Determine PDCCH monitoring during on-duration in power saving mode

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one method and apparatus for performing: determining by a user equipment that the user equipment has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in the first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception. Performing configuring the user equipment to monitor the power saving signal in the first bandwidth portion; causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception; and based on causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, reducing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle relative to the on-duration of the previous discontinuous reception. and performing, during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a wake-up of the user equipment has been triggered, determining, by the user equipment, that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle, and based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after the wake-up of the user equipment has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to signal monitoring and power saving used in wireless communications, and more particularly to signal monitoring during a power saving mode.

[0002] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or drawings are defined as follows:

[0003] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0004] 5G Fifth Generation

[0005] 5GC 5G Core Network

[0006] AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

[0007] BWP Bandwidth Part

[0008] CORESET Control Resource Set

[0009] CU Central Unit

[0010] C-RNTI Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0011] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0012] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0013] DU Distributed Unit

[0014] eNB (or eNodeB) Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

[0015] EN-DC E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity

[0016] en-gNB or En-gNB provides the NR user plane and control plane protocol termination node to the UE and acts as a secondary node in EN-DC

[0017] E-UTRA Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access, also known as LTE radio access technology

[0018] gNB (or gNodeB) is a base station for 5G / NR, which provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to UE and is connected to 5GC via NG interface.

[0019] GTS goes to sleep

[0020] I / F Interface

[0021] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0022] MAC Media Access Control

[0023] MME Mobility Management Entity

[0024] ng or NG new generation

[0025] ng-eNB or NG-eNB Next Generation eNB

[0026] NR New Radio

[0027] N / W or NW network

[0028] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0029] PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol

[0030] PHY Physical Layer

[0031] PS-RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier for energy saving

[0032] RAN Radio Access Network

[0033] Rel version

[0034] RLC Radio Link Control

[0035] RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0036] RRH Remote Radio Head

[0037] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0038] RU Radio Unit

[0039] Rx Receiver

[0040] SDAP Service Data Adaptation Protocol

[0041] SGW Service Gateway

[0042] SMF session management functions

[0043] TS Technical Specifications

[0044] Tx Transmitter

[0045] UE User Equipment (e.g., wireless, usually mobile)

[0046] UPF User Plane Function

[0047] WID Work Item Description

[0048] WUS wake-up signal Background Art

[0049] UE energy saving is approved by standard bodies and one goal is to specify UE energy saving techniques with UE adaptation to achieve UE energy saving. These energy saving techniques should address latency and performance in NR as well as network impact.

[0050] Example embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein are directed to improving operations associated with at least these techniques. Summary of the invention

[0051] In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus, such as a network-side apparatus, comprising at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory containing computer program code is configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one energy-saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the energy-saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one energy-saving signal monitoring opportunity, cause the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the duration of a discontinuous reception period.

[0052] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a method, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

[0053] Another example embodiment is a method, comprising the method of the preceding paragraphs, based on causing a user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on a first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle, causing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle, the user equipment monitors the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer, wherein the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion is at least partially based on causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal includes monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0054] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the above paragraphs.

[0055] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: a component for determining, by the apparatus, that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the apparatus is configured to monitor a first bandwidth portion for a power saving signal; and a component for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during a discontinuous reception on-duration period based on the determination that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity.

[0056] According to the example embodiment as described in the above paragraph, at least the means for determining and causing include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0057] Another example embodiment is an apparatus, comprising the apparatus of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: cause the on-duration of a discontinuous reception period to be reduced based on causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on a first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, wherein at least one memory and computer program code are configured to, with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth portion, and based on Switching from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: switch from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based at least in part on the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel, monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier.

[0058] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a non-volatile program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations, the operations comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the duration of a discontinuous reception period.

[0059] Another example embodiment is an apparatus comprising a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine of the preceding paragraph, wherein the operation further comprises, based on causing a user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on a first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period, causing an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period to be reduced, wherein the operation further comprises, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, the user equipment monitoring a physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer, and / or wherein the operation further comprises, based at least in part on switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion, causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0060] In another example embodiment of the present invention, there is an apparatus, such as a user equipment apparatus, comprising at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory containing computer program code is configured to, together with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: configure the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle; and based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle, cause the discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0061] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a method comprising: configuring a user equipment to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; enabling the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period; and reducing the on-duration of a discontinuous reception period relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception period based on enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period.

