Abstract: A method for updating a tracking area in a non-terrestrial network comprises determining, at a network node, that a current tracking area in a non-terrestrial network is expiring; determining, at the network node, at least one target tracking area in the non-terrestrial network; and broadcasting, to at least one user equipment in the at least one target tracking area, system information comprising information of the at least one target tracking area. The target tracking area is determined based on a preconfigured mapping which comprises at least one target tracking area code corresponding to a cell identity of a target network node within a period of time or based on a movement of a satellite.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a wireless device (111) receives, from a network node (101), a measurement object (125) that includes a list (127) of one or more cells for which to report a cell global identifier, CGI, or a list (129) of one or more cells for which not to report the CGI. Alternatively, the wireless device (111) may receive, from a network node (101), a measurement reporting configuration information element or a measurement identity information element of a measurement configuration that includes a list (127) of one or more cells for which to report a CGI or a list (129) of one or more cells for which not to report a CGI.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a wireless device obtains one or more NTN-related metrics for each of a plurality of cells in a non-terrestrial network and selects a cell for camping based at least in part on the one or more NTN-related metrics. The one or more NTN-related metrics comprise: a geographical distance between the wireless device and a reference point; a distance between the wireless device and the one or more satellites serving each cell; an RTT offered by the one or more satellites serving each cell; RTT variations in each cell; a requirement to pre-compensate the RTT by means of GNSS measurements; a velocity of the satellite serving each cell; an angle of elevation between the device and the satellite(s) serving each cell; a Doppler shift induced by the satellite serving each cell; a tracking area code broadcasted by the cell; and/or a signal strength/quality offset.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node (101) for enabling a second feeder link (132) to be established between a second network node (102) and an airborne or orbital communication node (110) in non-terrestrial communications network (100) to handle wireless devices (121) being served by the airborne or orbital communication node (110) is provided. The first network node (101) is handling the wireless devices (121) served by the airborne or orbital communication node (110) over a first feeder link (131) between the first network node (101) and the airborne or orbital communication node (110). The method comprises determining (701) that the wireless devices served by the airborne or orbital communication node (110) are to be handled by the second network node (102) over the second feeder link (132). Also, the method comprises initiating (702) the second feeder link (132) to be established between the second network node (102) and the airborne or orbital communication node (110).

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a method performed by a wireless device for performing handover from a source network node to a target network node. The method comprises: obtaining (1402) an indication of a round-trip time for transmissions to the target network node; initiating (1406) access to the target network node; and, subsequent to initiating access to the target network node, transmitting (1408) data to or receiving (1408) data from the source network node for a time window following initiation of access to the target network node. The time window has a duration of at least the round-trip time for transmissions to the target network node.

Abstract: A method, network node and wireless device for reliable link performance for cellular Internet of things (IoT) and New Radio (NR) in non-terrestrial networks. In some embodiments, a network node configured to operate in a cellular non-terrestrial network is provided.

Abstract: Methods performed by wireless devices and base stations for performing GNSS-assisted measurement reporting are disclosed. A method performed by a wireless device includes: determining that a measurement reporting triggering condition has been satisfied based on at least a location of the wireless device, the location of the wireless device being determined using GNSS location measurements; determining one or more measurement quantities relating to satellite(s) for each of the plurality of surrounding cells; and reporting at least a subset of the measurement quantities. A method performed by a base station includes: signalling to a wireless device a measurement report triggering condition, the measurement reporting triggering condition being based on at least a location of the wireless device, the location of the wireless device being determined using GNSS location measurements; and receiving a measurement report from the wireless device when the measurement reporting triggering condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method performed by a first network node for managing a configuration of neighbouring cells in a wireless communications network is provided. The first network node and a third network node operate in the wireless communications network. The first network node obtains (801) a configuration comprising a pattern indicative of whether or not one or more transmissions transmitted by a third network node actually are transmitted. The transmissions comprises any one out of Synchronization Signal, SS, blocks and beams. The first network node then manages (802) the configuration of neighbouring cells, based on the received configuration.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for performing measurement configuration using a user equipment, UE, and a network node are disclosed. An example method performed by a UE includes receiving a measurement configuration from a network node, where the measurement configuration specifies a reference frequency corresponding to a set of one or more carriers. The measurement configuration further specifies an offset from the reference frequency. The UE performs measurements on a reference signal located at the offset from the reference frequency and uses the measurements for one or more radio operations.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises: determining geographical location information of the wireless device with respect to each cell of a plurality of cells; adjusting a cell reselection ranking for the plurality of cells based on the geographical location information for the plurality of cells; selecting a cell from the plurality of cells based on the adjusted ranking; and camping on the selected cell.

