Method and apparatus for triggering of flight path reporting in a wireless communication system

1 . A method for a User Equipment (UE), comprising:

transmitting a first flight path report, to a network node, comprising multiple waypoints;

receiving a first configuration of a distance threshold for flight path updating;

transmitting a UE assistance information including an indication of flight path available, to the network node, if at least a distance between a previously provided location for one waypoint in the first flight path report and a new location for a corresponding waypoint in an available flight path is more than or equal to the distance threshold, wherein the corresponding waypoint in the available flight path and the one waypoint in the first flight path report are associated with a time stamp;

receiving a UE information request indicating a flight path request; and

transmitting a second flight path report via a UE information response, to a network node, in response to receiving the UE information request.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting the UE assistance information is initiated in response to flight path available, or wherein the UE assistance information does not include a flight path report.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flight path report is a last or previously reported flight path report, or comprises a last or previously reported flight path report.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the available flight path is a current or planned flight path of the UE after the UE transmits the first flight path report.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second flight path report comprises the available flight path, comprises other multiple waypoints, or comprises at least a waypoint updated after a last or previously reported flight path report.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one waypoint comprises a location for the one waypoint and a time stamp for the one waypoint.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first flight path report is transmitted on a first serving cell and the second flight path report is transmitted on a second serving cell.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the available flight path is a flight path of the UE when the UE is on a second serving cell.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including a first indication of flight path available on a first serving cell;

receiving a first UE information request indicating flight path request;

transmitting the first flight path report, via a first UE information response, on the first serving cell, in response to receiving the first UE information request;

performing a handover procedure to a second serving cell;

determining whether the distance between the previously provided location for the one waypoint in the first flight path report and a new location for the one waypoint is more than or equal to the distance threshold, when the UE is in the second serving cell, or after or in response to the UE performing the handover procedure to the second serving cell;

transmitting a second indication of flight path available on the second serving cell, if at least the distance between the previously provided location for the one waypoint in the first flight path report and the new location for the one waypoint is more than or equal to the distance threshold;

receiving a second UE information request indicating flight path request; and

transmitting the second flight path report, via a second UE information response on the second serving cell, in response to receiving the second UE information request.

10 . A User Equipment (UE), comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operatively coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute a program code to:

transmit a first flight path report, to a network node, comprising multiple waypoints;

receive a first configuration of a distance threshold for flight path updating;

transmit a UE assistance information an indication of flight path available, to the network node, if at least a distance between a previously provided location for one waypoint in the first flight path report and a new location for a corresponding waypoint in an available flight path is more than or equal to the distance threshold, wherein the corresponding waypoint in the available flight path and the one waypoint in the first flight path report are associated with a time stamp;

receive a UE information request indicating a flight path request; and

transmit a second flight path report via a UE information response, to a network node, in response to receiving the UE information request.

11 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the transmitting the UE assistance information is initiated in response to flight path available, or wherein the UE assistance information does not include a flight path report.

12 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the first flight path report is a last or previously reported flight path report, or comprises a last or previously reported flight path report.

13 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the available flight path is a current or planned flight path of the UE after the UE transmits the first flight path report.

14 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the second flight path report comprises an available flight path, comprises other multiple waypoints, or comprises at least a waypoint updated after a last or previously reported flight path report.

15 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the one waypoint comprises a location for the one waypoint and a time stamp for the one waypoint.

16 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the first flight path report is transmitted on a first serving cell and the second flight path report is transmitted on a second serving cell.

17 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the available flight path is a flight path of the UE when the UE is on a second serving cell.

18 . The UE of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program code to:

transmit a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message including a first indication of flight path available on a first serving cell;

receive a first UE information request indicating flight path request;

transmit the first flight path report, via a first UE information response on the first serving cell, in response to receiving the first UE information request;

perform a handover procedure to a second serving cell;

determine whether the distance between the previously provided location for the one waypoint in the first flight path report and a new location for the one waypoint is more than or equal to the distance threshold, when the UE is in the second serving cell, or after or in response to the UE performing the handover procedure to the second serving cell;

transmit a second indication of flight path available on the second serving cell, if at least the distance between the previously provided location for the one waypoint in the first flight path report and the new location for the one waypoint is more than or equal to the distance threshold;

receive a second UE information request indicating flight path request; and

transmit the second flight path report, via a second UE information response on the second serving cell, in response to receiving the second UE information request.