WO2025081425A1

WO2025081425A1 - Quality of experience reporting

Info

Publication number: WO2025081425A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/125463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing He; Irina-Mihaela BALAN; Hakon Helmers; Malgorzata Tomala; Arled PAPA; Ping Yuan
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2023-10-19
Filing date: 2023-10-19
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-19

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a solution for introducing an elevation angle to enhance QoE mechanism for NTN. In particular, in some example embodiments, a terminal device determines whether to perform a QoE measurement or transmit a measurement report for the QoE measurement based on the angle information. In this way, it can avoid unnecessary air interface resource wasting. Alternatively, in some other example embodiments, the terminal device may include the angle information into the measurement report. In this way, it can help identity a reason of worse user experience and better optimize NTN network.

Description

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE REPORTING

FIELDS

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for quality of experience (QoE) reporting.

BACKGROUND

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has initiated a discussion on non-terrestrial network (NTN) . For example, feasibility of using fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) standards to support non-terrestrial networks has been studied during 3GPP releases 15 and 16. In an NTN system, 5G base stations (gNB) or gNB functionality are deployed on board satellites or relayed by satellites in a transparent way to provide communication coverage over a very large area that may be otherwise unreachable by cellular networks. In addition, quality of experience (QoE) is a measure of an overall level of a customer's satisfaction and experience with a product or service and a vendor that is providing that product or service. Thus, enhancement on supporting QoE measurement collection in the NTN system is worth studying.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: receive, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information; determine an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device; determine, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: receive, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; perform a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; determine an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement; generate a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and transmit the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to: obtain angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and transmit, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to: transmit, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; receive, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and determine, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information; determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device; determining, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; performing a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement; generating a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and transmitting the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: obtaining angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and determining, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information; means for determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device; means for determining, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; means for performing a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement; means for generating a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and means for transmitting the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a third apparatus. The third apparatus comprises means for obtaining angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fourth apparatus. The fourth apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and means for determining, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the sixth aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the seventh aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the eighth aspect.

It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B illustrate example communication environments in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, respectively;

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrates signaling flows illustrating an example of QoE reporting according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C illustrate schematic diagrams of a measurement report according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a third device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a fourth device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment, ” “an embodiment, ” “an example embodiment, ” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

It shall be understood that although the terms “first, ” “second, ” …, etc. in front of noun (s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun (s) . For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or” , mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a” , “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” , when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) :

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that 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 a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR) , Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) , the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) , for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE) , a Subscriber Station (SS) , a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS) , or an Access Terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE) , laptop-mounted equipment (LME) , USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE) , an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD) , a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery) , an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and/or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and/or an automated processing chain contexts) , a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and/or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node) . In the following description, the terms “terminal device” , “communication device” , “terminal” , “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “resource, ” “transmission resource, ” “resource block, ” “physical resource block” (PRB) , “uplink resource, ” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and/or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain will be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

As used herein, the term “quality of experience (QoE) ” used herein may refer to a comprehensive measurement of customer satisfaction levels. It considers everything from consumer personalities and moods to the quality of the product itself -including whether or not it lives up to customer expectations. The term “access stratum (AS) layer” used herein may refer to a functional layer in wireless telecom protocol stacks between radio network and user equipment. The term “application (APP) layer” used herein may refer to a component within an application that controls the communication method to other devices. The term “handover” used herein may refer to a procedure where a device is handed over from a source cell to a target cell. The term “container” used herein may refer to a message structure that is used to deliver information. The term “elevation angle” used herein may refer to an angle at which an observer need direct its line of sight in order to see an object. The elevation angle may be the vertical height of sum measured from the horizontal.

The NTN technique may extend wireless communication system to operate above the Earth, for example, LEO satellites at altitudes of 500-1500 km. Each LEO satellite may provide NR service on earth through one or more satellite beams creating NR cells. Due to their low altitude, the satellites may move with a speed about 7.5 km/srelative to earth. Further, earth-fixed cells (EFC) and earth-moving cells (EMC) (also referred to as Satellite-fixed cell) may be considered. The former entails the satellite continuously adjusting the satellite beam pointing direction to fix the NR cell and NR beam to a specific point on earth, while the latter option entails the satellite beam pointing direction is fixed and thus the beam footprint (i.e., NR cell) is moving on earth.

In addition, NR QoE may need to be enhanced to expand QoE Data collection for further service types. For example, QoE measurement collection continuity for intra-system intra-RAT mobility may be supported. However, the current QoE data collection is limited to terrestrial networks, with no support for the NTN. In NTN scenario, even if UE doesn’t move, handovers may happen frequently due to high moving speed of satellite. As indicated in Table 1, Time to Handover may be from 6s to 132s for different NTN Cell Diameter Size, which also means serving time of one NTN cell to one UE is from 6s to 132s.

Table 1

In a typical NTN case of NTN Earth fixed cell, the UE-Satellite pathloss and the elevation angle may be continuously changed with the movement of the satellite. In details, satellites in non-GEO orbits move with high-speed relative to a fixed position on earth, the distance and pathloss between satellite and UE is continuous changing. The pathloss change between the UE and the satellite may be along with the satellite elevation angle change.

Further, the QoE measurement collection function enables collection of application layer measurements from the UE, both signaling based and management based QoE measurement collection are supported. Besides normal QoE measurement, a radio access network (RAN) visible QoE measurements (RV-QoE) is proposed. For normal QoE measurement, the QoE report is encapsulated in a container and delivered to operation and management (OAM) server (i.e., the normal QoE report is transparent to RAN) . If RV-QoE is configured at the UE by the gNB, a subset of configured QoE metrics is reported from the UE to the gNB as an explicit information element (IE) readable by the gNB. The RAN visible QoE measurements can be used by the gNB for network optimization. In some cases, RV-QoE reporting periodicity is from 120ms to 1024ms.

