METHOD FOR OPERATING A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK OF A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK WITH AT LEAST ONE USER EQUIPMENT, USER EQUIPMENT, BASE STATION ENTITY, MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OR NETWORK AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM

Description

1 / 24 METHOD FOR OPERATING A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK OF A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK WITH AT LEAST ONE USER EQUIPMENT, USER EQUIPMENT, BASE STATION ENTITY, MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OR NETWORK AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM BACKGROUND

[001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a radio access network of a mobile communication network with at least one user device, the radio access network comprising at least one base station entity and the at least one user device being connected to, or served by, at least one base station entity, wherein, if the user device is in connected mode, both the base station entity and the user device are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode.

[002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for operation with a radio access network of a mobile communication network, wherein the user equipment is configured to connect to, or be served by, at least one base station entity as part of the radio access network, wherein, if the user equipment is in connected mode, the user equipment is configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode.

[003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a base station entity to be operated as part of a radio access network of a mobile communication network and with at least one user device, the user device being connected to or served by the base station entity, wherein, if the user device is in connected mode, both the base station entity Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 40 / 76 2 / 24 base station as well as user equipment are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission / reception pattern in connected mode.

[004] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a telecommunications system or network for operating a mobile communication network radio access network with at least one user equipment, the radio access network comprising at least one base station entity and the at least one user equipment being connected to, or served by, at least one base station entity, wherein, if the user equipment is in connected mode, both the base station entity and the user equipment are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode.

[005] In addition, the present invention relates to a program and a computer-readable means for operating a radio access network of a mobile communication network with at least one user device according to the method of the invention.

[006] The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications networks, especially wireless telecommunications networks or mobile communication networks. In such conventionally known telecommunications networks or mobile communication networks, the network nodes or radio access network components used to provide communication services to a plurality of user equipment typically require a considerable amount of power to be able to provide the necessary communication services to user equipment located within the geographical coverage area of ​​the mobile communication network in question.

[007] To reduce these energy consumption needs, the use of a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is conventionally known, that is, within a repetitive time interval Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 41 / 76 3 / 24 vo or cycle of time intervals, during some parts of these time intervals, the respective parts or nodes of the wireless access network or components are - at least partially - switched off (or at least put into low power mode) in order to save energy, and during some other parts of these time intervals, the respective parts or nodes of the radio access network or components are switched on in order to provide the communication services required by the respective user equipment.

[008] Specifically, it is known that, within a radio cell served by a base station entity, the base station entity enters a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in order to reduce its energy consumption needs without ceasing to provide the communication services requested by the user equipment; it is clear that this is normally only possible in situations of off-peak demand for communication services (within the radio cell considered). However, if, within the radio cell considered, there is one or more user equipment that is served by that base station entity considered, some kind of coordination is necessary between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the respective user equipment, on the other, in order to be able to apply a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern within the radio cell considered and involving such user equipment.

[009] Especially in the case of different communication needs of a plurality of user equipment within a radio cell (or served by a base station entity), it may well be the case that a first type of discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is the most suitable (or sufficient) in relation to a first user equipment (or a first group). Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 42 / 76 4 / 24 of user equipment), while a second discontinuous transmission-reception pattern may be more suitable (or necessary) in relation to a second user equipment (or a second group of user equipment). In such situations, it may be difficult not only to provide the aforementioned coordination when applying a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern involving a plurality of user equipment, but also to provide the corresponding signaling procedures.

[0010] Specifically, it is also known that different communication services may have different requirements in terms of communication needs, typically resulting in periodic communication opportunities between the network and user equipment. Therefore, there is no single standard communication opportunity that can be achieved by a single discontinuous transmission-reception pattern. SUMMARY

[0011] An objective of the present invention is to provide an effective and simple approach to operating a radio access network of a mobile communication network with at least one user equipment, wherein both the base station entity and the user equipment are configured to apply or use the most appropriate discontinuous reception transmission standard in a flexible manner and with reduced signaling requirements.

[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to provide corresponding user equipment, a corresponding base station entity, a corresponding system or telecommunications network, and a corresponding program and computer-readable medium.

