Triggered of user equipment resume procedure for store and forward operation in ntn

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for wireless communication, including the steps of: monitoring by a user equipment, satellite specific procedure message related to a first satellite that the user equipment was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite; and triggering to resume a connection, with the second satellite upon detecting the provided second satellite, the satellite specific procedure message related to the first satellite.

Description

TRIGGERED OF USER EQUIPMENT RESUME PROCEDURE FOR STORE AND FORWARD OPERATION IN NTNTECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment relates generally to a Store and Forward Satellite (S&F) operation that provides communication service to a user equipment (UE) in periods of time and / or geographical areas in which a serving satellite is not simultaneously connected to the ground network via a feeder link or Inter-Satellite Link (ISL).BACKGROUND

[0002] In 5G system, service requirements for mobile originating (MO) and mobile terminating (MT) use cases may use store and forward (S&F) satellite operation to provide some level of service when satellite connectivity intermittently / temporarily unavailable (between UE and satellite, and between satellite and core network nodes). The Store and Forward Satellite (S&F) operation provide communication service to a UE in periods of time and / or geographical areas in which a serving satellite is not simultaneously connected to the ground network via a feeder link or an Inter-Satellite Link (ISL).

[0003] For the case of uplink (UL), "store" refers to on-board storage of UL information from UE and "forward" refers to forwarding of stored UL information to the ground network. For the case of downlink (DL), "store" refers to on-board storage of DL information from the ground network and "forward" refers to forwarding of stored DL information to the UE.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] A user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, includes: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the user equipment (100) to: monitor (316), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and trigger to resume a connection (318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0005] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, which includes: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second non-terrestrial network node (150): provide (step 314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resume, a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0006] A user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, includes: means for monitoring (316), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and means for triggering to resume a connection (318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0007] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, includes: means for providing (314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and means for resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2) with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to the first nonterrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first nonterrestrial network node (140).

[0008] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, include the steps of: monitoring (315) by a user equipment (100), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and triggering to resume a connection (318) with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided second satellite (150), the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0009] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, include the steps of: providing (314) by a second non-terrestrial network node (150), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial networknode (150), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2) with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) the first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0010] In an example embodiment, a user equipment (UE) (100) is provided for wireless communication, that includes: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the user equipment (100) to: monitor (213, 316), satellite specific information (141) and / or a satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (101, 202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and trigger to resume a connection (214, 318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific information (141) and / or the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0011] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, include at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second non-terrestrial network node (150) to: provide (step 212, 314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific information (141) and / or satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resume, a connection (318) within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to thefirst nonterrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first nonterrestrial network node (140).

[0012] A user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, include means for monitoring (213, 316), satellite specific information (141) and / or satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and means for triggering to resume a connection (214, 318) with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific information (141) and / or the satellite specific procedure message (148148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0013] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, include means for providing (step 212, 314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific information (141) and / or satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first nonterrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and means for resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0014] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, include performing the steps of: monitoring (213, 316), by a user equipment (UE) (100), satellite specific information (141) and / or satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and triggering, by the user equipment, to resume a connection (214, 318) with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific information (141) and / or the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0015] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, include performing the steps of: providing (step 212, 314), by a second non-terrestrial network node (150), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second nonterrestrial network node (150), satellite specific information (141) and / or satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resuming, by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0016] A user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, including at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the user equipment (100) to: monitor (213), satellite specific information (141) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and trigger to resume a connection (214, 318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific information (141) related to the first satellite (140).

[0017] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, including: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second non-terrestrial network node (150) to: provide (step 212), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific information (141) related to a first nonterrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resume, a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to the first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0018] A user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, including: means for monitoring (213), satellite specific information (141) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and means for triggering to resume a connection (214), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting, the provided satellite specific information (141) related to the first satellite (140).

[0019] A second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, including: means for providing (step 212), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific information (141) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); means for resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2)), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first nonterrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first nonterrestrial network node (140).

[0020] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, including: monitoring (213) by a user equipment (100), satellite specific information (141) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected (202, 302) to, provided by a second satellite (150); and triggering to resume a connection (214), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific information (141) related to the first satellite (140).

[0021] A computer implemented method for wireless communication, including: providing (step 212), by a second non-terrestrial network node (150), to at least one user equipment (150) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150),satellite specific information (141) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2)), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first nonterrestrial network node (140).BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a system diagram depicting a store and forward (S&F) operation scheme;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment solution to resume a service link connection between satellites during a store and forward (S&F) operation;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment solution to resume a service link connection between satellites during a store and forward (S&F) operation;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating the means configured to perform the described steps or functions by either a user equipment (UE) or a non-terrestrial network node (NW).

[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of a communication system that the system of FIG. 4 may be deployed, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments are shown. Indeed, various embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Additionally, as used herein, the term “circuitry” refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) including software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term “circuitry” also includes an implementation including one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term “circuitry” as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0030] As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to non-transitory storage hardware, non-transitory storage device or non-transitory computer system memory that may be accessed by a controller, a microcontroller, a computational system or a module of a computational system to encored thereon computer-executable instructions or software programs. A non-transitory “computer readable medium” may be accessed by a computational system or a module of a computational system to retrieve and / or execute the computerexecutable instructions or software programs encoded on the medium. Examples of non- transitory computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardware memory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magnetic storage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more universal synchronous bus (USB) flash drives), computer system memory or random-access memory (such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), extended data out random access memory (EDO RAM), and the like.

[0031] The term “user equipment”, “terminal device”, “mobile terminal” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning. The term “non-terrestrial network node”, “satellite”, “network node”, “gNB”, “base station” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning. The term “core network”, “mobile management entity (MME)”, “mobile management function(AMF)”, “ground station” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning. The term “non-terrestrial network node”, “satellite” or “network node” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning. The term “new satellite” and “second satellite” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning. The term “previous satellite” and “first satellite” may be used interchangeably with equivalent meaning.

