Improving user experience in multicast-broadcast services (MBS) via non-terrestrial network (NTN)

Abstract

Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN). Such methods include obtaining the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area. Such methods include determining the UE's geographic location and determining a relation between the UE's geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration. Such methods include, based on the determined relation, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service. Other embodiments include complementary methods for radio access network (RAN) nodes, as well as UEs and RAN nodes configured to perform such methods.

Description

[0001] IMPROVING USER EXPERIENCE IN MULTICAST-BROADCAST SERVICES (MBS) VIA NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK (NTN)

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networks, and more specifically to techniques for improving user experience in multi-cast and / or broadcast services delivered via non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as satellite networks.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Currently the fifth generation (5G) of cellular systems is being standardized within the Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). NR is developed for maximum flexibility to support multiple and substantially different use cases including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), machine type communications (MTC), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), side-link device-to-device (D2D), and several other use cases. 5G was first standardized in 3GPP Release 15 (Rel-15) and continues to evolve in subsequent releases.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a high-level view of an exemplary 5G network architecture, consisting of a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN, 199) and a 5G Core (5GC, 198). The NG-RAN can include one or more gNodeB’s (gNBs) connected to the 5GC via one or more NG interfaces, such as gNBs (100, 150) connected via respective interfaces (102, 152). More specifically, the gNBs can be connected to one or more Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) in the 5GC via respective NG-C interfaces and to one or more User Plane Functions (UPFs) in 5GC via respective NG-U interfaces. The 5GC can include various other network functions (NFs), such as Session Management Function(s) (SMF).

[0007] In addition, the gNBs can be connected to each other via one or more Xn interfaces, such as Xn interface (140) between gNBs (100, 150). The radio technology for the NG-RAN is often referred to as “New Radio” (NR). With respect to the NR interface to UEs, each of the gNBs can support frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination thereof. Each of the gNBs can serve a geographic coverage area including one or more cells and, in some cases, can also use various directional beams to provide coverage in the respective cells. In general, a downlink (DL) “beam” is a coverage area of a network-transmitted reference signal (RS) that may be measured or monitored by a UE.

[0008] NG RAN logical nodes (e.g., gNB 100) include a Central Unit (CU or gNB-CU, e.g., 110) and one or more Distributed Units (DU or gNB-DU, e.g., 120, 130). CUs are logical nodes that host higher-layer protocols and perform various gNB functions such controlling the operation of DUs. DUs are decentralized logical nodes that host lower layer protocols and can include, depending on the functional split option, various subsets of the gNB functions. Each CU and DU can include various circuitry needed to perform their respective functions, including processing circuitry, communication interface circuitry (e.g., transceivers), and power supply circuitry.

[0009] A gNB-CU connects to one or more gNB-DUs over respective Fl logical interfaces (e.g., 122 and 132 shown in Figure 1). However, a gNB-DU can be connected to only a single gNB- CU. The gNB-CU and its connected gNB-DU(s) are only visible to other gNBs and the 5GC as a gNB. In other words, the Fl interface is not visible beyond gNB-CU.

[0010] In Rel-15, 3GPP started preparing NR for operation in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). The work was performed within the study item “NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks” and resulted in publication of 3GPP TR 38.811 (vl5.1.0). The work to prepare NR for NTN operation continued in Rel-16 under the study item “Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Network” and resulted in publication of 3GPP TR 38.821 (vl6.2.0). According to this document, the term “non-terrestrial network” or NTN refers to a network, or segment of networks, using radio frequency (RF) resources on board a satellite, unmanned aerial system (UAS) platform, or other airborne or spaceborne vehicle. In contrast, a “terrestrial network” or TN refers to a fully earthbased network.

[0011] 3 GPP Rel-17 and Rel-18 introduced multicast and broadcast services (MBS), which enable communication service providers (CSPs) to better serve one-to-many use cases (e.g., mission- critical push-to-talk) using 3 GPP networks. As the name suggests, MBS includes broadcast services in which data is transmitted to all users in a broadcast service area, as well as multicast services in which data is transmitted to an authorized subset of all users in the service area. A UE can receive broadcast service without transmitting on the uplink (UL), while a UE needs to remain “connected” to the network using the UL in order to receive multicast service, similar to conventional unicast communication.

[0012] The 5GC provides IP multicast data to UEs via MBS sessions, each of which may be a multicast session or a broadcast session and have associated Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. In the RAN, each MBS session is carried over one or more MBS Radio Bearers (MRBs), which are counterparts to Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) used to carry unicast data of UE protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with the RAN.

[0013] SUMMARY

[0014] According to conventional MBS procedures in terrestrial RANs, a UE releases its MRB(s) to stop receiving MBS broadcast session(s) in response to various conditions, such as leaving the cell that broadcasts the MBS service the UE is receiving or is interested in receiving. While this condition is reasonable for terrestrial RANs, it is unsuitable for NTNs where a broadcast service area does not have a one-to-one association with a cell. For example, an NTN broadcast service area may be a portion of a cell or different portions of multiple cells. Accordingly, there is a need for new and / or improved techniques that facilitate proper UE management of MRBs in NTNs.

[0015] An object of embodiments of the present disclosure is to facilitate proper UE management of MRBs in wireless networks (e.g., NTNs), such as by providing location-based conditions that cause a UE to initiate or release MRB(s) of MBS broadcast services, as described in more detail below.

[0016] Embodiments include exemplary methods (e.g., procedures) performed by a UE configured to support MBS in an NTN.

[0017] These exemplary methods include obtaining the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area. These exemplary methods also include determining the UE’s geographic location and determining a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration. These exemplary methods also include, based on the determined relation, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

[0018] In some embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border. In some of these embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0019] In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary. In some variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary. In other variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0020] Various embodiments and variants of determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds are described herein for the case of spatial hysteresis. Also, various embodiments and variants of selectively managing the one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service are described herein for the case of spatial hysteresis.

[0021] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period. Various embodiments and variants of determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds are described herein for the case of temporal hysteresis. Also, various embodiments and variants of selectively managing the one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service are described herein for the case of temporal hysteresis.

[0022] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold. In some variants of these embodiments, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service is based on the following: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0023] In some embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is obtained according to one of the following: received from the NTN together with the configuration of the intended service area, received from the NTN separate from the configuration of the intended service area, or UE preconfiguration. In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is received from the NTN in one of the following: a broadcast system information block (SIB), or a unicast radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0024] Other embodiments include exemplary methods (e.g., procedures) performed by a configured to support MBS in an NTN. These exemplary methods are generally complementary to the exemplary methods performed by a UE, summarized above.

[0025] These exemplary methods include transmitting the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area. These exemplary methods also include transmitting the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

[0026] In some embodiments, a relation between UE geographic location and one or more thresholds, defined by the configuration of the intended service area and the hysteresis configuration, facilitates UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service. This corresponds to UE features summarized above.

[0027] In some embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border. In some of these embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0028] In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary.

[0029] In some variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary. In other variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0030] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period. In some variants of these embodiments, the status change grace period corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, that the UE is prohibited from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0031] In some variants of these embodiments, the one or more status change delay periods include a single status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0032] In other variants of these embodiments, the one or more status change delay periods include the following:

[0033] • a first status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0034] • a second status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from outside to within the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0035] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold. In some variants of these embodiments, the following relations facilitate UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0036] In some embodiments, these exemplary methods also include receiving from a UE a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s current geographic location, which is outside of the intended service area.

[0037] In some embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is transmitted according to one of the following: together with the configuration of the intended service area, or separate from the configuration of the intended service area. In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a broadcast SIB, or unicast RRC messages sent to respective UEs.

[0038] Other embodiments and variants of the exemplary methods summarized above are described herein. Other embodiments include UEs (e.g., wireless devices) and RAN nodes (e.g., base stations, eNBs, gNBs, ng-eNBs, etc. or unit / function thereof) configured to perform operations corresponding to any of the exemplary methods described herein. Other embodiments include non-transitory, computer-readable media storing program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, configure such UEs and RAN nodes to perform operations corresponding to any of the exemplary methods described herein.

[0039] These and other embodiments described herein may provide various advantages, benefits, and / or solutions to problems. For example, embodiments may promote correct UE behavior when entering and / or exiting an intended service area of an MBS broadcast service provided via an NTN. As another example, embodiments may reduce and / or eliminate a potential “ping-pong” effects due to UE establishment and release of MRB(s) near the boundary of an MBS broadcast service’s intended area. As such, embodiments may mitigate negative consequences of frequent UE crossings of the intended service area boundary, including false “crossings” due to UE location measurement inaccuracies. As another example, embodiments may reduce UE energy consumption and improve user experience for MBS broadcast services provided via NTN

[0040] These and other objects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following Detailed Description in view of the Drawings briefly described below.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figures 1-2 illustrate two high-level views of an exemplary 5G network architecture.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an exemplary communication system that includes an NTN.

[0044] Figure 4 illustrates a satellite orbit described by a set of six (6) parameters.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an example of how a UE obtains MBS broadcast service from a RAN node!

[0046] Figure 6 shows an example of spatial hysteresis in relation to a UE near a service area border, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figures 7-11 show various examples of elliptical service area borders with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 12 shows an exemplary ASN.l data structure for a System Information Block 20 (SIB20-rl7) information element (IE), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 13 shows an example broadcast service area defined by a circle centered at a point defined by (Lat2, Lon2) and having a radius T.

[0049] Figure 14 shows an example broadcast service area defined by an irregular polygon.

