Using time division duplex bands for direct-to-handset communication through satellites

Abstract

An apparatus configured to process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications, process, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame and perform the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the frame.

Description

Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 Using Time Division Duplex Bands for Direct-to-Handset Communication through SatellitesInventors: Reza Arefi, Alexander Sayenko, Biljana Badic and Fucheng WangPriority / Incorporation By Reference

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 772,019 filed on March 14, 2025, and entitled, “Using Time Division Duplex Bands for Direct-to-Handset Communication through Satellites,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.Background

[0002] Wireless communication networks may include terrestrial networks (TNs) and nonterrestrial networks (NTNs), e.g., satellite communications. These satellite communications may be used to eliminate coverage holes in the TN. However, satellite communications may not offer “data packet” services. The concept of NTN is here taken as having a satellite system offer data packet services by providing satellite connectivity directly to handsets, herein referred to as direct-to-handset (D2H) communications. However, providing D2H communications may be limited by available frequencies and by frequency usage. For example, in one country a frequency band may be a time division duplexing (TDD) band and in another country the same frequency band may be a frequency division duplexing (FDD) band, but a satellite coverage area may include both countries.Summary

[0003] Some example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications, process, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN ULAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame and perform the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the frame.

[0004] Other example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to generate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the single TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications and generate, for transmission to the UE, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame.

[0005] Still further example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier, a first frame configuration for a first frame of the first TDD carrier, an identification of a second TDD carrier, and a second frame configuration for a second frame of the second TDD carrier, wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration comprises one of an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications process, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the first frame and the second frame and perform the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame overlap in time.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0006] Additional example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to generate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier, a first frame configuration for a first frame of the first TDD carrier, an identification of a second TDD carrier, and a second frame configuration for a second frame of the second TDD carrier, wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration comprises one of an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications and generate, for transmission to the UE, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame overlap in time.

[0007] More example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier having a first TDD frame configuration comprising downlink (DL) frames and uplink (UL) frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for terrestrial network (TN) DL communications and direct to handset (D2H) DL communications with a satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite and process, based on signaling from the network, a configuration comprising an identification of a second TDD carrier having a second TDD frame configuration comprising DL frames and UL frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications with the satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite.

[0008] More example embodiments are related to an apparatus having memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to generate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexingAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 (TDD) carrier having a first TDD frame configuration comprising downlink (DL) frames and uplink (UL) frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for terrestrial network (TN) DL communications and direct to handset (D2H) DL communications with a satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite and generate, for transmission to the UE, a configuration comprising an identification of a second TDD carrier having a second TDD frame configuration comprising DL frames and UL frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications with the satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] Fig. 1 shows an example network arrangement according to various example embodiments.

[0010] Fig. 2 shows an example user equipment (UE) according to various example embodiments.

[0011] Fig. 3 shows an example base station according to various example embodiments.

[0012] Fig. 4 shows an example terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN) architecture according to various example embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 5 shows an example TDD frame of a single TDD carrier carrying both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) data for Direct-to-Handset (D2H) communications according to various example embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 6 shows a first example of TDD frames for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and downlink DL data for D2H communications according to various example embodiment.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0015] Fig. 7 shows a second example of TDD frames for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments.

[0016] Fig. 8 shows a third example of TDD frames for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments.

[0017] Fig. 9 shows a fourth example of TDD frames for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments.

[0018] Fig. 10 shows a fifth example of TDD frames for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments.Detailed Description

[0019] The example embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The example embodiments are related to operations performed by a user equipment (UE) or a network component in a non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0020] The example embodiments are described with regard to a user equipment (UE). However, reference to a UE is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any electronic component that may establish a connection to a network and is configured with the hardware, software, and / or firmware to exchange information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any appropriate electronic component. Specifically, the term UE may encompass any electronic device configured to receive services from a satellite.

[0021] The example embodiments are also described with regard to a Sixth Generation (6G) network. However, reference to a 6G network is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may be utilized with any appropriate type of network that may establish a connection to a UE and exchange information and data with the UE (e.g., 5G network, 5G-Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 Advanced networks, 7G networks, mobile satellite networks, Wi-Fi or other unlicensed or license-exempt network, etc.).

[0022] The example embodiments are further described with regard to a network integrated with an NTN or mobile satellite network utilizing one or more satellites to provide UE access to the radio access network (RAN). A satellite-based NTN may be deployed by, or collaborate with, a public land mobile network (PLMN) and may be further integrated with a terrestrial network (TN) of the PLMN. Throughout this description, the non-terrestrial component is generally described as a satellite. However, any reference to a satellite is only for illustrative purposes and the example embodiments may apply to other types of non-terrestrial components, e.g., airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), etc.

[0023] In addition, while the example embodiments are described with reference to satellite communications performed by the 3GPP NTN technology, the example embodiments are not limited to 3GPP NTN satellites. There may be other types of satellite communications that are not part of an NTN. Thus, reference herein to D2H communications may refer to any communication with a satellite or non-terrestrial station regardless of whether that satellite or non-terrestrial station is part of an NTN.

[0024] The example embodiments are also described with reference to the communications occurring on lower frequency bands (e.g., below 2.7 GHz) that are typically more suitable for use of hand-held devices in an NTN / satellite setting as-is, namely, without any modifications to the hand-held devices. However, the example embodiments are not limited to these lower frequency bands, e.g., the example embodiments may be implemented at other frequencies, including at higher frequencies where use of Time Division Duplexing (TDD) is prevalent.

