Malfunction handling in a non-terrestrial network node

Abstract

There is provided techniques for handling malfunction in an NTN node. The method is performed by a malfunction handling device. The method comprises obtaining measurements from the NTN node. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node to use at least one antenna array for communicating signals with at least one communication device. The measurements indicate that the communication is malfunctioning in the NTN node. The method comprises selecting a reconfiguration for the NTN node based on the indication. The method comprises compensating the signal performance of the NTN node by configuring the NTN node with the selected reconfiguration.

Description

[0001] MALFUNCTION HANDLING IN A NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK NODE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments presented herein relate to a method, a malfunction handling device, a computer program, and a computer program product for handling malfunction in a non-terrestrial network node.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Communication devices have traditionally been separated into terrestrial network-connectable communication devices and satellite-connectable communication devices. That is, users that require satellite connection have traditionally been required to have a specific satellite phone alongside their usual smartphones. With third generation partnership project (3GPP) based non-terrestrial networks (NTN), a communication device is connectable to both terrestrial and satellite networks.

[0006] In general terms, NTNs are defined as wireless communication systems not stationed on the surface of the earth. Examples of NTN nodes are radio equipment provided in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPS), network -equipped unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. One aim with NTNs is to enable seamless network coverage between terrestrial and satellite networks. Another aim with NTNs is to provide network coverage to, e.g., remote areas where there is no access to traditional terrestrial networks. This requires, e.g., developing protocols and standards to allow communication devices to switch between ground-based and satellite or aerial networks without disruption, ensuring continuous communication for users. Further, standards have been developed for the management and orchestration of NTN networks, including, e.g., definitions of how network resources are allocated, configured, and managed to ensure optimal performance.

[0007] Probable hardware impairments and / or malfunctioning in the NTN node might result in a degradation of the transmit and / or received power at NTN node. This, in turn, could impact the communication performance of the NTN network. In this respect, the probability of malfunctioning of some hardware parts in the NTN node increases with an increasing number of elements. Particularly, depending on the considered node capabilities, an NTN node may be equipped with a massive number of antennas (possibly in excess of 100-1000 antennas) with an antenna array area in the order of up to few square meters. Particularly, different sets of large antennas, or subarrays, may be used for communication with ground-based communication devices as well as other NTN nodes. Since the NTN nodes are deployed in the sky, there is no, or at least little, chance for manual detection of, and compensation for, such malfunctions.

[0008] Hence, there a need for malfunction detection and compensation in NTN nodes.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] An object of embodiments herein is to address the above issues. Malfunction detection is particularly important in zero-touch networks, in which the goal is to exploit automation techniques to run networks with minimum manual efforts.

[0011] A particular object is therefore to enable malfunction detection and compensation in NTN nodes based on signaling.

[0012] According to a first aspect there is presented a method for handling malfunction in an NTN node. The method is performed by a malfunction handling device. The method comprises obtaining measurements from the NTN node. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node to use at least one antenna array for communicating signals with at least one communication device. The measurements indicate that the communication is malfunctioning in the NTN node. The method comprises selecting a reconfiguration for the NTN node based on the indication. The method comprises compensating the signal performance of the NTN node by configuring the NTN node with the selected reconfiguration.

[0013] According to a second aspect there is presented a malfunction handling device for handling malfunction in an NTN node. The malfunction handling device comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the malfunction handling device to obtain measurements from the NTN node. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node to use at least one antenna array for communicating signals with at least one communication device. The measurements indicate that the communication is malfunctioning in the NTN node. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the malfunction handling device to select a reconfiguration for the NTN node based on the indication. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the malfunction handling device to compensate the signal performance of the NTN node by configuring the NTN node with the selected reconfiguration.

[0014] According to a third aspect there is presented a malfunction handling device for handling malfunction in an NTN node. The malfunction handling device comprises an obtain module configured to obtain measurements from the NTN node. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node to use at least one antenna array for communicating signals with at least one communication device. The measurements indicate that the communication is malfunctioning in the NTN node. The malfunction handling device comprises a select module configured to select a reconfiguration for the NTN node based on the indication. The malfunction handling device comprises a compensate module configured to compensate the signal performance of the NTN node by configuring the NTN node with the selected reconfiguration.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect there is presented a computer program for handling malfunction in an NTN node. The computer program comprises computer code which, when run on processing circuitry of a malfunction handling device, causes the malfunction handling device to perform actions. One action comprises the malfunction handling device to obtain measurements from the NTN node. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node to use at least one antenna array for communicating signals with at least one communication device. The measurements indicate that the communication is malfunctioning in the NTN node. One action comprises the malfunction handling device to select a reconfiguration for the NTN node based on the indication. One action comprises the malfunction handling device to compensate the signal performance of the NTN node by configuring the NTN node with the selected reconfiguration.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect there is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the fourth aspect and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The computer readable storage medium could be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

[0017] Advantageously, these aspects provide efficient malfunction detection and compensation in NTN nodes.

