COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE EQUIPMENT AND METHODS APPLYING MOBILITY INFORMATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE EQUIPMENT

A method of operating a communications device comprises receiving from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, and adapting an operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information. The adapted operation includes configuring the communications devices for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to communications devices, network infrastructure equipment, wireless communications networks and methods. Embodiments of the present disclosure can provide improvements in or relating operations performed by communications devices relating to transmitting or receiving signals and data via a wireless communications network in accordance with a mobility status of an infrastructure equipment of the wireless communications network.

The present disclosure claims the Paris Convention priority to European Patent Application Number 20205789.9, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Description of Related Art

Latest generation mobile telecommunication systems are able to support a wider range of services than simple voice and messaging services offered by earlier generations of mobile telecommunication systems. For example, with the improved radio interface and enhanced data rates provided by LTE systems, a user is able to enjoy high data rate applications such as mobile video streaming and mobile video conferencing that would previously only have been available via a fixed line data connection. The demand to deploy such networks is therefore strong and the coverage area of these networks, i.e. geographic locations where access to the networks is possible, is expected to continue to increase rapidly.

Future wireless communications networks will be expected efficiently to support communications with an ever-increasing range of devices and data traffic profiles than existing systems are optimised to support. For example it is expected future wireless communications networks will be expected to efficiently support communications with devices including reduced complexity devices, machine type communication devices, high resolution video displays, virtual reality headsets and so on. Some of these different types of devices may be deployed in very large numbers, for example low complexity devices for supporting the “The Internet of Things”, and may typically be associated with the transmissions of relatively small amounts of data with relatively high latency tolerance.

To facilitate communications, future mobile communications networks may also be configured with new features and aspects and in turn different types of devices must also be adapted to utilise these new features and aspects.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present technique can provide a method of operating by a communications device for transmitting or receiving via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving, from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications network, mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, and adapting an operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information. The adapted operation includes configuring the communications devices for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.

Example embodiments envisage that an infrastructure equipment forming part of a radio network of a wireless communications network may be mobile and therefore non-stationary. For example the infrastructure equipment may form part of a backhaul network or may be a drone or other mobile infrastructure equipment forming part of a radio network of a wireless communications network. By transmitting mobility information indicating a mobility status of the infrastructure equipment or its location, a communications device receiving that mobility information from the infrastructure equipment can adapt its operation to communicate more effectively and efficiently via the wireless access interface formed by the wireless communications network. For example, the communications device can adapt an idle mode cell selection/re-selection procedure, a handover procedure and/or a transmit or receive beam direction based on the mobility information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Long Term Evolution Advanced Radio Access Technology (4G)

The network100includes a plurality of base stations101connected to a core network102. Each base station provides a coverage area103(i.e. a cell) within which data can be communicated to and from terminal devices104. Data is transmitted from base stations101to terminal devices104within their respective coverage areas103via a radio downlink (DL). Data is transmitted from terminal devices104to the base stations101via a radio uplink (UL). The core network102routes data to and from the terminal devices104via the respective base stations101and provides functions such as authentication, mobility management, charging and so on. Terminal devices may also be referred to as mobile stations, user equipment (UE), user terminal, mobile radio, communications device, and so forth. Base stations, which are an example of network infrastructure equipment/network access node, may also be referred to as transceiver stations/nodeBs/e-nodeBs/eNBs/g-nodeBs/gNBs and so forth. In this regard different terminology is often associated with different generations of wireless telecommunications systems for elements providing broadly comparable functionality. However, certain embodiments of the disclosure may be equally implemented in different generations of wireless telecommunications systems, and for simplicity certain terminology may be used regardless of the underlying network architecture. That is to say, the use of a specific term in relation to certain example implementations is not intended to indicate these implementations are limited to a certain generation of network that may be most associated with that particular terminology.

New Radio Access Technology (5G)

FIG.2is a schematic diagram illustrating a network architecture for a new RAT wireless communications network/system200based on previously proposed approaches which may also be adapted to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure described herein. The new RAT network200represented inFIG.2comprises a first communication cell201and a second communication cell202. Each communication cell201,202, comprises a controlling node (centralised unit)221,222in communication with a core network component210over a respective wired or wireless link251,252. The respective controlling nodes221,222are also each in communication with a plurality of distributed units (radio access nodes/remote transmission and reception points (TRPs))211,212in their respective cells. Again, these communications may be over respective wired or wireless links. The distributed units (DUs)211,212are responsible for providing the radio access interface for communications devices connected to the network. Each distributed unit211,212has a coverage area (radio access footprint)241,242where the sum of the coverage areas of the distributed units under the control of a controlling node together define the coverage of the respective communication cells201,202. Each distributed unit211,212includes transceiver circuitry for transmission and reception of wireless signals and processor circuitry configured to control the respective distributed units211,212.

In terms of broad top-level functionality, the core network component210of the new RAT communications network represented inFIG.2may be broadly considered to correspond with the core network102represented inFIG.1, and the respective controlling nodes221,222and their associated distributed units/TRPs211,212may be broadly considered to provide functionality corresponding to the base stations101ofFIG.1. The term network infrastructure equipment/access node may be used to encompass these elements and more conventional base station type elements of wireless communications systems. Depending on the application at hand the responsibility for scheduling transmissions which are scheduled on the radio interface between the respective distributed units and the communications devices may lie with the controlling node/centralised unit and/or the distributed units/TRPs.

A communications device or UE260is represented inFIG.2within the coverage area of the first communication cell201. This communications device260may thus exchange signalling with the first controlling node221in the first communication cell via one of the distributed units211associated with the first communication cell201. In some cases communications for a given communications device are routed through only one of the distributed units, but it will be appreciated in some other implementations communications associated with a given communications device may be routed through more than one distributed unit, for example in a soft handover scenario and other scenarios.

