Method for signaling MBS service availability

Abstract

A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, characterized by, that the UE determines availability of MBS services based on service-specific service area information and time estimates and determines whether to initiate MBS service.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Method for Signaling MBS Service Availability

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure is generally related to mobile communications and, more particularly, to.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In wireless communications such as mobile communications according to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications, spectrum sharing refers to two systems sharing the same carriers. Multicast-Broadcast Services (MBS) feature provides an important add-value for NR NTN system, leveraging the large coverage of the NTN compared to TN. Terrestrial MBS features are equally available for NR NTN in the 5G specifications, but for some cases the intended service area is expected to be smaller than the coverage of a Uu cell. Further, different NTN nodes or earth-moving cells may provide MBS service(s) in intended service area.

[0007] Therefore, some enhancements need to be done to notify the service area of a Broadcast service.

[0008] NTN cells broadcast by means of SIB 19:

[0009] - Network configuration, including ephemeris data, common TA parameters, k_offset, validity duration for UL sync information, DL / UL polarization information, and epoch time;

[0010] - Reference location of the serving cell, e.g., used for measurement initiation in IDLE / INACTIVE mode;

[0011] - distance threshold with respect to the serving cell reference location;

[0012] - the time information on when a cell provided via NTN quasi-Earth fixed system is going to stop serving the area it is currently covering, and

[0013] - a list of NTN neighbor cells including their network configuration, carrier frequency and identifiers of physical cells.

[0014] US 2020275291 A1 is providing a method in a radio communication network providing a service for a plurality of devices, the method comprising: determining a service outage probability for a device that is going to move to a sub-area of a coverage area of the network, the service outage probability associated with said sub-area; in response to determining that the service outage probability exceeds a threshold, requesting a measurement device to move to said sub-area and to perform one or more radio frequency measurements; determining whether the service outage probability exceeds another threshold based at least on the requested one or more radio frequency measurements; and triggering at least one action if the service outage probability exceeds said another threshold.

[0015] EP 4270817 A1 titled “METHOD FOR COMPUTING OR ESTIMATING A SPECIFIC SERVICE TIME INTERVAL OR A SPECIFIC SERVICE TIME INFORMATION OF OR RELATED TO A USER EQUIPMENT IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK BEING OR AT LEAST COMPRISING A PART CORRESPONDING TO OR BEING A NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK, USER EQUIPMENT, SYSTEM OR MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK, PROGRAM AND COMPUTER- READABLE MEDIUM” discloses that the user equipment computes or generates an estimation of the specific service time interval or the specific service time information, the estimation being based on the location information of its own position and the reference location information.

[0016] US 2021092781 A1 discloses a method for the determination Coverage Availability Estimates of Mobile Non-Terrestrial Access Node. There is provided determining an availability of a connection to a mobile non-terrestrial access node of a wireless communication system, determining, at the wireless device, coverage availability estimates of the mobile non-terrestrial access node, and determining at the wireless device, if the determined coverage availability estimates indicate a periodic coverage of the mobile non-terrestrial access node, a power save mode or one or more connection attempts to the mobile non-terrestrial access node, on the basis of a time period according to a periodicity of the determined coverage availability estimates.

[0017] EP 0995323 A2 titled “DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF A SUBSCRIBER UNIT IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM”, discloses a mobile telephone system employs a fleet of satellites and a set of gateway ground stations arranged around the globe for handling communications to and from mobile communication subscriber units such as mobile telephones. Signals are transmitted between a subscriber unit and the nearest gateway via one or more of the satellites. The gateway system is configured to process telephone call connection requests from a mobile subscriber unit based upon the location of the subscriber unit. The location of the subscriber unit is employed, for example, to determine how telephone numbers are to be parsed and how to properly route emergency telephone calls to the nearest appropriate emergency service centers. Multiple location mapping schemes are employed to facilitate a determination of the location of a subscriber unit and to assist in routing emergency calls. In one implementation, each location with the service area of the system is mapped into a set of uniformly sized and shaped information cells. Each information cell includes pointers to data structures defining, among other things, the service providers that are permitted to process calls to or from that location and the nearest emergency services center. Each location is also mapped into at least one virtual service provider cell which includes service provider preferences and requirements for handling a call to from that location and including a unique location identifier. A specific implementation for use with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) is described.

