Reference Signals and Early Termination in Wireless Communication Systems

Abstract

A wireless device (12) is configured for use in a wireless communication system (10). The wireless device (12) is configured to receive signaling (16) from a network node (14). In some embodiments, the signaling (16) indicates that a reference signal (20) is configured to be transmitted before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space (18), where L ≥ 2. In other embodiments, the signaling (16) indicates that the reference signal (20) is configured to be transmitted before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles (22), where K ≥ 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to reference signals and early termination in such systems. Background Art

[0002] In a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, a wireless device configured for multi-carrier operation can only receive system broadcast information such as system information and synchronization signals on a specific type of carrier called an anchor carrier. The wireless device can receive user data on a different carrier called a non-anchor carrier, on which system broadcast information or synchronization signals may not be sent.

[0003] Non-anchor paging in NB-IoT also utilizes a non-anchor carrier to page a wireless device. For non-anchor paging, the wireless device must monitor the non-anchor carrier for paging messages within its paging occasions, i.e., by searching its physical downlink control channel search space for a physical downlink control channel intended for the wireless device. However, this monitoring may severely impact the power consumption of the wireless device. Although the repetitions of the physical downlink control channel in NB-IoT provide coverage enhancement, these repetitions force the wireless device to attempt to detect the maximum possible number of repetitions before accepting that any paging message has not been sent to the device.

[0004] So-called early termination enables a wireless device to terminate attempts to detect a physical downlink control channel early (i.e., before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel), even if no paging message has been sent to the device. In this case, the wireless device can estimate its downlink signal quality (e.g., signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)). If the downlink signal quality is good, then after attempting to detect a certain number of repetitions that is less than the maximum number, the device can safely conclude that no paging message has been sent to the device. The same is generally true with respect to so-called early termination of a wake-up signal.

[0005] Sending a reference signal, such as a so-called narrowband reference signal (NRS), will aid in downlink signal quality estimation and, thereby, early termination. Estimating the downlink signal quality on a non-anchor carrier by measuring a reference signal on the anchor carrier has proven to be error-prone. However, sending a reference signal on a non-anchor carrier to achieve a more accurate estimate of the signal quality of the non-anchor carrier may increase signaling overhead, operator energy cost, and system interference, especially if the reference signal is "always on". Therefore, in NB-IoT and other systems, it is challenging to achieve accurate downlink signal measurements and / or early termination without significantly increasing signaling overhead, operator energy cost, and system interference. Summary of the invention

[0006] Some embodiments herein facilitate reference signal transmission (e.g., NRS transmission on NB-IoT non-anchor carriers) that is tailored to the capabilities and / or needs of wireless devices in estimating downlink signal strength / quality and / or in performing early termination. For example, some embodiments transmit reference signals only when a minimum number or percentage of wireless devices are capable of early termination, for example, so that reference signals (primarily) dedicated to facilitating early termination are not sent unnecessarily. Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments transmit reference symbols only at frequencies at which wireless devices actually need reference symbols of the reference signal in order to estimate downlink signal strength / quality within a certain range (or with a certain accuracy) and / or perform early termination (e.g., only in as many downlink subframes as reference symbols). In some embodiments, tailoring reference signal transmission to wireless device capabilities and / or needs in this manner enables accurate downlink signal measurement and / or early termination without significantly increasing signaling overhead, operator energy costs, and system interference.

[0007] Other embodiments herein support a wireless device's decision as to whether to attempt early termination (e.g., with respect to a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal). For example, in some embodiments, if the reference signal configuration does not support early termination of the device, for example, because the configuration does not provide enough downlink subframes with reference symbols for accurate downlink quality estimation, the wireless device avoids attempting early termination. Alternatively or additionally, if the reference signal configuration does not support estimating downlink signal quality within a specific range or with a specific accuracy required for early termination, the wireless device may even avoid obtaining a downlink signal quality estimate for early termination. Selectively avoiding one or both of these activities can intelligently save processing and power resources of the wireless device.

[0008] Still other embodiments herein configure reference symbols of a reference signal on a non-anchor carrier (e.g., in NB-IoT) that are relatively sparse in time, e.g., such that the reference symbols occur only at frequencies required for the wireless device to verify an otherwise obtained downlink signal strength / quality estimate. For example, in some embodiments, the reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every L (L≥2) occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space of the device or before and / or during every K (K≥2) discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the device. Then, in these embodiments, the wireless device can obtain a downlink signal strength / quality estimate from measurements of different reference signals on the anchor carrier and use the relatively sparse reference symbols on the non-anchor carrier to simply verify that the downlink signal strength / quality estimate from the anchor carrier accurately reflects (or has been accurately converted into) a downlink signal strength / quality estimate for the non-anchor carrier.

[0009] More specifically, embodiments herein include a method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving signaling from a network node. In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space, where L ≥ 2. In other embodiments, the signaling indicates that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles, where K ≥ 2.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving the reference signal according to the received signaling before and / or during each L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space. Alternatively, the method may further comprise: receiving the reference signal according to the received signaling before and / or during each K DRX cycles.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: estimating or verifying downlink signal strength or quality using reference symbols of the reference signal. For example, in one embodiment, the method may further comprise: determining whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal based on the estimated or verified downlink signal strength or quality. Alternatively or additionally, the method may further comprise: receiving a different reference signal on an anchor carrier; and estimating the downlink signal strength or quality based on a measurement of the different reference signals received on the anchor carrier and based on a power difference between a non-anchor carrier and the anchor carrier. In this case, then, estimating or verifying downlink signal strength or quality using reference symbols of the reference signal may comprise: verifying the downlink signal strength or quality using reference symbols of the reference signal received on the non-anchor carrier.

[0012] In any of these embodiments, the method may further include: receiving signaling indicating a configuration of the reference signal from the network node, wherein the configuration of the reference signal includes a configuration of the number of downlink subframes each of which is to contain a reference symbol of the reference signal. In this case, the method may further include: determining whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination of the wireless device. Here, early termination includes terminating an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal. Then, the method may correspondingly include: attempting or not attempting early termination, depending on whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination of the wireless device.

[0013] In one such embodiment, determining whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination by the wireless device comprises: determining, accordingly, whether the number of downlink subframes each to contain a reference symbol of the reference signal according to the configuration is at least equal to the number of required downlink subframes required by the wireless device to estimate a downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal. In one embodiment, the specific range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality above which the wireless device is configured to terminate early an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

[0014] In some embodiments, the method alternatively or additionally further comprises: receiving signaling from the network node indicating the number of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols of the reference signal. The method may then comprise: determining whether to measure the reference symbols of the reference signal in the downlink subframe to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality, respectively, depending on whether the indicated number of downlink subframes is at least equal to the required number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of the reference signal required by the wireless device in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal. In one embodiment, for example, the required number of downlink subframes is the number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of the reference signal required by the wireless device in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal, wherein the specific range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality, above which the wireless device is configured to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending signaling to the network node indicating that the wireless device is capable of early termination. Here, early termination comprises terminating an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

[0016] In any of these embodiments, the reference signal may be a narrowband reference signal on a non-anchor carrier.

[0017] In any of these embodiments, the wireless communication system may be a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system.

[0018] Embodiments herein also include a method performed by a network node in a wireless communication system. The method includes: sending signaling to a wireless device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space, where L ≥ 2. In other embodiments, the signaling indicates that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception DRX cycles, where K ≥ 2.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: sending the reference signal according to the signaling before and / or during each L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space. Alternatively, the method may further comprise: sending the reference signal according to the signaling before and / or during each K DRX cycles.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving signaling indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination. Here, early termination includes terminating an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal. In one such embodiment, the method further comprises: configuring whether and / or when reference symbols of the reference signal are to be sent based on the received signaling.

[0021] In any of these embodiments, the method may further include: for each of the one or more wireless devices served by the network node, receiving signaling indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination. In this case, the method may further include: determining whether a minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node is capable of early termination based on the received signaling. The method may further include: configuring the reference signal to be sent or not sent, depending on whether the minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node is capable of early termination.

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention also include corresponding apparatus, computer programs, and carriers. For example, embodiments of the present invention include a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system. The wireless device is configured to receive signaling from a network node (e.g., via a communication circuit and a processing circuit). In some embodiments, the signaling indication reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space, where L≥2. In other embodiments, the signaling indication reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception DRX cycles, where K≥2.

[0023] Embodiments also include a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system. The network node is configured to send signaling to a wireless device (e.g., via communication circuitry and processing circuitry). In some embodiments, the signaling indication reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space, where L ≥ 2. In other embodiments, the signaling indication reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception DRX cycles, where K ≥ 2. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1A is a block diagram of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments;

[0025] Figure 1B is a block diagram of a wireless communication system according to other embodiments;

[0026] Figure 2A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 2B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 2C is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0029] Figure 3A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0030] Figure 3B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0031] Figure 4A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0032] Figure 4B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0033] Figure 5A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0034] Figure 5B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0035] Fig. 6A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0036] Figure 6B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0037] Fig. 7A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0038] Figure 7B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0039] Fig. 8A is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0040] Figure 8B is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a wireless device according to other embodiments;

[0041] Figure 8C is a logic flow diagram of a method performed by a network node according to other embodiments;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a wireless device according to some embodiments;

[0043] Fig.10 is a block diagram of a network node according to some embodiments;

[0044] Fig.11 is a block diagram of transmission of a reference signal according to some embodiments;

[0045] Fig. 12A shows a UE Capability Information message according to some embodiments;

[0046] Fig. 12B shows a UE capability information message according to other embodiments;

[0047] Fig.13 is a block diagram of a wireless communication network according to some embodiments;

[0048] Fig.14 is a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments;

[0049] Fig.15 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment according to some embodiments;

[0050] Fig.16 is a block diagram of a communication network having a host computer according to some embodiments;

[0051] Fig.17 is a block diagram of a host computer according to some embodiments;

[0052] Fig.18 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment;

[0053] Fig.19 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment;

[0054] Fig. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment;

[0055] Fig.21 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1A A wireless communication system 10 (e.g., a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system) according to some embodiments is shown. The system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 10A and a core network (CN) 10B. The RAN 10A provides wireless access to one or more wireless devices (one of which is shown as a wireless device 12). The CN 10B connects the RAN 10A to one or more data networks, such as the Internet.

[0057] In some embodiments, the wireless device 12 is configured to search for a physical downlink control channel (e.g., a narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH)) intended for the wireless device 12 (or intended for a group of wireless devices to which the wireless device 12 belongs) within a so-called physical downlink control channel search space 18. Such a physical downlink control channel may, for example, carry downlink control information scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI) assigned to the wireless device 12, in which case the wireless device 12 will need to check for paging messages. Regardless, in some embodiments, the physical downlink control channel may be repeated multiple times, up to a configured maximum number of repetitions, for example to provide coverage enhancement.

[0058] Note that the physical downlink control channel search space 18 can be a common search space shared by multiple wireless devices (e.g., all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging opportunity). Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space 18 can be specific to the wireless device 12 (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0059] It should also be noted that in some embodiments, the wireless device 12 makes its search for the physical downlink control channel conditional on its detection of a so-called wake-up signal. A wake-up signal is a physical signal that indicates that the wireless device needs to wake up (or remain awake) from a sleep state in order to monitor the physical downlink control channel. The wake-up signal can similarly be repeated up to a maximum number of repetitions (e.g., for coverage enhancement). The decoding time of the wake-up signal can be much shorter than the decoding time of the physical downlink control channel. Therefore, the wireless device can consume less power when monitoring for the wake-up signal and can remain in the sleep state for a longer time.

[0060] In any case, the physical downlink control channel search space 18 can be configured to repeat periodically (e.g., every k_s time slots). Figure 1AL occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space 18 are shown over time. Each occurrence of the physical downlink control channel search space 18 can be specified in the time domain by duration (e.g., the number of time slots or subframes in which there is an occurrence of the search space 18). For example, in an embodiment where the physical downlink control channel search space is a NPDCCH search space, such a search space is defined by a set of NPDCCH candidates, where each candidate is repeated in a set of R consecutive NB-IoT downlink subframes (excluding subframes used to transmit system information messages) and starts from subframe k.

