Method for signaling multicast-broadcast service area

Abstract

Method for signaling MB Service Area characterized by that a UE receives a configured RSRP or distance and reference location to determine availability of MB service.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Method for Signaling Multicast-Broadcast Service Area

[0003] TECHNNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure is generally related to mobile communications and, more particularly, to a method and a system for signaling multicast-broadcast service area.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In wireless communications such as mobile communications according to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications, the multicast-broadcast functionality is an efficient means for facilitating point-to-multipoint or point-to-group data distribution, e.g., of multimedia content or emergency messaging. Multicastbroadcast service (MBS) feature provides an important add-value for NR NTN system, leveraging the large coverage of the non-terrestrial networks (NTN) compared to terrestrial networks (TN). Terrestrial MBS features are equally available for NR NTN in the 5G specifications, but for some cases the intended service area is expected to be smaller than the coverage of a Uu cell; therefore, some enhancements are required for notifying user equipment of the intended service area of a broadcast or multicast service.

[0007] NTN cells broadcast by means of system information messages:

[0008] - Network configuration, expressed by ephemeris data, common TA parameters, k_offset, validity duration for UL sync information and epoch;

[0009] - Reference location of the serving cell, e.g., used for measurement initiation in IDLE / INACTIVE mode;

[0010] - distance from the serving cell reference location;

[0011] - the time information on when a cell provided via NTN quasi-Earth fixed system is going to stop serving the area it is currently covering, and

[0012] - a list of NTN neighbour cells including their network configuration, carrier frequency and identifiers of physical cells.

[0013] US 2020275291 A1 is providing a method in a radio communication network providing a service for a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining a service outage probability for a device that is going to move to a sub-area of a coverage area of the network, the service outage probability associated with said sub-area; in response to determining that the service outage probability exceeds a threshold, requesting a measurement device to move to said sub-area and to perform one or more radio frequency measurements; determining whether the service outage probability exceeds another threshold based at least on the requested one or more radio frequency measurements; and triggering at least one action if the service outage probability exceeds said another threshold.

[0014] EP 4270817 A1 titled “Method for computing or estimating a specific service time interval or a specific service time information of or related to a user equipment in a mobile communication network being or at least comprising or at least comprising a part corresponding to or being a non-terrestrial network, user equipment, system or mobile communication network, program and computer-readable medium” discloses that the user equipment computes or generates an estimation of the specific service time interval or the specific service time information, the estimation being based on the location information of its own position and the reference location information.

[0015] US 2021092781 A1 discloses a method of determining coverage availability estimates of mobile non-terrestrial access node. There is provided determining an availability of a connection to a mobile non-terrestrial access node of a wireless communication system, determining, at the wireless device, coverage availability estimates of the mobile non-terrestrial access node, and determining at the wireless device, if the determined coverage availability estimates indicate a periodic coverage of the mobile non-terrestrial access node, a power save mode or one or more connection attempts to the mobile non-terrestrial access node, on the basis of a time period according to a periodicity of the determined coverage availability estimates.

[0016] EP 0995323 A2 titled “Determining the location of a subscriber unit in a mobile communication system”, discloses a mobile telephone system that employs a fleet of satellites, and a set of gateway ground stations arranged around the globe for handling communications to and from mobile communication subscriber units such as mobile telephones. Signals are transmitted between a subscriber unit and the nearest gateway via one or more of the satellites. The gateway system is configured to process telephone call connection requests from a mobile subscriber unit based upon the location of the subscriber unit. The location of the subscriber unit is employed, for example, to determine how telephone numbers are to be parsed and how to properly route emergency telephone calls to the nearest appropriate emergency service centers. Multiple location mapping schemes are employed to facilitate a determination of the location of a subscriber unit and to assist in routing emergency calls. In one implementation, each location with the service area of the system is mapped into a set of uniformly sized and shaped information cells. Each information cell includes pointers to data structures defining, among other things, the service providers that are permitted to process calls to or from that location and the nearest emergency services center. Each location is also mapped into at least one virtual service provider cell which includes service provider preferences and requirements for handling a call to from that location and including a unique location identifier. A specific implementation for use with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) is described.

