NTN mobility enhancements

Abstract

A device, configured for operating in a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g. base stations or satellites, comprises an antenna unit configured for communicating signals within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device. A subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV. The EFOV is a function of at least one parameter related to: * a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit; * an orientation of the device; * a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam; * a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern; * at least one object alongside or in the AFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions; * a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer; and / or * a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes, The EFOV and / or the at least one parameter is reported by, derived from and / or based on the function.

Description

[0001] 25007 1

[0002] NTN MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS

[0003] Description

[0004] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communication, and more specifically, to enhancing wireless communication in environments having obstructions for wireless signals. Some embodiments relate to enhancing terrestrial network and / or nonterrestrial networks facing mobility of one or more devices.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a terrestrial and / or non-terrestrial wireless network 100 including, as is shown in Fig. 1(a), a core network 102 and one or more radio access networks RAN^ RAN2, ... RANN. Fig. 1(b) is a schematic representation of an example of a radio access network RANnthat may include one or more base stations gNB! to gNB5, each serving a specific area surrounding the base station schematically represented by respective cells 106-, to 1065. The base stations are provided to serve users within a cell. The term base station, BS, refers to a gNB in 5G networks, an eNB in UMTS / LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro, or just a BS in other mobile communication standards. A user may be a stationary device or a mobile device. The wireless communication system may also be accessed by mobile or stationary loT devices which connect to a base station or to a user. The mobile devices or the loT devices may include physical devices, ground based vehicles, such as robots or cars, aerial vehicles, such as manned or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the latter also referred to as drones, buildings and other items or devices having embedded therein electronics, software, sensors, actuators, or the like as well as network connectivity that enables these devices to collect and exchange data across an existing network infrastructure.

[0006] Fig. 1(b) shows an exemplary view of five cells, however, the RANnmay include more or less such cells, and RANnmay also include only one base station. Fig. 1(b) shows two users UET and UE2, also referred to as user equipment, UE, that are in cell 1062and that are served by base station gNB2. Another user UE3is shown in cell 1064which is served by base station gNB4. The arrows 108^ 1082and 1083schematically represent uplink / downlink connections for transmitting data from a user UE^ UE2and UE3to the base stations gNB2, gNB4 or for transmitting data from the base stations gNB2, gNB4to the users UET, UE2, UE3.

[0007] Further, Fig. 1(b) shows two loT devices 1104and 1102in cell 1064, which may be stationary or mobile devices. The loT device 1104accesses the wireless communication system via the

[0008] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 2

[0009] base station gNB4to receive and transmit data as schematically represented by arrow 112rThe loT device 1102accesses the wireless communication system via the user UE3as is schematically represented by arrow 1122. The respective base station gNB! to gNB5may be connected to the core network 102, e.g., via the S1 interface, via respective backhaul links 114T to 1145, which are schematically represented in Fig. 1(b) by the arrows pointing to “core”. The core network 102 may be connected to one or more external networks. Further, some or all of the respective base station gNB! to gNB5may connected, e.g., via the S1 orX2 interface or the XN interface in NR, with each other via respective backhaul links 116-] to 1165, which are schematically represented in Fig. 1(b) by the arrows pointing to “gNBs”. Embodiments described herein are not limited to terrestrial networks, TNs, but relate also to networks being implemented, at least in parts, as non-terrestrial network, NTN, as shown in Fig. 1 with reference to a satellite ST that may operate, for example, to bridge communication between different base stations, to serve one or more UE and / or a cell on the ground, e.g., as a nonterrestrial base station, to communicate with a different satellite.

[0010] For data transmission a physical resource grid may be used. The physical resource grid may comprise a set of resource elements to which various physical channels and physical signals are mapped. For example, the physical channels may include the physical downlink, uplink and sidelink shared channels (PDSCH, PLISCH, PSSCH) carrying user specific data, also referred to as downlink, uplink and sidelink payload data, the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying for example a master information block (MIB), the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying for example a system information block (SIB), the physical downlink, uplink and sidelink control channels (PDCCH, PLICCH, PSSCH) carrying for example the downlink control information (DCI), the uplink control information (UCI) and the sidelink control information (SCI). For the uplink, the physical channels, or more precisely the transport channels according to 3GPP, may further include the physical random access channel (PRACH or RACH) used by UEs for accessing the network once a UE is synchronized and has obtained the MIB and SIB. The physical signals may comprise reference signals or symbols (RS), synchronization signals and the like. The resource grid may comprise a frame or radio frame having a certain duration in the time domain and having a given bandwidth in the frequency domain. The frame may have a certain number of subframes of a predefined length, e.g., 1ms. Each subframe may include one or more slots of 12 or 14 OFDM symbols depending on the cyclic prefix (CP) length. All OFDM symbols may be used for DL or UL or only a subset, e.g., when utilizing shortened transmission time intervals (sTTI) or a mini-slot / non-slot-based frame structure comprising just a few OFDM symbols.

[0011] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 3

[0012] The wireless communication system may be any single-tone or multicarrier system using frequency-division multiplexing, like the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system, the orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) system, or any other IFFT-based signal with or without CP, e.g., DFT-s-OFDM. Other waveforms, like non-orthogonal waveforms for multiple access, e.g., filter-bank multicarrier (FBMC), generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) or universal filtered multi carrier (LIFMC), may be used. The wireless communication system may operate, e.g., in accordance with the LTE-Advanced pro standard or the NR (5G), New Radio, standard.

[0013] The wireless network or communication system 100 depicted in Fig. 1 may by a heterogeneous network having distinct overlaid networks, e.g., a network of macro cells with each macro cell including a macro base station, like base station gNB! to gNB5, and a network of small cell base stations (not shown in Fig. 1), like femto or pico base stations.

[0014] In addition to the above described terrestrial wireless network also non-terrestrial wireless communication networks exist including spaceborne transceivers, like satellites, and / or airborne transceivers, like unmanned aircraft systems. The non-terrestrial wireless communication network or system may operate in a similar way as the terrestrial system described above with reference to Fig. 1, for example in accordance with the LTE-Advanced Pro standard or the NR (5G), new radio, standard.

[0015] In mobile communication networks, for example in a network like that described above with reference to Fig. 1 , like an LTE or 5G / NR network, there may be UEs that communicate directly with each other over one or more sidelink (SL) channels, e.g., using the PC5 interface. UEs that communicate directly with each other over the sidelink may include vehicles communicating directly with other vehicles (V2V communication), vehicles communicating with other entities of the wireless communication network (V2X communication), for example roadside entities, like traffic lights, traffic signs, or pedestrians. Other UEs may not be vehicular related UEs and may comprise any of the above-mentioned devices. Such devices may also communicate directly with each other (D2D communication) using the SL channels.

[0016] When considering two UEs directly communicating with each other over the sidelink, both UEs may be served by the same base station so that the base station may provide sidelink resource allocation configuration or assistance for the UEs. For example, both UEs may be within the coverage area of a base station, like one of the base stations depicted in Fig. 1. This is referred to as an “in-coverage” scenario. Another scenario is referred to as an “out-of-coverage”

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[0018] scenario. It is noted that “out-of-coverage” does not mean that the two UEs are not within one of the cells depicted in Fig. 1, rather, it means that these UEs

[0019] may not be connected to a base station, for example, they are not in an RRC connected state, so that the UEs do not receive from the base station any sidelink resource allocation configuration or assistance, and / or

[0020] may be connected to the base station, but, for one or more reasons, the base station may not provide sidelink resource allocation configuration or assistance for the UEs, and / or

[0021] may be connected to the base station that may not support NR V2X services, e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE base stations.

[0022] When considering two UEs directly communicating with each other over the sidelink, e.g., using the PC5 interface, one of the UEs may also be connected with a BS, and may relay information from the BS to the other UE via the sidelink interface. The relaying may be performed in the same frequency band (in-band-relay) or another frequency band (out-of-band relay) may be used. In the first case, communication on the Uu and on the sidelink may be decoupled using different time slots as in time division duplex, TDD, systems.

[0023] In an in-coverage scenario in which two UEs directly communicating with each other are both connected to a base station, the base station gNB has a coverage area which, basically, corresponds to the cell schematically represented in Fig. 1. The UEs directly communicating with each other may be both in the coverage area of the base station gNB. Both UEs are possibly connected to the base station gNB and, in addition, they are connected directly with each other over the PC5 interface. The scheduling and / or interference management of the V2V traffic is assisted by the gNB via control signalling over the Uu interface, which is the radio interface between the base station and the UEs. In other words, the gNB provides SL resource allocation configuration or assistance for the UEs, and the gNB assigns the resources to be used for the V2V communication over the sidelink. This configuration is also referred to as a mode 1 configuration in NR V2X or as a mode 3 configuration in LTE V2X.

[0024] In an out-of-coverage scenario in which the UEs directly communicating with each other are either not connected to a base station, although they may be physically within a cell of a wireless communication network, or some or all of the UEs directly communicating with each other are to a base station but the base station does not provide for the SL resource allocation configuration or assistance. UEs may directly communicate with each other over a sidelink, e.g., using the PC5 interface. The scheduling and / or interference management of the V2V traffic is based on algorithms implemented between the vehicles. This configuration is also

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[0026] referred to as a mode 2 configuration in NR V2X or as a mode 4 configuration in LTE V2X. As mentioned above, the out-of-coverage scenario does not necessarily mean that the respective mode 2 UEs (in NR) or mode 4 UEs (in LTE) are outside of the coverage of a base station, rather, it means that the respective mode 2 UEs (in NR) or mode 4 UEs (in LTE) are not served by a base station, are not connected to the base station of the coverage area, or are connected to the base station but receive no SL resource allocation configuration or assistance from the base station. Thus, there may be situations in which, within the coverage area, in addition to the NR mode 1 or LTE mode 3 UEs also NR mode 2 or LTE mode 4 UEs are present.

[0027] Naturally, it is also possible that one of the UEs is covered by the gNB, i.e. connected with Uu to the gNB, wherein the second UE is not covered by the gNB and only connected via the PC5 interface to the first UE, or that the second vehicle is connected via the PC5 interface to the first vehicle UE but via Uu to another gNB.

[0028] With an increase of an amount of communication and with an increase of requirements, reliability of communication is an important issue for wireless communication.

[0029] There is, thus, a need to improve wireless communications.