[0061] In this context, a network node 14, such as in a RAN 10A, is configured in some embodiments to send signaling 16 to a wireless device 12, such as in system information. In some embodiments, the signaling 16 indicates that a reference signal 20 (e.g., a narrowband reference signal (NRS)) is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space 18. In some embodiments, for example, L ≥ 2. For example, in the case of L = 2, the reference signal 20 is sent before and / or during every other occurrence of the physical downlink control channel search space 18. Sending the reference signal 20 sparsely in time in this manner can, for example, save energy and mitigate interference due to the reference signal 20. In any case, to indicate this, the signaling 16 can, for example, include or otherwise indicate a value of L.

[0062] In some embodiments, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent before every L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space 18. For example, the signaling 16 may indicate that each of the X or fewer downlink subframes before the physical downlink control channel search space 18 is configured to contain reference symbols of the reference signal 20, where X may be 7, 5, 3, or some other fixed or configurable number. In other embodiments, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent during the physical downlink control channel search space 18, alternatively or additionally. More specifically, in some of the embodiments shown, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent during the initial portion of the physical downlink control channel search space 18 (e.g., during the first N downlink subframes of the physical downlink control channel search space 18), alternatively or additionally.

[0063] Figure 1BOther embodiments of the present invention are shown. As shown, the wireless device 12 is configured with a discontinuous reception (DRX) function that controls the physical downlink control channel monitoring activity of the wireless device. In this regard, the wireless device 12 in DRX operation is allowed to monitor the physical downlink control channel discontinuously in time according to the DRX cycle 20 with which the wireless device 12 is configured. The DRX cycle 20 specifies the periodic repetition of a so-called onDuration followed by a possible inactive period (i.e., a DRX opportunity). During the onDuration, the wireless device 12 monitors the physical downlink control channel. The inactive period after the onDuration can provide the wireless device 12 with an opportunity to stop monitoring the physical downlink control channel. The DRX cycle 20 recurs so that the wireless device 12 monitors the physical downlink control channel discontinuously. For example, Figure 1B K DRX cycles are shown.

[0064] In this context, the signaling 16 sent by the network node 14 to the wireless device 12 may indicate in other embodiments that the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent before and / or during every K DRX cycles. In some embodiments, for example, K ≥ 2. For example, in the case of K = 2, the reference signal 20 is sent before and / or during every other DRX cycle 22. Sending the reference signal 20 sparsely in time in this manner can, for example, save energy and mitigate interference due to the reference signal 20. Regardless, to indicate this, the signaling 16 may, for example, include or otherwise indicate the value of K.

[0065] In some embodiments, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent before every L DRX cycles 22. For example, the signaling 16 may indicate that each of the X or fewer downlink subframes before the DRX cycle 20 is configured to contain reference symbols of the reference signal 20, where X may be 7, 5, 3, or some other fixed or configurable number. In other embodiments, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent during the DRX cycle 22 instead or in addition. More specifically, in some of the embodiments shown, the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent during the initial portion of the DRX cycle 22 (e.g., during the first N downlink subframes of the DRX cycle 22) instead or in addition.

[0066] Then, consider Figure 1A and 1B, the control signaling 16 may indicate that the reference signal 20 is configured to be sent before and / or during the following situations: (i) every L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space 18, where L ≥ 2; or (ii) every K DRX cycles 22, where K ≥ 2. The network node 14 may send accordingly, and the wireless device 12 may receive the reference signal 20 (i) every L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space 18 or (ii) every K DRX cycles 22 accordingly.

[0067] In some embodiments, the wireless device 12 advantageously uses the reference symbols of the reference signal 20 to determine whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless device 12 uses the reference symbols of the reference signal 20 to estimate or verify the downlink signal strength or quality. The wireless device 12 can then determine whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early based on the estimated or verified downlink signal strength or quality. For example, in one embodiment, the device 12 can determine whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early or not, depending on whether the estimated or verified downlink signal strength or quality is considered "good" (e.g., as defined by a threshold).

[0068] Note that this verification may be performed when the reference signal 20 is received on a non-anchor carrier. A non-anchor carrier is a carrier on which system broadcast information and / or synchronization signals are not transmitted, and is in contrast to an anchor carrier on which system broadcast information and synchronization signals are transmitted. In this context, the wireless device 12 may then receive a different reference signal (not shown) on the anchor carrier, and estimate a downlink signal strength or quality based on measurements of the different reference signals received on the anchor carrier and a power difference between the non-anchor carrier and the anchor carrier. The wireless device 12 may then verify the downlink signal strength or quality using reference symbols of the reference signal 20 received on the non-anchor carrier. With this verification, the wireless device 12 may confidently use the downlink signal strength or quality to determine whether to perform early termination on the non-anchor carrier, even though the downlink signal strength or quality is estimated from the anchor carrier.

[0069] In view of the above modifications and variations, Figure 2AA method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown may include: receiving signaling from a network node indicating that a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device, where L≥2 (box 200A). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include: receiving a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device, where L≥2 (box 200B). Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space can be specific to the wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0070] In contrast, in other embodiments, the method may include receiving signaling from a network node indicating that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device, where K ≥ 2 (box 200B). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include receiving a reference signal before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device, where K ≥ 2 (box 210B). Note that in this regard, the DRX cycle can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common DRX cycle. For example, for NB-IoT, the common DRX cycle can be common to all wireless devices in a cell. Alternatively, the DRX cycle can be specific to a wireless device (for example, as a device-specific DRX cycle).

[0071] Regardless of how the timing of the reference signal is constructed (e.g., based on search space granularity or DRX cycle granularity), some embodiments allow for sparser occurrences of the reference signal than per search space or DRX cycle. This may be, for example, the case where the reference signal is transmitted on a non-anchor carrier in the system. In this case, embodiments may achieve sparser reference signal occurrences by, for example, utilizing reference signal measurements on the anchor carrier to make the primary estimate of downlink signal strength or quality, and relying solely on reference signal measurements on the non-anchor carrier to validate the anchor carrier-based estimate.

[0072] Then, in these and other embodiments, the method may include verifying the estimate of downlink signal strength or quality based on measurements of reference symbols of a reference signal received by the wireless device on the non-anchor carrier (block 220). The method may also include determining whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal based on the estimate of downlink signal strength or quality (block 230).

[0073] Figure 2B A related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes sending signaling indicating that a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) is configured to be sent before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space of a wireless device, where L≥2 (box 240). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include sending a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) before and / or during every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space of a wireless device, where L≥2 (box 250). Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell that monitor the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space can be specific to a wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0074] Figure 2C Yet another related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., an NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes sending signaling indicating that a reference signal is configured to be sent before and / or during each K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device, where K≥2 (box 260). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include sending a reference signal before and / or during each K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device, where K≥2 (box 270). Note that in this regard, the DRX cycle can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common DRX cycle. For example, for NB-IoT, the common DRX cycle can be common to all wireless devices in a cell. Alternatively, the DRX cycle can be specific to a wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific DRX cycle).

[0075] Regardless of how the timing of the reference signal is constructed (e.g., based on search space granularity or DRX cycle granularity), in some embodiments, Figure 2B and / or Figure 2CThe method allows for sparser occurrences of reference signals than per search space or DRX cycle. This may be the case, for example, where reference signals are sent on non-anchor carriers in the system. In this case, embodiments may achieve sparser reference signal occurrences by, for example, utilizing reference signal measurements on the anchor carrier to make the wireless device's primary estimate of downlink signal strength or quality, and relying solely on reference signal measurements on non-anchor carriers to validate the anchor carrier-based estimate.

[0076] Figure 3A A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The illustrated method may include determining when a downlink subframe containing reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., NRS) on a non-anchor carrier occurs based on a distance between a frequency location of the non-anchor carrier and a frequency location of the anchor carrier (block 300). Although not shown, the wireless device may receive assistance in this regard by receiving signaling from a network node indicating the frequency location of the non-anchor carrier and / or the anchor carrier. Regardless, the illustrated method may also include receiving reference symbols for the reference signal on the non-anchor carrier in the determined downlink subframe (block 310).

[0077] More specifically, in this regard, the closer the frequency position of the non-anchor carrier is to the frequency position of the anchor carrier, the further away in time (i.e., sparser) the downlink subframes containing reference symbols may be, and vice versa. The reference symbols may, for example, be sparser in the sense that they are received before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device rather than every DRX cycle, where K ≥ 2. Or, as another example, the reference symbols may be sparser in the sense that they are received before and / or during every L occurrence of a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device rather than every search space occurrence, where L ≥ 2. However, regardless of the specific temporal structure of the occurrences of the reference symbols, such structure may, for example, reflect that when these carriers are closer in frequency, a downlink signal estimate on the anchor carrier may be more accurately converted to a downlink signal estimate on the non-anchor carrier, which in turn may mean that fewer or sparser reference symbols are needed on the non-anchor carrier to verify the accuracy of the converted downlink signal estimate.

[0078] Thus, the method in these and other embodiments may further include receiving a different reference signal on the anchor carrier (block 324), and determining an estimate of downlink signal strength or quality based on measurements of the different reference signal received on the anchor carrier and based on a power difference between the non-anchor carrier and the anchor carrier (block 328). The method may then include validating the estimate of downlink signal strength or quality based on measurements of reference symbols of the reference signal received by the wireless device on the non-anchor carrier (block 320). The method may further include determining whether to terminate an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal based on the estimate of downlink signal strength or quality (block 330).

[0079] Figure 3B A related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes configuring a pattern of downlink subframes each containing a reference symbol of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) on a non-anchor carrier based on a distance between a frequency position of a non-anchor carrier and a frequency position of an anchor carrier (block 340). Again, in this regard, the closer the frequency position of the non-anchor carrier is to the frequency position of the anchor carrier, the farther away (i.e., sparser) the downlink subframes containing the reference symbols may be in time, and vice versa. The reference symbols may be, for example, sparser in the sense that they are sent before and / or during every K discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles of the wireless device rather than every DRX cycle, where K≥2. Or, as another example, the reference symbols may be sparser in the sense that they are sent before and / or during every L occurrence of a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device rather than every search space occurrence, where L≥2. However, regardless of the specific temporal structure of the occurrences of the reference symbols, such structure may, for example, reflect that a downlink signal estimate on an anchor carrier may be more accurately converted to a downlink signal estimate on a non-anchor carrier when those carriers are closer in frequency, which in turn may mean that fewer or sparser reference symbols are required on the non-anchor carrier to verify the accuracy of the converted downlink signal estimate.

[0080] anyway, Figure 3B The method in may also include: sending signaling indicating the configured pattern and / or sending reference symbols of a reference signal in the configured pattern of downlink subframes on the non-anchor carrier (block 350). The method as shown in some embodiments also includes: sending a different reference signal (e.g., NRS or CRS) on the anchor carrier (block 360) and / or sending signaling indicating the frequency location of the non-anchor carrier (block 370).

[0081] Figure 4A A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown may include receiving signaling indicating a power boost and / or power densification level to be applied to reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) (box 400). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include receiving reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) to which a certain level of power boost and / or power densification has been applied (box 410). Such power boost and / or power densification may enable the wireless device to perform more efficient and / or reliable downlink signal strength or quality estimation. In this regard, the method may also include estimating downlink signal strength (e.g., RSRP) or quality (e.g., SINR) from reference symbols of the reference signal (box 410). The method may then include determining whether to terminate an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal based on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality (box 420).

[0082] Figure 4B A related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes sending signaling indicating a power boost and / or power densification level to be applied to reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) (box 430). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include sending reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) to which a certain level of power boost and / or power densification has been applied (box 440). Such power boost and / or power densification may enable a wireless device to perform more efficient and / or reliable downlink signal strength or quality estimation.

[0083] Figure 5A A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other embodiments is shown. The method includes sending signaling to a network node indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination (block 500). In this regard, early termination may include terminating an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal. In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that the wireless device is capable of early termination.