[0017] EP 3248302 A1 titled “Method and apparatus for beam selection for a multibeam multisatellite communications system”, discloses a method of designing beam patterns to increase aggregate capacity within a satellite communications system, comprising: determining a first beam pattern of a plurality of user spot beams of a first satellite serving a first geographic area; identifying a plurality of high traffic regions within the first geographic area covered by the first beam pattern; determining the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic regions; determining a normalized distance metric for each of the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic regions; and plotting a second beam pattern of a second satellite such that at least one of a plurality of user spot beams of the second beam pattern has a lower normalized distance metric for at least one of the plurality of high traffic regions relative to the normalized distance metrics of the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic region.

[0018] US 2010261476 A1 titled “Method and Equipment for Transferring Information of Neighboring Cell in Wireless Communications System”, discloses a method for transferring information of a neighboring cell in a wireless communications system includes locating position information of user equipment (UE) when detecting that the UE is in a service connection state, and if determining that the UE is in a coverage threshold range of a micro-cell adjacent to a current macro-cell according to the position information of the UE, transferring information of the micro-cell to the UE. Corresponding network equipment is also provided.

[0019] WO 2022235321 A1 titled “Systems and methods for supporting location based mobility for 5G satellite access to a wireless network”, discloses a Registration Area (RA) supporting UE satellite access to a serving PLMN; the RA corresponds to a geodetic area (e.g., a circle) and is determined by a network node (e.g., AMF) based on the current geodetic location of the UE. The UE accesses a radio cell supported by a satellite for a serving PLMN. The UE determines whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA, based on whether the updated geodetic location of the UE is inside the RA or whether the geodetic coverage area of the radio cell covers at least part of the RA. The UE performs a Registration with the serving PLMN via the radio cell when the radio cell does not provide coverage for the RA. The serving PLMN pages the UE, when idle, using radio cells whose coverage includes at least part of the RA.

[0020] US 2024023011 A1 titled “Method, device, and system for cell access in wireless networks” relates to cell coverage, cell search, cell access, cell selection, and cell measurement in wireless networks. Performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the method includes determining a cell coverage information associated with a search limitation of the UE. Various embodiments are disclosed to facilitate the UE to detect cell coverage condition; handle certain cell coverage condition; and stop or relax certain UE activities during certain cell coverage condition.

[0021] EP 4271038 A1 , titled “Cell reselection method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium” describes a cell reselection method, applied to a terminal. The method comprises: determining, according to a serving duration determined on the basis of auxiliary information, an execution operation of executing cell reselection, wherein the serving duration is a duration during which a non-terrestrial network (NTN) serving cell is capable of providing a service to a terminal, and the auxiliary information comprises coverage information and ephemeris information of the NTN serving cell and / or reference serving duration information during which the NTN serving cell is capable of providing the service.

[0022] US 2020015237 A1 , titled “Method and apparatus for controlling network device, method and apparatus for sending control information, and method and apparatus for sending data” provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a network device, a method, and an apparatus for sending control information, and a method and an apparatus for data. The network devices providing network services for different over- the-air areas are scheduled to different time grids, so that the terminal devices located in different over-the-air areas send data to respective corresponding network devices within different time grids, thereby avoiding signal interference and improving network quality.

[0023] WO 2022208475 A1 , titled “Cell reselection using expected cell serving time”, describes a method performed by a wireless device for cell selection or reselection in a non-terrestrial network (NTN). The method comprises determining whether to perform one or more cell selection or reselection measurements based on a cell selection or reselection criteria. The cell selection or reselection criteria is based on a signal quality of a serving cell and a relationship between the wireless device and a satellite or spot beam of the NTN. Upon determining that the cell selection or reselection criteria for performing measurements is satisfied, performing the one or more cell selection or reselection measurements.

