Collision in a non-terrestrial cellular communication network

Abstract

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determine to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

Description

COLLISION IN A NON-TERRESTRIAL CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONNETWORKFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate in general to non-terrestrial cellular communication networks and more specifically, to a collision in such networks.BACKGROUND

[0002] A collisions between an uplink transmission and reception in downlink may happen at least in Non-Terrestrial Networks, NTNs. 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, develops standards for NTNs and handling of such collisions is an important issue at least in NTNs operating in accordance with at least one 3GPP standard. Thus, there is a need to provide enhancements for handling of collisions between an uplink transmission and reception in downlink.SUMMARY

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject-matter of the independent claims. Some example embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the disclosure.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to transmit, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detect a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determine to prioritize,after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value. The apparatus may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detect a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determine to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value. The apparatus may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising, transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value. The method may be performed by a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0008] According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising, determining an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collisionbetween an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value. The method may be performed by a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, means for detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and means for determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value. The apparatus of the aspect may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for determining an accuracy of knowledge of a nonterrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the nonterrestrial wireless network node, means for detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and means for determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value. The apparatus of the aspect may be a user equipment or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to carry out determining an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the nonterrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non- transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission orthe downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non- transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform determining an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network scenario in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some example embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a first flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a second flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some example embodiments.EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide enhancements for handling collisions in Non-Terrestrial Networks, NTNs. More specifically, enhancements for handling a collision between an uplink transmission and reception in downlink, wherein the collision is caused by a timing uncertainty, are provided. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be exploited to define how a User Equipment, UE, and a non-terrestrial network node may behave depending on whether high or low accuracy Timing Advance, TA, information is available or exchanged.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network scenario in accordance with at least some example embodiments. Illustrated is UE 110, which may comprise, for example, a Machine-Type Communication, MTC, device or Internet of Things, loT, device, or a 5GNew Radio Reduced Capability, RedCap, device, or an enhanced RedCap device, eRedCap device, such as a utility meter, connected car or connected aircraft communication module or an industrial control device. Further, UE 110 may comprise a user device such as a smartphone, feature phone, tablet computer, laptop or desktop computer or a smartwatch, for example. UE 110 may be a half-duplex device, which cannot receive and transmit simultaneously. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be particularly beneficial when UE 110 is a Reduced Capability, RedCap, UE. For example, UE 110 may be a Frequency Division Duplexing, FDD, half-duplex RedCap UE. RedCap devices may also be referred to as RedCap UEs, NR-Lite devices, or NR- Light devices. The UE 110 may be UE with reduced capability. Characteristics of RedCap UE or eRedCap UE may be defined in 3GPP specifications, e.g. in TS 38.306.

[0023] UE 110 may be a Non-Terrestrial Network, NTN, UE or a dual-capability UE which is also capable of communicating via terrestrial wireless systems, such as terrestrial cellular and / or non-cellular systems. Examples of terrestrial cellular systems include Long Term Evolution, LTE, fifth generation, 5G, also known as New Radio, NR, and 6G. Examples of terrestrial non-cellular systems include Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN, and Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX.

[0024] UE 110 may be furnished with a satellite navigation capability, for example in the form of a satellite navigation receiver installed in UE 110, and be configured to receive signals from a navigation satellite constellation, such as Global Positioning System, GPS, and / or the Galileo constellation. A satellite navigation capability may be used to determine the location and / or current time at UE 110. The satellite navigation satellite constellation may be distinct from an NTN satellite constellation UE 110 isconfigured to use for communication. Satellite links and NTN communications may be used at least to provide cellular communications to UEs on remote areas, disaster zones or over the sea.

[0025] Service link 112 may connect UE 110 with non-terrestrial wireless network node 120. Non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be referred to as a satellite, configured to perform non-terrestrial communications with UE 110 over service link 112. Non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be in orbit 101 about the Earth, for example in Geostationary Earth Orbit, GEO, or Low-Earth Orbit, LEO. A GEO orbit may be defined as an orbit located at approximately 36000 km from Earth, above the equator. The orbit period of GEO satellites may be equivalent to one astronomical day. Therefore, GEO satellites may be static from the point of view of one user, or UE 110, on Earth. The GEO satellites have been around for decades and mostly used for low throughput applications. Recent technical developments have made the GEO deployments significantly attractive for new medium and high throughput applications using satellites.

[0026] LEO orbit may be defined as an orbit located at heights between 300 and 1500 km above Earth. LEO satellites may be deployed in different orbit inclinations and orientations around Earth, and travel and significant speeds (approximately 7500 m / s at 600 Kms) and have a very high relative speed from an observer on Earth, such as UE 110.