[0084] In some embodiments, such as when signaling indicates that the wireless device is capable of early termination, the method may also include: receiving a reference signal (e.g., a narrowband reference signal (NRS)) (box 510); estimating downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal (box 520); and determining whether to terminate detection of a physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early depending on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality (box 130).

[0085] Figure 5B A related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., an NB-IoT system) according to a particular embodiment is depicted. The method includes receiving signaling indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination (box 540). In this regard, early termination may include terminating an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal. For example, the signaling may be received from the wireless device itself or from another network node (e.g., a radio network node to which the wireless device sent the signaling). Receiving signaling about the wireless device may be performed as part of receiving similar signaling about one or more other wireless devices. In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that the wireless device is capable of early termination.

[0086] In some embodiments, the signaling is received from the wireless device. In other embodiments, the signaling is received from another network node. In either case, in some embodiments, the method may also include: sending signaling to another network node indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination.

[0087] Regardless, in some embodiments, the method may further include: configuring, based on the received signaling, whether and / or when reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) are to be sent (block 550). If a wireless device (or a certain minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node or a portion of the wireless devices served by the network node) cannot terminate early, the reference symbols of the reference signal may, for example, be configured not to be sent or to be sent infrequently. This may minimize or reduce signaling overhead when transmission of signaling is almost or completely useless. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the method may require: for each of one or more other wireless devices served by the network node, receiving signaling indicating whether the other wireless device is capable of early termination; determining, based on the received signaling, whether the minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node is capable of early termination; and correspondingly configuring the reference signal to be sent or not sent depending on whether the minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node is capable of early termination.

[0088] Regardless, in some embodiments, the method alternatively or additionally includes sending reference symbols of a reference signal to the wireless device in accordance with the configuration (block 560).

[0089] Fig. 6A A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., an NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The illustrated method includes sending signaling to a network node indicating a minimum number of subframes required by each wireless device including reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) in order to estimate downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal (block 600).

[0090] For example, the signaling may indicate the minimum number of consecutive subframes required for each wireless device that includes reference symbols of a reference signal in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling may indicate the minimum number of subframes required for each wireless device that includes reference symbols of a reference signal in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal. In one such embodiment, the specific range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality, and when it is above the minimum downlink signal strength or quality, the wireless device is configured to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal. In other embodiments, for each different range of downlink signal strength or quality, the signaling indicates the minimum number of subframes required for each wireless device that includes reference symbols of a reference signal in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality within the range from the reference signal.

[0091] In any event, in some embodiments, the method also includes: receiving reference symbols of a reference signal in each subframe of at least the minimum number of subframes (box 610); estimating downlink signal strength or quality from the received reference symbols (box 620); and determining, based on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality, whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal (box 630).

[0092] Figure 6BA related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes determining a minimum number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) required by a wireless device so that the wireless device estimates the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal (by receiving signaling indicating the minimum number (box 640A) or by estimating the minimum number (box 640B)). In some embodiments, the minimum number is the minimum number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of the reference signal required by a specific percentage of wireless devices served by the network node so that the wireless device estimates the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the minimum number of subframes is the minimum number of subframes required by each wireless device containing reference symbols of the reference signal in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal. In one such embodiment, the particular range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality, above which the wireless device is configured to terminate an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal.

[0093] Regardless, in some embodiments, the method further comprises: configuring a pattern of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of a reference signal based on the minimum number of downlink subframes. For example, the network node may configure the pattern of downlink subframes to include at least the minimum number of downlink subframes, to include only the minimum number of downlink subframes, or to include a specific number of downlink subframes that do not exceed the minimum number.

[0094] Regardless, the illustrated method may further include sending reference symbols for a reference signal in accordance with the configured pattern of downlink subframes (block 660). Alternatively or additionally, the method may include sending signaling indicating a pattern of downlink subframes configured to each contain reference symbols for a reference signal (block 670).

[0095] Fig. 7AA method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown includes receiving signaling (block 700) from a network node indicating the number of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., NRS). For example, the signaling may indicate that each of 10 or fewer downlink subframes, 7 or fewer downlink subframes, 5 or fewer downlink subframes, or 3 or fewer downlink subframes is configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal before a physical downlink control channel search space. The signaling may indicate the number of downlink subframes, for example, by indicating a pattern of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal.

[0096] In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that each of the first L downlink subframes within a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device is configured to include reference symbols of a reference signal, where L=Rmax / K, where K=1, 2, 3..., 2048, and Rmax is a maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal, where the signaling indicates L or K. In other embodiments, the signaling indicates that each of the first L downlink subframes within a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device is configured to include reference symbols of a reference signal, where L=a*Rmax, where a=1 / (1, 2, 3...., 2048), and Rmax is a maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal, where the signaling indicates L or a. Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging opportunity. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space may be specific to the wireless device (eg, as a device-specific search space).

[0097] In any event, the method shown also includes: determining whether to measure reference symbols of the reference signal in the downlink subframe in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality (box 710), depending on whether the indicated number of downlink subframes is at least equal to the required number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of the reference signal required by the wireless device to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal.

[0098] For example, in some embodiments, the required number of downlink subframes is the number of downlink subframes each including reference symbols of a reference signal that the wireless device needs to estimate a downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal. The specific range may include a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality above which the wireless device is configured to terminate an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

[0099] In any event, the method shown may also include: (e.g., in response to determining that reference symbols of a reference signal in a downlink subframe are to be measured) receiving reference symbols of the reference signal in each of at least an indicated number of subframes (box 720), estimating downlink signal strength or quality from the reference symbols (box 730); and determining, based on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality, whether to terminate the attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions for the physical downlink control channel configuration or wake-up signal (box 740).

[0100] Figure 7B A method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown includes sending signaling (block 750) from the network node indicating the number of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., NRS). The signaling may, for example, indicate that each of 10 or fewer downlink subframes, 7 or fewer downlink subframes, 5 or fewer downlink subframes, or 3 or fewer downlink subframes is configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal before a physical downlink control channel search space. The signaling may, for example, indicate the number of downlink subframes by indicating a pattern of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols for a reference signal.

[0101] In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that each of the first L downlink subframes within a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device is configured to include reference symbols of a reference signal, where L=Rmax / K, where K=1, 2, 3..., 2048, and Rmax is a maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal, where the signaling indicates L or K. In other embodiments, the signaling indicates that each of the first L downlink subframes within a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device is configured to include reference symbols of a reference signal, where L=a*Rmax, where a=1 / (1, 2, 3...., 2048), and Rmax is a maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal, where the signaling indicates L or a. Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging opportunity. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space may be specific to the wireless device (eg, as a device-specific search space).

[0102] Regardless, the illustrated method may also include sending reference symbols for a reference signal in each subframe of at least the indicated number of subframes (block 760).

[0103] Fig. 8A A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., an NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown includes: receiving signaling from a network node indicating the configuration of a reference signal (e.g., NRS) (e.g., in terms of a pattern or number of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols of the reference signal) (box 800). The method also includes: determining whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination of the wireless device (box 810). Here, early termination can include terminating an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

[0104] In some embodiments, such as where the configuration of the reference signal includes a configuration of a number of downlink subframes each including a reference symbol of the reference signal, determining whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination by the wireless device includes: determining, accordingly, whether the number of downlink subframes each including a reference symbol of the reference signal according to the configuration is at least equal to the number of downlink subframes required by the wireless device in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal. In one such embodiment, the required number of downlink subframes is the number of downlink subframes required by the wireless device in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal. The specific range may, for example, include a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality above which the wireless device is configured to terminate early an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

[0105] Regardless, the method further includes attempting or not attempting early termination, depending upon whether the configuration of the reference signal supports early termination for the wireless device, respectively (block 420). For example, if the configuration of the reference signal does not support early termination, the wireless device may not measure the reference signal and / or may not check whether detection may terminate early, e.g., such that the wireless device must use all of the maximum number of repetitions in its detection attempt. Then, in these and other embodiments, attempting early termination may include receiving reference symbols of the reference signal according to the indicated configuration; estimating downlink signal strength or quality from the reference symbols; and determining, based on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality, whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal.

[0106] Figure 8B A method performed by a wireless device configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is depicted. The method shown includes receiving one or more reference symbols of a reference signal (e.g., an NRS) in each subframe of 10 or fewer downlink subframes preceding a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device and / or in each downlink subframe of an initial portion of the physical downlink control channel search space (box 830). Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space can be specific to the wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0107] The method may also include: estimating downlink signal strength or quality based on the received reference symbol (block 840). As shown, in some embodiments, the method may also include: determining whether to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal based on the estimated downlink signal strength or quality (block 850).

[0108] In some embodiments, one or more reference symbols of a reference signal are received in each of X or fewer downlink subframes preceding a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device, where X may be, for example, 7, 5, 3, or some other fixed or configurable number. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the initial portion includes L downlink subframes, where L=Rmax / K, where K=1, 2, 3..., 2048, and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal. In other embodiments, the initial portion includes L downlink subframes, where L=a*Rmax, where a=1 / (1, 2, 3..., 2048), and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal. Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space may be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space may be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space may be specific to the wireless device (eg, as a device-specific search space).

[0109] Figure 8C A related method performed by a network node configured for use in a wireless communication system (e.g., a NB-IoT system) according to other specific embodiments is shown. The method shown includes sending one or more reference symbols of a reference signal in each downlink subframe of 10 or fewer downlink subframes preceding a physical downlink control channel search space of a wireless device and / or in each downlink subframe of an initial portion of the physical downlink control channel search space (box 860). Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space can be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space can be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space can be specific to a wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0110] In some embodiments, one or more reference symbols of a reference signal are sent in each of X or fewer downlink subframes preceding a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device, where X may be, for example, 7, 5, 3, or some other fixed or configurable number. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the initial portion includes L downlink subframes, where L=Rmax / K, where K=1, 2, 3, ..., 2048, and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal. In other embodiments, the initial portion includes L downlink subframes, where L=a*Rmax, where a=1 / (1, 2, 3, ..., 2048), and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal. Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space may be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space may be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space may be specific to the wireless device (eg, as a device-specific search space).

[0111] The method may alternatively or additionally include: sending signaling indicating the number of downlink subframes configured as reference symbols each containing a reference signal (box 870). In some embodiments, the signaling indicates that each of the X or fewer downlink subframes before the physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device is configured as a reference symbol each containing a reference signal, where X can be 7, 5, 3 or some other fixed or configurable number. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling may indicate that the first L downlink subframes within the physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device are configured as reference symbols each containing a reference signal, where L = Rmax / K, where K = 1, 2, 3..., 2048, and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal. In this case, the signaling may indicate L or K. Alternatively or additionally, the signaling may indicate that the first L downlink subframes within a physical downlink control channel search space of the wireless device are configured as reference symbols each containing a reference signal, where L = a*Rmax, where a = 1 / (1, 2, 3 ..., 2048), and Rmax is the maximum number of repetitions configured for a physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal. Here, the signaling may indicate L or a. Note that in this regard, the physical downlink control channel search space may be common to multiple wireless devices, for example, as a common search space. For example, the common search space may be common to all wireless devices in a cell monitoring the same paging occasion. Alternatively, the physical downlink control channel search space may be specific to a wireless device (e.g., as a device-specific search space).

[0112] Note that any of the above embodiments can be applicable even in the case where no page is sent to the wireless device or no page is received by the wireless device (e.g., in a paging occasion of the device, the NRS can be sent regardless of whether a page is sent to the wireless device or whether a page is received by the wireless device). In fact, certain of the above embodiments that operate in this way enable the wireless device to utilize a reference signal (e.g., NRS) for early termination even when no page is sent. Embodiments can achieve this while still tailoring the reference signal transmission to the specific needs and capabilities of the wireless device, such as to minimize or reduce reference signal overhead.

[0113] Thus, in any of the above embodiments, the reference signal may be a narrowband reference signal, for example, on a non-anchor carrier.Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication system may be a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system.

[0114] Note that any of the embodiments shown above may be implemented alone or in combination.