[0032] As illustrated in Figure 1, a Store and Forward Satellite (S&F) operation that provides communication service to a user equipment (UE) (100) in periods of time (Tl, T2, T3) and / or geographical areas (Rennes, Le Mans, Orleans) (102 to 106) in which a first serving satellite (140) is not simultaneously connected to the ground network (120A or 120B) via a feeder link (105, 107) or Inter-Satellite Link (ISL).

[0033] The store and forward scheme may rely on a regenerative architecture where the RAN will be placed in at least one first satellite (140a to 140n). In a Store & Forward (S&F) scheme, the MME (or AMF for 5GS type of deployments) (120) at the first satellite (140) may be responsible to provide Store and Forward feature only. MME in the first satellite (140) may be represented as MME-NT-1 (non-terrestrial) in FIG. 1. Let’s assume the time Tl is between 10:00-10:20 and T2 is 10:40-11 :00 and T3 is 11:20- 11 :40. A plurality of second satellites (150a to 15 Ox) may have ground station (120 A) coverage when hovering over Rennes (102) and Orleans (106) but not when crossing Le Mans (104).

[0034] At time Tl, at least one first satellite (140) may be covering Le Mans (104). At T2, the first satellite (140) may move to provide coverage to Orleans (106) and the second satellite (150) may be covering Rennes (102) where the ground stations are deployed. Both of the ground station deployed at Orleans and Rennes connected to the same core network (120).

[0035] At time T3, the second satellite (150) may move to provide coverage to Le Mans where the UEs (100) are located. Thus, service link (101, 103) (i.e., connection between the first satellite 140 or the second satellite 150 and the UE (100)) and feeder link (105, 107) (i.e., connection between the first satellite (140) or the second satellite (150) and a gateway or a core network (120)) are not available simultaneously.

[0036] Referring to FIGs. 2 and 3, at time Tl, the UE (100) may send uplink control plane (UL CP) message or UP data (see steps 202, 302) to the first satellite (140) when the service link (101) is available. But the UE (100) cannot get a downlink (DL) response immediately as the feeder link (105) between the same satellite (140) and the ground station (120A, 120B) may notbe available simultaneously. The UE (100) suspend (see step 204, 304) and resume procedure (step 216, 318) may be performed before the service link becomes unavailable and after the service link becomes available again. When connection resume is needed for a UE, the UE specific paging procedure may be initiated to trigger the UE (100) to resume or rely on UE autonomous resume initiated by a RACH procedure whenever the service link (103) becomes available again.

[0037] However, these options have the following problems:(1) If UE (100) resumes RRC connection autonomously whenever service link (103) is available again with a (new) second satellite (150) in multi-satellite scenario, it may happen that the DL response message or DL data (step 208) related to the UE (100) has not yet received and stored in the second satellite (150) (e.g. if the previous satellite (140) has not been connected to the ground station (120B) yet to forward the UE’s (100) UL data (from step 206) to the ground station (120B) or the second satellite (150) may not have connected to the ground station (120B) to get the UE’s (100) DL response data (see step 208)). In this case, the UE (100) may unnecessarily resume connection (step 216) and thus the UE’s (100) power consumption and the radio resources / capacity of service link (103) for performing the resume connection procedure (step 216) may be wasted.(2) Alternately, if the UE (100) resumes connection (step 318) based on paging (step 314) from a current second satellite (150), there may be a large number of other UEs (100a... lOOx) having sent their UL data to the previous first satellite (140) and thus having stored DL data in the current second satellite (150), which may lead to a large number of paging messages (148) to be transmitted to the other UEs (100a... lOOx) individually (step 314). This may cause potential resource congestion due to delivery of a large number of individual paging messages (148) to the other UEs (100a... lOOx), which may also cause a delay of delivery of the individual paging messages (148).(3) In either of the above cases, if a large number of UEs (100a... lOOx) resume their connections (steps 216, 318) by initiating the random access (RA) procedure simultaneously when the service link (101, 103) becomes available in the given coverage area (Cl), it may cause congestion of PRACH resources (e.g. in term of RACH preambles and / or resources for sending RACH preambles prone to contention or collision). This in turn may degrade the RACH and UE resume procedure (step 216, 318) performance. Such congest! on / capacity issues are likely to occur inEarth-Fixed Cell type of deployments where satellite service becomes available in a large area (e.g. a cell has 50 km diameter) at a known point in time. The time may be based on the satellite assistance information (see SIB32 for Discontinuous coverage, defining t-service as the time where an EFC is available in a given area).

[0038] This disclosure proposes a mechanism (solution #1 and solution #2) for more efficient and reliable triggering of the UE (100) to resume connection when a service link (103) with the new satellite (150) is available again. More specifically, the disclosure proposes that the satellite specific information and / or satellite specific procedure message that corresponds to the satellite (140) that the UE (100) was connected to and sent the UL CP message or UL data when the service link (101) to the satellite (140) was available. That is, the UEs (100a... lOOx) may be triggered to resume the connection to the new satellite (150) based on the satellite specific information (141) / satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the previous satellite (140). The detailed proposals include a first satellite (140) that represents a previous satellite that the UE (100) was previously connected to, and a second satellite (150) that represents the new satellite that the UE (100) is triggered to resume the connection.

[0039] In solution #1 (explicit approach): satellite (140) specific information (e.g. satellite ID or the cell ID(s) that the satellite (140) provided) is broadcasted e.g. using a system information block (SIB) of the cell that the satellite (150) provides when satellite (150) provides the service link (103) at least in part of the coverage area (Cl) that satellite (140) had provided the service link (101) to the UEs. Herein the satellite (150) is the satellite that has stored the DL CP response message or user plane (UP) data to be sent to the UEs (100, 100a to lOOx).