[0050] Figure 15 (including parts A and B) shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) for a UE (e.g., wireless device), according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 16 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) for a RAN node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, ng-eNB, etc.), according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 17 shows a communication system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 18 shows a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 19 shows a network node according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 20 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments of the present disclosure may be virtualized.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] 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 as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0058] In general, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is expressly defined and / or implied from the context of use. 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 or clearly implied from the context of use. The operations of any methods and / or procedures disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless an operation is explicitly described as following or preceding another operation and / or where it is implicit that an operation must follow or precede another operation. Any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein can apply to any other disclosed embodiment, as appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any embodiment described herein can apply to any other disclosed embodiment, as appropriate.

[0059] Furthermore, the following terms are used throughout the description given below: • Radio Access Node: As used herein, a “radio access node” (or equivalently “radio network node,” “radio access network node,” or “RAN node”) can be any node in a radio access network (RAN) that operates to wirelessly transmit and / or receive signals. Some examples of a radio access node include, but are not limited to, a base station (e.g., gNB in a 3 GPP 5G / NR network or an enhanced or eNB in a 3GPP LTE network), base station distributed components (e.g., CU and DU), a high-power or macro base station, a low-power base station (e.g., micro, pico, femto, or home base station, or the like), an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, a transmission point (TP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio unit (RRU or RRH), and a relay node.

[0060] • Core Network Node: As used herein, a “core network node” is any type of node in a core network. Some examples of a core network node include, e.g., a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a serving gateway (SGW), a PDN Gateway (P-GW), a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a Charging Function (CHF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a location management function (LMF), or the like.

[0061] • Wireless Device: As used herein, a “wireless device” (or “WD” for short) is any type of device that is capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Communicating wirelessly can involve transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air. Unless otherwise noted, the term “wireless device” is used interchangeably herein with the term “user equipment” (or “UE” for short), with both terms having a different meaning than the term “network node”.

[0062] • Radio Node: As used herein, a “radio node” can be either a “radio access node” (or equivalent term) or a “wireless device.”

[0063] • Network Node: As used herein, a “network node” is any node that is either part of the radio access network (e.g., a radio access node or equivalent term) or of the core network (e.g., a core network node discussed above) of a cellular communications network. Functionally, a network node is equipment capable, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the cellular communications network, to enable and / or provide wireless access to the wireless device, and / or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the cellular communications network. • Node: As used herein, the term “node” (without prefix) can be any type of node that can in or with a wireless network (including RAN and / or core network), including a radio access node (or equivalent term), core network node, or wireless device. However, the term “node” may be limited to a particular type (e.g., radio access node, IAB node) based on its specific characteristics in any given context.

[0064] The above definitions are not meant to be exclusive. In other words, various ones of the above terms may be explained and / or described elsewhere in the present disclosure using the same or similar terminology. Nevertheless, to the extent that such other explanations and / or descriptions conflict with the above definitions, the above definitions should control.

[0065] Note that the description given herein focuses on a 3 GPP cellular communications system and, as such, 3GPP terminology or similar terminology is sometimes used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to a 3GPP system and can be applied to any communication system that may benefit from them.

[0066] Figure 2 shows another high-level view of an exemplary 5G network architecture, including an NG-RAN (299) and a 5GC (298). As shown in the figure, the NG-RAN can include gNBs (e.g., 210a,b) and ng-eNBs (e.g., 220a, b) that are interconnected with each other via respective Xn interfaces. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also connected via the NG interfaces to the 5GC, more specifically to Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs, e.g., 230a, b) via respective NG-C interfaces and to User Plane Functions (UPFs, e.g., 240a, b) via respective NG- U interfaces. Moreover, the AMFs can communicate with Policy Control Functions (PCFs, e.g., 250a, b) and Network Exposure Functions (NEFs, e.g., 260a, b).

[0067] Each of the gNBs can support the NR radio interface including frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination thereof. Each of ng-eNBs can support the fourth generation (4G) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio interface. Unlike conventional LTE eNBs, however, ng-eNBs connect to the 5GC via the NG interface. Each of the gNBs and ng-eNBs can serve a geographic coverage area including one or more cells (e.g., 211a- b, 221a-b). Depending on the cell in which it is located, a UE (205) can communicate with the gNB or ng-eNB serving that cell via the NR or LTE radio interface, respectively. Although Figure 2 shows gNBs and ng-eNBs separately, it is also possible that a single NG-RAN node provides both types of functionality.

[0068] In addition to providing coverage via cells as in LTE, NR networks also provide coverage via “beams.” In general, a downlink (DL, i.e., network to UE) “beam” is a coverage area of a network-transmitted reference signal (RS) that may be measured or monitored by a UE. In NR, for example, RS can include any of the following: synchronization signal / PBCH block (SSB), channel state information RS (CSLRS), tertiary reference signals (or any other sync signal), positioning RS (PRS), demodulation RS (DMRS), phase-tracking reference signals (PTRS), etc. In general, SSB is available to all UEs regardless of the state of their connection with the network, while other RS e.g., CSI-RS, DM-RS, PTRS) are associated with specific UEs that have a network connection.

[0069] Although Figure 2 shows the NG-RAN as a terrestrial (or earth-based) network, it may also be configured as a non-terrestrial network (NTN) as discuss above. In this configuration, the gNBs and / or ng-eNBs may utilize RF resources on board a satellite, unmanned aerial system (UAS) platform, or other airborne or spacebome vehicle.

[0070] The radio resource control (RRC) protocol controls communications between UE and gNB at the radio interface as well as mobility of a UE between cells in the NG-RAN. RRC also broadcasts system information (SI) and performs establishment, configuration, maintenance, and release of data radio bearers (DRBs) and signaling radio bearers (SRBs) used by UEs. Additionally, RRC controls addition, modification, and release of carrier aggregation (CA) and dual -connectivity (DC) configurations for UEs. RRC also performs various security functions such as key management.

[0071] After a UE is powered ON it will be in the RRC IDLE state until an RRC connection is established with the network, at which time the UE will transition to RRC CONNECTED state e.g., where data transfer can occur). The UE returns to RRC IDLE after the connection with the network is released. In RRC IDLE state, the UE’s radio is active on a discontinuous reception (DRX) schedule configured by upper layers. During DRX active periods (also referred to as “DRX On durations”), an RRC IDLE UE receives SI broadcast in the cell where the UE is camping, performs measurements of neighbor cells to support cell reselection, and monitors a paging channel on PDCCH for pages from 5GC via gNB. An NR UE in RRC IDLE state is not known to the gNB serving the cell where the UE is camping. However, NR RRC includes an RRC_INACTIVE state in which a UE is known (e.g., via UE context) by the serving gNB. RRC INACTIVE has some properties similar to a “suspended” condition used in LTE.

[0072] As briefly mentioned above, the work to prepare NR for NTN operation continued in Rel- 16 under the study item “Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Network” and resulted in publication of 3GPP TR 38.821 (vl6.2.0). Figure 3 shows an exemplary communication system that includes an NTN (300). The communication system includes a public data network and one or more gateways (330) that connect the NTN to the public data network (340). The NTN includes one or more satellites (320) or other UAS platforms that connect to the gateways via respective feeder links. The table below gives some example configurations, where “HAPS” is an acronym for High Altitude Platform Station.

[0073] The targeted earth coverage area or field of view of a satellite consists of one or more beams (or “spotbeams”), each of which can have a footprint with a radius according to the above table. The footprints of the beams are typically elliptical. UEs (e.g., 310) in each beam are served by a service link for that beam. Each satellite has on board antennas that can direct beams towards (multiple) centers of cells. These beams can include transmitter beams for the downlink (DL) and receiver beams for the uplink (UL). In the DL the total power of the satellite antenna is shared between simultaneous DL beams, which is not a limitation for the UL.

[0074] A spotbeam may move over the earth surface with the satellite movement or may be earth- fixed with some beam pointing mechanism used by the satellite to compensate for its motion. In these two cases, the spotbeam may be referred to as an earth-moving cell (or beam) or an earth- fixed cell (or beam). As noted in the table above, the size of a spotbeam may range from a few kilometers to a few thousand kilometers but in general are much larger than cells or beams in a terrestrial RAN. Moreover, as shown in Figure 3, adjacent beams may overlap and cause significant levels of intercell interference. A typical approach to overcome this interference in an NTN is to configure nearby cells (or spotbeams) with different carrier frequencies and / or antenna polarizations.

[0075] A GEO satellite is typically fed by one or more gateways deployed across the satellite target coverage area, which may be regional or continental. UEs in a cell or beam are served by only one of these gateway. In contrast, a non-GEO satellite may be served successively by one or more gateways at any given time. The system ensures service and feeder link continuity between the successive serving gateways with sufficient time duration to proceed with mobility anchoring and handover.

[0076] The orbit altitude results in satellite systems - even LEOs - having a significantly higher propagation path loss than experienced in terrestrial RANs. To overcome this pathloss, access and feeder links may need to be operated in line-of-sight conditions and a UE may need to be equipped with an antenna array with high directional gain.

[0077] Each satellite may provide transparent or regenerative payload handling. Transparent payload handling typically involves satellite operations such as radio frequency (RF) filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification of an incoming payload (e.g., service link) to generate an outgoing payload (e.g., feeder link), such that the incoming and outgoing signals are substantially unchanged. In contrast, regenerative payload handling typically also involves demodulation / decoding of the incoming payload, switching, routing, and coding / modulation of the outgoing payload. In terms of a terrestrial RAN, this is equivalent to having all or part of a base station (e.g., gNB) on board the satellite.

[0078] A constellation of multiple LEO and / or MEO satellites may be used to provide services in both Northern and Southern hemispheres. In some case, the constellation can even provide global coverage including polar regions. This capability requires appropriate orbit inclination, sufficient number of beams, and inter-satellite links (ISL). Note that regenerative payloads are often used for ISL, which may RF or optical.