[0025] Direct-to-Handset (D2H) communications in TDD may experience interference with terrestrial communications due to the relatively long delay between downlink (DL) communications and uplink (UL) communications. In addition, using TDD for D2H communications may require a large gap between DL and UL communications to account for the latency of the D2H communications. For example, in TN communications the UL / DL gap mayAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 be a few microseconds but for D2H communications the UL / DL gap may be much larger based on the long distance from the UE to the satellite, e.g., 2-14 milliseconds (ms).

[0026] The example embodiments provide operations to enable efficient usage of TDD carriers for the satellite communication by enabling both terrestrial and satellite components during the same frame but in different slots. The example embodiments provide operations when a UE is configured with a single TDD carrier or with two or more TDD carriers. Each of these example embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an example network arrangement 100 according to various example embodiments. The example network arrangement 100 includes a UE 110. The UE 110 may be any type of electronic component that is configured to communicate via a network, e g., mobile phones, tablet computers, desktop computers, smartphones, phablets, embedded devices, wearables, Internet of Things (loT) devices, etc. the example of a single UE 110 is merely provided for illustrative purposes. An actual network arrangement may include any number of UEs being used by any number of users.

[0028] The UE 110 may be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of the network arrangement 100, the network with which the UE 110 may wirelessly communicate is a 3GPP RAN 120. However, the UE 110 may also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., Fifth Generation (5G) networks, 5G advanced networks, 5G cloud RAN, a next generation RAN (NG-RAN), a long-term evolution (LTE) RAN, a legacy cellular network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a mobile satellite service, a Wi-Fi network, etc.) and the UE 110 may also communicate with networks over a wired connection. With regard to the example embodiments, the UE 110 may establish a connection with the 3GPP RAN 120. Therefore, the UE 110 may have one or more chipsets to communicate with the 3GPP RAN 120.

[0029] The 3GPP RAN 120 may be a portion of a PLMN that may be deployed by a network carrier (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) or part of a public or private Wi-Fi network. The 3GPP RAN 120 may include, for example, nodes or base stations (Node Bs, eNodeBs, HeNBs,Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 eNBS, gNBs, gNodeBs, macrocells, microcells, small cells, femtocells, etc.) that are configured to send and receive traffic from UEs that are equipped with the appropriate cellular chip set.

[0030] In the example network arrangement 100, the 3GPP RAN 120 includes a base station 120A that may be in a terrestrial network (TN) deployment or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) deployment. For example, a satellite-based system may be integrated with the 3 GPP RAN 120 to provide network access to the UE 110 in the NTN deployment and the base station may, in some cases, be located on a non -terrestrial component, e.g., a satellite. An example NTN network architecture will be described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 4. However, as described above, in the example embodiments, the satellite communications (e.g., D2H communications) are not required to be NTN satellite communications (e.g., the satellite D2H communications may be satellite communications with satellites of a mobile satellite network that is not an NTN). The description herein of an NTN and an NTN satellite are only examples.

[0031] The UE 110 may connect to the 6G-RAN 120 via the base station 120A. Any association procedure may be performed for the UE 110 to connect to the 6G-RAN 120. For example, as discussed above, the 6G-RAN 120 may be associated with a particular cellular provider where the UE 110 and / or the user thereof has a contract and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of the 6G-RAN 120, the UE 110 may transmit the corresponding credential information to associate with the 6G-RAN 120. More specifically, the UE 110 may associate with a specific node (e.g., the base station 120A). However, as mentioned above, reference to the 6G-RAN 120 is merely for illustrative purposes and any appropriate type of RAN may be used.

[0032] In addition to the 3GPP RAN 120, the network arrangement 100 also includes a core network 130, the Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network services backbone 160. The core network 130 may be considered to be the interconnected set of components that manages the operation and traffic of the network. The core network 130 also manages the traffic that flows between the network and the Internet 140.

[0033] The IMS 150 may be generally described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to the UE 110 using the IP protocol. The IMS 150 may communicate with the coreAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide the multimedia services to the UE 110. The network services backbone 160 is in communication either directly or indirectly with the Internet 140 and the core network 130. The network services backbone 160 may be generally described as a set of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a suite of services that may be used to extend the functionalities of the UE 110 in communication with the various networks.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows an example UE 110 according to various example embodiments. The UE 110 will be described with regard to the example network arrangement 100 of Fig. 1. The UE 110 may include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input / output (VO) device 220, a transceiver 225 and other components 230. The other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a power supply, a data acquisition device, ports to electrically connect the UE 110 to other electronic devices, etc.

[0035] The processor 205 may be configured to execute a plurality of engines of the UE 110. For example, the engines may include a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication engine 235. The TDD communication engine 235 may perform various operations related to the example embodiments introduced herein. For example, the TDD communication engine 235 may receive a configuration for frames that accommodate TN and D2H communications, receive a schedule for TN and D2H communications for the frames and perform NTN and TN downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) communications during the frames. These and other operations are described in greater detail below.

[0036] The above referenced engine 235 being an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 205 is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The functionality associated with the engine 235 may also be represented as a separate incorporated component of the UE 110 or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 110, e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process the signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as one application or separate applications. In addition, in some UEs, the functionalityAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 described for the processor 205 is split among two or more processors such as a baseband processor and an applications processor. The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a UE.

[0037] The memory arrangement 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110. The display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to show data to a user while the UO device 220 may be a hardware component that enables the user to enter inputs. The display device 215 and the UO device 220 may be separate components or integrated together such as a touchscreen.

[0038] The transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with the 6G-RAN 120, an LTE-RAN (not pictured), a legacy RAN (not pictured), a WLAN (not pictured), etc. Accordingly, the transceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., set of consecutive frequencies). The transceiver 225 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded with information implementing any one of the methods described herein. The processor 205 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 225 and configured to receive from and / or transmit signals to the transceiver 225. The processor 205 may be configured to encode, decode and / or process signals (e.g., signaling from a base station of a network) for implementing any one of the methods described herein.