[0018] EP 3248302 A1 titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEAM SELECTION FOR A MULTIBEAM MULTI-SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM”, discloses a method of designing beam patterns to increase aggregate capacity within a satellite communications system, comprising: determining a first beam pattern of a plurality of user spot beams of a first satellite serving a first geographic area; identifying a plurality of high traffic regions within the first geographic area covered by the first beam pattern; determining the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic regions; determining a normalized distance metric for each of the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic regions; and plotting a second beam pattern of a second satellite such that at least one of a plurality of user spot beams of the second beam pattern has a lower normalized distance metric for at least one of the plurality of high traffic regions relative to the normalized distance metrics of the user spot beams of the first beam pattern covering each of the plurality of high traffic region. US 2010261476 A1 titled “Method and Equipment for Transferring Information of Neighboring Cell in Wireless Communications System”, discloses a method for transferring information of a neighboring cell in a wireless communications system includes locating position information of user equipment (UE) when detecting that the UE is in a service connection state, and if determining that the UE is in a coverage threshold range of a micro-cell adjacent to a current macro-cell according to the position information of the UE, transferring information of the micro-cell to the UE. Corresponding network equipment is also provided.

[0019] WO 2022235321 A1 titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING LOCATION BASED MOBILITY FOR 5G SATELLITE ACCESS TO A WIRELESS NETWORK”, discloses a Registration Area (RA) supporting UE satellite access to a serving PLMN may correspond to a geodetic area (e.g. a circle) and may be determined by a network node (e.g. AMF) based on a current geodetic location of the UE. The UE may access a radio cell supported by a satellite for a serving PLMN. The UE may determine whether the radio cell provides coverage for the RA, e.g., based on whether an updated geodetic location of the UE is inside the RA or based on whether a geodetic coverage area of the radio cell covers at least part of the RA. The UE may perform a Registration with the serving PLMN via the radio cell when the radio cell is determined to not provide coverage for the RA. The serving PLMN may page the UE, when idle, using radio cells whose coverage includes at least part of the RA.

[0020] US 2024023011 A1 titled “METHOD, DEVICE, AND SYSTEM FOR CELL ACCESS IN WIRELESS NETWORKS” relates generally to cell coverage, cell search, cell access, cell selection, and cell measurement in wireless networks. Performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the method including determining a cell coverage information associated with a search limitation of the UE. In this disclosure, various embodiments are disclosed to facilitate the UE to: detect cell coverage condition; handle certain cell coverage condition; and stop or relax certain UE activities during certain cell coverage condition. EP 4271038 A1 , titled “CELL RESELECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM” describes a cell reselection method, applied to a terminal. The method comprises: determining, according to a serving duration determined on the basis of auxiliary information, an execution operation of executing cell reselection, wherein the serving duration is a duration during which a non-terrestrial network (NTN) serving cell is capable of providing a service to a terminal, and the auxiliary information comprises coverage information and ephemeris information of the NTN serving cell and / or reference serving duration information during which the NTN serving cell is capable of providing the service.

[0021] US 2020015237 A1 , titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING NETWORK DEVICE, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING CONTROL INFORMATION, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING DATA” provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a network device, a method and an apparatus for sending control information, and a method and an apparatus for data. According to technical solutions provided in the present disclosure, network devices providing network services for different over-the-air areas are scheduled to different time grids, so that the terminal devices located in different over-the-air areas send data to respective corresponding network devices within different time grids, thereby avoiding signal interference and improving network quality.

[0022] WO 2022208475 A1 , titled “CELL RESELECTION USING EXPECTED CELL SERVING TIME” describes a method performed by a wireless device for cell selection or reselection in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) comprises determining whether to perform one or more cell selection or reselection measurements based on a cell selection or reselection criteria. The cell selection or reselection criteria is based on a signal quality of a serving cell and a relationship between the wireless device and a satellite or spot beam of the NTN. Upon determining that the cell selection or reselection criteria for performing measurements is satisfied, performing the one or more cell selection or reselection measurements.

