Grid energy saving enhancements

Description

1 / 12 Network Energy Saving Enhancements Cross-reference to related request

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial Number 63 / 532,506, filed August 14, 2023, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Field of invention

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to network energy saving enhancements and, more particularly, to network energy saving techniques for a Base Station (BS). Description of the state of the art

[0003] According to a report published by the GSM Association (GSMA), the cost of energy in mobile networks represents about 23% of the operator's total cost. Mobile network operators are therefore increasingly interested in developing approaches to save energy consumption in order to reduce operating expenses (OPEX).

[0004] For example, several network power saving techniques, such as Secondary Cell (SCell) without SSB for cross-band AC (frequency domain), DTX / DRX Adaptation (time domain), Spatial and power domain adaptation, Conditional Handover Enhancement (CHO), Cell Bus Enhancement, etc., are proposed. However, more network power saving techniques are still needed for a Base Station (BS). Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for a Base Station (BS) to broadcast one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs). The method comprises transmitting a Synchronization Signaling Block (SSB) type indication to a user device. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 16 / 34 2 / 12 (EU); and broadcast one or more SSBs with a reduced number of antennas.

[0006] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for a User Equipment (UE) to receive one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs). The method comprises receiving an SSB type indication from a Base Station (BS); and receiving one or more SSBs broadcast with a reduced number of antennas from the BS.

[0007] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, BS broadcasts one or more SSBs with a reduced power level and a reduced number of antennas.

[0008] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, the UE, in response to one or more SSBs being broadcast with reduced power levels, adjusts its beam measurement and reporting behavior according to the SSB type indication, including adjusting Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) or Beam Fault Detection (BFD) thresholds, calculating a cumulative power level across multiple SSBs, or offsetting the measured SSB power with a provided power offset value.

[0009] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, BS broadcasts one or more SSBs at a reduced power level with potentially extended periodicity.

[0010] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, one or more PBCHs from one or more SSBs are excluded to form a discovery reference signal to maintain UE synchronization and provide the UE with coarse cell quality information, which can be used to trigger an SSB on demand. BS broadcasts these SSBs at a reduced power level with potentially extended periodicity.

[0011] In yet another aspect of this disclosure, BS implements an on-demand SSB design function in which Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 17 / 34 3 / 12 No SSB transmission occurs unless activated. This function can be used to further reduce power consumption when there is low or no cell load.

[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure can be more readily understood from the following modalities with reference to the attached figures. Brief description of the figures

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a Base Station (BS) broadcasting a plurality of Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs) and Physical Broadcast Channel (SS / PBCH) on different beams, consuming power at a first power level.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a Base Station (BS) in a standby mode consuming power at a second power level.

[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a Base Station (BS) broadcasting a plurality of SSBs consuming power at a third power level.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates how a Base Station (BS) transmits SSB-related information to those UEs in idle / inactive mode.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates how a Base Station (BS) transmits SSB-related information to those UEs in connected mode.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for a Base Station (BS) to broadcast one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs).

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for a User Equipment (UE) to receive one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs). Detailed description of the figures

[0020] This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the modalities presented below, but to be in accordance with Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 18 / 34 4 / 12 the principles set forth herein. Furthermore, various modifications or alterations in light thereof will be suggested for a person of ordinary skill in the art and should be included within the spirit and scope of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

[0021] Now, please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a Base Station (BS) (100) broadcasting one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs) and Physical Broadcast Channel (SS / PBCH) on different beams at a first power level.

[0022] BS (100) may periodically broadcast one or more SSBs, comprising a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) signal, and / or a PBCH Demodulation Reference Signal (DM-RS), to a plurality of User Equipment (UEs) in a BS (100) cell.

[0023] The PBCH signal (or simplified as PBCH) may comprise a current System Frame Number (SFN) of the BS(100) cell and an SSB timing index to facilitate time synchronization of the UE with the BS(100). The PBCH may also comprise a Master Information Block (MIB) containing one or more parameters. The UE may locate Minimum Remaining System Information (RMSI) associated with the cell based on the MIB parameters. The RMSI may comprise a System Information Block of type 1 (SIB1). The SIB1 may comprise information for the UE to access the cell. In addition, the UE may monitor a PDCCH based on the MIB parameters, which may be used to schedule a PDSCH.

[0024] During the cell selection process, the UE decodes the SIB1 of each detected cell. The UE camps on the cell that is selected by a selection mechanism based on the parameters contained in each SIB1 of each detected cell. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 19 / 34 5 / 12

[0025] During the cell re-selection process, the UE must decode another SIB1 transmitted by the cell in which it is to camp, because the UE was previously camped in a cell. The other SIB1 can be transmitted on demand.