[0062] A computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the above paragraphs.

[0063] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile program storage device readable by a machine tangibly embodies an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations including: configuring a user device to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; causing the user device to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period; and reducing the on-duration of a discontinuous reception period relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception period based on causing the user device to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period.

[0064] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: a component for configuring the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; a component for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-period of a discontinuous reception cycle; and a component for reducing an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0065] According to the example embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, at least the means for configuring and causing include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0066] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine, by the apparatus, during an on-duration period of a discontinuous reception cycle after apparatus wake-up has been triggered, that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the apparatus is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration period of the discontinuous reception; and based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration period of the discontinuous reception cycle after apparatus wake-up has been triggered, cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration period of the discontinuous reception.

[0067] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a method, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after the user equipment wake-up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0068] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the above paragraphs.

[0069] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a non-volatile program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations, the operations comprising: determining, by a user equipment, during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered, that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after the user equipment wake-up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0070] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: a component for determining, by the apparatus, that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after apparatus wake-up has been triggered, wherein the apparatus is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and a component for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after apparatus wake-up has been triggered.

[0071] According to the example embodiment as described in the above paragraph, at least the means for determining and causing include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0072] A communication system includes a network side device and a user equipment side device for performing the above operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0074] Figure 1 shows a high-level block diagram of various devices for implementing various aspects of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 2 The components in PDCCH monitoring are shown;

[0076] Figure 3 A diagram of a DRX cycle is shown;

[0077] Figure 4 A diagram showing energy saving signals / channels for wake-up and PDCCH monitoring is shown;

[0078] Figure 5 Shows the energy saving monitoring opportunity;

[0079] Figure 6 Further energy-saving monitoring opportunities are shown;

[0080] Figure 7 Further energy saving monitoring opportunities are shown; and

[0081] Figure 8 , Fig. 9 ,and Fig.10 Each shows a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention which can be performed by an apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] Steering Figure 1, which shows one possible and non-limiting block diagram in which these examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170, and (multiple) network elements 190 are illustrated. Figure 1 In the example of , a user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected by one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, an optical fiber or other optical communication device, etc. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, including one or both of the parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 140 can be implemented in hardware as a module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. Module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or implemented by other hardware (such as a programmable gate array). In another example, module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 may be configured to, together with one or more processors 120, cause user equipment 110 to perform one or more operations as described herein. UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via wireless link 111.

[0083] In this example, the RAN node 170 is a base station that provides access to the wireless network 100 through wireless devices such as UE 110. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G (also known as New Radio (NR)). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC (such as, for example, (multiple) network elements 190) via an NG interface. An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination to the UE and is connected to the 5GC via an NG interface. An NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs or base stations, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and (multiple) distributed units (DU) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that a DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node that hosts the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP protocols of the gNB or the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB and controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is illustrated as label 198, although label 198 also illustrates a link between a remote element of the RAN node 170 and a centralized element of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partially controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of the RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under the control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution) or any other suitable base station or node.

[0084] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected by one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may also include (multiple) processors 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory / memories and (multiple) processors and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0085] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, including one or both of the parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The module 150 can be implemented in hardware as the module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware, such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 can be implemented as a module 150-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 can be distributed, such as distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or implemented only in the DU 195.

[0086] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0087] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, wireless channel, etc. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE, or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for a gNB implementation for 5G, while other elements of the RAN node 170 may be physically located at a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 may be partially implemented as, for example, a fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., central unit (CU), gNB-CU) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network links (multiple).

[0088] Note that the descriptions herein indicate that a "cell" performs a function, but it should be clear that the equipment that forms the cell will perform these functions. The cell constitutes part of a base station. That is, there may be multiple cells for each base station. For example, there may be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360-degree area, so the coverage area of ​​a single base station covers an approximate ellipse or circle. In addition, each cell may correspond to a single carrier, and a base station may use multiple carriers. Therefore, if each carrier has 3 120-degree cells and there are two carriers, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0089] The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to another network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communication network (e.g., the Internet) via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include (multiple) access and mobility management functions (AMFs) and / or (multiple) user plane functions (UPFs) and / or (multiple) session management functions (SMFs). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (mobility management entity) / SGW (serving gateway) functions. These are merely exemplary functions that may be supported by (multiple) network elements 190, and it is noted that both 5G and LTE may be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via a link 131. The link 131 may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G, or an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180 interconnected by one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and computer program code 173 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0090] Wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single, software-based managed entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often in conjunction with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as external, combining many networks or portions of networks into virtual units, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities resulting from network virtualization are still implemented to some extent using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and that such virtualized entities also produce technical impacts.

