ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK COMMUNICATION AND OPERATING METHOD THEREFOR

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent application describes an electronic device designed to support communication with non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as satellite networks. The device comprises a communication circuit, a processor, and memory that stores executable instructions. These instructions enable the device to perform a search for public land mobile networks (PLMN), select a PLMN, and determine if it belongs to an NTN. If certain conditions are met, the device can skip the registration process for the selected PLMN.

Functionality

The device can operate without distinguishing between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network communications, facilitating seamless connectivity. It uses standard protocols like LTE or 5G to communicate with satellites, leveraging existing frequencies and communication schemes. This capability allows the device to perform typical network operations, such as cell scanning and network access, similarly to terrestrial networks.

Conditional Operations

The device's operations are contingent upon specific conditions. If the first condition is met, the device skips the registration operation for the selected PLMN. If the first condition is not satisfied, it proceeds with registration. Additionally, the device can identify a second condition post-skip, which may trigger the display of information about the PLMN or initiate another PLMN search.

User Interaction

User input plays a role in setting modes that affect the registration process. Before a PLMN search, users can select a mode to skip registration for NTNs. The device can also recommend setting this mode based on certain conditions. If the mode is not set, the device performs the registration operation and may later suggest mode selection if a third condition is satisfied.

Technical Specifics

The conditions affecting the device's behavior include factors like data traffic, user input, and connections based on non-3GPP radio access technologies. The device's instructions ensure that it adapts its operations based on these conditions, optimizing its interaction with NTNs. This adaptability is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, ensuring consistent performance across devices.