[0013] The objective of the present invention is achieved by means of a method for operating a radio access network of a network of Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 43 / 76 5 / 24 Mobile communication with at least one user device, the radio access network comprising at least one base station entity and at least one user device being connected to or served by at least one base station entity, wherein, in the case of the user device being in connected mode, both the base station entity and the user device are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode, wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode, active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined so that data transmission and / or reception occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user device, on the other hand, wherein, to operate the base station entity with the user device, the method comprises the following steps: - In the first stage, the user equipment transmits a scheduling request indication to the base station entity, - In a second step, the base station entity transmits a control signal to the user equipment, resulting in the configuration of the base station entity and the user equipment to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode, whereby, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode, in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly, additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined and used for data transmission and / or reception, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other.

[0014] Thus, according to the present invention, it is advantageous Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 44 / 76 6 / 24 It is easily possible to provide the use of a better or more optimized discontinuous transmission-reception pattern between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment (within the radio coverage area of ​​the base station entity in question), on the other hand; especially, it is advantageously possible to apply different types of discontinuous transmission-reception patterns in relation to different user equipment or groups of user equipment in a relatively easy way and without requiring great signaling efforts.

[0015] This is especially relevant if voice-related communication services (or voice-centric communication services) are involved: Typically, voice-related or voice-centric communication services require active time intervals (i.e., time intervals during which the respective base station entity is able to transmit and receive data, especially user plane data) at least every 20 ms to 60 ms; in contrast, other communication services may be provided by applying a more flexible discontinuous transmission-reception pattern between the base station entity and the user equipment in question (with idle times that may exceed 80 ms, 100 ms or even 150 ms).

[0016] Therefore, if, in a radio cell or in a radio coverage area served by a base station entity, there are 100 user devices (especially in connected mode) that require only (for their communication needs or the communication services requested) a discontinuous and flexible transmission / reception standard, and a specific device of these user devices needs to be provided with voice-related or voice-centric communication services (typically a voice call, originating from or terminating on a cell phone), there is a need Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 45 / 76 7 / 24 potential ability to alter (or adapt) the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (applied before the need for voice-related or voice-centric communication) not only for the user's specific equipment, but also for the other 99 user devices.

[0017] Similarly, this may involve signaling procedures to be performed not only for the specific user equipment but also for the other 99 user equipment. The same may also be necessary (in the opposite direction) after the need for voice-related or voice-centric communication has ended. This is especially the case where, for reasons of simplicity in base station implementation, only one discontinuous transmit-receive pattern needs to be active at a given time, particularly if that single discontinuous transmit-receive pattern is applied on a single frequency of a mobile communication network's radio access network.

[0018] According to the present invention, such a scenario can be advantageously avoided and, therefore, not only is the alteration of the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern applied (in relation to the other 99 user devices) avoided, but also the associated signaling procedures (in relation to the other 99 user devices) are avoided. Furthermore, it avoids operating a base station entity of a radio access network of a mobile communication network with more than one single discontinuous transmission-reception pattern.

[0019] However, it may be beneficial to allow the other 99 (or at least some of them) user devices to utilize the increased communication possibilities provided by the discontinuous transmission / reception pattern of the additional connected mode; this may, for example, be indicated by the station entity. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 46 / 76 8 / 24 base, through a signaling procedure (e.g., through transmission or dedicated signaling); in such a situation, it is clear that, after the termination of the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the additional connected mode, this termination also needs to be signaled accordingly.

[0020] According to the present invention, this can be achieved by, in the case where a given user equipment is in connected mode, configuring both the base station entity and the user equipment to apply or utilize a discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern that has repeatedly occurring active time intervals. If the user equipment in question requires (due to its communication needs, especially in the case of requested voice-centric communication services) a less flexible discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern, the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is used, which provides, in addition to the repeatedly occurring active time intervals, additional repeatedly occurring active time intervals.

[0021] Thus, according to the present invention, the active (repeated) time intervals (of the connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern or provided by it) are reused identically when applying the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern, but, in addition to these active time intervals, additional active time intervals can be used for data transmission and / or reception, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other.