[0023] EP 4268509 A1 , titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CELL RESELECTION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM”, describes a cell reselection in wireless communications. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication system comprises: receiving information related to a service time of a neighbor cell; obtaining a cell quality of the neighbor cell based on a measurement on the neighbor cell; determining a remaining service time for the neighbor cell as a time period from a current time point to an end time point of the service time of the neighbor cell; and performing a cell reselection to the neighbor cell based on the cell quality of the neighbor cell and the remaining service time for the neighbor cell.

[0024] CN 115276756 a discloses a low earth orbit satellite constellation optimization design method for guaranteeing service quality and belongs to the technical field of wireless communication. According to the method, the reliability, the effectiveness and the completeness of the satellite constellation are comprehensively considered, and the definition of the satellite constellation service quality is given. The error rate, the signal-to-noise ratio and the survivability are introduced to represent the reliability of the satellite constellation; introducing a coverage rate to represent the effectiveness of the satellite constellation; and representing the completeness of the users in the satellite constellation through the user matching degree. On this basis, setting a service quality threshold value and calculating a service quality value, setting the ratio of the total system capacity of the target area to the constellation construction cost as a target function, and iteratively optimizing the target function value by using the global search capability of the genetic algorithm to obtain an initial constellation solution; and carrying out secondary optimization on the initial solution by using the local search capability of the tabu search algorithm to output an optimal constellation parameter. The method is oriented to regional users, and efficient and economical low-orbit satellite constellations are optimally designed according to user requirements and service quality assurance.

[0025] WO 2022206557 A1 , titled “COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS” provides a communication method and apparatus, for use in solving the problem that in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, a terminal device has a longer communication delay and wastes more power since the time required for the terminal device to perform radio link failure (RLF) determination increases sharply. The method comprises: a terminal device obtains a remaining coverage duration of a serving cell covering a first geographic area, the terminal device being located in the first geographic area; and when the remaining coverage duration is less than a first time threshold, the terminal device determines that an RLF occurs. In embodiments of the present application, the terminal device determines, by means of the remaining coverage duration of the serving cell, whether the RLF occurs, so that radio resource control (RRC) re-establishment can be triggered in time when a coverage signal is weak or disappears, thereby improving the communication quality of the terminal device and reducing communication delay.

[0026] WO 2023272715 A1 , titled “COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND NON- TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE DEVICES USING JOINT INITIAL ACCESS WITH TERRESTRIAL AND NON-TERRESTRIAL COMMUNICATION NODES” describes a communication system, a method, and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage devices allowing joint a user equipment to perform initial access with terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication nodes of a service area. The service area is partitioned into terrestrial initial-access zones and non-terrestrial initial-access zones with each terrestrial initial-access zone associated with one or more of the terrestrial communication nodes and each non- terrestrial initial-access zone associated with at least one of the non-terrestrial communication nodes. The user equipment uses positioning reference signals from positioning anchors to determine its location, determine a zone from the terrestrial and non-terrestrial initial-access zones based on the location, select one of the terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication nodes based on the determined zone, and establishing communication with the selected communication node.

[0027] WO 2024011193 A1 , titled “CELL RESELECTION ENHANCEMENTS FOR NON- TERRESTRIAL NETWORKS”, describes systems, methods, and devices related to dynamic cell reselection management. A device may receive reference location and radius of a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) cell from system information. The device may predict a trajectory of an NTN cell center based on the received reference location and satellite ephemeris data from the system information. The device may determine when the device will leave a coverage of a current serving cell based on a device location and the predicted trajectory. The device may perform relaxed measurements for intra-frequency, inter-frequency, or inter radio access technology (RAT) neighbor cell measurements during a service time of the current serving cell.

[0028] IN 201717013617 A, titled “BEAM FORMING AND POINTING IN A NETWORK OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVS) FOR BROADBAND ACCESS” describes the beam forming methods for unmade aerial vehicles.

[0029] CN 116054913 A titled “Satellite communication method and device, electronic equipment and nonvolatile storage medium” discloses a satellite communication method and device, electronic equipment and a nonvolatile storage medium. The method comprises the steps that an air-ground wireless coverage electronic map of a target area is determined, and the air-ground wireless coverage electronic map comprises position information of all terminal devices in the target area and signal quality of all the terminal devices; a first target communication service is determined from communication services in the target area according to the air-ground wireless coverage electronic map, the first target communication service is a communication service borne by high-frequency waves, and the signal quality of the first target communication service is lower than a preset signal quality threshold value; and bearing the first target communication service through the target satellite network. The technical problem that the high-frequency signal cannot cover the whole area due to the fact that only the ground high-frequency base station is responsible for the high-frequency signal transmission service in the prior art is solved.