[0079] In LEO or MEO constellations, a large number of satellites deployed over a range of orbits is required to provide continuous coverage across the earth. Launching a large satellite constellation is expensive, risky, and time-consuming. Thus, it is expected that all present and planned LEO and MEO satellite constellations will only provide partial earth-coverage. In case of some constellations dedicated to massive Internet of Things (loT) services with relaxed latency requirements, it may be sufficient to provide occasional or periodic coverage according to the orbital period of the constellation.

[0080] A satellite orbit is often described using six (6) parameters, which may be referred to collectively as “ephemeris data” or “ephemeris”. Many different orbit representations are possible, but one set of ephemeris often used in astronomy is (cz, a, z, , co, f). In particular, semi-major axis a and eccentricity a describe the shape and size of the orbit ellipse; inclination z, right ascension of the ascending node , and argument of periapsis co determine its position in space, and epoch t is a reference time such as a time when the satellite moves through periapsis. Figure 4 shows two views of a satellite orbit described by this set of ephemeris.

[0081] Typically, ephemeris data also includes a timestamp that indicates a time when the orbital parameters were obtained or until which the orbital parameters are valid. The position of a satellite at any given time can be predicted from the ephemeris using orbital equations, with the accuracy degrading with increasing duration before or after the timestamp. The validity duration of ephemeris data depends on many factors such as shape / altitude of orbit and the desired accuracy, but typically ranges from a few days to a few years for communication satellites. 3 GPP introduced NTN support for LTE and NR in Rel-17, with specification of additional NTN-related enhancements continuing for Rel-18. Even so, this support is limited to the transparent payload handling mentioned above. In a 3 GPP NTN, each satellite may be considered a RAN node in a similar manner as a terrestrial gNB. In some cases, components of an NTN RAN node can be distributed between the satellite and a gateway or other ground station, connected via the feeder link.

[0082] 3GPP TR 38.821 (vl6.2.0) also suggests that satellite ephemeris data should be provided to the UE, such as to assist with pointing a directional antenna (or an antenna beam) towards the satellite. If the UE is aware of its own position (e.g., from GNSS positioning), the UE may also use satellite ephemeris data to calculate a Timing Advance (TA) and a Doppler shift for transmissions to / from the satellite.

[0083] As briefly mentioned above, 3 GPP Rel-17 and Rel-18 introduced support of multicast and broadcast services (MBS). These include broadcast services in which data is transmitted to all users in a broadcast service area, and multicast services in which data is transmitted to an authorized subset of all users in the service area. A UE can received broadcast service without transmitting on the UL, while to receive multicast service, the UE needs to remain “connected” to the network using the UL, similar to conventional unicast communication.

[0084] 5GC provides IP multicast data to UEs over MBS sessions, each of which may be a multicast session or a broadcast session and have associated Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. In the RAN, each MBS session is carried to UEs over one or more MBS Radio Bearers (MRBs), which are counterparts to Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) used to carry unicast data of a UE’s protocol data unit (PDU) session with the RAN.

[0085] MBS solutions provide point-to-multipoint (PTM) distribution in which a single downlink radio signal can be received by multiple UEs, thereby improving communications efficiency since. 3 GPP-standardized functionality facilitates implementation of MBS features with little or no hardware impact on network and UEs. As such, communication service providers (CSPs) can utilize the same frequency band or spectrum for both unicast and MBS services, i.e., without dedicated broadcast bands.

[0086] The 5GC provides IP multicast data to UEs over MBS sessions, each of which may be a multicast session or a broadcast session and have associated Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. In the RAN, each MBS session is carried to UEs over one or more MBS Radio Bearers (MRBs), which are counterparts to Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) used to carry unicast data of a UE’s protocol data unit (PDU) session with the RAN.

[0087] Figure 5 shows an example of how a UE (510) obtains MBS broadcast service from a RAN node (520, e.g., gNB). The UE initially receives a broadcast system information block (SIB), which carries a configuration for an MBS control channel (MCCH) and a basic configurations for an MBS traffic channel (MTCH). After obtaining the MCCH configuration via SIB, the UE monitors the MCCH to obtain an MTCH configuration, which includes information about the broadcast MBS sessions that are available and additional configurations to receive the MBS data on MTCH. After obtaining this information via MCCH, the UE can then monitor the broadcast MTCH for data associated with the broadcast MBS sessions.

[0088] According to 3GPP TS 38.331 (vl8.1.0) section 5.9.3 (repeated below in relevant part), a UE releases an MRB to stop receiving a session of an MBS broadcast service carried by the MRB, in response to various conditions. Note that one of the conditions in this section is upon the UE leaving the cell that broadcasts the MBS service the UE is receiving or is interested in receiving *** Begin excerpt from 3GPP TS 38.331 (vl8.1.0) ***

[0089] 5.9.3 Broadcast MRB configuration

[0090] 5.9.3.1 General

[0091] The broadcast MRB configuration procedure is used by the UE to configure PDCP, RLC, MAC and the physical layer upon starting and / or stopping to receive a broadcast MRB transmitted on MTCH, or upon modification of a configuration of a broadcast MRB received by the UE. The procedure applies to MBS capable UEs that are interested to receive or that are receiving an MBS broadcast service that are in RRC IDLE, RRC INACTIVE or RRC CONNECTED with an active BWP with common search space configured by searchSpaceMTCH or searchSpaceMCCH .

[0092] NOTE: How to perform a modification of a broadcast MRB which is already configured in the UE is left to UE implementation.

[0093] 5.9.3.2 Initiation

[0094] The UE applies the broadcast MRB establishment procedure to start receiving an MBS session of an MBS broadcast service it is interested in. The procedure may be initiated e.g., upon start of the MBS session, upon entering a cell providing an MBS broadcast service the UE is interested in, upon becoming interested in the ongoing MBS broadcast service, upon removal of the UE capability limitations inhibiting reception of the ongoing MBS broadcast service UE is interested in.

[0095] The UE applies the broadcast MRB release procedure to stop receiving a session of an MBS broadcast service. The procedure may be initiated, e.g., upon stop of the MBS session, upon leaving the cell broadcasting the MBS service the UE is interested in, upon losing interest in the MBS service, when capability limitations start inhibiting reception of the concerned service.

[0096] *** End excerpt from 3GPP TS 38.331 (vl8.1.0) ***

[0097] 3GPP standardization of NTN enhancements for LTE and NR is continued in Rel-19, driven by actual or planned deployment of NTNs. One of the Rel-19 NTN enhancements is SIB signaling to indicate an intended service area of a broadcast service (e.g., MBS broadcast), especially for satellite beam footprints covering large areas. Currently, the working assumption for 3GPP standardization is that an intended service area may cover a portion of one NTN cell or may cover multiple NTN cells (or portions thereof).

[0098] As mentioned above, in terrestrial RANs, a UE releases its MRB(s) to stop receiving MBS broadcast session(s) in response to various conditions, one of which is upon leaving the cell that broadcasts the MBS service the UE is receiving or is interested in receiving. While this condition is reasonable for terrestrial RANs, it is unsuitable for NTNs where a broadcast service area does not have a one-to-one association with a cell. For example, an NTN broadcast service area may be limited to a portion of a cell or different portions of multiple cells (e.g., due to regulatory or legal constraints), which motivates the intended broadcast service area concept introduced in 3GPP Rel-19. Moreover, the relatively large size of NTN cells (e.g., 50 km for LEO) makes them prone to cross regional or national borders into areas where access to MBS services may be subject to different regulations.

[0099] A consequence of introducing the intended broadcast service area for an MBS broadcast service in an NTN cell is that the UE behavior upon entering or leaving the area is still unclear. Thus, it is desirable to specify conditions under which a UE establishes or releases the MRBs associated with the MBS broadcast service related to an intended broadcast service area. Furthermore, the specified conditions should minimize potential negative effects on the user experience receiving the MBS broadcast service and minimize the UE energy consumption.

[0100] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide flexible and efficient location-based conditions for UE behavior in relation to MBS broadcast services provided via NTN systems with geographically limited-service areas, such as when the intended broadcast service area is smaller than a cell due to legal or regulatory constraints. Embodiments also include temporal, spatial, or temporo-spatial hysteresis mechanisms that facilitate more efficient UE establishment and release of MRBs (and optionally other UE actions) that reduce negative impact on user experience of the MBS broadcast service.

[0101] Embodiments described herein may provide various advantages, benefits, and / or solutions to problems. For example, embodiments may clarify correct UE behavior when entering and / or exiting an intended service area of an MBS broadcast service provided via an NTN. As another example, embodiments may reduce and / or eliminate a potential “ping-pong” effects due to UE establishment and release of MRB(s) near the boundary of an MBS broadcast service’s intended area. As such, embodiments may mitigate negative consequences of frequent UE crossings of the intended service area boundary, including false “crossings” due to UE location measurement inaccuracies. As another example, embodiments may reduce UE energy consumption and improve user experience for MBS broadcast services provided via NTN.

[0102] Although the following description is often based on the context ofNRNTNs, described techniques and embodiments are equally applicable to NTNs based on LTE or other radio access technologies (RATs), including non-3GPP RATs.

[0103] Although the following description is often based on the context of NR MBS, described techniques and embodiments are equally applicable to LTE MBMS or multicast / broadcast systems based on other RATs, including non-3GPP RATs. Moreover, the term “MBS” may refer to multicast service, broadcast service, or both, with the specific meaning being implied by each specific context of use.

[0104] In the present disclosure, an area in which a broadcast MBS service is to be provided, from the providing NTN’s perspective, may be referred to interchangeably as “service area”, “intended service area”, “broadcast service area”, and “intended broadcast service area”.

[0105] For all distance calculations in the present disclosure, the altitudes of the points / locations between which a distance is measured are ignored. In other words, only horizontal distances or distances along a surface of an WGS 84 earth ellipsoid are considered.