[0030] It is noted that the information in the above section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form prior art and is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention are described herein making reference to the appended drawings.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a wireless communication system;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a wireless communication system comprising a transceiver, like a base station ora relay, and a plurality of communication devices, like UEs, according to an embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a simplified illustration of a uniform rectangular array, URA, that may be used in embodiments;

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[0036] Fig. 4a-c show schematic illustrations of different fields of view generated by different antenna arrays that may be used in embodiments;

[0037] Fig. 5 a schematic illustration of a range of scan angles that may be used in embodiments;

[0038] Fig. 6 illustrates a concept of a URA being used to produce three beams as may be used in embodiments;

[0039] Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an antenna array that may be used in embodiments, adapted to provide a field-of-view;

[0040] Fig. 8 shows two beams being formed with an antenna unit described herein that may be used in embodiments

[0041] Fig. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a part of a non-terrestrial network;

[0042] Fig. 10 shows a schematic illustration that is comparable with Fig. 7 that additionally shows an effective field-of-view, EFOV;

[0043] Fig. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication scenario subject to embodiments;

[0044] Fig. 12a-c show different effects influencing EFOVs in maritime applications, according to an embodiment;

[0045] Fig. 13 shows a schematic sideview of a further maritime application according to an embodiment, by illustrating a ship;

[0046] Fig. 14 shows a schematic representation of a situation where a device according to an embodiment and comprising an antenna is essentially unaffected by obstructions

[0047] Fig. 15 shows a schematic illustration of the situation of Fig. 14 where the EFOV is limited when compared to Fig. 14;

[0048] Fig. 16 shows a schematic illustration of the situation of Fig. 15 where the EFOV is even further limited when compared to Fig. 15;

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[0050] Fig. 17 shows a schematic illustration of line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight FOVs underlying embodiments;

[0051] Fig. 18a-d show schematic block diagrams of a part of a wireless communication network illustrating the effect of a changed orientation of a device on the EFOV, according to embodiments;

[0052] Fig. 19 a schematic graph illustrating parameters monitored and / or reported according to embodiments; and

[0053] Fig. 20 illustrates an example of a computer system on which units or modules as well as the steps of the methods described in accordance with the inventive approach may execute.

[0054] Equal or equivalent elements or elements with equal or equivalent functionality are denoted in the following description by equal or equivalent reference numerals or namings even if occurring in different figures.

[0055] In the following description, a plurality of details are set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0056] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a wireless communication system or network as depicted in Fig. 1 including a transceiver, like a base station, gNB, or relay, and a plurality of communication devices, like user equipment’s, UEs. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a wireless communication system comprising a transceiver 200, like a base station or a relay, and a plurality of communication devices 202T to 202n, like UEs. The UEs might communicated directly with each other via a wireless communication link or channel 203, like a radio link (e.g., using the PC5 interface (sidelink)). Further, the transceiver and the UEs 202 might communicate via a wireless communication link or channel 204, like a radio link (e.g., using the Uu interface). The transceiver 200 might include one or more antennas ANT or an antenna array having a plurality of antenna elements, a signal processor

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[0058] 200a and a transceiver unit 200b. The UEs 202 might include one or more antennas ANT or an antenna array having a plurality of antennas, a processor 202a1 to 202an, and a transceiver (e.g., receiver and / or transmitter) unit 202b1 to 202bn. The base station 200 and / or the one or more UEs 202 may operate in accordance with the inventive teachings described herein.

[0059] In the following, additional embodiments and aspects of the invention will be described which can be used individually or in combination with any of the features and functionalities and details described herein.

[0060] Section UE

[0061] According to a first aspect, a device, configured for operating in a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g. base stations or satellites, may comprise: an antenna unit configured for communicating signals within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device, wherein a subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV. The EFOV and / or the at least one parameter is reported by, derived from and / or used based on the function. The reporting may be provided by the device, e.g., a UE and / or received by the device. Alternatively or in addition, the parameter may be derived by the device and / or the device may provide information to enable a different entity or the network to derive the parameter which may relate to identify the relevant parameter and / or a value thereof. To use the EFOV may comprise to actively make use of the EFOV, e.g., in terms of considering communication partners not only in range of the device but also within the EFOV, e.g., by the device itself or a different entity or the network

[0062] According to an advantageous implementation thereof; and wherein the EFOV is a function of at least one parameter related to:

[0063] • a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit;

[0064] • an orientation of the device;

[0065] • a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam;

[0066] • a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern;

[0067] • at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;

[0068] • a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer;

[0069] • a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes, • a position / location of the device;

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[0071] • an Angle of Arrival of received signals observed by the device, e.g. minimum and / or maximum angle of a signal within a certain signal strength and / or along an arc;

[0072] • an effective arc as a cut of an orbital plane, e.g. observation wrt an orbit, e.g. LEO, MEO by deriving the angle of arc and / or a reference pointer / vector e.g. middle pointer (MP);

[0073] • an observation of a minimum, average or maximum number of visible satellites with or without timestamp and / or directional information and / or their satellite IDs;

[0074] • a mobility of the device, e.g. past, current, expected / anticipated mobility by providing trajectory, direction, orientation / banking, speed, and changes thereof; and / or

[0075] • a measurement window or observation window and / or a post-processing of measurement / observation data with or without timestamps and / or location / directional information.

[0076] According to an embodiment, such a device may be configured to at least one of:

[0077] • measure the EVOF and / or at least one parameter and / or an associated metric, • activate / deactivate / report a capability of providing assistance information associated to the EFOV;

[0078] • response to a network capability to exploit assistance information related to the EVOF;

[0079] • post-process the measurement results by

[0080] o averaging, tagging, time-stamping,...

[0081] • log / store measurements and / or postprocessed results

[0082] • compile / store / receive a measurement report

[0083] • derive / determine:

[0084] o a list of HO candidates

[0085] o estimated time of visibility of particular satellites within the EFOV o subset of relevant satellites / nodes from the provided neighbourhood list / HO candidates

[0086] • indicate capability to measure, post-process and compile a report associated to EFOV and / or HO assistance information

[0087] • provide a measurement report or assistance information to:

[0088] o at least one of the network nodes within the periphery

[0089] o a further node, e.g. a gNB, a further UE, a satellite of the same or different orbit, a UAV

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[0091] request configuration and / or assistance information to measurements related to EVOF and HO assistance information and related procedures, e.g., one or more of measurement, post-processing, storing, reporting.

[0092] According to a second aspect referring back to the first aspect, the device may be adapted to provide at least one of the parameters and the EFOV based on at least one of:

[0093] • a received request,

[0094] • a communication requirement,

[0095] • a timer, and

[0096] • a trigger.

[0097] According to a third aspect referring back to the first or second aspect, the device may be adapted to perform a measurement for obtaining the at least one parameter and for performing the measurement on at least a subset of communication nodes for determining the EFOV or for reporting.

[0098] According to a fourth aspect referring back to any of the first to third aspects, the device may be adapted for determining, which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV or are expected to be within the EFOV in future, by at least one of:

[0099] • the device configured for measurements

[0100] • performing a measurement

[0101] • evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., experience, such as a knowledge base or previous measurements I learning, being told by other nodes I devices I data base

[0102] • deriving results from measurements or previous results

[0103] • determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes

[0104] • reporting, sharing of measurement, results or selections to another node

[0105] • tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with them

[0106] wherein the determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV refers to at least one of:

[0107] • a present situation, e.g., right now, within a current / defined time period, ...

[0108] • a future situation, e.g., as an estimation, prediction and / or expectation

[0109] • a past situation, e.g., an available a priori knowledge or measurements from the past

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[0111] According to a fifth aspect referring back to any of the first to fourth aspects, the device may be adapted for: using a candidate communication node from a list of candidate communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes for communication, e.g., handover, conditional handover, based on the effective field of view.

[0112] According to a sixth aspect referring back to any of the first to fifth aspects, the EFOV may relate to a periphery of the device covered by a radiation characteristic provided by the radiation capability and being variable over time based on a change of the periphery.

[0113] According to a seventh aspect referring back to any of the first to sixth aspects, the EFOV may be a function of an antenna radiation pattern and / or beam direction and / or a null direction of the device.

[0114] According to an eighth aspect referring back to any of the first to seventh aspects, a change in an orientation or a position of the device may lead to a change of the EFOV of the device.

[0115] According to a ninth aspect referring back to any of the first to eighth aspects, at least one blocker in a periphery of the device may affect the EFOV.

[0116] According to a tenth aspect referring back to any of the first to ninth aspects, the device may be adapted for receiving, e.g., related to a communication location of the device for communication, e.g., present, future or possible communication, the list from a network entity and as at least a part of the list of candidate communication nodes, a set of explicit communication node candidates, e.g., explicitly identified, as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the EFOV.

[0117] According to an eleventh aspect referring back to any of the first to tenth aspects, the device may be adapted for receiving parameters from a network controller and for calculating, using the parameters and for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view as at least a part of the list of candidate communication nodes.

[0118] According to a twelfth aspect referring back to the eleventh aspect, the device may be adapted for requesting the parameters from the network controller.

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[0120] According to a thirteenth aspect referring back to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the device may be adapted for combining the parameters with local device data relating to a current or actual EFOV to determine at least a part of the implicit set of communication node candidates.

[0121] According to a fourteenth aspect referring back to any of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, the device may be adapted for using the set of explicit communication node candidates and / or the implicit set of communication node candidates for at least one of measurement purposes, for camping on a cell, e.g., when in idle mode or inactive, and for performing a handover.

[0122] According to a fifteenth aspect referring back to any of the first to fourteenth aspects, the device may be adapted for executing and / or triggering a conditional handover, CHO, based on an appearance or presence of a candidate communication node in the EFOV of the device.

[0123] According to a sixteenth aspect referring back to any of the first to fifteenth aspects, the plurality of communication nodes may comprise one or more of a base station, a flying device such as a satellite or a high altitude platform, a fixed or stationary communication node on Earth or above ground, a mobile or moving communication node, e.g. on land, seaborne, airborne or in space (satellite) of the wireless communication network.

[0124] According to a seventeenth aspect referring back to any of the first to sixteenth aspects, the plurality of communication nodes may comprise at least one of a satellite, a high altitude platform, HAP, a balloon, unmanned aerial vehicle and an airplane.

[0125] According to an eighteenth aspect referring back to any of the first to seventeenth aspects, the device may be one of a base station, a user equipment, UE, and a relay device.

[0126] Further aspects relate to a device adapted to use information representing the EFOV and for adapting communication based on the information representing the EFOV.

[0127] Further aspects relate to a device, wherein the information representing the EFOV comprises information representing zones within the EFOV and at least one parameter related to the communication within the zones and to select a zone of the EFOV for communication based on the at least one parameter, e.g., using a threshold.

[0128] Section NW-Controller

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[0130] According to a nineteenth aspect, a network controller may be adapted to operate in a wireless communication network a plurality of communication nodes, wherein the network controller is adapted to process field of view information related to a respective effective field of view, EFOV, of a plurality of devices, e.g., ground-based devices, to obtain a processing result; and to cause an adaptation of communication, e.g., at the controller and / or at the UEs I satellites or the like, within the wireless communication network based on the processing result.

[0131] According to a twentieth aspect referring back to the nineteenth aspect, the network controller may be adapted to determine the EFOV for at least one device.

[0132] According to a twenty-first aspect referring back to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, the network controller may be adapted to request, from at least one device, at least one parameter related to:

[0133] • a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit thereof;

[0134] • an orientation of the device;

[0135] • a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam and / or null; • at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;

[0136] • a reflection at an object and / or scatterers; and / or

[0137] • a relative movement of the device and the communication nodes.