[0030] An architecture and high-level procedures for MBS user services conveyed using the 5G multicast-broadcast capabilities of the 5G System, as defined in TS 23.501 , TS 23.502 and TS 23.247, are described in TS 26.502.

[0031] Further, TS 26.517 defines protocols and formats for MBS User Services, including the User Service Description (USD) data model.

[0032] Moreover, TS 23.247 describes architectural enhancements for 5G multicastbroadcast services, and defines the Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI), which is used within MBS to uniquely identify a broadcast MBS session or a multicast MBS session. Broadcast session management procedures are described in TS 38.413, e.g., the signaling required for establishing MBS resources at NG-RAN nodes.

[0033] TS 38.300 and TS 38.331 describe further relevant procedures and system information (SI) regarding Non-Terrestrial Networks as well as various aspects of the disclosed approach:

[0034] SIB19 contains NTN-specific parameters for serving cell and optionally NTN- specific parameters for neighbor cells.

[0035] SIB25 contains TN coverage information.

[0036] For MBS broadcast, other SI also includes:

[0037] SIB20 contains MCCH configuration.

[0038] SIB21 contains information related to service continuity for MBS broadcast reception (e.g., Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAI).

[0039] A new SIBXX contains a list of intended service areas and related pointer for MBS broadcast reception.

[0040] For MBS multicast reception in RRCJNACTIVE state, other SI also includes:

[0041] SIB24 contains the information required to acquire the multicast MCCH / MTCH configuration.

[0042] Through the User Service Description (USD) or a combination of USD and the Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAI), which are provided in SIB21 , the UE is informed about which frequencies provide which MBS services and can establish a corresponding mapping. Based on this mapping the UE avoids reading the MBS related information from the serving and neighbor cells and, thus, saves energy, unless it is notified about a change in system information.

[0043] Further, this mapping is used for cell reselection, where the UE prioritizes a frequency, if it can only receive certain MBS service(s) by camping on that frequency, or de-prioritize a frequency, if it cannot receive the MBS service(s) on that frequency.

[0044] Moreover, the network provides so-called “intended service area” (ISA) information as well as an associated ID, e.g., via an existing SIB (e.g., SIB21 ) or a new SIBXX, so that the UE is made aware of which frequency provides which MBS service(s) in which geographical area. An “intended service area” can be represented by a reference location and a distance threshold or radius, and / or a series of points or coordinates, e.g., characterizing a polygon. In scenarios with earth-moving cells or NTN nodes, e.g., where service is provided by LEO satellites, the UE that is interested in using a particular MBS service or already established an MBS session may face the issue of service degradation, resulting in poor user experience. For example, media access and provisioning to passengers in vehicle may be interrupted and / or noticeably affected when changing from one MBS service area to another.

[0045] Therefore, this application is given a solution to that cited problem, solved by the embodiments of this application by that UE determines availability and initiation of MBS services based on broadcast information containing service-specific service area and service time estimates.

[0046] This means when UE receives MBS service information, it also received servicespecific estimated service time by gNB. UE can receive either through System Information Message (SIB) or UE specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message). Based on received or determined service-specific estimated service time, UE decides whether to initiate MBS service or not.

[0047] The benefit and the advantage of this approach is, that UE is aware of MBS service availability, resulting in improved service continuity and minimized MBS service interruptions.

[0048] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, characterized by, that the UE determines availability, initiation, and adjustment of MBS services based on service-specific service area information and time estimates.

[0049] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the UE determines whether and when to initiate and / or adjust MBS service sessions based on servicespecific service area and frequency information, which is received from the network, e.g., base station, gNB, its MBS service(s) of interest, as well as its own movement and arrival, dwell, departure time estimates. In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the UE determines the next suitable NTN node / cell and / or frequency and / or intended service area, which are associated with UE’s MBS service(s) of interest, based on own movement estimates with respect to current and / or neighboring intended service areas.

[0050] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the UE triggers data buffering, prioritizes frequencies that are associated with MBS service(s) of interest, and triggers cell reselection and / or handover based on determined movement estimates.