[0039] In the example of Fig. 2, the processor 205 and the radio frequency (RF) circuitry (e.g., transceiver 225) are illustrated as separate components. However, in some example embodiments, the RF circuitry and the processing circuitry may be integrated into the same chip, e.g., a system on chip that includes a baseband processor and RF circuitry.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows an example base station 300 according to various example embodiments. The base station 300 may represent the base station 120A or any other type of access node through which the UE 110 may establish a connection and manage network operations. In addition, the base station 300 may be a base station of a TN or an NTN.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0041] The base station 300 may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, an input / output (I / O) device 315, a transceiver 320, and other components 325. The other components 325 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, ports to electrically connect the base station 300 to other electronic devices and / or power sources, antenna elements, antenna panels, etc.

[0042] The processor 305 may be configured to execute a plurality of engines for the base station 300. For example, the engines may include a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication configuration engine 330. The TDD communication configuration engine 330 may perform various operations related to the example embodiments introduced herein. For example, the TDD communication configuration engine 330 may configure frames for a UE that include both TN and NTN slots and schedule TN and NTN downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) communications during the frames. These and other operations are described in greater detail below.

[0043] The above noted engine 330 being an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 305 is only an example. The functionality associated with the engine 330 may also be represented as a separate incorporated component of the base station 300 or may be a modular component coupled to the base station 300, e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry to receive signals and processing circuitry to process the signals and other information. In addition, in some base stations, the functionality described for the processor 305 is split among a plurality of processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an applications processor, etc.). The example embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a base station.

[0044] The memory arrangement 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the base station 300. The VO device 315 may be a hardware component or ports that enable a user to interact with the base station 300.

[0045] The transceiver 320 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with the UE 110 and any other UEs in the network arrangement 100. The transceiver 320 may operate onAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., set of consecutive frequencies). Therefore, the transceiver 320 may include one or more components to enable the data exchange with the various networks and UEs. The transceiver 320 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded with information implementing any one of the methods described herein. The processor 305 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 320 and configured to receive from and / or transmit signals to the transceiver 320. The processor 305 may be configured to encode, decode and / or process signals (e.g., signaling from a UE) for implementing any one of the methods described herein.

[0046] In the example of Fig. 3, the processor 305 and the radio frequency (RF) circuitry (e.g., transceiver 330) are illustrated as separate components. However, in some example embodiments, the RF circuitry and the processing circuitry may be integrated into the same chip, e.g., a system on chip that includes a baseband processor and RF circuitry.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows an example terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN) architecture 400 according to various example embodiments. An NTN may relate to any network using non-terrestrial components, such as satellites, airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), HAPS, etc., to provide network services to a user terminal.

[0048] The TN and NTN architecture 400 represents a network arrangement including one or more satellites, which in this example shows a satellite 410 and a TN base station 414 that is integrated with a radio access network (RAN) 440. The RAN 440 may be, for example, the 3GPP RAN 120 described above with respect to Fig. 1. The NTN architecture 400 includes a gateway 430 connecting the RAN 440 with the NTN components. In the NTN architecture 400 of Fig. 4, the gateway 430 and the satellite 410 communicate via feeder links 412. The base station 414 is connected to the RAN 440 via link 416. In some NTN deployments, satellites may be served by several gateways simultaneously.

[0049] The satellite 410 provides network services to a UE 110 via a service link (not shown). The satellite 410 and the RAN 420 may implement either a transparent payload or a regenerative payload. A transparent payload refers to an arrangement where the satellite 410 receives signals and transmits an amplified version of the signal, with a frequency conversion. For example, theAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 satellite 410 may receive uplink communications from the UE 110 on service link frequencies and transmit an amplified version of the signal to the gateway 430 on feeder link frequencies or may receive downlink communications via the gateway 430 on feeder link frequencies and transmit an amplified version of the signal to the UE 110 on service link frequencies. A regenerative payload refers to an arrangement where the satellite 410 acts as a distributed unit (DU) or a base station (e.g., a gNB, an access point, etc.), wherein received signals are regenerated with signal-processing techniques (e.g., demodulation, decoding, switching, encoding, modulation, etc.) before being re-transmitted.

[0050] The example TN and NTN architecture 400 shown in Fig. 4 is not intended to limit the example embodiments in any way. NTNs may be integrated with the 6G RAN and / or other networks in any one of a variety of manners. For example, a typical satellite-based NTN may comprise a low earth orbit (LEO) constellation including an array of satellites and gateways with broad interconnectivity via ground-to-ground station (G2G) links, satellite-to-satellite (S2S) links, ground-to-satellite (G2S) links, and satellite-to-ground (S2G) links. Other types of satellite-based NTNs include geostationary-orbiting (GEO) satellites or medium-earth-orbiting (MEO) satellites.

[0051] The different types of NTNs each have respective strengths and weaknesses and may be deployed in a variety of scenarios, depending on the goal to be achieved, e.g., broad coverage across a large region, concentrated coverage in an urban environment or along a highly trafficked route, etc. Thus, the NTN architecture 400 described in Fig. 4 is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The example embodiments may apply to any of these or other configurations of an NTN.

[0052] Satellite communication with mobile devices have been viewed as an option to eliminate holes in coverage from terrestrial networks or serve underserved areas. The lower frequencies, below 2.7 GHz used for satellite communications may be used for D2H communications. This frequency is only an example and higher frequencies may also be used. Some issues with TDD satellite communications were described above but the example embodiments may be implemented to solve other issues beside the examples described above.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0053] As stated above, the example embodiments provide operations to enable efficient usage of TDD carriers for satellite communication by enabling both terrestrial and satellite components during the same frame but in different slots. The example embodiments are described with reference to two different scenarios. In a first scenario, a single TDD carrier case is described. In this first scenario, one TDD carrier may be used for both UL and DL data for the satellite component. Slots, which are not “used” in the satellite component, may be scheduled for use by the TN.