[0138] According to a twenty-second aspect referring back to any of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, the network controller may be adapted to aggregate effective field of view, FOV, observations of a plurality of co-located devices; for obtaining the processing result; wherein each EFOV observation relates to an EFOV of a device with respect to the plurality of communication nodes.

[0139] According to a twenty-third aspect referring back to any of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, the network controller may be adapted for determining the processing result based on determining connection opportunities of at least one device and towards at least one of the plurality of communication nodes based on a distribution of devices within a footprint of the at least one communication node, a heatmap or channel chart of connection opportunities to the at least one communication node providing the footprint.

[0140] According to a twenty-fourth aspect referring back to the twenty-third aspect, the connection opportunities may comprise beam pointing angles that define footprints in combination with an Earth-referenced location of the communication node.

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[0142] According to a twenty-fifth aspect referring back to the twenty-third or twenty-fourth aspect, the network controller may be adapted to determine the connection opportunities based on at least one known or established route accessible for the device.

[0143] According to a twenty-sixth aspect referring back to the twenty-fifth aspect, the route accessible for the device may comprise a shipping route, a flight route, a road route and / or a rail route; and / or comprises dwelling places and / or a user distribution along the at least one route or in these places.

[0144] According to a twenty-seventh aspect referring back to any of the twenty-third to twenty-sixth aspects, the network controller may be adapted for receiving measurement reports from devices of the wireless communication network and for receiving device connectivity information such as a location, a time stamp, visible satellites, beam pointing direction, e.g., as a centre of radiation reference, CORR, and / or an orientation of the device and for determining the EFOV at a particular area or location as a part of the processing result.

[0145] According to a twenty-ninth aspect referring back to any of the twenty-third to twenty-seventh aspects, the network controller may be adapted for providing the device for a communication location with an explicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view based on the processing result.

[0146] According to a twenty-ninth aspect referring back to any of the twenty-third to twenty-eighth aspects, the network controller may be adapted for providing parameters obtained as a part of the processing result to the device allowing the device to calculate, for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view.

[0147] According to a thirtieth aspect referring back to the twenty-ninth aspect, the network controller may be adapted for providing the parameters based on a received request; or based on a trigger event.

[0148] According to a thirty-first aspect referring back to any of the twenty-eighth to thirtieth aspects, the network controller may be adapted for providing the explicit set of communication node candidates and / or the parameters for the implicit set of communication node candidates, e.g., as preferred candidates for handover, HO, and / or conditional handover, CHO, by selecting the

[0149] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 15

[0150] candidates based on a resilience of an obtained communication link established between the device and the candidates at the communication location and with the EFOV.

[0151] According to a thirty-second aspect referring back to any of the twenty-eighth to thirty-first aspects, the network controller may be adapted for providing the explicit set of communication node candidates and / or the parameters for the implicit set of communication node candidates based on a beamforming capability of the communication nodes.

[0152] According to a thirty-third aspect referring back to any of the twenty-eighth to thirty-second aspects, the network controller may be adapted to allocate resources utilized by the communication nodes for a conditional handover, CHO, of the device based on the processing result.

[0153] According to a thirty-fourth aspect referring back to any of the nineteenth to thirty-third aspects, the field of view information may relate to a line-of-sight, LOS, FOV of at least one ground-based device.

[0154] According to a thirty-fifth aspect referring back to the thirty-fourth aspect, the field of view information may further relate to a non-LOS FOV of the at least one ground-based device.

[0155] According to a thirty-sixth aspect referring back to the thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth aspect, the LOS FOV and the non-LOS FOV may span different angles of coverage within the angular field of view.

[0156] According to a thirty-seventh aspect referring back to any of the thirty-fourth to thirty-sixth aspects, the network controller may be adapted to identify at least the LOS FOV based on an evaluation of reception parameters measured or evaluated by the at least one ground-based device.

[0157] According to a thirty-eighth aspect referring back to any of the nineteenth to thirty-seventh aspects, the network controller may be adapted for determining, which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV of a device, by:

[0158] • providing one or more devices a with configuration for measurements

[0159] • performing a measurement

[0160] • evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., experience, such as a knowledge base or previous measurements I learning, being told by other nodes I devices / data base

[0161] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 16

[0162] • deriving results from measurements or previous results

[0163] • determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes at least one device or at another communication node and / or the network

[0164] • reporting, sharing of measurement, results or selections to another node

[0165] • tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with them

[0166] wherein the determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EVOF refers to at least one of:

[0167] • a present situation, e.g., right now, within a current / defined time period, ...

[0168] • a future situation, e.g., as an estimation, prediction and / or expectation

[0169] • a past situation, e.g., an available a priori knowledge or measurements from the past

[0170] Further aspects relate to a network controller adapted to use information representing the EFOV of at least one device and for adapting communication based on the information representing the EFOV.

[0171] Further aspects relate to a network controller, wherein the information representing the EFOV comprises information representing zones within the EFOV and at least one parameter related to the communication within the zones and to select a zone of the EFOV for communication of a different device based on the at least one parameter, e.g., using a threshold.

[0172] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, e.g., in a wireless communication network such as wireless network 100. Embodiments may, however, be realises for a device, such as user equipment, UE, a base station or a relay entity or a different device, being a terrestrial device and / or a non-terrestr5ial device, performing wireless communication with a different device, such as a user equipment, UE, base station or a relay entity or a different device as a terrestrial device or a non-terrestrial device.

[0173] The inventors found that in practical applications, the field-of-view (FOV) of a device such as a user equipment (UE), antenna or UE antenna panel such as an antenna array 30 showing in Fig. 3 having one or more antenna elements or antennas 32T to 32n. In other words, Fig. 3 shows a simplified illustration of a uniform rectangular array, URA, in this case comprised by 8-by-8 elements. By using the appropriate amplitude and phase distribution, the URA can produce one or more beams, each of which can be independently steered.

[0174] As shown in Figs. 4a-c, different field of views 32^ 342, and 343generated by different antenna arrays 30^ 302, 303, respectively, may comprise, for example, different diameters 36-, , 362, 363at a respective distance which may also be expressed as opening angles and / or directions of

[0175] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 17

[0176] beams being formed. Those FOVs may be limited or determined by a dimension of antenna elements 32 and / or antenna arrays 30 or by some other design constraints.

[0177] In other words, Figs. 4a-c show, for an example, same operating frequency, larger array apertures 36 that are capable of producing beams which can be electronically-scanned over a wider range of angles, thus creating greater FOV.

[0178] With reference to the polar coordinate system shown in Fig. 5, the range of scan angles, denoted by 0 and <£, over which the beam can be pointed, could thus be reduced. The result of the reduced scan angle and hence the UE’s FOV, may reduce or otherwise affect the device’s opportunities to achieve communication connections to particular other devices, e.g., satellites as they fly along their orbital paths or trajectories. Without such restrictions, an ideal UE would be capable of initiating or maintaining ground-to-space links with satellites that are visible in any region of the sky defined from one horizon to another.

[0179] In other words, Fig. 5 shows a uniform rectangular array, URA, comprised of M-by-N antenna elements, residing in an x,y-plane. The point P can be described using the cartesian triple (x,y,z) or polar triple (r, 0, C>).

[0180] The inventors have found that an effective FOV, EFOV, of a device is not only determined by the selection of the antenna unit and a housing in which the antenna unit is placed or, in general terms, the device configuration but also on the geographic location and one or more further parameters of the device. For example, the effective FOV can be described with respect to the UE’s geolocation or coordinates towards the path of the one or more satellites suitable for a communication and handover between them.

[0181] Fig. 6 illustrates a concept of a URA being used to produce three beams, 36^, 361 2and 361 3within the antenna’s angular field-of-view 38. That is, Fig. 6 shows a conceptual illustration of a URA being used to produce three beams 36T within the antennas FOV 38. The FOV 38 may also be considered as an angular field of view, AFOV 42, as shown, for example, in Fig. 7 showing a cross-sectional view of an antenna array 30 adapted to provide the field-of-view 38 as shown, for example, in Fig. 6 as an angular field-of-view 42. In other words, the FOV may be defined with respect to the antenna 30 and may be a function of its physical design. In yet other words, the FOV may be independent from at least one of a location, an orientation and an environment of the device whilst EFOV considered as a projection of the FOV into the environment may face such dependencies or may be influenced thereof. To those skilled in

[0182] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 18

[0183] the art, the (effective / angular) field of view is synonymous with the (effective / angular) field of regard, e.g., referring to optical links.

[0184] Certain antenna types, e.g., electronically-scanned array antennas, may provide the possibility of creating beams whose beam width and beam pointing vector can be adjusted within the antenna’s AFOV as illustrated in Fig. 8 showing two beams 36 and 36Bbeing formed with the antenna unit 30. In other words, within its AFOV 42, an electronically-scanned antenna array can produce beams 36A, 36Bwhose beam width and beam pointing vector can be controlled. Embodiments in the present invention provide for devices having such an antenna array, especially an electronically-scanned antenna array to provide for a beamforming functionality.

[0185] With reference to the conceptual illustration of a non-terrestrial network, NTN, shown in Fig. 9, it is noted that the field-of-view concept can also be applied with the perspective of the satellite payload and can be likened to a coverage footprint 52 of a satellite 54, e.g., on Earth.

[0186] In this case, the AFOV of the satellite’s antenna may be projected onto Earth’s surface and may define a coverage footprint 52 or field-of-view seen by the satellite antenna.

[0187] Considering again that the AFOV may be defined with respect to the antenna and is a function of its properties, inventors have found that the antenna’s perspective of the environment 64 may be considered in an advantageous manner and in a way in which the antenna is placed and the direction in which it is pointed. Fig. 10 shows a schematic illustration that is comparable with Fig. 7 that additionally shows an effective field-of-view, EFOV 62. The EFOV may be understood as a projection of the antenna’s AFOV 42 onto or into its environment 64 and may be understood or reveal that the antenna “sees” an EFOV 62 based on the AFOV 42.

[0188] Although not shown in Fig. 10, it is noted that the antenna 30, when changing a position or orientation of the antenna 30, this may lead to a situation where the AFOV 42 remains unchanged, whilst the antenna’s EFOV 62 has changed. Such a scenario is shown, e.g., in connection with Fig. 18a-b. That is, Fig. 10 illustrates the concept of an effect field-of-view being exploited in accordance with embodiments described herein.

[0189] For example, due to obstacles or obstructions, such as buildings, trees, vehicles, parts of the human body such as a head and / or a hand, vehicles super structures or the like, the EFOV of a UE’s antenna can be reduced.

[0190] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 19

[0191] Fig. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication scenario 1100 subject to embodiments. There is shown a different EFOV 62^ 622, 623as a result of obstacles or buildings 66! to 664being in the vicinity of a device such as a user equipment or satellite terminal 68 at different locations in the scenario 1100. Whilst, for example, making reference to the antenna 30 described in connection with Fig. 7, may expand its full angular field-of-views 42 as EFOV 623when being on top of building 664in a direction where the antenna is oriented upwards, other locations may lead to constraint or restricted EFOVs 62T and 622, e.g., based on surrounding buildings forming obstacles for radio waves. It is noted that the example numbers of degrees, e.g., 18.1° for EFOV 62T and 81.8° for EFOV 622when compared to the AFOV being 110.0° are example values only and may depend on several constraints such as the antenna array being used and the device properties.

