CN118844080A

CN118844080A - Eliminating interference collisions between NTN bands overlapping with terrestrial bands

Info

Publication number: CN118844080A
Application number: CN202380025724.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·梅代罗斯·德阿莫里姆; J·赫杰塞尔鲍科; J·维戈尔德
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2023-03-30
Publication date: 2024-10-25
Also published as: WO2023208513A1

Abstract

An apparatus may be configured to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

Description

Eliminating interference collisions between NTN bands overlapping with terrestrial bands

Technical Field

The example and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to interference management and coordination, and more particularly to band interference.

Background

In network communications, it is known to enable a UE to provide measurement reports on neighboring cells.

Disclosure of Invention

The following summary is intended to be illustrative only. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

According to one aspect, an apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

According to one aspect, a method comprises: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

According to one aspect, an apparatus comprises means for: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon that, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; causing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the ground network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and causing a report to be sent according to the determined route.

Drawings

The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which example embodiments may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein; and

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein.

Detailed Description

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or drawings are defined as follows:

3GPP third Generation partnership project

Fifth generation of 5G

5GC 5G core network

AMF access and mobility management functions

BWP bandwidth part

CU central unit

DL downlink

DU distributed unit

ENB (or eNodeB) evolved node B (e.g., LTE base station)

EN-DC E-UTRA-NR double connectivity

En-gNB or En-gNB provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminals to UE and node E-UTRA evolved universal terrestrial radio access, LTE radio access technology, serving as secondary node in EN-DC

GNB (or gNodeB) 5G/NR base station, i.e. a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to a UE and connected to 5GC via NG interface

GNSS global navigation satellite system

HAPS high-altitude platform system

IE information element

I/F interface

IoT (Internet of things)

L1 layer 1

LTE long term evolution

MAC medium access control

MME mobility management entity

NG or NG new generation

NG-eNB or NG-eNB new generation eNB

NR new radio

NTN non-ground network

N/W or NW network

PDCP packet data convergence protocol

PHY physical layer

PLMN public land mobile network

RACH random access channel

RAN radio access network

RAT radio access technology

RF radio frequency

RLC radio link control

RRC radio resource control

RRH remote radio head

RS reference signal

RU radio unit

Rx receiver

SDAP service data adaptation protocol

SGW service gateway

SIB system information block

SMF session management function

SpCell subgroup primary cell

TN ground network

Tx transmitter

UAV unmanned aerial vehicle UE user equipment (e.g., wireless, typically mobile device) UL uplink

UPF user plane functionality

Turning to fig. 1, a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced is shown. User Equipment (UE) 110, radio Access Network (RAN) node 170, and network element 190 are illustrated. In the example of fig. 1, a User Equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that may access the wireless network 100. UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected by one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optic or other optical communications devices, etc. One or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123.UE 110 includes a module 140, and module 140 includes one or both of portions 140-1 and/or 140-2, which may be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as the module 140-1, such as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware, such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, module 140-2 being implemented as computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured, with the one or more processors 120, to cause the user device 110 to perform one or more operations as described herein. UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via wireless link 111.

RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access to wireless network 100 by a wireless device, such as UE 110. RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G (also referred to as New Radio (NR)). In 5G, RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or NG-eNB. The gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC (such as, for example, network element(s) 190) via an NG interface. The NG-eNB is a node providing the UE with E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminals and is connected to the 5GC via an NG interface. The NG-RAN node may include a plurality of gnbs, which may also include a Central Unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and a Distributed Unit (DU) (gNB-DU), of which a DU 195 is shown. It should be noted that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a Radio Unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting the RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, which controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is illustrated as reference numeral 198, although reference numeral 198 also illustrates links between remote elements of RAN node 170 and centralized elements of RAN node 170, such as between gNB-CU 196 and gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU section. One gNB-CU supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU. It should be noted that DU 195 is considered to include transceiver 160, e.g., as part of an RU, but some examples of this may have transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under the control of DU 195 and connected to DU 195.RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected by one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. One or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153.CU 196 may include processor(s) 152, memory 155, and network interface 161. It should be noted that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory and processor(s) and/or other hardware, but these are not shown.

RAN node 170 includes a module 150, module 150 including one or both of portions 150-1 and/or 150-2, which may be implemented in a variety of ways. Module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, for example, as part of one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware, such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, module 150-2 being implemented as computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured, with the one or more processors 152, to cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more operations as described herein. It should be noted that the functionality of module 150 may be distributed, such as between DU 195 and CU 196, or implemented in DU 195 alone.

One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network (such as via links 176 and 131). Two or more gnbs 170 may communicate using, for example, links 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optic or other optical communication devices, wireless channels, etc. For example, one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a Remote Radio Head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a Distributed Unit (DU) 195 for a 5G gNB implementation, where other elements of RAN node 170 may be physically located in a different location than the RRH/DU, and one or more buses 157 may be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cables or other suitable network connections to connect other elements of RAN node 170 (e.g., central Unit (CU), gNB-CU) to RRH/DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates those appropriate network link(s).

