Abstract: Solutions pertaining to spectrum sharing between a terrestrial network (TN) and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) with interference control 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. There is a requirement on either or both of a directive gain and a directive emission power with respect to a network node of the TN such that interference between TN downlink (DL) transmissions and NTN uplink (UL) transmissions is less than a threshold.

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: 32 The present disclosure proposes schemes, techniques, designs and methods pertaining to frequency synchronization for integration of terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. Communications between a user equipment (UE) and a terrestrial network (TN) and communications between the UE and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) are established. A frequency shift in the communications between the UE and the NTN is compensated regardless of availability of information related to a movement of the UE and a relative location of the NT network node of the NTN with respect to the UE.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes schemes, techniques, designs and methods pertaining to timing handling for integration of terrestrial network (TN) and non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. Communications between a user equipment (UE) and a TN node and communications between the UE and an NTN node are established. The UE compensates for a first propagation delay in the communications between the UE and the NTN node, and the UE is able to obtain a second propagation delay between the UE and the NTN node.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes schemes, techniques, designs and methods pertaining to transmission and reception of random access preambles to aid integration of terrestrial mobile network communication and non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication. The design of a proposed preamble is suitable for terrestrial mobile networks and for transmission scenarios with Doppler frequency shift and long propagation delay in NTN communications. The structure of the proposed preamble is used in random access of terrestrial and NTNs. The structure of the preamble can be modified based on the preamble design used for terrestrial network communication, so that it can be used in the random access of NTNs.

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 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.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining a predetermined initial timing for signal transmission from user equipment (UE) to a satellite through a gateway in a non-terrestrial network; and in response to a number of failures of the signal transmission being greater than or equal to a first predetermined number, utilizing the UE to shift timing for a subsequent signal transmission using a timing-adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to timing advance validation for transmission in preconfigured uplink resources in narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) are described. When in a first mode, an apparatus (e.g., a user equipment) receives a plurality of different values for a time alignment timer (TAT) from a network before entering a second mode from the first mode. When in the second mode, the apparatus selects one of the plurality of values to apply to the TAT and also starts the TAT to count. When there is data for uplink transmission while the apparatus is still in the second mode, the apparatus performs an early data transmission in an event that a timing advance (TA) value is valid and that the apparatus is in the same serving cell as it was before entering the second mode.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to NB-IoT physical random access channel (PRACH) resource partitioning and multiple grants in random access response (RAR) for early data transmission (EDT are described. A network node schedules multiple grants for EDT during a random access (RA) procedure with a user equipment (UE). The network node transmits to the UE a message indicating the multiple grants mapped to a maximum broadcast transport block size (TBS) configured for each of one or more preamble resource of a plurality of preamble resources. The UE calculates a TBS that fits an uplink (UL) data packet of the UE. The UE selects one or more PRACH resources for EDT for the TBS based on a wireless communication coverage of the UE by the network node. The UE transmits to the network node in the RA procedure a first message (Msg1) indicating the selected one or more PRACH resources.

Abstract: Various solutions for timing and frequency synchronization in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications with respect to user equipment and network nodes are described. An apparatus may receive a reference time signaled by a network node. The apparatus may measure a received time of a downlink message from the network node. The apparatus may estimate a propagation delay according to the reference time and the received time. The apparatus may perform a timing pre-compensation according to the propagation delay.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to NB-IoT physical random access channel (PRACH) resource partitioning and multiple grants in random access response (RAR) for early data transmission (EDT are described. A network node schedules multiple grants for EDT during a random access (RA) procedure with a user equipment (UE). The network node transmits to the UE a message indicating the multiple grants mapped to a maximum broadcast transport block size (TBS) configured for each of one or more preamble resource of a plurality of preamble resources. The UE calculates a TBS that fits an uplink (UL) data packet of the UE. The UE selects one or more PRACH resources for EDT for the TBS based on a wireless communication coverage of the UE by the network node. The UE transmits to the network node in the RA procedure a first message (Msg1) indicating the selected one or more PRACH resources.

Abstract: A method of high reliability and early data transmission (EDT) is proposed. EDT allows one uplink transmission (optionally) followed by one downlink data transmission during a random-access channel (RACH) procedure, which can reduce the signaling overhead and save UE power. To improve reliability, for uplink EDT, there would be different set of RACH reattempt parameters in the UE for different types of access. For downlink EDT, there would be an indication in the paging message to trigger whether the UE would use legacy RACH or not. Further, the configuration for PRACH resource for EDT can be independent to legacy PRACH resource configuration. Under certain conditions, UE can fallback to legacy RACH procedure for high reliability.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to utilization of assistance information for compensation for Doppler shift in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are described. A user equipment (UE) receives assistance information via an access link from a network node of an NTN such as a satellite or an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform. The UE then performs an operation with respect to communications with the network node based on the assistance information such as cell re-selection or beam switching.

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.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to timing advance validation for transmission in preconfigured uplink resources in narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) are described. When in a first mode, an apparatus (e.g., a user equipment) receives a plurality of different values for a time alignment timer (TAT) from a network before entering a second mode from the first mode. When in the second mode, the apparatus selects one of the plurality of values to apply to the TAT and also starts the TAT to count. When there is data for uplink transmission while the apparatus is still in the second mode, the apparatus performs an early data transmission in an event that a timing advance (TA) value is valid and that the apparatus is in the same serving cell as it was before entering the second mode.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining machine-to-machine (M2M) semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) receives a control signal from a network node of a wireless network. The UE applies, based on the control signal, an SPS configuration such that the UE enters one of one or more low-power modes between two adjacent SPS occasions.

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.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to user equipment (UE) group wake-up signal (WUS) in narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) are described. A wireless network indicates to a plurality of user equipment (UEs) a paging configuration of a UE-group wake-up signal (WUS) for one or more groups of UEs among the plurality of UEs in an NB-IoT cell. The paging configuration may be related to a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle and a value related to UE identification of each UE in the one or more groups of UEs. The wireless network also transmits the UE-group WUS to the one or more groups of UEs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for Msg3 collision resolutions. In one embodiment, the UE obtains a set of DMRS seeds and randomly selecting one to generate a DMRS sequence for the Msg3. The set of DMRS seeds is either generated based on a received cell-specific parameter or are received from the network. In another embodiment, the eNB, upon detecting the collision in Msg3, indicates a lowered MCS level for the Msg3 transmission in the RAR after the preamble detection. In another embodiment, the early termination of Msg3 transmission is used upon determining the collision of Msg3. In one embodiment, the eNB responds an ACK to a failed Msg3 to suspend the re-transmission of the Msg3. In another embodiment, the eNB sends a flag to cancel the mac-ContentionResolutionTimer and terminate the Msg3 transmission. The termination indication is either embedded in the acknowledgement signaling or sent through PDCCH signaling.