[0040] To facilitate the second satellite (150) broadcasts the first satellite (140) specific information (141) to the UE (100) when the second satellite (150) provides the service link (103) to the UE (100), the first satellite specific information (141) should be provided from the ground station (120A,120B) / core network (120) to the second satellite (150) when ground station (120A,120B) core network (120) sends the DL CP response message or UP data to the second satellite (150) (step 208).

[0041] In addition to the first satellite (140) specific information such as satellite ID or cell ID(s) of the first satellite (140) has provided in the first coverage area (Cl) that the UEs (100a... lOOx) are located, validation information (144) associated with the first satellite (140) specific information may be provided. The validation information (144) may be in the form of the timeperiod, e.g., the satellite (140) specific information is valid during time period (Tl, T2); or in the form of coverage area , e.g., the first satellite (140) specific information is valid when the second satellite (150) covers one or more coverage areas (Cl, C2); or in the form of a combination of time and coverage area, e.g., the satellite specific information (141) is valid for X time units after the second satellite (150) reaches the first coverage area (Cl).

[0042] The second satellite (150), based on the first satellite specific information (141) and associated validation information (144), broadcasts the first satellite (140) specific information (141) to the UE (100) via the service link (103) during the validation period (144) and / or the validation area (Cl, C2).

[0043] In time period T3, the UE (100), upon detecting an availability of the service link (103), the UE (100) may read the broadcasted SIB transmitted by the cell provided from the new satellite (150). If the UE (100) identifies the satellite (140) specific information (e.g. cell ID or satellite ID of satellite 140), the UE (100) autonomously initiates the RRC resume procedure to the new satellite (150) using the resume ID that the previous satellite (140) has configured to the UE during UE suspend procedure. In this case, even if the UE (100) detects the availability of the service link from other satellite(150x) before satellite (150), the UE (100) will not resume the connection to the other satellite (e.g., 150x) as the satellite (140) specific information is not provided by the other satellite. In this way, the unnecessary autonomous UE resume of the connection to non-relevant satellite (150x) can be avoided. This solution also reduces or even totally removes the overhead of paging procedure via autonomous UE resume when the UE (100) is expecting the DL CP response message / UP data in S&F mode.

[0044] In solution #2 (implicit approach): the satellite (140) specific paging information (143) may be configured to the UE (100) to enable a second satellite (150) to page the UEs (100. 100a... lOOx) that were previously connected to the first satellite (140) using a common paging message (142, step 314). The first satellite (140) specific paging information (143) may include the first satellite (140) specific DRX configuration and / or first satellite (140) specific paging ID. The first satellite (140) specific paging information may be configured to the UE (100) by the first satellite (140) when it suspended the UE (100). Or the first satellite (140) specific paging information (143) may be provided by the new satellite (150) in system information. When the new satellite (150) has the stored DL CP response message / UP data for the UEs that have connected to the satellite (140) previously, the new satellite (150) will use satellite (140) specificpaging information to derive the paging occasion (PO) to page the group of those UEs instead of paging each UE individually.

[0045] If satellite (140) specific paging information (143) is configured to the UE by the second satellite (150), to facilitate the satellite (150) to identify which satellite specific paging information should be used to page the group of the UEs (100a... lOOx), the first satellite specific paging information (143) should be provided from the ground station (120A,120B) or core network (120) to the second satellite (150) when the ground station (120A,120B) sends the DL CP response message or UP data to the second satellite (150).

[0046] In addition to the first satellite specific paging information (143), the validation information (144) associated with the first satellite specific paging information should be provided. The validation information (144) may be in the form of the time period (T), e.g., the satellite (140) specific paging information is valid during time period (Tl, T2); or coverage area (C), e.g., the satellite (140) specific paging information (143) is valid when satellite (150) covers one or more area (Cl, C2); or a combination of time (T) and coverage area(C), e.g., the satellite (140) specific paging information may be valid for X time units after satellite (150) reaches Cl.

[0047] If the first satellite specific paging information (143) is configured and broadcasted by the second satellite (150), then the second satellite (150) should be configured with the same kind of validation information (144) as proposed above for broadcasting the first satellite specific paging information (143) as well as paging the UEs using the first satellite specific paging information (143) according to the validation information (144).

[0048] In this option, if the second satellite (150) broadcasts the first satellite specific paging information (143) for multiple first satellites (e.g. satellites 140a, ... 140n) and the UE (100) has previously been connected to more than one of the multiple satellites (140a... 140n), the UE (100) may select one of the first satellite specific paging information(143) to derive the paging occasions (POs) (145a... 145n) for paging monitoring.

[0049] The second satellite (150), based on the first satellite specific paging information (143) and the associated validation information (144), triggers a first satellite (140) specific group paging message (148) at the derived POs (145a... 145n) to the UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) that have been previously connected to the first satellite (140).

[0050] The UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) that have connected to first satellite (140) previously, upon detecting an availability of the service link (103), monitor the paging message at the PO derivedfrom the configured satellite (140) specific paging information. If the UE receives the paging message according to satellite (140) specific paging information, the UE is triggered to resume the connection to satellite (150).

[0051] As first satellite (140) specific paging information (143) is targeted to the group of UEs that has connected to satellite (140) previously, the group paging message may trigger all the relevant UEs to resume the connection simultaneously by initiating the RA procedure, it may cause the congestion of PRACH resource. To reduce the PRACH resource congestion, the satellite specific paging information may include multiple paging IDs and each of paging ID is configured to a sub-group of UEs (100a... 100g) connected to satellite (140) previously. So the different sub-set of the UEs are paged at corresponding different POs (145a... 145n) and then the UEs are triggered to initiate the RA procedure at corresponding different occasions corresponding to different POs (145a... 145f).