If NTN QoE is supported, it may support normal QoE and RV-QoE in NTN scenario. Due to serving time to UE provided by one satellite/one NTN cell/area being limited, handovers may occur frequently. One normal QoE reporting periodicity may be longer than one NTN cell’s serving time, as in one NTN cell UE may not have any normal QoE reporting data to send. But RV-QoE reporting periodicity may be configured to a value smaller than one satellite serving time, therefore in one NTN cell UE may have multiple RV-QoE reporting data to send.

In typical NTN scenario-Earth fixed cell, one UE in connected mode may experience elevation angle change, e.g., from -10 to +10 degree, the pathloss change (up to 10dB) caused by different elevation angle may be one key factor for QoE performance varying in application layer, but UE application layer does not know the elevation angle change. QoE reporting data may be always collected by operator to optimize network and enhance user experience, current QoE mechanism just supports QoE reporting data measured in application layer, without association to the elevation angle specific for NTN scenario. For RV-QoE, small reporting periodicity may lead to lots of RV-QoE reporting data generated in UE application layer. In NTN scenario, air interface may be critical for normal data transmission, RV-QoE reporting data may bring high signaling load. In some solutions, the gNB may configure a specific threshold to UE to control number of RV-QoE reporting, e.g., buffer level threshold-based RV-QoE reporting in application layer. Therefore, reporting the QoE based on angle information may be beneficial.

According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for introducing an elevation angle to enhance QoE mechanism for NTN. In particular, in some example embodiments, a terminal device determines whether to perform a QoE measurement or transmit a measurement report for the QoE measurement based on the angle information. In this way, it can avoid unnecessary air interface resource wasting. Alternatively, in some other example embodiments, the terminal device may include the angle information into the measurement report. In this way, it can help identity a reason of worse user experience and better optimize NTN network.

In an embodiment the proposed solutions are introduced when the UE is configured with RV-QoE measurement reporting. In an embodiment the proposed solutions are introduced when the UE is configured with normal (non-RV) QoE measurement reporting. In an embodiment the proposed solutions are introduced when the UE is configured with any type of QoE measurement reporting.

In an embodiment the proposed solutions are introduced when the UE is configured with a reporting periodicity smaller than a predetermined reporting threshold. For example, the configured reporting periodicity may be required to be such that the UE is configured to report at least one report within one NTN cell’s serving time. As another example, the configured reporting periodicity may be required to be such that the UE is configured to report more than one report within one NTN cell’s serving time.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100 which may be an NTN system, a plurality of communication devices, including a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120, may communicate with each other. A non-terrestrial device may relay communications between the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the first apparatus 110 may communicate with the second apparatus 120 through the non-terrestrial device 130 which provides a cell 101. Further, the elevation angle 160 between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 130 may change with movements of the non-terrestrial device 130. The communication environment 100 also includes one or more core network devices. For example, the communication environment 100 may include a core network (CN) apparatus 140 which may be an operation and management (Q&M) entity and a CN apparatus 150 which may be a multicast coordination entity (MCE) . The cell 101 may be satellite fixed NTN cells.

FIG. 1B illustrates another example communication environment 105 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 105 which may be an NTN system, there is a first apparatus 110. The second apparatus 120 (not shown) may be implemented at a non-terrestrial device, for example, the non-terrestrial device 121 which provides the cell 101. Further, the communication environment 105 may also include the core network apparatus 140 and the core network apparatus 150. Further, the elevation angle 160’ between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 121 may change with movements of the non-terrestrial device 121.

The first apparatus 110 may be configured with a plurality of signaling layers, including a first layer 211 and a second layer 212 (as shown in FIG. 2) . The first layer 211 may refer to as an access stratum (AS) 211 (also referred to as an AS layer) , and the second layer 212 may refer to as an application layer (AL) 212 hereinafter. In some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may support communications between the first apparatus 110 and a RAN such as the second apparatus 120 or an AS function of a device via a radio frequency (RF) channel. An application or a server such as a service server may be executed by the AL 212.

In some example embodiments, interactions between the AS layer 211 and AL 212 are supported. For example, the AS layer 211 may provide information or message (s) to the AL 212. The AL 212 may also provide information or message (s) to the AS layer 211. By way of example, the interactions between the AS layer 211 and AL 212 may be implemented via an attention (AT) command.

In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 operating as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 is a network device, a link from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL) , and a link from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL) . In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver) . In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX device (or a receiver) .

Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol (s) , comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , the fifth generation (5G) , the sixth generation (6G) , and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) , Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) , Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) , Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) , Time Division Duplex (TDD) , Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM) , Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which illustrates a signalling flow 200 for NTN QoE reporting according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signalling flow 200 may be discussed with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the core network apparatus 140 and the core network apparatus 150. The signalling flow 200 may also described by using an apparatus 220. In some example embodiments, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120 which connects with the non-terrestrial device 130 providing the cell 101. Alternatively, the apparatus 220 may be the the non-terrestrial device 121 which provides the cell 101.

The CN apparatus 140 transmits (2205) angle threshold information for a QoE measurement to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 receives (2205) the angle threshold information for the QoE measurement. In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information may include an angle threshold (referred to as a first angle threshold) for starting the QoE measurement. Alternatively, or in addition, the angle threshold information may include the first angle threshold for transmitting a measurement report of QoE. By way of example, the first angle threshold may indicate a specific angle, such as, 30 degrees, for starting the QoE measurement or transmitting the measurement report of QoE. In some embodiments, the apparatus 220 determines this angle threshold information autonomously without receiving the information from the CN apparatus 140.

