequency indicated quantity based on PSSCH DMRS / SL-PRS in the concernedsl-MeasObject;

[0224] 2> apply layer 3 filtering;

[0225] FIG. 11 shows an example of another method to which implementations of the present disclosure are applied.

[0226] In step S1100, the method comprises transmitting a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement to a first wireless device. A second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement is transmitted from a second wireless device to the first wireless device.

[0227] In step S1110, terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration and sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration are derived.

[0228] In step S1120, the method comprises transmitting a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement to the first wireless device.

[0229] In step S1130, based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results is considered as applicable cell.

[0230] In step S1140, the method comprises receiving a measurement report related to the neighbor cell from the first wireless device.

[0231] Furthermore, the method described above in FIG. 11 may be performed by the second wireless device 200 shown in FIG. 2.

[0232] The base station comprises at least one transceiver, at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform the method described in FIG. 11.

[0233] More specifically, the base station transmits a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement to a first wireless device. A second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement is transmitted from a second wireless device to the first wireless device.

[0234] Terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration and sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration are derived.

[0235] The base station transmits a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement to the first wireless device.

[0236] Based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results is considered as applicable cell.

[0237] The base station receives a measurement report related to the neighbor cell from the first wireless device.

[0238] FIG. 12 shows an example of a scenario of air taxi with TN, NTN, and SL UE to which implementations of the present application are applied.

[0239] In FIG. 12, there are three cells i.e., cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2. Cell 0 and cell 1 are a cell of TN. Round-Trip Time (RTT) in cells of TN may be a few milliseconds, e.g., maximum of 20ms. Cell 2 is a cell of NTN. RTT in cells of NTN may be several hundred milliseconds, e.g., maximum of 60~560ms. Furthermore, there is an area between cell 0 and cell 1 where there is no TN. The TN may not exist due to 1) coverage hole, 2) no transmit zone, and / or 3) unexpected situation.

[0240] In FIG. 12, an air taxi takes off from cell 0, and flies in the direction of cell 1. Before arriving an area where cell 1 is provided, the air taxi may pass through an area where there is no TN. Before entering the area where there is no TN, the air taxi may consider mobility to NTN for maintaining connectivity. However, since NTN has critical signal delay, the air tax may prefer to avoid mobility to NTN if possible. Therefore, the air taxi may determine whether to perform measurements and / or evaluations for NTN cell based on measurement results of the TN cell and SL UE.

[0241] Various examples according to implementations of the present disclosure are described by referring to example of FIG. 12.

[0242] 1. Example 1: Stop / start performing NTN measurement

[0243] (1) Step 1

[0244] The UE may receive a measurement configuration from cell 0 for performing measurement cell 1 and cell 2 (i.e., cell measurement). The measurement configuration may include at least one of one or more RS configuration for cell 1 and cell 2 measurement and reporting conditions with frequency information. Cell 1 may be a cell of TN, and cell 2 may be a cell of NTN.

[0245] (2) Step 2

[0246] The UE may receive a measurement configuration from a SL UE for performing measurement the SL UE (i.e., sidelink measurement). The measurement configuration may include one or more DMRS configuration for the SL UE measurement with frequency information. The SL UE may be a UE which is capable of performing data transmission between UEs.

[0247] (3) Step 3

[0248] The UE may perform measurement for cell 1 and cell 2 based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0. The UE may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE.

[0249] (4) Step 4

[0250] The UE may determine if cell 2 is considered as not applicable cell for the cell measurement based on the measurement results of cell 1 and the SL UE. If measured signaling quality of cell 1 is higher than a threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UE and the network or if measured signaling quality of the SL UE is higher than another threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UEs, the UE may consider cell 2 as not applicable cell for cell measurement.

[0251] (5) Step 5

[0252] The UE may stop performing measurement for cell 2 if the UE considers cell 2 as not applicable cell for cell measurement. Then, the UE may perform measurement for cell 1 only based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0, and may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE.

[0253] (6) Step 6

[0254] The UE may send one or more measurement reporting for cell 1 to cell 0 when related reporting conditions are met.

[0255] (7) Step 7

[0256] The UE may determine if cell 2 is considered as applicable cell for the cell measurement based on the measurement results of cell 1 and the SL UE. If measured signaling quality of cell 1 is lower than the threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UE and the network and if measured signaling quality of the SL UE is lower than another threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UEs, the UE may consider cell 2 is applicable cell for cell measurement.

[0257] (8) Step 8

[0258] The UE may start / resume performing measurement for cell 2 if the UE considers cell 2 as applicable cell again for cell measurement. Then, the UE may perform measurement for cell 1 and cell 2 based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0, and may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE.

[0259] (9) Step 9

[0260] The UE may send one or more measurement reporting for cell 1 and cell 2 to cell 0 when related reporting conditions are met.

[0261] 2. Example 2: Stop / resume NTN evaluation in measurement

[0262] (1) Step 1

[0263] The UE may receive a measurement configuration from cell 0 for performing measurement cell 1 and cell 2 (i.e., cell measurement). The measurement configuration may include at least one of one or more RS configuration for cell 1 and cell 2 measurement and reporting conditions with frequency information. Cell 1 may be a cell of TN, and cell 2 may be a cell of NTN.

[0264] (2) Step 2

[0265] The UE may receive a measurement configuration from a SL UE for performing measurement the SL UE (i.e., sidelink measurement). The measurement configuration may include one or more DMRS configuration for the SL UE measurement with frequency information. The SL UE may be a UE which is capable of performing data transmission between UEs.