[0018] Advantageously, these aspects make it possible to use NTN nodes in a robust way in the presence of short- or long-term impairments. This is enabled by (dynamically) adapting the NTN node's configurations. In turn, this enables zero-touch maintenance in the NTN via signaling only.

[0019] Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.

[0020] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system according to embodiments;

[0024] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an antenna array of an NTN node according to an embodiment;

[0025] Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are flowcharts of methods according to embodiments;

[0026] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing structural units of a malfunction handling device according to an embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of a malfunction handling device according to an embodiment; and Fig. 8 shows one example of a computer program product comprising computer readable storage medium according to an embodiment.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system 100 where embodiments presented herein can be applied. The communication system 100 comprises two NTN nodes 400a, 400b. Examples of NTN nodes 400a, 400b are radio equipment provided in LEO satellites, MEO satellites, GEO satellites, HAPS, network- equipped unmanned aerial vehicles, etc. Each NTN node 400a, 400b is illustrated as a satellite, having two solar panels 410a, 410b each for powering the NTN node 400a, 400b. Further, each NTN node 400a, 400b is provided with an antenna array 420. Further aspects of the antenna array 420 will be disclosed below with reference to Fig. 2. In this respect, each NTN node 400a, 400b might be provided with multiple antenna arrays 420, pointing in different direction to cover, e.g., inter-satellite communication as well as communication with one or more ground- based communication devise, possibly located at different places. In particular, the NTN nodes 400a, 400b are configured to communicate with each other as well as with ground-based communication devices 200, 300, in Fig. 1 represented by a user equipment 300 and a (radio) access network node 200. In this way, the NTN nodes 400a, 400b can be utilized for forwarding signals between the ground-based communication devices 200, 300, as schematically illustrated by wireless links 130, 140, or to another NTN node, e.g., from user equipment 300 to NTN node 400a and then from NTN node 400a to NTN node 400b, etc. Alternatively, the NTN node 400a may be able to generate signals by itself and transmit the signals to the ground-based communication devices 200, 300 and / or other NTN nodes. However, as noted above, there is a risk that the NTN nodes 400a, 400b malfunction, which could affect the communication ability, and thus impact the forwarding of signals between the ground- based communication devices 200, 300. In Fig. 1 this malfunction is schematically illustrated at 160, negatively impacting the antenna array 420.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example antenna array 420 of an NTN node 400a according to an embodiment. The antenna array 420 comprises N subarrays 422a, .... 422n, .... 422N. The subarrays 422a:422N may be overlapping or non-overlapping. Each subarray 422a: 422N comprises elements 424. There could be in excess of 100-1000 elements 424 in the antenna array 420. Further, for illustrative purposes it is assumed that one of the subarrays, namely subarray 422n, is malfunctioning, as indicated by reference numeral 160. In this respect, as disclosed, the probability of malfunction increases with the number of elements 424 in the arrays which, in turn, affects the communication quality. Since, during operation, the NTN nodes 400a, 400b are deployed in the sky, there is no, or at least little, chance for manual detection of, and compensation for, such malfunctions. Here, a goal is to exploit automation techniques to handle the malfunctioning in an NTN node 400a with minimum manual efforts. For this purpose, zero-touch techniques have been developed for malfunction detection and compensation in the NTN node 400a based on signaling.

[0032] In further detail, at least some of the herein disclosed embodiments are based on detecting, or identifying, possible malfunctioning of the NTN node 400a, and then mitigating the potential communication issues provoked by this malfunctioning via proper reconfiguration of the NTN node 400a (possibly in combination with reconfiguration also of other nodes, or devices, with which the NTN node 400a is communicating, such as another NTN node 400b and / or one or more ground-based communication devices 200, 300. This results in a robust operation of the communication system 100.