[0052] The group paging message (148) may not include any content or include the satellite (140) ID or sub-group ID in case of multiple paging IDs are configured to different sub-group of UEs respectively. As another option, the group paging message (148) may include the list of UE IDs (e.g. resume ID) or range of UE IDs. In this case, the periodic POs are derived by the single paging ID. The multiple different paging messages are transmitted in different consecutive POs and each of the paging message may include the different set of UE ID list or range of UE IDs. In this way, the group of UEs (100a... lOOx) are paged at different POs (145a... 145n) and also triggered to initiate the RA procedure at different occasions.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, in time period Tl, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) supporting store and forwarding (S&F) mode includes the satellite (140) that stores the UE’s UL data and forwards the UE’s UL data to the ground station when the feeder link (105) is available between satellite (140) and ground station (120 A, 120B) in time period T2. Upon receiving the forwarded UL data of the UEs and based on the satellite context information (e.g. orbit of satellites) and optionally UE’s context information (e.g. UE’s location, mobility status, trajectory information etc.), the ground station may identify the next satellite (i.e. satellite (150) in our example) that will provide the service link (103) for the coverage area that the satellite (140) has provided and / or the location area of the UEs that have connected to satellite (140) previously. It is up to ground station implementation to identify the satellite (150). The possible information may be used by the ground station may include the period (e.g., T2) of feeder link availability (e.g., 105,107) between each satellite (140, 150) and the ground station (120A,120B), the period (e.g. Tl, T3) of service link availability between each satellite and the stationary UE (100) or area in the earth, the period (e.g., Tl, T3) of service link (e.g., 101, 103) availability between one or a couple of satellites (140, 140a,... 140n, 150, 150a,... 150x) and the moving UEs (140... ).

[0054] In time period T2, the feeder link (107) becomes also available between the ground station (120A) and identified satellite (150), the ground station (120A) forwards the UE’s DL data to the satellite (150) as well as the associated first satellite (140) specific information (141) (e.g. cell ID or satellite ID) and the validation information (144). This may enable the second satellite (150) to broadcast the first satellite (140) specific information (141) in SIB according to the validation information (144) received from the ground station (120A) during time period T3 when the second satellite (150) provides the service link to the UE (100).

[0055] As the first satellite (140) specific information (141) broadcasted by the second satellite (150) may trigger (see step 214) all relevant UEs (140, 140a, ... ) to resume the connection simultaneously by initiating the RA procedure, it may cause congestion / collision of PRACH resources. To reduce the PRACH resource congestion / collision, the UE (100) may be configured with the PRACH occasion(s) related to or derived from the resume ID so that other different UEs (140a,... 140n) with different resume IDs may initiate the RA procedure at different PRACH occasions (145a, ... ) after detecting the first satellite (140) specific information (141).

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, in Time period Tl, as a different implementation option, the first satellite (140) specific paging information (143) may be either determined and configured by the satellite (140) in a dynamic way or configured by the O&M in static or semi-static way. In the latter case, the ground station and second satellite (150) may get the satellite (140) specific paging information from O&M too, so that the information from satellite (140) to ground station and from ground station to satellite (150) may be optional. But during time period T2, when the ground station sends the DL data to satellite (150), at least the indication that the DL data is associated with satellite (140) specific paging information should be provided to satellite (150) so that satellite (150) knows which satellite specific paging information (143) should be used to page the group of UEs (140, 140a... ) to trigger the UE resume for forwarding the stored DL data.

[0057] In time period T2, after getting forwarded the UL data from satellite (140) for those UEs (140, 140a... ) connected to satellite (140) previously, the ground station (120) can identify howmany UEs have the corresponding DL data to be transmitted to satellite (150). Based on the number of UEs having DL data sending to satellite (150) and the total number of UEs connected to satellite (140) previously, the core network (120) (or MME / AMF) may also determine whether to enable satellite (140) specific paging or UE individual paging. Or in time period of T3, the second satellite (150) may determine whether to enable satellite (140) specific paging or UE individual paging based on the number of UEs that have the DL data received from the ground station and associated with the first satellite (140). The decision made by the ground station or satellite (150) may consider the tradeoff between the paging load introduced by individual paging and the false UE resume using satellite specific common paging if there are many UEs that don’t have DL data available yet. To further reduce the false UE resume even using satellite specific common paging message (142, step 314), the satellite specific paging message (148) may also include the list of the UE IDs (e.g. using resume ID) to avoid the non- relevant UEs to resume the connection to satellite (150). If the list of UE ID is long, the group of UEs are paged at different POs may be also applied to make it possible to include shorter UE ID list in the satellite specific common paging message (142).

[0058] In either solution, if satellite (150) identifies that the UE doesn’t resume the connection during the period and / or area related to the validation information while the stored DL CP response message / UP data is stored in satellite (150) for the UE, the satellite (150) may initiate the UE specific paging procedure to page the UE individually during the extended period and / or area that may be configured to the satellite (150) by O&M or provided from the ground station. This is for serving the moving UE better if UE moves out of the expected coverage area estimated by the ground station. If UE doesn’t resume the connection to satellite (150) during the extended period and / or area, satellite (150) may notify the ground station when it connects to the ground station next time. The ground station may configure the satellite (150) whether to keep the UE’s context and data or release them.

[0059] Details of FIGs. 2 and 3 suggest a few solutions for more efficient and reliable methods to trigger the UE (100) to resume connection (101) (steps 202 to 216 or steps 302 to 316) when the service link (103) with the new satellite (150) is available again. For example, during time period Tl, service link (101) connection with the first satellite (140) may be available in the first coverage area (Cl). UE (100) may send UL CP message or UL data to the first satellite (140) in step 202. In an example, there may be at least one of a plurality of other UEs (100a... lOOx) tobe triggered to resume connection (see step 214 or step 318) along with the UE (100), to resume connection (step 214 or 318) to a new second satellite (150) in time T3, based on the satellite specific information (141) / satellite specific procedure message (148) that are related to the first satellite (140).