[0106] In some embodiments, a UE is configured with one or more location- or distance-based conditions under which the UE shall establish (or setup) and / or release MRBs associated with an MBS broadcast service. For example, the conditions may be upon entering and exiting a geographical area corresponding to the MBS service area, such that the UE establishes (releases) the MRBs when it determines that it enters (leaves) the geographical area.

[0107] In some embodiments, the location- or distance-based conditions include a hysteresis quantity that delays UE establishment and / or release MRBs associated with an MBS broadcast service, when entering / exiting the geographical area corresponding to the MBS service area. UEs in NTNs depend upon the accuracy of GNSS-based location measurements, which may be inaccurate when the UE is moving or fluctuate when the UE is stationary. Thus, a hysteresis mechanism will provide a safety margin to secure a timely and adequate start of UE location- triggered procedures such as MRB establishment and release. Various detailed embodiments of hysteresis are described in more detail below.

[0108] As an example of these embodiments, an NTN provides an MBS broadcast service with an intended service area, and configures UEs with a geographical area corresponding to the intended service area and with a hysteresis quantity that adds a safety margin to account for errors and / or fluctuations in the UE’s perceived location relative to the border of the intended service area. In effect, the hysteresis quantity “enlarges” the intended service area. A UE interested in receiving or already receiving the MBS broadcast service evaluates whether it is (still) located within the geographical area corresponding to the intended service area, based on its own position (obtained through GNSS receiver or other means) and the hysteresis quantity. If the UE determines it is located outside the intended service area - including the hysteresis quantity - releases its established MRBs or refrains from establishing MRBs for the MBS broadcast service.

[0109] One potential problem with the release of MRB(s) upon leaving the intended service area is that a UE located near the boundary of the intended service area may repeatedly move (or perceive that it is moving, even if not) in and out of the intended service area. Given that the intended service area corresponds to a geographical area rather than with a cell, as in terrestrial RANs, the UE may suffer from a ping-pong effect where it repeatedly cycles through establishing and releasing MRBs based on its repeated entering and leaving (which may be actual or perceived) the service area, even when remains in the same NTN cell. For instance, a UE GNSS receiver might provide repeated UE locations that vary by meters or tens of meters depending on propagation conditions, which may cause the UE to perceive that it is repeatedly entering and leaving the intended service area - even if it is not. A similar problem may occur when the UE is moving (e.g., on a road) close to or along a boundary of the intended service area, such as a border between two countries. The hysteresis quantity helps to mitigate these problems, thereby improving user experience of the MBS broadcast service and UE energy consumption.

[0110] Another source of inaccuracy may be the format used by the NTN to specify the intended service area. A coarsely specified intended service area might lead the UE to erroneously determine that it is within (or outside of) the intended service area.

[0111] Embodiments of the present disclosure are based on two primary types of hysteresis: spatial hysteresis and temporal hysteresis. At a high level, spatial hysteresis may be configured in one of the following forms:

[0112] • A single distance threshold representing a distance (from the outside) to the geographical boundary of the intended service area. Within this distance of the service area boundary, the UE may consider that it is still located within the intended service area. The indication may take the form of a distance (e.g., in meters or miles) relative to the geographical boundary of the intended service area, or of an absolute definition of an additional boundary (e.g., based on geodetic coordinates - latitude and longitude - and line / area descriptive parameters). The distance threshold, distance, or boundary may be configured by the network, specified in a standard or left for UE implementation.

[0113] • Two distance thresholds representing 1) an outer hysteresis boundary for exiting the intended service area, and 2) an inner hysteresis boundary for entering the intended service area. Each of these distance thresholds may be in the form of a distance relative to the geographical boundary of the intended service area, or of an absolute definition of a boundary (e.g., based on geodetic coordinates and line / area descriptive parameters). Each of the distance thresholds, distances, or boundaries may be configured by the network, specified in a standard or left for UE implementation.

[0114] Figure 6 shows an example of spatial hysteresis in relation to a UE (600) near a service area border, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the spatial hysteresis includes an outside hysteresis boundary that is outside of the actual geographic border of the intended service area, and an inside hysteresis boundary that is within the actual geographic border of the intended service area. The two hysteresis boundaries separated by a certain distance. When the UE moves from within to outside of the service area border, the UE does not release MRBs for the MBS broadcast service until it determines that it crossed the outer hysteresis boundary. Likewise, when the UE moves from outside to within the service area border, the UE does not establish MRBs for the MBS broadcast service of interest until it determines that it crossed the inner hysteresis boundary. In effect, the spatial hysteresis makes the intended service area larger or smaller depending on the UE direction of travel relative to the actual border, thereby reducing or eliminating the “ping-pong” effect described above.

[0115] When located in a hysteresis region, the UE considers itself to have the same inside / outside status as it had before it entered the hysteresis region. In other words, the UE must consider its location history together with the hysteresis. However, the UE may not always have history available. In some embodiments, when the UE initially determines whether it is within or outside of the intended service area, the UE may ignore the hysteresis quantity and use only the geographical description of the intended service area and the UE’s own determined position (e.g., via GNSS) to determine whether it is inside or outside the intended service area. For example, this may occur when the UE first determines (e.g., based on user indication) that it wants to receive the MBS broadcast service, when the UE is turned on, when the UE returns from outside of NTN coverage, etc.

[0116] Figure 7 shows an example of an elliptical service area border with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The outer hysteresis boundary is located a distance Douter outside of the service area border and the inner hysteresis boundary is located at distance Dinner within the service area border. This hysteresis may be configured by providing Dinner and Douter to the UE.

[0117] As one option, both Dinner and Douter can be configured as positive values, provided that UE and NTN have a common understanding (e.g., from a 3GPP specification) that the inner hysteresis boundary is located inside the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary is located outside the service area border. As another option, a hysteresis boundary’s distance from the service area border may be configured to be positive if the hysteresis boundary is located outside the service area border or negative if the hysteresis boundary is located inside the service area border (or vice versa).

[0118] As another option, Douter may be configured as a positive value when the outer hysteresis boundary is located outside the service area border and a negative value when the outer hysteresis boundary is located inside the service area border (as in an example below). In contrast, Dinner may be configured as a positive value when the inner hysteresis boundary is located inside the service area border a negative value when the inner hysteresis boundary is located outside the service area border (as in another example below).

[0119] As another option, when Dinner and Douter are equal, then they may be configured as a single hysteresis quantity D = Dinner = Douter. Alternatively, the distance between the inner and outer hysteresis boundaries (e.g., Dhyst = Dinner + Douter = 2 * Dinner = 2 * Douter) may be configured with the common understanding that the service area border is located at equal distances from the inner and outer hysteresis boundaries.

[0120] Figure 8 shows another example of an elliptical service area border with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the inner hysteresis boundary coincides with the service area border. This may be configured explicitly by a value of Dinner = 0, or implicitly based on a configuration that includes a value only for D outer-

[0121] Figure 9 shows another example of an elliptical service area border with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the outer hysteresis boundary coincides with the service area border. This may be configured explicitly by a value of Douter = 0, or implicitly based on a configuration that includes a value only for Dinner.

[0122] Figure 10 shows another example of an elliptical service area border with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, both hysteresis boundaries are inside of the service area border. This example may be useful when it is important that a UE does not consider itself to be inside the service area border when its actual location is outside the service area border but the opposite is less important. In other words, this hysteresis configuration provides a safety margin since the UE will consider itself to be outside the service area when it has crossed the outer hysteresis boundary in the outwards direction, even though it is still within the actual service area border.

[0123] Figure 11 shows another example of an elliptical service area border with corresponding elliptical inner and outer hysteresis boundaries, according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, both hysteresis boundaries are outside of the service area border. This example may be useful when it is important that a UE does not consider itself to be outside the service area border when its actual location is inside the service area border but the opposite is less important. In other words, this hysteresis configuration provides a safety margin since the UE will consider itself to be inside the service area when it has crossed the inner hysteresis boundary in the inwards direction, even though it is still outside of the actual service area border.

[0124] The examples shown in Figures 7-11 use an ellipse as the shape of the service area border. As one possibility, an ellipse may be configured various information elements (IES) specified in 3GPP TS 37.355 (vl8.1.0) and 3GPP TS 23.032 (vl8.1.0), such as EllipsoidPointWith- Uncertainty Ellipse, HA-EllipsoidPointWithScalableUncerrainty Ellipse, and HighAccuracy- EllipsoidPointWith UncertaintyEllipse .

[0125] In contrast, temporal hysteresis is defined in the time domain rather than spatially. At a high level, temporal hysteresis may be configured as a time threshold, duration, delay period, or time-to-trigger (TTT), which may be collectively referred to as “delay period.” When a UE that previously determined it was located inside the intended service area (and possibly established MRBs) then determines it is located outside the intended service area, the UE initiates a timer corresponding to the delay period. While the timer is running, the UE still considers itself to be within the intended service area. If at the end of the delay period the UE determines that it is still outside the service area (and it has remained outside of the service area during the delay period), then the UE from that point on considers itself to be outside the service area.

[0126] The delay period may be configured by the network, specified in a standard, or determined autonomously by the UE. The indication or configuration of the duration / delay period may take the form of seconds, milliseconds, slots, frames, H-SFN, SFN. Optionally, the temporal hysteresis may include a delay period also for area entrances. That is, if the UE has previously considered itself to be outside the configured intended service area and then detects that it is inside the intended service area, then the UE may apply a delay period during which it still considers itself to be outside the intended service area. If the UE, at the end of the delay period, still determines that it is inside the service area (and it has not left the service area during the delay period), then the UE from that point on considers itself to be inside the service area. The delay period may be configured by the network, or specified in a standard, or determined autonomously by the UE.