It should be noted that the description herein indicates that a "cell" performs functions, but it should be clear that the devices forming the cell will perform these functions. The cell forms part of a base station. That is, there may be multiple cells per base station. For example, for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, there may be three cells, each covering one third of a 360 degree area, such that the coverage area of a single base station covers an approximately oval or circular shape. Further, each cell may correspond to a single carrier, and the base station may use multiple carriers. Thus, if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and there are two carriers, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, the network elements 190 may include core network functionality, and which provide connectivity to another network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communication network (e.g., the internet), via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF (s)) and/or user plane function(s) (UPF (s)) and/or session management function(s) (SMF (s)). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (mobility management entity)/SGW (serving gateway) functions. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and it should be noted that both 5G and LTE functions may be supported simultaneously. RAN node 170 is coupled to network element 190 via link 131. Link 131 may be implemented as, for example, a NG interface for 5G, an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F) 180, which are interconnected by one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured, with the one or more processors 175, to cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, i.e., the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity (virtual network). Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, typically in combination with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is classified as either external virtualization, which combines many networks or portions of networks into virtual units, or internal virtualization, which provides network-like functionality for software containers on a single system. It should be noted that virtualized entities resulting from network virtualization are still implemented to some extent using hardware, such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and that such virtualized entities produce technical effects.

Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing a memory function. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

In general, the various embodiments of the user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smartphones, tablet computers, personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, internet appliances permitting wireless internet access and browsing, tablet computers having wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions. Further, various embodiments of user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, a vehicle, a device integrated into a vehicle, an infrastructure associated with vehicle travel, a wearable device used by pedestrians or other non-vehicle road users, a user device unrelated to traffic users, and a user device configured to participate in a side-road scenario, such as public safety user devices and/or other commercial user devices. Further, various embodiments of the user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a device integrated into a UAV, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a device integrated into an unmanned aerial vehicle, an airship/airplane, a device integrated into an airship/airplane, a satellite, a device integrated into a satellite, an internet of things (IoT) device, and so forth.

Having thus introduced a suitable but non-limiting technical background for practicing the example embodiments of the present disclosure, the example embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Features as described herein generally relate to interference management and coordination in an environment such as a non-terrestrial network (NTN). More particularly, features as described herein may generally relate to band interference management and coordination. Interference management and/or coordination may be performed with UE and/or NW elements (such as NTN gNB), which may be located on the ground or integrated in satellites. It may be noted that NW may comprise RAN nodes (cells) and/or network elements.

Interference may occur between NTN and the Terrestrial Network (TN). While examples of the present disclosure may refer specifically to NTN-TN collisions, this is not limiting; example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applicable to NTN-NTN collisions.

During the ongoing discussion within 3GPP standardization work group 4 regarding the management of band grants for NTNs, it is apparent that conflicts may occur between already defined terrestrial NR band(s) and new NTN band(s). Currently, it is assumed that the deployment of NTN systems is on the S-band and L-band (for frequencies below 6 GHz) and on the Ka-band (for frequencies above 6 GHz).

Band n256 is designated in RAN4 as the band corresponding to S-band operation in NTN. Band n256 specifies an Uplink (UL) operating band between 1980MHz and 2010MHz, and a Downlink (DL) operating band between 2170MHz and 2200 MHz. However, NTN band n256 overlaps with other designated bands for 5G NR operation in terrestrial networks in some countries. Referring now to fig. 2, some channel band definitions are illustrated. Bands n1 (210), n2 (220), n25 (230), and n70 (240) are illustrated in fig. 2.

Although specific frequency bands are mentioned in the present disclosure, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to only these frequency bands; other frequency bands, additional frequency bands, and/or differently defined frequency bands are also possible.

Satellite network operation should cover a large area, which may cover several areas or countries, all of which may have terrestrial networks deployed in overlapping frequency bands. In conventional terrestrial network operation, the channel band is licensed within the regional/national boundaries and the "spillover" effect is more easily controlled based on, for example, antenna downtilt angle and azimuth. However, the uplink of NTN band n256 overlaps with several DL bands for terrestrial NR. Referring now to fig. 2, an uplink operating band n256 (250) may overlap with a downlink operating band n2 (220), for example, at 1985-1990 MHz; n25 (230) is for example at 1985-1995 MHz; and n70 (240) is at, for example, 2000-2010 MHz. It should also be noted that NTN coverage may be mobile; the overlap between the NTN band and the TN band may only be during certain time periods. For example, if the NTN is provided by a satellite that is not geosynchronous, it is possible that during a first period of time, none of the frequency bands allocated/associated/licensed to the NTN overlap with the frequency band of a given TN; in a second period, some of the frequency bands allocated to the NTN overlap with the frequency bands of the TN; and during the third period, another set of frequency bands allocated to the NTN overlap with the frequency band of the given TN. It should be noted that this example is not limiting.

In the following RAN(s) 4 conference, it is contemplated that the possibility of resolving conflicts with overlap will be discussed. For example, discussion may address whether there is a transmission power level of UL that can coexist in harmony in case of n256 overlapping. For example, the discussion may address whether there are other ways (other than global geofencing) to prevent band overlap in the event that satellite coverage approaches the area licensed for terrestrial applications/networks.

Currently, terrestrial network operators holding/owning license(s) for terrestrial frequency bands are proposing to completely prohibit UL transmissions on the n256 frequency band in areas close to the area where terrestrial frequency bands are licensed. However, this may severely limit the application of NTN in certain areas, and thus this option is highly undesirable for companies interested in NTN.