In the example ofFIG.2, two communication cells201,202and one communications device260are shown for simplicity, but it will of course be appreciated that in practice the system may comprise a larger number of communication cells (each supported by a respective controlling node and plurality of distributed units) serving a larger number of communications devices.

It will further be appreciated thatFIG.2represents merely one example of a proposed architecture for a new RAT communications system in which approaches in accordance with the principles described herein may be adopted, and the functionality disclosed herein may also be applied in respect of wireless communications systems having different architectures.

Thus example embodiments of the disclosure as discussed herein may be implemented in wireless telecommunication systems/networks according to various different architectures, such as the example architectures shown inFIGS.1and2. It will thus be appreciated the specific wireless communications architecture in any given implementation is not of primary significance to the principles described herein. In this regard, example embodiments of the disclosure may be described generally in the context of communications between network infrastructure equipment/access nodes and a communications device, wherein the specific nature of the network infrastructure equipment/access node and the communications device will depend on the network infrastructure for the implementation at hand. For example, in some scenarios the network infrastructure equipment/access node may comprise a base station, such as an LTE-type base station101as shown inFIG.1which is adapted to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein, and in other examples the network infrastructure equipment/access node may comprise a control unit/controlling node221,222and/or a TRP211,212of the kind shown inFIG.2which is adapted to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein.

Embodiments of the present technique can provide a method of operating by a communications device for transmitting or receiving via a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, and adapting an operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information. The adapted operation includes configuring the communications devices for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.

Example embodiments can utilise techniques for controlling a communication device's (UE's) access to a wireless communications network in which one or more of the infrastructure elements of a radio network part of the wireless communications network are non-stationary and mobile. Example embodiments can provide an indication to UEs of a base stations/gNB's position or that it is mobile. This is because:1. More and more moving base stations e.g. HAPS, drone BS, which may be mounted on moving vehicles may be introduced. The speed of the vehicles may range from medium to high speed vehicles. A location of a base station will have impact on an uplink beam direction. It may be difficult for a UE to maintain beam correspondence if a relative speed between the base station and the UE is large and/or unknown.2. For an IDLE mode UE's initial access, it would be better to avoid selecting a base station with high mobility in order to avoid frequent cell selection/re-selection.3. For CONNECTED mode UEs, if the gNB's (including neighbouring gNBs') location is available to the UE (together with RSRP measurement), the UE can decide the potential target base station and initiate HO itself This can further reduce the measurement and reporting overhead that is often necessary in HO.

A more detailed illustration of an example embodiment is provided inFIG.3. InFIG.3a UE300and two example network infrastructure equipment302,304, which may be thought of as a gNB101or a combination of a controlling node221and TRP211are shown in detail where a first of the infrastructure equipment or gNB302is stationary, whereas a second of the infrastructure equipment or gNB304is mobile. The UE300is shown to receive downlink signals312,314from one or both of the stationary infrastructure equipment302and the mobile infrastructure equipment304via resources of a wireless access interface (not shown) as illustrated generally by arrows312,314. Correspondingly, the UE300is configured to transmit uplink signals to one or both of the first and/or second infrastructure equipment302,304via communications resources of the wireless access interface as represented by arrows313,315.

As illustrated for a 4G and 5G/NR examples inFIGS.1and2, the first and second infrastructure equipment302,304are connected to a core network316via interface (NG-C)318,320. Each of the interfaces318,320connect to controllers330a,330bof the infrastructure equipment302,304, which form a protocol stack according to a conventional arrangement. The infrastructure equipment302,304each include a receiver340a,340bconnected to an antenna342a,342band a transmitter344a,344bconnected to the antenna342a,342bfor receiving and transmitting signals forming the wireless access interface. Correspondingly, the UE300includes a controller350connected to a receiver352which receives signals from an antenna354and a transmitter356also connected to the antenna354.

In contrast to the first infrastructure equipment, which is stationary and may include a wired or wireless connection to the core network316, the second infrastructure equipment is mobile and so the transmitter344band the receiver340bmay form the NG-C interface320from a wireless connection to the core network316. The infrastructure equipments may form part of an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) network in which infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of a wireless communications network are interconnected by radio communications interfaces.

The first and second infrastructure equipment also include an interface360between each other for communicating control information between each other rather than via the core network in accordance with, for example, an Xn interface. For this example embodiment, the interface between the first and the second infrastructure equipment360may be formed by a wireless connection because the second infrastructure equipment is mobile. Hence a dotted line360connection is shown between the first and the second infrastructure equipment302,304. The interface360can be referred to as an Xn interface which communicates control signalling to facilitate handover of the UE300from the first to the second infrastructure equipment302,304.

The controller330a,330bof the respect stationary and mobile infrastructure equipment302,304is configured to control the infrastructure equipment302,304and may comprise processor circuitry which may in turn comprise various sub-units/sub-circuits for providing functionality as explained further herein. These sub-units may be implemented as discrete hardware elements or as appropriately configured functions of the processor circuitry. Thus the controller330a,330bmay comprise circuitry, which is suitably configured/programmed to provide the desired functionality using conventional programming/configuration techniques for equipment in wireless telecommunications systems. The transmitter344a,344band the receiver340a,340bmay comprise signal processing and radio frequency filters, amplifiers and circuitry in accordance with conventional arrangements. The transmitter344a,344b,the receiver340a,340band the controller330a,330bare schematically shown inFIG.3as separate elements for ease of representation. However, it will be appreciated that the functionality of these elements can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s), or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s). As will be appreciated the infrastructure equipment302,304will in general comprise various other elements associated with its operating functionality.