[0026] In addition, SSBs may comprise a Type 2 System Information Block (SIB2) to facilitate intra-frequency cell reselection and a Type 4 System Information Block (SIB4) to facilitate inter-frequency cell reselection.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, in order to achieve wider coverage of the BS (100), the BS (100) can broadcast a set of SSBs in an SSB burst (4 SSBs as illustrated in FIG. 1 as an example) with a first power level in 4 beams directed in different directions when there is high cell load, meaning that there are several UEs in connected mode relative to the BS (100) cell. The 4 SSBs in the SSB burst are transmitted using the time-division multiplexing technique. It can be observed that this consumes more power for the BS (100) if more beams are used to broadcast SSBs.

[0028] UEs receive SSBs for time and frequency synchronization with the BS (100) cell. UEs can report measurements of the reference signals associated with one or more beams to BS (100). For example, UEs can report measurements of the reference signals associated with the best beam or the two best beams.

[0029] Now, please refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates the BS (100) in a standby mode. In order to save power, the BS (100) can enter standby mode when there is no load, meaning there are no UEs or there are idle / inactive UEs in the BS (100) cell. When the BS (100) is in standby mode, it consumes power at a second power level, which is much lower than the first power level. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 34 6 / 12 for implementation of, for example, an on-demand SSB mechanism that allows idle / inactive UEs (i.e., UEs in an idle / inactive mode) to request SSBs when needed (for more details, see 3GPP release 19). In other words, no SSB transmission occurs unless triggered during the on-demand SSB mechanism.

[0030] Now, please refer to FIG. 3, which illustrates the BS (100) broadcasting a plurality of SSBs at a third power level. In order to save even more power, the BS (100) can broadcast SSBs with a reduced number of antennas when there is low cell load, meaning there are few UEs in connected mode relative to the BS (100) cell. As shown in FIG. 1, the BS (100) broadcasts 4 SSBs with 4 antennas when there is high cell load. In contrast, the BS (100) broadcasts 4 SSBs with a reduced number of antennas when there is low cell load, for example, with a single antenna or 2 antennas. In one case, the BS (100) may choose to broadcast 4 SSBs in one or more wider beams. In another case, BS (100) may choose to broadcast 4 SSBs at a third power level that is lower than the first power level and higher than the second power level with a reduced number of antennas.In yet another case, BS (100) can choose to broadcast 4 SSBs in one or more wider beams and at the third power level.

[0031] BS (100) can broadcast SSBs at the third power level with potentially extended periodicity. The PBCH in the SSBs can be excluded to form a Discovery Reference Signal (DRS) to maintain synchronization for UEs and provide UEs with coarse cell quality information, which can then be used to trigger an SSB on demand.

[0032] UEs receive SSBs that were transmitted from BS (100) with the third power level. For Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 34 7 / 12 To avoid a situation where UEs might determine that all received beams failed because the power levels of the received beams are too low, BS (100) needs to inform UEs in advance that SSBs were transmitted at a reduced power level, i.e., the third power level. In one case, an SSB type indication and / or an SSB-related configuration (e.g., via a SIB or RRC) is transmitted from BS (100) to UEs before SSBs are broadcast. In another case, an SSB type indication and / or an SSB-related configuration is transmitted from BS (100) along with the SSBs, meaning UEs can distinguish whether SSBs are transmitted at the first power level or the third power level when receiving broadcast information from BS (100).

[0033] In terms of an UE, the SSB-related configuration mentioned above is transmitted from BS (100) via a SIB to those UEs in idle / inactive mode and via an RRC to those UEs in connected mode.

[0034] In addition, the SSB type indication is upper layer information transmitted by BS (100).

[0035] In addition, the SSB type indication can be used to indicate the adjustment of a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) threshold or a Beam Fault Detection (BFD) threshold for the UEs in a case. The UEs can adjust the RLM threshold or the BFD threshold based on the SSB type indication. Consequently, the UEs would not determine link or beam faults if they reduced the thresholds.

[0036] In addition, the SSB type indication can be used to request that UEs submit a measurement report for multiple received beams associated with the SSBs. The measurement report contains a cumulative power level that is calculated based on the power levels of the measured SSBs. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 22 / 34 8 / 12 by the UEs in another case. Consequently, the UEs would not determine beam faults if they accumulated several levels of received power and could estimate the best beam power with beamforming.

[0037] The accumulated power level mentioned above associated with SSBs in this case can be calculated over multiple SSB occasions in one SSB burst or can be calculated over multiple SSB occasions in more than one SSB burst.