[0192] In other words, Fig. 11 shows that the citing of a user equipment or satellite user terminal 68 can affect its effective field-of-view (EFOV) due to the effect of building obstructions. The figure shows how the FOV is reduced from 110° to and EFOV of 18.1° and 81.80°.

[0193] A similar situation is shown in Figs. 12a-c where antenna unit 30 is mounted at different locations of a ship 72 leading, e.g., to an unobstructed EFOV 62T in Fig. 12a, i.e., corresponding to a FOV 42 whilst being limited due to obstructions in Fig. 12b and 12c to have a smaller EFOV 622and 623when compared to a AFOV 42 due to obstructions.

[0194] With regard to Fig. 12a, for maritime applications, as a non-limiting example, a clear view of the sky is favored so that the antenna’s field-of-view 62T can be maximized. As shown in Fig.

[0195] 12b, with reference to Fig. 12a, the antennas FOV, i.e., EFOV 622may be reduced due to the obstructions caused by the superstructure of the marine vessel. When referring to Fig. 12c, with reference to Fig. 12b, the antennas EFOV 623can be improved by judicious resiting.

[0196] Fig. 13 shows a schematic sideview of a further maritime application by illustrating a ship, e.g., a container ship 74 having different antenna devices 30! and 302at different locations, resulting in different EFOVs 62! and 622due to obstructions such as containers 76. In other words, for maritime applications, a clear view of the sky is favored so that the antenna’s field-of-view can be maximized. However, when this is not possible, operation with a reduced FOV is still enabled, according to embodiments. In the example shown in Fig. 13, due to obstruction, the antenna (SFOV) 622is effectively reduced from 110.0° to 24.4°.

[0197] As shown in Figs. 11-13, the antennas EFOV 62 can be affected by its environment. This effect is described in greater detail in the following.

[0198] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 20

[0199] When referring to Fig. 14, there is shown a situation where the device comprising antenna 30 and pointing, e.g., upwards such as towards the sky is essentially unaffected by obstructions 78-! , 782leading the EFOV 62T being essentially an EFOV 42, e.g., allowing for line-of-sight, LOS, connections to another entity such as a flying device. It is noted that the direction of the radiation and the relative direction towards the other device may be any other direction e.g., side wards, upwards, or downwards.

[0200] In Fig. 15, the EFOV 622is limited when compared to AFOV 42 due to obstructions 78T and 782effecting the AFOV. That is, the line-of-sight field or horizon is limited when compared to Fig. 14 due to obstructions. In other words, due to its location or position within the environment, the antenna 30 is affected by the obstructions 78^ 782shown and its EFOV 622is reduced.

[0201] The EFOV is even further reduced in Fig. 16 where, for example, antenna 30 has moved further downwards so that obstructions 78T and 782may become more effective in limiting the AFOV 42. That is, whilst the device itself may remain unchanged, especially in view of the antenna 30, the EFOV 62 may change, e.g., due to a position and / or orientation of the device.

[0202] For the sake of further discussion of embodiments, the effective field-of-view is now discussed in connection with different types of environments, e.g., those that provide predominantly line-of-sight, LOS, propagation opportunities between transmitter and receiver and those that also provide non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation opportunities. A distinction may, thus, be made between EFOV (LOS) and EFOV (NLOS). With reference to Fig. 17, there are shown LOS EFOV 82 and NLOS EFOV 84 with regard to example devices 86 , 86B, 86c, and 86Dproviding connection opportunities for the device carrying antenna 30, the devices 86 being, by way of non-limiting example, satellites such as low Earth-orbit, LEO, satellites. Whilst satellites 86vand 86cmay be within the LOS EFOV 82, e.g., allowing LOS-connections or single propagation via LOS paths 88B, 88crespectively, satellites 86Aand 86Bbeing within NLOS EFOV 84 may be reached via NLOS paths 92A, 92Drespectively. That is, LEO satellite 86Band LEO satellite 86care LOS of the antenna 30.

[0203] However, due to additional NLOS paths 92Aand 92Dcreated by reflections from one or more obstructions 78^ 782, the antenna’s EFOV 84 may allow additional observation of LEO satellite 86 and LEO satellite 86D. For example, according to embodiments, EFOV (NLOS) > EFOV (LOS).

[0204] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 21

[0205] When mounted to mobile platforms, for example, vehicles used on land, in water, or in the air, an effective FOV of a device can also be affected due to the movement of the platform.

[0206] By way of example, Fig. 18a and Fig. 18b show a schematic block diagram of a part of a wireless communication network 1800 where a vehicle 94, e.g., an airplane, carries an antenna device such as antenna 30, wherein it is possible, but not necessary, that in connection with embodiments, an antenna 30 comprises more than one element and / or is an electronically-scanned antenna. Optionally, but not necessarily, vehicle 94 is flying, e.g., has a position above Earth 96. In a first orientation, shown in Fig. 18a, antenna 30, having no obstructions within the given example, may expand its EFOV 62^ e.g., as AFOV or different therefrom, and may have propagation opportunities (NLOS and / or LOS) towards LEO satellites 86Band a geostationary satellite 98x. In Fig. 18b, the orientation of vehicle 94 has changed and, still without any obstructions, a different EFOV 622when compared to Fig. 18a is obtained, providing a propagation opportunity of wireless signal towards LEO satellite 86cwhilst possibly losing connection to satellites 86Band / or 98x. Another change in the orientation may provide for another change of the EFOV whilst such a change may also be caused by a change in the position and / or altitude of vehicle 94.

[0207] In other words, Figs. 18a-b present a pictorial representation of a satellite communications terminal (UE) mounted to an aircraft fuselage. As the result of a maneuver - such as a change of direction, either as a planned route change or in response to another event - the banking of the aircraft causes the UE’s EFOV 62 to change. In Fig. 18a, both satellites 98xand 86Bare within FOV 62T and can thus be “seen” by the UE. In Fig. 18b, the UE loses connectivity with the established satellite, e.g., satellite 86B, while having visibility of satellite 86c. A mechanism is provided in accordance with embodiments to ensure that communication can be handed over from satellite 86Bto satellite 86cto avoid a loss of connection. Embodiments provided herein are not limited to such kind of situations. The inventors have found that similar considerations are also given to portable and transportable equipment such as body-worn and hand-held equipment - which due to the movement or motion of the user, might experience a change of their effective FOV.

[0208] Byway of further example, Fig. 18c and Fig. 18d show a schematic block diagram of a part of a wireless communication network 1850 where the vehicle 94 described in connection with wireless communication network 1800, carries the antenna device such as antenna 30 to point towards ground, earth 96 respectively where several terrestrial base stations including base station 99 and 99Bare located. It is noted that this scenario is, in view of the embodiments of

[0209] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 22

[0210] the present invention also related to flying - non-terrestrial - base stations flying below device 94.

[0211] Similarly to Fig. 18a-b, a first orientation shown in Fig. 18c may lead one base station 99Bor a first subset of base stations to be within EFOV 62-, , whilst a maneuver illustrated when referring to Fig. 18d, leads to a changed EFOV 622allowing a new connection to previously hidden base station 99 whilst possibly loosing connection to base station 99B.

[0212] Embodiments of the present invention relate to executing measurements of relevant parameters that allow a device and / or the network to obtain knowledge about the EFOV in the past, present and / or future to configure the device 94, the communication device thereof respectively, the network such as one or more base stations, and / or other entities to exploit this considerations, e.g., by preparing handovers and / or conditional handovers and / or to schedule resources to mitigate interference, e.g., suddenly caused by antenna 30 to base station 99Awhen executing the maneuver. That is, according to an embodiment, a device or a network entity may be configured to instruct or configure a different device such as communication device carrying antenna 30 and / or one of base stations 99A, 99Baccording to a determined past, present and / or future EFOV in order to improve network performance and / or to mitigate negative effects caused by the EFOV or a change thereof, e.g., regarding to loosing or establishing link opportunities, suffering from interference and / or QoS.

[0213] It is noted, that the vehicle 94 may combine both, a non-terrestrial communication of Fig. 18a-b and a terrestrial communication of Fig. 18c-d such that the description provided may be combined without limitation.

[0214] As shown, for example, in connection with Fig. 17 and Fig. 18a-d, a relative movement between communication partners may lead to a change in the EFOV. In the example of Fig. 17 satellites travelling through the stationary or varying EFOV, regardless whether being LOS EFOV 82 or NLOS EFOV 84, may lead to communication partners or satellites 86 available for ta device that uses antenna 30.

[0215] In order to enhance the communication within a network and / or between communication partners, one or more of the following goals might be underlying advantageous modifications in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0216] According to an embodiment, there is provided a device configured for operating in a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g. base stations or

[0217] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 23

[0218] satellites. The device comprises an antenna unit configured for communicating signals within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device. A subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV; and the EFOV is a function of at least one parameter. The EFOV and / or the at least one parameter is reported, derived from and / or used based on the function. That is, the EFOV is exploited which allows for several advantages.

[0219] Within the embodiments of the present disclosure, the device and / or the network may be enabled to one or more of:

[0220] • prepare HO / CHO for a UE, e.g., the device carrying the antenna 30;

[0221] • configure the UE for HO / CHO, neighbourhood lists, reports;

[0222] • configure the UE to be member of a group of UEs configured for group HO

[0223] • reduce size of a tracking area, TA;

[0224] • reduce a signalling overhead for communication and / or configuration of devices; • allow for energy saving, e.g., when pre-defining periods for low power consumption, e.g., sleep mode, where no communication is expected or possible;

[0225] • a reduction of HO failures due to anticipated loss of LOS to serving satellite;

[0226] • an high signal quality or stability within a predefined or variable range for reduced link adaptation overhead;

[0227] • a reduced interference to and / or from other network nodes, e.g., by adapting the scheduling and / or interference mitigation mechanisms;

[0228] • a low of a number of satellites prepared for CHO, e.g., as the next candidates within the EFOV are known; and

[0229] • a high quality and / or quick initial access.

[0230] To achieve this, embodiments are related to provide the network with knowledge about the EFOV and / or to consider at least one of the parameters that at least influence the EFOV. A recognition of the present invention is to make use, i.e., to actively exploit, the EFOV of a device. In the embodiment of Fig. 17, this may relate to or may comprise knowledge about satellites that are or that will be available for communication, e.g., at a specific point or interval in time.