In 4G and 5G, the UE may provide measurement reports with the measured power levels of neighboring cells. For example, the following events are defined: the offset of event A3-neighbor becomes better than SpCell; event A4-neighbor becomes better than the threshold; event B1-inter-RAT neighbors become better than the threshold. The measurement results for these measurement reports may also contain measurement objects of different carriers and/or frequency bands or measurement objects in different carriers and/or frequency bands. These measurement events may be applicable to NTN, but may require further enhancements to detect interference in scenarios involving NTN.

It may be noted that the measurement object has to be set by the NW, which limits the application to NTN UEs in connected mode only and to frequencies indicated by the NW configured object only. It may be noted that there is no measurement report available for measurements of different PLMNs (i.e. from other operators). It may be noted that only a certain "measurement level" is reached to trigger a measurement report. If the power is set too low to increase the UE sensitivity, it may be triggered several times (once for each cell at a given frequency) causing the UE to send multiple reports. Thus, measurement reporting may be considered limited to frames such as 4G and 5G.

The transmission from the NTN UE may cause co-channel interference to the DL of the Terrestrial Network (TN) UE. When a TN UE and an NTN UE are close to each other, the interference may cause (victim) performance degradation of the TN UE. Interference may be prevented by controlling the satellite spectrum allocation in the relevant region(s). In other words, the regional regulatory requirements may ensure that n256 is not used with overlapping frequency ranges of frequency bands n2, n25, and n70 in the same geographic region. For example, in the concept of geofencing, in principle, the band region is limited based on geographic location.

It may be noted that for unlicensed operation, there are many techniques for band management and detection, e.g. as developed by 3GPP for LTE-U and NR-U. There are also techniques for band management and detection of Wi-Fi and MulteFire, and techniques for using TV white space/radar frequencies.

In an example embodiment, a signaling framework may be implemented that may have the technical effect of enabling discovery of collisions of overlapping frequency bands between a TN and NTN. In example embodiments, the NTN UE may attempt to detect, measure, and report whether there are TNs operating in the same frequency band as the NTN that the NTN UE is serving, e.g., in certain geographic areas and/or during certain time window(s). In an example embodiment, the UE may be triggered to make a reporting attempt via the safest route, e.g., to account for detected interference. In an example embodiment, the NTN UE may be configured with an enhanced measurement configuration. NTN UEs may be served by base stations (e.g., satellites and/or HAPS) in the NTN. The (NTN) gNB may be located in/on the ground and may be connected to the UE via a (NTN) satellite. Additionally or alternatively, the (NTN) gNB may be installed in a (NTN) satellite. The NTN UE may also be connected with a base station in one or more TNs and/or may be configured to communicate with side link operations.

In an example embodiment, a signaling framework may be implemented in which NTN UEs scan for and inform of the presence of frequency bands that may be interfering, being interfered with, and/or being interfered with by UE transmissions. This may be useful in the context of NTN satellite transmissions and High Altitude Platform System (HAPS) transmissions. However, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this context.

In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may include a step of signaling support for a Network (NW) that provides information about possibly overlapping frequency bands that may be limited to certain geographic areas and/or certain time window(s). In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may include steps to perform a measurement procedure for the UE to identify and report possible collisions. In an example embodiment, the signaling framework may include a method for the UE to select the best route for signaling a collision to one of the affected networks.

Referring now to fig. 3, a flow chart of a framework for UE-based detection of interference between overlapping frequency bands is illustrated, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 310, the (NTN) network may indicate a potentially conflicting/affected PLMN or region. For example, a PLMN may at least partially overlap with resources of a network. At 320, the NTN UE or NW may determine whether the UE is in a relevant region, i.e., a region with possibly overlapping/conflicting frequency bands. In addition, it may be determined whether the NTN UE is in a correlation zone during a correlation period. If the UE is not in the relevant region, the UE and/or NW may continue to perform legacy procedures at 370. If the UE is in the relevant region (optionally during/at the relevant time), the UE may perform measurements in the potentially conflicting frequency bands at 330. At 340, the UE or NW may determine whether a conflicting cell has been found. For example, whether cells collide may be determined based on performed measurements, which may or may not include power level measurements. If no conflicting cells are found, the UE and/or NW may continue to perform the legacy procedure at 370.

If overlapping and conflicting cells are found/determined, the UE may trigger a reporting procedure (e.g., 350, 360, 380, 390). As part of the reporting procedure, the UE may determine a route for reporting signaling. The route for reporting signaling may depend on the UE state. At 360, the UE may determine whether it is in an active mode (e.g., rrc_connected or rrc_idle). In other words, the UE may determine its current RRC mode. In an example embodiment, at 350, the active UE may send the reported conflict via an RRC message. If the UE is in RRC IDLE mode, the UE may perform additional steps to determine the safest route (e.g., 380, 390) for initiating RACH procedures. The safest route for initiating the RACH procedure may have the technical effect of minimizing interference caused in the conflicting frequency band(s). At 380, the UE may select the frequency band(s) in which RACH is to be performed. The safest routing for initiating the RACH procedure may include selecting the frequency band(s), experiencing less interference due to frequency band overlap between NTN and TN(s), and/or causing less interference than other frequency band(s) available to NTN UEs. At 390, the UE may report the collision via RACH procedure using the selected frequency band(s).