In some other example embodiments, the angle threshold information may include an angle threshold (referred to as a second angle threshold) for stopping the QoE measurement. Alternatively, or in addition, the angle threshold information may include the second angle threshold for discarding the measurement report of QoE. In some example embodiments, the first angle threshold and the second angle threshold may have the same absolute value. By way of example, the second angle threshold may indicate a specific angle, such as, 30 degrees, for stopping the QoE measurement or discarding the measurement report of QoE. Alternatively, the first angle threshold and the second angle threshold may have different absolute values. The first angle threshold and the second angle threshold may define a range of angles from which the first apparatus 110 is able to capture QoE data. In some example embodiments, if a whole elevation range is from 0 to 180 degree, the values of the first and second angle thresholds may be positive. For example, the first angle threshold may be 30 degree and the second angle threshold may be 150 degree, which means the first apparatus 110 is able to capture QoE data within the range from 30 degree to 150 degree. Alternatively, if the whole elevation range is from -90 to 90 degree (i.e., (±) 90 degree represents that the non-terrestrial device is vertical to the first apparatus 110) , one of the values of the first and second angle thresholds may be positive and the other may be negative. For example, the first angle threshold may be 30 degree and the second angle threshold may be -30 degree, which means the first apparatus 110 is able to capture QoE data within the range from -30 degree to 30 degree.

Alternatively, or in addition, the angle threshold information may include a timer for stopping the QoE measurement or for discarding the measurement report of QoE. In this case, an expiration of the timer may indicate stopping the QoE measurement or for discarding the measurement report of QoE.

The CN apparatus 140 may transmit (2205’) a configuration of QoE to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2205’) the configuration of QoE from the CN apparatus 140. By way of example, the configuration of QoE may indicate QoE metric that may include one or more of: bandwidth, delay, packet loss, availability, perception, preferences, expectations, acceptance, or price and the like. Examples embodiments of how to utilize the QoE metric (s) are described later.

For example, the configuration of QoE may be included in a QoE configuration container. Table 2 below shows an example of information element (IE) of the QoE configuration container. The IE in table 2 may be transparent to the apparatus 220.

Table 2

In some example embodiments, the configuration of/for QoE measurement and the angle threshold information may be transmitted in different messages. For example, the angle threshold information may be separated from the QoE configuration container. Alternatively, the configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information may be transmitted in a same message. For example, the angle threshold information may be included in the QoE configuration container. In another example, the angle threshold information is included as separate information element in the same message with the QoE configuration container.

The apparatus 220 transmits (2210) a measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information to the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 receives (2210) the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information from the apparatus 220. As mentioned above, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120. In this case, the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information may be transmitted to the first apparatus 110 through the non-terrestrial device 130. That is, the non-terrestrial device 130 may receive the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information from the second apparatus 120 and then forward the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information to the first apparatus 110.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus 220 may generate the measurement configuration of QoE (i.e., RV-QoE) . In this case, the measurement configuration may include a subset of QoE metrics configured in the received (2205’) configuration of QoE. For example, Table 3 below shows an example the measurement configuration of R-QoE. It is noted that Table 3 is only an example not limitation.

Table 3

Alternatively, the configuration of QoE may be regarded as the measurement configuration of QoE (i.e., normal QoE) . For example, the apparatus 220 may forward (2210) the QoE configuration container including the configuration of QoE to the first apparatus 110.

In some example embodiments, the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information may be transmitted in different messages. For example, the angle threshold information may be separated from the QoE configuration container including the measurement configuration of QoE. As another example, the angle threshold information and the measurement configuration of QoE may be transmitted in different system information blocks (SIBs) . Alternatively, the angle threshold information may be transmitted in a SIB and the measurement configuration of QoE may be transmitted in a radio resource control (RRC) message.

Alternatively, the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information may be transmitted in a same message. For example, the angle threshold information may be included in the QoE configuration container. In some other example embodiments, the measurement configuration of QoE and the angle threshold information may be included in a RRC message. As another example, the angle threshold information and the measurement configuration of QoE may be transmitted in a same system information block.

In some embodiments, whether the QoE measurement is performed may be based on the elevation angle. Example embodiments (2001) are described below.

The first apparatus 110 may determine (2215) an elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and a non-terrestrial device. The elevation angle may be determined using any proper manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the first apparatus 110 may determine the elevation angle 160 between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 130. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first apparatus 110 may determine the elevation angle 160’ between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 121. As shown in FIG. 2A, the AS layer 211 may determine (2215) the elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device.

The first apparatus 110 determines whether to perform the QoE measurement or transmit the measurement report based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information. In some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle fulfills a predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold. The predetermined condition may include one of: exceeding the first angle threshold, equal to the first angle threshold, or below the first angle threshold. For example, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle exceeds the first angle threshold, if the apparatus 220 would like or is configured to check what is QoE perception of the device with the elevation angle above the first angle threshold. Only as an example, if the first angle threshold is 30 degree and the elevation angle is 45 degree, the AS layer 211 may determine to perform at least one of the QoE measurement or transmit the measurement report. Alternatively, the apparatus 220 may check what is QoE perception of the device with the elevation angle below the first angle threshold. In this case, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle is below the first angle threshold. For example, if the first angle threshold is 90 degree and the elevation angle is 80 degree, the AS layer 211 may determine to perform at least one of the QoE measurement or transmit the measurement report. In this way, the QoE can be enhanced when taking the elevation angle into consideration. Further, it can also avoid unnecessary NTN air interface resource wasting.

Since the measurement of the QoE may in some embodiments depend on whether the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, the determined elevation angle may be said to correspond to the QoE measurement. For example, the time instant of the QoE measurement and time instant of the determined elevation angle (e.g. determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold) may substantially correspond to each other.

In some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may determine (2220) whether the elevation angle meets the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement. In this case, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2225) the measurement configuration to the application layer 212. For example, the measurement configuration may be transmitted in an attention (AT) command.

Alternatively, the AS layer 211 may transmit the measurement configuration before determining whether the elevation angle meets the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold. In this case, if the elevation angle meets the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, the AS layer 211 may transmit a start indication to start the QoE measurement to the application layer 212. That is, after receiving the measurement configuration, the application layer 212 does not start performing the QoE measurement until the start indication is received from the AS layer 211. Only as an example, the start indication may be transmitted in an AT command.