[0231] The at least one parameter may be related to one or more of:

[0232] • a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit;

[0233] • an orientation of the device;

[0234] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 24

[0235] • a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam;

[0236] • a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern;

[0237] • at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;

[0238] • a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer;

[0239] • a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes • a position / location of the device;

[0240] • angles of Arrival of received signals observed by the device, e.g. minimum and / or maximum angle of a signal within a certain signal strength and / or along an arc;

[0241] • an effective arc as a cut of an orbital plane, e.g. observation wrt an orbit, e.g. LEO, MEO by deriving the angle of arc and / or a reference pointer / vector e.g. middle pointer (MP);

[0242] • observation of a minimum, average or maximum number of visible satellites with or without timestamp and / or directional information and / or their satellite IDs; • mobility of the device, e.g. past, current, expected / anticipated mobility by providing trajectory, direction, orientation / banking, speed, and changes thereof; and / or • measurement / observation window and / or post-processing of measurement / observation data with or without timestamps and / or location / directional information.

[0243] Such a parameter, e.g., in terms of a direction may be related to a main pointer or main direction of a lobe or beam formed or formable by the device, the antenna arrangement respectively. The direction may be associated with symmetric or asymmetric boundaries, e.g., a deviation of certain amount of degrees from the main pointer.

[0244] According to embodiments, the network may obtain knowledge or partial knowledge about the EFOV through a device such as a UE. Such a device may be configured to at least one of:

[0245] • measure the EVOF and / or at least one parameter and / or an associated metric, • activate, deactivate and / or report a capability of providing assistance information associated to the EFOV;

[0246] • respond to a network capability request or network capability command to exploit assistance information related to the EVOF, e.g., independently or in combination with reporting an own capability

[0247] • post-processing measurement results, e.g., by

[0248] o averaging,

[0249] o tagging,

[0250] o time-stamping,

[0251] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 25

[0252] o logging

[0253] o

[0254] • logging and / or storing measurement results and / or postprocessed results or reports derived therefrom;

[0255] • compiling, storing and / or receiving a measurement report

[0256] • deriving and / or determining:

[0257] o a list of HO candidates

[0258] o an estimated time of visibility of particular communication partners, e.g., satellites within the EFOV;

[0259] o a subset of relevant communication partners, e.g. satellites or nodes, from a provided neighbourhood list and / or a list of HO candidates

[0260] • indicating capability to measure, post-process and compile a report associated to EFOV and / or HO assistance information

[0261] • provide a measurement report or assistance information to:

[0262] o at least one of the network nodes within the periphery

[0263] o a further node, e.g. a gNB, a further UE, a satellite of the same or different orbit, a UAV

[0264] • request configuration and / or assistance information to measurements related to EVOF and HO assistance information and related procedures [measurement, postprocessing, storing, reporting,...]

[0265] Whilst reporting a capability of the device to the network may allow to determine or orchestrating a collection of information in the future and / or to determine a reliability of received reports, e.g., as devices capable to measure and / or report with high resolution may be considered more reliable when compared to devices with limited capabilities, the devices may also be instructed or configured to collect, process and / or provide or report the information or measurements to the network for a respective evaluation.

[0266] The network and / or the devices or UEs being aware about not only a respective neighbourhood of devices but about communication partners that are within a EFOV of at least a receiving device, may allow for a precise scheduling of resources and / or for a precise determination of handovers and other network mechanisms.

[0267] Such recognition may be valid for individual devices but also for groups of devices. According to embodiments, devices may indicate themselves as belonging to a respective group, e.g., using a group identifier when transmitting a signal. Alternatively or ion addition, members of a

[0268] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 26

[0269] group may be known to the network, e.g., from former reports or requests and / or based on the network or a network-side entity forming the group, e.g., a location management function, LMF.

[0270] Embodiments of the present invention solve several problems:

[0271] One problem solved by the present invention is that the UE’s EFOV is affected by one or more of:

[0272] • obstacles;

[0273] • obstructions;

[0274] • movement, mobility, rotation, e.g., a satellite tumbling in space or a ground-based UE moving;

[0275] • orientation in space;

[0276] • direction of boresite of antenna array;

[0277] • beam-pointing vector, e.g., fixed, electronic scan angle, ...;

[0278] • aperture conformity, e.g., a flat panel, a cylindrical array, a spherical array, or the like.

[0279] Another problem solved is that the UE’s EFOV can be time varying, e.g., a UE flying along a trajectory, e.g., as part of a rocket or other airborne device or terrestrial device, may carry a fixed FOV relative to itself. However, a rotation, e.g., of a rocket, may create a periodic EFOV towards a base station on Earth and / or towards a satellite. Uninterrupted communication links to satellites as they move in flight might be compromised in the absence of:

[0280] • a prepared handover; and / or

[0281] • a conditional handover.

[0282] The communication link may be difficult to establish, e.g., during initial access, and / or difficult to maintain, e.g., whilst in an RRC connected state.

[0283] Thus, whilst a scenario comprising flying devices is selected for illustrative purposes, the embodiments described herein are not limited hereto. Embodiments may relate to the finding that by determining the EFOV of one or more devices for the past, for the present, and / or for the future, a considerable advantage for communication may be obtained, severely extending beyond known concepts, e.g., according to conditional handovers and the like, that are related to a change of a position of a device, e.g., travelling along a route. As shown, e.g., in connection with Figs. 18a and 18b, a changed orientation due to a maneuver may result in a different communication opportunity for the vehicle 94 although having almost no change in the position.

[0284] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 27

[0285] Considering such effects for planning communication in wireless communication networks thus provides for a more reliable communication.

[0286] Embodiments thus relate to devices that measure one or more parameters and calculate the EFOV of themselves or different devices and / or provide reports. For example, a device such as a user equipment may be configured for operating in wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g., base stations, satellites, or other devices. The device may comprise an antenna unit configured for communicating wireless signal within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device. A subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV, e.g., satellites 86Band 98xin Fig. 18a or 86cin Fig. 18b. The inventors found that the EFOV is a function of at least one parameter related to a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit, e.g., providing the AFOV, an orientation of the device, a beam-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit pattern, see, e.g., Fig. 6 where each of the beams 36 may determine the EFOV at least in part, a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern, e.g., a complement when compared to a main direction of a lobe of a beam pattern; at least one object alongside or in the AFOV, e.g., blockers or obstructions; a reflection at an object and / or scatterer and / or a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes. The EFOV and / or the at least one parameter may be reported by, derived from, and / or based on the function.

[0287] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to determining EFOVs of one or more than one devices communicating in the wireless communication network and determining, e.g., for a present situation or for the future or for the past, e.g., to obtain a learning opportunity, which EFOV was, is, or will be existing to coordinate communication based thereon.

[0288] For example, the device such as the UE may provide at least one of the parameters and the EFOV based on at least one of a received request, a communication requirement, e.g., when requiring establishing a communication by an application or a different device, a timer, and / or a trigger.

[0289] The device may perform a measurement for obtaining the at least one parameter and for performing the measurement on at least a subset of communication nodes for determining the EFOV or for reporting. For example, when referring again to Fig. 18a and / or Fig. 18b, the device, e.g., communication terminal of vehicle 94, may measure on all or a selected subset from the satellite it sees in a respective orientation, e.g., knowing or unaware of the present EFOV. While reporting which devices are measured and / or seen, it may, by itself or by

[0290] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 28

[0291] reporting to allow determination at a different entity, contribute to determine the EFOV. For example, when knowing the trajectories of the satellites, a position of vehicle 94 and / or other properties of antenna 30 and / or a travel route or maneuvers of vehicle 94, the EFOV of vehicle 94 may be planned, and respective handovers may be scheduled accordingly.

[0292] For example, the device may be adapted for determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV or are expected to be within the EFOV in the future, e.g., when planning or starting the maneuvers explained in connection with Fig. 18b. The device may use at least one of a configuration for measurements, e.g., received or stored, performing a measurement, evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., an experience such as a knowledge-base or previous measurements, a result of learning, information being received from other nodes or devices or a database. Alternatively or in addition, the device may determine which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV or are expected to be within the EFOV in the future by deriving results from measurements or previous results, determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes, reporting, sharing of measurements, results, or selections with another node, and / or tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with them. The determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV may refer to at least one of a present situation, a future situation, or a past situation, e.g., right now, within a current / defined time period, as an estimation, prediction, and / or expectation, as an available a priori knowledge, or measurements from the past, respectively.

[0293] A described device, e.g., the UE, may be adapted for using a candidate communication node from a list of candidate communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes for communication based on the effective field of view. In one example, making reference again to Figs. 18a and 18b and amending Fig. 18b to a scenario where due to the maneuvers, satellite 86Bis still within the EFOV 622and considering a situation where antenna 30 maintains a connection to one of satellites 98xor 86B, vehicle 94 may decide to use satellite 86Bas being aware that this connection will be stable while executing the maneuvers. As an alternative or in addition, a handover or conditional handover may be prepared for handing over communication to satellite 86c.

[0294] According to an embodiment, the EFOV may relate to a periphery of the device covered by a radiation characteristic provided by the radiation capability, e.g., of an antenna, and being variable over time based on a change of the periphery.

[0295] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 29

[0296] According to an embodiment, the EFOV may be a fraction of an antenna radiation pattern and / or beam direction and / or a null direction of a device.

[0297] Alternatively or in addition, a change in an orientation or a position of a device may lead to a change of the EFOV of the device. Alternatively or in addition, at least one blocker in a periphery of the device may affect the EFOV as described, e.g., in connection with Fig. 17.

[0298] According to an embodiment, a device such as a UE may be adapted for receiving, e.g., related to a communication location of the device for communication, e.g., a present location, a future location or a possible location, the list from a network entity and as at least as a part of the list of candidate communication loads, a set of explicit communication node candidates, e.g., explicitly identified, as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the EFOV. That is, for one or more different locations and / or orientations or other considered parameters, the device may be equipped or instructed or provided with a list of candidate devices so that it may decide which devices to use for communication.

[0299] The device may, for example, receive parameters from a network controller and may calculate, using the parameters and for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view as at least a part of the list of candidate communication nodes. Optionally, the device may be adapted for requesting the parameters from the network controller. Alternatively or in addition, the device may be adapted for combining the perimeters with local device data relating to a current or actual EFOV to determine at least a part of the implicit set of communication node candidates. Alternatively or in addition, the device may be adapted for using the set of explicit communication node candidates and / or the implicit set of communication node candidates for at least one of measurement purposes, for camping on a cell, e.g., when in idle mode or inactive, and for performing a handover. More specifically, the device may be equipped with explicit information, e.g., carrying identifiers or the like that identify, for a specific EFOV, point in time, orientation and / or position candidate devices that may be, in general, suitable for communication, see, e.g., satellites 98xand 86Bin Fig. 18a. Based on further information, e.g., a route information, other EFOVs or the like, e.g., shown in Fig. 18b, the device may plan its communication.

[0300] Due to an embodiment, the device such as the UE may be adapted for executing and / or triggering a conditional handover, CHO, based on an appearance or presence of a candidate communication node in the EFOV of the device. That is, the device may wait for a device from the list of candidates to appear and may then connect or execute the handover. Alternatively

[0301] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 30

[0302] or in addition, the plurality of communication nodes may comprise one or more of a base station, a flying device such as a satellite or a high altitude platform, a fixed or stationary communication node on earth or above ground, a mobile or moving communication node, e.g., on land, seaborne, airborne or in space (satellite) of the wireless communication network. According to an embodiment, the plurality of communication nodes may comprise at least one of a satellite, a high altitude platform, HAP, a balloon, an unmanned aerial vehicle and an airplane. Although referring to the device as being a UE, alternatively or in addition, the device may be a base station or a relay device.

