Abstract: Solutions pertaining to configuration of spectrum sharing between a terrestrial network (TN) and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) are proposed. An apparatus implemented in a UE communicates with a non-terrestrial (NT) network node of the NTN by resource sharing with the TN. The resource sharing involves resource sharing with pairing of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions of the NTN and the TN.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to enabling or disabling hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback for multi-transport block (multi-TB) in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) non-terrestrial network (NTN) are described. A user equipment (UE) receives a configuration (e.g., from a network). Then, the UE applies the configuration to disable or enable a HARQ feedback regarding multiple TBs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for GNSS position fix in connected state. In one novel aspect, the UE reports GNSS assistance information to the network entity in the NTN system, wherein the GNSS assistance information includes a GNSS position fix time duration for measurement. When the UE detects the GNSS position out-of-date condition in the RRC_CONNECTED stated, the UE determines whether the GNSS position fix time duration for measurement is smaller than the network scheduled duration for GNSS measurement and performs the GNSS position acquisition procedure in the RRC_CONNECTED state if determined yes. In another embodiment, the network scheduled duration for GNSS measurement is configured for the UE to re-acquire GNSS position fix in the RRC_CONNECTED state and may further include duration to re-acquire downlink (DL) synchronization with or without NTN system information block (SIB). In one embodiment, the network scheduled duration for GNSS measurement is a new scheduling gap or a GNSS timer.

Abstract: Accumulation methods for system information (SI) windows are provided. The accumulation method for SI windows may include the following steps. The transceiver of an apparatus may receive an indication from a network node. The processor of the apparatus may determine a set of SI windows in a modification period based on the indication. The processor may perform an accumulation over the SI windows in the set of SI windows.

Abstract: Solutions pertaining to enhanced support for transmit-receive (Tx-Rx) gap in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are proposed. An apparatus implemented in a UE receives from a non-terrestrial (NT) network node of a network an uplink (UL) grant or a configuration that schedules an UL transmission (Tx). The apparatus performs the UL transmission to the NT network node within a transmit-receive (Tx-Rx) transition gap during which no downlink (DL) Tx from the NT network node is expected. The Tx-Rx transition gap includes an UL Tx duration, a pre-UL Tx gap (Gap_start) before a starting time of the UL Tx duration (t_start), and a post-UL Tx gap (Gap_end) after an ending time of the UL Tx duration (t_end). A starting timing of the Tx-Rx transition gap can be expressed as: t_start?timing advance (TA)?Gap_start. An ending time of the Tx-Rx transition gap can be expressed as: t_end?TA+Gap_end.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus for receiving a circularly polarized signal by linearly polarized antennas. A horizontally polarized antenna and a vertically polarized antenna of the apparatus receive a circularly polarized signal that is transmitted based on a transmitted baseband signal vector. A radio frequency (RF) module of the apparatus generates a first baseband signal vector based on the received circularly polarized signal. The first baseband signal vector includes a product of the transmitted baseband signal vector and a receiving polarization vector of the transmitted baseband signal vector. Processing circuitry of the apparatus estimates the receiving polarization vector of the transmitted baseband signal vector based on the first baseband signal vector. The processing circuitry derives a second baseband signal vector based on the estimated receiving polarization vector and the first baseband signal vector.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an apparatus for transmitting a circularly polarized signal by linearly polarized antennas. Processing circuitry of the apparatus generates a transmitted baseband signal vector. Based on the transmitted baseband signal vector, power amplifiers (PAs) of the apparatus generates transmitted radio frequency (RF) signals. The transmitted RF signals are received by receiving circuitry of the apparatus to obtain a received baseband signal vector. A controller of the apparatus calibrates the PAs and local oscillator (LO) signals of frequency converters of the apparatus based on the received baseband signal vector. A horizontally polarized antenna and a vertically polarized antenna of the apparatus transmit a circularly polarized signal based on the calibrated PAs and the calibrated LO signals.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for transmitting a circularly polarized signal by linearly polarized antennas. A horizontally polarized antenna and a vertically polarized antenna of the apparatus receives a first circularly polarized signal transmitted based on a transmitted baseband signal vector. Based on the first circularly polarized signal, a radio frequency (RF) module of the apparatus generates a received baseband signal vector including a product of the transmitted baseband signal vector and a receiving polarization vector of the transmitted baseband signal vector. Processing circuitry of the apparatus estimates the receiving polarization vector based on the received baseband signal vector and calibrates power amplifiers (PAs) and local oscillator (LO) signals of frequency converters in the RF module based on the estimated receiving polarization vector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for determining epoch time in an NTN system resolving the SFN wrapping issue. In one novel aspect, the UE obtains epoch time information, determines the epoch-time SFN by selecting one SFN instance with the SFN value indicated in the epoch time information based on one or more epoch-time rules, wherein the epoch-time rules resolve epoch-time SFN ambiguity indicated by the received epoch time information, and derives the epoch time based on the determined epoch-time SFN. In one embodiment, the epoch-time SFN is determined based on the receiving-SFN/SIBx and the SFN value of the epoch-time. The epoch-time SFN is a current or next upcoming SFN with the epoch-time SFN value after the receiving-SFN. The epoch-time SFN is a nearest SFN to the receiving-SFN with the epoch-time SFN value.