Correspondingly, the controller350of the UE300is configured to control the transmitter356and the receiver352and may comprise processor circuitry, which may in turn comprise various sub-units/sub-circuits for providing functionality as explained further herein. These sub-units may be implemented as discrete hardware elements or as appropriately configured functions of the processor circuitry. Thus the controller350may comprise circuitry, which is suitably configured/programmed to provide the desired functionality using conventional programming/configuration techniques for equipment in wireless telecommunications systems. Likewise, the transmitter356and the receiver352may comprise signal processing and radio frequency filters, amplifiers and circuitry in accordance with conventional arrangements. The transmitter356, receiver352and controller350are schematically shown inFIG.3as separate elements for ease of representation. However, it will be appreciated that the functionality of these elements can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s), or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s). As will be appreciated the communications device300will in general comprise various other elements associated with its operating functionality, for example a power source, user interface, and so forth, but these are not shown inFIG.3in the interests of simplicity.

The controllers330a,330b,350may be configured to carry out instructions which are stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-volatile memory. The processing steps described herein may be carried out by, for example, a microprocessor in conjunction with a random access memory, operating according to instructions stored on a computer readable medium.

According to example embodiments the second infrastructure equipment as a mobile gNB304includes a location detector device370, which detects a location of the mobile gNB304using conventional techniques and feeds information indicating a location of the mobile gNB304to the controller circuitry330b.Alternatively, a location of the mobile gNB304may be detected by the wireless communications network and communicated to the mobile gNB304and so in other embodiments the location detector370may not be present in the mobile gNB304. As will be explained below, the UE300may also use a location detector358to identify the relative distance and angle of the mobile infrastructure equipment to improve radio communications.

As will be explained in the following paragraphs example embodiments can provide an arrangement in which a mobile infrastructure equipment communicates an indication of its location and/or an indication that it is non-stationary and therefore mobile. In response a communications device (UE) may be configured to adapt its behaviour to utilise the indication relating to the location and/or mobility of the mobile gNB to communicate via the wireless access interface more efficiently. In one example the UE operating in an idle mode may use the indication that a gNB is mobile not to select that gNB to attach to for receiving downlink messages from the wireless communications network or at least attach temporarily. In another example, the UE may use the indication that a gNB is mobile or an indication of its location so as to reject the mobile gNB as a target gNB for handover, or be informed by the network that the gNB cannot act as a target for handover. In another example, the UE may use a location of the gNB to steer transmit or receive antenna beams so as to communicate more effectively uplink or downlink data and control information.

A mobile gNB may be configured to transmit an indication of its location and/or that it is mobile in control information such as system information, typically broadcast by infrastructure equipment of radio access network in System Information Blocks (SIBs). A better understanding of embodiments which utilise a SIB to communicate an indication of a location and/or mobility of a gNB can be gained from an explanation in the following paragraphs of an operation of a UE when accessing a wireless communications network to form a connection.

gNB Signalling an Indication of Location or Mobility

For the example of 5G/NR communications, a UE operates in an initial access phase to establish a connection to the network. Once the initial access phase has been completed, the UE and network transition to operate in a connected phase, where a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection exists between the UE and network. In the connected phase, the UE may communicate with the network via unicast signalling.

FIG.4provides an example embodiment in which the UE receives mobility information transmitted in a System Information Block (SIB)-, which are broadcast by gNBs to UEs with a coverage area provided by a gNB forming a cell of the wireless access network. The broadcast of the SIBs is represented by an arrow400. The parts which appear inFIG.4which are also shown inFIG.3have the same reference numerals. The mobility information may be for example a field indicating that the gNB is mobile, or indicating a current speed of the gNB or an indication of a current location of gNB.

As part of the initial access phase, the UE may receive one or more SSBs402,404from the mobile gNB304. Each SSB420,404contains a synchronisation signal (SB) and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). After receiving the one or more SSBs402,404, the UE decodes the SSBs402,404. Decoding the SSBs402,404allows the UE to achieve time and frequency synchronisation with the network by using the synchronisation signals within the SSBs402,404. Decoding the SSBs402,404also allows the UE to receive a master information block (MIB) in each of the PBCHs to receive control resources required for decoding System Information Block 1 (SIB 1)406. For example, the MIB may provide information on control resource set (CORESET)#0information elements number 0. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that CORESET#0 is a set of physical resources in 5G/NR which is used to carry a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for SIB1 scheduling.

As part of the initial access phase, the UE may search for and decode the PDCCH within CORESET#0 to determine a location of Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) resources for SIB 1. SIB1 contains radio resource configuration information that is common for all UEs that are served by the gNB, except information applicable to unified access control as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. SIB1 also defines a scheduling of other system information, such as system information contained in SIB block406, for the UE.

As part of the initial access phase, the UE may read the other system information in SIB blocks406based on the information obtained from SIB 1. Using the system information, the UE may determine whether a cell of the gNB is a suitable cell for the UE to connect to the network. In addition, the UE may obtain parameters for a RACH procedure from the system information. For example, the system information may include one or more of: Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) preambles which should be used in the RACH procedure, PRACH formats which should be used in the RACH procedure, locations of PRACH in time and frequency or the like as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

According to an example embodiment shown inFIG.4, the mobile gNB is configured to transit a SIBm408, which includes a field410providing mobility information to UEs, which are within a coverage area of a cell formed by the mobile gNB304. As indicated, the mobility information may include one or more of a current location of the gNB304as determined by the location detector370, a field indicating that the mobile gNB is mobile, and a current speed of the mobile gNB304. As will be appreciated, if the mobility information provides an indication of a current location of the mobile gNB304and the SIBm is transmitted repeatedly at know intervals or can be requested on demand by the UE, each providing an update of the location of the mobile gNB304, then a UE can infer that the mobile gNB is mobile, determine a current speed of the mobile gNB304and determine, from a most recent received mobility information, a location of the mobile gNB304.

As explained above, once the initial access phase has been completed, the UE and network transition to operating in a connected phase, where an RRC connection exists between the UE and network. During the connected phase, the UE enters a connected mode410and may communicate with the network via unicast signalling. Since the gNB knows the bandwidth capability of the UE, the gNB may ensure transmissions to the UE are within the bandwidth capability of the UE.