Although not illustrated in fig. 3, the conflicting network (i.e., the network informed of the conflict) may take action, which may have the technical effect of facilitating harmonious coexistence between TNT and TN band allocation. For example, conflicting networks may cause dynamic reassignment of NTN UL bandwidth portions (BWP). Additionally or alternatively, conflicting networks may cause two networks to negotiate the license(s) for a particular geographic location(s).

Although not illustrated in fig. 3, once interference is detected, the use of interference-causing resources may be eliminated/avoided. Additionally or alternatively, the use of interference causing resources for a predetermined period of time may be excluded/avoided, after which detection of interference may be attempted again, e.g. according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

In an example embodiment, in a first phase, the network may provide an indication of Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) area(s) that may be affected. In an example embodiment, the NW may indicate to the UE whether the current UE PLMN corresponds to a geographic area that may overlap with frequency bands of other licensed PLMNs (e.g., from a terrestrial operator). The indication may also provide further details of the possible overlapping frequency bands, such as: PLMN, channel number, channel bandwidth, band identity, and/or collision type. In an example embodiment, the indication may also include a time dimension, such as a time window during which the potentially overlapping frequency bands may overlap. The time window may be indicated, for example, with a start time alone, or with a start time and an end time, or with a start time and a time period.

In an example embodiment, the indication may provide possible type(s) of conflict(s), as provided in table 1 below. For example, in a first collision type (U-D), NTN uplink band(s) may collide with the downlink of terrestrial band(s).

Conflict type	NTN frequency band	Ground band
			U-D	Uplink channel	Downlink link
U-U	Uplink channel	Uplink channel
			D-U	Downlink link	Uplink channel
D-D	Downlink link	Downlink link

TABLE 1

In an example embodiment, the signaling type for the network indication may be via Radio Resource Control (RRC), system Information Block (SIB), or others.

In some cases, there may be a "global" PLMN for the satellite system. In this case, in example embodiments, the UE may not be able to identify the area that may be affected by the PLMN alone. In this case, in an example embodiment, the NW may broadcast a country code for the area that may be affected. In this case, in an example embodiment, a country code may be used instead of a PLMN to verify whether the UE is associated with the relevant area (e.g., second phase).

In an example embodiment, in the second phase, the NTN UE and/or NW may verify whether the NTN UE is associated with the relevant region. In an example embodiment, the correlation region may be associated with a network that uses frequency bands that at least partially overlap with resources allocated to/used by the NTN, which may be affected by frequency band collision. For example, NTN may have some reason to believe that there is a collision in the relevant area and may request that NTN UE determine whether there is a collision so that the collision resolution procedure may be performed. Optionally, it may be verified whether the NTN is associated with the relevant area during the relevant time period. Different scenarios may be considered to trigger the verification of whether the UE belongs to the relevant area. For example, the criteria for authentication may depend on whether the network cell is broadcast in one or more PLMNs, and/or may depend on whether authentication has to be performed by the UE or by the NW. In other words, the validation criteria may be different in different scenarios; the validation criteria may be selected based on one or more factors, such as the broadcast range and/or the entity performing the second stage of validation.

In the first case, the NW may indicate a possible collision and only one PLMN may be associated with the NTN cell. In an example embodiment, in the first case, further verification may not be required; the UE may be assumed to be in a possible collision region. Alternatively, it may be assumed that the UE is at or before a time when there is a possible collision.

In a second case, more than one PLMN may be associated to this NTN cell (e.g., PLMN a, PLMN B, and PLMN C), and the network may signal which of the broadcasted PLMNs corresponds to the geographic area with the likely conflicting frequency band. Alternatively, the network may signal a time period/window during which there may be a potentially conflicting frequency band. For example, PLMN B may be marked as potentially conflicting, while PLMNs a and C may not be marked as areas with potentially conflicting frequency bands. The task of the UE may be to identify whether its current PLMN is associated with a potentially conflicting geographical area. Alternatively, the NW may indicate different frequency bands that may overlap with different PLMNs in different geographic areas. Alternatively, the UE may determine whether it is in a potentially conflicting geographical area during a particular time period/window.

Although in this example scenario, three PLMNs are associated with the NTN cell and one PLMN is labeled, these numbers of PLMNs are not limited; fewer or more PLMNs may be associated with the NTN cell and/or fewer or more PLMNs may be labeled. In an example embodiment, in the second case, the NTN UE may obtain/receive its Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position and associate it with the PLMN(s). This is considered a baseline procedure in release 17 for NTN UEs.

Referring now to fig. 4, an example of a setting for canceling the band collision verification at the UE side is illustrated. The NTN UE (410) may obtain/receive its Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position at 430. The NTN UE (410) may camp on or connect to an NTN cell (e.g., base station) at 440 (420). The NTN cell (420) may indicate to the NTN UE (410) at 450 that there is a potentially conflicting PLMN(s). At 460, the NTN UE (410) may associate its location with the PLMN selection.

In a third case, more than one PLMN may be associated to the NTN cell. In an example embodiment, in a third case, the network may verify the PLMN selection of the UE and may only perform an indication of the possible collision(s) to the UE(s) in the potentially affected PLMN. Alternatively, the network may verify whether the UE is in a potentially conflicting region during the time period/window of interest, and may only perform an indication of the potentially conflicting region(s) to the UE(s) in the PLMN that may be affected during the time window of interest. This signaling may be available only to UEs in rrc_connected mode.