[0051] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method for signaling MBS Service Area characterized by, that UE receives system information message including a configured RSRP threshold and / or distance threshold and reference location to determine availability of MBS service.

[0052] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that UE determines availability of MBS service based on RSRP and / or distance to “intended MBS service area”. For example, the “intended service area” information is provided with the MBS configuration message for each MBS service, e.g., referenced through TMGI. Alternatively, the network provides intended service area information, e.g., reference location coordinates and distance thresholds, via an existing or new SIBXX. Moreover, pointers / references to a corresponding “intended service area” ID are provided with SIB21. Using such pointers / references to a corresponding “intended service area” ID, the Frequency Selection Area Identity (FSAI) (also provided via SIB21 ), as well as the UE’s knowledge of its own location, the UE determines whether it is in, leaving or approaching an “intended service area”, where MBS service(s) are provided the UE is interested in. If no MBS service of interest is provided, the UE skips monitoring MCCH for saving energy.

[0053] Further, by estimating its own movements with respect to current and / or neighboring intended service areas, the UE determines the next suitable NTN node / cell and / or frequency and / or intended service area, which are associated with UE’s MBS services of interest. The UE performs arrival, dwell, and / or departure time estimation. Based on the determined estimates, the UE triggers data buffering, e.g., to overcome interruption times when switching connection from one NTN node / cell and / or frequency and / or intended service area to another one. Further, based on determined estimates, the UE prioritizes frequencies that are associated with MBS services of interest and triggers cell reselection when approaching or leaving intended service areas, where MBS services of interest are provided.

[0054] Furthermore, the UE considers adjusting its movements and / or route planning according to the availability of MBS services of interest. For example, the UE adjusts its movements to trigger a handover to a neighboring intended service area, where MBS services of interest are provided.

[0055] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the network, e.g., base station, gNB, provides intended MBS service area information referenced by an ID, the associated list of MBS services, e.g., referenced by TMGI, as well as the associated Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAIs).

[0056] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the network, e.g., base station, gNB, provides intended MBS service area information referenced by an ID, the associated list of MBS services, e.g., referenced by TMGI, as well as the associated Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAIs)through system information message (e.g., SIB21 ) and / or UE-specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message).

[0057] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that the value of RSRP threshold and / or distance to “intended MBS service area” (reference location coordinate, distance threshold) is provided by gNB through system information message and / or UE-specific message.

[0058] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that when UE receives SIB message, UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold, whereby, if current RSRP is greater than received RSRP threshold, MBS is available, if current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

[0059] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that, when UE receives SIB message, UE determines distance to received “intended MBS service area”, whereby, if current distance is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, if current distance is less than received distance threshold, MBS is available.

[0060] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that, the network provides intended service area information together with service-specific service area and service time indications. For example, the “intended service area” information is provided together with service-specific service area and service time indications via the MBS configuration message for each MBS service, e.g., referenced through TMGI. Alternatively, the network provides intended service area information together with service-specific service area and service time indications via an existing or new SIBXX.

[0061] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that, when UE receives SIB messages, UE determines time to MBS service start in “intended MBS service area” based on t-ServiceStart parameter (provided via SIB19).

[0062] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the UE determines whether to initiate and / or adjust MBS service session based on time indications, e.g., t-Service, t-ServiceStart, which are provided by the network, e.g., base station, gNB.

[0063] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized by, that the information on “intended MBS service area” is only valid for a certain time, whereby this is helpful if UE cannot determine its own location, e.g., cheap sensor device. For example, the UE starts timer when SIB message is received, and when timer expires, UE releases “intended MBS service area” configuration or UE goes to sleep mode.

[0064] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for Signaling MBS Service Area the apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of method according to the first aspect.

[0065] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a user Equipment comprising an apparatus according second aspect of this application.

[0066] According to a fourh aspect, the present disclosure relates to base station comprising an apparatus according second aspect of this application.

[0067] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates wireless communication system, wherein the base station, e.g. gNB, comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the first aspect of this application, wherein the user equipment (UE) comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the first aspect of this application.