[0033] The embodiments disclosed herein in particular relate to techniques for handling malfunction in an NTN node 400a. In order to obtain such techniques, there is provided a malfunction handling device, a method performed by the malfunction handling device, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on a malfunction handling device, causes the malfunction handling device to perform the method.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating embodiments of methods for handling malfunction in an NTN node 400a. The methods are performed by the malfunction handling device 600, 700. The methods are advantageously provided as computer programs 820.

[0035] S102: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 obtains measurements from the NTN node 400a. The measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node 400a to use at least one antenna array 420 for communicating signals with at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b. The measurements indicate that the communication of the signals is malfunctioning in the NTN node 400a.

[0036] The measurements might either be measurements made by the NTN node 400a on reference signals transmitted from another communication device 200, 300, 400b, or be defined by measurement reports received by the NTN node 400a from another communication device 200, 300, 400b and pertaining to reference signals transmitted from the NTN node 400a. In this way, the malfunction handling device can obtain an understanding of the presence of malfunction in some subparts, such as a subarray 422a:422N, of the NTN node's antenna arrays 420 via signaling.

[0037] S108: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 selects a reconfiguration for the NTN node 400a based on the indication. S110: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 compensates the signal performance of the NTN node 400a by configuring the NTN node 400a with the selected reconfiguration.

[0038] In this way, the malfunction handling device can properly configure the malfunctioning NTN node 400a and / or other communication device 200, 300, 400b with which the NTN node 400a is communicating such that the effect of the malfunction can be compensated for.

[0039] The operation of the NTN node 400 can thereby be monitored, and when any failure is detected, the impact of this failure in the NTN node 400a can be mitigated accordingly.

[0040] Embodiments relating to further details of handling malfunction in an NTN node 400a as performed by the malfunction handling device 600, 700 will now be disclosed with continued reference to Fig. 3.

[0041] As follows from the above, that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning implies that communication of signals is malfunctioning in the NTN node 400a. That is, that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning implies that the NTN node's capability to transmit and / or receive signals to / from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b is degraded, impaired, or negatively affected. As further follows from the above, the NTN node 400a uses at least one antenna array 420 for communicating the signals with at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b. Hence, that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning implies that at least part of the at least one antenna array 420 is malfunctioning. With reference again to Fig. 2, this in turn implies that either one or more individual elements 424 is malfunctioning, or that one or more subarrays 422a:422N is malfunctioning. Further, since the NTN node 400a is assumed to be capable of both transmitting signals to other communication devices 200, 300, 400b and receiving signals from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b, the malfunctioning might relate to the capability of the NTN node 400a to transmit signals to other communication devices 200, 300, 400b (where the malfunctioning is in a transmitter part of the NTN node 400a), the capability of the NTN node 400a to receive signals from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b (where the malfunctioning is in a receiver part of the NTN node 400a), and / or the capability of the NTN node 400a to forward signals from one communication device 200, 300, 400b to another communication device 200, 300, 400b (where the malfunctioning is in a transmitter part and / or in a receiver part of the NTN node 400a). That is, that the communication of signals is malfunctioning in the NTN node 400a might be defined by that forwarding of signals between two communication devices 200, 300, 400b is malfunctioning in the NTN node 400a. Further, one reason as to why the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning could be that the NTN node 400a has a shortage of power. That is, that the communication in the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning in the NTN node 400a might be defined by that power support in the NTN node 400a is failing. For example, since the solar panels 410a, 410b are the only source of energy for the NTN node 400a, the NTN node 400a can understand that if the output power for a period of time less than what is expected, then there might be an issue with the power supply, and hence possibly with one or more of the solar panels 410a, 410b. In this respect, the solar panels 410a, 410b might be damaged by space particles, or the like. In turn, this might thus impact the powering of the at least one antenna array 420. As disclosed above, the measurements obtained by the malfunction handling device 600, 700 in step S102 can be either of reference signals as received by the NTN node 400a or of reference signals as transmitted by the NTN node 400a. In particular, in some embodiments, the measurements are of reference signals as communicated by the NTN node 400a with the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b for different transmit and / or receive configurations of the at least one antenna array 420.