[0303] After having considered the device, further embodiments relate to a network controller adapted to operate in a wireless communication network, a plurality of communication nodes, wherein the network controller is adapted to process field of view information related to a respective field of view, of a plurality of devices to obtain a processing result. The network controller may cause an adaptation of communication, e.g., at the controller and / or at the UEs and / or other nodes such as satellites, within the wireless communication network based on the processing result. For example, the network controller may be adapted to determine the EFOV for at least one device. Alternatively or in addition, the network controller may be adapted to request, from at least one device, at least one parameter related to a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit thereof, an orientation of the device, e.g., passed, present or future, a beam pointing back to an active receive and / or transmit beam and / or null, at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g., blockers, obstructions, a reflection at an object and / or scatterers and / or a relative movement of the device and the communication nodes. Also those parameters may relate to a past, present or future instance of time.

[0304] According to an embodiment, the network controller may be adapted to aggregate effective field of view observations of a plurality of co-located devices for obtaining the processing result. Each EFOV observation may relate to an EFOV of a device with respect to the plurality of communication nodes. The network controller may, as an alternative or in addition, be adapted for determining the processing result based on determining connection opportunities of at least one device and towards at least one of the plurality of communication nodes based on a distribution of devices within a footprint of the at least one communication node, a heat map or channel chart of connection opportunities to the at least one communication node providing the footprint. For example, the connection opportunities may comprise beam pointing angles that define footprints in combination with an earth-referenced location of the communication node. Alternatively or in addition, the network controller may be adapted to determine the connection opportunities based on at least one known or established route accessible for the device, e.g., a route that the device may take. For example, the route accessible for the device

[0305] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 31

[0306] may comprise a shipping route, a flight route, a road route and / or a rail route. Alternatively or in addition, the route accessible for the device may comprise dwelling places and / or user distribution along the at least one route or in these places.

[0307] According to an embodiment, the network controller may be adapted for receiving measurement reports from devices of the wireless communication network and for receiving device connectivity information such as a location, a time stamp, visible satellites, beam pointing direction, e.g., as a center of radiation reference, CORR, and / or an orientation of the device and for determining the EFOV at a particular area or location as a part of a processing result. The CORR may be understood as a reference to a physical radiation center, e.g., by referencing a specific point of the device or feature of the device such as a housing or the like so that the physical reference may remain unrevealed.

[0308] The network controller may be adapted for providing the device for a communication location with an explicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view based on the processing result. Alternatively or in addition, the network controller may be adapted for providing parameters obtained as a part of the processing result to the device allowing the device to calculate, for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view. For example, this may relate to specific signal properties or the like that may occur at a location, thereby indicating a suitable candidate for communication. For example, the network controller may be adapted for providing parameters based on an a received request, based on a trigger event or the like.

[0309] According to an embodiment, the network controller may be adapted for providing the explicit set of communication node candidates and / or the parameters for the implicit set of communication node candidates, e.g., as preferred candidate for handover, HO, and / or conditional handover, CHO, by selecting the candidates based on a resilience of an obtained communication link established between the device and the candidates at the communication location and with the EFOV. That is, for example, although a candidate may have, for example, a higher SNR which might indicate a better signal quality, the network controller might consider that this signal might be lost due to the EFOV and that a different, possibly weaker, signal may relate to a more resilient communication allowing, e.g., larger amplitudes of movements, faster speeds and the like.

[0310] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 32

[0311] According to an embodiment, the network controller may be adapted to allocate resources utilized by the communication nodes for a conditional handover of the device based on the processing result.

[0312] According to an embodiment, the field of view information may relate to a line-of-sight, FOV, and of at least one ground-based device. Optionally, the field of view information may further relate to a non-LOS FOV of the at least one ground-based device as described, for example, on connection with Fig. 17. The LOS FOV and the non-LOS FOV may span different angles of coverage within the angular field of view. The network controller according to an embodiment may be adapted to identify at least one LOS FOV based on an evaluation of reception parameters measured or evaluated by at least one ground-based device. According to a further embodiment, the network controller may be adapted for determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV of a device, e.g., by:

[0313] • providing one or more devices a with configuration for measurements

[0314] • performing a measurement

[0315] • evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., experience, such as a knowledge base or previous measurements I learning, being told by other nodes I devices I data base

[0316] • deriving results from measurements or previous results

[0317] • determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes at least one device or at another communication node and / or the network

[0318] • reporting, sharing of measurement, results or selections to another node

[0319] • tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with them.

[0320] That is, according to embodiments, a preparation for handover or conditional handover may consider that other devices such as satellites can create beams in different directions. Some of the beams might be more useful or usable by a UE with a restricted FOV than compared to a UE with a less restricted FOV. The effective FOV may be a function of the UE’s:

[0321] • antenna radiation pattern / beam direction, e.g., with reference to bore side / CORR as described, e.g., in EP18733541.9;

[0322] • a position and / or orientation of at least one device;

[0323] • a geolocation including the altitude of a device; and / or

[0324] • surrounding blockers such as trees, buses, mountains, buildings and the like.

[0325] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 33

[0326] The effective FOV may define a periphery which can change over time.

[0327] The effective FOV observations of two or more co-located UEs, e.g., within a defined boundary, e.g., defined by a radius of a specific distance, may be aggregated. The aggregated periphery may likely be greater or larger than that of any single UE. Each UE will see a part of the aggregated periphery according to one or more of the factors listed herein.

[0328] Adaptive Footprint Provision Via Satellite for Capacity Enhancement

[0329] A footprint may describe the region or area of coverage on earth provided by a satellite, both for uplink and downlink. By determining the distribution of UEs within a footprint, a heat map or channel chart of connection opportunities to the satellite producing the footprint can be determined. This can include beam pointing angles that define footprints in combination with the earth-reference location of a satellite.

[0330] Information of known or established routes, for example, shipping routes, flight routes, road routes and / or rail routes, possibly together with knowledge of dwelling places, e.g., residential, industrial, commercial and / or recreational location, and the user distribution along these routes or in these places, can be used to optimize capacity steering. This may allow services to be offered with higher reliability, relevance and quality-of-service, QoS. Along such routes or in such places, an increased capacity can be provided by steering beams to these routes / places more often or for longer periods of time. At the same time, the satellite system can still provide basic coverage in some or all other areas with a much lower density of UEs, e.g., providing for emergency coverage.

[0331] Over an extended period of time the network, e.g., the network controller, can gather measurement reports from UEs, with additional UE information, e.g., location, time stamp, visible satellites, beam pointing direction (CORR), orientation and the like. These measurement reports may be provided to the network. The network can use these measurement reports to calculate / determine / estimate the effective FOV at a particular area / location.

[0332] Knowledge of the UEs effective FOV at a particular area or location may allow for one or more of:

[0333] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 34

[0334] • The network to provide the UE with an area / location specific list (subset) of satellite candidates (out of all satellites which cover that particular area / location), also referred to as explicit candidates;

[0335] • The network to provide parameters to the UE to be applied in a UE method or process to calculate an area / location specific list (subset) of satellite candidates (out of all satellites which cover that particular area / location), referred to herein as implicit candidates.

[0336] o The parameters can be requested by or signaled to a UE; and / or o The parameters can be combined with local UE knowledge about the actual FOV / EFOV as a function of, e.g., direction, orientation, antenna characteristics, altitude and the like.

[0337] • These candidates, whether implicit or explicit, may be used by the UE for measurement purposes, to camp on cells when in idle mode or inactive, or when in connected mode to perform a handover.

[0338] A further embodiment relates to an emergency service request and the provision of, e.g., UE coordinates and effective FOV, a satellite network may, according to the embodiment, provide a sequence of satellites to be preferred candidates for handover, HO, and / or conditional handover, CHO, such that a high resilient and reliable connection to the UE can be provided, in particular, when audio support is needed in an emergency scenario, like e-call. Further, the satellite network can allocate resources at a selection of satellites from the preferred candidates for CHO while the CHO is triggered and / or executed by the UE depending on which of the satellites will appear or be present in the effective FOV. By using such a method of UE assisted location and FOV support, the satellite network can provide an improved QoS at reasonable resource over provisioning when preparing several candidate satellites for CHO.

[0339] Furthermore, when considering an airplane with a fixed EFOV, see Figs. 18a, 18b, created by the antenna array on top of the airplane, the movement of the plane including banking (change altitude or direction or both) may create a moving projection of the EFOV towards the constellation of satellites. In a priori knowledge of the airplane’s route an expected change of beam pointing vectors may allow the UE and / or the network to predict available satellites within the EFOV. This can enhance the communication link under a mobility including handovers.

[0340] In the example illustrated in Fig. 19, the EFOV (LOS) and EFOV (NLOS) may span different angles of coverage, see also Fig. 17. In the NLS EFOV region 84 - where there is no direct or LOS path between the satellite and the UE or UT, the overall pathloss may be increased due to the reduced strength of wave reflected from obstructions, see, e.g., parameter D.

[0341] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 35

[0342] The effect of pathloss can be seen in the reception parameter known as received signal strength which is typically associated with a received signal strength indicator, RSSI. In addition to RSSI, other reception parameters can be defined wherein a non-limiting list of examples includes:

[0343] • a Doppler shift;

[0344] • access path time delay;

[0345] • and interference level.

[0346] In other words, Fig. 19 shows a conceptual illustration of the relationship between reception-related parameters and the EFOV for LOS and NLOS conditions. The parameters may be a function of the angular field of view. The parameters are selected by way of example only and show that differences between the EFOVs 82 and 84 might be identified which allow for an explicit determination and an implicit determination of candidates. A number of considered parameters and the selection thereof may be different for different embodiments. Further, the parameter may be a measured parameter and / or a determined or calculated parameter, such as a probability of errors, connection loss, an expected bit error rate an expected delay or the like.

[0347] With regard to EFOV and zonal sub-structures, embodiments also relate to a superposition of EFOV of LOS, a first reflection, a second reflection and / or the like that may create the overall EFOV, wherein objects such as satellites can be observed. The overall EFOV may have a periphery, e.g., angles only covered by NLOS, and within the periphery zones can be created according to one or more of:

[0348] • an angular / conical spread of a beam angle or some other 2D or 3D measure of the antenna’s pattern such as radiated power or the like;

[0349] • an RSSI contour, e.g., a line of equal RSSI values;

[0350] • a Doppler contour, e.g., a line of equal Doppler values;

[0351] • a time delay contour, e.g., a line of equal time delay values;

[0352] • an SINR contour, e.g., a line of equal SINR values; and

[0353] • an interference level contour, e.g., a line of equal interference values.