[0115] The embodiments herein also include corresponding apparatuses.For example, the embodiments herein include a wireless device configured to perform any steps of any of the embodiments described above for a wireless device.

[0116] The embodiment also includes a wireless device including a processing circuit and a power supply circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the wireless device. The power supply circuit is configured to supply power to the wireless device.

[0117] Embodiments also include a wireless device including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the wireless device. In some embodiments, the wireless device also includes a communication circuit.

[0118] The embodiment also includes a wireless device including a processing circuit and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processing circuit, whereby the wireless device is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the wireless device.

[0119] In addition, an embodiment includes a user equipment (UE). The UE includes an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals. The UE also includes a radio front-end circuit, which is connected to the antenna and the processing circuit and is configured to adjust the signal transmitted between the antenna and the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform any steps of any embodiment of the wireless device described above. In some embodiments, the UE also includes an input interface, which is connected to the processing circuit and is configured to allow information to be input into the UE for processing by the processing circuit. The UE may include an output interface, which is connected to the processing circuit and is configured to output information that has been processed by the processing circuit from the UE. The UE may also include a battery, which is connected to the processing circuit and is configured to power the UE.

[0120] Embodiments herein also include a radio network node configured to perform any steps of any embodiment described above for the radio network node.

[0121] The embodiment also includes a radio network node, the radio network node comprising a processing circuit and a power supply circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the radio network node. The power supply circuit is configured to supply power to the radio network node.

[0122] Embodiments also include a radio network node comprising a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the radio network node. In some embodiments, the radio network node further comprises a communication circuit.

[0123] The embodiment further comprises a radio network node comprising a processing circuit and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processing circuit, whereby the radio network node is configured to perform any of the steps of any of the embodiments described above for the radio network node.

[0124] Note that the apparatus described above can perform the methods and any other processing herein by implementing any functional components, modules, units or circuits. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus includes corresponding circuits configured to perform the steps shown in the method diagram. In this regard, the circuit may include circuits dedicated to performing specific functional processing and / or one or more microprocessors in combination with memory. For example, the circuit may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, etc. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program codes stored in a memory, and the memory may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory device, optical storage device, etc. In some embodiments, the program code stored in the memory may include program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols, and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein. In an embodiment using a memory, the memory stores program code, which executes the techniques described herein when executed by one or more processors.

[0125] For example, Fig. 9 A wireless device 900 (e.g., wireless device 12) implemented according to one or more embodiments is shown. As shown, the wireless device 900 includes a processing circuit 910 and a communication circuit 920. The communication circuit 920 (e.g., a radio circuit) is configured to send information to one or more other nodes and / or receive information from one or more other nodes via any communication technology, for example. Such communication can be performed via one or more antennas inside or outside the wireless device 900. The processing circuit 910 is configured to perform the above-mentioned processing, for example, by executing instructions stored in a memory 930. In this regard, the processing circuit 910 can implement specific functional components, units or modules.

[0126] Fig.10A network node 1000 (e.g., network node 14) implemented according to one or more embodiments is shown. As shown, the network node 1000 includes a processing circuit 1010 and a communication circuit 1020. The communication circuit 1020 is configured to send information to one or more other nodes and / or receive information from one or more other nodes, for example, via any communication technology. The processing circuit 1010 is configured to perform the above-mentioned processing, for example, by executing instructions stored in the memory 1030. In this regard, the processing circuit 1010 can implement a specific functional component, unit or module.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the embodiments herein also include corresponding computer programs.

[0128] A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor of a device, causes the device to perform any of the above-mentioned corresponding processes. In this regard, the computer program may include one or more code modules corresponding to the above-mentioned components or units.

[0129] The embodiment also includes a carrier embodying such a computer program. The carrier may include one of an electric signal, an optical signal, a radio signal or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0130] In this regard, embodiments herein also include a computer program product stored on a non-transitory computer-readable (storage or recording) medium and including instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform as described above.

[0131] The embodiment also includes a computer program product, which includes a program code portion, and when the computer program product is executed by a computing device, the program code portion is used to perform the steps of any embodiment in this document. The computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0132] Additional embodiments will now be described.For purposes of illustration, at least some of these embodiments may be described as applicable to certain contexts and / or wireless network types, but the embodiments are similarly applicable to other contexts and / or wireless network types not explicitly described.

[0133] In Release 13, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) developed Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and Long Term Evolution Category M1 (LTE-M). These new radio access technologies provide connectivity to services and applications that require quality, such as reliable indoor coverage and high capacity, as well as low system complexity and optimized device power consumption.

[0134] To support reliable coverage in the most extreme cases, both NB-IoT and LTE-M have the ability to perform link adaptation on all physical channels with the help of subframe bundling and repetition. In the downlink, this applies to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), narrowband PDCCH (NPDCCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), machine type communication (MTC) PDCCH (MPDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), narrowband PDSCH (NPDSCH). In the uplink, this applies to the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), narrowband PUSCH (NPUSCH), physical random access channel (PRACH), narrowband PRACH (NPRACH) and physical uplink control channel (only for LTE-M).

[0135] For Rel-16 enhancements for NB-IoT, it is expected to improve multi-carrier operation by specifying signaling to indicate on a non-anchor carrier used for paging a set of subframes that will contain NRS even if no paging NPDCCH is sent.

[0136] Recall that in Rel-14 for non-anchored paging, NRS was sent only when there was a paging message. The purpose was to minimize network overhead and reduce interference since the paging load is not expected to be high in NB-IoT. Having an always-on NRS for paging on a non-anchor carrier not only increases the energy cost of the operator but also creates unnecessary interference. Furthermore, since LTE resource allocation is done via RBGs (resource block groups), if NB-IoT is deployed in-band, the presence of NRS will fragment the LTE resource allocation and degrade LTE performance. Considering the coexistence of New Radio (NR) with NB-IoT, an always-on NRS is not desirable since it would require configuration of additional reserved resources on the NR carrier.

[0137] However, from the UE's perspective, the presence of NRS on non-anchor carriers is very useful for early termination of NWUS and NPDCCH detection by the UE. More specifically, when there is a paging message being sent, the UE is able to stop early after the UE detects NWUS and / or NPDCCH. But when no paging message is sent, the UE must monitor until the maximum number of repetitions configured for NWUS or NPDCCH transmission (e.g., Rmax). If the UE can estimate the SINR based on the NRS, then if no paging is sent, after monitoring a specific part of the NWUS or NPDCCH transmission, the UE can safely conclude that there is no paging and does not need to monitor until the maximum number of repetitions configured for NWUS or NPDCCH transmission. This can further improve UE energy saving. Therefore, the eNB should only send NRS if it determines that this can benefit certain UEs (i.e., there are UEs that support early termination).

[0138] There are certain challenges. Currently, since no NRS is sent on the non-anchor carrier, the UE can only estimate the SINR based on the measurement of the anchor carrier. However, due to various reasons (such as propagation environment), the radio environment for anchor and non-anchor may differ greatly. Therefore, using the measurement of the anchor carrier as a priori information to decide to terminate NPDCCH monitoring early may lead to significant errors.

[0139] Another way to perform early termination of NPDCCH decoding when there is no paging to the UE is to compare the received energy to a predetermined threshold. However, this may require the UE to observe the non-anchor carrier for a considerable period of time in order to reach a confidence level.

[0140] Certain aspects of the present disclosure and embodiments thereof may provide solutions to these or other challenges. Some embodiments herein propose signaling and configuration methods for the network to implement NRS transmission based on the needs and capabilities of the UE. This can not only minimize NRS transmission on the network side, but also enable the UE to terminate NPDCCH decoding early without paging being sent.

[0141] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. Some embodiments provide methods for the network to minimize NRS transmissions, but still enable the UE to use NRS to estimate SINR for early termination of NPDCCH decoding when no paging is sent.

[0142] More specifically, in NB-IoT, a user equipment (UE) in radio resource control (RRC) idle mode wakes up at its configured paging occasion (PO) to monitor paging. The paging message is carried by the narrowband physical downlink shared channel (NPDSCH), which is scheduled by downlink control information (DCI) carried by the narrowband downlink control channel (NPDCCH). The UE first needs to try to decode the NPDCCH to identify whether there is a DCI scrambled by its assigned paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI). If the UE finds the DCI, the UE will continue to check the scheduled NPDSCH to see if the UE is paged. If the UE does not find the DCI, the UE returns to sleep and wakes up in the next PO to repeat the process.

[0143] NB-IoT supports up to 20dB coverage extension compared to LTE or GSM systems. Enhanced coverage is achieved through power boost and excess repetitions. The maximum repetition number (Rmax) of NPDCCH is 2048. If there is an NPDCCH carried by DCI, the UE can easily perform early NPDCCH decoding termination because the UE can stop decoding when the CRC passes. However, if there is no DCI carried by NPDCCH (i.e., when no information is being sent), it will not be easy for the UE to perform early termination because the UE does not know whether it is in poor coverage, which requires the UE to accumulate enough energy to decode, or in poor coverage where no information is being sent at all.

[0144] In order to prevent the UE from monitoring paging until the configured Rmax (maximum number of repetitions of NPDCCH configured by the network) on the NB-IoT carrier, a wake-up signal (NWUS) is specified in Rel 15. The UE only needs to monitor NWUS that is much shorter than Rmax to determine whether it needs to monitor subsequent paging. This can already achieve significant energy savings at the UE. Of course, when no NWUS is detected, the UE does not need to monitor NPDCCH for paging. Early termination of NWUS detection can also provide energy savings at the UE. [2]

[0145] By estimating the downlink (DL) signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) using a narrowband reference signal (NRS), UEs at least in good coverage can perform early termination of NPDCCH and NWUS when no paging is sent. However, the problem is that in current NB-IoT systems, on non-anchored, when a paging DCI is sent from the network, the UE can only assume the presence of NRS. More specifically, in TS 36.211 it is specified that:

[0146] "When a NB-IoT UE is configured by higher layers to decode NPDCCH with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI, the UE may assume that the NRS is sent in the NPDCCH candidate in which the UE found a DCI with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI. The UE may also assume that the NRS is sent in the 10 NB-IoT DL subframes before and the 4 NB-IoT DL subframes after the NPDCCH candidate in which the UE found a DCI with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI. If the DCI with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI schedules NPDSCH, the UE may assume that the NRS is sent in the NB-IoT DL subframe carrying the NPDSCH and in the 4 NB-IoT DL subframes before and after the scheduled NPDSCH."

[0147] As mentioned above, having NRS transmission always on has many disadvantages. Therefore, it is better to send NRS only when necessary. But on the other hand, when no paging DCI is sent, the UE needs NRS to estimate the DL SINR to perform NPDCCH or NWUS early termination.

[0148] Note that in order for the UE not to monitor paging until the Rmax configured on the NB-IoT carrier, NWUS is specified in Rel 15. The UE only needs to monitor NWUS that is much shorter than Rmax to determine whether it needs to monitor subsequent paging. This can already achieve significant energy savings at the UE.

[0149] Of course, when no NWUS is detected, the UE does not need to monitor the NPDCCH for paging. Early termination of NWUS detection can also provide energy saving at the UE. Since the purpose of sending NRS is to facilitate early termination of NWUS, NRS should only be sent at the beginning of the WUS subframe to facilitate the UE to estimate SINR.

[0150] When NWUS is not configured, i.e., the UE is configured to monitor the NPDCCH directly for paging, the presence of NRS can assist the UE in estimating the DL SINR and performing early termination of NPDCCH decoding to save energy. If paging is sent on a non-anchor carrier, the NRS may be present in the 10 NB-IoT DL subframes before the NPDCCH scrambled by the P-RNTI and in the 4 NB-IoT DL subframes after the NPDCCH. The 10 NB-IoT DL subframes before the NPDCCH are used for the UE to warm up, perform measurements, and for cross-subframe channel estimation.