[0060] In an example, prior to suspension in step 204, the UE (100) may the satellite specific information (141) related to the first satellite (140) from the system information broadcasted by the first satellite (140) such as the satellite ID or the cell ID(s). In another example, prior to suspension in step 304, the UE (100) may be configured the at least one satellite specific paging information (143) that are used for monitoring the satellite specific procedure message such as one common paging message (142, 314) that are related to the previous first satellite (140).

[0061] During time T2, the first satellite (140) may move into another area 106 (e.g., Orleans) and the second satellite (150) may move within the Rennes area (108) to service the area where the ground station is deployed.

[0062] During time T2, the first satellite (140) may establish a feeder link (105) with the core network (120) through the ground station (120B) to forward the UL CP message or UP data of UE (in step 206) and optional the first satellite specific information (141) that includes the satellite ID or the cell ID(s) to the core network (120). Alternately the first satellite (140) may establish a feeder link 105 with the core network (120) through the ground station (120B) to forward the UL CP message or UP data of UE (in step 306) and optional the first satellite specific paging information (143) to the core network (120).

[0063] During time T2, the second satellite (150) may also establish a feeder link (107) with the core network (120) through the ground station (120A), and receive from the core network (120) in step 208 or step 308, downlink (DL) data for the UE (100). In addition, during time T2, the second satellite (150) in step 210, may receive from the core network (120), the first satellite specific information (141) that includes the satellite ID or the cell ID(s) and validation information (144) configured for the UE (100). Alternately, the second satellite (150) in step 308, may receive from the core network (120), the first satellite specific procedure message (148) that includes the first satellite specific paging information (143) optionally and validation information (144) associated with the first satellite specific procedure message (148).

[0064] During time T3, service link (103) may be provided by the second satellite (150) to the area Le Mans where the UE (100) is located. In step 212, the UE (100) may receive a broadcastfrom the second satellite (150), a system information block (SIB) (141-1) message that contains the first satellite specific information (141) that includes the satellite ID or the cell ID(s) to the UE (100). Alternately, in step (314), the UE (100) may receive at least one first satellite specific procedure message (148) associated with the first satellite (140) transmitted by the second satellite (150).

[0065] In an example, the UE (100) may monitor (see step 213) the satellite specific information (141), or in another example, the UE (100) may monitor (see step 316) at least one common paging message (142 at step 314) for paging the plurality of other user equipment (100a, ... x) that were previously connected (101) to the first satellite (140) within a first service coverage area (Cl), from a second satellite (150) that serves a second coverage area (C2).

[0066] To monitor the at least one common paging message (142 at step 314), the UE (100) is configured with the first satellite specific paging information to derive the PO.

[0067] The UE (100) may trigger to resume a connection (in step 214 or step 318) between the second satellite (150) and the user equipment (100) within the second coverage area (C2) based on detecting from the second satellite (150), the satellite specific information (141) and / or the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0068] FIGs. 4 and 5 depict an example of an apparatus that may be configured to function as user equipment (100) or configured to function as anyone of a non-terrestrial network node (e.g., satellitel40 and 150). As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus includes, is associated with, or is in communications with processing circuitry 410, a memory 420, and a communication interface 260. The processing circuitry (410) may be in communication with the memory device 440 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) including gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally oralternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry.

[0069] The apparatus (100) may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices described as above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may include one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0070] The processing circuitry (410), also referenced as a processor, may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading.

[0071] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry (410) may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device (420) or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hardcoded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configuredhardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0072] The communication interface (440) may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communications interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, an example embodiment is disclosed for a user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, which includes: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the user equipment (100) to perform: monitor (316), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and trigger to resume a connection (318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0074] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the user equipment (100) being at least one or a combination of: terrestrial based or non-terrestrial based; one among a plurality of other user equipment (100a... lOOx) within a first coverage area (Cl)previously serviced by the first satellite (140); and one among a plurality of other user equipment (100a... lOOx) within a second coverage area (C2) that is to be connected to the second satellite (150), wherein the first coverage area (Cl) and the second coverage area (C2) overlaps at least in part for provisioning of a service link (101,103) to the user equipment (100).

[0075] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the monitored satellite specific information (141) and / or the satellite specific procedure message (148) received from the second satellite (150) are provided (210, 310) by a core network (120) or a ground station (120a, 120b).

[0076] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the first satellite (140) being one among a plurality of other first satellites (140a... 140n), and / or the second satellite (150) being one among a plurality of other second satellites (150a... 150x), to provide respective service links to the plurality of other user equipment (100a, ... lOOx) within the first coverage area (Cl) and / or the second coverage area (C2), respectively.

[0077] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140) comprises at least one first satellite specific common paging message (142) associated with the first satellite (140) transmitted by the second satellite to page the plurality of other user equipment (100a, ... lOOx) that were previously connected to the first satellite (140).

[0078] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein user equipment receives a satellite specific paging information (143) to derive at least one paging occasion (PO) (145) to monitor the at least one first satellite specific common paging message (142) associated with the first satellite (140).

[0079] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the satellite specific paging information (143) comprises at least one or a combination of: satellite specific DRX configuration and / or satellite specific paging ID configured for the user equipment when the UE is suspended by the first satellite (140), or when provided by the second satellite (150); and validation information (144) configured for at least one of broadcasting at least one of the satellite specific paging information (143), or paging a plurality of other UEs (100a... lOOx) using the satellite specific paging information (143) according to the validation information (144).