If the elevation angle does not meet the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, the AS layer 211 may determine not to perform the QoE measurement. In this case, in some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may not transmit the measurement configuration to the application layer 212. Alternatively, the AS layer may not transmit the start indication to the application layer 212.

After receiving the measurement configuration or the start indication, the application layer 212 may perform (2230) the QoE measurement based on the measurement configuration. In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement for a specific service based on the measurement configuration. For example, the application layer 212 may obtain values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration includes a metric “number of buffer level entries” , the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement to obtain the number of buffer level entries. In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the configuration of QoE may indicate QoE metric that may include one or more of bandwidth, delay, packet loss, availability, perception, preferences, expectations, acceptance, or price and the like. In this case, for example, the first apparatus 110 may measure an experienced delay for a specific service during the QoE measurement, which may be reported to the apparatus 220 in a measurement report of the QoE. In some other example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may measure a bandwidth for a specific service during the QoE measurement.

The application layer 212 may transmit (2235) QoE data that includes data of the QoE measurement to the AS layer 211. In other words, the AS layer 211 may receive the QoE data from the application layer 212. In some example embodiments, the QoE data may transmitted in an AT command. The QoE data may be included in a QoE reporting container. For example, the data of the QoE measurement may indicate the obtained values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may transmit the QoE data based on a configure periodicity. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration indicates that a reporting periodicity is 240ms, the QoE data may be transmitted based on the reporting periodicity, i.e., the QoE data may be transmitted every 240 ms.

The AS layer 211 may generate (2240) the measurement report of QoE that includes the QoE data received from the application layer 212. For example, the AS layer 211 may include the QoE reporting container including the QoE data into the measurement report.

The AS layer 211 may transmit (2245) the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2245) the measurement report from the AS layer 211. As mentioned above, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120. In this case, the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data may be transmitted to the second apparatus 120 through the non-terrestrial device 130. That is, the non-terrestrial device 130 may receive the measurement report of QoE from the first apparatus 110 and then forward the measurement report of QoE to the second apparatus 120.

In some embodiments, whether the measurement report is transmitted may be based on the elevation angle. Example embodiments (2002) are described below.

In some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2315) the measurement configuration to the application layer 212. For example, the measurement configuration may be transmitted in an AT command. In other words, the application layer 212 may receive (2315) the measurement configuration from the AS layer 211.

After receiving the measurement configuration, the application layer 212 may perform (2320) the QoE measurement based on the measurement configuration. In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement for a specific service based on the measurement configuration. For example, the application layer 212 may obtain values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration includes a metric “number of buffer level entries” , the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement to obtain the number of buffer level entries. In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the configuration of QoE may indicate QoE metric that may include one or more of bandwidth, delay, packet loss, availability, perception, preferences, expectations, acceptance, or price and the like. In this case, for example, the first apparatus 110 may measure an experienced delay for a specific service during the QoE measurement, which may be reported to the apparatus 220 in a measurement report of the QoE. In some other example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may measure a bandwidth for a specific service during the QoE measurement.

The application layer 212 may transmit (2325) QoE data that includes data of the QoE measurement to the AS layer 211. In other words, the AS layer 211 may receive the QoE data from the application layer 212. In some example embodiments, the QoE data may transmitted in an AT command. The QoE data may be included in a QoE reporting container. For example, the data of the QoE measurement may indicate the obtained values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may transmit the QoE data based on a configure periodicity. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration indicate that a reporting periodicity is 240ms, the QoE data may be transmitted based on the reporting periodicity, i.e., the QoE data may be transmitted every 240 ms.

The AS layer 211 may determine (2330) the elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the AS layer 211 may determine the elevation angle 160 between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 130. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B, the AS layer 211 may determine the elevation angle 160’ between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 121. As was the case for embodiment 2001, also for 2002, the determined elevation angle corresponds to the QoE measurement. By way of example, the time instant of the QoE measurement and/or reporting may substantially correspond to the time instant of the elevation angle determination.

The AS layer 211 may determine (2335) whether the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the quality of experience measurement. The predetermined condition may include one of: exceeding the first angle threshold, equal to the first angle threshold, or below the first angle threshold. The elevation angle may act as a trigger for QoE data collection, which means the QoE measurements are triggered only if the preconfigured condition on elevation angle is fulfilled and the QoE measurement reports are generated only upon fulfilling the condition.

For example, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle meets the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, if the apparatus 220 is configured to check what is QoE perception of the device with the elevation angle above the first angle threshold. In this case, in some example embodiments, if the elevation angle e.g. exceeds the first angle, the AS layer 211 may generate (2345) the measurement report of QoE that includes the QoE data received from the application layer 212. For example, the AS layer 211 may include the QoE reporting container including the QoE data into the measurement report. Alternatively, if the elevation angle does not exceed the first angle threshold, the AS layer 211 may discard the received QoE data. The AS layer 211 may skip the transmission of the measurement report to the apparatus 220. Alternatively, the apparatus 220 may check what is QoE perception of the device with the elevation angle below the first angle threshold. In this case, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle is below the first angle threshold. In this situation, if the elevation angle is below the first angle, the AS layer 211 may generate (2345) the measurement report of QoE that includes the QoE data received from the application layer 212. Alternatively, if the elevation angle is not below the first angle threshold, the AS layer 211 may discard the received QoE data.

The apparatus 220 may transmit (2350) the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data to the CN apparatus 150. In other words, the CN apparatus 150 may receive the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data from the apparatus 220.