[0042] As disclosed above, that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning implies that at least part of the at least one antenna array 420 is malfunctioning, which in turn implies that either one or more individual elements 424 is malfunctioning, or that one or more subarrays 422a:422N is malfunctioning. There could be different ways to identify the subarray 422n that is malfunctioning. For example, this can be achieved by testing the different subarrays 422a:422N. one way to perform such testing is to, in turn, apply different configurations to different subarrays 422a:422N, or groups of subarrays 422a: 422N. In one example, different transmit configurations are applied at different subarrays 422a:422N of the NTN node 400a, and the NTN node 400a transmits reference signals to other communication devices 200, 300, 400b based on the considered configurations and then receive feedback of measurements made by these other communication devices 200, 300, 400b on the reference signals sent from the NTN node 400a. In another example, different receive configurations are applied at different subarrays 422a:422N of the NTN node 400a, and the NTN node 400a receives reference signals from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b based on the considered configurations and then measure on these reference signals in order to obtain the measurements. Hence, in some embodiments, the measurements are obtained per each subarray 422a:422N of the at least one antenna array 420, and a respective configuration of the transmit and / or receive configurations is applied to a respective subarray 422a:422N. Here, and as will be disclosed in more detail below, the different configurations of the NTN node 400a generally relate to different settings of the at least one element array 424 (or subarrays 422a:422N) of the NTN node 400a. Hence, by testing different subarrays 422a: 422N of the NTN node 400a with different configurations, it can be determined which subarray 422a: 422N of the NTN node 400a that is malfunctioning.

[0043] In this respect, there could be different transmit and / or receive configurations. In some non-limiting examples, the transmit and / or receive configurations correspond to at least one of: the NTN node 400a selectively switching on and off the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a selectively applying different beamforming configurations for the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a selectively applying different polarization configurations for the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a selectively applying different uplink and downlink configurations for the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420.

[0044] There could be different ways in which the subarrays 422a: 422N are defined. In some embodiments, the subarrays 422a:422N are defined based on a capability of different antenna elements in the antenna array 420. For this purpose, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 might obtain a capability report of the NTN node 400a, where the capability report includes information of the below listed capabilities. Here, the capability report may be received from the NTN node 400a node itself, from another communication device 200, 300, 400b, from a database, or from an Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) system. Further, in some non-limiting examples, the capability pertains to at least one of: the NTN node 400a being capable of selectively switching on and off the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a being capable of selectively applying different beamforming configurations for the respective subarrays 422a: 422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a being capable of selectively applying different polarization configurations for the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420, the NTN node 400a being capable of selectively applying different uplink and downlink configurations for the respective subarrays 422a:422N of the antenna array 420. Thus, the functionality of the antenna array 420 of the NTN node 400a might be checked by dividing the antenna array 420 into subarrays 422a:422N based on the above listed capabilities, then configuring the elements 424 of one, or some, of the subarrays 422a: 422N to be switched on whilst configuring the elements 424 of one, or some, other of the subarrays 422a:422N to be switched off, and then configure the elements 424 of the one or more subarrays 422a:422N that is switched on to operate in a transmit mode or a reception mode. Here, the transmit and / or reception mode might include any of: transmit and / or receive beam configuration, time instants, periodicity and / or frequencies in which the transmit and / or receive beam configuration should be applied, transmit power, polarization, etc. The beam configuration may include wide, semi-wide or narrow beams. Also, the time instants may be based on, e.g., symbol, slot, frame, sub-frame, or other type of granularity. Then, upon having configured the elements 424 and the subarrays 422a:422N accordingly, the NTN node 400a might either transmit or receive (depending on whether the transmit mode or the reception mode is used) reference signals in order for the measurements to be obtained.

[0045] In some aspects, the malfunction handling device 600, 700, upon having obtained the measurements and before selecting the reconfiguration for the NTN node 400a, performs a detection process to determine whether the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning or not. In particular, in some embodiments, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is configured to perform (optional) step S106.

[0046] S106: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 detects that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning based on the obtained measurements from the NTN node 400a.

[0047] In this respect, the detection can be performed either by the NTN node 400a itself or by a centralized device. Therefore, in some embodiments, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is collocated, part of, or integrated with, the NTN node 400a, whereas in other embodiments, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is collocated, part of, or integrated with, a terrestrial network node 200 or another NTN node 400b.

[0048] In some embodiments, the measurements have been made by the NTN node 400a or at least one of the two communication devices 200, 300, 400b. For example, with the considered transmit configurations for the one or more of the subarrays 422a:422N, the NTN node 400a transmits at least one reference signal towards another communication device 200, 300, 400b according to the determined transmit configuration for the one or more subarray 422a: 422N that is / are switched on. The NTN node 400a may then receive corresponding measurement reports of the reference signals from this another communication device 200, 300, 400b. Likewise, in another example, with the considered receive configurations for the one or more of the subarrays 422a:422N, the NTN node 400a requests, or configures, another communication device 200, 300, 400b to transmit reference signals towards the NTN node 400a to be received according to the determined receive configuration for the that is / are switched on. Then, the NTN node 400a performs measurements based on the received reference signals. In both cases, where either the NTN node 400a performs the measurements or the other communication device 200, 300, 400b performs the measurements and reports to the NTN node 400a, the measurements might pertain to any, or any combination of: channel gain, reference signal received power (RSRP), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SI NR), signal to noise ratio (SNR), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), phase information, etc.