[0027] In case of a regenerative architecture, lower layers may be implemented at the hardware located in non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, meaning that some central functions deployed by a Base Station, BS, may deployed at non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, such as scheduling, retransmissions and / or random access. In case of transparent architecture, hardware of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may act simply as a repeater or frequency converter, for a BS located on a ground station, such as BS 134, and the latency of the scheduling algorithms may be twice as high as in the case of regenerative architecture. In some example embodiments, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be a transparent relay, meaning that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may act as an amplify-and-forward type of relay between UE 110 and an NTN-GW 130 on the Earth’s surface.

[0028] In some example embodiments, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be referred to as a BS. For example, in the context of LTE, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be referred to as eNB while non-terrestrial wireless network node120 may be referred to as gNB in the context of NR. In any case, example embodiments are not restricted to any particular wireless technology. Instead, example embodiments may be exploited in any cellular communication network wherein non-terrestrial communications are used, such as in 6G networks. Non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be solar-powered or powered by heat from radioactive decay, for example. The satellite’s orbit 101 is, in part, schematically denoted in FIGURE 1, as is its momentary orbital velocity vector 120v. Service link 112 may convey information in the downlink, from non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 to UE 110, and in the uplink from UE 110 to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0029] Non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may have feeder link 123 with NTN-GW 130. As is the case with service link 112, feeder link 123 may convey information in both directions, uplink and downlink. Service link 112 and feeder link 123 may be wireless links, but they need not comply with the same wireless technology. Although in some embodiments, service link 112 and feeder link 123 may be based on the same wireless technology. NTN-GW 130 may comprise BS 134, or it may be arranged in connection with BS 134, wherefore UE 110 may access an NTN cellular system via non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 such that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may act as the bidirectional relay between UE 110 and NTN-GW 130.

[0030] One terrestrial BS 134 may control one or more cells, and communicate with UE 110 over air interface 113. In some embodiments, BS 134 may have an interface with NTN-GW 130 or core network 140. NTN-GW 130 maybe connected with further nodes via another gateway or core network 140, for example.

[0031] While non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 and UE 110 may be mobile, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 moreover moving very fast, NTN-GW 130 may be a stationary node. When a constellation of satellite 120 is employed, UE 110 may in principle be almost anywhere, or indeed anywhere, on the Earth’s surface. Compared to terrestrial cellular systems, NTN cellular systems may need enhanced timing corrections. Such enhancements are more central in NTN systems due to the long propagation distance, and delay, between UE 110 and non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 over service link 112, but also due to the fast movement of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 which causes Doppler shifts. Furthermore, in transparent satellites, there is an additional time delay and frequency shift due to feeder link 123 between NTN-GW 130 and non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0032] Compared to a purely terrestrial cellular communication systems, there are challenges to be addressed in order to provide NTN coverage in a system natively designed to provide terrestrial coverage. At least one challenge is that in NTNs the Round- Trip Time, RTT, is longer and with large variation within the cell than in terrestrial networks. For example, the 3 GPP standard specification TR 38.821 defines that the differential delay in a cell deployed by a LEO satellite at 600 km altitude exceeds 3 ms. Such a large uncertainty makes it difficult for the network to determine whether uplink and downlink transmissions will collide in a specific UE, such as UE 110.

[0033] Moreover, in terrestrial networks half-duplex devices are relatively easy to handle because the RTT in such a network is limited and thus, the network may determine whether a transmission in uplink and reception in downlink will collide. In terrestrial networks BS 134 would also be able to keep track of the TA command that has been provided to UE 110 over time and therefore have a reasonable understanding of the TA value that is being applied at the UE side. It may be particularly beneficial to handle the issue for RedCap UEs.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore provide improvements for handling the timing uncertainty in NTNs and in particular for handling a collision between an uplink transmission and reception in downlink, wherein the collision is caused by a timing uncertainty about the TA value. For example, UE 110 may transmit to nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 information indicating the TA value, wherein the TA value is usable by UE 110 for at least one uplink transmission to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120. After the transmission of said information, UE 110 may detect a collision between an uplink transmission of UE 110 and a downlink reception by UE 110. The uplink transmission may be to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 and downlink transmission from non-terrestrial wireless network node 120. UE 110 may then determine to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the TA value. UE 110 may further transmit or receive according to the prioritization. Thus, the timing uncertainty may be handled to avoid collisions between the uplink transmission and reception in downlink in the future.