[0080] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein when the second satellite (150) has the stored downlink (DL) data for the UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) that haveconnected to the first satellite (140) previously, the second satellite (150) will use the satellite specific paging information (143) to derive the at least one paging occasion (PO) (145) to page the group of the UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) instead of paging each individual UE.

[0081] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the second satellite (150) gets the satellite specific paging information (143) from the core network (120) or the ground station (120A, 120B) when the core network (120) or the ground station (120b) sends the downlink (DL) data to the second satellite (150).

[0082] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the satellite specific paging information (143) further comprises a validation information (144) for at least one of broadcasting the satellite specific paging information (143) or paging a plurality of other UEs (100a... lOOx) using the satellite specific paging information (143) according to the validation information (144).

[0083] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the validation information (144) associated with the satellite specific paging information (143) are provided in a form comprising one or a combination of: in a form of time periods (Tl, T2), during which the satellite specific paging information (143) is valid; or in a form of one or more second coverage areas (C2), within which the satellite specific paging information (143) is valid when the second satellite (150) covers the one or more second coverage area (C2).

[0084] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein when the second satellite 150 broadcasts the satellite specific paging information (143) for multiple first satellites (140a... 140n) and the UE (100) has connected to more than one of the multiple first satellites (140a... 140n), wherein the UE is configured to select one of the at least one satellite specific paging information (143) to derive the at least one paging occasions (POs) (145a... 145n) for paging monitoring.

[0085] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the UE is configured to perform at least one or both of: upon detecting an availability of service link (103), monitors the satellite specific paging information (143) at the at least one PO (145) derived from the configured satellite specific paging information (143); or upon receiving the satellite specific common paging message (142), resumes the connection (101) to the second satellite (150).

[0086] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein: the satellite specific common paging message (142) comprises multiple paging IDs with each pagingID being configured to a sub-group of other UEs (100c... lOOf) previously connected to the first satellite 140; and / or different sub-group of the other UEs (100a... 100c, 100g... j, 100k... 100m) are group paged at different paging occasions (POs) (145a... 145n) to be triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at different occasions.

[0087] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein the satellite specific common paging message (142) being one of: not include any content; or include a satellite ID or sub-group ID of the first satellite (140), when multiple paging IDs are configured to the different sub-groups of other UEs (100a... 100c, 100g... j, 100k... 100m), respectively; or include at least one of: a list of UE IDs, a list of resume IDs or a range of UE IDs.

[0088] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the user equipment (100), wherein multiple first satellite specific common paging messages (142) are transmitted in different POs (145a... 145n) are derived by a single paging ID, wherein each of the multiple satellite specific common paging messages (142) includes a different set of UE ID list or range of UE IDs, such that the sub-group of other UEs (100c... lOOf) that are paged at corresponding different POs (145c... 145f) are also triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at the different occasions.

[0089] Another example embodiment is disclosed for a second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, which includes: at least one processor (410); and at least one memory (420) storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second non-terrestrial network node (150) to perform: provide (step 314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific procedure message (148, see step 314) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resume, a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0090] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the provided satellite specific procedure message (148 in step 314) are provided (210, 310) by a core network (120) or a ground station (120A, 120B), the second non-terrestrial network node (150) gets the satellite specific paging message (148 in step 314) from the corenetwork (120) or the ground station (120A,120B) when the core network (120) or the ground station (120 A, 120B) sends the downlink (DL) data to the second satellite (150).

[0091] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the at least one user equipment (100) being at least one or a combination of:

[0092] one among a plurality of other user equipment (100a... lOOx) previously connected to the first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl); or one among the plurality of other user equipment (100a... lOOx) that are to be connected to the second nonterrestrial network node (150) within the second coverage area (C2), wherein the first coverage area (Cl) and the second coverage area (C2) overlaps at least in part.

[0093] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first non-terrestrial network node (140) comprises at least one first satellite specific common paging message (142) associated with the first non-terrestrial network node (140) transmitted by the second e nonterrestrial network node (150) to page the plurality of other user equipment (100a, ... x) that were previously connected to the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0094] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the transmitting at least one first satellite specific common paging message (142) based on a first non-terrestrial network node (140) specific paging information (143) includes at least one or a combination of: satellite specific DRX configuration and / or satellite specific paging ID configured for the user equipment when the UE is suspended by the first non-terrestrial network node (140), or when provided by the second non-terrestrial network node (150); and validation information (144) configured for at least one of broadcasting at least one of the satellite specific paging information (143), or paging a plurality of other UEs (100a... lOOx) using the satellite specific paging information (143) according to the validation information (144).

[0095] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein when the second non-terrestrial network node (150) has the stored downlink (DL) data for the UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) that have connected to the first non-terrestrial network node (140) previously, the second non-terrestrial network node (150) will use the satellite specific paging information (143) to derive the at least one paging occasion (PO) (145) to page the group of the UEs (100, 100a... lOOx) instead of paging each individual UE.

[0096] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the second non-terrestrial network node is configured to get the satellite specific paging information (143) from the core network (120) or the ground station (120A, 120B) when the core network (120) or the ground station (120A, 120B) sends the downlink (DL) data to the second non-terrestrial network node (150).

[0097] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the satellite specific paging information (143) further comprises a validation information (144) for at least one of broadcasting the satellite specific paging information (143) or paging a plurality of other UEs (100a... lOOx) using the satellite specific paging information (143) according to the validation information (144).

[0098] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the validation information (144) associated with the satellite specific paging information (143) are provided in a form comprising one or a combination of: in a form of time periods (Tl, T2), during which the satellite specific paging information (143) is valid; or in a form of one or more second coverage areas (C2), within which the satellite specific paging information (143) is valid when the second satellite (150) covers the one or more second coverage area (C2).