[0022] According to the present invention, it is advantageous and preferable that the transmission and / or reception of data, especially the Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 47 / 76 9 / 24 transmission and / or reception of user plan data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity and the user equipment, occurs: - by applying the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the connected mode only during active time intervals; and - when applying the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern only during active time intervals or additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is defined by means of active time intervals and additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, the active time intervals, while the connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is applied, correspond to a suitable subset of the active time intervals while the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern is applied.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is advantageous and preferable that the transmission and / or reception of data, especially the transmission and / or reception of user-plane data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity and the user equipment, occurs: - by applying the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the connected mode only during active time intervals; and - when applying the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the additional connected mode only during active time intervals or additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the additional connected mode is defined by means of active time intervals and additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, the active time intervals, while the reception transmission pattern Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 48 / 76 10 / 24 discontinuous connected mode transmission is applied, corresponding to a suitable subset of the active time intervals while the additional discontinuous connected mode transmission-reception pattern is applied.

[0024] By being able to disable, at least partially, the base station entity during periods of inactivity (i.e., outside of active time intervals and / or outside of additional active time intervals), it is possible to significantly save energy on the base station entity as well as on the equipment of the users involved.

[0025] According to the present invention, it is further advantageous and preferable that the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern be used to provide the user equipment with one or more voice-centric communication services, wherein, in particular, in a third step subsequent to the second step and after the termination of one or more voice-centric communication services, the user equipment terminates using the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern and uses or applies the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern again, wherein especially this transition to the use or application of the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern involves an additional control signal transmitted by the base station entity to the user equipment, or this transition is applied implicitly, without an additional control signal, by the user equipment after the termination of the voice-centric communication service.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is thus advantageously possible that the method of the invention can be carried out in a flexible and efficient manner.

[0027] According to the present invention, it is also advantageous and Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 49 / 76 11 / 24 It is preferable that the control signal, transmitted to the user equipment, includes the definition of the additional connected mode discontinuous reception transmission pattern, in which, especially through the control signaling, the configuration previously applied in relation to the application of the connected mode discontinuous reception transmission pattern is replaced or deleted.

[0028] According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible for the method of the invention to be carried out in a flexible and efficient manner.

[0029] According to the present invention, it is further advantageous and preferable that the user equipment – ​​while connected to or being served by the base station entity – be configured so as to include configuration information relating to both the connected-mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern and the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern, wherein the user equipment may be operated alternatively in a first operating mode or in a second operating mode, wherein, in the first operating mode, the user equipment applies or utilizes the connected-mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern and wherein, in the second operating mode, the user equipment applies or utilizes the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern, wherein the control signal, transmitted to the user equipment,This includes the information for applying or using the second operating mode instead of the first operating mode.

[0030] According to the present invention, it is thus advantageously possible that the invented method can be implemented flexibly and efficiently. Especially, by means of user equipment that includes configuration information relating to both the discontinuous transmission and reception pattern of the connected mode. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 50 / 76 Regarding the 12 / 24 discontinuous connected mode transmission / reception pattern, it is advantageous to be able to further reduce the signaling efforts required to change the applied discontinuous connected mode transmission / reception pattern, since it is only necessary to indicate the respective discontinuous connected mode transmission / reception pattern (and not necessarily transmit its definition).

[0031] According to the present invention, it is further advantageously possible and preferable that, in addition to the user equipment, at least one other user equipment is connected, i.e., served by the base station entity, wherein, in the case of both user equipment being in connected mode, both user equipment are configured to apply or use the discontinuous connected mode transmission-reception pattern, wherein, after the base station entity has transmitted the control signaling to the user equipment in response to the scheduling request indication, the additional user equipment continues to apply the discontinuous connected mode transmission-reception pattern, wherein, in particular, it is not necessary to transmit any control signal to the additional user equipment.

[0032] According to the present invention, it is thus advantageously possible that the method of the invention can be carried out in a flexible and efficient manner.

[0033] According to the present invention, it is further advantageously possible and preferable that both the base station entity and the user equipment be configured to apply or utilize a second discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode, wherein, according to the second additionally connected mode, the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern that occurs repeatedly defines additional active time intervals – in addition to the active time intervals – so that the trans Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 51 / 76 13 / 24 mission and / or reception of data occurs in the uplink and / or downlink direction, and between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other hand, during active time intervals or additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, additional active time intervals are a proper subset of additional active time intervals.

[0034] According to the present invention, it is thus advantageously possible that the inventive method can be implemented in a flexible and efficient manner.