[0068] BIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0069] Fig. 1 depicts the cell refence location with the direction of movement

[0070] Fig. 2 depicts the cell reselection enhancements

[0071] Fig. 3 depicts UE behaviour for the first embodiment

[0072] Fig. 4 depicts gnB behaviour for the first embodiment

[0073] Fig. 5 depicts UE behaviour for the second embodiment

[0074] Fig. 6 depicts gnB behaviour for the second embodiment

[0075] DETAILED DESCRIPTION The detailed description set forth below, with reference to annexed drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0076] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0077] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0078] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a UE (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0079] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0080] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0081] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0082] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off- the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0083] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code, computer readable code, and / or program code, referred hereafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non- transitory, and / or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals for accessing code.

[0084] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0085] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage device would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc readonly memory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0086] Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including an object- oriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, or the like, and / or machine languages such as assembly languages. The code may execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user’s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user’s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (“LAN”), wireless LAN (“WLAN”), or a wide area network (“WAN”), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”)).

[0087] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0088] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0089] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0090] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the code which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams. The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0091] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0092] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

[0093] The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements of proceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures, including alternate embodiments of like elements.

[0094] The main solution of the problem can be described as following.

[0095] UE determines availability of MBS service based on RSRP and / or distance to “intended MBS service area”. Value of RSRP threshold and / or distance to “intended MBS service area” (reference location coordinate, distance threshold) is provided by gNB through system information message and / or UE-specific message. When UE receives SIB message, UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold.

[0096] If current RSRP is greater than received RSRP threshold, MBS is available.

[0097] If current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available. When UE receives SIB message, UE determines distance to received “intended MBS service area”. If current distance is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available.

[0098] If current distance is less than received distance threshold, MBS is available. Information on “intended MBS service area” is only valid for a certain time, which means helpful if UE cannot determine own location, e.g., cheap sensor device:

[0099] UE starts timer when SIB message is received.

[0100] When timer expires, UE releases “intended MBS service area” configuration.

[0101] Benefits: UE is aware of “intended MBS service area” and will only initiate MBS when available.

[0102] As described above Fig. 1 depicts the cell refence location with the direction of movement and Fig. 2 depicts the cell reselection enhancements

[0103] Fig. 3 depicts UE behaviour for the first embodiment. UE receives system information message including service-specific service area information and time estimates and then determines whether to initiate MBS service.

[0104] Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 depicts gnB behaviour for the first embodiment. gNB provides system information message including service-specific service area information and time estimates.

[0105] Fig. 5 depicts UE behaviour for the second embodiment. UE receives system information message including service-specific service area information and time estimates, the UE estimates when current MBS service area will be left and determines when new MBS service area will become available in neighbor MBS intended service area. The UE checks whether the remaining service time is lower than a service-specific threshold. If the remaining service time isn't greater than service-specific threshold, the UE prepares adjusting MBS service to new MBS service area / frequency, if the remaining service time is greater than service-specific threshold, then the UE keeps checking the remaining service time.

[0106] Fig. 6 depicts gnB behaviour for the second embodiment.

[0107] Furthermore additional approaches are disclosed. UE determines availability of MBS service based on RSRP and / or distance to “intended MBS service area”.

[0108] Value of RSRP threshold and / or distance to “intended MBS service area” (reference location coordinate, distance threshold) is provided by gNB through system information message and / or UE-specific message.

[0109] When UE receives SIB message, UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold.

[0110] If current RSRP is greater than received RSRP threshold, MBS is available.

[0111] If current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

[0112] When UE receives SIB message, UE determines distance to received “intended MBS service area”.

[0113] If current distance is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available.

[0114] If current distance is less than received distance threshold, MBS is available.

[0115] Information on “intended MBS service area” is only valid for a certain time (which is helpful, if UE cannot determine own location, e.g., cheap sensor device):

[0116] UE starts timer when SIB message is received.

[0117] When timer expires, UE releases “intended MBS service area” configuration or goes to sleep mode. This first approach can be described as Network Configured RSRP Threshold using an indication of mininum signal level for start / end of “intended MBS service area”.

[0118] UE:

[0119] When UE receives system information message including a configured RSRP threshold, UE compares its current RSRP with the configured RSRP threshold.