Referring now to fig. 5, an example of a setting for cancel band collision verification on the NW side is illustrated. At 540, the NTN UE (510) may connect to the NTN cell (520). At 550, the NTN cell (520) may send a trigger for PLMN authentication to the NTN UE. At 560, the NTN UE (510) may send a PLMN indication to the core NW (530). PLMN indications may be sent via the NTN cell (520). At 570, the core NW (530) may send an indication of the information about the UE PLMN to the NTN cell (520). At 580, the NTN cell (520) may indicate to the NTN UE (510) a possible collision in the PLMN.

Referring now to fig. 6, an example of an indication of different procedures for verifying whether a UE is in a relevant area is illustrated, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At 610, it may be determined whether the NTN cell is broadcast to multiple PLMNs. If the NTN cell is not broadcasting to multiple PLMNs (i.e., only one PLMN), then the UE may be assumed to be in a conflicting geographic area at 630. If the NTN cell does broadcast to multiple PLMNs (i.e., at least two PLMNs), then a determination may be made at 620 as to who is performing PLMN authentication (i.e., NW or UE).

If the NW is performing PLMN verification, the NW may verify the PLMN selection of the UE and determine if the UE belongs to a possibly affected area at 640. Alternatively, the NW may verify whether the UE belongs to a possibly affected area during a certain period of time or at a certain time. At 650, the NW may perform signaling to the UE about possible collisions between frequency bands.

If the UE is performing PLMN verification, the NW may perform signaling to the UE regarding possible collisions between frequency bands at 660. At 670, the UE may verify whether it is in the affected/(possibly) conflicting PLMN(s). Alternatively, the UE may verify whether it is in the affected/(possibly) conflicting PLMN(s) during the time period specified by the NW.

In an example embodiment, in the third phase, the measurement process may be initiated/performed. The time at which the measurement procedure is performed may depend at least in part on timing information indicated by the NW. In some scenarios, the type of measurement procedure may depend on the type of conflict (e.g., as shown in table 1).

For example, for U/D, UL transmission(s) of the UE may cause DL transmission (observed at the UE side) that interferes with the terrestrial band. In example embodiments, the UE may only need to perform measurements in DL bands that may be affected prior to UL transmission. If a "check" is performed prior to UL transmission, the "check" may be valid and no other check may be needed when the UE is not moving from the current location. The UE may trigger a signaling procedure if it can detect an NR cell in such DL frequency band.

For example, for a U/U, UL transmission(s) may interfere with UL transmission(s) from terrestrial UE(s). This may be similar to the case of U/D, as the UE may perform measurements in the DL frequency band that may be affected before UL transmissions. However, in the case of U/U, in an example embodiment, the NTN UE may read SIB1 of all detected 5G NR PLMNs to find out from FrequencyInfoUL-SIB and UplinkConfigCommonSIB parameters whether there is an UL channel that is interfered with by the NTN UL channel.

For example, for D/U, DL transmission(s) of NTN cells may interfere with UL transmission(s) of terrestrial UE(s). In an example embodiment, this may be detected at the ground gNB. In example embodiments, the UE may perform measurements in the UL frequency band that may be affected. Additionally or alternatively, the NTN UE may perform scanning in all NR cells to find out if there are DL channels in SIB1 that are interfered with by the NTN UL channel.

For example, for D/D, the UE may perform measurements in DL bands that may be affected.

For example, for U/U, D/U and/or D/D, the UE may read SIBs sent by TN.

In an example embodiment, the UE may prepare a report of the performed measurement(s). Alternatively, the report may include a timestamp of the measurement performed.

In an example embodiment, in the fourth phase, if a conflicting cell is found, the UE may trigger the safest signaling mechanism. In an example embodiment, if signaling is triggered in the second phase, the UE may select the safest route to inform one of the affected networks of the possible collision.

Referring now to fig. 7, an example of (safest) signaling routing decisions for U/D is illustrated. At 710, the UE may determine that there is overlap in DL frequency bands. At 720, the UE may determine whether an NTN initial bandwidth portion (BWP) overlaps with a Terrestrial Network (TN) DL frequency band. If NTN UL BWP does not overlap with the detected DL band, the UE may assume that the RACH procedure is safe. At 730, the UE may perform RACH to NTN and may inform NTN of the collision using, for example, an Information Element (IE) (e.g., MSG B or MSG 3) during the RACH procedure. If there is overlap, the UE may consider the RACH procedure unsafe because it will cause possible interference to other terrestrial users. In this case, the UE may determine whether the UE current BWP overlaps with the TN DL band at 740. If the UE has an active UL BWP, the UE is already in connected mode, and the current BWP does not overlap with the DL band, the UE may inform the NTN of the collision via RRC signaling at 750. If the UE currently BWP overlaps with the TN DL band, the UE may perform a RACH procedure with a terrestrial network (which may be a visited PLMN) and may inform of a possible collision (Msg 3 or MsgB) in the RACH procedure at 760.

In an example embodiment, the signaling routing decisions for the U/U may be the same as the signaling routing decisions for the U/D, e.g., as illustrated in fig. 7.