In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the angle threshold information may indicate the second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement. In this case, the AS layer 211 may determine whether the elevation angle fulfills a further predetermined condition associated with the second angle threshold. The further predetermined condition may include one of: exceeding the second angle threshold, equal to the second angle threshold, or below the second angle threshold. For example, in some embodiments, if the apparatus 220 would not like to check what is QoE perception of the device with the elevation angle below the second angle threshold and the elevation angle is below the second angle threshold, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2360) a stop indication to stop the QoE measurement to the application layer 212. Alternatively, or additionally, if the elevation angle is below the second angle threshold, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2360) a release indication to release the measurement configuration to the application layer 212. Only as an example, if the second angle threshold is 30 degree and the elevation angle is 20 degree, the AS layer 211 may decide to stop the QoE measurement. The stop indication or the release indication may be transmitted (2360) to the application layer 212.

Alternatively, or in addition, if the angle threshold information includes a timer for disabling the QoE measurement, the AS layer 211 may start the timer if the elevation angle is detected to meet the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold. While the timer is running, the AL layer 212 may perform the QoE measurements and the AS layer 211 may send the QoE report (s) . The AS layer 211 may determine whether the timer expires. In some example embodiments, if the timer expires, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2360) a stop indication to stop the QoE measurement to the application layer 212. Alternatively or additionally, if the timer expires, the AS layer 211 may transmit (2360) a release indication to release the measurement configuration to the application layer 212. Alternatively or additionally, if the timer expires, the AS layer 211 may determine not to transmit the QoE reports anymore.

According to embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2A, a QoE triggering control mechanism for NTN QoE is proposed to use NTN UE elevation angle to control QoE reporting number. Thus, it can avoid unnecessary NTN air interface resource wasting. This is because when the elevation angle does not meet the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold (e.g. is smaller than the first angle threshold) , the network does not benefit from receiving QoE reports, and thus those are beneficially not sent.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which illustrates a signalling flow 205 for NTN QoE reporting according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signalling flow 205 may be discussed with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, for example, by using the first apparatus 110, the core network apparatus 140 and the core network apparatus 150. The signalling flow 205 may also described by using an apparatus 220. In some example embodiments, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120 which connects with the non-terrestrial device 130 providing the cell 101. Alternatively, the apparatus 220 may be the non-terrestrial device 121 which provides the cell 101.

The CN apparatus 140 may transmit (2005) a configuration of QoE to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2005) the configuration of QoE from the CN apparatus 140. By way of example, the configuration of QoE may indicate QoE metric that may include one or more of: bandwidth, delay, packet loss, availability, perception, preferences, expectations, acceptance, or price and the like. By way of example, the configuration of QoE may be included in a QoE configuration container, for example, Table 2 above shows an example of information element (IE) of the QoE configuration container which is omitted.

The CN apparatus 140 may transmit (2005’) an indication (320) for a need of reporting the elevation angle to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2005’) the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle from the CN apparatus 140.

In some example embodiments, the configuration of QoE and the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle may be transmitted in different messages. For example, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle may be separated from the QoE configuration container. Alternatively, the configuration of QoE and the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle may be transmitted in a same message. For example, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle may be included in the QoE configuration container. In another example, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle is included as separate information element in the same message with the QoE configuration container.

The apparatus 220 transmits (2010) a measurement configuration of QoE to the first apparatus 110. In other words, the first apparatus 110 receives (2010) the measurement configuration of QoE from the apparatus 220. As mentioned above, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120. In this case, the measurement configuration of QoE and the indication of the need to report the elevation angle may be transmitted to the first apparatus 110 through the non-terrestrial device 130. That is, the non-terrestrial device 130 may receive the measurement configuration of QoE and the indication of the need to report the elevation angle from the second apparatus 120 and then forward the measurement configuration of QoE and the indication of the need to report the elevation angle to the first apparatus 110.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus 220 may generate the measurement configuration of QoE (i.e., RV QoE) . In this case, the measurement configuration may include a subset of QoE metrics configured in the received (2005) configuration of QoE (for example, as shown in Table 3) . Alternatively, the configuration of QoE may be regarded as the measurement configuration of QoE (i.e., normal QoE) . For example, the apparatus 220 may forward (2010) the QoE configuration container including the configuration of QoE to the first apparatus 110.

In some example embodiments, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle and the measurement configuration are included in two separate messages. For example, the measurement configuration may be transmitted in an RRC message. The indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle may be transmitted in a SIB. Alternatively, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle and the measurement configuration are included in a single message.

The AS layer 211 may transmit (2015) the measurement configuration of QoE to the application layer 212. In other words, the application layer 212 may receive (2015) the measurement configuration of QoE from the AS layer 211. For example, the configuration of QoE (310) may be transmitted in an AT command.

In some example embodiments, as mentioned above, the QoE configuration container may include both the the measurement configuration of QoE and the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle. In this case, after receiving the QoE configuration container from the AS layer 211, the application layer 212 may transmit (2020) the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle to the AS layer 211. In other words, the AS layer 211 may receive (2020) the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle from the application layer 212. In another embodiment, the AS layer 211 extracts such indication from the signalling 2010.

In some embodiments, the elevation angle may be included into the measurement report by the AS layer 211. Example embodiments (2003) are described below.

In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may perform (2025) the QoE measurement based on the measurement configuration. For example, as discussed with reference to FIG. 2A, the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement for a specific service based on the measurement configuration. For example, the application layer 212 may obtain values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration includes a metric “number of buffer level entries” , the application layer 212 may perform the QoE measurement to obtain the number of buffer level entries.

The application layer 212 may transmit (2030) QoE data that includes data of the QoE measurement to the AS layer 211. In other words, the AS layer 211 may receive the QoE data from the application layer 212. In some example embodiments, the QoE data may transmitted in an AT command. The QoE data may be included in a QoE reporting container. For example, the data of the QoE measurement may indicate the obtained values of the metric (s) indicated in the measurement configuration. In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may transmit the QoE data based on a configure periodicity. Only as an example, if the measurement configuration indicate that a reporting periodicity is 240ms, the QoE data may be transmitted based on the reporting periodicity, i.e., the QoE data may be transmitted every 240 ms.