[0054] In a second scenario, a two TDD carrier case is described. In this second scenario, a first TDD carrier may be used for UL data and a second TDD carrier may be used for the DL data. In this second scenario, in some example embodiments, one of the carriers may have only DL or only UL slots.

[0055] In the example embodiments, the UE may be configured with the various frame configurations described below. This configuration may be signaled by the network to the UE using any appropriate type of signaling, e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling, etc. In addition, in the example embodiments, the UE may be scheduled with NTN and TN communications by the network using any appropriate type of signaling. The scheduling may include periodic scheduling (e.g., configured grants), aperiodic scheduling (e.g., dynamic grants) or any other types of scheduling (e.g., in response to a scheduling request sent by the UE).

[0056] Initially, the example embodiments with respect to the first scenario (e.g., single TDD carrier case) is described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0057] Fig. 5 shows an example TDD frame 500 of a single Time Division Duplex (TDD) carrier carrying both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) data for Direct-to-Handset (D2H) communication according to various example embodiments. The TDD frame 500 is described with regard to the UE 110 and the RAN 440 which contains both terrestrial components and nonAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 terrestrial components. For the exemplary scenarios, the non -terrestrial components may be referred to as the satellite 410.

[0058] In this example of the single TDD carrier case, the TDD frame 500 may include ten slots 501-510. In this example, the single TDD carrier may be used for both TN and D2H communications. For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing TN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 500 may include a TN DL portion 515 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 501-507) for TN DL communications. All or a portion of the seventh slot 507 may be configured as the DL / UL gap 525 for TN communications. The TDD frame 500 may also include a TN UL portion 535 of three slots (e.g., slots 508-510) for TN UL communications.

[0059] For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing NTN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 500 may include an D2H DL portion 520 of four slots (e.g., slots 501-504) for D2H DL communications. The slots 505-507 may be configured as the DL / UL gap 530 for D2H communications. The TDD frame 500 may also include an D2H UL portion 540 of three slots (e.g., slots 508-510) for D2H UL communications. As shown in Fig. 5, due to the longer distance between the UE 110 and the satellite 410, the D2H DL / UL gap 530 may be significantly longer than the TN DL / UL gap 525. The length of the TDD frame 500 (e.g., 10 slots), the number of slots configured for NTN and TN UL and DL and the length of the respective DL / UL gaps are only examples and other lengths and / or numbers of slots may be used to implement the example embodiments.

[0060] Thus, the example TDD frame 500 may be used for both NTN and TN UL and DL communications while accommodating the larger DL / UL gap and avoiding interference issues related to D2H DL and TN UL communications or vice versa.

[0061] To provide an example, the UE 110 may be scheduled by the network (e.g., RAN 440) to receive D2H DL communications on each of slots 501-504. However, because the TDD frame 500 also allows the UE 110 to receive TN DL communications, the slots 505-507 may not be wasted, e g., the UE 110 may be scheduled by the network to receive TN DL communications using slots 505-507. The network is not required to schedule D2H DL communications in all ofAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 the slots 501-504, e.g., for any particular frame, the network may schedule 0-4 D2H DL communications for the UE 110. Any of the slots 501-504 that are not scheduled for D2H DL communications may be used for TN DL communications. The only restriction on the DL communications is that the UE 110 will not be scheduled with D2H DL communications during the D2H DL / UL gap 530.

[0062] During each of the slots 508-510, the network may schedule the UE 110 with TN or D2H UL communications. Thus, using the example TDD frame 500, there may be no interference between the D2H DL and TN UL communications on the single TDD carrier even with the latency of the D2H communications because these communications are separated by D2H DL / UL gap 530.

[0063] The following described the example embodiments with respect to the second scenario (e.g., two TDD carrier case) with reference to Figs. 6-8. In the examples described below, the two TDD carrier case may include two TDD carriers or a TDD carrier and a Supplemental Downlink (SDL) carrier.

[0064] Fig. 6 shows a first example of TDD frames 600 and 605 for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various example embodiments. The TDD frame 600 and TDD frame 605 are described with regard to the UE 110 and the RAN 440 which contains both terrestrial components and non -terrestrial components. For the exemplary scenarios, the non-terrestrial components may be referred to as the satellite 410.

[0065] In this example of the two TDD carrier case, the TDD frame 600 may include ten slots 610-619. In this example, the first TDD carrier may be used for both TN and D2H communications. However, as described in more detail below, this first TDD carrier may be used for TN DL and UL and D2H DL but not D2H UL. For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing TN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 600 may include a TN DL portion 630 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 610-616) for TN DL communications. A portion of the seventh slot 616 may be configured as the TN DL / UL gap 640 for TN communications. The TDD frame 600 may also include a TN UL portion 645 of three slots (e.g., slots 617-619) for TN UL communications.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0066] For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing NTN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 600 may include an D2H DL portion 635 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 610-616) for D2H DL communications. In this example, the D2H DL portion 635 has the same length as the TN DL portion 630, e.g., up to the start of the TN DL / UL gap 640. As stated above, there are no configured slots for D2H UL communications using the first carrier of the two carrier scenario.

[0067] Continuing with example of the two TDD carrier case of Fig. 6, the TDD frame 605 may include ten slots 620-629. In this example, the second TDD carrier may be used for both TN and D2H communications. However, as described in more detail below, this second TDD carrier may be used for TN DL and UL and D2H UL but not D2H DL. For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing TN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 605 may include a TN DL portion 650 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 620-626) for TN DL communications. A portion of the seventh slot 626 may be configured as the TN DL / UL gap 655 for TN communications. The TDD frame 605 may also include a TN UL portion 660 of three slots (e.g., slots 627-629) for TN UL communications.