[0354] Zones such as those listed above can be used to define threshold levels, for the periphery and / or the center, e.g., LOS-based FOV 82, and / or the overall EFOF, and hence windows of opportunity in which to make decisions, structure reports, decide on handover candidates and

[0355] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 36

[0356] such like. For example, when considering the graph of Fig. 19 as representing an EFOV at a specific location (including orientation) and / or region such as with a footprint 52 of a satellite as explained in connection with Fig. 9, there may be determined, e.g., for a zone 95T and / 952related to a NLOS part of the overall EFOV 84 and / or for the LOS part 82 thereof and / or for a sub- zone 97-, , 972where an advantageous set to parameters is obtained when connecting to a communication partner and / or pointing a beam towards this zone. The zone map of Fig. 19 may be determined based on the effective fields of view experienced by the devices and / or respective reports provided. The zone map of Fig. 19 may be a function of the device location, position and / or orientation.

[0357] For example, whilst not limiting the embodiment to satellite-based communication, the device may expect the map of Fig. 19 to be valid for a specific location or region, e.g., within footprint 52, when orienting the antenna towards the sky. The device may determine the map and / or may be provided with the map, e.g., upon entering a region and / or upon request and / or to update an existing map. For example, the map may be associated with a specific location or region and / or orientation and / or may use the map it has determined or received until this map is replaced.

[0358] Within the wireless communication network, there may exist different zone maps for a location, e.g., with different granularity regarding the size of the region represented, the amount or resolution of parameters, e.g., to provide the advantages to devices having different capabilities. Alternatively or in addition, the device may have determined or received a map of a first granularity or size, e.g., a large size and coarse information, and may additionally determine or receive maps relating to a lower size but with higher accuracy regarding the parameters. According to an embodiment, the device may use such a fine or precise map if available and may use the coarse or large map as a fallback if the fine map is unavailable, outdated or not reliable.

[0359] It is noted that such zones may be determined in any suitable way, from which NLOS / LOS differentiation is one possibility and an alternative or additional consideration to determine zones or sub-zones may be a direction along which beams may be directed such as, e.g., subzones 97T and / 972in a number of at least 1, at least 2, at least 3 or even more.

[0360] For example, referring to Parameter C of Fig. 19, the parameter might indicate that SINR so that zone map of Fig. 19 might indicate that zine 972is preferrable for obtaining a high SINR. However, Parameter D might relate to a reliability of the link which is, for example, reduced in

[0361] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 37

[0362] sub- zone 972when compared, e.g., to zone 952still providing for Parameter C above a predetermined, absolute or relative threshold 93. Alternatively or in addition, further thresholds may be applied to Parameter C and or at least one other parameter. That is, the device may select one of the zones available within the EFOV 82 or 84 based on an optimization criterion, e.g., a local or global criterion.

[0363] The selection, e.g., at UE side or on network side may allow for optimizing the communication, e.g., for the device or UE and / or for the overall network, e.g., in terms of interference management.

[0364] According to an embodiment, a device such as a UE may use information representing the EFOV, e.g., the zone map of Fig. 19 and for adapting communication based on the information representing the EFOV. For example, the information may comprise information representing zones within the EFOV and at least one parameter related to the communication within the zones and to select a zone of the EFOV for communication based on the at least one parameter, e.g., using a threshold. Such a zone might be considered as a window of opportunity for communication. Similarly such determinations and / or selections may be by the wireless communication network, e.g., a network controller and optionally fora different device. That is, the network may determine or decide or select for the UE and or other UEs to locally or globally optimize communication.

[0365] Embodiments of the present invention allow for one or more of a reduced latency and handover; a resilience against handover failures and / or packet jitters; a regular connectivity opportunity for uplink and downlink; a semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, which reduces signaling overhead; SPS required when handing over (or across the handover), faster reconnected after idle or inactive state; an extended continued connectivity with a particular satellite; to reduce a number of handovers; to prepare appropriate target satellites for HO; and / or to reduce the number of target satellites to be measured for HO preparation, e.g., in view of timing, synchronization and Doppler.

[0366] Embodiments relate to, amongst others, UE aspects and to network aspects. For example, embodiments may relate to an SIB19, e.g., a neighborhood list, to a UE measurement configuration, to UE measurements and reporting, to UE configuration for handover and conditional handover and / or to new events, thresholds to trigger CHO and the like.

[0367] Various elements and features of the present invention may be implemented in hardware using analogue and / or digital circuits, in software, through the execution of instructions by one or

[0368] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 38

[0369] more general purpose or special-purpose processors, or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the environment of a computer system or another processing system. Fig. 20 illustrates an example of a computer system 500. The units or modules as well as the steps of the methods performed by these units may execute on one or more computer systems 500. The computer system 500 includes one or more processors 502, like a special purpose or a general-purpose digital signal processor. The processor 502 is connected to a communication infrastructure 504, like a bus or a network. The computer system 500 includes a main memory 506, e.g., a random-access memory (RAM), and a secondary memory 508, e.g., a hard disk drive and / or a removable storage drive. The secondary memory 508 may allow computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system 500. The computer system 500 may further include a communications interface 510 to allow software and data to be transferred between computer system 500 and external devices. The communication may be in the form of electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being handled by a communications interface. The communication may use a wire or a cable, fibre optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link and other communications channels 512.

[0370] The terms “computer program medium” and “computer readable medium” are used to generally refer to tangible storage media such as removable storage units or a hard disk installed in a hard disk drive. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system 500. The computer programs, also referred to as computer control logic, are stored in main memory 506 and / or secondary memory 508. Computer programs may also be received via the communications interface 510. The computer program, when executed, enables the computer system 500 to implement the present invention. In particular, the computer program, when executed, enables processor 502 to implement the processes of the present invention, such as any of the methods described herein. Accordingly, such a computer program may represent a controller of the computer system 500. Where the disclosure is implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into computer system 500 using a removable storage drive, an interface, like communications interface 510.

[0371] The implementation in hardware or in software may be performed using a digital storage medium, for example cloud storage, a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blue-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer readable.

[0372] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 39

[0373] Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed.

[0374] Generally, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may for example be stored on a machine-readable carrier.

[0375] Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, stored on a machine-readable carrier. In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

[0376] A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a data carrier (or a digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may for example be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet. A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein. A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

[0377] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods are preferably performed by any hardware apparatus.

[0378] The above described embodiments are merely illustrative for the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and the details described herein are apparent to others skilled in the art. It is the intent, therefore, to be limited

[0379] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 40

[0380] only by the scope of the impending patent claims and not by the specific details presented by way of description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

[0381] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 41

[0382]

[0383] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 42

[0384]

[0385] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 43

[0386]

[0387] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 44

[0388]

[0389] FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX

Claims

1. 25007 45Claims1. A device, configured for operating in a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g. base stations or satellites, the device comprising:an antenna unit configured for communicating signals within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device,wherein a subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV; andwherein the EFOV is a function of at least one parameter;wherein the EFOV and / or the at least one parameter is reported, derived from and / or used based on the function.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter is related to one or more of:• a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit;• an orientation of the device;• a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam;• a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern;• at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;• a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer;• a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes • a position / location of the device;• Angles of Arrival of received signals observed by the device, e.g. minimum and / or maximum angle of a signal within a certain signal strength and / or along an arc;• an effective arc as a cut of an orbital plane, e.g. observation wrt an orbit, e.g. LEO, MEO by deriving the angle of arc and / or a reference pointer / vector e.g. middle pointer (MP);• an observation of a minimum, average or maximum number of visible satellites with or without timestamp and / or directional information and / or their satellite IDs;• a mobility of the device, e.g. past, current, expected / anticipated mobility by providing trajectory, direction, orientation / banking, speed, and changes thereof; and / orFH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 46• a measurement window or observation window and / or a post-processing of measurement / observation data with or without timestamps and / or location / directional information.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is configured to at least one of:• measure the EVOF and / or at least one parameter and / or an associated metric, • activate, deactivate and / or report a capability of providing assistance information associated to the EFOV;• response to a network capability to exploit assistance information related to the EVOF;• post-process the measurement results byo averaging, tagging, time-stamping,...• log and / or store measurements and / or postprocessed results• compile, store and / or receive a measurement report• derive and / or determine at least one of:o a list of HO candidateso estimated time of visibility of particular satellites within the EFOV o subset of relevant satellites / nodes from the provided neighbourhood list / HO candidates• indicate capability to measure, post-process and compile a report associated to EFOV and / or HO assistance information• provide a measurement report or assistance information to:o at least one of the network nodes within the peripheryo a further node, e.g. a gNB, a further UE, a satellite of the same or different orbit, a UAV• request configuration and / or assistance information to measurements related to EVOF and HO assistance information and related procedures such as measurement, postprocessing, storing, reporting.

4. The device of one of previous claims, wherein by reporting the EFOV and / or the at least one parameter the device and / or the network is enabled to at least one of:• Prepare a handover, HO, and / or conditional HO, CHO, for at least one device;• configure the device for HO / CHO, a neighbourhood lists, and / or a report;• configure the device to be member of a group of devices, the group configured for executing a group HOFH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 47• obtaining a small size of a tracking area, TA, wherein a tracking area, TA, is an area in which the device tracks the arc or trajectory or path (of the other network entity); therefore, obtaining a small size of a tracking area may be understood as, according to the effect of the EFOV, the (larger) tracking area is reduced to a small tracking area;• obtaining a low signalling overhead for communication and / or configuration of devices;• allow for energy saving, e.g., when pre-defining periods for low power consumption, e.g., sleep mode, where no communication is expected or possible;• a low amount of HO failures due to anticipated loss of LOS to serving satellite;• an high signal quality or stability within a predefined or variable range for reduced link adaptation overhead;• a low amount of interference to and / or from other network nodes, e.g., by adapting the scheduling and / or interference mitigation mechanisms;• a low of a number of satellites prepared for CHO, e.g., as the next candidates within the EFOV are known; and / or• a high quality and / or quick initial access5. The device of one of previous claims, adapted to provide at least one of the parameters and the EFOV based on at least one of:• a received request,• a communication requirement,• a timer, and• a trigger.

6. The device of one of previous claims, adapted to perform a measurement for obtaining the at least one parameter and for performing the measurement on at least a subset of communication nodes for determining the EFOV or for reporting.

7. The device according to one of previous claims, adapted for determining, which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV or are expected to be within the EFOV in future, by at least one of:• the device configured for measurements,• performing a measurement,• evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., experience, such as a knowledge base or previous measurements I learning, being told by other nodes I devices / data base,FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 48• deriving results from measurements or previous results,• determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes,• reporting, sharing of measurement, results or selections to another node• tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with them;wherein the determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV refers to at least one of:• a present situation, e.g., right now, within a current / defined time period, ...• a future situation, e.g., as an estimation, prediction and / or expectation• a past situation, e.g., an available a priori knowledge or measurements from the past.

8. The device according to one of previous claims, adapted for:using a candidate communication node from a list of candidate communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes for communication based on the effective field of view.

9. The device of one of previous claims, wherein the EFOV relates to a periphery of the device covered by a radiation characteristic provided by the radiation capability and being variable overtime based on a change of the periphery.