[0038] In addition, the SSB type indication can be used to provide a power compensation value for UEs in connected mode. UEs can compensate for received SSB power levels with the beam power compensation value in another case. Consequently, UEs would not determine beam faults if they compensated for power levels.

[0039] In this case, UEs can send a measurement report, including a measurement result based on the measured SSB power and the power compensation value provided, to BS (100).

[0040] In addition, the SSB type indication can be used to indicate the adjustment of a cell re-selection threshold in a SIB, such as SIB1, SIB2, or any other SIB, for the UEs. The UEs can adjust the re-selection threshold based on the SSB type indication. Consequently, the UEs would not determine beam failures that result in unwanted cell re-selection if they increased the threshold.

[0041] In view of the foregoing, BS (100) may instruct UEs to adjust their beam measurement behavior and reporting behavior. For example, BS (100) may perform any one or any combination of the following methods: (a) instruct UEs to adjust the RLM limit or the BFD limit; (b) instruct UEs to report a level of Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 23 / 34 9 / 12 cumulative power for multiple beams and estimate the best beamforming power; and / or (c) provide a power compensation value and request the UEs in connected mode to compensate for the power level of the received SSBs measured by the UEs in connected mode.

[0042] Now, please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates how the BS (100) transmits SSB-related information to those UEs (200) in idle / inactive mode. As shown in FIG. 4, the BS (100) transmits an SSB type indication and / or an SSB-related configuration via an SIB (S410) to the UEs (200). The BS (100) then transmits an SSB type indication and / or an SSB-related configuration via an SIB (S420) to the UEs (200) after a predetermined period. That is, the BS (100) periodically transmits the SSB type indication and / or the SSB-related configuration via an SIB, such as an SIB1 or SIB2, to the UEs (200) in idle / inactive mode.

[0043] (200) UEs in idle / inactive mode are not required to send a measurement report for received beams. UEs (200) are required to adjust their beam reporting and / or measurement behavior according to the SSB type indication and / or setting. For example, UEs (200) may increase the cell re-selection threshold in response to the situation where SSBs are transmitted at a reduced power level. Specifically, UEs (200) adjust their beam reporting and / or measurement behavior (S430) according to the SSB type indication and / or setting associated with S410. In addition, UEs (200) further adjust their beam reporting and / or measurement behavior (S440) according to the SSB type indication and / or setting associated with S420.

[0044] Now, please refer to FIG. 5, which illustrates how BS (100) transmits SSB-related information to Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, p. 24 / 34 10 / 12 those UEs (200) in connected mode. UEs in connected mode mean that they have successfully established an RRC connection with the network. As shown in FIG. 5, the BS (100) transmits an SSB type indication and / or an SSB-related configuration via an RRC (S510) to the UEs (200).

[0045] In one case, the SSB type indication and / or configuration informs the UEs (200) that the SSBs will be transmitted at the first power level. In this case, the BS (100) broadcasts the SSBs at the first power level (S520) to the UEs (200). The UEs (200) then receive the SSBs and measure the power levels of the received SSBs. The UEs (200) then send a measurement report for multiple beams associated with the SSBs (S530). The measurement report indicates the best beam or the first two best beams.

[0046] In another case, the SSB type indication and / or setting informs the UEs (200) that the SSBs will be transmitted at a reduced power level, i.e., the third power level. In this case, in response to the situation where the SSBs are transmitted at a reduced power level, the UEs (200) are required to adjust their beamforming and measurement behavior according to the SSB type indication and / or setting (S540). For example, UEs (200) in connected mode may correspondingly reduce the RLM and BFD thresholds, increase the cell re-selection threshold, or compensate the power level with a power compensation value to avoid the occurrence of an inappropriate cell re-selection. Furthermore, in this case, the BS (100) broadcasts the SSBs with the third power level (S520) to the UEs (200). The UEs (200) then receive the SSBs and measure the power levels of the received SSBs.The UEs (200) then send a measurement report for multiple beams associated with the SSBs (S530). The measurement report for multiple beams associated with the SSBs. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 25 / 34 11 / 12 contains a cumulative power level calculated based on the power levels of SSBs measured by the UEs (200).

[0047] In view of the above, the behavior of BS and the behavior of UE can be illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0048] In FIG. 6, a method (600) is illustrated for a BS to broadcast one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs). The method (600) comprises transmitting an SSB type indication to a UE (step 610); and broadcasting one or more SSBs with a reduced number of antennas (step 620).

[0049] In FIG. 7, a method (700) for an UE to receive one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs) is illustrated. The method (700) comprises receiving an SSB type indication from a Base Station (BS) (step 710); and receiving one or more SSBs broadcast with a reduced number of antennas from the BS (step 720).