[0068] For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing NTN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 605 may include an D2H UL portion 665 of three slots (e.g., slots 627-629) for D2H UL communications. In this example, there are no configured slots for D2H DL communications using the second carrier of the two carrier scenario.

[0069] In the above-described two carrier scenario example, there may be no need for an NTN gap because the D2H DL communications and the D2H UL communications are scheduled using different TDD frames on different TDD carriers, e.g., the only DL / UL gap is the small gap used for the TN communications. This may result in the non-terrestrial components not being limited by available resources as the D2H DL and UL transmissions may follow the same pattern as the TN DL and UL transmissions when two TDD carriers are utilized. In this example, the UE 110 may have the hardware capability (e.g., Transmission / Reception (Tx / RX) chain(s)) capable ofAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 simultaneous (or near simultaneous) receiving of DL communications from the RAN 440 and transmitting UL communication to the RAN 440.

[0070] Figs. 7 and 8 show additional examples of frames for the two TDD carrier scenario. In these examples, one of the two carriers may be used exclusively for DL communications. The carrier used exclusively for the DL communications may be a TDD carrier or an SDL carrier.

[0071] Fig. 7 shows a second example of TDD frames 700 and 705 for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments. The TDD frame 700 and TDD frame 705 are described with regard to the UE 110 and the RAN 440 which contains both terrestrial components and non -terrestrial components. For the exemplary scenarios, the non-terrestrial components may be referred to as the satellite 410.

[0072] As described above, in Fig. 7, one TDD carrier may be used only for DL communications from the RAN 440 to the UE 110. In this scenario, the TDD frame 700 may be used only for DL communications. The TDD frame 700 comprises ten slots 710-719. The TDD frame 700 for the first carrier may include a TN DL portion 730 comprising the ten slots 710-719 and an D2H DL portion 735 comprising the ten slots 710-719. Thus, the network may schedule either TN or D2H DL communications during the slots 710-719 of the TDD frame 700.

[0073] The TDD frame 705 may be used for both UL and DL communications. The TDD frame 705 comprises ten slots 720-729. For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing TN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 705 may include a TN DL portion 740 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 720-726) for TN DL communications. A portion of the seventh slot 726 may be configured as the TN DL / UL gap 745 for TN communications. The TDD frame 705 may also include a TN UL portion 750 of three slots (e.g., slots 727-729) for TN UL communications. The TDD frame 705 may also include an D2H UL portion 755 of three slots (e.g., slots 727-729) for D2HUL communications.

[0074] Fig. 8 shows a third example of TDD frames 800 and 805 for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 The TDD frame 800 and TDD frame 805 are described with regard to the UE 110 and the RAN 440 which contains both terrestrial components and non -terrestrial components. For the exemplary scenarios, the non-terrestrial components may be referred to as the satellite 410.

[0075] As described above, in Fig. 8, one TDD carrier may be used only for DL communications from the RAN 440 to the UE 110. In this scenario, the TDD frame 800 may be used only for DL communications. The TDD frame 800 comprises ten slots 810-819. The TDD frame 800 for the first carrier may include a TN DL portion 830 comprising the ten slots 810-819. The TDD frame 800 may also include an D2H DL portion 835 comprising four slots 810-813. Thus, in the example of Fig. 7, all the slots of the DL only frame may be used for either TN or D2H DL communications. In this example of Fig. 8, all the slots of the DL only frame may be used for TN DL communications but only some of the slots may be used for D2H DL communications.

[0076] The TDD frame 805 may be used for both UL and DL communications. The TDD frame 805 comprises ten slots 820-829. For communications between the UE 110 and the RAN 440 utilizing TN components, the configuration of the TDD frame 805 may include a TN DL portion 840 of approximately seven slots (e.g., slots 820-826) for TN DL communications. A portion of the seventh slot 826 may be configured as the TN DL / UL gap 845 for TN communications. The TDD frame 805 may also include a TN UL portion 850 of three slots (e.g., slots 827-829) for TN UL communications. The TDD frame 805 may also include an D2H UL portion 860 of three slots (e.g., slots 827-829) for D2H UL communications.

[0077] In the example of Fig. 8, an D2H DL / UL gap 855 (e.g., slots 824-826 of the TDD frame 805) is scheduled such that the D2H DL portion 835 of the TDD frame 800 of the first carrier is separated from the D2H UL portion 860 of the TDD frame 805 of the second carrier by the D2H DL / UL gap 855. This separation may allow the UE 110 to not have to have Tx / Rx chain(s) that are capable of simultaneous (or near simultaneous) reception of D2H DL communications and transmission ofD2HUL communications.

[0078] In the example embodiments described above (e.g., for the first scenario or the second scenario), it was described that frames include slots for D2H DL communications or D2H ULAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 communications. While these slots are configured, the network is not required to schedule D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications for all available slots. Thus, in any case where the network has not scheduled D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications for a slot configured for D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications, the network may schedule TN DL communications or TN UL communications in a respective DL or UL slot, e.g., configured slots do not have to be wasted.

[0079] Fig. 9 shows a fourth example of TDD frames 900 for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments. In the example of Fig. 9, a first carrier fci910 and a second carrier fC2930 are shown. Two frames 915, 925 and 935,945 are shown for each carrier 910 and 930, respectively. In this example, the frame 915 on the carrier 910 and the frame 935 on the carrier 930 are DL frames and the frame 925 on the carrier 910 and the frame 945 on the carrier 930 are UL frames.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 9, D2H slots may be inserted into the DL frames and / or UL frames. For example, a DL D2H slot 920 may be inserted into the DL frame 915 of the first carrier 910. Similarly, a UL D2H slot 940 may be inserted into the UL frame 945 of the second carrier 930. The location and timing of the D2H slots (e.g., DL D2H slot 920 and UL D2H slot 940) may be scheduled in a manner that avoids interference with the TN UL / DL signals and the other one of the D2H DL / UL signals. Some examples of this scheduling were described above.