In example embodiments, the NTN UE may not be the party causing the interference for the D/D and/or D/U and the NTN UE may inform the NTN serving cell of the collision directly.

In another alternative example embodiment, the NW may not need to inform the UE of a possible PLMN collision (i.e. in the first phase). The UE may assume that it may be an interferer in some frequency bands (e.g., n 256). The UE may then continue to perform DL measurements before the first UL transmission in the given location. The UE may repeat the process after moving a significant value (which may be set in the specification or decided/indicated by the NW). A technical effect of this embodiment may be to enable integration with 3GPP specification(s).

A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to increase the chance of possible interference avoidance as compared to other techniques for band management and detection.

Fig. 8 illustrates possible steps of an example method 800. The example method 800 may include: determining at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, 810; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network, 820; determining a likelihood that at least one of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has at least one frequency band that interferes with a non-terrestrial network based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, 830; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network 840; and sending a report according to the determined route 850. The example method 800 may be performed with, for example, an NTN UE. Additionally or alternatively, some steps of example method 800 may be performed by, for example, NTN (e.g., 810).

In an example embodiment, as depicted in fig. 8, one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may optionally belong to a second non-terrestrial network that is different from the non-terrestrial network. In other words, the example method 800 may be used to enable detection of interference between a frequency band(s) of a first non-terrestrial network and a frequency band(s) of a second non-terrestrial network; the example method 800 is not limited to use of frequency bands with respect to a terrestrial network.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

The example apparatus may also be configured to: receiving at least one of: a country code associated with one or more public land mobile networks associated with a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks associated with a terrestrial network, wherein there is a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network, or an indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network; and at least one public land mobile network of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlaps with an area in which the authentication device is located, wherein at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may be associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network may include at least one of: the one or more public land mobile networks may include an identifier of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a channel number associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a channel bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a frequency band identification associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, information about a time window, or a collision type associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

The type of collision associated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may include at least one of: a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, or a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network.

The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network may be received via radio resource control signaling, or via at least one system information block, the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlapping with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

The at least partial overlap of the area in which the authentication device is located and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise the example device configured to: determining that no further verification is required is based on: determining at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may include a single public land mobile network and an indication that there is a possible conflict for resources of the single public land mobile network.

The at least partial overlap of the area in which the authentication device is located and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise the example device configured to: determining a global navigation satellite system location of the device; determining that the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks; receiving an indication that at least one public land mobile network of the plurality of public land mobile networks may collide; and verifying that the area in which the device is located overlaps at least partially with at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks based at least in part on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device.

The indication that the at least one public land mobile network may collide may comprise: the first frequency band of the at least one public land mobile network may be indicative of a possible conflict in the first geographical area.

The example apparatus may also be configured to: determining a public land mobile network associated with the device based on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device, wherein the area in which the device is located may include: a determined public land mobile network associated with the device.

The at least partial overlap of the area in which the authentication device is located and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise the example device configured to: transmitting an indication of a public land mobile network associated with the device to a non-terrestrial network; and receiving an indication that a public land mobile network associated with the apparatus and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap, wherein the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise: a plurality of public land mobile networks, wherein the public land mobile network associated with the apparatus may be one of the plurality of public land mobile networks, wherein the apparatus may be in a connected mode or an inactive mode with respect to the non-terrestrial network.

Example apparatus may include: user equipment connected to a non-terrestrial network.

Determining a route for sending the report may include an example apparatus configured to: determining a radio resource control mode of the device; determining a frequency band for performing a random access channel procedure based on the radio resource control mode of the determining means may include an idle mode, wherein the route for transmitting the report may include the random access channel procedure; and determining a route for sending the report may include a radio resource control message based on determining that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may include a connected mode or an inactive mode.

Determining a route for sending the report may include an example apparatus configured to: determining that the initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may not overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include a random access control message to a cell of the non-terrestrial network.

Determining a route for sending the report may include an example apparatus configured to: determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining that the current bandwidth portion of the apparatus may not overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include radio resource control signaling.

Determining a route for sending the report may include an example apparatus configured to: determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining that the current bandwidth portion of the apparatus may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include a random access control message to a cell of the terrestrial network.

Performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be based at least in part on a collision type associated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

Performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may include the example apparatus being configured to perform at least one of: based on an indication that there may be a collision between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of downlink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions; based on an indication that there may be a collision between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and uplink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of uplink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions; based on an indication that there may be a conflict between downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and uplink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of uplink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; based on an indication that there may be a conflict between downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of downlink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; reading a system information block transmitted in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network based on one of: an indication that there may be a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, an indication that there may be a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, or an indication that there may be a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network.

The reporting of the likelihood that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network may have at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may include: at least one timestamp associated with a measurement of at least one frequency band of the ground network.

According to one aspect, an example method may be provided, comprising: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: is configured to perform to circuitry for: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include: processing circuitry; memory circuitry comprising program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations using only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as applicable): (i) A combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor (s)) having software, a combination of software and memory(s), which work together to cause an apparatus (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions; and (c) hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but when operation is not required, software may not exist. The definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also encompasses implementations of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. For example, if applicable to particular claim elements, the term circuitry also encompasses baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits or servers for a mobile device, a cellular network device, or similar integrated circuits in other computing or network devices.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include means for: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; performing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and sending a report according to the determined route.