Abstract: Methods performed by base stations and wireless devices for reducing RSRP and/or RSRQ measurements are disclosed. A method performed by a base station comprises indicating to a wireless device whether or not to perform cell selection and/or reselection measurements based on certain criteria. A method performed by a wireless device comprises determining whether or not to perform cell selection and/or reselection measurements based on certain criteria. Also disclosed are base stations and wireless devices configured to perform the methods.

Abstract: A system, method and non-transitory computer readable media for facilitating reduced signaling load with respect to UE location reporting in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) environment (100) interoperable with one or more terrestrial cellular communications networks. In one embodiment of an index-based location reporting scheme, a UE (105, 1200) may receive (402) a list of reference locations from a network node (1000, 1100), each identified with an index. Responsive to receiving the list of reference locations, the UE (105, 1200) may report to the network node (1000, 1100) an index or a subset of indices of one or more reference locations that match a specific reporting criterion. In an example implementation, reporting of index-based location information by the UE (105, 1200) may be configurably triggered, e.g., periodically or in response to the occurrence of a particular event, condition, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to e.g., a method performed by a UE for handling communication of data in a wireless communication network. The UE transmits a scheduling request, SR, indicating a buffer status of the UE or along with an indication indicating the buffer status of the UE.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and apparatus relating to synchronization sequence detection in a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, a method is provided in a user equipment for a wireless communication network. A plurality of base stations are operative in the wireless communication network. The method comprises: detecting one or more parameters of synchronization sequence, SS, blocks transmitted by a second base station of the plurality of base stations; and reporting the detected one or more parameters of SS blocks transmitted by the second base station to a first base station of the plurality of base stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for selectively deactivating (partially or fully) Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) mechanisms in a cellular communications system. Embodiments disclosed herein are particularly well-suited for adapting HARQ mechanisms for non-terrestrial radio access networks (e.g., satellite-based radio access networks). Embodiments of a method performed by a wireless device and corresponding embodiments of a wireless device are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for deactivating HARQ mechanisms comprises receiving, from a base station, an explicit or implicit indication that HARQ mechanisms are at least partially deactivated for an uplink or downlink transmission. The method further comprises determining that HARQ mechanisms are at least partially deactivated for the transmission based on the indication and transmitting/receiving the transmission with HARQ mechanisms at least partially deactivated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for obtaining a frequency offset corresponding to a Doppler shift of transmission and/or reception frequencies between a wireless device and a network node. In one embodiment a method is performed by a wireless device for operating in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, the NTN having at least one network node and a communication satellite, wherein the at least one network node is one of a terrestrial base station and a satellite base station or satellite gateway, the method includes obtaining a frequency offset corresponding to a Doppler shift of transmission and/or reception frequencies between the wireless device and the network node and applying the frequency offset to an uplink transmission to the network node.

Abstract: A method is performed by a wireless device for communication in a non-terrestrial network, NTN, comprising at least a first non-terrestrial network node and a second non-terrestrial network node. The method includes determining an estimated location of the wireless device. The method further includes obtaining first location information associated with the first non-terrestrial network node and second location information associated with the second non-terrestrial network node. The method further includes calculating an estimated signal time arrival difference based on the location of the wireless device, the first location information, and the second location information. The method further includes using the estimated signal time arrival difference to provision an NTN-specific synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel, SS/PBCH, block measurement timing configuration, NTN-SMTC.

Abstract: A method and one or more network nodes for use in a wireless communication network to determine whether a wireless device is aerial. The one or more one or more network nodes communicate with the wireless device to instruct to report one or more metrics of wireless device parameters. The one or more network nodes receives from the wireless device a report of the metrics and then compares the reported metrics to terrestrial metrics to determine whether the wireless device is aerial.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method by a wireless device for reporting a connection status is provide that includes receiving a message from a network node. The message may be related to a mobility set associated with the wireless device. The wireless device may determine that the wireless device is not connected to a WLAN access point included within a mobility set. A timer may be started, and the wireless device may attempt to establish a connection between the wireless device and at least one WLAN access point within the mobility set before an expiration of the timer. If the connection is established between the wireless device and the at least one WLAN access point within the mobility set before the expiration of the timer, the timer may be stopped. If the connection is not established between the wireless device and the at least one WLAN access point within the mobility set before the expiration of the timer, a report may be sent to a network node to indicate a connection failure.

Abstract: A wireless device (14) is configured for use in a wireless communication system (10). The wireless device (14) configures a number of parallel hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, processes (18) as being available for use. The wireless device (14) discontinuously monitors a downlink control channel (20), including monitoring the downlink control channel (20) during an active time (24) that is based on how many of the configured number of parallel HARQ processes (18) are used.