Abstract: Various solutions for random access channel (RACH) preamble design in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications with respect to user equipment and network apparatus are described. An apparatus may initiate a RACH procedure. The apparatus may determine a fractional frequency offset pattern or a cover code across groups of preamble sequences. The apparatus may generate a RACH preamble signal according to at least one of the fractional frequency offset pattern and the cover code. The apparatus may transmit the RACH preamble signal to a network node.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive wireless signal. The processor is coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations comprising: establishing, via the transceiver, a wireless connection with a network node of a non-terrestrial network (NTN); and transmitting, via the transceiver, a timing advance (TA) report to the network node. The processor is configured to perform auto-compensation of time delays in signaling and a TA value is indicated in the TA report.

Abstract: Various solutions for system information design for synchronization in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a UE) receives synchronization information from a wireless network. Using the synchronization information, the apparatus maintains synchronization in performing NTN communications with the wireless network.

Abstract: Various solutions for system information design for synchronization in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a UE) determines synchronization information with respect to an implicit time reference associated with a wireless network. Using the synchronization information, the apparatus maintains synchronization in performing NTN communications with the wireless network.

Abstract: Various solutions for beam utilization management in in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a UE) obtains a duty cycle configuration with respect to a duty cycle of one or more beams of a set of beams of a cell in NTN communications. The apparatus then performs a task according to the duty cycle configuration.

Abstract: Various solutions for uplink synchronization in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are proposed. An apparatus implemented in a user equipment (UE) receives a system information block (SIB) of a target cell via a non-terrestrial (NT) network node of the NTN. The apparatus obtains an explicit epoch time from the SIB of the target cell. Then, the apparatus performs an uplink (UL) synchronization with the target cell through adjusting an uplink transmit time according to the explicit epoch time.

Abstract: Various solutions for physical random access channel (PRACH) timing advance operation and PRACH configurations with respect to user equipment and network apparatus are described. An apparatus may determine a propagation delay between the apparatus and a network node. The apparatus may determine a pre-compensation timing margin. The apparatus may perform a timing advance pre-compensation according to the propagation delay and the pre-compensation timing margin. The apparatus may transmit an uplink signal by applying the timing advance pre-compensation.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to uplink (UL) transmission timing for non-terrestrial networking (NTN) are described. An apparatus receives, from a network, downlink control information (DCI) indicating an NTN offset for a scheduling delay. Accordingly, the apparatus performs one or more UL transmissions to a satellite with the scheduling delay which accounts for the NTN offset.

Abstract: Various solutions for random access channel (RACH) preamble design in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications with respect to user equipment and network apparatus are described. An apparatus may initiate a RACH procedure. The apparatus may determine a fractional frequency offset pattern or a cover code across groups of preamble sequences. The apparatus may generate a RACH preamble signal according to at least one of the fractional frequency offset pattern and the cover code. The apparatus may transmit the RACH preamble signal to a network node.

Abstract: Various solutions for timing advance (TA) reporting by a user equipment (UE) in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a UE), capable of auto-compensation of time delays in signaling, establishes a wireless connection with a network node of a wireless network. The apparatus then transmits a TA report to the network node. Based on the TA, the network can configure a UE-specific offset for UL scheduling.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to narrowband reference signal (NRS) transmission on non-anchor carriers in narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) are described. A wireless network indicates a subset of one or more paging groups of user equipment (UEs) among a plurality of UEs in an NB-IoT cell. The wireless network then transmits one or more narrowband reference signals (NRSs) in one or more paging frames or one or more paging occasions associated with the subset of one or more paging groups.