[0151] Since energy saving is only expected for UEs in good coverage, it is expected that the UE only needs a small number of NB-IoT DL subframes to estimate the SINR when paging is not sent. In order to have the behavior at the UE as if paging is sent, up to 10 NB-IoT DL subframes should be sent before the NPDCCH search space so that the UE estimates the SINR when paging is not sent. If 10 NB-IoT DL subframes are not enough (because the purpose is to facilitate early termination), additional NRS should be sent only in the beginning part of the NPDCCH search space. Note that these subframes are only used for UE to estimate the SINR to facilitate early termination. These subframes are not expected to be used for other purposes, for example, idle mode mobility measurements for cell selection or reselection.

[0152] In these and other embodiments, note that the NPDCCH search space can be defined as follows: NPDCCH search space at aggregation level L′∈{1,2} and repetition level R∈{1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128,256,512,1024,2048} Defined by a set of NPDCCH candidates, where each candidate is repeated in a set of R consecutive NB-IoT downlink subframes (excluding the subframes used to send SI messages starting from subframe k).

[0153] Some embodiments propose the following to enable the network to minimize NRS transmission, but it can still enable the UE to use NRS to estimate SINR for early termination NPDCCH decoding when no paging is sent.

[0154] In the first embodiment, the UE is required to report its ability to support early termination of NPDCCH and / or NWUS to the network. The network (e.g., MME or AMF) will store this information and notify the eNB in ​​the UE's tracking area of ​​the UE's capabilities.

[0155] In a second embodiment, the UE may also report, together with the capability, its required number of (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS for DL ​​SINR measurement. The UE may also report a set of different numbers of (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS for different SINR ranges. For example, at X dB SINR, the UE requires N (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS for reliable DL SINR measurements to perform early termination of NPDCCH and / or NWUS; at Y dB SINR, the UE requires M (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS for reliable DL SINR measurements to perform early termination of NPDCCH and / or NWUS. This allows different UE implementations.

[0156] In an alternative embodiment, the network can learn / estimate (machine learning) how many NRS (e.g., NRS reference symbols or subframes) are needed for a specific SINR or a specific coverage extension (enhanced coverage mode 1, enhanced coverage mode 2). This can be based on the network side and the energy saving target according to the number of UEs supporting this function in the cell and their (coverage) distribution.

[0157] In a third embodiment, the network configures the transmission of NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS based on information it obtains from different UEs or from its own estimates. For example, the network can find the minimum common number that satisfies P% of UEs in a cell or tracking area. Each eNB can broadcast this configuration in the system information (SI).

[0158] In a fourth embodiment, the UE checks the configuration in the SI. If the configured number of (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS is sufficient for the UE to correctly estimate the SINR and perform early termination with the estimated SINR, the UE will perform early termination of NPDCCH or NWUS without paging. If the UE determines that the configured number of (continuous) NB-IoT DL subframes containing NRS does not give a reliable SINR estimate for early termination, for example based on the quality of the anchor carrier or the quality of the SINR estimate or decoding of other previous channels, the UE will continue to monitor the NPDCCH until Rmax without paging.

[0159] In one of the embodiments, when paging is not sent, a maximum of 10 NB-IoT DL subframes should be sent before the NPDCCH search space for the UE to estimate the SINR.

[0160] In one embodiment, NRS is sent only in the beginning of the NPDCCH search space (denoted by L). And this is configured according to Rmax, for example, L=Rmax / K, where K=1, 2, 3..., 2048 or L=a*Rmax, where a=1 / (1, 2, 3..., 2048). Here, L or a will be signaled in SI.

[0161] In one of the embodiments, for in-band deployment, the network may signal the configuration of LTE CRS on the anchor carrier. The UE may use LTE CRS to estimate DL SINR and perform early termination of NPDCCH and / or NWUS.

[0162] In addition, as mentioned above, in in-band deployment, it is best not to fragment the LTE resource allocation. One possibility is to place the non-anchor carrier next to or near the anchor carrier in the same RBG. More specifically, in LTE systems, in order to reduce signaling overhead, downlink resources are grouped into RBGs, and RBGs are allocated for DL ​​data transmission. Depending on the system bandwidth, the RBG size can be 1, 2, 3, or 4 resource blocks (RBs). For NB-IoT in-band deployment, each carrier (anchor or non-anchor) occupies one RB in the LTE system. However, since RBG defines the granularity of DL resource allocation, that is, multiple RBs are bundled together, in order not to fragment the DL resource allocation in the LTE system, it is preferred to place the non-anchor carrier next to or near the anchor carrier in the same RBG. If the non-anchor carrier happens to be next to or near the anchor carrier, the UE can use the anchor carrier to estimate the SINR and convert the SINR according to the power difference between the anchor carrier and the non-anchor carrier. The UE may need to use some NRS on the non-anchor carrier to verify the SINR, but is expected to use much fewer NRS subframes.

[0163] In one of the embodiments, the network may configure and send subframes with NRSN before every (or every L) NPDCCH search space (and / or in the beginning of the NPDCCH search space) or every (or every K) DRX cycle. The network sends this information to the UE in the SI.

[0164] In one of the embodiments, the location of the non-anchor carrier is signaled to the UE (explicitly or implicitly). The number of subframes containing NRS depends on the distance between the non-anchor carrier and the anchor carrier. That is, if the non-anchor carrier is close to the anchor carrier, less NRS is required, and vice versa.

[0165] In one of the embodiments, the network power boosts the NRS sent for SINR estimation purposes. For example, the NRS can be sent at a higher power than the data channel, or when used with NPDCCH and / or NPDSCH, the NRS is sent at a higher power than its normal power level. This will enable the UE to perform more efficient and reliable SINR estimation. The level of power boost is signaled to the UE from the network.

[0166] In one of the embodiments, the network power densifies the transmitted NRS configuration. Densification means that additional resource elements are used for reference symbol transmission. Again, this will enable the UE to perform more efficient and reliable SINR estimation. The densified NRS configuration is sent to the UE from network signaling.

[0167] exist Fig.11A non-exclusive description of some embodiments is given in . In this example, no NPDCCH is sent. Assume that Rmax=32 and the 4 NB-IoT DL subframes at the beginning of the NPDCCH search space are configured with NRS. Before the NPDCCH search space, ten NB-IoT DL subframes are configured with NRS.

[0168] Based on 36.331v15.2.2 Fig. 12A and 12B Non-exclusive UE capability signaling is given in . In this example, the UE reports its early termination capability to the network.

[0169] In view of the above, according to some embodiments herein, the UE may signal its early termination capability to assist the eNB in ​​deciding whether to enable NRS transmission on a non-anchor carrier to assist the UE in early termination.

[0170] It is also observed that significant energy savings from early termination occur only when the UE is in good coverage and Rmax is large. For UEs with MCL greater than 154dB, the gain is not so significant. Therefore, early termination may not provide significant gains for UEs when MCL is large.

[0171] Since the purpose of sending NRS is to facilitate early termination of WUS, in some embodiments, NRS is sent only at the beginning of the WUS subframe to facilitate UE estimation of SINR. Therefore, some embodiments do not require signaling support to indicate the presence of NRS on the NB-IoT carrier where WUS is configured.

[0172] In some embodiments, when WUS is not configured, up to 10 NB-IoT DL subframes are sent before the NPDCCH search space for the UE to perform SINR estimation for early termination. If 10 NB-IoT DL subframes are not enough, additional NRS can only be sent at the beginning of the NPDCCH search space (which should be significantly less than Rmax) to facilitate the UE to estimate SINR. Otherwise, the UE can simply monitor the entire configured NPDCCH search space.

[0173] In some in-band configurations, a much smaller NRS density may be expected, i.e., an NRS may be associated with every L NPDCCH search spaces. Then, in some embodiments, the eNB may be configured to send an NRS associated with every L NPDCCH search spaces. In addition, for in-band operation, CRS may also be used to estimate SINR to facilitate early termination.

[0174] Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to wireless networks such as Fig.13 For simplicity, Fig.13 The wireless network of FIG. 1 depicts only network 1306, network nodes 1360 and 1360b, and WDs 1310, 1310b, and 1310c. In practice, the wireless network may also include any additional units suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device (e.g., a landline phone, a service provider, or any other network node or terminal device). In the components shown, network node 1360 and wireless device (WD) 1310 are depicted in additional detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate wireless devices to access and / or use services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0175] A wireless network may include and / or be connected to any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular and / or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, a wireless network may be configured to operate according to a specific standard or other type of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, specific embodiments of a wireless network may implement communication standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards such as IEEE 802.11 standards; and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-wave, and / or ZigBee standards.

[0176] Network 1306 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks that enable communications between devices.

[0177] The network node 1360 and the WD 1310 include various components described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and / or wireless device functions, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals via wired or wireless connections.

[0178] As used herein, a network node refers to a device that is capable of, configured to, arranged to, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and / or with other network nodes or devices in a wireless network to enable and / or provide wireless access to a wireless device and / or perform other functions (e.g., management) in a wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, node Bs, evolved node Bs (eNBs), and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations can be classified based on the amount of coverage provided by the base stations (or in other words, their transmit power levels), and then they may also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node that controls a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station, such as a centralized digital unit and / or a remote radio unit (RRU) (sometimes also referred to as a remote radio head (RRH)). Such a remote radio unit may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna-integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as an MSR BS, a network controller such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a transmission point, a transmission node, a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), a core network node (e.g., MSC, MME), an O&M node, an OSS node, a SON node, a positioning node (e.g., E-SMLC), and / or an MDT. As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. However, more generally, a network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) that is capable of, configured to, arranged to, and / or operable to enable a wireless device to access a wireless network and / or provide access to a wireless network to a wireless device or provide a certain service to a wireless device that has accessed a wireless network. Any of the network nodes described above may implement Figures 5A to 4B The method implemented by the network node described in .

[0179] exist Fig.13 In the embodiment, the network node 1360 includes a processing circuit 1370, a device readable medium 1380, an interface 1390, an auxiliary device 1384, a power supply 1386, a power supply circuit 1387, and an antenna 1362. Fig.13The network node 1360 shown in the example wireless network of can represent a device including a combination of hardware components illustrated, but other embodiments can include network nodes with different combinations of components. It should be understood that the network node includes any suitable combination of hardware and / or software required to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. In addition, although the components of the network node 1360 are depicted as a single box located within a larger box or nested within multiple boxes, in reality, the network node may include multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (for example, the device readable medium 1380 may include multiple separate hard drives and multiple RAM modules).

[0180] Similarly, the network node 1360 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., NodeB components and RNC components, or BTS components and BSC components, etc.), each of which may have its own corresponding components. In some cases where the network node 1360 includes multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more separate components may be shared between several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In this case, each unique NodeB and RNC pair may be considered as a separate network node in some cases. In some embodiments, the network node 1360 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such an embodiment, some components may be replicated (e.g., separate device-readable media 1380 for different RATs), while some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 1362 may be shared by RATs). The network node 1360 may also include multiple groups of various example components for different wireless technologies (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies) integrated into the network node 1360. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets and other components within network node 1360 .

[0181] The processing circuit 1370 is configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as provided by the network node. The operations performed by the processing circuit 1370 may include: processing information obtained by the processing circuit 1370, such as by converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information; and making a determination as a result of the processing.

[0182] The processing circuit 1370 may include a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide network node 1360 functionality, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1360 components (e.g., device readable medium 1380). For example, the processing circuit 1370 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium 1380 or in a memory within the processing circuit 1370. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 1370 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

[0183] In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1370 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1372 and baseband processing circuitry 1374. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1372 and baseband processing circuitry 1374 may be on separate chips (or chipsets), boards, or units (e.g., a radio unit and a digital unit). In alternative embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 1372 and baseband processing circuitry 1374 may be on the same chip or chipset, board, or unit.

[0184] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by a processing circuit 1370 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium 1380 or a memory within the processing circuit 1370. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by the processing circuit 1370 without the need to execute instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of these embodiments, the processing circuit 1370 may be configured to perform the described functions regardless of whether instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to the processing circuit 1370 or other components of the network node 1360, but are enjoyed by the network node 1360 as a whole and / or generally by end users and wireless networks.