[0091] Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based storage devices, flash memory, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be components for performing storage functions. As non-limiting examples, processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be components for performing functions, such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions described herein.

[0092] Generally, various embodiments of user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, cellular phones such as smart phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) with wireless communication capabilities, portable computers with wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras with wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices with wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances with wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances allowing wireless Internet access and browsing, tablet computers with wireless communication capabilities, and portable units or terminals including a combination of these functions.

[0093] The features as described herein generally relate to power saving signals for wake-up purposes, and the wake-up signals are only monitored outside of UE active hours.

[0094] UE Energy Saving WID (Work Item Description) was approved in RAN#83 (RAN1 WID for UE Energy Saving). The objectives include specifying UE energy saving techniques with UE adaptation to achieve UE energy saving. Energy saving techniques are indicated to address latency and performance in NR as well as network impact.

[0095] The UE energy saving objectives include the following:

[0096] 1) Specifying energy saving techniques with UE adaptation in RRC_CONNECTED mode [RAN1, RAN4]

[0097] a) Use energy-saving signals / channels to specify energy-saving techniques

[0098] i) Specifying energy-saving signals / channels based on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in RRC_CONNECTED to trigger UE adaptation

[0099] ii) Note: This target should not duplicate DRX operation and the impact on DRX should be studied at RAN2

[0100] iii) Note: Any changes in PDCCH channel coding and payload interleaving are not in scope

[0101] b) The process of specifying energy-saving techniques for scheduling across time slots

[0102] i) Note: This process is a supplement to the Rel-15 inter-time slot scheduling process

[0103] 2) Evaluate the switching and interruption times required for UE to dynamically adapt to the maximum number of MIMO layers [RAN4]

[0104] a) Note: Turning RF on / off is part of the evaluation

[0105] These targets are RAN1 / RAN4 focused and do not consider RAN2 impact. The targets will be further updated in RAN#84. The update will be based on the recommendations of the completed RAN2 study, and the remaining RAN1 recommendations based on the conclusions of the RAN1 study.

[0106] With respect to physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring, such as described in 3GPP Release 15, for example, the main components of PDCCH monitoring include a control resource set (CORESET) configuration for determining the time and frequency resources of a control channel element (CCE), a search space set configuration for determining how and when a UE monitors the PDCCH, a downlink control information (DCI) format (part of the search space set configuration) for determining signaling information, and a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for addressing information to a specific UE(s), e.g. Figure 2 As shown (arrows show the direction of association).

[0107] For discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration in NR, such as described in 3GPP TS 38.300, when DRX is configured, the UE does not have to continuously monitor the PDCCH. DRX has the following characteristics:

[0108] On duration: The duration of waiting for receiving PDCCH after UE wakes up. If UE successfully decodes PDCCH, UE stays awake and starts inactivity timer;

[0109] Inactivity timer: The duration that the UE waits for a successful decoding of the PDCCH, starting from the last successful decoding of the PDCCH. If it fails, it can go back to sleep. Only used for the first transmission (i.e. not for retransmissions), the UE can restart the inactivity timer after a single successful decoding of the PDCCH;

[0110] Retransmission timer: the duration until retransmission can be expected;

[0111] · Periodicity: periodic repetition of a specified on-duration, followed by a possible period of inactivity;

[0112] Active Time: The total duration that the UE monitors the PDCCH. This includes the "on duration" of the DRX cycle, the time that the UE performs continuous reception when the inactivity timer has not expired, and the time that the UE performs continuous reception when waiting for a retransmission opportunity.