10. The device of one of previous claims, wherein the EFOV is a function of an antenna radiation pattern and / or beam direction and / or a null direction of the device.

11. The device of one of previous claims, wherein a change in an orientation or a position of the device leads to a change of the EFOV of the device.

12. The device of one of previous claims, wherein at least one blocker in a periphery of the device affects the EFOV.

13. The device of one of previous claims, adapted for receiving, e.g., related to a communication location of the device for communication, the list from a network entity and as at least a part of the list of candidate communication nodes, a set of explicit communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the EFOV.FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 4914. The device of one of previous claims, adapted for receiving parameters from a network controller and for calculating, using the parameters and for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view as at least a part of the list of candidate communication nodes.

15. The device of claim 14, adapted for requesting the parameters from the network controller.

16. The device of claim 14 or 15, adapted for combining the parameters with local device data relating to a current or actual EFOV to determine at least a part of the implicit set of communication node candidates.

17. The device of one of claims 13 to 16, adapted for using the set of explicit communication node candidates and / or the implicit set of communication node candidates for at least one of measurement purposes, for camping on a cell, e.g., when in idle mode or inactive, and for performing a handover.

18. The device of one of previous claims, adapted for executing and / or triggering a conditional handover, CHO, based on an appearance or presence of a candidate communication node in the EFOV of the device.

19. The device of one of previous claims, wherein the plurality of communication nodes comprise one or more of a base station, a flying device such as a satellite or a high altitude platform, a fixed or stationary communication node on Earth or above ground, a mobile or moving communication node, e.g. on land, seaborne, airborne or in space (satellite) of the wireless communication network.

20. The device of one of previous claims, wherein the plurality of communication nodes comprises at least one of a satellite, a high altitude platform, HAP, a balloon, unmanned aerial vehicle and an airplane.

21. The device of one of previous claims, being one of a base station, a user equipment, UE, and a relay device.FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 5022. The device of one of previous claims, adapted to use information representing the EFOV and for adapting communication based on the information representing the EFOV.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the information representing the EFOV comprises information representing zones within the EFOV and at least one parameter related to the communication within the zones and to select a zone of the EFOV for communication based on the at least one parameter, e.g., using a threshold.

24. A network controller adapted to operate in a wireless communication network a plurality of communication nodes, wherein the network controller is adapted to process field of view information related to a respective effective field of view, EFOV, of a plurality of devices, e.g., ground-based devices, to obtain a processing result; andto cause an adaptation of communication within the wireless communication network based on the processing result.

25. The network controller of claim 24, adapted to determine the EFOV for at least one device.

26. The network controller of claim 24 or 25 adapted to request, from at least one device, at least one parameter related to:• a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit thereof;• an orientation of the device;• a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam and / or null; • at least one object alongside or in the AFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;• a reflection at an object and / or scatterers; and / or• a relative movement of the device and the communication nodes.

27. The network controller of one of claims 24 to 26, adapted to aggregate effective field of view, FOV, observations of a plurality of co-located devices; for obtaining the processing result;wherein each EFOV observation relates to an EFOV of a device with respect to the plurality of communication nodes.

28. The network controller of one of claims 24 to 27, adapted for determining the processing result based on determining connection opportunities of at least one device and towardsFH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 51at least one of the plurality of communication nodes based on a distribution of devices within a footprint of the at least one communication node, a heatmap or channel chart of connection opportunities to the at least one communication node providing the footprint.

29. The network controller of claim 28, wherein the connection opportunities comprise beam pointing angles that define footprints in combination with an Earth-referenced location of the communication node.

30. The network controller of claim 28 or 29, adapted to determine the connection opportunities based on at least one known or established route accessible for the device.

31. The network controller of claim 30, wherein the route accessible for the device comprises a shipping route, a flight route, a road route and / or a rail route; and / or comprises dwelling places and / or a user distribution along the at least one route or in these places.

32. The network controller of one of claims 28 to 31, adapted for receiving measurement reports from devices of the wireless communication network and for receiving device connectivity information such as a location, a time stamp, visible satellites, beam pointing direction, e.g., as a centre of radiation reference, CORR, and / or an orientation of the device and for determining the EFOV at a particular area or location as a part of the processing result.

33. The network controller of one of claims 28 to 32, adapted for providing the device for a communication location with an explicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view based on the processing result.

34. The network controller of one of claims 28 to 33, adapted for providing parameters obtained as a part of the processing result to the device allowing the device to calculate, for a communication location, an implicit set of communication node candidates as a subset of all communication nodes that cover the communication location based on the effective field of view.

35. The network controller of claim 34, adapted for providing the parameters based on a received request; or based on a trigger event.FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 5236. The network controller of one of claims 33 to 35, adapted for providing the explicit set of communication node candidates and / or the parameters for the implicit set of communication node candidates, e.g., as preferred candidates for handover, HO, and / or conditional handover, CHO, by selecting the candidates based on a resilience of an obtained communication link established between the device and the candidates at the communication location and with the EFOV.

37. The network controller of one of claims 33 to 36, adapted for providing the explicit set of communication node candidates and / or the parameters for the implicit set of communication node candidates based on a beamforming capability of the communication nodes.

38. The network controller of one of claims 33 to 37, adapted to allocate resources utilized by the communication nodes for a conditional handover, CHO, of the device based on the processing result.

39. The network controller of one of claims 24 to 38, wherein the field of view information relates to a line-of-sight, LOS, FOV of at least one ground-based device.

40. The network controller of claim 30, wherein the field of view information further relates to a non-LOS FOV of the at least one ground-based device.

41. The network controller of claim 39 or 40, wherein the LOS FOV and the non-LOS FOV span different angles of coverage within the angular field of view.

42. The network controller of one of claims 39 to 31, adapted to identify at least the LOS FOV based on an evaluation of reception parameters measured or evaluated by the at least one ground-based device.

43. The network controller of one of claims 24 to 42, adapted for determining, which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EFOV of a device, by:• providing one or more devices a with configuration for measurements• performing a measurement• evaluating a direct or indirect previous result, e.g., experience, such as a knowledge base or previous measurements I learning, being told by other nodes I devices I data base• deriving results from measurements or previous resultsFH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 53• determining or selecting a subset of available communication nodes at least one device or at another communication node and / or the network• reporting, sharing of measurement, results or selections to another node• tracking, e.g., by performing repeated measurements of nodes and parameters associated with themwherein the determining which of the plurality of communication nodes are within the EVOF refers to at least one of:• a present situation, e.g., right now, within a current / defined time period, ...• a future situation, e.g., as an estimation, prediction and / or expectation• a past situation, e.g., an available a priori knowledge or measurements from the past44. The network controller of one of claims 24 to 43, adapted to use information representing the EFOV of at least one device and for adapting communication based on the information representing the EFOV.

45. The network controller of claim 44, wherein the information representing the EFOV comprises information representing zones within the EFOV and at least one parameter related to the communication within the zones and to select a zone of the EFOV for communication of a different device based on the at least one parameter, e.g., using a threshold.

46. A method for operating a device having an antenna unit configured for communicating signals within an effective field of view, EFOV, of the device, the device to operate in a wireless communication network comprising a plurality of communication nodes, e.g. base stations or satellites, the method comprising:reporting and / or derive a function or a parameter thereof related to the EFOVsuch that a subset of communication nodes from the plurality of communication nodes within a periphery of the device for establishing a communication link is determined by the EFOV; andsuch that the function represents the EFOV as a function of at least one parameter related to:a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit;an orientation of the device;FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 54• a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam;• a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern;• at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;• a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer; and / or• a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the at least one parameter is related to one or more of:• a radiation capability of the device or antenna unit;• an orientation of the device;• a beam pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam;• a null-pointing vector of an active receive and / or transmit beam pattern;• at least one object alongside or in the EFOV, e.g. blockers, obstructions;• a reflection at an object and / or a scatterer;• a relative movement of the device and at least one of the communication nodes • a position / location of the device;• Angles of Arrival of received signals observed by the device, e.g. minimum and / or maximum angle of a signal within a certain signal strength and / or along an arc;• an effective arc as a cut of an orbital plane, e.g. observation wrt an orbit, e.g. LEO, MEO by deriving the angle of arc and / or a reference pointer / vector e.g. middle pointer (MP);• an observation of a minimum, average or maximum number of visible satellites with or without timestamp and / or directional information and / or their satellite IDs;• a mobility of the device, e.g. past, current, expected / anticipated mobility by providing trajectory, direction, orientation / banking, speed, and changes thereof; and / or• a measurement window or observation window and / or a post-processing of measurement / observation data with or without timestamps and / or location / directional information.

48. The method of claim 46 or 47, further comprising at least one of:• measuring the EVOF and / or at least one parameter and / or an associated metric, • activating, deactivating and / or reporting a capability of providing assistance information associated to the EFOV;• providing a response according to a request or an instruction or a command or a schedule or an event or a trigger or a decision or the like to exploit assistance information related to the EVOF;FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 55• post-processing the measurement results byo averaging, tagging, time-stamping,...• logging or storing measurements and / or postprocessed results• compiling, storing and / or receiving a measurement report• deriving and / or determining at least one of :o a list of HO candidateso estimated time of visibility of particular satellites within the EFOV o subset of relevant satellites / nodes from the provided neighbourhood list / HO candidates• indicating capability to measure, post-process and compile a report associated to EFOV and / or HO assistance information• providing a measurement report or assistance information to:o at least one of the network nodes within the peripheryo a further node, e.g. a gNB, a further UE, a satellite of the same or different orbit, a UAV• requesting configuration and / or assistance information to measurements related to EVOF and HO assistance information and related procedures such as measurement, post-processing, storing, reporting,49. The method of one of claims 46 to 48, wherein by reporting the EFOV and / or the at least one parameter a device and / or the network is enabled to at least one of:• prepare a handover, HO, and / or conditional HO, CHO, for at least one device;• configure the device for HO / CHO, a neighbourhood lists, and / or a report;• configure the device to be member of a group of devices, the group configured for executing a group HO• obtaining a small size of a tracking area, TA;• obtaining a low signalling overhead for communication and / or configuration of devices;• allow for energy saving, e.g., when pre-defining periods for low power consumption, e.g., sleep mode, where no communication is expected or possible;• a low amount of HO failures due to anticipated loss of LOS to serving satellite;• an high signal quality or stability within a predefined or variable range for reduced link adaptation overhead;• a low amount of interference to and / or from other network nodes, e.g., by adapting the scheduling and / or interference mitigation mechanisms;FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX25007 56• a low of a number of satellites prepared for CHO, e.g., as the next candidates within the EFOV are known; and / or• a high quality and / or quick initial access50. A method for operating a network controller in a wireless communication network a plurality of communication nodes, the method comprising:processing field of view information related to a respective effective field of view, EFOV, of a plurality of devices, e.g., ground-based devices, to obtain a processing result; andcausing an adaptation of communication within the wireless communication network based on the processing result.

51. A computer readable digital storage medium having stored thereon a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method according to one of claims 46 to 50.FH250205PEP-2025065802. DOCX

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