[0035] According to the present invention, it is further advantageous and preferable that the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the connected mode be defined by indicating at least one of the following elements: - a point in time that indicates the start of one of the active time intervals and a repeating time interval, - the points in time that indicate the beginning of the active time intervals, respectively, and / or where the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode is defined by indicating at least one of the following: - a point in time that indicates the start of one of the active time intervals or one of the additional active time intervals and an additional repeat time interval, - the points in time that indicate the beginning of the active time intervals, respectively, and of the additional active time intervals, respectively, wherein, in particular, the point or points in time that indicate the beginning of one or more active time intervals or of the additional active time intervals are defined using a deviation time interval, wherein the deviation time interval is defined with respect to a point in time or with respect to a plurality of points in time corresponding to the number of times Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, p. 52 / 76 14 / 24 dros of the system being equal to zero or a deviation towards zero.

[0036] According to the present invention, it is thus advantageously possible that the method of the invention can be carried out in a flexible and efficient manner.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user device for operation with a radio access network of a mobile communication network, wherein the user device is configured to connect to or be served by at least one base station entity as part of the radio access network, wherein, if the user device is in connected mode, the user device is configured to apply or utilize a discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern, wherein the user device is configured in such a way that, according to the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern, the active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined in such a way that data transmission and / or reception occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user device, on the other hand, wherein, in order to be able to operate with the base station entity,The user's equipment is configured so that: The user's equipment transmits a scheduling request indication to the base station entity. - The user equipment receives a control signal from the base station entity, and the reception of the control signal results in the user equipment being configured to apply or use an additional connected mode discontinuous reception transmission pattern, in which, according to the additional connected mode discontinuous reception transmission pattern, in addition to the repeatedly occurring active time intervals, additional repeatedly occurring active time intervals are defined and used for Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 53 / 76 15 / 24 transmission and / or reception of data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a base station entity to be operated as part of a radio access network of a mobile communication network and with at least one user equipment, the user equipment being connected to or served by the base station entity, wherein, in the case of the user equipment being in connected mode, both the base station entity and the user equipment are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode, wherein the base station entity is configured in such a way that, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode, the active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined so that data transmission and / or reception occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other hand, wherein,To operate the base station entity with the user equipment, the base station entity is configured so that: The base station entity receives a notification of a scheduling request for the user's equipment. - The base station entity transmits a control signal to the user equipment, resulting in the configuration of the base station entity and the user equipment to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode, wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode, in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly, additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined and used for Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page 54 / 76 16 / 24 transmission and / or reception of data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a mobile communication system or network for operating a mobile communication network radio access network with at least one user device, the radio access network comprising at least one base station entity and at least one user device being connected to, or served by, at least one base station entity, wherein, in the case of the user device being in connected mode, both the base station entity and the user device are configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode, wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of connected mode, the active time intervals that occur repeatedly are defined so that data transmission and / or reception occurs in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user device, on the other hand,where, in order to operate the base station entity with the user equipment, the mobile communication system or network is configured in such a way that: The user's equipment transmits a scheduling request indication to the base station entity. - The base station entity transmits a control signal to the user equipment, resulting in the configuration of the base station entity and the user equipment to apply or use a discontinuous transmission / reception pattern in additional connected mode, wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission / reception pattern of the additional connected mode, in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly, are defined and used. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 55 / 76 17 / 24 additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly for data transmission and / or reception, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity, on the one hand, and the user equipment, on the other.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer-readable program code that, when executed on a computer or on user equipment or on a base station entity, or partly on the user equipment and / or partly on the base station entity, causes the computer or user equipment or base station entity to execute the method of the invention.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a computer-readable means comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer or on user equipment or on a base station entity, or on part of the user equipment and / or part of the base station entity, cause the computer or user equipment or base station entity to execute the method of the invention.

[0042] These and other features, functionalities and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the detailed description below, together with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is provided by way of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference numbers cited below refer to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network comprising an access network, a core network, and user equipment, as well as another user equipment, wherein the access network (radio) comprises several base station entities that provide radio coverage for geo-areas. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 56 / 76 18 / 24 specific graphics, respectively.

[0044] Figure 2 schematically illustrates different patterns of discontinuous transmission and reception in connected mode, according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments and certain drawings, but the invention is not limited to these, being limited only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and not limiting. In the drawings, the size of some elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes.

