Upstream timing control mechanisms for non-terrestrial networks

A method for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE), comprising:

• determining a timing adjustment for a first upstream transmission based at least in part on satellite information associated with a satellite in wireless communication with the UE and a gateway that is different than the satellite in a non-terrestrial network;
• transmitting, to the gateway, data over the first upstream transmission using the timing adjustment;
• receiving, from the gateway in a group control information message or a dedicated physical channel message, a second timing adjustment for a second upstream transmission based at least in part on the first upstream transmission;
• and
• transmitting, to the gateway, the data over the second upstream transmission using the second timing adjustment or the timing adjustment based on the satellite information, or both.

An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

• a processor,
• memory in electronic communication with the processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• receive, at the apparatus in a non-terrestrial network, a first upstream transmission from a user equipment (UE) in wireless communication with the apparatus and a satellite that is different than the apparatus;
• determine, by the apparatus, a timing adjustment for a second upstream transmission from the UE based at least in part on the first upstream transmission from the UE;
• and
• transmit, from the apparatus to the UE in a group control information message or a dedicated physical channel message, a timing command indicating the timing adjustment for the second upstream transmission.

An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

• a processor,
• memory in electronic communication with the processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• determine a timing adjustment for a first upstream transmission based at least in part on satellite information associated with a satellite in wireless communication with the apparatus and a gateway that is different than the satellite in a non-terrestrial network;
• transmit, to the gateway, data over the first upstream transmission using the timing adjustment;
• receive, from the gateway in a group control information message or a dedicated physical channel message, a second timing adjustment for a second upstream transmission based at least in part on the first upstream transmission;
• and
• transmit, to the gateway, the data over the second upstream transmission using the second timing adjustment or the timing adjustment based on the satellite information, or both.