[0120] If current RSRP is equal or greater than configured RSRP threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS. If current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0121] Network / gNB: gNB configures RSRP threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)). gNB provides configured RSRP threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0122] This second approach can be described as distance threshold-based approach:

[0123] UE:

[0124] When UE receives system information message including a configured reference location and distance threshold, UE compares its current distance to reference location with the configured distance threshold.

[0125] If current distance to reference location is equal or less than configured distance threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0126] If current distance to reference location is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS

[0127] Network / gNB: gNB configures (cell or beam) reference location and distance threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)). gNB provides configured reference location and distance threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0128] This third approach can be described as RSRP threshold and validity time valuebased approach, where an indication of mininum signal level for start / end of “intended MBS service area”

[0129] The UE behavior can be described as when UE receives system information message including a configured RSRP threshold and validity time value, UE starts timer. When timer is not expired, UE compares its current RSRP with the configured RSRP threshold.

[0130] When timer expired, UE releases “intended MBS service area” configuration.

[0131] If current RSRP is equal or greater than configured RSRP threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0132] If current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0133] Fig. 6 depicts gnB behaviour for the third approach (RSRP threshold and validity time value).

[0134] Network / gNB: gNB configures RSRP threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)) and and validity time value. gNB provides configured RSRP threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0135] This fourth approach can be described as distance threshold and validity time valuebased approach:

[0136] UE:

[0137] When UE receives system information message including a configured reference location, distance threshold, and validity time value, UE starts timer.

[0138] When timer is not expired, UE compares its current distance to reference location with the configured distance threshold.

[0139] When timer expired, UE releases “intended MBS service area” configuration.

[0140] If current distance to reference location is equal or less than configured distance threshold, MBS is available and the UE initiates MBS.

[0141] If current distance to reference location is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, and the UE does not initiate MBS.

[0142] Fig. 8 depicts gnB behavior for the fourth approach (Distance Threshold + Validity Time Value) Network / gNB: gNB configures (cell or beam) reference location and distance threshold (e.g., per cell, per beam, per Synchronization Signal Block (SSB)) and validity time value. gNB provides configured reference location and distance threshold (e.g., via system information message).

[0143] A further aspect is described by Broadcasting SIB.

[0144] Indication of “intended MBS service areas” as part of (or a as new) system Information Block (SIB), where “intended MBS service area” is represented / configured by RSRP threshold (minimum signal level for start / end of “intended MBS service area”) or distance threshold and reference location Each “intended MBS service area” configuration is linked to:

[0145] 1. mbs-FSAI-lntraFreq-r17

[0146] 2. mbs-FSAI-lnterFreqList-r17

[0147] The reference location broadcast by NTN cell, e.g., via SIB 19 as it can be seen in prior art referenceLocation-r17. MBS-related RSRP threshold and / or distance threshold and / or validity time could be added to SIB 19 or MBS-related data is provided in SIB21 : RSRP threshold and / or distance threshold and / or validity time could be added to SIB 21 or a new SIB for MBS-related RSRP threshold and / or distance threshold and reference location and / or validity time can be introduced.

[0148] A further aspect is described by UE-specific Signaling.

[0149] UE in RRC_CONNECTED can receive configured / updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message). When UE transitions from RRC_CONNECTED to RRCJNACTIVE, UE receives configured / updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message). UE receives the configured / updated RSRP threshold or distance threshold and reference location via UE-specific signaling (e.g., RRCreconfiguration message) from the network / gNB during the RAN-based Notification Area (RNA) update procedure (e.g., RNA update procedure response message). Generally spoken the further benefits of this application are UE is aware of “intended MBS service area”. UE will not waste energy and try to establish MBS sessions, when not in “intended MBS service area”. Provisioning of validity time as part of “intended MBS service area” configuration is helpful, if UE cannot determine its own location, e.g., cheap sensor device without GNSS, but still can use MBS during indicated validity time.

[0150] In case of UE mobility and discontinuous MBS service area, UE can apply data buffering based on “intended MBS service area” configuration for improving user experience. All UEs can receive indication and configuration of “intended MBS service area” via system information message. UEs in RRC_CONNECTED and RRCJNACTIVE can receive configured / updated “intended MBS service area” information via UE-specific signaling. UE is aware of MBS service availability, resulting in improved service continuity and minimized MBS service interruptions.