[0024] EP 4268509 A1 , titled “Method and apparatus for cell reselection in wireless communication system”, describes a method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication system, which method comprises: receiving information related to a service time of a neighbor cell; obtaining a cell quality of the neighbor cell based on a measurement on the neighbor cell; determining a remaining service time for the neighbor cell as a time period from a current time point to an end time point of the service time of the neighbor cell; and performing a cell reselection to the neighbor cell based on the cell quality of the neighbor cell and the remaining service time for the neighbor cell. CN 115276756 A discloses a low earth orbit satellite constellation optimization design method for guaranteeing service quality and belongs to the technical field of wireless communication. According to the method, the reliability, the effectiveness, and the completeness of the satellite constellation are comprehensively considered, and the definition of the satellite constellation service quality is given. The error rate, the signal- to-noise ratio and the survivability are introduced to represent the reliability of the satellite constellation; introducing a coverage rate to represent the effectiveness of the satellite constellation; and representing the completeness of the users in the satellite constellation through the user matching degree. On this basis, setting a service quality threshold value and calculating a service quality value, setting the ratio of the total system capacity of the target area to the constellation construction cost as a target function, and iteratively optimizing the target function value by using the global search capability of the genetic algorithm to obtain an initial constellation solution; and carrying out secondary optimization on the initial solution by using the local search capability of the tabu search algorithm to output an optimal constellation parameter. The method is oriented to regional users, and efficient and economical low-orbit satellite constellations are optimally designed according to user requirements and service quality assurance.

[0025] WO 2022206557 A1 , titled “Communication method and apparatus” provides a communication method and apparatus for use in solving the problem that in a nonterrestrial network (NTN) communication system, a terminal device has a longer communication delay and wastes more power since the time required for the terminal device to perform radio link failure (RLF) determination increases sharply. The method comprises: a terminal device obtains a remaining coverage duration of a serving cell covering a first geographic area, the terminal device being located in the first geographic area; and when the remaining coverage duration is less than a first time threshold, the terminal device determines that an RLF occurs. The terminal device determines, by means of the remaining coverage duration of the serving cell, whether the RLF occurs, so that radio resource control (RRC) re-establishment can be triggered in time when a coverage signal is weak or disappears, thereby improving the communication quality of the terminal device and reducing communication delay. WO 2023272715 A1 , titled “Communication systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage devices using joint initial access with terrestrial and nonterrestrial communication nodes” describes a communication system, a method, and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices allowing a user equipment to perform initial access with terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication nodes of a service area. The service area is partitioned into terrestrial initial-access zones and non-terrestrial initial-access zones with each terrestrial initial-access zone associated with one or more of the terrestrial communication nodes and each non- terrestrial initial-access zone associated with at least one of the non-terrestrial communication nodes. The user equipment uses positioning reference signals from positioning anchors to determine its location, determine a zone from the terrestrial and non-terrestrial initial-access zones based on the location, select one of the terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication nodes based on the determined zone, and establishing communication with the selected communication node.

[0026] WO 2024011193 A1 , titled “Cell reselection enhancements for non-terrestrial networks”, describes systems, methods, and devices related to dynamic cell reselection management. A device receives reference location and radius of a NonTerrestrial Network (NTN) cell from system information. The device predicts a trajectory of an NTN cell center based on the received reference location and satellite ephemeris data from the system information. The device determines when the device will leave a coverage of a current serving cell based on a device location and the predicted trajectory. The device performs relaxed measurements for intra-frequency, inter-frequency, or inter radio access technology (RAT) neighbor cell measurements during a service time of the current serving cell.

[0027] IN 201717013617 A, titled “Beam forming and pointing in a network of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for broadband” describes the beam forming methods for unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0028] CN 116054913 A, titled “Satellite communication method and device, electronic equipment and nonvolatile storage medium”, discloses a satellite communication method and device, electronic equipment, and a nonvolatile storage medium. The method comprises the steps that an air-ground wireless coverage electronic map of a target area is determined, and the air-ground wireless coverage electronic map comprises position information of all terminal devices in the target area and signal quality of all the terminal devices; a first target communication service is determined from communication services in the target area according to the air-ground wireless coverage electronic map, the first target communication service is a communication service borne by high-frequency waves, and the signal quality of the first target communication service is lower than a preset signal quality threshold value; and bearing the first target communication service through the target satellite network.