[0081] In the example of Fig. 9, since each carrier 910 and 930 includes both UL and DL frames, either carrier 910 or 930 may be used for TN communications as well as D2H communications using a satellite at the same time. This shared operation may increase spectrum efficiency.

[0082] Fig. 10 shows a fifth example of TDD frames 1000 for two respective TDD carriers carrying UL and DL data for D2H communications according to various embodiments. In the example of Fig. 10, a first carrier fci1010 and a second carrier fC2 1050 are shown. Three frames 1020, 1030 and 1040 are shown for the first carrier fci1010. The frames 1020 and 1040 are DL frames and the frame 1030 is a UL frame. Two frames 1060 and 1070 are shown for the second carrier fC2 1050. The frame 1060 is a DL frame and the frame 1070 is a UL frame. In the exampleAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 of Fig. 10, the frames of the first carrier fci1010 and the second carrier fC2 1050 are not synchronized, e.g., the first carrier fci1010 and the second carrier fC2 1050 may be operated by different network operations but are both supported by the same UE.

[0083] The unsynchronized frames may lead to the possibility of interference depending on the timing of the inserted D2H slots. For example, in Fig. 10, a DL D2H slot 1025 is inserted into the DL frame 1020 of the first carrier fci1010. Also, UL D2H slots 1075 and 1085 are inserted into the UL frame 1070 of the second carrier fC2 1050. As can be seen in Fig. 10, D2H UL communications may be transmitted during the D2H slot 1075 of the second carrier fC2 1050 that overlaps with the UL frame 1030 of the first carrier fci1010. The D2H UL communications in the UL D2H slot 1075 are unlikely to cause interference with any TN UL communications during the UL frame 1030. However, in the example of Fig. 10, D2H UL communications may also be transmitted during the D2H slot 1085 of the second carrier fC2 1050 that overlaps with the DL frame 1040 of the first carrier fci1010. This may cause interference between the TN DL communications and the D2H UL communications.

[0084] To avoid this interference scenario of related to the D2H slot 1085, this type of signaling should be avoided. For example, the two networks operating the first carrier fci1010 and the second carrier fC2 1050 may coordinate D2H and TN slots. This may be accomplished, for example, by blanking certain slots. This coordination may allow the two network operators to use the allotted TDD spectrum without having to synchronize frames.

[0085] The scheduling for the TDD frames (e.g., either in the synchronized example of Fig. 9 or the unsynchronized example of Fig. 10) may be managed by the respective network operators. For example, the scheduling may be performed via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In a first example, the RRC signaling for the TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon information element (IE) currently defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331 may be extended to include a satellite services configuration. This configuration may include one or more of, a periodicity of the TDD pattern, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern at fci, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern at fC2, a number of consecutive full UL slots in the TDD pattern at fC2 and / or a number of consecutive full UL slots in the pattern at fC2.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0086] In a second example, a new dedicated D2H TDD IE may be introduced into 3 GPP TS 38.331 for the satellite services configuration of a TDD frame. The parameters of this new IE may include one or more of the parameters described above. This satellite services configuration may be used when the UE is in D2H mode.Examples

[0087] In a first example, a method, comprising processing, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications, processing, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame and performing the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the frame.

[0088] In a second example, the method of the first example, wherein the frame configuration further comprises an indication of a TN DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for TN DL communications from the slots configured for TN UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any TN communications during the TN DL / UL gap and an indication of an D2H DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for D2H DL communications from the slots configured for D2H UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any D2H communications during the D2H DL / UL gap, wherein the D2H DL / UL gap is larger than the TN DL / UL gap.

[0089] In a third example, the method of the first example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0090] In a fourth example, the method of the third example, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0091] In a fifth example, the method of the first example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H UL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN UL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.

[0092] In a sixth example, the method of the fifth example, wherein the at least one of the same slot includes all of the slots of the first portion configured for the D2H UL communications and the second portion configured for the TN UL communications.

[0093] In a seventh example, the method of the fifth example, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H UL communications or TN UL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0094] In an eighth example, the method of the first example, wherein the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications are exclusive of the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications.

[0095] In a ninth example, the method of the first example, wherein, when the schedule indicates the TN DL communications, the method further comprising processing, based on signaling received from a TN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for TN DL communications, one or more data packets.

[0096] In a tenth example, the method of the first example, wherein, when the schedule indicates the D2H DL communications, the method further comprising processing, based on signaling received from an NTN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for D2H DL communications, one or more data packets.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0097] In an eleventh example, the method of the first example, wherein, when the schedule indicates the TN UL communications, the method further comprising generating, for transmission to a TN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for TN UL communications, one or more data packets.

[0098] In a twelfth example, the method of the first example, wherein, when the schedule indicates the D2H UL communications, the method further comprising generating, for transmission to an NTN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for D2H UL communications, one or more data packets.

[0099] In a thirteenth example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the first through twelfth examples.

[0100] In a fourteenth example, a user equipment configured to perform any of the methods of the first through twelfth examples.

[0101] In a fifteenth example, a method, comprising generating, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the single TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications and generating, for transmission to the UE, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame.

[0102] In a sixteenth example, the method of the fifteenth example, wherein the frame configuration further comprises an indication of a TN DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for TN DL communications from the slots configured for TN UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any TN communications during the TN DL / UL gap and an indicationAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 of an D2H DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for D2H DL communications from the slots configured for D2H UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any D2H communications during the D2H DL / UL gap, wherein the D2H DL / UL gap is larger than the TN DL / UL gap.

[0103] In a seventeenth example, the method of the fifteenth example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.