As part of the connected phase, the UE may need to receive one or more broadcast or multicast messages. For example, in a case in which the system information changes, the UE may receive one or more MIB or SIB messages from the gNB to update the UE on the changed system information. These messages may include mobility information such as a location of the mobile gNB304and whether the UE can handover to the mobile gNB304or should handover to another gNB.

As indicated above, according to example embodiments a mobile gNB transmits an indication that it is mobile or an indication of its location using system information such as an SIB. The indication included in the system information can indicate whether a cell served by a gNB is a static/low speed/medium speed/high speed moving cell.

As another embodiment, this indication will be included in handover command. Alternatively, if such a cell does not broadcast SIB1 (like EN-DC SN), then the UE will adapt its behaviour not to camp due to missing system information but UEs in RRC_Connected are able to connect this high speed gNB. This is due to the fact that network controls the handover.

According to another example embodiment as shown inFIG.5, the UE may transmit a request500to a gNB or to a wireless communications network for a location of the mobile gNB304or the location of a particular gNB. The request500from the UE300may be received by the gNB304and a response generated by the gNB304or the request may be transmitted to the core network316. The UE300may receive a response502from the mobile gNB304or from the wireless communications network the location of that mobile gNB304. According to one example embodiment the request500for an indication of a location and/or mobility of a gNB and the response502may be via RRC signalling. According to this example embodiment, the UE300sends a network position request500to the network and the network responds by providing mobility information, which may include:1) gNB's mobility status2) gNB's GNSS location, e.g. coordinates3) gNB's velocity4) gNB's moving direction5) Relative distance with UE, based on the network being informed of the UEs location or detecting the UE's location or the UE using an onboard GNSS to detect its own position6) Neighbour gNB's location information, or7) A Transmision Configuration Indicator, TCI, index for use by UEs when transmitting to the gNB.

In order to avoid unnecessary/frequent requests from UE, the network can set certain restrictions for the same UE to send the request. For example, a UE may be restricted for example to no more than x requests within y period. Such restrictions can be assigned based on a gNB's mobility status.

UE Operation to Trigger gNB Location Requests

According to some example embodiments the controller circuitry350on the UE300includes a clock which can be used by the UE to set a timer for requesting a location of the mobile gNB304periodically. According to this example therefore the UE300may be operating in connected mode and direct the request for the location of the mobile gNB304for example by RRC signalling. As such a periodic request can be triggered by a predefined timer. This timer can be signalled from network via a dedicated signalling or can be predefined according to the gNB's mobility status. For example if the mobile gNB304is has a relatively high mobility then the request for mobility information (location) can be generated more frequently.

As explained above the UE300may as include a location detector358which the UE can use to monitor its location and movement. Accordingly, the controller350can be configured to detect when the UE moves over a distance equal or exceeding a pre-configured threshold from a last time at which the UE sent a request500for the location of the mobile gNB304. Furthermore, this distance threshold for triggering a request for the gNB's location can be scaled the controller350according to gNB's mobility status.

Adaptation of UE Based on Location of a gNB

As indicated above, in response to receiving mobility information relating to a mobile gNB, a UE may be configured to adapt its operation in order to improve its ability to transmit or to receive signals based on a received location of the mobile gNB. By providing a gNB's position information to a UE, the UE can optimise cell selection/re-selection in an idle mode, beam management, and mobility enhancement. Examples are provided in the following paragraphs.

As will be appreciated a UE and gNB may be configured with a plurality of antennas and to transmit signals as a focused beam or to receive signals from a gNB as a focused beam. Beam management procedures at the UE can be improved significantly if the UE knows both its position and the position of the mobile gNB. From these two positions, the UE can compute the bearing of the gNB from its location.

As illustrated inFIG.6if the UE is provided with antenna array600then the controller350may control the transmitter to select one of a plurality of600to direct the transmitted signals at the mobile gNB304based on a received indication of its location. A beam604may be selected by determining an angle θ of the mobile gNB304with respect to the UE300. The angle θ may be determined by the controller350based on a relative location of the mobile gNB304with respect to the UE300. The relative location of the mobile gNB304with respect to the UE30can be determined from a received indication of the location of the mobile gNB304and the location of the UE300calculated from its location detector350. A corresponding control of the receiver to receive signals in a beam focus at the mobile gNB304can be performed to improve signal reception. The location of the mobile gNB304is therefore used to adapt a beam measurement and a beam management procedure as explained in the following paragraphs:

Beam measurements: The UE300can perform measurements for beam tracking for example in RRC connected mode. For beam measurement, the UE has the direction of the beam θ and the resources for its associated CSI-RS. When performing beam measurements, the UE can steer its receive antennas (forms a coherent reception beam) in a direction of the mobile gNB304and then measure channel state information reference symbols (CSI-RS). If the UE has the bearing θ of the gNB, the UE can limit its measurements only to beams coming from that bearing (plus, minus some delta angle) while setting the measurement metrics for the beams of other directions to zero. The advantage here is to save UE power by reducing the number of measurements it does only to those likely to be most fruitful.

Beam tracking: when beam tracking, the connected mode UE processes the CSI-RS of the beam from which signals are being received. Measurement information of signal strength of the CSI-RS from the received beam is sent as a CSI-type report to the gNB, which uses the measurement information to reduce errors in directing a transmitted beam at the UE300. Similarly, the UE300can alter the uplink beam forming vectors to correct pointing errors of the uplink beam. If the UE has an accurate bearing θ of the gNB from which the downlink beam is received, any beam tracking errors can be reduced by ensuring that results of tracking tend towards this bearing θ. Furthermore, to minimize beam tracking errors, frequent aperiodic CSI-RS or high CSI-RS periodicity measurements are desirable as this ensures frequent reception of CSI-RS from gNB. As a result the measurements can be used to update beam tracking. If the mobile gNB bearing information is available to the UE, the UE can ensure that its receive and transmit beams match this bearing θ in the intervals between CSI-RS. This can provide an advantage by enabling an increase in beam tracking accuracy even for low periodicity of CSI-RS. A further technical advantage can be provided by an increase in network throughput by minimizing CSI-RS overhead.