[0113] Regarding the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) power saving signal, it has been agreed to specify a new signal or channel in NR Release 16 for the purpose of power saving. In one implementation, the signal / channel is configured together with the DRX configuration, and the presence of the signal / channel determines whether the UE needs to monitor the PDCCH during the on-duration (according to the normal search space configuration). In an example implementation, the PDCCH power saving signal / channel can indicate that the UE needs to monitor the PDCCH during the on-duration (also known as a wake-up signal), or alternatively it can indicate that the UE does not need to monitor the PDCCH during the on-duration (also known as going to sleep or GTS).

[0114] Additionally, when the UE is required to monitor the PDCCH according to the search space configuration, the power saving signal / channel can be used to adjust the UE configuration for power saving purposes during the on-duration. The power saving signal / channel can indicate further adaptation of different parameters for UE power saving, such as modifying the periodicity of the PDCCH search space / number of CORESETs, etc. In some aspects, it can be configured to indicate to the UE that it is allowed to skip monitoring of the PDCCH for a specific number of slots or for a specific duration.

[0115] Figure 4 An example illustration of a power saving signal / channel for wake-up purposes is shown in . In this configuration, the power saving signal / channel may be monitored before the on-duration of the DRX cycle and when the UE is not in active time (i.e., assuming that the UE will not monitor the PDCCH-based wake-up signal / channel during active time).

[0116] ·exist Figure 4 In step 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the UE does not detect the transmission of the energy saving signal / channel and it does not monitor the PDCCH during the next on-duration.

[0117] ·exist Figure 4 In step 2 shown in FIG. 1 , the UE detects the power saving signal addressed to it and monitors the PDCCH during the next on-duration.

[0118] There may be an offset or specific time between an energy saving monitoring occasion (or multiple occasions) and a corresponding on-duration (e.g., the next on-duration after the (multiple) monitoring occasions). In some cases, one or more monitoring occasions (or time slots / symbols where / when energy saving signals or channels are monitored) may be referred to as monitoring windows. In some cases, the monitoring window (time window) may determine when a search space for monitoring energy saving signals or channels (e.g., a specific DCI format) is active. In other cases, the UE may be configured with a search space for monitoring energy saving signals or channels without a specific time window, such as, for example, if the search space configuration implicitly determines the time window for monitoring energy saving signals.

[0119] although Figure 4 The diagram shows a power saving channel for wake-up purposes, Go to Sleep (GTS) can operate in the opposite way, that is, in step 1, due to the lack of channels (lack of network indication), the UE will monitor PDCCH, and in step 2, according to the search space configuration, the UE will not monitor PDCCH. GTS usually means that the network indicates that the UE does not need to monitor PDCCH or that the UE can change from active time to inactive time.

[0120] In the relevant agreement of energy saving features (R1-1905791, Summary of energy saving signals / channels based on PDCCH), DCI content is considered to cover the following functions. Potential DCI content of (multiple) DCI formats is subject to further investigation:

[0121] Energy saving techniques associated with C-DRX (Connected Mode DRX)

[0122] o For UE functionality for C-DRX

[0123] ■Awakening——

[0124] UE is instructed to switch from external active time to active time

[0125] UE is instructed to stay in active time

[0126] ■Going to sleep——

[0127] • The UE is instructed to transition from active time to outside active time.

[0128] UE is instructed to stay outside of active hours

[0129] ■FFS: The time when wake-up and sleep-entry instructions are received within or outside active hours.

[0130] As a further example, a dedicated CORESET / SS (control resource set / search space) configuration may be used to monitor PDCCH-based energy saving signals / channels, where the UE is configured with a dedicated CORESET for the PDCCH energy saving signals / channels for monitoring energy saving DCI formats on the dedicated search space. Alternatively, an existing CORESET may be configured with a search space associated with a special DCI format for achieving energy saving. The UE may monitor a special DCI format with its own C-RNTI, a dedicated special RNTI (PS-RNTI) for energy saving, or a group common PS-RNTI. In yet another alternative way of configuring energy saving signal monitoring for the UE, a specific bandwidth part (BWP) with a CORESET configuration associated with a search space is used to monitor a DCI format for energy saving (referred to as DCI-PS).

[0131] An example of bandwidth part (BWP) operation is described in 3GPP TS 38.321 section 5.15. In addition to clause 12 of 3GPP TS 38.213, this subclause specifies requirements for BWP operation. A serving cell may be configured with one or more BWPs, and the maximum number of BWPs per serving cell may be specified in 3GPP TS 38.213.