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, those with ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the disclosure described above can be used in a variety of devices, environments, and situations. Although the present invention is written with respect to specific embodiments and implementations, various alterations and modifications may be suggested to a person with ordinary skill in the art. This disclosure is intended to encompass such alterations and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0051] For example, those with ordinary skill in the art would understand that a device may include a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are used to perform the methods according to the above embodiments.

[0052] For example, those with ordinary skill in the technique would understand that, although the techniques of economy of Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 26 / 34 Since the 12 / 12 mains power savings for a Base Station (BS) have been introduced above, a User Equipment (UE) can also save power accordingly. For example, the UE can be equipped with a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR), which allows the UE to monitor only wake-up reception (WUR), and thus a main receiver (MR) can be kept in a standby mode to substantially save UE power. More frequent SSB power measurement / accumulation can be performed with lower UE power consumption than the MR. To maximize the benefit of the LP-WUR, the BS can further provide a low-power paging indication and / or a low-power synchronization signal, so that the LP-WUR can operate for as long as possible, while the MR can be activated whenever necessary.

[0053] For example, those with ordinary skill in the art would understand that even if the UE can adjust its beam measurement behavior and beam reporting behavior according to the SSB type indication in response to one or more SSBs being broadcast at a reduced power level and then detect the beams at the reduced power level associated with one or more SSBs, this does not work if the UE cannot transmit the measurement report on an uplink channel. To solve this problem, a relaxed measurement requirement for a higher SNR operating condition can be considered. Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 27 / 34

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. A method for a Base Station (BS) to broadcast one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs), the method characterized in that it comprises: transmitting a Synchronization Signaling Block (SSB) type indication to a user equipment (UE); and broadcasting one or more SSBs with a reduced number of antennas.

2. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the BS broadcasts one or more SSBs at a reduced power level with a reduced number of antennas.

3. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the SSB type indication indicates the setting of a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) threshold or a Beam Fault Detection (BFD) threshold for the UE.

4. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving a measurement report for multiple beams associated with one or more SSBs, and wherein the measurement report contains a cumulative power level calculated based on one or more power levels of the one or more SSBs measured by the UE.

5. Method, according to claim 4, characterized in that the accumulated power level is calculated over multiple SSB occasions in one or more SSB bursts.

6. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing a power compensation value for the UE.

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving a measurement result based on the measured SSB power and the supplied power compensation.

8. Method, according to claim 1, characterized in Petition 870250090220, dated 03 / 10 / 2025, page 28 / 34 2 / 3 by the fact that the SSB type indication indicates a cell re-selection threshold in a System Information Block (SIB).

9. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: implementing an on-demand SSB design function in which no SSB transmission occurs unless triggered.

10. Method, according to claim 3, characterized in that the BS broadcasts one or more SSBs at a reduced power level with potentially extended periodicity and one or more PBCHs of the one or more SSBs are excluded to form a discovery reference signal to maintain UE synchronization and provide the UE with coarse cell quality information, which can be used to trigger an SSB on demand.

11. A method for a User Equipment (UE) to receive one or more Synchronization Signaling Blocks (SSBs), the method characterized in that it comprises: receiving an SSB type indication from a Base Station (BS); and receiving one or more SSBs broadcast with a reduced number of antennas from the BS.

12. Method, according to claim 11, characterized in that one or more SSBs are broadcast with a reduced power level using a reduced number of antennas from the BS.

13. Method, according to claim 11, characterized in that the SSB type indication indicates the setting of a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) threshold or a Beam Fault Detection (BFD) threshold for the UE.

14. Method, according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: sending a measurement report for multiple beams associated with one or more SSBs, and wherein the measurement report contains a cumulative power level calculated based on one or more power levels of one or more SSBs measured by the UE.

15. Method, according to claim 14, characterized in that the accumulated power level is calculated over multiple SSB occasions in one or more SSB bursts.

16. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving a power compensation value sent from the BS.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the method further comprises: sending a measurement result based on the measured SSB power and the received power compensation.

18. Method, according to claim 11, characterized in that the SSB type indication indicates a cell re-selection threshold in a System Information Block (SIB).

19. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: implementing an on-demand SSB design function in which no SSB transmission occurs unless triggered.

20. Method, according to claim 13, characterized in that the BS broadcasts one or more SSBs at a reduced power level with potentially extended periodicity and one or more PBCHs of the one or more SSBs are excluded to form a discovery reference signal to maintain UE synchronization and provide the UE with coarse cell quality information, which can be used to trigger an SSB on demand. Petition 870250090220, dated 10 / 03 / 2025, pp. 30 / 34

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