[0035] Alternatively, or in addition, handling the timing uncertainty in NTNs, and in particular for handling the collision caused by the timing uncertainty, may be improved such that UE 110 may first determine an accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wirelessnetwork node 120 about the TA value. After detecting the collision, UE 110 may determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the timing advance value, and transmit or receive according to the prioritization. Equivalently, UE 110 may first detect the collision and then determine the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the TA value.

[0036] The accuracy of said information indicating the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as high, i.e., above a threshold, when said information comprises a location of UE 110 and / or UE 110 provides said information indicating the TA value with a high granularity, e.g., on a symbol level. The accuracy of said information indicating the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as low, i.e., below the threshold, when UE 110 provides said information indicating the TA value with a low granularity, e.g., on a slot level. For example, the threshold may thus be, e.g., one symbol. The threshold may be a predefined threshold. For example, the threshold may be defined in standard specifications. For example, the threshold may be configured by the network.

[0037] The accuracy of said information indicating the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as high, if report periodicity or reporting periodicity is high. Report periodicity relates to how often the information indicating the TA value is transmitted by the UE to the netowrk node.

[0038] The accuracy of said information indicating the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as low, if report periodicity or reporting periodicity is low.

[0039] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may transmit to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, said information indicating the TA value with an accuracy below or above a threshold. UE 110 may determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on whether the accuracy of said information is below or above the threshold.

[0040] Similarly, the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as high, i.e., above a threshold, when UE 110 has transmitted said information comprising a location of UE 110 and / or UE 110 has provided said information indicating the TA value with a high granularity, e.g., on a symbol level. The accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the TA value may be determined by UE 110 as low, i.e., belowthe threshold, when UE 110 does not transmit said information or UE 110 provides said information indicating the TA value with low granularity, e.g., on a slot level.

[0041] In case the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the TA value is determined as high by UE 110, UE 110 may determine that wireless network node 120 is aware that a collision will happen, and possibly aware about the exact time the collision will happen. In case the accuracy of knowledge of nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 is determined as low by UE 110, UE 110 may determine that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is not aware about the collision, e.g., that a dynamically scheduled reception collides with a semi-statically scheduled transmission. Thus, UE 110 may determine, based on the accuracy of knowledge of nonterrestrial wireless network node 120, whether non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is aware of the collision and the UE may determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based on whether non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is aware of the collision. UE 110 may further be configured to determine that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is not aware of the collision when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is below a threshold. UE 110 may further be configured to determine that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is aware of the collision when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is above the threshold.

[0042] In some example embodiments, said information indicating the TA value may comprise at least one of a location of UE 110, a TA value with symbol or slot level granularity or a TA drift rate. For example, said information indicating the TA value may comprise a location of UE 110 or at least one of a TA value or a TA drift rate. The TA drift may refer to a drift rate of the TA value, e.g., how much the TA value has changed between two time instants.

[0043] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine the accuracy of said information based at least on a time since said information was generated or transmitted. That is, UE 110 may determine that said information is accurate if it was generated or transmitted within X seconds from the current time. The value of X may be configured by the network, determined by the UE or defined in standard specifications. In such a case, UE 110 determine that the accuracy of said information is high, i.e., above a threshold, wherein the threshold is in seconds. Alternatively, UE 110 may determine that said information is inaccurate if it was generated or transmitted longer than X secondsago (X seconds from the current time, X seconds before the current time). In such a case, UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of said information is low, i.e., below the threshold. The current time may refer to a time when UE 110 detects the collision. That is, the accuracy of said information may refer to the age of said information. If said information is less than X seconds old at the time of detecting the collision (i.e., less than X seconds since it was generated or transmitted), UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of said information is high. If said information is more than X seconds old at the time of detecting the collision (i.e., more than X seconds since it was generated or transmitted, out-dated), UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of said information is low. If said information is exactly X seconds old, the UE may determine the accuracy of said information as configured, either low or high.

[0044] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine the accuracy of said information based at least on a type of said information indicating the TA value. The type may be, e.g., UE location. The accuracy of information and accuracy of knowledge may refer to the type of the information provided to the network node and / or a time since the information has been reported to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 (e.g., within X seconds or not).

[0045] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may determine, depending on the accuracy of said information indicating the TA value, an accuracy category of said information indicating the TA value. UE 110 may further determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based on the determined accuracy category. The accuracy category may be for example high or low, i.e., above a threshold or not. Alternatively, accuracy category may refer, e.g., to an accuracy of 1-2 symbols (e.g. high accuracy) or 7-14 symbols (e.g low accuracy).