[0151] Abbreviations

[0152] BWP Bandwidth part

[0153] CBG Code block group

[0154] CLI Cross Link Interference

[0155] CP Cyclic prefix

[0156] CQI Channel quality indicator

[0157] CPU CSI processing unit

[0158] CRB Common resource block

[0159] CRC Cyclic redundancy check

[0160] CRI CSI-RS Resource Indicator

[0161] CSI Channel state information

[0162] CSI-RS Channel state information reference signal

[0163] CSI-RSRP CSI reference signal received power

[0164] CSI-RSRQ CSI reference signal received quality

[0165] CSI-SINR CSI signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0166] CW Codeword

[0167] DCI Downlink control information

[0168] DL Downlink

[0169] DM-RS Demodulation reference signals

[0170] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0171] EPRE Energy per resource element

[0172] IAB-MT Integrated Access and Backhaul - Mobile Terminal

[0173] L1 -RSRP Layer 1 reference signal received power

[0174] LI Layer Indicator

[0175] MCS Modulation and coding scheme

[0176] PDCCH Physical downlink control channel

[0177] PDSCH Physical downlink shared channel

[0178] PSS Primary Synchronisation signal

[0179] PUCCH Physical uplink control channel

[0180] QCL Quasi co-location

[0181] PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator PRB Physical resource block PRG Precoding resource block group PRS Positioning reference signal PT-RS Phase-tracking reference signal RB Resource block RBG Resource block group Rl Rank Indicator RIV Resource indicator value RS Reference signal SCI Sidelink control information SLIV Start and length indicator value SR Scheduling Request SRS Sounding reference signal SS Synchronisation signal SSS Secondary Synchronisation signal SS-RSRP SS reference signal received power SS-RSRQ SS reference signal received quality SS-SINR SS signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0182] TB Transport Block TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator TDM Time division multiplexing UE User equipment UL Uplink

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, characterized by, that the UE determines availability, initiation, and adjustment of MBS services based on service-specific service area information and time estimates.

2. Method according to claim 1 characterized by, that the UE determines whether and when to initiate and / or adjust MBS service sessions based on service-specific service area and frequency information, which is received from the network via, base station, gNB, its MBS service(s) of interest, as well as its own movement and arrival, dwell, departure time estimates.

3. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the UE determines the next suitable NTN node / cell and / or frequency and / or intended service area, which are associated with UE’s MBS service(s) of interest, based on own movement estimates with respect to current and / or neighboring intended service areas.

4. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the UE triggers data buffering, prioritizes frequencies that are associated with MBS service(s) of interest, and triggers cell reselection and / or handover based on determined movement estimates.

5. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the network, e.g., base station, gNB, provides system information message including servicespecific service area information and time estimates.

6. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the network, via a base station, gNB, provides RSRP and / or distance threshold(s) and reference location(s) of intended MBS service area(s).

7. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the network, e.g., base station, gNB, provides intended MBS service area information referenced by an ID, the associated list of MBS services, e.g., referenced by TMGI, as well as the associated Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAIs).

8. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that network, e.g., base station, gNB, provides intended MBS service area information referenced by an ID, the associated list of MBS services, e.g., referenced by TMGI, as well as the associated Frequency Selection Area Identities (FSAIs)through system information message (e.g., SIBXX, SIB21 ) and / or UE- specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message).

9. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that when UE receives SIB message, UE compares its current RSRP with the received RSRP threshold, whereby, if current RSRP is greater than received RSRP threshold, MBS is available, if current RSRP is less than received RSRP threshold, MBS is not available.

10. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that when UE receives SIB message, UE determines distance to received “intended MBS service area”, whereby, if current distance is greater than received distance threshold, MBS is not available, if current distance is less than received distance threshold, MBS is available.11 . Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the UE determines whether to initiate and / or adjust MBS service session based on time indications, e.g., t-Service, t-ServiceStart, which are provided by the network, e.g., base station, gNB.

12. Method according to any of the previous claims characterized by, that the information on “intended MBS service area” is only valid for a certain time .

13. Apparatus for determining MBS service availability, whereby the apparatus comprising a wireless transceiver, a processor coupled with a memory in whichcomputer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to implement steps of the claims 1 to 12.

14. User Equipment comprising an apparatus according to claim 13.

15. Base station comprising an apparatus according to claim 13.

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

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