[0099] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein when the second non-terrestrial network node 150 broadcasts the satellite specific paging information (143) for multiple first non-terrestrial network node (140a... 140n) and the UE (100) has connected to more than one of the multiple first non-terrestrial network node (140a... 140n), wherein the UE is configured to select one of the at least one satellite specific paging information (143) to derive the at least one paging occasions (POs) (145) for paging monitoring.

[0100] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the satellite specific common paging message (142) comprises multiple paging IDs with each paging ID being configured to a sub-group of other UEs (100c... lOOf) previously connected to the first satellite 140; and / or different sub-group of the other UEs (100a... 100c, 100g...j, 100k... 100m) are paged at different paging occasions (POs) (150a... 150x) to be triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at different occasions.

[0101] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein the satellite specific common paging message (142) being one of: not include anycontent; or include a satellite ID or sub-group ID of the first non-terrestrial network node (140), when multiple paging IDs are configured to the different sub-groups of other UEs (100a... 100c, 100g...j, 100k... 100m), respectively; or include at least one of: a list of UE IDs, a list of resume IDs or a range of UE IDs.

[0102] Another example embodiment is disclosed for the second non-terrestrial network node (150), wherein multiple first satellite specific common paging messages (142) are transmitted in different POs (150a... 150n) are derived by a single paging ID, wherein each of the multiple satellite specific common paging messages (142) includes a different set of UE ID list or range of UE IDs, such that the sub-group of other UEs (100c... lOOf) that are paged at corresponding different POs (150c... 150f) are also triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at the different occasions.

[0103] Another example embodiment is disclosed for a user equipment (UE) (100) for wireless communication, which includes: means for monitoring (316), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and means for triggering to resume a connection (318), with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0104] Another example embodiment is disclosed for a second non-terrestrial network node (150) for wireless communication, which includes: means for providing (step 314), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and means for resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2) with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) to the first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0105] Another example embodiment is disclosed for a computer implemented method for wireless communication, which includes the steps of: monitoring (315) by a user equipment (100), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first satellite (140) that the user equipment (100) was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite (150); and triggering to resume a connection (318 with the second satellite (150) upon detecting the provided second satellite (150), the satellite specific procedure message (148) related to the first satellite (140).

[0106] Another example embodiment is disclosed for a computer implemented method for wireless communication, which includes the steps of: providing (step 314), by a second nonterrestrial network node (150), to at least one user equipment (100) that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), satellite specific procedure message (148) related to a first non-terrestrial network node (140) which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resuming, by the second non-terrestrial network node (150), a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment (100) previously connected (202, 302) the first non-terrestrial network node (140) within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node (140).

[0107] Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0108] Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

We claim:

1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the user equipment to perform: monitor, a satellite specific procedure message related to a first satellite that the user equipment was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite; and trigger to resume a connection, with the second satellite upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message related to the first satellite.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the user equipment being at least one or a combination of: terrestrial based or non-terrestrial based; one among a plurality of other user equipment within a first coverage area (Cl) previously serviced by the first satellite; and one among a plurality of other user equipment within a second coverage area (C2) that is to be connected to the second satellite, wherein the first coverage area (Cl) and the second coverage area (C2) overlap at least in part for provisioning of a service link to the user equipment.

3. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the monitored satellite specific procedure message received from the second satellite is provided by a core network or a ground station.

4. The user equipment of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first satellite being one among a plurality of other first satellites, and / or the second satellite being one among a plurality of other second satellites, to provide respective service links to the plurality of other user equipment within the first coverage area (Cl) and / or the second coverage area (C2), respectively.

5. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the satellite specific procedure message related to the first satellite comprises at least one first satellite specific common paging message associated with the first satellite transmitted by the second satellite to page the plurality of other user equipment that were previously connected to the first satellite.

6. The user equipment of claim 5, wherein user equipment receives a satellite specific paging information to derive at least one paging occasion (PO) to monitor the at least one first satellite specific common paging message associated with the first satellite.

7. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein the satellite specific paging information comprises at least one or a combination of: satellite specific DRX configuration and / or satellite specific paging ID configured for the user equipment when the UE is suspended by the first satellite, or when provided by the second satellite; and validation information configured for at least one of broadcasting at least one of the satellite specific paging information, or paging a plurality of other UEs using the satellite specific paging information according to the validation information.

8. The user equipment of any of claims 4 to 7, when the second satellite has the stored downlink (DL) data for the UEs that have connected to the first satellite previously, the second satellite will use the satellite specific paging information to derive the at least one paging occasion (PO) to page the group of the UEs instead of paging each individual UE.

9. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the second satellite gets the satellite specific paging information from the core network or the ground station when the core network or the ground station sends the downlink (DL) data to the second satellite.

10. The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the satellite specific paging information further comprises a validation information for at least one of broadcasting the satellite specific paging information or paging a plurality of other UEs using the satellite specific paging information according to the validation information.

11. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein the validation information associated with the satellite specific paging information are provided in a form comprising one or a combination of: in a form of time periods (Tl, T2), during which the satellite specific paging information is valid; or in a form of one or more second coverage areas (C2), within which the satellite specific paging information is valid when the second satellite covers the one or more second coverage area (C2).

12. The user equipment of claim 7, wherein when the second satellite broadcasts the satellite specific paging information for multiple first satellites and the UE has connected to more than one of the multiple first satellites, wherein the UE is configured to select one of the at least one satellite specific paging information to derive the at least one paging occasions (POs) for paging monitoring.

13. The user equipment of any of claims 5 to 12, wherein the UE is configured to perform at least one or both of: upon detecting an availability of service link, monitors the satellite specific common paging message at the at least one PO derived from the configured satellite specific paging information; or upon receiving the satellite specific common paging message, resumes the connection to the second satellite.

14. The user equipment of claim 13, wherein: the satellite specific common paging message comprises multiple paging IDs with each paging ID being configured to a sub-group of other UEs previously connected to the first satellite 140; and / or different sub-group of the other UEs are group paged at different paging occasions (POs) to be triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at different occasions.