[0127] In some embodiments (referred to as “delayed inside / outside status change”), a UE delays its inside / outside status change after it detects crossing the service area border for a period defined by Tstatus change delay, Moreover, the UE determines an inside / outside status change only when it remains on the same side of the service area border (according to its determination) throughout the entire period Tstatus change delay after detecting that it crossed the service area border.

[0128] For these embodiments, the UE only needs to be configured with a value for Tstatus change delay. Alternately, this value may be specified and / or hard-coded. Optionally, different Tstatus change delay values could be configured (or specified) for inward and outward service area border crossings, which may be denoted respectively as Tstatus change delay; inward and T status change delay outward •

[0129] In other embodiments (referred to as “limited frequency of inside / outside status changes”), a UE limits the frequency of its inside / outside status changes, thereby mitigating the negative consequences of possible ping-pong behavior. Whenever the UE changes its inside / outside status, a grace period is initiated (e.g., by a timer) and the UE is not allowed to change its inside / outside status during the grace period, regardless of service area border crossings. When the grace period is finished, the UE may change its inside / outside status if it is then located on the other side of the service area border than it was when the grace period was started. If not within a grace period, the UE is allowed to change its inside / outside status immediately upon detecting that it crossed the service area boundary.

[0130] For these embodiments, the UE only needs to be configured with a value for the grace period duration. Alternately, this value may be specified and / or hard-coded. Optionally, different grace period durations could be configured (or specified) for inward and outward service area border crossings.

[0131] Other embodiments may utilize a combination (or hybrid) of temporal hysteresis and spatial hysteresis, also referred to as temporo-spatial or spatio-temporal hysteresis. In some hybrid variants, the inner and outer hysteresis boundaries of the spatial hysteresis are configured together with a Tstatus change delay (OF a Tstatus change delay outwards and a Tstatus change delay inwards). A change of inside / outside status, when triggered according to the spatial hysteresis configuration, is delayed by T status change delay (OF by Tstatus change delay outwards OF Tstatus change delay! inwards, according tO direction).

[0132] In other hybrid variants, the inner and outer hysteresis boundaries of the spatial hysteresis are configured together with a grace period, which is started whenever the UE changes its inside / outside status in accordance with the spatial hysteresis configuration. In other hybrid variants, the inner and outer hysteresis boundaries of the spatial hysteresis are configured together with a Tstatus change delay (OF a Tstatus change delay outwards and a Tstatus change delay inwards). With this hybrid configuration and assuming an inner hysteresis boundary located inside the service area border, after crossing the service area border into the service area, the UE does not change its inside / outside status to “inside” until the earlier of the following: 1) crossing the inner hysteresis boundary, or 2) T status change delay (or Tstatus change delay inward) after the service area border crossing, during which the UE remains between the service area border and the inner hysteresis boundary.

[0133] Similarly, assuming an outer hysteresis boundary located outside the service area border, after crossing the service area border outward, the UE does not change its inside / outside status to “outside” until the earlier of the following: 1) crossing the outer hysteresis boundary, or 2) T status change delay (or T status change delay outwards) after the service area border crossing, during which the UE remains between the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0134] If spatial and / or temporal hysteresis is left to UE implementation, then in some embodiments the NTN may configure the UE to allow or prohibit a UE implementation-based hysteresis. For example, the NTN can use an ASN. l type BOOLEAN variable such as serviceAreaHysteresisAllowed, with a value of “true” indicating hysteresis allowed and a value of false (or absence of the variable) indicating hysteresis prohibited.

[0135] In some embodiment, the hysteresis configuration may be provided via broadcast signaling, such as in a System Information Block (SIB). For example, the hysteresis configuration may be indicated explicitly or implicitly in association with one or more of the following MBS- related parameters:

[0136] • Intended Service Area, described by geographical coordinates and / or geometric- descriptive parameters;

[0137] • Multicast and Broadcast configuration (e.g., MCCH in SIB20);

[0138] • Multicast and / or Broadcast service information (e.g., TMGI IE);

[0139] • Multicast and / or Broadcast session information (e.g., in MBS-SessionlnfoList IE or associated with a certain g-RNTI IE); and

[0140] • Associated service carrier frequencies (e.g., SIB21).

[0141] In other embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is included in a new SIB. For example, the intended service area and the hysteresis configuration are included together in a new SIB. In other embodiments, the network may provide the hysteresis configuration individually to UEs via dedicated signaling, such an existing RRC message or a newly defined RRC message.

[0142] Figure 12 shows an exemplary ASN.l data structure for a System Information Block 20 (SIB20-rl7) IE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ASN.l definition for the SIB20-rl7 IE in 3GPP TS 38.331 (vl8.1.0) is used as the baseline for Figure 12, with certain fields added. In particular, the field service Ar ea-r 19 defines a service area as a circle based on a reference location and a radius, while the field hysterisis-rl9 defines a spatial hysteresis associated with the defined service area. For example, the field hysterisis-rl9 may define the spatial hysteresis in terms of one or multiple distance thresholds, as discussed above.

[0143] The following provides some examples that further illustrate UE evaluation of inside / outside status based on spatial hysteresis.

[0144] In a first example, the intended broadcast service area is defined by a circle. Figure 13 shows an example where the broadcast service area is a circle centered at a point defined by (Lat2, Lon2) and having a radius T. The spatial hysteresis for MRB establishment is and the spatial hysteresis for MRB release as H2. If a UE determines that it is a distance D from the center point (Lat2, Lon2), then UE evaluation of inside function fl(D) gives “1” when D < T-Hl and “0” when D > T-Hl. Likewise, UE evaluation of outside function f2(D) gives “1 when D > T+H2 and “0” when D < T+H2.

[0145] For determination of D, assume that the UE determines it is located at geodetic point (Latl, Lonl), e.g., based on GNSS measurements. Assuming that (Latl, Lonl) and (Lat2, Lon2) are both on the earth’s sphere, the distance D between (Latl, Lonl) and (Lat2, Lon2) can be calculated using the following Haversine formula: where R is the earth’s radius of approximately 6371 kilometers. When the distance D is small relative to the earth’s radius, it can be approximated with the Euclidean distance, DEuciidan, which can be calculated as follows:

[0146] Accordingly, for determining whether to establish MRBs for an MBS broadcast service (assuming no MRBs have already been established), the UE evaluates the following function fi(D)--

[0147] When evaluation of the function returns 1, the UE establishes one or more MRBs; otherwise the UE does not. Similarly, for determining whether to release established / active MRBs, the UE evaluates the following f2(D) as follows:

[0148] 1, if D > T + H2f2D) = [

[0149] 0, otherwise

[0150] When evaluation of the function returns 1, the UE releases one or more active MRBs; otherwise the UE does not.

[0151] In a second example, the intended broadcast service area is defined by a polygon, such as described in 3GPP TS 23.032 (vl7.2.0). Figure 14 shows an example where the intended service area P for the MBS broadcast service is defined based on an arbitrary or irregular polygon that is described by an ordered series of geodetic points, sequentially interconnected by straight lines. Additionally, the intended broadcast service area has a spatial hysteresis defined by a distance H outside of the intended broadcast service area (i.e., no inside spatial hysteresis).

[0152] Assuming the UE determines it is located at geodetic point (Lat, Lon), the UE evaluates the following function f(D) that determines whether (Lat, Lon) is within the boundary of region P+H:nfl, if (Lat, Lon)is within P + H f(Lat, Lon, P, H) = 1 ,

[0153] (.0, otherwise

[0154] If the UE is outside of P but within the region P+H, the UE can consider itself to still be inside the intended broadcast service areas, so long as the UE has previously determined that it was inside P and has not since left the region P+H.

[0155] The UE thus also has to determine whether it is inside or outside the polygon. For example, a ray casting algorithm may be used for this determination. It involves drawing a line (or ray) from the UE’s determined location to a point known to be outside (or inside) of P and counting the number of times it intersects the polygon edges (i.e., connecting lines). If the count is odd, the UE’s determined location is inside P; if the count is even (or zero), the UE’s determined location is outside P.

[0156] In some embodiments, a point (or location) outside P to be used in the ray casting algorithm may be provided to the UE together with the polygon definition and / or with the hysteresis configuration. In other embodiments, a point (or location) outside the intended service area to be used in the ray casting algorithm may be provided to the UE together with a service area definition other than a polygon shape.

[0157] In a third example, the intended broadcast service area may be defined by a union of a polygon (as in the second example) and one or more circles (as in the first example). In this case, the UE evaluation of the hysteresis can be done by first determining the regions obtained by applying the hysteresis to the individual polygon and circles, then taking the union of those respective regions.

[0158] In various embodiments, when the UE evaluates whether it is within the intended service area for a MBS broadcast service based on the hysteresis configuration, it may perform various actions depending on the evaluation outcome. For example, when the UE determines it is located within the intended service area it may initiate or continue MBS operation according to the present 3GPP specification. More specifically, the UE may establish one or more MRBs or continue using its established MRBs for MBS broadcast sessions available in the intended service area. On the other hand, when the UE determines is not located within the intended service area, the UE may perform one or more of the following actions:

[0159] • Release established MRBs for the MBS broadcast session, which is not available to the UE in the current UE location. This procedure is specified in 3GPP TS 38.331 (vl8.1.0) section 5.9.3.4.

[0160] • Send a request to the network (e.g., gNB) for provision of the MBS service in its current location. The request may include one or more of the following information: current UE location, identifier of the requested MBS service (e.g., IE TMGT), UE or group identifier used to scramble the transmission (e.g., IE RNTI-Value), and an indication whether the UE can receive the MBS service in its current location via broadcast, multicast, or both. If the UE is in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE, the UE transitions to RRC CONNECTED to send this request. This UE-initiated request may re-use the existing MBS Interest Indication procedure or use a separate procedure using newly defined or existing RRC messages.