[0029] The technical problem is that the intended MB service area is expected to be smaller than the coverage of a llu cell or beam. For example, an NTN cell or beam may cover several countries or cross-border regions, but there may be regulatory or service provider constraints prohibiting or restricting the content distribution in different regions or countries.

[0030] However, a UE is not aware of intended MB service area(s), where it is expected or allowed to receive the MB service. Hence, a UE wastes energy when trying to establish an MBS session when outside of the MB intended service area. Further, a UE with an established MBS session loses service when leaving MB service area, which is limited to a part of cell or beam.

[0031] The invention solves the problem in all its aspects according to independent claims.

[0032] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for signaling MB service area comprising that a UE receives a configured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or a distance to and a reference location of an intended MB service area to determine availability of MB service.

[0033] The main benefit of this invention is that the UE is aware of the intended MB service area and only initiates MBS when available. UE will not waste energy and try to establish MBS sessions, when not in intended MBS service area. In the case of UE mobility and discontinuous MB service area, UE applies data buffering based on the intended MBS service area configuration for improving user experience.

[0034] In some embodiments of the method, the UE determines availability of MB service based on the received configured RSRP or distance to and reference location of the intended MB service area.

[0035] In some embodiments of the method, the threshold values of RSRP or distance to the intended MB service area are provided by gNB through system information message and / or UE-specific message.

[0036] In some embodiments, the system information message and / or UE-specific message comprises at least one or multiple intended service area information, where each area has an identifier (ID), a center or reference location, e.g., latitude and longitude, and a distance threshold.

[0037] In some embodiments of the method, when the UE receives the system information message and / or UE-specific message, UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold, whereby, if the current RSRP is greater than the received RSRP threshold, MBS is available; if the current RSRP is equal or less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

[0038] In some embodiments of the method, when the UE receives the system information message and / or UE-specific message, the UE determines distance to the received intended MBS service area, whereby, if the current distance is greater than the received distance threshold, MBS is not available; if the current distance is equal or less than received distance threshold, MBS is available.

[0039] In some embodiments of the method, the information on the intended MB service area is only valid for a limited time, whereby in case the UE cannot determine its own location, then the UE starts the timer when the system information message and / or UE-specific message is received, and when the timer expires, the UE releases the intended MBS service area configuration. According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for signaling MB service area, the apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of method according to the first aspect.

[0040] The disclosure further contemplates a user equipment UE, comprising an apparatus as described above.

[0041] The disclosure also provides a base station comprising an apparatus as described above.

[0042] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a wireless communication system comprising at least one gNB and at least one user equipment, wherein the gNB comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the method according to invention, and wherein the user equipment (UE) comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the method according to invention.

[0043] BIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] Fig. 1 depicts the UE behavior for the first embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold;

[0045] Fig. 2 depicts the gNB behavior for the first embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold;

[0046] Fig. 3 depicts the UE behavior for the second embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold;

[0047] Fig. 4 depicts the gNB behavior for the second embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold;

[0048] Fig. 5 depicts the UE behavior for the third embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold and validity time value;

[0049] Fig. 6 depicts the gNB behavior for the third embodiment of of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold and validity time value; Fig. 7 depicts the UE behavior for the fourth embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold and validity time value;

[0050] Fig. 8 depicts the gNB behavior for the fourth embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold and validity time value.

[0051] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to annexed drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0053] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0054] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0055] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a UE (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self-Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0056] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0057] Additionally, terminologies such as base station, gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0058] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the- shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0059] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code, computer readable code, and / or program code, referred hereafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non- transitory, and / or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals for accessing code.

[0060] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0061] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage device would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0062] Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including an object- oriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, or the like, and / or machine languages such as assembly languages. The code may execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user’s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user’s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (“LAN”), wireless LAN (“WLAN”), or a wide area network (“WAN”), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”)).

[0063] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0064] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0065] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0066] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the code which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams. The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0067] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0068] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

[0069] The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements of proceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures, including alternate embodiments of like elements.