[0046] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may transmit another TA value or information indicating a current TA value based on the detected collision, thereby enabling non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 to update its understanding of the TA value of UE 110. That is, in response to detecting the collision, UE 110 may decide to transmit said another TA because the collision may indicate that the accuracy of said information indicating the TA value and / or the accuracy of knowledge at non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is low. Transmission of another TA value or information indicating TA value may comprise transmission of a new report enabling non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 to update its understanding of the TA value. If no informationhas been provided yet to the network (accuracy of knowledge of NTN node is low), the UE may transmit information enabling NTN node to update its understanding of the TA value. Said another TA value may be referred to as a new, current TA value and transmitted after the collision even if said information indicating the TA value would not be transmitted.

[0047] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may apply different collision rules or collision handling rules based on a type of TA knowledge UE 110 has provided to nonterrestrial wireless network node 120. If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has high accuracy knowledge, UE 110 may treat a collision in one way and if non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has low accuracy knowledge, UE 110 may treat a collision in another, different way.

[0048] For example, in case of a collision between a semi-statically scheduled transmission and dynamically scheduled reception, or vice, versa, the following collision rules may be applied by UE 110:• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has high accuracy TA knowledge, UE 110 may determine that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 was able to predict the collision (is aware of the collision) and therefore that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 intentionally scheduled the dynamically scheduled reception or transmission despite the collision. In such a case, UE 110 may prioritize the dynamically scheduled transmission or reception. That is, UE 110 may determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is above a threshold; or• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has low accuracy TA knowledge, UE 110 may determine that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 was not aware of the collision. In such a case, UE 110 may prioritize the semi-statically scheduled reception or transmission. That is, UE 110 may determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is below a threshold. Furthermore, UE 110 may be triggered to transmit another TA value based on the detected collision, thereby enabling nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 to update its understanding of the TA value ofUE 110.

[0049] In case of a collision between a semi-statically scheduled transmission and a semi-statically scheduled reception, the following collision rules (collision handling rules) may be applied by UE 110:• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has high accuracy TA knowledge, UE 110 might not expect this to happen, and handling of the collision may be left for UE implementation. That is, UE 110 may determine an error case when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is above a threshold, i.e., it is an error case as defined in 3GPP TS 38.213 section 17.2 (terrestrial network specification) ). In such error case, UE 110 may handle the collision without any instruction from non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, i.e., UE 110 may decide independently whether to receive downlink or transmit in uplink; or• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has low accuracy TA knowledge, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may not be aware about the collision. In such a case, UE 110 may be triggered to transmit another TA value enabling non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 to update its understanding of the TA value of UE 110. That is, UE 110 may transmit, to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, information indicating another TA value when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is below a threshold. In some example embodiments, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may change at least one of the semi-static configurations based on the received information about said another TA value.

[0050] In case of, e.g., at least one of: 1) a collision between dynamically scheduled reception and a dynamically scheduled transmission; 2) a collision between Synchronization Signal Block, SSB, reception and a dynamically or semi-statically scheduled transmission; 3) a collision between a dynamically or semi-statically scheduled transmission and random access occasion transmission, the following collision rules may be applied by UE 110:• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has high accuracy TA knowledge, UE 110 might not expect this to happen, and the handling of the collision may be left for UE implementation. That is, UE 110 determine an error case when the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is above a threshold (i.e. it is an error case as defined in the 3GPP TS 38.213 section 17.2).Alternatively, UE can follow the current terrestrial network, TN, collision rule, e.g. prioritize SSB reception in case 5.; or• If non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 has low accuracy TA knowledge, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 might not be aware about the collision. In such a case, UE 110 may be triggered to transmit a new report enabling nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 to update its understanding of the TA value. That is, UE 110 may transmit, to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, information indicating the TA value when the accuracy of knowledge of nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 is below a threshold.

[0051]

[0052] In some example embodiments, Downlink Control Information, DCI, may be used to indicate a priority. That is, UE 110 may determine to prioritize based at least partially on at least one of said information indicating the TA value, absence of said information or said DCI indicating a priority. Said DCI may indicate whether UE 110 shall prioritize transmission or reception if UE 110 detects the collision between the uplink transmission and reception in downlink. For example, UE 110 may receive said DCI from non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, said DCI indicating a priority of either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception. UE 110 may then determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said DCI.

[0053] In some example embodiments, said DCI may be a scheduling DCI for dynamically scheduled transmission or reception. UE 110 may receive said DCI from non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, wherein said DCI may indicate a priority of scheduling of either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception. UE 110 may then determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said DCI.

[0054] In some example embodiments, UE 110 may receive said DCI from nonterrestrial wireless network node 120, said DCI indicating a scheduling configuration of the uplink transmission and a scheduling configuration of the downlink reception. UE 110 may transmit, based on detecting the collision, the uplink transmission according to the scheduling configuration of the uplink transmission or receive according to the scheduling configuration of the downlink reception. Said DCI may be applicable to bothtypes of TA knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 (low and high accuracy).