[0049] That the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning might thus be detected based on the measurement of the NTN node 400a as pertaining to signals communicated by different subarrays 422a:422N of the at least one antenna array 420. Here, a similarity metric can then be used for the malfunction handling device 600, 700 to compare the measurements for different transmit configurations and / or for different receive configurations so that the measurements for different subarrays 422a:422N can be compared to each other. Here, the similarity metric might demonstrate, e.g., the received power, phase deviation etc. in different subarrays of the NTN node 400a. In particular, in some embodiments, that the measurements for one or more of the subarrays 422a:422N is more than a threshold worse than the measurements for one or more other subarray 422a:422N of the subarrays 422a:422N could indicate that one or more of the subarrays 422a: 422N of the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning. In one example, the measurements made by the NTN node 400a relate to reference signals received by different subarrays where, for instance, a subarray with considerably different measurement of the received power, phase, etc. from the other subarray can be considered as malfunctioning. In another example, the measurement reports from the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b relate to reference signals transmitted by different subarrays of the NTN node 400a and received by one or more of the communication devices 200, 300, 400b where, for instance, if a reference signal that is received from one given subarray has considerably different quality (received power, phase, etc.) compared to the reference signals as received from other subarrays, this given subarray can be considered as malfunctioning.

[0050] In some aspects, the malfunction handling device 600, 700, upon having performed a detection process to determine whether the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning or not but before detecting that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning, obtains a trigger to detect the malfunctioning. In particular, in some embodiments, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is configured to perform (optional) step S104.

[0051] S104: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 obtains a trigger to detect the malfunctioning.

[0052] In some embodiments, the trigger is received from the NTN node 400a and pertains to observations related to signals received by the NTN node 400a from the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b. In other embodiments, the trigger pertains to reports related to signals received by the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b from the NTN node 400a.

[0053] In some examples, the trigger to detect the malfunctioning is based on the malfunction handling device 600, 700 observing the quality of one or multiple signals transmitted by the NTN node 400a to at least one other communication device 200, 300, 400b and / or the quality of one or multiple signals received by the NTN node 400a from at least one other communication device 200, 300, 400b. Here, the observation might pertain to one or more of: the NTN node's incapability to decode one or more received signals (e.g., in terms of negative acknowledgements, NACKs), a drop in power, channel gain, SNR and / or SI NR for one or more of the received signals. In some examples, the trigger to detect the malfunctioning is based on reports from the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b about the quality of their communication with the NTN node 400a. Here, the reports might pertain to one or more of: the other communication devices' incapability to decode the signals received from the NTN node (e.g., in terms of NACKs), a drop in power, channel gain, SNR and / or SINR for one or more of signals received from the NTN node 400a. Thus, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 might either receive explicit reports of the signal performance of the NTN node 400a directly from the NTN node 400a or implicit reports of the signal performance of the NTN node 400a from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b that the NTN node 400a is communicating with.

[0054] In one example, the NTN node 400a observes the quality of one or multiple signals received from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b. That is, in some embodiments, the trigger comprises an indication of quality of a signal received by the NTN node 400a from the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b. In another example, NTN node 400a receives reports from other communication devices 200, 300, 400b about the quality of their communication with the NTN node 400a. Hence, in some embodiments, the trigger comprises an indication of reports received by the NTN node 400a from the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b, or of a signal received by the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b from the NTN node 400a. The reports pertain to the communication quality of the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b for communicating with the NTN node 400a.