[0161] Various features of the embodiments described above correspond to various operations illustrated in Figures 15-16, which show exemplary methods (e.g., procedures) performed by a UE and a RAN node, respectively. In other words, various features of the operations described below correspond to various embodiments described above. Furthermore, the exemplary methods shown in Figures 15-16 can be used cooperatively to provide various benefits, advantages, and / or solutions to problems described herein. Although Figures 15-16 shows specific blocks in a particular order, the operations of the exemplary methods can be performed in different orders than shown and can be combined and / or divided into blocks having different functionality than shown. Optional blocks or operations are indicated by dashed lines.

[0162] In particular, Figure 15 (which includes parts A and B) shows an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) for a UE configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a nonterrestrial network (NTN), according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary method can be performed by a UE (e.g., wireless device, etc.) such as described elsewhere herein.

[0163] The exemplary method includes the operations of block 1510, where the UE obtains the following: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area. The exemplary method also includes the operations of block 1520, where the UE determines its own geographic location. The exemplary method also includes the operations of block 1530, where the UE determines a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration. The exemplary method also includes the operations of block 1540, where based on the determined relation, the UE selectively manages one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

[0164] In some embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border. In some of these embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0165] In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary. In some variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary. In other variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0166] In some variants of these embodiments, one of following applies:

[0167] • the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border (e.g., Figure 7);

[0168] • the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are within the service area border (e.g., Figure 10);

[0169] • the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are outside of the service area border (e.g., Figure 11); and

[0170] • one of the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary is at the service area border (e.g., Figures 8-9).

[0171] In some variants of these embodiments, determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds in block 1530 includes one or more of the following operations, labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0172] • (1531) when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the outer hysteresis boundary; and

[0173] • (1532) when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is within the inner hysteresis boundary.

[0174] In some further variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active, includes the following operations labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0175] • (1540a) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the outer hysteresis boundary, releasing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0176] • (1540b) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to within the outer hysteresis boundary, refraining from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

[0177] In some further variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active, includes the following operations labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0178] • (1540c) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the inner hysteresis boundary, establishing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0179] • (1540d) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, refraining from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0180] In some further variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, includes the operations of sub-block 1540e, where the UE sends to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s geographic location.

[0181] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period. In some variants of these embodiments, determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds in block 1530 includes the following operations, labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0182] • (1533) when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the service area border; and

[0183] • (1534) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, initiating a timer with one of the following: a first one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

[0184] In some variants of these embodiments, determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds in block 1530 includes the following operations, labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0185] • (1535) when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is within the service area border; and

[0186] • (1536) when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, initiating a timer with one of the following: a second one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

[0187] In some further variants, the first and second status change delay periods are identical.

[0188] In some variants of these embodiments, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation includes the operations of sub-block 1540f, where when the timer is initiated with the status change grace period, the UE refrains from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers while the timer is running. In other variants of these embodiments, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation includes the operations of sub-block 1540g, where when the timer is initiated with one of the status change delay periods, the UE determines its subsequent geographic location upon expiration of the timer. In some further variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active, includes the following operations labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0189] • (1540h) when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, releasing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0190] • (1540i) when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, refraining from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

[0191] In other further variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active, includes the following operations labelled with corresponding sub-block numbers:

[0192] • (1540j) when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, establishing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0193] • (1540k) when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, refraining from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0194] As a further extension to these variants, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation in block 1540, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, also includes the operations of sub-block 1540m, where the UE sends to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s subsequent geographic location.

[0195] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold. In some variants of these embodiments, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service in block 1540 is based on the following: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0196] In some embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is obtained according to one of the following: received from the NTN together with the configuration of the intended service area, received from the NTN separate from the configuration of the intended service area, and UE preconfiguration. In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is received from the NTN in one of the following: a broadcast system information block (SIB), or a unicast radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0197] In addition, Figure 16 shows an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) for a RAN node configured to support MBS in an NTN, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary method can be performed by a RAN node (e.g., base station, eNB, gNB, en-gNB, etc.) or units thereof (e.g., CU, DU), such as described elsewhere herein.

[0198] The exemplary method includes the operations of block 1610, where the RAN node transmits a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area. The exemplary method also includes the operations of block 1620, where the RAN node transmits the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

[0199] In some embodiments, a relation between UE geographic location and one or more thresholds, defined by the configuration of the intended service area and the hysteresis configuration, facilitates UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service. This corresponds to UE features discussed above in relation to Figure 15.

[0200] In some embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border. In some of these embodiments, the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0201] In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary. In some variants of these embodiments, one of following applies:

[0202] • the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border (e.g., Figure 7);

[0203] • the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are within the service area border (e.g., Figure 10);

[0204] • the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are outside of the service area border (e.g., Figure 11); and

[0205] • one of the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary is at the service area border (e.g., Figures 8-9).

[0206] In some variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary. In other variants of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary. In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period. In some variants of these embodiments, the status change grace period corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, that the UE is prohibited from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0207] In some variants of these embodiments, the one or more status change delay periods include a single status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0208] In other variants of these embodiments, the one or more status change delay periods include the following:

[0209] • a first status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing the one or more radio bearers; and

[0210] • a second status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from outside to within the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0211] In some further variants, the first and second status change delay periods are identical.

[0212] In other of these embodiments, the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold. In some variants of these embodiments, the following relations facilitate UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0213] In some embodiments, the exemplary method also includes the operations of block 1630, where the RAN node receives from a UE a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s current geographic location, which is outside of the intended service area.

[0214] In some embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is transmitted according to one of the following: together with the configuration of the intended service area, or separate from the configuration of the intended service area. In some of these embodiments, the hysteresis configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a broadcast system information block (SIB), or unicast radio resource control (RRC) messages sent to respective user equipment (UE).

[0215] Although various embodiments are described above in terms of methods, techniques, and / or procedures, the person of ordinary skill will readily comprehend that such methods, techniques, and / or procedures can be embodied by various combinations of hardware and software in various systems, communication devices, computing devices, control devices, apparatuses, non-transitory computer-readable media, computer program products, etc.

[0216] Figure 17 shows an example of a communication system 1700 in accordance with some embodiments. In this example, communication system 1700 includes a telecommunication network 1702 that includes an access network 1704 (e.g., RAN) and a core network 1706, which includes one or more core network nodes 1708. In some embodiments, telecommunication network 1702 can also include one or more Network Management (NM) nodes 1718, which can be part of an operation support system (OSS), a business support system (BSS), or an operations / administration / maintenance (0AM) system. NM node(s) 1718 can monitor operations of other nodes in access network 1004 and core network 1706.

[0217] Access network 1704 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 1710a-b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 1710), or any other similar 3 GPP access node or non-3GPP access point. Network nodes 1710 facilitate direct or indirect connection of UEs, such as by connecting UEs 1712a-d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 1712) to core network 1706 over one or more wireless connections.

[0218] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, communication system 1700 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. Communication system 1700 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0219] UEs 1712 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes 1710 and other communication devices. Similarly, network nodes 1710 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with UEs 1712 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in telecommunication network 1702 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in telecommunication network 1702. In the depicted example, core network 1706 connects network nodes 1710 to one or more hosts, such as host 1716. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. Core network 1706 includes one or more core network nodes (e.g., 1708) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 1708. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0220] Host 1716 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of access network 1704 and / or telecommunication network 1702, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Host 1716 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0221] As a whole, communication system 1700 of Figure 17 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE); New Radio (NR); and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.17 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z- Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0222] In some examples, telecommunication network 1702 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, telecommunication network 1702 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to telecommunication network 1702. For example, telecommunication network 1702 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / Massive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0223] In some embodiments, telecommunication network 1702 may be, include, or be part of a non-terrestrial network (NTN), such as discussed above in relation to other embodiments. In such embodiments, access network 1704 may be a non-terrestrial access network in which network nodes 1710 utilize radio frequency (RF) resources on board a satellite, unmanned aerial system (UAS) platform, or other airborne or spacebome vehicle.

[0224] In some examples, UEs 1712 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to access network 1704 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from access network 1704. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e., being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0225] In the example, hub 1714 communicates with access network 1704 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., 1712c and / or 1712d) and network nodes (e.g., 1710b). In some examples, hub 1714 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, hub 1714 may be a broadband router enabling access to core network 1706 for the UEs. As another example, hub 1714 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 1710, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in hub 1714. As another example, hub 1714 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, hub 1714 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, hub 1714 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which hub 1714 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, hub 1714 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0226] Hub 1714 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1710b. Hub 1714 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between hub 1714 and UEs (e.g., 1712c and / or 1712d), and between hub 1714 and core network 1706. In other examples, hub 1714 is connected to core network 1706 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, hub 1714 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over access network 1704 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with network nodes 1710 while still connected via hub 1714 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, hub 1714 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 1710b. In other embodiments, hub 1714 may be a non-dedicated hub - that is, a device which can route communications between the UEs and network node 1710b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0227] In some embodiments, any of UEs 1712 may be configured to perform operations attributed to a UE in various embodiments described above, including the exemplary method shown in Figure 15. In some embodiments, any of network nodes 1710 may be configured to perform operations attributed to a RAN node in various embodiments described above, including the exemplary method shown in Figure 16.