[0185] Device readable medium 1380 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory, including but not limited to permanent memory, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drive, compact disk (CD), or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by processing circuit 1370. Device readable medium 1380 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including one or more of a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc., and / or other instructions that can be executed by processing circuit 1370 and utilized by network node 1360. Device readable medium 1380 may be used to store any computations performed by processing circuit 1370 and / or any data received via interface 1390. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1370 and device readable medium 1380 may be considered integrated.

[0186] Interface 1390 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between network node 1360, network 1306 and / or WD 1310. As shown, interface 1390 includes port / terminal 1394 to send and receive data to and from network 1306, for example, by wired connection. Interface 1390 also includes radio front-end circuit 1392 that can be coupled to antenna 1362 or be a part of antenna 1362 in some embodiments. Radio front-end circuit 1392 includes filter 1398 and amplifier 1396. Radio front-end circuit 1392 can be connected to antenna 1362 and processing circuit 1370. Radio front-end circuit 1392 can be configured to adjust the signal transmitted between antenna 1362 and processing circuit 1370. Radio front-end circuit 1392 can receive digital data that will be sent to other network nodes or WD by wireless connection. Radio front-end circuit 1392 can use the combination of filter 1398 and / or amplifier 1396 to convert digital data into radio signals with appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 1362. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1362 may collect the radio signal, which may then be converted into digital data by radio front end circuit 1392. The digital data may be passed to processing circuit 1370. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0187] In some alternative embodiments, the network node 1360 may not include a separate radio front end circuit 1392, but rather, the processing circuit 1370 may include the radio front end circuit and may be connected to the antenna 1362 without the separate radio front end circuit 1392. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuit 1372 may be considered part of the interface 1390. In other embodiments, the interface 1390 may include one or more ports or terminals 1394, the radio front end circuit 1392, and the RF transceiver circuit 1372 as part of a wireless unit (not shown), and the interface 1390 may communicate with a baseband processing circuit 1374 that is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0188] Antenna 1362 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. Antenna 1362 may be coupled to radio front-end circuit 1392 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly sending and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, antenna 1362 may include one or more omnidirectional, sector or flat panel antennas operable to send / receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. Omnidirectional antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals in any direction, sector antennas may be used to send / receive radio signals from devices within a specific area, and flat panel antennas may be line of sight antennas for sending / receiving radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some cases, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In some embodiments, antenna 1362 may be separated from network node 1360 and may be connected to network node 1360 via an interface or port.

[0189] Antenna 1362, interface 1390 and / or processing circuit 1370 can be configured to perform any receiving operation and / or specific obtaining operation described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal can be received from a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device. Similarly, antenna 1362, interface 1390 and / or processing circuit 1370 can be configured to perform any sending operation described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and / or signal can be sent to a wireless device, another network node and / or any other network device.

[0190] The power circuit 1387 may include or be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to provide power to the components of the network node 1360 to perform the functions described herein. The power circuit 1387 may receive power from the power supply 1386. The power supply 1386 and / or the power circuit 1387 may be configured to provide power to the various components of the network node 1360 in a form suitable for the various components (e.g., at the voltage and current level required by each corresponding component). The power supply 1386 may be included in the power circuit 1387 and / or the network node 1360 or outside it. For example, the network node 1360 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface (e.g., a cable), whereby the external power source provides power to the power circuit 1387. As another example, the power supply 1386 may include a power source in the form of a battery or a battery pack, which is connected to or integrated in the power circuit 1387. If the external power supply fails, the battery can provide backup power. Other types of power supplies, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[0191] Alternative embodiments of network node 1360 may include Fig.13 Additional components beyond those shown may be responsible for providing specific aspects of the functionality of a network node, including any functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 1360 may include a user interface device to allow information to be input into network node 1360 and to allow information to be output from network node 1360. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other management functions of network node 1360.

[0192] As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable of, configured to, arranged to and / or operable to wirelessly communicate with a network node and / or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise specified, the term WD may be used interchangeably with user equipment (UE) in this article. Wireless communication may involve the use of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information through the air to send and / or receive wireless signals. In some embodiments, WD may be configured to send and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, WD may be designed to send information to the network in a predetermined schedule when triggered by an internal or external event or in response to a request from the network. Examples of WD include, but are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, mobile phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablet computers, laptop computers, laptop computer built-in devices (LEEs), laptop computer installation devices (LMEs), smart devices, wireless client equipment (CPEs), vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, etc. WD can support device-to-device (D2D) communication (e.g., by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communication), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and in this case can be referred to as a D2D communication device. As another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, WD can represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and sends the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another WD and / or network node. In this case, WD can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which can be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As a specific example, WD can be a UE that implements the 3GPP narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or household or personal appliances (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, etc.), personal wearable devices (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other cases, WD can represent a vehicle or other device that can monitor and / or report its operating status or other functions associated with its operation. WD as described above can represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device can be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, the WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[0193] As shown, wireless device 130 includes antenna 1311, interface 1314, processing circuit 1320, device readable medium 1330, user interface device 1332, auxiliary device 1334, power supply 1336 and power supply circuit 1337. WD 1310 may include multiple groups of one or more of the components shown for different wireless technologies supported by WD 1310 (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, to name a few). These wireless technologies can be integrated into the same or different chips or chipsets as other components in WD 1310.

[0194] Antenna 1311 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to send and / or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface 1314. In some alternative embodiments, antenna 1311 may be separated from WD 1310 and may be connected to WD 1310 via an interface or port. Antenna 1311, interface 1314 and / or processing circuit 1320 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operation described herein as being performed by WD. Any information, data and / or signal may be received from a network node and / or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuit and / or antenna 1311 may be considered as an interface.

[0195] As shown, the interface 1314 includes a radio front-end circuit 1312 and an antenna 1311. The radio front-end circuit 1312 includes one or more filters 1318 and an amplifier 1316. The radio front-end circuit 1312 is connected to the antenna 1311 and the processing circuit 1320, and is configured to adjust the signal transmitted between the antenna 1311 and the processing circuit 1320. The radio front-end circuit 1312 may be coupled to the antenna 1311 or as part of the antenna 1311. In some embodiments, the WD 1310 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 1312; instead, the processing circuit 1320 may include a radio front-end circuit and may be connected to the antenna 1311. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 1322 may be considered as part of the interface 1314. The radio front-end circuit 1312 may receive digital data sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuit 1312 may convert the digital data into a radio signal with appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1318 and / or amplifiers 1316. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 1311. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1311 may collect the radio signal, which is then converted into digital data by radio front end circuit 1312. The digital data may be passed to processing circuit 1320. In other embodiments, the interface may include different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0196] The processing circuit 1320 may include a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide WD 1310 functionality alone or in conjunction with other WD 1310 components (e.g., device readable medium 1330). Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, the processing circuit 1320 may execute instructions stored in the device readable medium 1330 or in a memory within the processing circuit 1320 to provide functionality disclosed herein.

[0197] As shown, the processing circuit 1320 includes one or more of the RF transceiver circuit 1322, the baseband processing circuit 1324, and the application processing circuit 1326. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may include different components and / or different combinations of components. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 1320 of the WD 1310 may include a SOC. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit 1322, the baseband processing circuit 1324, and the application processing circuit 1326 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In an alternative embodiment, part or all of the baseband processing circuit 1324 and the application processing circuit 1326 may be combined into one chip or chipset, and the RF transceiver circuit 1322 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In yet another alternative embodiment, part or all of the RF transceiver circuit 1322 and the baseband processing circuit 1324 may be on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuit 1326 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuit 1322, baseband processing circuit 1324, and application processing circuit 1326 may be combined in the same chip or chipset. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuit 1322 may be part of interface 1314. RF transceiver circuit 1322 may condition RF signals for processing circuit 1320.

[0198] In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein as being performed by the WD may be provided by a processing circuit 1320 that executes instructions stored on a device-readable medium 1330, which may be a computer-readable storage device medium in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functions may be provided by the processing circuit 1320 without the need to execute instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of these specific embodiments, the processing circuit 1320 may be configured to perform the described functions regardless of whether the instructions stored on the device-readable storage medium are executed. The benefits provided by such functions are not limited to separate processing circuits 1320 or other components of the WD 1310, but may be enjoyed by the WD 1310 and / or end users and wireless networks as a whole.

[0199] The processing circuit 1320 may be configured to perform any determination, calculation, or similar operation (e.g., a specific acquisition operation) described herein as being performed by the WD. These operations performed by the processing circuit 1320 may include: processing information obtained by the processing circuit 1320, such as by converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or the converted information with information stored by the WD 1310, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or the converted information; and making a determination as a result of the processing.

[0200] Device readable medium 1330 may be used to store computer programs, software, applications including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc., and / or other instructions that can be executed by processing circuit 1320. Device readable medium 1330 may include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable storage device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that can be used by processing circuit 1320. In some embodiments, processing circuit 1320 and device readable medium 1330 may be considered integrated.

[0201] The user interface device 1332 may provide components that allow a human user to interact with the WD 1310. This interaction may have a variety of forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The user interface device 1332 may be used to generate output to the user and allow the user to provide input to the WD 1310. The type of interaction may vary, depending on the type of user interface device 1332 installed in the WD 1310. For example, if the WD 1310 is a smart phone, the interaction may be through a touch screen; if the WD 1310 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alarm (e.g., if smoke is detected). The user interface device 1332 may include input interfaces, devices, and circuits and output interfaces, devices, and circuits. The user interface device 1332 is configured to allow information to be input to the WD 1310, and is connected to the processing circuit 1320 to allow the processing circuit 1320 to process the input information. The user interface device 1332 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity sensor or other sensor, a key / button, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuits. The user interface device 1332 is also configured to allow information to be output from the WD 1310 and to allow the processing circuit 1320 to output information from the WD 1310. The user interface device 1332 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, a vibration circuit, a USB port, a headphone jack, or other output circuits. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits of the user interface device 1332, the WD 1310 can communicate with end users and / or wireless networks and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0202] Auxiliary device 1334 is operable to provide more specific functionality that a WD may not normally be able to perform. This may include specialized sensors for taking measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional communication types such as wired communications, etc. The inclusion and types of components of auxiliary device 1334 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0203] In some embodiments, the power source 1336 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as an external power source (e.g., a power outlet), a photovoltaic device, or a battery. The WD 1310 may also include a power circuit 1337 for transmitting power from the power source 1336 to various parts of the WD 1310 that require power from the power source 1336 to perform any functions described or indicated herein. In some embodiments, the power circuit 1337 may include a power management circuit. The power circuit 1337 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in this case, the WD 1310 may be connected to an external power source (e.g., a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface (e.g., a power cable). In some embodiments, the power circuit 1337 may also be operable to transfer power from an external power source to the power source 1336. This may be used, for example, to charge the power source 1336. The power circuit 1337 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modification of the power from the power source 1336 to make the power suitable for the various components of the WD 1310 to which it provides power.

[0204] Fig.14 One embodiment of a UE in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the associated device. Rather, a UE may represent a device that is intended to be sold to or operated by a human user but may not be, or may not initially be, associated with a particular human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended to be sold to or operated by an end user, but may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE 1400 may be any UE identified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-IoT UE, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. As Fig.14 As shown, UE 1400 is an example of a WD that is configured to communicate according to one or more communication standards promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and / or 5G standards. As previously mentioned, the terms WD and UE can be used interchangeably. Therefore, although Fig.14 It is UE, but the components discussed in this article are also applicable to WD and vice versa.