[0070] The main solution of the problem is described as following: UE determines availability of MB service based on RSRP or distance to an intended MB service area. The threshold values of RSRP or distance to the intended MB service area is provided by gNB through system information message or UE-specific message. When the UE receives the system information message or UE-specific message, the UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold. If the current RSRP is greater than the received RSRP threshold, MBS is available. If the current RSRP is less than the received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

[0071] When the UE receives system information message or UE-specific message, UE determines distance to received intended MB service area. If the current distance is greater than the received distance threshold, MBS is not available. If the current distance is less than the received distance threshold, MBS is available. In some embodiments, the system information message or UE-specific message comprises at least one or multiple intended service area information, where each area has an identifier (ID), a center or reference location, e.g., latitude and longitude, and a distance threshold.

[0072] Information on the intended MBS service area is only valid for a limited time (which is helpful, e.g., if the UE cannot determine its own location): the UE starts a timer when the system information message or UE-specific message is received. When the timer expires, the UE releases the intended MBS service area configuration.

[0073] Provisioning of validity time as part of the intended MBS service area configuration is helpful, if UE cannot determine its own location, e.g., UE uses a cheap sensor device without GNSS but still can use MBS during indicated validity time.

[0074] The first embodiment of the method is described as network configured RSRP threshold indication of minimal signal level for start or end of the intended MB service area.

[0075] Fig. 1 depicts the UE behavior for the first embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold.

[0076] When the UE receives a system information message including a configured RSRP threshold, the UE compares its current RSRP with the configured RSRP threshold. If the current RSRP is equal or greater than configured RSRP threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0077] If the current RSRP is less than the received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0078] Fig. 2 depicts the gNB behavior for the first embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold. gNB configures RSRP threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)). gNB provides configured RSRP threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0079] The second embodiment of the method is described as network configured distance threshold indication of minimal distance to the intended MB service area.

[0080] Fig. 3 depicts the UE behavior for the second embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold.

[0081] When the UE receives the system information message including a configured reference location and distance threshold, the UE compares its current distance to reference location with the configured distance threshold.

[0082] If the current distance to reference location is equal or less than configured distance threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0083] If the current distance to reference location is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0084] Fig. 4 depicts the gNB behavior for the second embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold. gNB configures (cell or beam) reference location and distance threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)). gNB provides configured reference location and distance threshold (e.g., via system information message). The third embodiment of the method is described as network configured RSRP threshold and validity time value, with indication of minimal signal level for start and end of the intended MB service area.

[0085] Fig. 5 depicts the UE behavior for the third embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold and validity time value.

[0086] When UE receives a system information message including a configured RSRP threshold and validity time value, UE starts a timer.

[0087] When the timer is not expired, the UE compares its current RSRP with the configured RSRP threshold.

[0088] When the timer expired, UE releases the intended MBS service area configuration.

[0089] If the current RSRP is equal or greater than configured RSRP threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0090] If the current RSRP is less than the received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0091] Fig. 6 depicts gNB behavior for the third embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on RSRP threshold and validity time value. gNB configures RSRP threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)) and validity time value. gNB provides configured RSRP threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0092] The fourth embodiment of signaling of MB service area is described as network configured distance threshold and validity time value.

[0093] Fig. 7 depicts the UE behaviour for the fourth embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold and validity time value.

[0094] When UE receives a system information message including a configured reference location, distance threshold, and validity time value, UE starts a timer. When the timer is not expired, UE compares its current distance to reference location with the configured distance threshold.

[0095] When the timer expires, UE releases an intended MBS service area configuration.

[0096] If the current distance to reference location is equal or less than configured distance threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0097] If the current distance to reference location is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0098] Fig. 8 depicts the gNB behaviour for the fourth embodiment of signaling of MB service area based on distance threshold and validity time value. gNB configures (cell or beam) reference location and distance threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)) and validity time value. gNB provides configured reference location and distance threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0099] Another embodiment is described as an indication of intended MB service area as part of an existing or a as new System Information Block (SIB), wherein the intended MBS service area” is represented or configured by either RSRP threshold (minimal signal level for start or end of the intended MBS service area) or distance threshold and reference location.