The apparatus may be further configured to perform: receiving at least one of: a country code associated with one or more public land mobile networks associated with a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more public land mobile networks associated with a terrestrial network, wherein there is a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network, or an indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network; and at least one public land mobile network of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlaps with an area in which the authentication device is located, wherein at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may be associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network, wherein one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks that may be associated with the non-terrestrial network may include at least one of: the one or more public land mobile networks may include an identifier of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a channel number associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a channel bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, a frequency band identification associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network, information about a time window, or a collision type associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

The indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network may be received via radio resource control signaling or via at least one system information block, the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlapping with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

The means configured to perform at least partially overlapping of an area in which the authentication device is located and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise means configured to: determining that no further verification is required is based on: determining at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may include a single public land mobile network, and an indication that there may be a potential conflict for resources of the single public land mobile network.

The means configured to perform at least partially overlapping of an area in which the authentication device is located and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise means configured to: determining a global navigation satellite system location of the device; determining that the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks; receiving an indication that at least one public land mobile network of the plurality of public land mobile networks may collide; and verifying that the area in which the device is located overlaps at least partially with at least one of the plurality of public land mobile networks based at least in part on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device.

The indication of the possible collision of the at least one public land mobile network may comprise: an indication that a first frequency band of at least one public land mobile network may collide in a first geographical area.

The component may be further configured to perform: a public land mobile network associated with the device is determined based on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device, wherein the area in which the device is located may include the determined public land mobile network associated with the device.

The means configured to perform that the area in which the authentication means is located may at least partially overlap with at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network may comprise: a component configured to perform: transmitting an indication of a public land mobile network associated with the device to a non-terrestrial network; and receiving an indication that a public land mobile network associated with the apparatus and at least one public land mobile network associated with a non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap, wherein the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network may comprise a plurality of public land mobile networks, wherein the public land mobile network associated with the apparatus may be one public land mobile network of the plurality of public land mobile networks, wherein the apparatus may be in a connected mode or an inactive mode with the non-terrestrial network.

The apparatus may include: user equipment connected to a non-terrestrial network.

The means configured to perform determining a route for sending the report may comprise means configured to: determining a radio resource control mode of the device; determining a frequency band for performing a random access channel procedure based on the radio resource control mode of the determining means may include an idle mode, wherein the route for transmitting the report may include the random access channel procedure; and determining a route for sending the report may include a radio resource control message based on determining that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus may include a connected mode or an inactive mode.

The means configured to perform determining a route for sending the report may comprise means configured to: determining that the initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may not overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include: random access control message to cells of a non-terrestrial network.

The means configured to perform determining a route for sending the report may include: a component configured to perform: determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining that the current bandwidth portion of the apparatus may not overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include radio resource control signaling.

The means configured to perform determining a route for sending the report may include: a component configured to perform: determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; determining that the current bandwidth portion of the apparatus may overlap with at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and determining a route for sending the report may include: random access control message to cells of the terrestrial network.

The measurement of one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network may be based at least in part on a collision type associated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

The means configured to perform measurements of one or more frequency bands of the ground network may include: a component configured to perform at least one of: based on an indication that there may be a collision between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of downlink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions; based on an indication that there may be a collision between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and uplink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of uplink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions; based on an indication that there may be a conflict between downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and uplink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of uplink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; based on an indication that there may be a conflict between downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of downlink signaling in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network; reading a system information block transmitted in one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network based on one of: an indication that there may be a conflict between an uplink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, an indication that there may be a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and an uplink resource of the terrestrial network, or an indication that there may be a conflict between a downlink resource of the non-terrestrial network and a downlink resource of the terrestrial network.

The reporting of the likelihood that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network may include: at least one timestamp associated with a measurement of at least one frequency band of the ground network.

According to one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes program instructions stored thereon that, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; causing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the ground network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and causing a report to be sent according to the determined route.

According to another example embodiment, there may be provided a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform operations comprising: determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network; causing measurements of one or more frequency bands of the ground network; determining, based at least in part on the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, a likelihood that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has interference with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; determining a route for transmitting a report that at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and causing a report to be sent according to the determined route.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, the features recited in the respective dependent claims may be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). Furthermore, features from the different embodiments described above may be selectively combined into new embodiments. Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

At least one non-transitory memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

determining at least one frequency band of a non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlaps with one or more frequency bands of a terrestrial network;

Performing measurements of the one or more frequency bands of the ground network;

Determining, based at least in part on the measurements of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network, that at least one frequency band of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network;

Determining a route for transmitting a report that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has a likelihood of interfering with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network; and

The report is sent according to the determined route.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

Receiving at least one of:

Country codes associated with one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlap with one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network, wherein there is a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network, or

An indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network, the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlapping with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network; and

Verifying that an area in which the apparatus is located at least partially overlaps with at least one of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network,

Wherein the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network is associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network,

Wherein the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network are associated with the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises at least one of:

Identifiers of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network,

A channel number associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network,

Channel bandwidth associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network,

A band identification associated with the at least one band of the non-terrestrial network,