[0055] In which device the detections and reconfiguration are performed (and thus whether the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is collocated, part of, or integrated with, the NTN node 400a or not) generally depends on the capabilities on the NTN node 400a. In one example, the NTN node 400a is a capable (almost standalone) node with capabilities similar to a regular (radio) access network node, such as a gNB. In such an example, the NTN node 400a (in which the malfunction handling device 600, 700 thus is implemented) might itself determine the malfunction (by communicating reference signals with other communication devices 200, 300, 400b) and perform reconfigurations. In another example, the NTN node 400a has only low capabilities and is under the full control of the centralized device. Here, all processing functionalities are performed at the centralized device (in which the malfunction handling device 600, 700 thus is implemented) and it will instruct the NTN node 400a with proper reconfigurations. In general terms, there could be different types of reconfigurations of the NTN node 400a. In some non-limiting examples, the reconfiguration pertains to one or more of: power control for different subarrays 422a:422N of the at least one antenna array 420, on / off configuration for different subarrays 422a: 422N of the at least one antenna array 420, beamforming configuration for different subarrays 422a: 422N of the at least one antenna array 420, uplink / downlink configuration for different subarrays 422a:422N of the at least one antenna array 420, codebook configuration for different subarrays 422a:422N of the at least one antenna array 420, modulation and coding scheme for communicating the signals with the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b, carrier frequency for communicating the signals with the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b.

[0056] In some aspects, other communication devices 200, 300, 400b are informed that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning. In particular, in some embodiments, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is configured to perform (optional) step S112.

[0057] S112: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 informs the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning.

[0058] In some aspects, also the communication devices 200, 300, 400b that the NTN node 400a is communicating with are reconfigured so as to compensate for that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning.

[0059] In particular, in some embodiments, the reconfiguration is a first reconfiguration, and the malfunction handling device 600, 700 is configured to perform (optional) steps S114 and S116.

[0060] S114: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 selects a second reconfiguration for the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b based on the indication.

[0061] S116: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 provides the second reconfiguration to the at least one communication device 200, 300, 400b.

[0062] The one or more communication devices 200, 300, 400b might then inform the NTN node 400a (or at least the malfunction handling device 600, 700) that they have received the reconfiguration, or at least received information that the NTN node 400a is malfunctioning. Still further, the one or more communication devices 200, 300, 400b might then inform the NTN node 400a (or at least the malfunction handling device 600, 700) whether the one or more communication devices 200, 300, 400b has / have accepted the second reconfiguration or not.

[0063] In general terms, the reconfiguration of the NTN node 400a as well as the (optional) reconfiguration of the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b might pertain to any, or any combination of: power control for different subarrays of the NTN node 400a and / or the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b, on / off configurations for different subarrays of the NTN node 400a, beamforming for the NTN node 400a and / or the other network communication devices 200, 300, 400b, downli nk / uplink configuration for different subarrays of the NTN node 400a and / or the other network communication devices 200, 300, 400b, switching between different codebooks in the NTN node 400a and / or the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b, the modulation and coding scheme to use for transmission in the NTN node 400a and / or the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b, the carrier frequency to use for communication between the NTN node 400a and the other communication devices 200, 300, 400b. The reconfiguration may be periodic, semi-persistent or dynamic.

[0064] Reference is next made to the flowchart of Fig. 4 illustrating an embodiment of a method for handling malfunction in an NTN node 400a as performed by a malfunction handling device 600, 700 implemented in the NTN node 400a itself.

[0065] S201 : The malfunction handling device 600, 700 configures the NTN 400a with different transmit and / or receive configurations for different subarrays 422a:422N.

[0066] S202: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 instructs the NTN 400a to transmit and / or receive reference signals to / from at least one other communication device 200, 300, 400b whilst using the different transmit and / or receive configurations in the subarrays.

[0067] S203: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 detects and compensates for the malfunction in the NTN node 400a. One way to implement step S302 is for the malfunction handling device 600, 700 to impellent steps S102- S110, possibly including any of the optional steps S102, S112-S116.

[0068] Reference is next made to the flowchart of Fig. 5 illustrating an embodiment of a method for handling malfunction in an NTN node 400a as performed by a malfunction handling device 600, 700 implemented in a centralized node, such as in a terrestrial network node 200 or another NTN node 400b.

[0069] S301 : The malfunction handling device 600, 700 obtains a capability report of the NTN node 400a. Aspects of such a capability report and of how the malfunction handling device 600, 700 might use the content of the capability report in the process of handling malfunction in the NTN node 400a have been disclosed above and apply here as well.

[0070] S302: The malfunction handling device 600, 700 detects and compensates for the malfunction in the NTN node 400a. One way to implement step S302 is for the malfunction handling device 600, 700 to impellent steps S102- S110, possibly including any of the optional steps S102, S112-S116.