[0100] Since Rel. 17 reference location is broadcast by NTN cell, e.g., via SIB19, referenceLocation-r17, the MBS-related RSRP threshold, distance threshold or validity time are added to an existing SIB or MBSBroadcastConfiguration message. An alternative is that the MBS-related data, such as RSRP threshold, distance threshold, reference location or validity time, is provided in a new SIB.

[0101] SIB21 contains the mapping between the current and / or neighbouring carrier frequencies and MBS Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAI). In another or complementary alternative embodiment, each intended MB service area configuration is linked to mbs-FSAI-lntraFreq-r17 and / or mbs-FSAI-lnterFreqList-r17, which are provided in SIB21 and guide the UE in service frequency selection, e.g., during mobility. This linkage between geographical service area configuration and MBS frequency area identifiers is utilized by the UE when moving between different intended MBS service areas. For example, the UE determines which MBS frequency to select or prioritize when leaving or entering another intended MBS area, based on the intended MBS service area configuration, the MBS frequency selection area identities, as well as the UE’s estimated movements. The UE can trigger and apply data buffering, e.g., on application layer, based on estimated movements and MBS availabilities, where basic information on MBS, e.g., User Service Description (USD), are provided by core network (CN) via NAS signaling.

[0102] A further embodiment of the method is described by the UE-specific signaling of MB service area.

[0103] UE in RRC_CONNECTED status receives configured or updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message).

[0104] When the UE transitions from RRC_CONNECTED to RRCJNACTIVE, the UE receives configured or updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message).

[0105] The UE receives the configured or updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message) from the network or gNB during the RAN-based Notification Area (RNA) update procedure (e.g., RNA update procedure response message).

[0106] All UEs receive indication and configuration of the intended MBS service area via system information message. UEs in RRC_CONNECTED and RRCJNACTIVE receive configured or updated intended MBS service area information via UE-specific signaling. Abbreviations

[0107] MBS Multicast-Broadcast Service

[0108] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power SIB System Information Block

[0109] UE User equipment

[0110] UL Uplink

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method for signaling Multicast-Broadcast Service (MBS) area, characterized by that, UE receives a configured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or a distance to and a reference location of an intended MB service area, to determine availability of MB service.

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized by that, the UE determines availability of MB service based on the received configured RSRP or distance to and reference location of the intended MB service area.

3. Method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by that, the threshold values of RSRP or distance are provided by gNB through system information message or UE- specific message.

4. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that, the system information message or UE-specific message comprises at least one or multiple intended service area information, where each area has an identifier (ID), a center or reference location, and a distance threshold or value.

5. Method according to claims 1 to 4 characterized by that, when the UE receives the system information message or UE-specific message, the UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold, whereby, if the current RSRP is greater than received RSRP threshold, MBS is available, and if the current RSRP is equal or less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

6. Method according to claims 1 to 5 characterized by that, when UE receives system information message or UE-specific message, UE determines distance to the intended MBS service area, whereby, if current distance is greater than the received distance threshold, MBS is not available, and if current distance is equal or less than the received distance threshold, MBS is available.

7. Method according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by that, the information on the intended MBS service area is only valid for a limited time, whereby the UE starts atimer when system information message or UE-specific message is received, and when the timer expires, UE releases the intended MBS service area configuration.

8. Method according to claims 1 to 7, characterized by that, the UE determines which MBS frequency to select or prioritize when leaving or entering another intended MBS area, based on the intended MBS service area configuration, the MBS frequency selection area identities, as well as the UE’s estimated movements.

9. Apparatus for signaling MB service area, the apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the claims 1 to 8.

10. User Equipment comprising an apparatus according to claims 8 and 9.11 . Base station comprising an apparatus according to claim 9.

12. Wireless communication system, wherein the gNB comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of claims 1 to 8, wherein the user equipment (UE) comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the claims 1 to 8.

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