Information about time window, or

A collision type associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the type of conflict associated with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network comprises at least one of:

a conflict between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network,

A conflict between the uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resources of the terrestrial network,

A collision between the downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resources of the terrestrial network, or

A conflict between the downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resources of the terrestrial network.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 2-4, wherein the indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network is received via radio resource control signaling, or via at least one system information block, the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlapping with one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 2-5, wherein verifying that an area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determining that no further verification is required is based on:

determining that the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises a single public land mobile network, an

An indication that there is a possible conflict for the resources of the single public land mobile network.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 2-5, wherein verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determining a global navigation satellite system location of the device;

determining that the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises a plurality of public land mobile networks;

receiving an indication that at least one public land mobile network of the plurality of public land mobile networks may collide; and

Based at least in part on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device, verifying that the area in which the device is located at least partially overlaps with the at least one public land mobile network of the plurality of public land mobile networks.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indication that the at least one public land mobile network may collide comprises: an indication that a first frequency band of the at least one public land mobile network may collide in a first geographic region.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determining a public land mobile network associated with the device based on the determined global navigation satellite system location of the device, wherein the area in which the device is located comprises: the determined public land mobile network associated with the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 2-5, wherein verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

Transmitting an indication of a public land mobile network associated with the apparatus to the non-terrestrial network; and

Receiving an indication that the public land mobile network associated with the apparatus and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap,

Wherein the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises: a plurality of public land mobile networks (plms),

Wherein the public land mobile network associated with the apparatus is one of the plurality of public land mobile networks,

Wherein the device is in a connected mode or an inactive mode with the non-terrestrial network.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus comprises: a user device connected to the non-terrestrial network.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1-11, wherein determining the route for sending the report comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

Determining a radio resource control mode of the apparatus;

determining a frequency band for performing a random access channel procedure based on determining that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus includes an idle mode, wherein the route for transmitting the report includes the random access channel procedure; and

Based on determining that the radio resource control mode of the apparatus includes a connected mode or an inactive mode, determining that the route for sending the report includes a radio resource control message.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 1-12, wherein determining the route for sending the report comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network does not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and

Determining that the route for sending the report includes a random access control message to a cell of the non-terrestrial network.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 1-12, wherein determining the route for sending the report comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

determining that an initial bandwidth portion of the non-terrestrial network overlaps the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network;

determining that a current bandwidth portion of the apparatus does not overlap with the at least one frequency band of the ground network; and

Determining the route for sending the report includes radio resource control signaling.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 1-12, wherein determining the route for sending the report comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:

Determining that a current bandwidth portion of the apparatus overlaps the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network; and

Determining that the route for sending the report includes a random access control message to a cell of the terrestrial network.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 1-15, wherein performing the measurement of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network is based at least in part on a collision type associated with at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 1-16, wherein performing measurements of the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network comprises: the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least one of:

Based on an indication that there is a collision between uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and downlink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of downlink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions;

based on an indication that there is a collision between the uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and uplink resources of the terrestrial network, performing measurements of uplink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network prior to performing uplink transmissions;

Performing measurements of the uplink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network based on an indication that there is a collision of downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network with the uplink resources of the terrestrial network;

Performing measurements of the downlink signaling in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network based on an indication that there is a collision of the downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network with the downlink resources of the terrestrial network;

Reading a system information block transmitted in the one or more frequency bands of the terrestrial network based on one of: an indication of a collision between the uplink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resources of the terrestrial network, an indication of a collision between the downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the uplink resources of the terrestrial network, or an indication of a collision between the downlink resources of the non-terrestrial network and the downlink resources of the terrestrial network.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 1-17, wherein the reporting of the likelihood that the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network has interference with the at least one frequency band of the non-terrestrial network comprises: at least one timestamp associated with the measurement of the at least one frequency band of the terrestrial network.

19. A method, comprising:

The report is sent according to the determined route.

20. An apparatus comprising means for performing:

The report is sent according to the determined route.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means is further configured to perform:

Receiving at least one of:

country codes associated with one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network that at least partially overlap with one or more public land mobile networks associated with the terrestrial network, wherein there is a potential for interference between the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network and the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network, or

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the indication of the one or more public land mobile networks associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises at least one of:

Information about time window, or

23. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the means configured to perform verifying that an area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: a component configured to perform:

determining that no further verification is required is based on:

24. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the means configured to perform verifying that the area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: a component configured to perform:

determining a global navigation satellite system location of the device;

25. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the means configured to perform verifying that an area in which the apparatus is located and the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network at least partially overlap comprises: a component configured to perform:

Wherein the at least one public land mobile network associated with the non-terrestrial network comprises a plurality of public land mobile networks,

26. The apparatus of any of claims 20 to 25, wherein means configured to perform determining the route for sending the report comprises: a component configured to perform:

Determining a radio resource control mode of the apparatus;

27. The apparatus of any of claims 20-26, wherein determining the route for sending the report comprises: a component configured to perform:

28. The apparatus of any of claims 20 to 26, wherein means configured to perform determining the route for sending the report comprises: a component configured to perform:

29. The apparatus of any of claims 20 to 28, wherein means configured to perform measurements of the one or more frequency bands of the ground network comprises: a component configured to perform at least one of:

30. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

causing measurements of the one or more frequency bands of the ground network;

Causing the report to be sent according to the determined route.