[0046] When an indefinite or definite article is used to refer to a singular noun, for example, a, an, the, this includes the plural of that noun, unless something specific is stated.

[0047] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that the terms thus used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of functioning in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0048] In Figure 1, a telecommunications network 100 comprising an access network 110 and a central network 120 is shown schematically. The telecommunications network 100 or also mobile communication network 100 is normally implemented as a cellular network or mobile cellular communication network 100. The mobile communication network 100, especially the central network 120, normally comprises a series of network functions or services that Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 57 / 76 19 / 24 are not specifically indicated by a reference signal. Examples of such network functions or services include, for example, an access and mobility management function, AMF, and / or a user plane function, UPF – especially in the case of a 5G mobile communication network. The 110 access network or 110 radio access network comprises a plurality of 11, 12 radio cells, i.e., geographical areas served, respectively, by base station entities. In the example situation or scenario shown in Figure 1, a first base station entity 111 generates or is associated with or covers the first radio cell 11, and a second base station entity 112 generates or is associated with or covers the second radio cell 12. The 111, 112 base station entities typically perform gNB functionality or next-generation gNB functionality.The mobile communication network 100 is normally connected to a plurality of user devices (or, more accurately, the user devices are connected to the telecommunications network 100). Figure 1 schematically shows a user device 20 and another user device 21.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, according to the present invention, user equipment 20 is connected to or served by base station entity 111 in the case of user equipment 20 being in connected mode, both base station entity 111 and user equipment 20 are configured to apply or use a discontinuous connected mode transmission-reception pattern.

[0050] The discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern 300 is shown schematically in Figure 1, along with the additional discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern 400:

[0051] According to the transmission standard, reception disconnected Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 58 / 76 20 / 24 continuous connected mode 300, the active time intervals 310 that occur repeatedly (i.e., that have a repetition time interval 301) are defined so that data transmission and / or reception can occur, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity 111, on the one hand, and the user equipment 20, on the other.

[0052] Figure 2 shows schematically and by way of example - by means of a horizontal arrow relating to the discontinuous transmission / reception pattern in connected mode 300 - a temporal evolution.

[0053] During the represented time evolution, four instances of active time intervals 310 are shown schematically (but only three of them are indicated by the reference sign 310).

[0054] Furthermore, Figure 2 represents the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode 400; according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode 400, the active time intervals 410 that occur repeatedly and the additional active time intervals 420 (which also occur repeatedly) - both types of active time intervals 410, 420 have, collectively, an additional repetition time interval 401 - are defined so that data transmission and / or reception can occur, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity 111, on the one hand, and the user equipment 20, on the other hand.

[0055] Also with regard to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode 400, Figure 2 shows schematically and by way of example – also by means of a horizontal arrow – a time evolution. During the represented time evolution, the following are also shown schematically Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 59 / 76 21 / 24 four instances of active time intervals 410 (but only three of them are indicated by the reference sign 410); in addition, the time evolution shows the additional active time intervals 420 - represented between the active time intervals 410, where, as an example, between two successive active time intervals 410, three additional time intervals 420 are located, respectively (but only the fourth of which is indicated by the reference sign 420).

[0056] The discontinuous transmission / reception pattern of connected mode 300 is defined by means of the respective active time intervals, especially by indicating at least one of the following: - a point in time that indicates the start of one of the active time intervals 310 and the repetition time interval 301, - the points in time that indicate the beginning of the active time intervals 310, respectively.

[0057] The discontinuous transmission / reception pattern of the additional connected mode 400 is also defined by means of its respective active time intervals, especially by indicating at least one of the following elements: - a point in time that indicates the start of one of the active time intervals 310 or one of the additional active time intervals 420 and the additional repeat time interval 401, - the points in time that indicate the beginning of the active time intervals 310, respectively, and the additional active time intervals 420, respectively.

[0058] Specifically, the point or points in time that indicate the beginning of one or more active time intervals 310, 410, or the additional active time intervals 420 are defined using an offset time interval (not shown in Figure 2), in Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 60 / 76 22 / 24 that the displacement time interval is defined relative to a point in time or relative to a plurality of points in time corresponding to the system frame number being equal to zero or a displacement to zero.