According to another example embodiment, the network may signal to the UE a recommended uplink beam index based on a reported location of the UE and the gNB. According to this example therefore, the UE and the gNB will report the location of each to the network. The locations of the UE and the gNB are then used to selected the uplink beam, which may be signalled as an uplink beam index (TCI states) in for example DCI or MAC CE. This signalling can be triggered when the UE's location is known and the gNB is a high mobility base station or a relative speed between the UE and the gNB is high, where the beam correspondence will not remain for more than a predetermined time determined to ensure signalling overhead efficiency. According to this example, the UE will adopt the UL beam indicated by the network.

UE Initiated Handover

As mentioned above a UE may have a controller350which includes a location detector358which can be used by the controller350to determine the position of the UE. According to example embodiments the UE can also receive a location of the mobile gNB304, which may be a serving gNB to the UE300or may be a neighbouring gNB. From a determined relative location of a gNB, a UE can predict when and which gNB is to be a target for handover. Such a location information directed handover decision could be combined with RSRP measurements, which are conventionally used exclusively to determine a target gNB for handover. After determining the target gNB for handover, the UE can be configured to send a handover request to the network indicating the preferred target gNB for the handover. With this solution, a signalling overhead required for measurement reporting and the overall handover can be greatly reduced compared with an example in which a gNB is static.

Location Based Handover

As a further enhancement to a network directed handover, a UE can calculate a distance between it and a gNB based on their respective locations. The distance between the UE and a gNB can be communicated to the network with the received signal strength measurements which can then be used by the network to determine whether UE should be directed to handover and which gNB is to form the target gNB for the handover. As such, a distance between the UE and a target gNB may be combined with the RSRP threshold and be used to perform a conditional handover as one criteria to trigger the handover. With the knowledge of gNB's location, together with UE's own location, the UE can trigger the handover by reporting the distance between the UE and the gNB.

FIG.7provides a schematic flow diagram illustrating an adaptation of a network directed handover according to an example embodiment. In a first step S1, for example as represented inFIG.5, the mobile gNB304transmits mobility information to the UE300, which provides an indication of a location of the mobile gNB304. In step S2, the UE300determines its location and then determines a distance between the UE and the mobile gNB based on the location of the mobile gNB provided by the mobility information and the determined location of the UE. In step S4, the UE then performs measurements of received signal strength from a serving gNB and one or more neighbouring gNB as part of a handover procedure, the mobile gNB being one of the serving gNB or one of the one or more neighbouring mobile gNB. In step S6the UE then adapts the handover procedure by transmitting the distance between UE and the mobile gNB with the measurements of the received signals strength. In step S8, the network selects one of the one or more neighbouring gNB as a target for handover or to remain on its currently serving gNB (no handover). In accordance with this example embodiment, the network may combine the received signal strength measurements with the distance between the UE and the mobile gNB, by, for example, excluding the received signal strength measurements from the mobile gNB, when selecting the target gNB, if the distance between the UE and the mobile gNB is greater than a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the network can make a conditional handover decision based on the distance between the UE and the mobile gNB being less than a predetermined distance, by always selecting the mobile gNB if the distance is less than the predetermined distance. If the UE is to handover to a target gNB then in step S10the network transmits a handover command with the indication of the target gNB. In step S12, the UE performs the handover procedure to the target gNB.

In another example embodiment, a handover procedure may be adapted to trigger a process for performing measurements based on a distance between the UE and mobile gNB. The distance between the UE and the mobile gNB can be included as one of the criteria to trigger the UE performing measurements of received signal strength from neighbouring gNB and the serving gNB as part of the handover procedure. This may be combined with a received signal strength from the mobile gNB as the serving gNB falling below a predetermined threshold or a received signal strength from the neighbouring gNB being above a predetermined threshold according to a convention handover procedure. For example, with knowledge of gNB's location, together with UE's own location, the UE can decide when to start performing measurements. For example, by determining a distance between the UE and the mobile gNB, based on their determined locations, the UE can decide whether or not to begin performing measurements of received signal strength of one or more neighbouring gNBs. For example, if the mobile gNB is currently the serving gNB, then if the distance between the UE and the mobile gNB is below a predetermined distance, the UE does not perform measurements of received signal strength from neighbouring gNBs. In another example, if the mobile gNB is the serving gNB, the UE does not perform or report measurements of the one or more neighbouring gNBs until a distance between the UE and the mobile gNB exceeds a predetermined distance. According to this example embodiment a flow diagram is provided inFIG.8as an example illustration.

FIG.8is summarised as follows, with only the differences with reference toFIG.7described. The first and second steps, S1, S2correspond to that ofFIG.7and from these steps the UE is able to calculate the distance between it and the mobile gNB304. For the example ofFIG.8, the mobile gNB304is the serving gNB for the UE. The UE then at step S20compares the distance between it and the mobile gNB304with a (closeness) threshold distance and if below this threshold distance indicating that the UE is close to the mobile gNB304, the UE does not perform measurements of received signal strength of neighbouring gNBs302because, for example, it is so close to its serving gNB that it is unlikely that any neighbouring gNB can provided a better radio link. After a further time, which may be a periodic update, the mobile gNB304then send updated mobility information at step S21. The UE300then determines a distance between itself and the mobile gNB304as it performed in steps S1and S2. On this occasion, the distance may exceed the closeness threshold. As such as a further step the UE compares the distance between it and the mobile gNB304with a second threshold distance and if greater than this second threshold distance indicating that the mobile gNB304may be further away from the UE than a neighbouring gNB, then the UE performs measurements of received signal strength of neighbouring gNBs302. The UE then reports these measurements at step S24and then the network determines at step S26whether a handover should be performed to a target gNB. The UE then receives a handover command (step S30) and performs a handover to the target gNB in steps S32and S34.