15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein the satellite specific common paging message being one of: not include any content; or include a satellite ID or sub-group ID of the first satellite, when multiple paging IDs are configured to the different sub-groups of other UEs, respectively; or include at least one of: a list of UE IDs, a list of resume IDs or a range of UE IDs.

16. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein multiple first satellite specific common paging messages are transmitted in different POs are derived by a single paging ID, wherein each of the multiple satellite specific common paging messages includes a different set of UE ID list or range of UE IDs, such that the sub-group of other UEs that are paged at corresponding different POs are also triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at the different occasions.

17. A second non-terrestrial network node for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the second non-terrestrial network node to perform: provide, to at least one user equipment that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node, satellite specific procedure message related to a first non-terrestrial network node which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resume, a connection within the second coverage area (C2), with the at least one user equipment previously connected to first non-terrestrial network node within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node.

18. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 17, wherein the provided satellite specific procedure message are provided by a core network or a ground station, the second non-terrestrial network node gets the satellite specific procedure message from the core network or the ground station when the core network or the ground station sends the downlink (DL) data to the second satellite.

19. The second non-terrestrial network node of any of claims 17 to 18, wherein the at least one user equipment being at least one or both of: one among a plurality of other user equipment previously connected to the first non-terrestrial network node within the first coverage area (Cl); and one among the plurality of other user equipment that are to be connected to the second non-terrestrial network node within the second coverage area (C2), wherein the first coverage area (Cl) and the second coverage area (C2) overlaps at least in part.

20. The second non-terrestrial network node of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the satellite specific procedure message related to the first non-terrestrial network node comprises at least one first satellite specific common paging message associated with the first non-terrestrial network node transmitted by the second non-terrestrial network node to page the plurality of other user equipment that were previously connected to the first non-terrestrial network node.

21. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 20, wherein transmitting at least one first satellite specific common paging message based on a first non-terrestrial network node specific paging information comprises at least one or a combination of: satellite specific DRX configuration and / or satellite specific paging ID configured for the user equipment when the UE is suspended by the first non-terrestrial network node, or when provided by the second non-terrestrial network node; and validation information configured for at least one of broadcasting at least one of the satellite specific paging information, or paging a plurality of other UEs using the satellite specific paging information according to the validation information.

22. The second non-terrestrial network node of any of claims 17 to 21, when the second non-terrestrial network node has the stored downlink (DL) data for the UEs that have connected to the first non-terrestrial network node previously, the second non-terrestrial network node will use the satellite specific paging information to derive the at least one paging occasion (PO) to page the group of the UEs instead of paging each individual UE.

23. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 22, is configured to get the satellite specific paging information from the core network or the ground station when the core network or the ground station sends the downlink (DL) data to the second non-terrestrial network node.

24. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 23, wherein the satellite specific paging information further comprises a validation information for at least one of broadcasting the satellite specific paging information or paging a plurality of other UEs using the satellite specific paging information according to the validation information.

25. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 24, wherein the validation information associated with the satellite specific paging information are provided in a form comprising one or a combination of: in a form of time periods (Tl, T2), during which the satellite specific paging information is valid; or in a form of one or more second coverage areas (C2), within which the satellite specific paging information is valid when the second satellite covers the one or more second coverage area (C2).

26. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 22, wherein when the second non-terrestrial network node broadcasts the satellite specific paging information for multiple first non-terrestrial network node and the UE has connected to more than one of the multiple first non-terrestrial network node, wherein the UE is configured to select one of the at least one satellite specific paging information to derive the at least one paging occasions (POs) for paging monitoring.

27. The second non-terrestrial network node of any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the satellite specific common paging message comprises multiple paging IDs with each paging ID being configured to a sub-group of other UEs previously connected to the first satellite 140; and / ordifferent sub-group of the other UEs are paged at different paging occasions (POs)to be triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at different occasions.

28. The second non-terrestrial network node of claim 27, wherein the satellite specific common paging message being one of: not include any content; or include a satellite ID or sub-group ID of the first non-terrestrial network node, when multiple paging IDs are configured to the different sub-groups of other UEs, respectively; or include at least one of: a list of UE IDs, a list of resume IDs or a range of UE IDs.

29. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein multiple first satellite specific common paging messages are transmitted in different POs are derived by a single paging ID, wherein each of the multiple satellite specific common paging messages includes a different set of UE ID list or range of UE IDs, such that the sub-group of other UEs that are paged at corresponding different POs are also triggered to initiate a random access (RA) procedure at the different occasions.

30. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: means for monitoring, satellite specific procedure message related to a first satellite that the user equipment was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite; and means for triggering to resume a connection, with the second satellite upon detecting the provided satellite specific procedure message related to the first satellite.

31. A second non-terrestrial network node for wireless communication, comprising: means for providing, to at least one user equipment that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node, satellite specific procedure message related to a first non-terrestrial network node which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and means for resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2) with the at least one user equipment previously connected to the first non-terrestrial network node within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node.

32. A computer implemented method for wireless communication, comprising: monitoring by a user equipment, satellite specific procedure message related to a first satellite that the user equipment was previously connected to, provided by a second satellite; and triggering to resume a connection with the second satellite upon detecting the provided second satellite, the satellite specific procedure message related to the first satellite.

33. A computer implemented method for wireless communication, comprising: providing by a second non-terrestrial network node, to at least one user equipment that is served within a second coverage area (C2) by the second non-terrestrial network node, satellite specific procedure message related to a first non-terrestrial network node which served a first service coverage area (Cl); and resuming, a connection within the second coverage area (C2) with the at least one user equipment previously connected the first non-terrestrial network node within the first coverage area (Cl) served by the first non-terrestrial network node.

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