[0059] According to the present invention, in the case where user equipment 20 requires that the discontinuous transmission-receive pattern of the connected mode be changed (especially to a less relaxed discontinuous transmission-receive pattern, i.e., with a reduced repetition time interval, such as the additional repetition time interval 401 compared to the repetition time interval 301), user equipment 20 transmits a programming request indication 220 to base station entity 111. This is shown schematically in Figure 1 by means of an arrow pointing from user equipment 20 to base station entity 111.

[0060] As a result, the base station entity 111 transmits a control signal 220' to the user equipment 20 (schematically represented in Figure 1 by an arrow pointing from the base station entity 111 to the user equipment 20).

[0061] The transmission of control signal 220 results in the configuration of the base station entity 111 and the user equipment 20 to apply or use the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern 400, wherein, according to the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern 400, in addition to the repeatedly occurring active time intervals 310 (or 410), the repeatedly occurring additional active time intervals 420 are defined and are used (or may be used) for data transmission and / or reception 20, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity 111, by a Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 61 / 76 23 / 24 side, and user equipment 20, on the other side.

[0062] An event of user equipment 20 that requires the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-receive pattern (applied until then) to be changed (to a less relaxed discontinuous transmission-receive pattern, with a reduced additional repetition time interval 401) is shown by way of example in Figure 2: user equipment 20 transmits, to base station entity 111, the scheduling request indication 220, which results in the change of the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-receive pattern; specifically, the scheduling request indication 220 must be sent by user equipment 20 during a random access period (such as a random access channel (RACH)) 30; such a random access occasion is schematically designated, in Figure 2, by means of the reference signal 230.

[0063] In the example shown, the repetition time interval 301 corresponds to four times the additional repetition time interval 401 (i.e., 4:1) – obviously, other ratios are possible and preferable according to the present invention, especially 2:1; 8:1; 16:1; 32:1. Specifically, the additional repetition time interval 401 may correspond, for example, to 10 ms, or 20 ms, or 30 ms, or 40 ms, while the repetition time interval 301 may correspond to 80 ms, or 120 ms, or 160 ms, or 240 ms, or 320 ms, or 640 ms, or 1280 ms, or 2560 ms.

[0064] Furthermore, it is advantageously possible to implement – ​​in addition to the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception standard 300 and the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception standard 400 – a second additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception standard (not shown in the figures). Specifically, according to the second additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception standard, inter-standards are defined. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 62 / 76 24 / 24 additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly - in addition to the active time intervals 310 (of the discontinuous connected mode transmission-reception pattern 300) - such that data transmission and / or reception occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity 111, on the one hand, and the user equipment 20, on the other hand, during the active time intervals 310 or the additional active time intervals.Specifically, the additional complementary active time intervals are a suitable subset of the 420 complementary active time intervals (i.e., per unit of time, there are fewer additional active time intervals compared to the additional active time intervals, i.e., the second additional repeat time interval of the second discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of the additional connected mode is larger (longer) than the 401 additional repeat time interval, but shorter than the 301 repeat time interval.Specifically, the second standard for discontinuous transmission / reception in additional connected mode can be applied in cases where there is no need to provide voice-centric communication services (i.e., applying the discontinuous transmission / reception standard in additional connected mode 400), but the communication requirements are such that applying the discontinuous transmission / reception standard in connected mode 300 would be insufficient. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 63 / 76

Claims

1 / 9 CLAIMS 1. Method for operating a radio access network (110) of a mobile communication network (100) with at least one user equipment (20), the radio access network (110) comprising at least one base station entity (111) and at least one user equipment (20) being connected to, or served by, at least one base station entity (111), characterized in that, when the user equipment (20) is in connected mode, both the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) are configured to apply or utilize a discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), wherein, according to the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), the active time intervals (310) that occur repeatedly are defined so that data transmission and / or reception occurs in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the entity from base station (111), on the one hand,and the user equipment (20), on the other hand, wherein, to operate the base station entity (111) with the user equipment (20), the method comprises the following steps: - in a first step, the user equipment (20) transmits a scheduling request indication (220) to the base station entity (111), - in a second step, the base station entity (111) transmits a control signal (220') to the user equipment (20), the transmission of the control signal (200') resulting in the configuration of the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode (400), wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of additional connected mode (400), in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly Petition 870250093788, of 10 / 14 / 2025, p. 64 / 76 2 / 9 damente (310),Additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly (420) are defined and used for data transmission and / or reception, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity (111), on the one hand, and the user equipment (20), on the other hand.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission and / or reception of data, especially the transmission and / or reception of user plane data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20), occurs: - by applying the connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (300) only during the active time intervals (310) and - by applying the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (400) only during the active time intervals (310) or the additional active time intervals (420), wherein, especially, the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (400) is defined by means of the active time intervals (310) and the additional active time intervals (420), wherein, especially, the active time intervals, while the connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (300) is applied,correspond to a suitable subset of the active time intervals while the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (400) is applied.