[0228] Figure 18 shows a UE 1800 in accordance with some embodiments. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by 3 GPP, including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0229] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0230] UE 1800 includes processing circuitry 1802 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1804 to an input / output interface 1806, a power source 1808, a memory 1810, a communication interface 1812, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 18. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0231] Processing circuitry 1802 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in memory 1810. Processing circuitry 1802 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general -purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, processing circuitry 1802 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0232] In the example, input / output interface 1806 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into UE 1800. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0233] In some embodiments, power source 1808 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. Power source 1808 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from power source 1808 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of UE 1800 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging power source 1808. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source 1808 to make the power suitable for the respective components of UE 1800 to which power is supplied. Memory 1810 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, memory 1810 includes one or more application programs 1814, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1816. Memory 1810 may store, for use by UE 1800, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0234] Memory 1810 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ Memory 1810 may allow UE 1800 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non- transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in memory 1810, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0235] Processing circuitry 1802 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using communication interface 1812. Communication interface 1812 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 1822. Communication interface 1812 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1818 and / or a receiver 1820 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, transmitter 1818 and receiver 1820 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 1822) and may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0236] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of communication interface 1812 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0237] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 1812, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 18 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0238] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0239] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to UE 1800 shown in Figure 18.

[0240] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3 GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0241] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g., by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0242] In some embodiments, UE 1800 may be configured to perform operations attributed to a UE in various embodiments described above, including the exemplary method shown in Figure 15.

[0243] Figure 19 shows a network node 1900 in accordance with some embodiments. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, eNBs, gNBs), and 0-RAN nodes or components of an 0-RAN node (e g., 0-RU, 0-DU, O-CU).

[0244] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an 0-RAN access node) and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0245] In some embodiments, network node 1900 may be part of a non-terrestrial network (NTN), such as discussed above in relation to other embodiments. In such embodiments, network node 1900 may utilize radio frequency (RF) resources on board - and / or be part of - a satellite, unmanned aerial system (UAS) platform, or other airborne or spacebome vehicle.

[0246] Network node 1900 includes processing circuitry 1902, memory 1904, communication interface 1906, and power source 1908. Network node 1900 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node 1900 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, network node 1900 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 1904 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1910 may be shared by different RATs). Network node 1900 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1900, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1900.

[0247] Processing circuitry 1902 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1900 components, such as memory 1904, to provide network node 1900 functionality. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1902 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1902 includes radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1912 and / or baseband processing circuitry 1914. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 1912 and / or baseband processing circuitry 1914 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1912 and / or baseband processing circuitry 1914 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0248] Memory 1904 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 1902. Memory 1904 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions (collected denoted computer program 1904a, which may be in the form of a computer program product) capable of being executed by processing circuitry 1902 and utilized by network node 1900. Memory 1904 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry 1902 and / or any data received via communication interface 1906. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1902 and memory 1904 is integrated.

[0249] Communication interface 1906 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, communication interface 1906 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 1916 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. Communication interface 1906 also includes radio frontend circuitry 1918 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna 1910. Radio front-end circuitry 1918 comprises filters 1920 and amplifiers 1922. Radio front-end circuitry 1918 may be connected to an antenna 1910 and processing circuitry 1902. The radio front-end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 1910 and processing circuitry 1902. Radio front-end circuitry 1918 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. Radio front-end circuitry 1918 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1920 and / or amplifiers 1922. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 1910. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1910 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front-end circuitry 1918. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 1902. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0250] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 1900 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1918, instead, processing circuitry 1902 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to antenna 1910. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry 1912 is part of communication interface 1906. In still other embodiments, communication interface 1906 includes one or more ports or terminals 1916, radio front-end circuitry 1918, and RF transceiver circuitry 1912, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and communication interface 1906 communicates with baseband processing circuitry 1914, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0251] Antenna 1910 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna 1910 may be coupled to radio front-end circuitry 1918 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, antenna 1910 is separate from network node 1900 and connectable to network node 1900 through an interface or port.

[0252] Antenna 1910, communication interface 1906, and / or processing circuitry 1902 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna 1910, communication interface 1906, and / or processing circuitry 1902 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0253] Power source 1908 provides power to the various components of network node 1900 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source 1908 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of network node 1900 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, network node 1900 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of power source 1908. As a further example, power source 1908 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0254] Embodiments of network node 1900 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 19 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 1900 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into network node 1900 and to allow output of information from network node 1900. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node 1900.

[0255] In some embodiments, network node 1900 may be configured to perform operations attributed to a RAN node in various embodiments described above, including the exemplary method shown in Figure 16.

[0256] Figure 20 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 2000 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 2000 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 2000 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface.

[0257] Applications 2002 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 2000 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more virtual nodes 2002 may be configured to perform operations attributed to a RAN node in various embodiments described above, including the exemplary method shown in Figure 16.

[0258] Hardware 2004 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions (collected denoted computer program 2004a, which may be in the form of a computer program product) executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 2006 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 2008a and 2008b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 2008), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. Virtualization layer 2006 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 2008.

[0259] VMs 2008 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 2006. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 2002 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 2008, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0260] In the context of NFV, each VM 2008 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each VM 2008, and that part of hardware 2004 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 2008 on top of the hardware 2004 and corresponds to the application 2002.

[0261] Hardware 2004 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 2004 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 2004 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration function 2010, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 2002. In some embodiments, hardware 2004 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 2012 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0262] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures that, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments can be used together with one another, as well as interchangeably therewith, as should be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

[0263] The term unit, as used herein, can have conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and / or electronic devices and can include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuitry, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid state and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and / or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.

[0264] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include Digital Signal Processor (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0265] As described herein, device and / or apparatus can be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of a device or apparatus, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as a software module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution or being run on a processor. Furthermore, functionality of a device or apparatus can be implemented by any combination of hardware and software. A device or apparatus can also be regarded as an assembly of multiple devices and / or apparatuses, whether functionally in cooperation with or independently of each other. Moreover, devices and apparatuses can be implemented in a distributed fashion throughout a system, so long as the functionality of the device or apparatus is preserved. Such and similar principles are considered as known to a skilled person.

[0266] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0267] In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification and drawings, can be used synonymously in certain instances (e.g., “data” and “information”). It should be understood that although such terms may be used synonymously herein, there may be instances when such terms are not intended to be used synonymously.

[0268] Embodiments of the techniques and apparatus described herein also include, but are not limited to, the following enumerated examples:

[0269] Al . A method for a user equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the method comprising: obtaining a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; determining the UE’s geographic location; determining a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the intended service area configuration and the hysteresis configuration; and based on the determined relation, selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

[0270] A2. The method of embodiment Al, wherein the intended service area configuration defines a service area border.

[0271] A2a. The method of embodiment A2, wherein the intended service area configuration is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0272] A3. The method of any of embodiments A2-A2a, wherein the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary.

[0273] A3a. The method of embodiment A3, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0274] A3b. The method of embodiment A3, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0275] A3c. The method of any of embodiments A3a-A3b, wherein one or more of the following applies: the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border, and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border.

[0276] A3d. The method of any of embodiments A3-A3c, wherein determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the intended service area configuration and the hysteresis configuration comprises one or more of the following: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the outer hysteresis boundary; and when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is within the inner hysteresis boundary.

[0277] A3e. The method of embodiment A3d, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active: when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the outer hysteresis boundary, releasing the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to within the outer hysteresis boundary, refraining from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

[0278] A3f. The method of any of embodiments A3d-A3e, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active: when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the inner hysteresis boundary, establishing the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, refraining from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0279] A3g. The method of embodiment A3f, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, sending to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s geographic location.

[0280] A4. The method of any of embodiments A2-A2a, wherein the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period.

[0281] A4a. The method of embodiment A4, wherein determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the intended service area configuration and the hysteresis configuration comprises: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the service area border; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, initiating a timer with one of the following: a first one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

[0282] A4b. The method of any of embodiments A4-A4a, wherein determining the relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the intended service area configuration and the hysteresis configuration comprises: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining whether the UE’s geographic location is within the service area border; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, initiating a timer with one of the following: a second one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

[0283] A4c. The method of embodiment A4b, wherein the first and second status change delay periods are identical. A4d. The method of any of embodiments A4a-A4b, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the timer is initiated with the status change grace period, refraining from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers while the timer is running.

[0284] A4e. The method of any of embodiments A4a-A4c, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the timer is initiated with one of the status change delay periods, determining the UE’s subsequent geographic location upon expiration of the timer.

[0285] A4f. The method of embodiment A4e, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active: when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, releasing the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, refraining from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

[0286] A4g. The method of any of embodiment A4e, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active: when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, establishing the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, refraining from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0287] A4h. The method of embodiment A4g, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, sending to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s subsequent geographic location.

[0288] A5. The method of any of embodiments A2-A2a, wherein the hysteresis is a hybrid spatiotemporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold. A5a. The method of embodiment A5, wherein selectively managing one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service is based on the following: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0289] A6. The method of any of embodiments Al-A5a, wherein the hysteresis configuration is obtained according to one of the following: received from the NTN together with the intended service area configuration, received from the NTN separate from the intended service area configuration, and UE pre-configuration.

[0290] A6a. The method of embodiment A6, wherein the hysteresis configuration is received from the NTN in one of the following: a broadcast system information block (SIB), or a unicast radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0291] Bl. A method for a radio access network (RAN) node configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the method comprising: transmitting a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; and transmitting the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

[0292] Bia. The method of embodiment B 1 , wherein a relation between user equipment (UE) geographic location and one or more thresholds, defined by the intended service area configuration and the hysteresis configuration, facilitates UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service.

[0293] B2. The method of any of embodiments Bl -Bl a, wherein the intended service area configuration defines a service area border.

[0294] B2a. The method of embodiment B2, wherein the intended service area configuration is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

[0295] B3. The method of any of embodiments B2-B2a, wherein the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary.

[0296] B3a. The method of embodiment B3, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0297] B3b. The method of embodiment B3, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

[0298] B3c. The method of any of embodiments B3a-B3b, wherein one or more of the following applies: the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border, and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border.

[0299] B4. The method of any of embodiments B2-B2a, wherein the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period.