[0104] In an eighteenth example, the method of the seventeenth example, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0105] In a nineteenth example, the method of the fifteenth example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H UL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN UL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.

[0106] In a twentieth example, the method of the nineteenth example, wherein the at least one of the same slot includes all of the slots of the first portion configured for the D2H UL communications and the second portion configured for the TN UL communications.

[0107] In a twenty first example, the method of the nineteenth example, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H UL communications or TN UL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0108] In a twenty second example, the method of the fifteenth example, wherein the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications are exclusive of the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0109] In a twenty third example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the fifteenth through twenty second examples.

[0110] In a twenty fourth example, a base station configured to perform any of the methods of the fifteenth through twenty second examples.[OHl] In a twenty fifth example, a method, comprising processing, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier, a first frame configuration for a first frame of the first TDD carrier, an identification of a second TDD carrier, and a second frame configuration for a second frame of the second TDD carrier, wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration comprises one of an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications, processing, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the first frame and the second frame and performing the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame overlap in time.

[0112] In a twenty sixth example, the method of the twenty fifth example, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

[0113] In a twenty seventh example, the method of the twenty sixth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule for the first frame comprises one of D2H communications in the one or more of the slotsAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame or TN DL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

[0114] In a twenty eighth example, the method of the twenty sixth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule for the second frame comprises one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.

[0115] In a twenty ninth example, the method of the twenty fifth example, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

[0116] In a thirtieth example, the method of the twenty ninth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H DL communications of the first frame or TN DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

[0117] In a thirty first example, the method of the twenty ninth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0118] In a thirty second example, the method of the twenty ninth example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the first frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot, and wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0119] In a thirty third example, the method of the twenty ninth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for TN UL communications in the second frame.

[0120] In a thirty fourth example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the twenty fifth through thirty third examples.

[0121] In a thirty fifth example, a user equipment configured to perform any of the methods of the twenty fifth through thirty third examples.

[0122] In a thirty sixth example, a method, comprising generating, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier, a first frame configuration for a first frame of the first TDD carrier, an identification of a second TDD carrier, and a second frame configuration for a second frame of the second TDD carrier, wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration comprises one of an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications and generating, for transmission to the UE, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed duringAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame overlap in time.

[0123] In a thirty seventh example, the method of the thirty sixth example, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

[0124] In a thirty eighth example, the method of the thirty seventh example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule for the first frame comprises one of D2H communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame or TN DL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

[0125] In a thirty ninth example, the method of the thirty seventh example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule for the second frame comprises one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.

[0126] In a fortieth example, the method of the thirty sixth example, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

[0127] In a forty first example, the method of the fortieth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DLAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H DL communications of the first frame or TN DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

[0128] In a forty second example, the method of the fortieth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.

[0129] In a forty third example, the method of the fortieth example, wherein a first portion of the slots of the first frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot, and wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

[0130] In a forty fourth example, the method of the fortieth example, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, and wherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for TN UL communications in the second frame.

[0131] In a forty fifth example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the thirty sixth through forty fourth examples.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0132] In a forty sixth example, a base station configured to perform any of the methods of the thirty sixth through forty fourth examples.

[0133] In a forty seventh example, a method, comprising processing, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier having a first TDD frame configuration comprising downlink (DL) frames and uplink (UL) frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for terrestrial network (TN) DL communications and direct to handset (D2H) DL communications with a satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite and processing, based on signaling from the network, a configuration comprising an identification of a second TDD carrier having a second TDD frame configuration comprising DL frames and UL frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications with the satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite.

[0134] In a forty eighth example, the method of the forty seventh example, wherein the DL frames of the first TDD carrier are synchronized with the DL frames of the second carrier and the UL frames of the first TDD carrier are synchronized with the UL frames of the second carrier.

[0135] In a forty ninth example, the method of the forty seventh example, wherein the DL frames and the UL frames of the first TDD carrier are not synchronized with the DL frames and the UL frames of the second carrier.

[0136] In a fiftieth example, the method of the forty ninth example, wherein D2H UL communication slots of the second TDD frame do not overlap with TN DL communication slots of the first TDD frame.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0137] In a fifty first example, the method of the forty ninth example, wherein D2H DL communication slots of the second TDD frame do not overlap with TN UL communication slots of the first TDD frame.

[0138] In a fifty second example, the method of the forty seventh example, wherein the first TDD configuration comprises one or more of a periodicity of a TDD pattern of the first TDD carrier, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern of the first TDD carrier or a number of consecutive full UL slots in the TDD pattern of the first TDD carrier and, wherein the second TDD configuration comprises one or more of a periodicity of a TDD pattern of the second carrier, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern of the second carrier or a number of consecutive full UL slots in the TDD pattern of the second carrier.

[0139] In a fifty third example, the method of the forty seventh example, wherein the first TDD configuration and the second TDD configuration are received via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0140] In a fifty fourth example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the forty seventh through fifty third examples.

[0141] In a fifty fifth example, a user equipment configured to perform any of the methods of the forty seventh through fifty third examples.

[0142] In a fifty sixth example, a method, comprising generating, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier having a first TDD frame configuration comprising downlink (DL) frames and uplink (UL) frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for terrestrial network (TN) DL communications and direct to handset (D2H) DL communications with a satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite and generating, for transmission to the UE, a configuration comprising an identification of a second TDD carrier having a second TDD frame configuration comprising DL frames and UL frames, wherein the DL frames are configured with slots for TN DLAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 communications and D2H DL communications with the satellite and the UL frames are configured with slots for TN UL communications and D2H UL communications with the satellite.

[0143] In a fifty seventh example, the method of the fifty sixth example, wherein the DL frames of the first TDD carrier are synchronized with the DL frames of the second carrier and the UL frames of the first carrier are synchronized with the UL frames of the second carrier.