UE Adapted Cell Reselection

Cell reselection generally refers to a process whereby the communications device changes its serving cell to a new cell, the new cell having been selected by the communications device typically when in idle mode. Unlike a handover procedure, which is typically directed by a wireless communications network, cell reselection can occur while the communications device is in an idle or an INACTIVE mode, not having an active RRC connection in the serving cell. When in IDLE mode a UE300can perform cell selection/re-selection, based on the received signal strength (RSRP) measurements it receives from gNBs forming a radio network. However if a gNB transmits mobility information then, depending on the mobility information, the UE may determine not to select that gNB. For example, if the mobility information indicates that the gNB is mobile, then the controller350in the UE300may determine not to select the gNB. In another example if the location information received periodically as part of the mobility information indicates that the speed of the mobile gNB304exceeds a predetermined threshold then the controller350will determined that it should not select that gNB. This is because if the gNB has medium/high speed then the UE will need to re-select a different cell in a relatively short time making the selection of that mobile gNB inefficient.

A flow diagram illustrating an example operation of the UE300ofFIG.4according to an example embodiment is illustrated by the flow diagram ofFIG.9. As a first step, S40, the UE300enters or starts an idle state in the sense, for example, that it does not have an RRC connection to the mobile communications network for transmitting and receiving AS data. As such, the UE needs to camp onto/attach to a cell of the radio network by identifying a cell and an associated gNB, which forms the cell, in order to receiving paging message and system information for moving into a connected state when the UE is to transmit or receive data. As part of this procedure, the UE detects SSB signals transmitted by the gNBs in the network and usually based in the signal strength received selects or re-selects a cell, which it registers with the network. Accordingly, the UE detects the broadcast SSBs from the gNBs of the radio network as step S42. Of course as explained above, if the gNB does not transmit an SIB1, perhaps because it is non-stationary then the UE will not select this cell.

At step S44, the UE detects whether or not it has received mobility information from a gNB. If it has not received mobility information, it assumes that it is a stationary gNB and processing moves to step S50in which the gNB is added to a list of candidate gNBs for selection.

If at step S44the UE detects mobility information then that gNB is mobile and so the UE receives the mobility information from the mobile gNB according to this example embodiment. The UE uses the mobility information, in step S46, to determine according to certain criteria, as explained above, whether the mobile gNB can be selected by the UE. For example, the mobile gNB may be moving too quickly or be too far away. According to these criteria, the UE determines, at decision point S48, whether the mobile gNB can be selected or not. If the mobile gNB can be selected then the operation moves to step S50and the mobile gNB is added as a candidate for selection by the UE for example based on received signal strength of the SSB at step S54. If at decision point S48it is determined that the UE cannot be selected then processing moves to step S52and the mobile gNB is not added as a candidate for selection and processing moves to the final step S54of selecting or re-selection a gNB from a list of detected available candidates.

It will be appreciated that while the present disclosure has in some respects focused on implementations in an LTE-based and/or 5G network for the sake of providing specific examples, the same principles can be applied to other wireless telecommunications systems. Thus, even though the terminology used herein is generally the same or similar to that of the LTE and 5G standards, the teachings are not limited to the present versions of LTE and 5G and could apply equally to any appropriate arrangement not based on LTE or 5G and/or compliant with any other future version of an LTE, 5G or other standard.

It may be noted various example approaches discussed herein may rely on information which is predetermined/predefined in the sense of being known by both the base station and the terminal device. It will be appreciated such predetermined/predefined information may in general be established, for example, by definition in an operating standard for the wireless telecommunication system, or in previously exchanged signalling between the base station and terminal devices, for example in system information signalling, or in association with radio resource control setup signalling. That is to say, the specific manner in which the relevant predefined information is established and shared between the various elements of the wireless telecommunications system is not of primary significance to the principles of operation described herein.

It may further be noted various example approaches discussed herein rely on information which is exchanged/communicated between various elements of the wireless telecommunications system and it will be appreciated such communications may in general be made in accordance with conventional techniques, for example in terms of specific signalling protocols and the type of communication channel used, unless the context demands otherwise. That is to say, the specific manner in which the relevant information is exchanged between the various elements of the wireless telecommunications system is not of primary significance to the principles of operation described herein.