[0266] (3) Step 3

[0267] The UE may perform measurement for cell 1 and cell 2 based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0. The UE may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE.

[0268] (4) Step 4

[0269] The UE may determine if cell 2 is considered as not applicable cell for the cell measurement based on the measurement results of cell 1 and the SL UE. If measured signaling quality of cell 1 is higher than a threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UE and the network or if measured signaling quality of the SL UE is higher than another threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UEs, the UE may consider cell 2 as not applicable cell for cell measurement.

[0270] (5) Step 5

[0271] The UE may stop evaluating the measurement results of cell 2 if the UE considers cell 2 as not applicable cell for cell measurement. Then, the UE may perform measurement for cell 1 and cell 2 based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0, and may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE. However, the UE may not evaluate measurement results of cell 2 for measurement reporting.

[0272] (6) Step 6

[0273] The UE may send one or more measurement reporting for cell 1 to cell 0 when related reporting conditions are met.

[0274] (7) Step 7

[0275] The UE may determine if cell 2 is considered as applicable cell for the cell measurement based on the measurement results of cell 1 and the SL UE. If measured signaling quality of cell 1 is lower than the threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UE and the network and if measured signaling quality of the SL UE is lower than another threshold which may be provided in the measurement configuration or pre-defined value between the UEs, the UE may consider cell 2 is applicable cell for cell measurement.

[0276] (8) Step 8

[0277] The UE may start / resume evaluating the measurement results of cell 2 if the UE considers cell 2 as applicable cell again for cell measurement. Then, the UE may perform measurement for cell 1 and cell 2 based on the RS configuration in the measurement configuration received from cell 0, and may perform measurement for the SL UE based on the DMRS configuration in the measurement configuration received from the SL UE. Also, the UE may restart evaluating measurement results of cell 2 for measurement reporting.

[0278] (9) Step 9

[0279] The UE may send one or more measurement reporting for cell 1 and cell 2 to cell 0 when related reporting conditions are met.

[0280] The present disclosure may have various advantageous effects.

[0281] For example, when UE performs AAM functions, the UE can selectively perform measurements and / or evaluations on NTN cells only in truly necessary cases, thereby avoiding mobility to NTN cells causing significant data service latency and ensuring the optimal AAM services.

[0282] Advantageous effects which can be obtained through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there may be a variety of technical effects that a person having ordinary skill in the related art can understand and / or derive from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that may be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0283] Claims in the present disclosure can be combined in a various way. For instance, technical features in method claims of the present disclosure can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus, and technical features in apparatus claims can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method. Further, technical features in method claim(s) and apparatus claim(s) can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus. Further, technical features in method claim(s) and apparatus claim(s) can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1.A method comprising:receiving, by a first wireless device, a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement from a network;receiving a second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement from a second wireless device;deriving terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration;deriving sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration;receiving a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement from the network;based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, considering a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell; andtransmitting a measurement report related to the neighbor cell to the network.2.The method of claim 1, wherein considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell comprises starting deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration.3.The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as applicable cell comprises starting evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration.4.The method of any claims 1 to 3, wherein any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results comprises, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, and ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold not being detected by the sidelink measurement results.5.The method of any claims 1 to 4, wherein the method further comprises, based on any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results, considering the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell.6.The method of claim 5, wherein considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell comprises stopping deriving the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration.7.The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein considering of the neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results as not applicable cell comprises stopping evaluating the non-terrestrial cell measurement results based on the third measurement configuration.8.The method of any claims 5 to 7, wherein any applicable cell being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results or the sidelink measurement results comprises, i) any applicable terrestrial cell whose measurement result is above a first threshold being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results, or ii) any applicable sidelink wireless device whose measurement result is above a second threshold being detected by the sidelink measurement results.9.The method of any claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more reference signal configurations included in the second measurement configuration are related to a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS).10.The method of any claims 1 to 9, wherein the second measurement configuration includes frequency information related to the second wireless device.11.The method of any claims 1 to 10, wherein the sidelink measurement results are derived in a DMRS measurement interval associated with a PC5-Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.12.The method of any claims 1 to 11, wherein the method is related to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) functions.13.The method of any claims 1 to 12, wherein the first wireless device is in communication with at least one of a mobile device, a network, and / or autonomous vehicles other than the first wireless device.14.A first wireless device comprising:at least one transceiver;at least one processor; andat least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform the method of any claims 1 to 13.15.A processing apparatus adapted to control a wireless device comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor,wherein the at least one processor is adapted to perform the method of any claims 1 to 15.16.A non-transitory Computer Readable Medium (CRM) storing instructions that, based on being executed by at least one processor, perform the method of any claims 1 to 15.17.A method comprising:transmitting a first measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a terrestrial cell measurement to a first wireless device,wherein a second measurement configuration including one or more demodulation reference signal configurations and report conditions for a sidelink measurement is transmitted from a second wireless device to the first wireless device, andwherein terrestrial cell measurement results based on the first measurement configuration and sidelink measurement results based on the second measurement configuration are derived;transmitting a third measurement configuration including one or more reference signal configurations and report conditions for a non-terrestrial cell measurement to the first wireless device,wherein, based on any applicable cell not being detected by the terrestrial cell measurement results and the sidelink measurement results, a neighbor cell detected based on non-terrestrial cell measurement results is considered as applicable cell; andreceiving a measurement report related to the neighbor cell from the first wireless device.18.A base station comprising:at least one transceiver;at least one processor; andat least one memory operably connectable to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, based on being executed by the at least one processor, perform the method of claim 17.

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