[0071] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of structural units, the components of a malfunction handling device 600 according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry 610 is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product 810 (as in Fig. 8), e.g. in the form of a storage medium 630. The processing circuitry 610 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA). Particularly, the processing circuitry 610 is configured to cause the malfunction handling device 600 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 630 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 610 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 630 to cause the malfunction handling device 600 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions.

[0072] Thus the processing circuitry 610 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. The storage medium 630 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory. The malfunction handling device 600 may further comprise a communications (comm.) interface 620 at least configured for communications with other entities, functions, nodes, and devices, as in Fig. 1 . As such the communications interface 620 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components. The processing circuitry 610 controls the general operation of the malfunction handling device 600 e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 620 and the storage medium 630, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 620, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 630. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the malfunction handling device 600 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0073] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a malfunction handling device 700 according to an embodiment. The malfunction handling device 700 of Fig. 7 comprises a number of functional modules; an obtain module 710 configured to perform step S102, a select module 740 configured to perform step S108, and a compensate (Comp.) module 750 configured to perform step S110. The malfunction handling device 700 of Fig. 7 may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as any of an obtain module 720 configured to perform step S104, a detect module 730 configured to perform step S106, an inform module 760 configured to perform step S112, a select module 770 configured to perform step S114, and a provide module 780 configured to perform step S116.

[0074] In general terms, each functional module 710:780 may in one embodiment be implemented only in hardware and in another embodiment with the help of software, i.e. , the latter embodiment having computer program instructions stored on the storage medium 630 which when run on the processing circuitry makes the malfunction handling device 600 perform the corresponding steps mentioned above in conjunction with Fig 7. It should also be mentioned that even though the modules correspond to parts of a computer program, they do not need to be separate modules therein, but the way in which they are implemented in software is dependent on the programming language used. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules 710:780 may be implemented by the processing circuitry 610, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface 620 and / or the storage medium 630. The processing circuitry 610 may thus be configured to from the storage medium 630 fetch instructions as provided by a functional module 710:780 and to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps as disclosed herein. The malfunction handling device 600, 700 may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, as disclosed above, the malfunction handling device 600, 700 might be collocated, part of, or integrated with, the NTN node 400a, a terrestrial network node 200, or another NTN node 400b. Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the malfunction handling device 600, 700 may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the of the instructions performed by the malfunction handling device 600, 700 may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the malfunction handling device 600, 700 may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a malfunction handling device 600, 700 residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry 610 is illustrated in Fig. 6 the processing circuitry 610 may be distributed among a plurality of devices, or nodes. The same applies to the functional modules 710:780 of Fig. 7 and the computer program 820 of Fig. 8.

[0075] Fig. 8 shows one example of a computer program product 810 comprising computer readable storage medium 930. On this computer readable storage medium 930, a computer program 820 can be stored, which computer program 820 can cause the processing circuitry 610 and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface 620 and the storage medium 630, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program 820 and / or computer program product 810 may thus provide means for performing any steps as herein disclosed.

[0076] In the example of Fig. 8, the computer program product 810 is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product 810 could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program 820 is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program 820 can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product 810.

[0077] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for handling malfunction in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (400a), wherein the method is performed by a malfunction handling device (600, 700), and wherein the method comprises: obtaining (S102) measurements from the NTN node (400a), wherein the measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node (400a) to use at least one antenna array (420) for communicating signals with at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b), and wherein the measurements indicate that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a); selecting (S108) a reconfiguration for the NTN node (400a) based on the indication; and compensating (S110) the signal performance of the NTN node (400a) by configuring the NTN node (400a) with the selected reconfiguration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: detecting (S106) that the NTN node (400a) is malfunctioning based on the obtained measurements from the NTN node (400a).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein that the NTN node (400a) is malfunctioning is detected based on the measurement of the NTN node (400a) as pertaining to signals communicated by different subarrays (422a: 422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), wherein the measurements for one or more of the subarrays (422a: 422N) is more than a threshold worse than the measurements for one or more other subarray (422a:422N) of the subarrays (422a: 422N).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the measurements have been made by the NTN node (400a) or at least one of the two communication devices (200, 300, 400b).

5. The method according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining (S104) a trigger to detect the malfunctioning, wherein the trigger is received from the NTN node (400a) or the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) and pertains to observations related to signals received by the NTN node (400a) from the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) or reports related to signals received by the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) from the NTN node (400a).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the trigger comprises an indication of quality of a signal received by the NTN node (400a) from the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) or of a signal received by the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) from the NTN node (400a).