[0205] exist Fig.14In the embodiment, UE 1400 includes a processing circuit 1401 operably coupled to an input / output interface 1405, a radio frequency (RF) interface 1409, a network connection interface 1411, a memory 1415 (including a random access memory (RAM) 1417, a read-only memory (ROM) 1419, and a storage medium 1421, etc.), a communication subsystem 1431, a power supply 1413, and / or any other components or any combination thereof. The storage medium 1421 includes an operating system 1423, an application 1425, and data 1427. In other embodiments, the storage medium 1421 may include other similar types of information. Some UEs may utilize Fig.14 All components shown, or only a subset of these components. The level of integration between components may vary from one UE to another UE. In addition, some UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0206] exist Fig.14 , processing circuit 1401 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. Processing circuit 1401 may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operable to execute machine instructions stored as a machine-readable computer program in memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in the form of discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic and appropriate firmware; one or more stored programs, general-purpose processors (e.g., microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs)) and appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, processing circuit 1401 may include two central processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0207] In the depicted embodiment, the input / output interface 1405 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, an output device, or an input and output device. The UE 1400 may be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface 1405. The output device may use the same type of interface port as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to the UE 1400 or to provide output from the UE 1400. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, a transmitter, a smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE 1400 may be configured to use an input device via the input / output interface 1405 to allow a user to capture information into the UE 1400. The input device may include a touch-sensitive display or a presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a steering wheel, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smart card, etc. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from the user. The sensor can be, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another similar sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device can be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[0208] exist Fig.14 In the embodiment of the present invention, the RF interface 1409 can be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as transmitters, receivers, and antennas. The network connection interface 1411 can be configured to provide a communication interface to the network 1443a. The network 1443a can cover a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 1443a can include a Wi-Fi network. The network connection interface 1411 can be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface for communicating with one or more other devices through a communication network according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, ATM, etc.). The network connection interface 1411 can implement receiver and transmitter functions suitable for communication network links (e.g., optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions can share circuit components, software, or firmware, or can be implemented separately.

[0209] RAM 1417 may be configured to be connected to processing circuit 1401 via bus 1402 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during execution of software programs such as operating systems, applications, and device drivers. ROM 1419 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuit 1401. For example, ROM 1419 may be configured to store unchanged low-level system code or data for basic system functions (such as basic input and output (I / O), startup, or keystrokes received from a keyboard) stored in non-volatile memory. Storage medium 1421 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), disk, optical disk, floppy disk, hard disk, removable cassette or flash drive. In one example, storage medium 1421 may be configured to include operating system 1423, application 1425 such as web browser application, widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 1427. The storage medium 1421 may store any one of various operating systems or a combination of operating systems for use by the UE 1400 .

[0210] The storage medium 1421 may be configured to include multiple physical drive units, such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), a floppy disk drive, a flash memory, a USB flash drive, an external hard drive, a thumb drive, a pen drive, a key drive, a high-density digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) optical drive, an internal hard drive, a Blu-ray optical drive, a holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical drive, an external mini dual in-line memory module (DIMM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), an external micro DIMM SDRAM, a smart card memory (e.g., a subscriber identity module (SIM) or a removable user identity (RUIM) module), other memory, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 1421 may allow the UE 1400 to access computer executable instructions, applications, etc. stored on a temporary or non-temporary storage medium to unload data or upload data. An article of manufacture (such as an article of manufacture utilizing a communication system) may be tangibly embodied in the storage medium 1421, which may include a device-readable medium.

[0211] exist Fig.14In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing circuit 1401 may be configured to communicate with the network 1443b using the communication subsystem 1431. The network 1443a and the network 1443b may be the same network or different networks. The communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with the network 1443b. For example, the communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include one or more transceivers for communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device (e.g., another WD, UE, or a base station of a radio access network (RAN)) capable of wireless communication according to one or more communication protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.7, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, etc.). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1433 and / or a receiver 1435 to respectively implement a transmitter or receiver function (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.) suitable for a RAN link. In addition, the transmitter 1433 and the receiver 1435 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or may alternatively be implemented separately.

[0212] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of the communication subsystem 1431 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communication such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication (such as using a global positioning system (GPS) to determine location), another similar communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem 1431 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. The network 1443b may include a wired and / or wireless network (such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof). For example, the network 1443b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and / or a near-field network. The power supply 1413 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the components of the UE 1400.

[0213] The features, benefits and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 1400, or may be divided between multiple components of UE 1400. In addition, the features, benefits and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include any component described herein. In addition, the processing circuit 1401 may be configured to communicate with any such component via a bus 1402. In another example, any such component may be represented by a program instruction stored in a memory, which performs the corresponding function described herein when executed by the processing circuit 1401. In another example, the function of any such component may be divided between the processing circuit 1401 and the communication subsystem 1431. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any such component may be implemented in software or firmware, and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0214] Fig.15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualized environment 1500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of an apparatus or device, which may include a virtualized hardware platform, storage devices, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization may be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) or a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, or any other type of communication device) or a component thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functions are implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., by one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers executed on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0215] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components performed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 1500 hosted by one or more hardware nodes 1530. Furthermore, in embodiments where the virtual nodes are not radio access nodes or do not require radio connectivity (e.g., core network nodes), the network nodes may be fully virtualized.

[0216] These functions may be implemented by one or more applications 1520 (alternatively referred to as software instances, virtual devices, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) to implement certain features, functions, and / or benefits of some embodiments disclosed herein. The applications 1520 run in a virtualized environment 1500, which provides hardware 1530 including processing circuits 1560 and memory 1590. The memory 1590 contains instructions 1595 that can be executed by the processing circuits 1560, whereby the applications 1520 are operable to provide one or more features, benefits, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0217] The virtualized environment 1500 includes a general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware device 1530, which includes a set of one or more processors or processing circuits 1560, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuit including digital or analog hardware components or special-purpose processors. Each hardware device may include a memory 1590-1, which may be a non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 1595 or software executed by the processing circuit 1560. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 1570 (also known as network interface cards), which include a physical network interface 1580. Each hardware device may also include a non-transitory persistent machine-readable storage medium 1590-2 in which software 1595 and / or instructions executable by the processing circuit 1560 are stored. The software 1595 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 1550 (also referred to as hypervisors), software for executing virtual machines 1540, and software that enables them to perform functions, features, and / or benefits associated with some of the embodiments described herein.

[0218] The virtual machine 1540 includes virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual network or interface, and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 1550 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of instances of the virtual device 1520 may be implemented on one or more virtual machines 1540 and may be implemented in different ways.

[0219] During operation, processing circuitry 1560 executes software 1595 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer 1550, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer 1550 may present to virtual machines 1540 a virtual operating platform that appears to be networked hardware.

[0220] like Fig.15 As shown, hardware 1530 can be an independent network node with common or specific components. Hardware 1530 can include antenna 15225, and some functions can be implemented through virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 1530 can be part of a larger hardware cluster (e.g., such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)), in which many hardware nodes work together and are managed by management and orchestration (MANO) 15100 that oversees the lifecycle management of application 1520, among other things.

[0221] In some contexts, virtualization of hardware is referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV can be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry-standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers and customer premises equipment.

[0222] In the context of NFV, a virtual machine 1540 may be a software implementation of a physical program that runs the program as if it were executed on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each virtual machine 1540 and the portion of the hardware 1530 that executes the virtual machine (whether hardware dedicated to the virtual machine and / or hardware shared by the virtual machine with other virtual machines 1540) form a separate virtual network element (VNE).

[0223] Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions in one or more virtual machines 1540 running on top of the hardware network infrastructure 1530 and interacting with Fig.15 Corresponding to application 1520 in.

[0224] In some embodiments, one or more radio units 15200, each including one or more transmitters 15220 and one or more receivers 15210, may be coupled to one or more antennas 15225. The radio units 15200 may communicate directly with the hardware nodes 1530 via one or more appropriate network interfaces, and may be used in conjunction with virtual components to provide radio capabilities for virtual nodes, such as radio access nodes or base stations.

[0225] In some embodiments, some signaling may be accomplished through the use of a control system 15230 , which may alternatively be used for communications between the hardware node 1530 and the radio unit 15200 .

[0226] Fig.16 A telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to some embodiments is shown. Fig.16According to an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 1610 such as a 3GPP type cellular network, which includes an access network 1611 such as a radio access network and a core network 1614. The access network 1611 includes a plurality of base stations 1612a, 1612b, 1612c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1613a, 1613b, 1613c. Each base station 1612a, 1612b, 1612c may be connected to the core network 1614 via a wired or wireless connection 1615. A first UE 1691 located in the coverage area 1613C is configured to be wirelessly connected to or paged by the corresponding base station 1612C. A second UE 1692 in the coverage area 1613a may be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station 1612a. Although multiple UEs 1691 , 1692 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where only a UE is in the coverage area or a only UE is connected to the corresponding base station 1612 .

[0227] The telecommunications network 1610 itself is connected to a host computer 1630, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. The host computer 1630 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of a service provider. The connections 1621 and 1622 between the telecommunications network 1610 and the host computer 1630 may extend directly from the core network 1614 to the host computer 1630, or may be via an optional intermediate network 1620. The intermediate network 1620 may be one of a public, private, or managed network, or a combination of multiple thereof; the intermediate network 1620 (if any) may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 1620 may include two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0228] Overall, Fig.16The communication system of 1691 realizes the connection between the connected UE 1691, 1692 and the host computer 1630. The connection can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1650. The host computer 1630 and the connected computer UE 1691, 1692 are configured to use the access network 1611, the core network 1614, any intermediate network 1620 and possible other infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries to transmit data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 1650. The OTT connection 1650 can be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 1650 passes are unaware of the routing of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 1612 may not be informed or need not be informed of the past routing of the incoming downlink communication, which has data originating from the host computer 1630 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 1691. Similarly, base station 1612 need not be aware of the future routing of outgoing uplink communications originating from UE 1691 toward host computer 1630 .

[0229] According to one embodiment, reference will now be made to Fig.17 Example implementations of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the previous paragraphs are described. Fig.17 An example host computer is shown that communicates with a user device via a base station through a partially wireless connection according to some embodiments. In the communication system 1700, the host computer 1710 includes hardware 1715, which includes a communication interface 1716 configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection with different communication devices of the communication system 1700. The host computer 1710 also includes a processing circuit 1718, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit 1718 may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these items (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer 1710 also includes software 1711, which is stored in the host computer 1710 or can be accessed by the host computer 1710 and can be executed by the processing circuit 1718. Software 1711 includes a host application 1712. The host application 1712 is operable to provide services to a remote user (such as UE 1730) connected via an OTT connection 1750 that terminates at the UE 1730 and the host computer 1710. In providing services to the remote user, the host application 1712 may provide user data sent using the OTT connection 1750.

[0230] The communication system 1700 also includes a base station 1720, which is provided in the telecommunication system and includes hardware 1725 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 1710 and with the UE 1730. The hardware 1725 may include a communication interface 1726 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 1700, and for establishing and maintaining connections with the base station 1720 in the coverage area ( Fig.17 1727 of at least a wireless connection 1770 of a UE 1730 in the embodiment of the present invention. The communication interface 1726 may be configured to facilitate a connection 1760 with a host computer 1710. The connection 1760 may be direct or may pass through a core network (eg, a wireless communication network) of a telecommunications system. Fig.17 1720) and / or through one or more intermediate networks external to the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 1725 of the base station 1720 also includes processing circuitry 1728, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these items (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The base station 1720 also has software 1721 that is stored internally or accessible through an external connection.

[0231] The communication system 1700 also includes the UE 1730 already mentioned. The hardware 1735 of the UE 1730 may include a radio interface 1737, which is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 1770 with a base station serving the coverage area where the UE 1730 is currently located. The hardware 1735 of the UE 1730 also includes a processing circuit 1738, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these items (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The UE 1730 also includes software 1731 stored in the UE 1730 or accessible by the UE 1730 and executable by the processing circuit 1738. The software 1731 includes a client application 1732. The client application 1732 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 1730 with the support of the host computer 1710. In the host computer 1710, the executing host application 1012 can communicate with the executing client application 1732 through the OTT connection 1750 terminated at the UE 1730 and the host computer 1710. In providing services to users, the client application 1732 can receive request data from the host application 1712 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1750 can transmit both the request data and the user data. The client application 1732 can interact with the user to generate user data provided by the user.

[0232] Notice, Fig.17The host computer 1710, base station 1720 and UE 1730 shown can be respectively Fig.16 The host computer 1630, one of the base stations 1612a, 1612b, 1612c and one of the UEs 1691, 1692 may be similar or identical. That is, the internal working principles of these entities may be as follows: Fig.17 As shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Fig.16 The surrounding network topology.