[0055] Said DCI may also be used to overrule any existing rule or configuration. For example, said DCI may indicate at least one of the following:• follow the legacy rule / do not change current rule / configuration;• prioritize an uplink transmission, such as a random access transmission;• prioritize a downlink transmission, such as reception of an SSB transmission;• prioritize semi-static scheduling;• prioritize dynamic scheduling; or• trigger reporting of information indicating the TA value if a collision is detected.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart in accordance with at least some example embodiments. The flow chart of FIG. 2 illustrates an example of operation of UE 110. As a starting point, UE 110 may be connected to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0057] At step 202, UE 110 and non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may exchange configuration related information. For example, UE 110 may transmit said information indicating the TA value, such as the accurate location of UE 110 or the TA value applied at UE 110, to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0058] At step 204, UE 110 may receive scheduling information from nonterrestrial wireless network node 120. Said scheduling information may be a scheduling configuration. The UE may detect a collision based on the scheduling information. Upon receiving said scheduling information and collision detection, UE 110 may evaluate, at step 206, whether it has provided said information indicating the TA value to nonterrestrial wireless network node 120. Said evaluation may comprise considering the time spent since said information indicating the TA value was transmitted. That is, UE 110 may determine the accuracy of said information based at least on a time since said information was generated or transmitted.

[0059] If UE 110 has not delivered any information related to accuracy of timing, UE 110 may apply, at step 210, priority rules defined in a first set. That is, UE 110 may refrain from transmitting any information indicating the TA value and determine that the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is below a threshold.The priority rules of the first set may cause UE 110 to perform prioritization according to low accuracy.

[0060] Alternatively, if UE 110 has transmitted said information indicating the TA value, to improve knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 about the TA value at UE 110, UE 110 may apply, at step 212, priority rules defined in a second set. That is, UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of knowledge of non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is above a threshold. The priority rules of the second set may cause UE 110 to perform prioritization according to high accuracy.

[0061] At step 212, UE 110 may perform transmission or reception after determining the priority rules. UE 110 may determine to prioritize whether to transmit or receive in a considered transmission timing instant, e.g., a slot in 3GPP terminology. UE 110 may thus perform reception or transmission according to the selected priority rule, i.e., according to whether the accuracy is determined as low or high.

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates a signalling graph in accordance with at least some example embodiments. On the vertical axes are disposed, from the left to the right, UE 110 and non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 of FIG. 1.

[0063] At step 302, UE 110 may transmit, to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, information indicating a TA value, wherein the TA value is usable by UE 110 for at least one uplink transmission to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0064] It is to be noted that in some embodiments, the UE does not transmit information indicating the TA value to the network node. The step 302 is optional. If no information indicating the TA value has been transmitted to the network node, the UE may determine that the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value is low.

[0065] At steps 304 and 306, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may transmit a semi-static scheduling configuration to UE 110 for uplink transmission and a dynamic scheduling configuration for downlink reception. Alternatively, non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may transmit a dynamic scheduling configuration to UE 110 for uplink transmission and a semi-static configuration for downlink reception.

[0066] At step 308, UE 110 may detect a collision between an uplink transmission of UE 110 and a downlink reception by UE 110, wherein the uplink transmission is tonon-terrestrial wireless network node 120 and the downlink transmission is from nonterrestrial wireless network node 120. At step 310, UE 110 may determine an accuracy of said information indicating the TA value, which was transmitted by UE 110 to nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 at step 302.

[0067] In some embodiments, at step 310, the UE may determine accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node.

[0068] At step 312, UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of said information indicating the TA value was high, i.e., above a threshold. At step 314, UE 110 may determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling as the accuracy of knowledge of nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 is above the threshold, e.g., after determining that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 may be aware of the collision. At step 316, UE 110 may transmit the uplink transmission or receive in downlink depending on which direction was dynamically scheduled, but not transmit or receive using the semi-static scheduling configuration.

[0069] At step 318, UE 110 may determine that the accuracy of said information indicating the TA value was low, i.e., below a threshold. At step 320, UE 110 may determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling as the accuracy of knowledge of nonterrestrial wireless network node 120 is below the threshold e.g., after determining that non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 is not aware of the collision. At step 322, UE 110 may transmit the uplink transmission or receive in downlink depending on which direction was semi-statically scheduled, but not transmit or receive using the dynamic scheduling configuration.

[0070] At step 324, UE 110 may transmit to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120 information indicating another TA value based on the detected collision.