Respective features of the present disclosure are defined by the following numbered paragraphs:Paragraph 1. A method of operating by a communications device for transmitting or receiving via a wireless communications network, the method comprisingreceiving, from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications network, mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, andadapting an operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information, the adapted operation configuring the communications devices for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.Paragraph 2. A method of paragraph 1, wherein the receiving the mobility information comprises transmitting, by the communications device in a connected mode, a request for the mobility information, to the infrastructure equipment, and in response, receiving the mobility information.Paragraph 3. A method of paragraph 2, wherein the transmitting the request comprises transmitting the request for the mobility information periodically, and the receiving the mobility information comprise receiving the mobility information periodically, the mobility information being updated in accordance with a time that the infrastructure equipment periodically transmits the mobility information.Paragraph 4. A method of paragraph 1, wherein the receiving the mobility information comprises receiving the mobility information broadcast by the infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 5. A method of paragraph 4, wherein the mobility information is broadcast in a system information block.Paragraph 6. A method of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the adapting the operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information comprisesperforming an idle mode selection/re-selection of one of a plurality of infrastructure equipment forming a radio network part of the wireless communications network for receiving information from the wireless communications network,determining from the mobility information whether the communications device can select or re-select the infrastructure equipment according to predetermined criteria, andadapting the idle mode selection/re-selection depending on whether the predetermined criteria determined that the infrastructure equipment should not be selected or re-selected.Paragraph 7. A method of paragraph 6, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary, and the predetermined criteria include not selecting or re-selecting the infrastructure equipment which is non-stationary.Paragraph 8. A method of paragraph 6, wherein the mobility information indicates that the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and provides information from which a speed of the non-stationary infrastructure equipment can be determined and the predetermined criteria include not selecting or re-selecting the infrastructure equipment, which is moving at a speed which exceeds a predetermined threshold.Paragraph 9. A method of paragraph 6, wherein the determining from the mobility information whether the communications device can select or re-select the infrastructure equipment according to predetermined criteria comprisesdetermining that the infrastructure equipment is not transmitting a System Information Block 1, SIB1, which includes radio resource configuration information or a schedule of other SIBs which would have been broadcast by the infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 10. A method of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the communications device is configured to transmit signals using a focused beam of coherently combined signals in a selected direction and to receive signals as a focused beam of coherently combined signals from a selected direction, and the method comprisesdetermining, by the communications device, a location of the communications device,determining a relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment with respect to the communications device from the location of the infrastructure equipment determined from the received mobility information and the determined location of the communications device, and the adapting the operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information comprises one or both ofadapting a transmit beam selection by adapting a direction of transmitting a beam of the signals according to the determined relative bearing, oradapting a receive beam selection by adapting a direction of receiving signals as a beam according to the determined relative bearing.Paragraph 11. A method of paragraph 10, wherein the adapting the operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information comprisesadapting a beam management procedure to measure received reference symbols from one or more received beam selected with a direction corresponding to the determined relative bearing.Paragraph 12. A method of paragraph 11, wherein the adapting the beam management procedure comprisesmeasuring channel state information reference symbols, CSI-RS, for one or more beams received in a direction determined from the relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment with respect to the communications device,setting measurements associated with one or more beams received in direction other than that determined from the relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment, andselecting, based on the measured CSI-RS, one of the beams.Paragraph 13. A method of paragraph 11, comprisingtransmitting measurement information associated with the measured CSI-RS for the one or more beams in the direction determined from the relative bearing to the infrastructure equipment, the measurement information being used by the infrastructure equipment to direct a beam of transmitted signals towards the communications device.Paragraph 14. A method of paragraph 10, wherein the adapting the transmit beam selection by adapting a direction of transmitting the beam of the signals according to the determined relative bearing comprisesadapting a beam tracking procedure to measure received channel state information reference symbols, CSI-RS, from one or more received beam selected with a direction corresponding to the determined relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment, andselecting a direction of transmission of the uplink beam based on the measured CSI-RS of the one or more received beams.Paragraph 15. A method of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the method comprisesdetermining, by the communications device, a location of the communications device,determining a distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment based on the location of the infrastructure equipment provided by the mobility information and the determined location of the communications device and the adapting the operation of the communications device in accordance with the mobility information comprisesperforming measurements of received signal strength from a serving infrastructure equipment and one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of a handover procedure, the infrastructure equipment being one of the serving infrastructure equipment or one of the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment, andadapting the handover procedure based on the distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment and the measurements of the received signals strength for the communications device to handover to one of the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment as a target for handover or to remain on the serving infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 16. A method of paragraph 15, wherein the handover procedure is a network directed handover procedure, the adapting the handover procedure comprisingtransmitting the determined distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment with the measurement of the received signal strength from a serving infrastructure equipment and one or neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of the handover procedure, andreceiving a handover instruction to handover to the target infrastructure equipment determined by the network from the received measurements combined with the distance.Paragraph 17. A method of paragraph 15 or 16, wherein the performing measurements of received signal strength from the serving infrastructure equipment and one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of the handover procedure comprisescomparing the distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment with a first closeness threshold and if the distance is less than the closeness threshold not performing or reporting the measurements of received signal strength from the serving infrastructure equipment and the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment, andcomparing the distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment with a second threshold and if the distance is greater than the second threshold performing or reporting the measurements of received signal strength from the serving infrastructure equipment and the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 18. A method of any of paragraphs 15, 16 or 17, wherein the handover procedure is initiated by the communications device, the adapting the handover procedure comprisingdetermining the target infrastructure equipment or to remain on the serving infrastructure equipment based on the determined distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment combined with the measurement of the received signal strength from the serving infrastructure equipment and the one or neighbouring infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 19. A method of any of paragraphs 1 to 18, wherein the mobility information includes one or more of a mobility status of the infrastructure equipment, a location of the infrastructure equipment, a velocity of the infrastructure equipment, a moving direction of the infrastructure equipment, a recommended uplink beam index, a recommended transmission configuration indicator, TCI, state and a location of neighbouring infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 20. A method of operating an infrastructure equipment forming part of a wireless communications network, the comprisingtransmitting by the infrastructure equipment mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment for use by one or more communications devices to adapt an operation of the one or more communications devices in accordance with the mobility information for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.Paragraph 21. A method of paragraph 20, wherein the wherein the mobility information includes one or more of a mobility status of the infrastructure equipment, a location of the infrastructure equipment, a velocity of the infrastructure equipment, a moving direction of the infrastructure equipment, a recommended uplink beam index, a recommended transmission configuration indicator, TCI, state