3. Method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (400) is used to provide the user equipment (20) with one or more voice-centric communication services, wherein, especially, in a third stage subsequent to the second stage and after the termination of the service Petition 870250093788, of 10 / 14 / 2025, p.65 / 76 3 / 9 or voice-centric communication services, the user equipment (20) terminates using the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-receive pattern (400) and returns to using or applying the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-receive pattern (300), wherein, in particular, this transition to the use or application of the connected-mode discontinuous transmission-receive pattern (300) involves an additional control signal transmitted by the base station entity (111) to the user equipment (20), or this transition is applied implicitly, without additional control signal, by the user equipment (20) after the termination of the voice-centric communication service.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control signal (220'), transmitted to the user equipment (20), comprises the definition of the discontinuous connected mode transmission reception pattern (400), wherein, especially by means of the control signaling, the configuration previously applied in relation to the application of the discontinuous connected mode transmission reception pattern (300) is replaced or excluded.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user equipment (20) – while connected to or being serviced by the base station entity (111) – is configured so as to comprise configuration information relating to both the connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (300) and the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (400), wherein the user equipment (20) can be operated alternatively in a first operating mode or in a second operating mode, wherein, in the first operating mode, the user equipment (20) applies or uses the transmission pattern re Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, p.66 / 76 4 / 9 discontinuous reception in connected mode (300) and in which, in the second operating mode, the user equipment (20) applies or uses the discontinuous reception transmission pattern of the additionally connected mode (400), in which the control signaling (220'), transmitted to the user equipment (20), comprises the information to apply or use the second operating mode instead of the first operating mode.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that - in addition to the user equipment (20) - at least one other user equipment (21) is connected to or served by the base station entity (111), wherein, if both user equipment (20, 21) are in connected mode, both user equipment (20, 21) are configured to apply or use the connected mode discontinuous transmission-receive pattern (300), wherein, after the base station entity (111) has transmitted the control signal (220') to the user equipment (20) in response to the scheduling request indication (220), the other user equipment (21) still applies the connected mode discontinuous transmission-receive pattern (300), wherein, in particular, it is not necessary to transmit any control signal to the other user equipment (21).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) are configured to apply or use a second discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode, wherein, according to the second additionally connected mode, the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern that occurs repeatedly defines additional active time intervals - in addition to the active time intervals (310) so that the transmission and / or reception of data occurs, in the direction Petition 870250093788, of 10 / 14 / 2025, p. 67 / 76 5 / 9 uplink and / or downlink connection between the base station entity (111), on the one hand, and the user equipment (20), on the other hand, during the active time intervals (310) or the additional active time intervals, wherein, in particular, the additional active time intervals are a suitable subset of the additional active time intervals (420).

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300) is defined by indicating at least one of the following elements: - a point in time indicating the beginning of one of the active time intervals (310) and a repetition time interval (301), - the points in time indicating the beginning of the active time intervals (310), respectively, and / or in which the additional connected-mode discontinuous transmission-reception pattern (400) is defined by indicating at least one of the following: - a point in time indicating the beginning of one of the active time intervals (310) or one of the additional active time intervals (420) and an additional repetition time interval (401), - the points in time indicating the beginning of the active time intervals (310), respectively, and the additional active time intervals (420), respectively,wherein especially the point or points in time that indicate the beginning of one or a plurality of active time intervals (310) or of additional active time intervals (420) is / are defined using a time deviation interval, wherein the time deviation interval is defined relative to a point in time or relative to a plurality of points in time corresponding to the number of system frames being equal to zero or a deviation to zero.