[0071] Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore enable better collision handling by UE 110 based on the TA knowledge UE 110 has provided to non-terrestrial wireless network node 120.

[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of supporting at least some example embodiments. Illustrated is device 400, which may comprise, for example, UE110 or non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, or a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, possibly when installed therein. Comprised in device 400 is processor 410, which may comprise, for example, a single- or multi-core processor wherein a single-core processor comprises one processor and a multi-core processor comprises more than one processor. Processor 410 may comprise, in general, a control device. Processor 410 may comprise more than one processor. Processor 410 may be a control device. Processor 410 may comprise at least one application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC. Processor 410 may comprise at least one field-programmable gate array, FPGA. Processor 410 may be means for performing method steps in device 400. Processor 410 may be configured, at least in part by computer instructions, to perform actions.

[0073] A processor may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0074] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0075] Device 400 may comprise memory 420. Memory 420 may comprise random-access memory and / or permanent memory. Memory 420 may comprise at least one RAM chip. Memory 420 may comprise solid-state, magnetic, optical and / or holographic memory, for example. Memory 420 may be at least in part accessible to processor 410. Memory 420 may be at least in part comprised in processor 410. Memory 420 may be means for storing information. Memory 420 may comprise computer instructions that processor 410 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 410 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 420, and device 400 overall is configured to run under the direction of processor 410 using computer instructions from memory 420, processor 410 and / or its at least one processor may be considered to be configured to perform said certain actions. Memory 420 may be at least in part comprised in processor 410. Memory 420 may be at least in part external to device 400 but accessible to device 400.

[0076] Device 400 may comprise a transmitter 430. Device 400 may comprise a receiver 440. Transmitter 430 and receiver 440 may be configured to transmit and receive, respectively, information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. Transmitter 430 may comprise more than one transmitter. Receiver 440 may comprise more than one receiver. Transmitter 430 and / or receiver 440 may be configured to operate in accordance with Global System for Mobile communication, GSM, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution, LTE, and / or 5G / NR standards, for example.

[0077] Device 400 may comprise a Near-Field Communication, NFC, transceiver 450. NFC transceiver 450 may support at least one NFC technology, such as Bluetooth, Wibree or similar technologies.

[0078] Device 400 may comprise User Interface, UI, 460. UI 460 may comprise at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a vibrator arranged to signal to a user by causing device 400 to vibrate, a speaker and a microphone. A user may be able to operate device 400 via UI 460, for example to accept incoming telephone calls, to originate telephone calls or video calls, to browse the Internet, to manage digital files stored in memory 420 or on a cloud accessible via transmitter 430 and receiver 440, or via NFC transceiver 450, and / or to play games.

[0079] Device 400 may comprise or be arranged to accept a user identity module 470. User identity module 470 may comprise, for example, a Subscriber Identity Module, SIM, card installable in device 400. A user identity module 470 may comprise information identifying a subscription of a user of device 400. A user identity module 470 may comprise cryptographic information usable to verify the identity of a user of device 400 and / or to facilitate encryption of communicated information and billing of the user of device 400 for communication effected via device 400.

[0080] Processor 410 may be furnished with a transmitter arranged to output information from processor 410, via electrical leads internal to device 400, to other devices comprised in device 400. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter arranged to, for example, output information via at least one electrical lead to memory 420 for storage therein. Alternatively to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Likewise processor 410 may comprise a receiver arranged to receive information in processor 410, via electrical leads internal to device 400, from other devices comprised in device 400. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver arranged to, for example, receive information via at least one electrical lead from receiver 440 for processing in processor 410. Alternatively to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver.

[0081] Device 400 may comprise further devices not illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, where device 400 comprises a smartphone, it may comprise at least one digital camera. Some devices 400 may comprise a back-facing camera and a front-facing camera, wherein the back-facing camera may be intended for digital photography and the frontfacing camera for video telephony. Device 400 may comprise a fingerprint sensor arranged to authenticate, at least in part, a user of device 400. In some example embodiments, device 400 lacks at least one device described above. For example, some devices 400 may lack a NFC transceiver 450 and / or user identity module 470.

[0082] Processor 410, memory 420, transmitter 430, receiver 440, NFC transceiver 450, UI 460 and / or user identity module 470 may be interconnected by electrical leads internal to device 400 in a multitude of different ways. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be separately connected to a master bus internal to device 400, to allow for the devices to exchange information. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, this is only one example and depending on the example embodiment variousways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be selected without departing from the scope of the example embodiments.