[0144] In a fifty eighth example, the method of the fifty sixth example, wherein the DL frames and the UL frames of the first carrier are not synchronized with the DL frames and the UL frames of the second carrier.

[0145] In a fifty ninth example, the method of the fifty eighth example, wherein D2H UL communication slots of the second TDD frame configuration do not overlap with TN DL communication slots of the first TDD frame configuration.

[0146] In a sixtieth example, the method of the fifty eighth example, wherein D2H DL communication slots of the second TDD frame configuration do not overlap with TN UL communication slots of the first TDD frame configuration.

[0147] In a sixty first example, the method of the fifty sixth example, wherein the first TDD configuration comprises one or more of a periodicity of a TDD pattern of the first carrier, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern of the first carrier or a number of consecutive full UL slots in the TDD pattern of the first carrier and, wherein the second TDD configuration comprises one or more of a periodicity of a TDD pattern of the second carrier, a number of consecutive full DL slots in the TDD pattern of the second carrier or a number of consecutive full UL slots in the TDD pattern of the second carrier.

[0148] In a sixty second example, the method of the fifty sixth example, wherein the first TDD configuration and the second TDD configuration are received via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0149] In a sixty third example, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the fifty sixth through sixty second examples.

[0150] In a sixty fourth example, a base station configured to perform any of the methods of the fifty sixth through sixty second examples.

[0151] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described example embodiments may be implemented in any suitable software or hardware configuration or combination thereof. An example hardware platform for implementing the example embodiments may include, for example, an Intel x86 based platform with compatible operating system, a Windows OS, a Mac platform and MAC OS, a mobile device having an operating system such as iOS, Android, etc. In a further example, the example embodiments of the above-described method may be embodied as a program containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0152] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory memory element) may be configured so that it stores program instructions and / or data, where the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, e g., any of a method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of such subsets.

[0153] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., a UE) may be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium (or memory element), where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or, any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of such subsets). The device may be realized in any of various forms.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01

[0154] Embodiments of the present invention may be realized in any of various forms. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention may be realized as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable memory medium, or a computer system. In other embodiments, the present invention may be realized using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. In other embodiments, the present invention may be realized using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0155] Although this application described various aspects each having different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will understand that any of the features of one aspect may be combined with the features of the other aspects in any manner not specifically disclaimed or which is not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the stated functions of the disclosed aspects.

[0156] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceedingindustry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

[0157] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit or the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 What is Claimed:

1. An apparatus comprising memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to:process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a single time division duplexing (TDD) carrier and a frame configuration for a frame of the TDD carrier, wherein the frame configuration comprises an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications;process, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the frame; andperform the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame configuration further comprises an indication of a TN DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for TN DL communications from the slots configured for TN UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any TN communications during the TN DL / UL gap and an indication of an D2H DL / UL gap separating the slots configured for D2H DL communications from the slots configured for D2H UL communications, wherein the schedule does not include any D2H communications during the D2H DL / UL gap, wherein the D2H DL / UL gap is larger than the TN DL / UL gap.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first portion of the slots of the frame are configured for the D2H UL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN UL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one of the same slot includes all of the slots of the first portion configured for the D2H UL communications and the second portion configured for the TN UL communications.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H UL communications or TN UL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications are exclusive of the slots configured for the TN DL communications and the D2H DL communications.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the schedule indicates the TN DL communications, the processing circuitry is further configured to:process, based on signaling received from a TN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for TN DL communications, one or more data packets.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the schedule indicates the D2H DL communications, the processing circuitry is further configured to:process, based on signaling received from an NTN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for D2H DL communications, one or more data packets.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the schedule indicates the TN UL communications, the processing circuitry is further configured to:generate, for transmission to a TN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for TN UL communications, one or more data packets.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, when the schedule indicates the D2H UL communications, the processing circuitry is further configured to:generate, for transmission to an NTN component of the network on one or more of the slots configured for D2H UL communications, one or more data packets.

13. An apparatus comprising memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry configured to:process, based on signaling from a network, a configuration comprising an identification of a first time division duplexing (TDD) carrier, a first frame configuration for a first frame of the first TDD carrier, an identification of a second TDD carrier, and a second frame configuration for a second frame of the second TDD carrier, wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration comprises one of an identification of slots configured for terrestrial network (TN) downlink (DL) communications, TN uplink (UL) communications, direct-to-handset (D2H) DL communications and D2H UL communications;process, based on signaling from the network, a schedule comprising an indication of one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications to be performed during the first frame and the second frame; and perform the one or more TN DL communications, TN UL communications, D2H DL communications or D2H UL communications during the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame and the second frame overlap in time.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, andwherein the schedule for the first frame comprises one of D2H communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame or TN DLAttorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W01 communications in one or more slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, andwherein the schedule for the second frame comprises one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications and D2H DL communications and the second frame configuration comprises slots configured for TN DL communications, TN UL communications, and D2H UL communications.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the slots configured for the D2H DL communications in the first frame and the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame comprise a same set of slots, andwherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H DL communications of the first frame or TN DL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the TN DL communications in the first frame.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame and the slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame comprise a same set of slots, andwherein the schedule includes an indication of one of D2H UL communications in the one or more of the slots configured for the D2H UL communications in the second frame or TN UL communications in one or more slots configured for the TN UL communications in the second frame.Attorney Docket No . 30134 / 102802Ref . No . P70017W0120. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a first portion of the slots of the first frame are configured for the D2H DL communications and a second portion of the slots are configured for the TN DL communications, wherein the first portion and the second portion comprise at least one of a same slot, andwherein the schedule comprises an indication of one of D2H DL communications or TN DL communications for the at least one of the same slot.

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