[0233] exist Fig.17 , an OTT connection 1750 has been abstractly drawn to illustrate communications between a host computer 1710 and a UE 1730 via a base station 1720, without explicit reference to any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages via those devices. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, which may be configured to hide the routing from the UE 1730 or from the service provider operating the host computer 1710, or both. When the OTT connection 1750 is active, the network infrastructure may further make decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or reconfiguration of the network).

[0234] The wireless connection 1770 between the UE 1730 and the base station 1720 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improves the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1730 using the OTT connection 1750 (where the wireless connection 1770 forms the last segment). More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments can improve reference signal overhead, data rate, and wireless device power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as improved system capacity and performance, reduced user waiting time, relaxed file size restrictions, and extended wireless device battery life.

[0235] The measurement process may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, delays, and other factors on which one or more embodiments are improved. There may also be an optional network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1750 between the host computer 1710 and the UE 1730 in response to changes in the measurement results. The measurement process and / or network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1750 may be implemented in the software 1711 and hardware 1715 of the host computer 1710 or in the software 1731 and hardware 1735 of the UE 1730 or in both. In an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with a communication device through which the OTT connection 1750 passes. The sensor may participate in the measurement process by providing the values ​​of the monitoring quantities exemplified above or providing the values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 1711, 1731 can calculate or estimate the monitoring quantities. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 1750 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routes, etc.; the reconfiguration does not necessarily affect the base station 1720, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 1720. Such processes and functions are known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates host computer 1710 measurements of throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurements may be achieved because software 1711 and 1731 causes messages, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, to be sent using OTT connection 1750 during its monitoring of message propagation time, errors, etc.

[0236] Fig.18 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.16 and Fig.17 For simplicity of this disclosure, this section only includes Fig.18 Reference is made to the accompanying drawings of . In step 1810, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1811 of step 1810 (which may be optional), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1820, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying the user data. In step 1830 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the base station sends the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE. In step 1840 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0237] Fig.19 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.16 and Fig.17 For simplicity of this disclosure, this section only includes Fig.19 In step 1910, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1920, the host computer initiates a transmission to the UE carrying the user data. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the transmission may be through a base station. In step 1930 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0238] Fig. 20 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.16 and Fig.17 For simplicity of this disclosure, this section only includes Fig. 20 . In step 2010 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 2020, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 2021 (which may be optional) of step 2020, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 2011 (which may be optional) of step 2010, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner of providing user data, the UE initiates transmission of user data to the host computer in sub-step 2030 (which may be optional). In step 2040 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure, the host computer receives user data sent from the UE.

[0239] Fig.21 is a flow chart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE, which can be reference Fig.16 and Fig.17 For the sake of simplicity of this disclosure, only the host computer, base station and UE described in this section are included. Fig.21 In step 2110 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 2120 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 2130 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0240] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions or benefits disclosed herein may be performed by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include a plurality of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuits that may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers and other digital hardware that may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, etc. The processing circuit may be configured to execute program codes stored in a memory, which may include one or more types of memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a cache memory, a flash memory device, an optical storage device, etc. The program code stored in the memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more technologies described herein. In some implementations, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing circuit may be used to cause the corresponding functional unit to perform the corresponding function.

[0241] Then, in view of the above, embodiments herein generally include a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may include a processing circuit configured to provide user data. The host computer may also include a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE). The cellular network may include a base station having a radio interface and a processing circuit, the processing circuit of the base station being configured to perform any of the steps in any of the embodiments for the base station described above.

[0242] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes a base station.

[0243] In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0244] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing user data. In this case, the UE includes a processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0245] Embodiments herein also include methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE). The method includes providing user data at the host computer. The method may also include initiating a transmission carrying user data to the UE via a cellular network including the base station at the host computer. The base station performs any of the steps in any of the embodiments above for the base station.

[0246] In some embodiments, the method further comprises sending user data at the base station.

[0247] In some embodiments, the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application. In this case, the method also includes executing a client application associated with the host application at the UE.

[0248] The embodiments herein also include a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station. The UE includes a radio interface and a processing circuit configured to perform any of the embodiments described above for the UE.

[0249] Embodiments herein also include a communication system comprising a host computer. The host computer includes a processing circuit configured to provide user data, and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE). The UE includes a radio interface and a processing circuit. The components of the UE are configured to perform any of the steps in any of the embodiments described above for the UE.

[0250] In some embodiments, the cellular network also includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE.

[0251] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application to provide user data. The processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0252] Embodiments also include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE). The method includes providing user data at the host computer and initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network including the base station. The UE performs any of the steps in any of the embodiments described above for the UE.

[0253] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, at the UE, user data from the base station.

[0254] Embodiments herein also include a communication system comprising a host computer. The host computer includes a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station. The UE includes a radio interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the UE is configured to perform any of the steps in any of the embodiments described above for the UE.

[0255] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes a UE.

[0256] In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a base station. In this case, the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward user data carried by transmissions from the UE to the base station to the host computer.

[0257] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application. The processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data.

[0258] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application to provide the request data. The processing circuitry of the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to provide the user data in response to the request data.

[0259] Embodiments of the present invention also include a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving user data sent to the base station from the UE at the host computer. The UE performs any of the steps in any of the embodiments above for the UE.

[0260] In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing, at the UE, the user data to the base station.

[0261] In some embodiments, the method further comprises executing a client application at the UE, thereby providing user data to be transmitted.The method may also comprise executing a host application associated with the client application at a host computer.

[0262] In some embodiments, the method further includes executing a client application at the UE and receiving input data to the client application at the UE. The input data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application. The client application provides user data to be sent in response to the input data.

[0263] Embodiments also include a communication system comprising a host computer. The host computer includes a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station. The base station includes a radio interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit of the base station is configured to perform any of the steps in any of the embodiments described above for the base station.

[0264] In some embodiments, the communication system further includes a base station.

[0265] In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises a UE. The UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0266] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application. And, the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing user data to be received by the host computer.

[0267] In addition, an embodiment includes a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment (UE). The method includes receiving, at the host computer, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission that the base station has received from the UE. The UE performs any of the steps in any of the embodiments described above for the UE.

[0268] In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, at the base station, user data from the UE.

[0269] In some embodiments, the method further comprises initiating, at the base station, transmission of the received user data to a host computer.

[0270] Generally, all terms used in this article will be interpreted according to their common meaning in the relevant technical field, unless different meanings are clearly given and / or implied in the context of using the term. Unless clearly stated, all references to one / an / the element, equipment, assembly, device, step, etc. should be publicly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, equipment, assembly, device, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is clearly described as after or before another step and / or implicitly a step must be after or before another step. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applicable to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applicable to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Through the following description, other purposes, characteristic advantages of the attached embodiments will be apparent.

[0271] The term "unit" may have a conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and / or electronic devices, and may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solid-state and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing corresponding tasks, processes, calculations, output and / or display functions, etc. as described herein.

[0272] Some embodiments contemplated herein are more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided merely as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method performed by a wireless device (12) configured for use in a wireless communication system (10), the method comprising: Signaling (16) is received (200A, 200B) from a network node (14), the signaling (16) indicating that a reference signal (20) is configured to be transmitted before and / or during: Every L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space (18), where L ≥ 2; and The reference signal (20) is received (210A, 210B) according to the received signaling (16) before and / or during: Every L occurrences of the Physical Downlink Control Channel search space (18).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The reference symbols of the reference signal (20) are used to estimate or verify downlink signal strength or quality.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Based on the estimated or verified downlink signal strength or quality, it is determined (230) whether to terminate attempts to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising: receiving a different reference signal on an anchor carrier; as well as estimating the downlink signal strength or quality based on a measurement of the different reference signal received on the anchor carrier and based on a power difference between a non-anchor carrier and the anchor carrier; as well as Wherein, the using comprises: using reference symbols of the reference signal (20) received on the non-anchor carrier to verify the downlink signal strength or quality.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: receiving signaling (16) from the network node (14) indicating a configuration of the reference signal (20), wherein the configuration of the reference signal (20) comprises a configuration of a number of downlink subframes each of which is to contain a reference symbol of the reference signal (20); determining whether the configuration of the reference signal (20) supports early termination of the wireless device (12), wherein early termination includes terminating an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal; and Accordingly, depending on whether the configuration of the reference signal (20) supports early termination of the wireless device (12), early termination is attempted or not attempted.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: Determining whether the configuration of the reference signal (20) supports early termination of the wireless device (12) includes: correspondingly determining whether the number of downlink subframes each of which is to contain a reference symbol of the reference signal (20) according to the configuration is at least equal to the number of required downlink subframes required by the wireless device (12) to estimate a downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal (20), wherein the specific range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality, and when above the minimum downlink signal strength or quality, the wireless device (12) is configured to terminate the attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: receiving signaling (16) from the network node (14) indicating a number of downlink subframes each configured to contain reference symbols of the reference signal (20); and Accordingly, depending on whether the indicated number of downlink subframes is at least equal to the required number of downlink subframes each containing reference symbols of the reference signal (20) required by the wireless device (12) in order to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality from the reference signal (20), it is determined whether to measure the reference symbols of the reference signal (20) in the downlink subframes to estimate the downlink signal strength or quality.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The required number of downlink subframes is the number of downlink subframes, each containing a reference symbol of the reference signal (20), required by the wireless device (12) in order to estimate a downlink signal strength or quality within a specific range from the reference signal (20), wherein the specific range includes a downlink signal strength or quality greater than a minimum downlink signal strength or quality, above which the wireless device (12) is configured to terminate an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal early before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or wake-up signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: Signaling (16) is sent to the network node (14) indicating that the wireless device (12) is capable of early termination, wherein early termination includes terminating an attempt to detect the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The reference signal (20) is a narrowband reference signal on a non-anchor carrier.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The wireless communication system (10) is a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system.

12. A method performed by a network node (14) in a wireless communication system (10), the method comprising: Signaling (16) is sent (240, 260) to a wireless device (12), the signaling (16) indicating that a reference signal (20) is configured to be sent before and / or during: Every L occurrences of the physical downlink control channel search space (18), where L ≥ 2; and The reference signal (20) is sent (250, 270) according to the signaling (16) before and / or during: Every L occurrences of the Physical Downlink Control Channel search space (18).

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Signaling is received indicating whether a wireless device (12) is capable of early termination, wherein early termination includes terminating an attempt to detect a physical downlink control channel or a wake-up signal before receiving a maximum number of repetitions configured for the physical downlink control channel or the wake-up signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Based on the received signaling, it is configured whether and / or when reference symbols of the reference signal (20) are to be sent.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: for each of the one or more wireless devices served by the network node (14), receiving signaling indicating whether the wireless device is capable of early termination; determining, based on the received signaling, whether a minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node (14) is capable of early termination; as well as Accordingly, depending on whether the minimum number of wireless devices served by the network node (14) is capable of early termination, the reference signal (20) is configured to be transmitted or not transmitted.

16. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a wireless device (12), cause the wireless device (12) to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

17. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network node (14), cause the network node (14) to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

18. A wireless device (12) configured for use in a wireless communication system (10), the wireless device (12) comprising: Communication circuit (920); as well as A processing circuit (910) configured to: receiving signaling (16) from a network node (14), the signaling (16) indicating that a reference signal (20) is configured to be transmitted before and / or during: every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space (18), where L ≥ 2; as well as The reference signal (20) is received in accordance with received signaling (16) before and / or during: every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space (18).

19. The wireless device of claim 18, wherein: The processing circuit is further configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 11.

20. A network node (14) configured for use in a wireless communication system (10), the network node (14) comprising: Communication circuit (1020); as well as A processing circuit (1010) configured to: sending signaling (16) to a wireless device (12) indicating that a reference signal (20) is configured to be sent before and / or during: every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space (18), where L ≥ 2; and The reference signal (20) is sent according to the signaling (16) before and / or during: every L occurrences of a physical downlink control channel search space (18).

21. The network node according to claim 20, wherein: The processing circuit is further configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

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