[0083] As disclosed herein, the TA accuracy is known to both gNB and UE. For example, if there is a collision between dynamically scheduled DL reception with semi- statically configured UL transmission, the UE can assume the collision is known to the gNB and intentional if the gNB has high TA accuracy knowledge. The UE can assume the collision is unintentional if the gNB has low TA accuracy knowledge (or does not have any knowledge of current TA). In case the collision is assumed to be known to the gNB the UE should prioritize the dynamic scheduling, and otherwise the semi-static scheduling. UE’s collision handling depends on the gNB scheduler’s TA awareness and accuracy of having high or low accuracy.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a first flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some example embodiments. The apparatus of the method may be UE 110 or by a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein. That is, the phases of the illustrated first method may be performed by UE 110 or by a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0085] The method may comprise, at step 510, transmitting, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the nonterrestrial wireless network node. The method may also comprise, at step 520, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node. Finally, the method may comprise, at step 530, determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a second flow graph of a method in accordance with at least some example embodiments. The phases of the illustrated first method may be performed by UE 110 or by a control device configured to control the functioning thereof, when installed therein.

[0087] The method may comprise, at step 610, determining an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value,wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node. The method may also comprise, at step 620, detecting a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the nonterrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node. Finally, the method may comprise, at step 630, determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value.

[0088] In some example embodiments,Example 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:- determine an accuracy of knowledge of a non-terrestrial wireless network node about a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node;- detect a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the nonterrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the nonterrestrial wireless network node; and- determine to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on the accuracy of knowledge of the nonterrestrial wireless network node about the timing advance value.Example 2. The apparatus according to example 1, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine, based on the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node, whether the non-terrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision; and- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based on whether the non-terrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision.Example 3. The apparatus according to example 2, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine that the non-terrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is below a threshold; or- determine that the non-terrestrial wireless network node is not aware of the collision when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is above the threshold.Example 4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on scheduling of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception.Example 5. The apparatus according to example 4, wherein the uplink transmission is dynamically scheduled and the downlink reception is semi-statically scheduled or the downlink reception is dynamically scheduled and another one of the uplink transmission or downlink reception is semi-statically scheduled.Example 6. The apparatus according to example 5, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is above a threshold; or- determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is below a threshold.Example 7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling after determining that the nonterrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision; or- determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling after determining that the nonterrestrial wireless network node is not aware of the collision.Example 8. The apparatus according to any of examples 1 to 4, wherein the uplink transmission and downlink reception are semi-statically scheduled.Example 9. The apparatus according to example 8, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine an error case when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is above a threshold; or- transmit, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating the timing advance value when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is below a threshold.Example 10. The apparatus according to any of examples 1 to 4, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine an error case when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is above a threshold; or- transmit, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating the timing advance value when the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is below a threshold.Example 11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the apparatus is a half-duplex user equipment.Example 12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- receive downlink control information from the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said downlink control information indicating a scheduling configuration of the uplink transmission and a scheduling configuration of the downlink reception.Example 13. The apparatus according to example 12, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, based on detecting the collision, the uplink transmission according to the scheduling configuration of the uplink transmission; or- receive according to the scheduling configuration of the downlink reception.Example 14. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- refrain from transmitting any information indicating the timing advance value; and- determine that the accuracy of knowledge of the non-terrestrial wireless network node is below a threshold.Example 15. The apparatus according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating current timing advance value based on the detected collision.

[0089] It is to be understood that the example embodiments disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0090] Reference throughout this specification to one example embodiment or an example embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example embodiment is included in at least one example embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one example embodiment” or “in an example embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example embodiment. Where reference is made to a numerical value using a term such as, for example, about or substantially, the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

[0091] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and / or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various example embodiments and examples may be referred to herein along withalternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such example embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations.

[0092] In an example embodiment, an apparatus, such as, for example, UE 110 or non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, may comprise means for carrying out the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0093] In an example embodiment, a computer program may be configured to cause a method in accordance with the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof. In an example embodiment, a computer program product, embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, may be configured to control a processor to perform a process comprising the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0094] In an example embodiment, an apparatus, such as, for example, UE 110 or non-terrestrial wireless network node 120, may comprise at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the example embodiments described above and any combination thereof.