9. User equipment (20) to be operated with a Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, page. 68 / 76 6 / 9 radio access network (110) of a mobile communication network (100), characterized in that the user equipment (20) is configured to connect to or be served by at least one base station entity (111) as part of the radio access network (110), wherein, in the case of the user equipment (20) being in connected mode, the user equipment (20) is configured to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode (300), wherein the user equipment (20) is configured in such a way that, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in connected mode (300), the active time intervals (310) that occur repeatedly are defined so that the transmission and / or reception of data occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity (111), on the one hand,and the user equipment (20), on the other hand, wherein, to be operated with the base station entity (111), the user equipment (20) is configured in such a way that: - the user equipment (20) transmits a scheduling request indication (220) to the base station entity (111), - the user equipment (20) receives, from the base station entity (111), a control signal (220'), the reception of the control signal (220') resulting in the user equipment (20) being configured to apply or use an additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (400), wherein, according to the additional connected mode discontinuous transmission / reception pattern (400), in addition to the repeatedly occurring active time intervals (310), additional repeatedly occurring active time intervals (420) are defined and used for the transmission and / or reception of data, in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity (111),on the one hand, and the user equipment Petition 870250093788, of 10 / 14 / 2025, page 69 / 76 7 / 9 river (20), on the other., 10. Base station entity (111) to be operated as part of a radio access network (110) of a mobile communication network (100) and with at least one user equipment (20), the user equipment (20) being connected to or being served by the base station entity (111), characterized in that, in the case of the user equipment (20) being in connected mode, both the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) are configured to apply or use a discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), wherein the base station entity (111) is configured in such a way that, according to the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), the active time intervals that occur repeatedly (310) are defined in such a way that the transmission and / or reception of data occurs, in the uplink direction and / or in the downlink direction and between the base station entity (111), on the one hand,and the user equipment (20), on the other hand, wherein, to operate the base station entity (111) with the user equipment (20), the base station entity (111) is configured so that: - the base station entity (111) receives a scheduling request indication (220) from the user equipment (20), - the base station entity (111) transmits a control signal (220') to the user equipment (20), the transmission of the control signal (220) resulting in the configuration of the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) to apply or use a discontinuous transmission-reception pattern in additional connected mode (400), wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission-reception pattern of additional connected mode (400), in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly (310), are defined and used for data transmission and / or reception. Petition 870250093788, of 14 / 10 / 2025pg. 70 / 76 8 / 9 additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly (420), in the uplink and / or downlink direction, between the base station entity (111), on the one hand, and the user equipment (20), on the other hand., 11. Mobile communication system or network (100) for operating a radio access network (110) of the mobile communication network (100) with at least one user equipment (20), the radio access network (110) comprises at least one base station entity (111) and at least one user equipment (20) connected to or served by at least one base station entity (111), characterized in that, if the user equipment (20) is in connected mode, both the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) are configured to apply or use a discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), wherein, according to the discontinuous connected-mode transmission-reception pattern (300), the repeatedly occurring active time intervals (310) are defined so that data transmission and / or reception occurs, in the uplink and / or downlink direction and between the base station entity (111), on the one hand,and the user equipment (20), on the other hand, wherein, in order to operate the base station entity (111) with the user equipment (20), the mobile communication system or network (100) is configured so that: - the user equipment (20) transmits a scheduling request indication (220) to the base station entity (111), - the base station entity (111) transmits a control signal (220') to the user equipment (20), the transmission of the control signal (220') resulting in the configuration of the base station entity (111) and the user equipment (20) to apply or Petition 870250093788, of 10 / 14 / 2025, page. 71 / 76 9 / 9 use a discontinuous transmission / reception pattern in additional connected mode (400), wherein, according to the discontinuous transmission / reception pattern of the additional connected mode (400), in addition to the active time intervals that occur repeatedly (310),are defined and used for the transmission of data, additional active time intervals that occur repeatedly (420), and / or reception, in the uplink and / or downlink directions, between the base station entity (111), on the one hand, and the user equipment (20), on the other hand.

12. Computer-readable means characterized in that it comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer or user equipment (20) or base station entity (111), or partly on user equipment (20) and / or partly on base station entity (111), causes the computer or user equipment (20) or base station entity (111) to execute a Method as defined in any of claims 1 to 8. Petition 870250093788, dated 10 / 14 / 2025, pp. 72 / 76

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