IP Library Granted Patent US 12684517
Granted Patent B2
US 12684517 · App. 18/246,214 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Tracking area update procedure for NTN

Inventors: Helka-Liina Määttänen (Espoo, FI); Johan Rune (Lidingö, SE); Emre Yavuz (Stockholm, SE); Alexander Vesely (Feldbach, AT); Stefan Rommer (Västra Frölunda, SE); Paul Schliwa-Bertling (Ljungsbro, SE); Håkan Palm (Växjö, SE)
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (PUBL)
H04W60/04H04W84/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12684517
App. No.
18/246,214
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device operating in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) comprises receiving a first tracking area identity (TAI) from a first cell. The first cell is an earth moving cell and the first TAI is associated with a first fixed tracking area. The method further comprises receiving a second TAI. The second TAI is associated with a second fixed tracking area. The method further comprises determining whether the wireless device should notify a network node of a tracking area update based at least in part on information related to the second TAI, and upon determining the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update, transmitting a tracking area update.

Claims (36)

1 . A method performed by a wireless device operating in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the method comprising:

receiving a first tracking area identity (TAI) from a first cell, wherein the first cell is an earth moving cell and the first TAI is associated with a first fixed tracking area, and the first TAI is included in a TAI list of the wireless device;

receiving a second TAI, the second TAI associated with a second fixed tracking area, and the second TAI is not included in the TAI list;

determining whether the wireless device should notify a network node of a tracking area update based at least in part on information related to the second TAI and a time delay from a time the wireless device received the second TAI; and

upon determining the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update, transmitting a tracking area update.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update is based on a minimum cell quality.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update is based on one or more of:

a geographic location of the wireless device;

an amount of geographic movement of the wireless device over a time period;

an amount of time in the first cell;

an amount of time using the first TAI;

an expected time of change from the first TAI to the second TAI; and

an expected time of change from the first cell to a second cell.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second TAI is received from the first cell or a second cell.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a TAI broadcast schedule.

6 . A wireless device capable of operating in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the wireless device comprising a memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry operable to:

receive a first tracking area identity (TAI) from a first cell, wherein the first cell is an earth moving cell and the first TAI is associated with a first fixed tracking area, and the first TAI is included in a TAI list of the wireless device;

receive a second TAI, the second TAI associated with a second fixed tracking area, and the second TAI is not included in the TAI list;

determine whether the wireless device should notify a network node of a tracking area update based at least in part on information related to the second TAI and a time delay from a time the wireless device received the second TAI; and

upon determining the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update, transmit a tracking area update.

7 . The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to determine whether the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update based on a minimum cell quality.

8 . The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein the processing circuitry is operable to determine whether the wireless device should notify the network node of the tracking area update based on one or more of:

a geographic location of the wireless device;

an amount of geographic movement of the wireless device over a time period;

an amount of time in the first cell;

an amount of time using the first TAI;

an expected time of change from the first TAI to the second TAI; and

an expected time of change from the first cell to a second cell.

9 . The wireless device of claim 6 , wherein the second TAI is received from the first cell or a second cell.

10 . The wireless device of claim 6 , the processing circuitry further operable to receive a TAI broadcast schedule.

11 . A method performed by a network node operating in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the method comprising:

determining a list of one or more tracking area identities (TAIs) that will be valid in an earth moving cell over a period of time, wherein each of the one or more TAIs is associated with a fixed tracking area; and

transmitting the list of one or more TAIs and a time delay to determine whether to perform a tracking area update to a wireless device in the cell.

12 . A network node capable of operating in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), the network node comprising a memory coupled to processing circuitry, the processing circuitry operable to:

determine a list of one or more tracking area identities (TAIs) that will be valid in an earth moving cell over a period of time, wherein each of the one or more TAIs is associated with a fixed tracking area; and

transmit the list of one or more TAIs and a time delay to determine whether to perform a tracking area update to a wireless device in the cell.