The first apparatus 110 determines (2035) an elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and a non-terrestrial device. The elevation angle may be determined using any proper manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the first apparatus 110 may determine the elevation angle 160 between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 130. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first apparatus 110 may determine the elevation angle 160’ between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device 121. As shown in FIG. 2B, the AS layer 211 may determine (2035) the elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device. In some example embodiments, if the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle is received, the AS layer 211 may determine the elevation angle based on the indication. The determined elevation angle may correspond to the QoE measurement.. For example, the determined elevation angle and the QoE measurement form a pair. By way of example, the time instant of the QoE measurement and/or reporting may substantially correspond to the time instant of the elevation angle determination. For example, the AS layer may determine the elevation angle when the AS layer receives the QoE data from the AL, and thus there is only small time difference between the time instants.

The first apparatus 110 generates (2040) a measurement report that includes the elevation angle and data of the QoE. For example, if the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle is received, the AS layer 211 may include the elevation angle to the measurement report based on the indication. By way of example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the measurement report 300 may include the elevation angle 312 and the QoE data 311 that contains the data of the QoE measurement 310. In some example embodiments, the measurement report may be formed in a way that it has separate record (s) for QoE metrics and for elevation angle. In this way, since the elevation angle is given in a known place, it is easier for the network to react on/read the measurement report or later on filter out necessary data.

The first apparatus 110 (for example, the AS layer 211) transmits (2045) the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data and the elevation angle to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2045) the measurement report from the first apparatus 1100. As mentioned above, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120. In this case, the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data may be transmitted to the second apparatus 120 through the non-terrestrial device 130. That is, the non-terrestrial device 130 may receive the measurement report of QoE from the first apparatus 110 and then forward the measurement report of QoE to the second apparatus 120.

In some embodiments, the elevation angle may be included into the measurement report by the application layer 212. Example embodiments (2004) are described below.

In some example embodiments, after receiving (2015) the measurement configuration, the application layer 212 may perform (2125) the QoE measurement based on the measurement configuration. The AS layer 211 may determine (2135) the elevation angle between the first apparatus 110 and the non-terrestrial device. In some example embodiments, if the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle is received, the AS layer 211 may determine the elevation angle based on the indication.

The AS layer 211 may transmit (2136) the elevation angle to the application layer 212. In other words, the application layer 212 may receive the elevation angle from the AS layer 211.

In some example embodiments, the AS layer 211 may transmit the elevation angle to the application layer 212 based on a predetermined periodicity. In this case, in some example embodiments, the predetermined periodicity may be configured by the apparatus 220 or the CN network apparatus 140. Alternatively, the predetermined periodicity may be preconfigured at the first apparatus 110.

In some other example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether a change of elevation angle exceeds a predetermined change threshold. In this case, if the change of elevation angle exceeds the predetermined change threshold, the AS layer 211 may transmit the elevation angle to the application layer 212. Alternatively, if the change of elevation angle does not exceed the predetermined change threshold, the AS layer 211 may not transmit the elevation angle to the application layer 212. In some example embodiments, the predetermined change threshold may be configured by the apparatus 220 or the CN network apparatus 140. Alternatively, the predetermined change threshold may be preconfigured at the first apparatus 110. For example, if the predetermined change threshold is 10 degree and the elevation angle is changed from 30 degree to 45 degree (i.e., the change of the elevation angle is 15 degree) , the elevation angle may be transmitted to the application layer 212.

In some example embodiments, the application layer 212 may insert the elevation angle into a corresponding position in the data of the QoE measurement. In this way, it is easier for the network to understand the relationship between the elevation angle and the data of the QoE measurement, thereby identifying the elevation angle that may causes poor QoE. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, after receiving (2136) the elevation angle (322) , the application layer 212 may insert the elevation angle (322) into the data of the QoE measurement (320) . In some example embodiments, if the application layer 212 receives the elevation angle for several times, the application layer 212 may insert elevation angle into corresponding position in the data of the corresponding QoE measurement (320) at each time after the elevation angle is received. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the elevation angle (322) may be inserted at several positions in a QoE reporting data container (321) .

In this way, the determined elevation angle may correspond to the QoE measurement. For example, the determined elevation angle and the QoE measurement may form a pair. The time instant of the QoE measurement may substantially correspond to the time instant of the elevation angle determination.

Alternatively, the application layer 212 may attach the elevation angle (332) to an end of the data of the QoE measurement (330) . In this way, since the elevation angle is given in a known place, it is easier for the network to react on/read the measurement report or later on filter out necessary data. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, after receiving (2136) the elevation angle (332) , the application layer 212 may attach the elevation angle (332) at the end the data of the QoE measurement (330) . In some example embodiments, if the application layer 212 receives the elevation angle (332) for several times, the application layer 212 may attach all elevation angle to the end of the data of the QoE measurement (332) . For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the elevation angle (332) may be located at the end of the data of the QoE measurement (330) within the QoE data (331) .

The QoE data (311, 331, 331) may also include timing information of the elevation angle (312, 322, 332) . For example, the QoE data (331) may include a time stamp when the elevation angle (332) is received from the AS layer 211.

The first apparatus 110 generates (2140) a measurement report that includes the elevation angle and data of the QoE. For example, the first apparatus can combine the elevation angle and the data of QoE measurement together int to a radio interface message (such as, RRC message) . By way of example, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C, the measurement report 300 may include the QoE data 321/331 that contains the data of the QoE measurement 320/330 and the elevation angle 322/332. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may also obtain elevation angle information from other sources (such as global navigation satellite system (GNSS) /geo data are received from global position system (GPS) modem) . In this case, the measurement report may include an information element (IE) that includes the QoE data and another IE that includes an amended elevation angle that is amended based on the above elevation angle information.