[0300] B4a. The method of embodiment B4, wherein the status change grace period corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, that the UE is prohibited from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0301] B4b. The method of embodiment B4, wherein the one or more status change delay periods include a single status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0302] B4c. The method of embodiment B4, wherein the one or more status change delay periods include the following: a first status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing the one or more radio bearers; and a second status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from outside to within the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before establishing the one or more radio bearers.

[0303] B4d. The method of embodiment B4c, wherein the first and second status change delay periods are identical.

[0304] B5. The method of any of embodiments B2-B2a, wherein the hysteresis is a hybrid spatiotemporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold.

[0305] B5a. The method of embodiment B5, wherein the following relations facilitate UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

[0306] B6. The method of any of embodiments Bl-B5a, further comprising receiving from a user equipment (UE) a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s current geographic location, which is outside of the intended service area.

[0307] B7. The method of any of embodiments B1-B6, wherein the hysteresis configuration is transmitted according to one of the following: together with the intended service area configuration, or separate from the intended service area configuration.

[0308] B7a. The method of embodiment B7, wherein the hysteresis configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a broadcast system information block (SIB), or unicast radio resource control (RRC) messages sent to respective user equipment (UE).

[0309] Cl . User equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the UE comprising: communication interface circuitry configured to communicate with the NTN; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Al-A6a.

[0310] C2. User equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the UE being further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Al-A6a.

[0311] C3. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of user equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Al-A6a.

[0312] C4. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of user equipment (UE) configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Al-A6a.

[0313] DI . Radio access network (RAN) node configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the RAN node comprising: communication interface circuitry configured to communicate with user equipment (UEs) operating in the NTN; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry, whereby the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Bl-B7a.

[0314] D2. Radio access network (RAN) node configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the RAN node being further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Bl-B7a.

[0315] D3. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a radio access network (RAN) node configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), configure the RAN node to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Bl- B7a.

[0316] D4. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry of a radio access network (RAN) node configured to support multicast and broadcast services (MBS) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), configure the RAN node to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of embodiments Bl-B7a.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for a user equipment, UE, configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, the method comprising: obtaining (1510) the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; determining (1520) the UE’s geographic location; determining (1530) a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration; and based on the determined relation, selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

4. The method of any of claims 2-3, wherein the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

7. The method of any of claims 5-6, wherein one of following applies: the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border;the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are within the service area border; the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are outside of the service area border; or one of the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary is at the service area border.

8. The method of any of claims 4-7, wherein determining (1530) the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds comprises one or more of the following: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining (1531) whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the outer hysteresis boundary; and when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining (1532) whether the UE’s geographic location is within the inner hysteresis boundary.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active: when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the outer hysteresis boundary, releasing (1540a) the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to within the outer hysteresis boundary, refraining (1540b) from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

10. The method of any of claims 8-9, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active: when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the inner hysteresis boundary, establishing (1540c) the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, refraining (1540d) from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one ormore radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the inner hysteresis boundary, sending (1540e) to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s geographic location.

12. The method of any of claims 2-3, wherein the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining (1530) the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds comprises: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be within the service area border, determining (1533) whether the UE’s geographic location is outside of the service area border; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, initiating (1534) a timer with one of the following: a first one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

14. The method of any of claims 12-13, wherein determining (1530) the relation between the UE’s geographic location and the one or more thresholds comprises: when the UE’s previous geographic location was determined to be outside of the service area border, determining (1535) whether the UE’s geographic location is within the service area border; and when the UE’s geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, initiating (1536) a timer with one of the following: a second one of the status change delay periods, or the status change grace period.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second status change delay periods are identical.

16. The method of any of claims 13-14, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the timer is initiated with the status change grace period, refraining (1540f) from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers while the timer is running.

17. The method of any of claims 13-15, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation comprises, when the timer is initiated with one of the status change delay periods, determining (1540g) the UE’s subsequent geographic location upon expiration of the timer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are currently active: when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, releasing (1540h) the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, refraining (1540i) from releasing the one or more radio bearers.

19. The method of any of claim 17, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active: when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be within the service area border, establishing (1540j) the one or more radio bearers; and when the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, refraining (1540k) from establishing the one or more radio bearers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service based on the determined relation further comprises, when the one or more radio bearers are not currently active and the UE’s subsequent geographic location is determined to be outside of the service area border, sending (1540m) to the NTN a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s subsequent geographic location.

21. The method of any of claims 2-3, wherein the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein selectively managing (1540) one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service is based on the following: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

23. The method of any of claims 1-22, wherein the hysteresis configuration is obtained according to one of the following: received from the NTN together with the configuration of the intended service area, received from the NTN separate from the configuration of the intended service area, or UE pre-configuration.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hysteresis configuration is received from the NTN in one of the following: a broadcast system information block, SIB; or a unicast radio resource control, RRC, message.

25. A method for a radio access network, RAN, node configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, the method comprising: transmitting (1610) the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; and transmitting (1620) the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a relation between user equipment, UE, geographic location and one or more thresholds, defined by the configuration of the intended service area and the hysteresis configuration, facilitates UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service.

27. The method of any of claims 25-26, wherein the configuration of the intended service area defines a service area border.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the configuration of the intended service area is one of the following: a circle with a center point, an ellipse with a center point, or an irregular polygon.

29. The method of any of claims 27-28, wherein the hysteresis is a spatial hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one or more of the following: an inner hysteresis boundary, and an outer hysteresis boundary.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes one or more of the following: a first distance, Dinner, from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary; and a second distance, Douter, from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the hysteresis configuration includes a single distance, D, that represents the following: a distance from the service area border to the inner hysteresis boundary, and a distance from the service area border to the outer hysteresis boundary.

32. The method of any of claims 30-31, wherein one of following applies: the inner hysteresis boundary is within the service area border and the outer hysteresis boundary is outside of the service area border; the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are within the service area border; the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary are outside of the service area border; or one of the inner hysteresis boundary and the outer hysteresis boundary is at the service area border.

33. The method of any of claims 27-28, wherein the hysteresis is a temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include one of the following: one or more status change delay periods, or a status change grace period.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the status change grace period corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, that the UE is prohibited from releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more status change delay periods include a single status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, or vice versa, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing or establishing the one or more radio bearers.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the one or more status change delay periods include the following: a first status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from within to outside of the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before releasing the one or more radio bearers; and a second status change delay period, which corresponds to a period immediately following a UE’s change in location from outside to within the service area border, after which the UE must reevaluate its location relative to the service area border before establishing the one or more radio bearers.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the first and second status change delay periods are identical.

38. The method of any of claims 27-28, wherein the hysteresis is a hybrid spatio-temporal hysteresis and the one or more thresholds include at least one spatial threshold and at least one temporal threshold.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the following relations facilitate UE selective management of the radio bearers for the broadcast service: a first relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one spatial threshold, and a second relation between the UE’s geographic location and the at least one temporal threshold.

40. The method of any of claims 25-39, further comprising receiving (1630) from a user equipment, UE, a request to obtain the broadcast service at the UE’s current geographic location, which is outside of the intended service area.

41. The method of any of claims 25-40, wherein the hysteresis configuration is transmitted according to one of the following: together with the configuration of the intended service area, or separate from the configuration of the intended service area.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the hysteresis configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a broadcast system information block, SIB; or unicast radio resource control, RRC, messages sent to respective user equipment, UEs.

43. User equipment, UE (205, 310, 510, 600, 1712, 1800) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), the UE comprising: communication interface circuitry (1812) configured to communicate with the NTN; and processing circuitry (1802) operatively coupled to the communication interface circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to: obtain the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; determine the UE’s geographic location; determine a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration; and based on the determined relation, selectively manage one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

44. The UE of claim 43, wherein the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 2-24.

45. User equipment, UE (205, 310, 510, 600, 1712, 1800) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), the UE comprising being further configured to: obtain the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; determine the UE’s geographic location; determine a relation between the UE’s geographic location and one or more thresholds defined by the following: the configuration of the intended service area, and the hysteresis configuration; and based on the determined relation, selectively manage one or more radio bearers for the broadcast service.

46. The UE of claim 45, being further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 2-24.

47. Non-transitory, computer-readable medium (1810) storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry (1802) of user equipment, UE (205, 310, 510, 600, 1712, 1800) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 1-24.

48. Computer program product (1814) comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry (1802) of user equipment, UE (205, 310, 510, 600, 1712, 1800) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 1-24.

49. Radio access network, RAN, node (210, 220, 320, 520, 1710, 1900, 2002) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), the RAN node comprising: communication interface circuitry (1906, 2004) configured to communicate with user equipment, UEs (205, 310, 510, 600, 1712, 1800) operating in the NTN; and processing circuitry operatively (1902, 2004) coupled to the communication interface circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are configured to: transmit the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; and transmit the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

50. The RAN node of claim 50, wherein the processing circuitry and the communication interface circuitry are further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 26-42.

51. Radio access network, RAN, node (210, 220, 320, 520, 1710, 1900, 2002) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), the RAN node being further configured to:transmit the following information: a configuration of an intended service area for a broadcast service, and a hysteresis configuration for the intended service area; and transmit the broadcast service in the intended service area via one or more radio bearers.

52. The RAN node of claim 51, being further configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 26-42.

53. Non-transitory, computer-readable medium (1904, 2004) storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry (1902, 2004) of a radio access network, RAN, node (210, 220, 320, 520, 1710, 1900, 2002) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), configure the RAN node to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 25-42.

54. Computer program product (1904a, 2004a) comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry (1902, 2004) of a radio access network, RAN, node (210, 220, 320, 520, 1710, 1900, 2002) configured to support multicast and broadcast services, MBS, in a non-terrestrial network, NTN (299, 300, 1702), configure the RAN node to perform operations corresponding to the methods of any of claims 25-42.

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