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the trigger comprises an indication of reports received by the NTN node (400a) from the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) pertaining to quality of the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) for communicating with the NTN node (400a).

8. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the measurements are of reference signals as communicated by the NTN node (400a) with the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) for different transmit and / or receive configurations of the at least one antenna array (420).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein a respective configuration of the transmit and / or receive configurations is applied to a respective subarray (422a:422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), and wherein the measurements are obtained per each subarray (422a:422N).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transmit and / or receive configurations correspond to at least one of: the NTN node (400a) selectively switching on and off the respective subarrays (422a: 422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) selectively applying different beamforming configurations for the respective subarrays (422a:422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) selectively applying different polarization configurations for the respective subarrays (422a:422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) selectively applying different uplink and downlink configurations for the respective subarrays (422a:422N) of the antenna array (420).11 . The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the subarrays (422a:422N) are defined based on a capability of different antenna elements in the antenna array (420), where the capability pertains to at least one of: the NTN node (400a) being capable of selectively switching on and off the respective subarrays (422a: 422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) being capable of selectively applying different beamforming configurations for the respective subarrays (422a: 422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) being capable of selectively applying different polarization configurations for the respective subarrays (422a: 422N) of the antenna array (420), the NTN node (400a) being capable of selectively applying different uplink and downlink configurations for the respective subarrays (422a: 422N) of the antenna array (420).

12. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reconfiguration pertains to one or more of: power control for different subarrays (422a:422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), on / off configuration for different subarrays (422a:422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), beamforming configuration for different subarrays (422a:422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), uplink / downlink configuration for different subarrays (422a:422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), codebook configuration for different subarrays (422a: 422N) of the at least one antenna array (420), modulation and coding scheme for communicating the signals with the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b), carrier frequency for communicating the signals with the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b).

13. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method further comprises:informing (S112) the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) that the NTN node (400a) is malfunctioning.

14. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reconfiguration is a first reconfiguration, and wherein the method further comprises: selecting (S114) a second reconfiguration for the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b) based on the indication; and providing (S116) the second reconfiguration to the at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b).

15. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a) is defined by that forwarding of signals between two communication devices (200, 300, 400b) is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a).

16. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a) is defined by that power support in the NTN node (400a) is failing.

17. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the malfunction handling device (600, 700) is collocated, part of, or integrated with, the NTN node (400a).

18. The method according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the malfunction handling device (600, 700) is collocated, part of, or integrated with, a terrestrial network node (200) or another NTN node (400b).

19. A malfunction handling device (600) for handling malfunction in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (400a), the malfunction handling device (600) comprising processing circuitry (610), the processing circuitry being configured to cause the malfunction handling device (600) to: obtain measurements from the NTN node (400a), wherein the measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node (400a) to use at least one antenna array (420) for communicating signals with at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b), and wherein the measurements indicate that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a); select a reconfiguration for the NTN node (400a) based on the indication; and compensate the signal performance of the NTN node (400a) by configuring the NTN node (400a) with the selected reconfiguration.

20. A malfunction handling device (700) for handling malfunction in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (400a), the malfunction handling device (700) comprising:an obtain module (710) configured to obtain measurements from the NTN node (400a), wherein the measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node (400a) to use at least one antenna array (420) for communicating signals with at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b), and wherein the measurements indicate that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a); a select module (740) configured to select a reconfiguration for the NTN node (400a) based on the indication; and a compensate module (750) configured to compensate the signal performance of the NTN node (400a) by configuring the NTN node (400a) with the selected reconfiguration.

21. The malfunction handling device (600, 700) according to claim 19 or 20, further being configured to perform the method according to any of claims 2 to 18.

22. A computer program (820) for handling malfunction in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, node (400a), the computer program comprising computer code which, when run on processing circuitry (610) of a malfunction handling device (600, 700), causes the malfunction handling device (600, 700) to: obtain (S102) measurements from the NTN node (400a), wherein the measurements pertain to a signal performance of the NTN node (400a) to use at least one antenna array (420) for communicating signals with at least one communication device (200, 300, 400b), and wherein the measurements indicate that said communicating is malfunctioning in the NTN node (400a); select (S108) a reconfiguration for the NTN node (400a) based on the indication; and compensate (S110) the signal performance of the NTN node (400a) by configuring the NTN node (400a) with the selected reconfiguration.

23. A computer program product (810) comprising a computer program (820) according to claim 22, and a computer readable storage medium (930) on which the computer program is stored.

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