The first apparatus 110 (for example, the AS layer 211) transmits (2145) the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data and the elevation angle to the apparatus 220. In other words, the apparatus 220 may receive (2045) the measurement report from the first apparatus 1100. As mentioned above, the apparatus 220 may be the second apparatus 120. In this case, the measurement report of QoE including the QoE data may be transmitted to the second apparatus 120 through the non-terrestrial device 130. That is, the non-terrestrial device 130 may receive the measurement report of QoE from the first apparatus 110 and then forward the measurement report of QoE to the second apparatus 120.

The apparatus 220 determines (2160) the elevation angle from the measurement report. The apparatus 220 may identify and judge where and when the bad user experience is due to the elevation angle, e.g., in one range of degree of elevation angle. In this way, the network can improve the user experience by adjusting the direction of satellite antennas or adjusting the service satellite coverage.

According to embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2B, the elevation angle is associated to QoE reporting data. In this way, it can help operator to identify the reason of worse user experience and further better optimize NTN network. It is noted the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2B can be combined with embodiments described with reference to FIG. 2A in any proper manner.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at a first device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

At block 410, the first apparatus receives, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information.

At block 420, the first apparatus determines an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device.

At block 430, the first apparatus determines, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement. The determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement or for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience. The method 400 may further include determining whether the elevation angle fulfills a predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, at least one of the measurement configuration or an starting indication to start the quality of experience measurement; performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, determining not to perform the quality of experience measurement; and skipping a transmission of at least one of the measurement configuration or a starting indication to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration; performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises: transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration; performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, discarding, at the first protocol layer, the received quality of experience data; and skipping the transmission of the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement, and determining, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the elevation angle between the first apparatus and the non-terrestrial device; determining, at the first protocol layer, whether the elevation angle fulfills a further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold; and based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold, transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information also comprises a timer for disabling the quality of experience measurement, and based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, starting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the timer; determining, at the first layer, whether the timer expires; and based on a determination that the timer expires, transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus comprises a network device, and wherein the first protocol layer of the first apparatus is an access stratum layer, and the second protocol layer of the first apparatus is an application protocol layer.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a second device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

At block 510, the first apparatus, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience.

At block 520, the first apparatus performs a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration.

At block 530, the first apparatus determines an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device. The determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

At block 540, the first apparatus generates a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement.

At block 550, the first apparatus transmits the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle; and based on the indication, determining the elevation angle and include the elevation angle to the measurement report.

In some example embodiments, the indication and the measurement configuration are included in a single message or in two separate messages from the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: performing, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; receiving, at the first protocol layer of the first apparatus and from the second protocol layer, quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the elevation angle and the quality of experience data; and transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: performing, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle; generating, at the second protocol layer, quality of experience reporting data comprising the elevation angle based on the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle; receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, the quality of experience data comprising the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle; generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle based on a predetermined periodicity.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: determining whether a change of elevation angle exceeds a predetermined change threshold; and based on a determination that a change of elevation angle exceeds the predetermined change threshold, transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: inserting, at the second protocol layer, the elevation angle into a corresponding position in the data of the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: attaching, at the second protocol layer, the elevation angle to an end of the data of the quality of experience measurement.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a third device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B.

At block 610, the second apparatus obtains angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

At block 620, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement or for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement or for discarding the measurement report of quality of experience.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a timer for stopping the quality of experience measurement or for discarding the measurement report of quality of experience.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus comprises a network device.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a fourth device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B.

At block 710, the second apparatus transmits, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience.

At block 720, the second apparatus receives, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration.

At block 730, the second apparatus determines, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.

In some example embodiments, the method 700 further comprises: obtaining an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle used for the quality of experience measurement; and transmitting, to the first apparatus, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle.

In some example embodiments, the measurement report of quality of experience comprises: the elevation angle between the first apparatus and the non-terrestrial device and a quality of experience reporting data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the measurement report of quality of experience comprises quality of experience reporting data that comprises both the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle between the first apparatus and the non-terrestrial device.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information; means for determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device; means for determining, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement or for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience; and the first apparatus further comprises means for determining whether the elevation angle fulfills a predetermined condition with respect the first angle threshold.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, at least one of the measurement configuration or an starting indication to start the quality of experience measurement; means for performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; means for generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, determining not to perform the quality of experience measurement; and means for skipping a transmission of at least one of the measurement configuration or a starting indication to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration; means for performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; means for based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration; means for performing, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; means for based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, discarding, at the first protocol layer, the received quality of experience data; and means for skipping the transmission of the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information comprises a second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement, and means for determining, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the elevation angle between the first apparatus and the non-terrestrial device; means for determining, at the first protocol layer, whether the elevation angle fulfills a further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold; and based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold, means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.

In some example embodiments, the angle threshold information also comprises a timer for disabling the quality of experience measurement, and means for based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, starting, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the timer; means for determining, at the first layer, whether the timer expires; and based on a determination that the timer expires, means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 400 or the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; means for performing a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement; means for generating a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and means for transmitting the measurement report to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second apparatus, an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle; and means for based on the indication, determining the elevation angle and include the elevation angle to the measurement report.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for receiving, at the first protocol layer of the first apparatus and from the second protocol layer, quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement; means for generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the elevation angle and the quality of experience data; and means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration; means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle; means for generating, at the second protocol layer, quality of experience reporting data comprising the elevation angle based on the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle; means for receiving, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, the quality of experience data comprising the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle; means for generating, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle based on a predetermined periodicity.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether a change of elevation angle exceeds a predetermined change threshold; and means for based on a determination that a change of elevation angle exceeds the predetermined change threshold, transmitting, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for inserting, at the second protocol layer, the elevation angle into a corresponding position in the data of the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for attaching, at the second protocol layer, the elevation angle to an end of the data of the quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 500 or the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for obtaining angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 600 or the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience; means for receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and means for determining, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for obtaining an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle used for the quality of experience measurement; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, the indication for the need of reporting the elevation angle.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method 700 or the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1A and the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the second apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B or the second apparatus as shown in FIG. 1A or the non-terrestrial device 121 in FIG. 1B. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM) , a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD) , a digital video disk (DVD) , an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and/or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The instructions of the program 830 may include instructions for performing operations/acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 830 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 824. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 822.