[0095] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. In the preceding description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0096] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the example embodiments in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and withoutdeparting from the principles and concepts of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

[0097] The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an", that is, a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0098] At least some example embodiments find industrial application in cellular communication networks, for example in 3 GPP networks.ACRONYMS LIST3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership ProjectBS Base StationDCI Downlink Control InformationDU Distributed UnitFDD Frequency Division DuplexingGEO Geostationary Earth OrbitGPS Global Positioning SystemGSM Global System for Mobile communicationIAB Integrated Access and Backhaul loT Internet of ThingsLEO Low-Earth OrbitLTE Long-Term EvolutionM2M Machine-to-MachineMAC CE Medium Access Control Control ElementMT Mobile TerminationMTC Machine-Type CommunicationsNFC Near-Field CommunicationNR New RadioNTN Non-Terrestrial NetworkRAN Radio Access NetworkRedCap Reduced CapabilityRTT Round-Trip TimeSSB Synchronization Signal BlockTA Timing AdvanceUE User EquipmentUI User InterfaceWCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple AccessWiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave AccessWLAN Wireless Local Area NetworkREFERENCE SIGNS LIST

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the apparatus for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node;- detect a collision between an uplink transmission of the apparatus and a downlink reception by the apparatus, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node; and- determine to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information indicating the timing advance value comprises at least one of a location of the apparatus, a timing advance value or a timing advance drift rate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine the accuracy of said information based at least on a time since said information was generated or transmitted.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine the accuracy of said information based at least on a type of said information indicating the timing advance value.

5. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine, depending on the accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value, an accuracy category of said information indicating the timing advance value; and- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based on the determined accuracy category.

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is a halfduplex user equipment.

7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating another timing advance value based on the detected collision.

8. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- transmit, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said information indicating the timing advance value with an accuracy below or above a threshold.

9. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on whether the accuracy of said information is below or above the threshold.

10. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- receive downlink control information from the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said downlink control information indicating a priority of either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception; and- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said downlink control information.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- receive downlink control information from the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said downlink control information indicating a priority of scheduling either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception; and- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said downlink control information.

12. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on scheduling of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception.

13. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein- the uplink transmission is dynamically scheduled and the downlink reception is semi- statically scheduled or the downlink reception is dynamically scheduled and the uplink transmission is semi-statically scheduled.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling when the accuracy of said information is above a threshold; or- determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling when the accuracy of said information is below a threshold.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory further cause the apparatus at least to:- determine to prioritize dynamic scheduling after determining that the non-terrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision; or- determine to prioritize semi-static scheduling after determining that the nonterrestrial wireless network node is not aware of the collision.

16. A method, comprising: transmitting, by a user equipment to a non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating a timing advance value, wherein the timing advance value is usable by the user equipment for at least one uplink transmission to the non-terrestrial wireless network node; detecting, by the user equipment, a collision between an uplink transmission of the user equipment and a downlink reception by the user equipment, wherein the uplink transmission is to the non-terrestrial wireless network node and the downlink transmission is from the non-terrestrial wireless network node; and determining to prioritize, after detecting the collision, either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based at least on an accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said information indicating the timing advance value comprises at least one of a location of the user equipment, a timing advance value or a timing advance drift rate.

18. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: determining the accuracy of said information based at least on a time since said information was generated or transmitted.

19. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 18, comprising: determining the accuracy of said information based at least on a type of said information indicating the timing advance value.

20. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 19, comprising: determining, depending on the accuracy of said information indicating the timing advance value, an accuracy category of said information indicating the timing advance value; and determining to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception based on the determined accuracy category.

21. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the user equipment is a half-duplex user equipment.

22. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 21, comprising: transmitting, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, information indicating another timing advance value based on the detected collision.

23. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 22, comprising: transmitting, to the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said information indicating the timing advance value with an accuracy below or above a threshold.

24. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 23, comprising: determining to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on whether the accuracy of said information is below or above the threshold.

25. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 24, comprising: receiving downlink control information from the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said downlink control information indicating a priority of either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception; and determining to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said downlink control information.

26. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 25, comprising: receiving downlink control information from the non-terrestrial wireless network node, said downlink control information indicating a priority of scheduling either of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception; and determining to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on said downlink control information.

27. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 26, comprising: determining to prioritize either the uplink transmission or the downlink reception depending on scheduling of the uplink transmission and the downlink reception.

28. The method according to any of the claims 16 to 27, wherein the uplink transmission is dynamically scheduled and the downlink reception is semi- statically scheduled; orthe downlink reception is dynamically scheduled and the uplink transmission is semi- statically scheduled.

29. The method according to claim 28, comprising: determining to prioritize dynamic scheduling when the accuracy of said information is above a threshold; or determining to prioritize semi-static scheduling when the accuracy of said information is below a threshold.

30. The method according to claim 28 or claim 29, comprising: determining to prioritize dynamic scheduling after determining that the non-terrestrial wireless network node is aware of the collision; or determining to prioritize semi-static scheduling after determining that the non-terrestrial wireless network node is not aware of the collision.

Images