and a location of neighbouring infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 22. A method of paragraph 20 or 21, comprisingreceiving as part of an adapted handover procedure from a communications device an estimated distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment, or a location of the communications device, and measurements of a received signal strength from a serving infrastructure equipment and one or neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of the handover procedure for the communications device,determining a target infrastructure equipment for the communications device based on the received signal strength measurements and a distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment determined from the location of the communications device or the estimated distance received from the communications device, andtransmitting a handover instruction to handover to the target infrastructure equipment determined by the network from the received measurements combined with the distance.Paragraph 23. A method of paragraph 20 or 21, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the method comprisestransmitting signals as one or more of a plurality of beams of signals to a communications device,receiving measurement information associated with measurements for one or more of the beams of signals received by the communications device in a direction determined from the relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment, the relative bearing being determined by the communications device, andadapting the transmission of the signals by selecting one or more of the plurality of beams in accordance with the received measurement information.Paragraph 24. A communications device comprisingtransmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals via a wireless access interface of a wireless communications network,receiver circuitry configured to receive signals transmitted via the wireless communications network, andcontroller circuitry configured to control the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry, the controller circuitry being configured with the receiver circuitryto receive, from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications network, mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the controller circuitry is configured to adapt the control of one or both of the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry according to the mobility information received from the infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 25. A communications device of paragraph 24, wherein the controller circuitry is configured to adapt the control of the receiver circuitry according to the mobility information byperforming an idle mode selection/re-selection of one of a plurality of infrastructure equipment forming a radio network part of the wireless communications network for receiving information from the wireless communications network,determining from the mobility information whether the communications device can select or re-select the infrastructure equipment according to predetermined criteria, andadapting the idle mode selection/re-selection depending on whether the predetermined criteria determined that the infrastructure equipment should not be selected or re-selected.Paragraph 26. A communications device of paragraph 24, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the transceiver circuitry is configured to transmit signals using a focused beam of coherently combined signals in a selected direction and the receiver circuitry is configured to receive signals as a focused beam of coherently combined signals from a selected direction, and the controller circuitry is configuredto determine a location of the communications device,to determine a relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment with respect to the communications device from the location of the infrastructure equipment determined from the received mobility information and the determined location of the communications device, and to adapt the control of one or both ofthe transmitter circuitry according to the mobility information by adapting a transmit beam selection to be in a direction of transmitting a transmit beam of the signals according to the determined relative bearing, orthe receiver circuitry according to the mobility information by adapting a receive beam selection to be in a direction of receiving signals as a receive beam according to the determined relative bearing.Paragraph 27. A communications device of paragraph 24, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the controller circuitry is configuredto determine a location of the communications device,to determine a distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment based on the location of the infrastructure equipment provided by the mobility information and the determined location of the communications device, andto adapt the control of the receiver circuitry according to the mobility information byperforming measurements of received signal strength from a serving infrastructure equipment and one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of a handover procedure, the infrastructure equipment being one of the serving infrastructure equipment or one of the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment, andadapting the handover procedure based on the distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment and the measurements of the received signals strength for the communications device to handover to one of the one or more neighbouring infrastructure equipment as a target for handover or to remain on the serving infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 28. An infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network for communicating with one or more communications devices, the infrastructure equipment comprisingtransmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals via a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment to the one or more communications devices,receiver circuitry configured to receive signals transmitted via the wireless access interface, andcontroller circuitry configured to control the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry, the controller circuitry being configured with the transmitter circuitryto transmit mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment for use by one or more communications devices to adapt an operation of the one or more communications devices in accordance with the mobility information for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.Paragraph 29. An infrastructure equipment of paragraph 28, wherein the mobility information includes one or more of a mobility status of the infrastructure equipment, a location of the infrastructure equipment, a velocity of the infrastructure equipment, a moving direction of the infrastructure equipment, a recommended uplink beam index, a recommended transmission configuration indicator, TCI, state and a location of neighbouring infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 30. An infrastructure equipment of paragraph 28 or 29, wherein the controller circuitry is configured with the receiver circuitryto receive as part of an adapted handover procedure from a communications device an estimated distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment, or a location of the communications device, and measurements of a received signal strength from a serving infrastructure equipment and one or neighbouring infrastructure equipment as part of the handover procedure for the communications device,to determining a target infrastructure equipment for the communications device based on the received signal strength measurements and a distance between the communications device and the infrastructure equipment determined from the location of the communications device or the estimated distance received from the communications device, andto control the transmitter circuitry to transmit a handover instruction to handover to the target infrastructure equipment determined by the network from the received measurements combined with the distance.Paragraph 31. An infrastructure equipment of paragraph 28 or 29, wherein the mobility information provides an indication of a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the controller circuitry is configuredto control the transmitter circuitry to transmit signals as one or more of a plurality of beams of signals to a communications device,to control the receiver circuitry to receive measurement information associated with measurements for one or more of the beams of signals received by the communications device in a direction determined from the relative bearing of the infrastructure equipment, the relative bearing being determined by the communications device, andto adapt a transmission of the signals by the transmitter circuitry to select one or more of the plurality of beams in accordance with the received measurement information.Paragraph 32. Circuitry of a user equipment comprisingtransmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals via a wireless access interface of a wireless communications network,receiver circuitry configured to receive signals transmitted via the wireless communications network, andcontroller circuitry configured to control the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry, the controller circuitry being configured with the receiver circuitryto receive, from an infrastructure equipment of a radio network part of the wireless communications network, mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment, and the controller circuitry is configured to adapt the control of one or both of the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry according to the mobility information received from the infrastructure equipment.Paragraph 33. Circuitry of an infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network for communicating with one or more communications devices, the circuitry comprisingtransmitter circuitry configured to transmit signals via a wireless access interface provided by the infrastructure equipment to the one or more communications devices,receiver circuitry configured to receive signals transmitted via the wireless access interface, andcontroller circuitry configured to control the transmitter circuitry and the receiver circuitry, the controller circuitry being configured with the transmitter circuitryto transmit mobility information indicating one or both of whether the infrastructure equipment is non-stationary and a location of the infrastructure equipment for use by one or more communications devices to adapt an operation of the one or more communications devices in accordance with the mobility information for transmitting signals to the infrastructure equipment or receiving signals from the infrastructure equipment according to the mobility information.

REFERENCES