The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 830 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory, ” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM) .

FIG. 9 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 900 has the program 830 stored thereon.

Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM) , a read-only memory (ROM) , an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) , an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) , an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A first apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to:

receive, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information;

determine an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device; and

determine, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform at least one of a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.
The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the angle threshold information comprises a first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement or for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience; and

wherein the first apparatus is caused to: determine whether the elevation angle fulfills a predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold.
The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, transmit, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, at least one of the measurement configuration or an starting indication to start the quality of experience measurement;

perform, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

receive, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement;

generate, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and

transmit, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement, determine not to perform the quality of experience measurement; and

skip a transmission of at least one of the measurement configuration or a starting indication to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus.
The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

transmit, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration;

perform, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

receive, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement;

based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, generate, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and

transmit, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

transmit, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the measurement configuration;

perform, at the second protocol layer, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

receive, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, a quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement;

based on a determination that the elevation angle does not fulfill the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience, discard, at the first protocol layer, the received quality of experience data; and

skip the transmission of the measurement report to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of any of claims 2-6, wherein the angle threshold information comprises a second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement, and

wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

determine, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the elevation angle between the first apparatus and the non-terrestrial device;

determine, at the first protocol layer, whether the elevation angle fulfills a further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold; and

based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills a further predetermined condition with respect to the second angle threshold,

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.
The first apparatus of any of claims 2-6, wherein the angle threshold information also comprises a timer for disabling the quality of experience measurement, and

wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

based on a determination that the elevation angle fulfills the predetermined condition with respect to the first angle threshold, start, at a first protocol layer of the first apparatus, the timer;

determine, at the first layer, whether the timer expires; and

based on a determination that the timer expires,

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to a second protocol layer, a stop indication to stop the quality of experience measurement; or

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer of the first apparatus, a release indication to release the measurement configuration.
A first apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to:

receive, from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience;

perform a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

determine an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement;

generate a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and

transmit the measurement report to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

receive, from the second apparatus, an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle; and

based on the indication, determine the elevation angle and include the elevation angle to the measurement report.
The first apparatus of any of claims 9-10, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

perform, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

receive, at the first protocol layer of the first apparatus and from the second protocol layer, quality of experience data that comprises the data of the quality of experience measurement;

generate, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the elevation angle and the quality of experience data; and

transmit, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of any of claims 9-11, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

perform, at a second protocol layer of the first apparatus, the quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle;

generate, at the second protocol layer, quality of experience reporting data comprising the elevation angle based on the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle;

receive, at the first protocol layer and from the second protocol layer, the quality of experience data comprising the data of the quality of experience measurement and the elevation angle;

generate, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience that comprises the quality of experience data; and

transmit, at the first protocol layer, the measurement report of quality of experience to the second apparatus.
The first apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

transmit, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle based on a predetermined periodicity.
The first apparatus of any of claims 12 to 13, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

determine whether a change of elevation angle exceeds a predetermined change threshold; and

based on a determination that a change of elevation angle exceeds the predetermined change threshold, transmit, at the first protocol layer and to the second protocol layer, the elevation angle.
The first apparatus of any of claims 12-14, wherein the first apparatus is caused to:

attach, at the second protocol layer, the elevation angle to an end of the data of the quality of experience measurement.
The first apparatus of any of claims 1-15, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and wherein the second apparatus comprises a network device, and wherein the first protocol layer of the first apparatus is an access stratum layer, and the second protocol layer of the first apparatus is an application protocol layer.
A second apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to:

obtain angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and

transmit, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.
The second apparatus of claim 17, wherein the angle threshold information comprises a first angle threshold for starting the quality of experience measurement or for transmitting the measurement report of quality of experience.
The second apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the angle threshold information comprises a second angle threshold for stopping the quality of experience measurement or for discarding the measurement report of quality of experience.
The second apparatus of any of claims 17-19, wherein the angle threshold information comprises a timer for stopping the quality of experience measurement or for discarding the measurement report of quality of experience.
A second apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to:

transmit, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience;

receive, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and

determine, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.
The second apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second apparatus is caused to:

obtain an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle used for the quality of experience measurement; and

transmit, to the first apparatus, an indication for a need of reporting the elevation angle.
The second apparatus of any of claims 17-22, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and

wherein the second apparatus comprises a network device.
A method comprising:

receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information;

determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device;

determining, based on the elevation angle and the angle threshold information, whether to perform a quality of experience measurement or a transmission of a measurement report indicating data of the quality of experience measurement, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement.
A method comprising:

receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience;

performing a quality of experience measurement based on the measurement configuration;

determining an elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device, wherein the determined elevation angle corresponds to the quality of experience measurement;

generating a measurement report comprising the elevation angle and data of the quality of experience measurement; and

transmitting the measurement report to the second apparatus.
A method comprising:

obtaining, at a second apparatus, angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement; and

transmitting, to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience and angle threshold information used for a quality of experience measurement.
A method comprising:

transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a measurement configuration of quality of experience;

receiving, from the first apparatus, a measurement report comprising elevation angle between the first apparatus and a non-terrestrial device and data of the quality of experience measurement that is obtained based on the measurement configuration; and

determining, from the measurement report, the elevation angle which facilitates the quality of experience.
A computer readable medium comprising instruction stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 24-25 or the method of any of claims 26-27.