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: Embodiments include methods for operating a network node in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) that utilizes one or more polarization modes for serving one or more cells. Such methods include transmitting, to one or more user equipment (UEs), an indication of at least one polarization mode configured for use in a first cell of the first NTN. The at least one polarization mode can be indicated in various ways, both explicitly and implicitly. Such methods also include transmitting and/or receiving one or more signals or channels in the first cell according to one or more configured polarization modes including the at least one indicated polarization mode. Other embodiments include complementary methods for operating UEs, as well as network nodes and UEs configured to perform such methods.

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: Embodiments include methods for radio link monitoring (RLM) by a user equipment (UE) in a combined terrestrial and satellite wireless communication network. Such methods include, during a discontinuity in a connection between a UE and a terrestrial network node (TNN), performing RLM of the connection based on a second configuration. Such methods also include, before and/or after the discontinuity, performing RLM of the connection based on a first configuration. The connection includes a first link between the UE and a satellite and a second link between the satellite and the TNN. The discontinuity includes a link switch in at least one of the first link and the second link. The RLM before, during, and after the discontinuity can include various first, second, and third operations, respectively. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by a TNN, as well as UEs and TNNs configured to perform operations corresponding to such 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: The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a UE for enabling GNSS measurements. The UE and a network node are included in a NR communications network, and the NR communications network includes a NTN component. The UE performs a GNSS measurement according to a rule and using a GNSS receiver included in the UE. At least one of a UE position and an absolute time is an output of the GNSS measurement or is derivable from the GNSS measurement.

Abstract: A network node of a wireless communication network provides information to a User Equipment (UE) that allows the UE to adapt it radio measurements with respect to the network, to account for “link changes.” Link changes are service-link and/or feeder-link changes arising from motion by the satellite(s) included in the Radio Access Network (RAN) portion of the network. The UE uses the provided information to adapt its radio measurements in conjunction with the link changes. Among the several advantages of accounting for satellite link changes in the manner contemplated are any one or more of reduced signaling going between the UE and the network, reduced battery consumption at the UE, mitigation of the effects of the link changes on the radio measurements, avoidance of spurious measurements, and an effective “automation” of the timed changeover by the UE to new measurement configurations, coincident with the occurrence of link changes.

Abstract: A method performed by a user equipment, UE, is provided. The method comprises detecting that the UE has lost navigation system coverage partially or wholly. The method further comprises, after the detection, transmitting towards a network node a loss notification indicating that the UE has the lost navigation system coverage.

Abstract: A method (1000) performed by a wireless device (110) includes obtaining (1002) location information associated with the wireless device and/or ephemeris data for a plurality of satellite cells. The wireless device receives (1004) a measurement configuration to measure reference signals from one or more satellite cells of the plurality of satellite cells. The wireless device dynamically adapts (1006) the measurement configuration based on the location of the wireless device and/or the ephemeris data for the one or more satellite cells. Based on the adapted measurement configuration, the wireless device measures (1008) a reference signal from the one or more satellite cells.

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: According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for cell selection or reselection in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) comprises determining whether to perform one or more cell selection or reselection measurements based on a cell selection or reselection criteria. The cell selection or reselection criteria is based on a signal quality of a serving cell and a relationship between the wireless device and a satellite or spot beam of the NTN. Upon determining that the cell selection or reselection criteria for performing measurements is satisfied, performing the one or more cell selection or reselection measurements.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises: receiving a broadcast of full ephemeris data for a serving cell satellite, the broadcast of full ephemeris data occurring at a first periodicity; determining a position of the serving cell satellite based on the full ephemeris data; receiving a broadcast of delta ephemeris data for the serving cell satellite, the broadcast of delta ephemeris data occurring at a second periodicity more frequent than the first periodicity; and determining a position of the serving cell satellite based on the full ephemeris data and the delta ephemeris data.

Abstract: A communication device can be configured to operate in a non-terrestrial network that includes a network node communicatively coupled to the communication device via a satellite. The communication device can determine when to perform an access offset determination (“AOD”) relative to a paging occasion (“PO”).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for communication management. A method performed by a communication management node may comprise: obtaining (S101) arrangement information about at least one pair of cells in a communication system; wherein a pair of cells of the at least one pair of cells comprises a serving cell with a first coverage range, and an assistant cell with a second coverage range; wherein the first coverage range at least partially overlaps with the second coverage range; and transmitting (S102) a configuration to a network node providing the serving cell; wherein the configuration indicates the network node to determine whether a terminal device is in an overlapped coverage range of the serving cell and the assistant cell, and indicates the net-sun work node to use the serving cell to serve the terminal device. The desired serving cell/beam may be used to serve the terminal device.

Abstract: A method performed by a wireless device for a Synchronization Signal Block Measurement Time Configuration (SMTC) window and measurement gap configuration includes receiving at least one configuration parameter for the SMTC window and/or a measurement gap from a network. The wireless device performs an adjustment of the SMTC window and/or the measurement gap based on the at least one configuration parameter and transmits the adjustment to the network. The wireless device measures at least one synchronization signal based on the adjustment to the SMTC window and/or the measurement gap.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connection control comprises receiving a message comprising parameters from which the wireless device is informed that it is to disconnect from a terrestrial network (TN) and connect to one of one or more NTNs or disconnect from a NTN and connect to one of one or more TNs. Upon the parameters informing the wireless device to connect to one of one or more NTNs, the method further comprises: disconnecting from the TN; based at least in part on the one or more parameters, selecting one of the detected at least one of the one or more NTNs; and connecting to the selected NTN. Upon the parameters informing the wireless device to connect to one of one or more TNs: the method further comprises disconnecting from the NTN, and detecting, selecting, and connecting to the TN.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises receiving Assisted-Global Navigation Satellite System (A-GNSS) information in system information broadcast by a network, receiving signals from a set of GNSS satellites (the set of GNSS satellites comprises at least three GNSS satellites), and determining a location of the wireless device using the A-GNSS information and information received in the signals from the set of GNSS satellites. The method further comprises determining Doppler time and frequency offsets compared to a network satellite. The Doppler time and frequency offsets are determined based on the location of the wireless device. The method further comprises initiating a connection process with the network satellite by transmitting a random access signal with pre-compensated time and frequency, the pre-compensated time and frequency based on the determined Doppler time and frequency offsets.

Abstract: A method (1200) performed by a wireless device (110) includes obtaining a remaining service time (Tservice) associated with a first satellite or first spot beam. Based on the remaining service time, the wireless device determines whether to initiate a connection with the first satellite or first spot beam.

Abstract: A method by a wireless device includes determining that a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) is unavailable to the wireless device and/or will be unavailable to the wireless device. The wireless device determines not to perform an inactive mode or idle mode procedure during a period of time when the NTN is unavailable to the wireless device.