[0132] Bandwidth part (BWP) switching for the serving cell is used to activate an inactive BWP and deactivate an active BWP at a time. BWP switching is controlled by the PDCCH indicating a downlink allocation or uplink grant, by the bwp inactivity timer, by RRC signaling or by the MAC entity itself at the initiation of the random access procedure.

[0133] Features as described herein may be used in situations where there may be ambiguity whether an energy saving signal is sent and the UE is unable to receive it, or if a specific monitoring occasion overlaps with other UE activities.

[0134] As an example, the UE may enter DRX (stop PDCCH monitoring) after the inactivity timer expires. During the energy-saving signal channel monitoring opportunity, the UE may change the BWP according to the search space (SS) configuration to monitor energy-saving signals or channels on another BWP different from the BWP currently used to monitor PDCCH. In these cases, the features described herein may be used with respect to how the network and the UE maintain synchronization.

[0135] In one example, when the UE monitors a power saving signal in another BWP (i.e., BWP1 causes the power saving signal or channel to be configured), instead of being currently used for PDCCH monitoring according to the search space configuration (i.e., BWP2), and the UE switches to BWP1 (such as due to a PDCCH trigger or a DRX inactivity timer or a bwp inactivity timer), and the UE determines that it has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, the UE may monitor such as on-duration (DRX ON) corresponding to the missed power saving signal monitoring opportunity. Figure 5 The PDCCH on the current BWP1 is shown. In one example, the monitoring opportunity may include at least one time slot in which the UE will monitor the energy saving signal or channel. Figure 5 The example shown shows an opportunity 200 for power saving signal monitoring. BWP1 has the power saving signal configured. According to the search space configuration, BWP2 is active for PDCCH monitoring, but due to some event, such as, for example, due to a PDCCH trigger or a DRX inactivity timer or a bwp inactivity timer, the active BWP is switched from BWP2 to BWP1. The UE is configured to determine whether it has missed (or will miss) at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity 200 due to this change from BWP2 to BWP1. Based on this determination, the UE can be configured to monitor the PDCCH on the current BWP1 for the on duration (DRX ON), as shown in 202. If the UE enters BWP1 at the time when the PDCCH monitoring opportunity has just passed and before the next on duration, the UE can be configured to determine that it has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal.

[0136] On the other hand, in the above case or if the energy saving signal is monitored on the same BWP (on the same BWP as where PDCCH monitoring will be performed), when the UE monitors the opportunity / opportunities in the same time slot (or period) of the energy saving signal / channel, so that at least one energy saving signal / channel monitoring opportunity is missed, such as Figure 6 As shown, it can consider:

[0137] - A wake-up signal has been sent and the PDCCH is monitored in the next on-duration (corresponding to the missed energy-saving signal / channel monitoring opportunity). Figure 6 As shown, the on-duration 206 may be shorter than the normal on-duration 208 to reduce power consumption. This may include:

[0138] - Half the duration starting from the first time slot of the on-duration

[0139] - N time slots (N-slots) starting from the next OnDuration (the duration of N-slots can be equal to or less than the OnDuration)

[0140] i where N can be configured via the network

[0141] - Make sure that at least each search space / CORESET has been monitored at least once

[0142] i or alternatively the selected / configured search space opportunity / CORESET has been monitored at least once (or a number determined by the network)

[0143] - If the UE misses at least one monitoring opportunity (time slot) of the wake-up signal reception window / monitoring window, the UE may consider that the wake-up signal has been sent, and the UE may receive the wake-up signal at the following (one or two or three, etc.) (multiple) on-durations.

[0144] Alternatively, the UE may consider that the wake-up signal has not been sent, and the UE may skip monitoring the PDCCH in the next / current On-Duration.

[0145] Also refer to Figure 7 In yet another example embodiment, when the inactivity timer expires during the next or any subsequent on-duration (after the UE wake-up has been triggered) as shown in 210, the UE may monitor the PDCCH for the current on-duration. Alternatively, when the inactivity timer expires during the next or any subsequent on-duration, and if the UE has been configured to report periodic CSI feedback during the on-duration, the UE may monitor the PDCCH for the current on-duration. If the UE is not configured to provide CSI feedback during the on-duration, the UE does not monitor the PDCCH according to the search space configuration.

[0146] In any of the example embodiments described herein, detecting a wake-up signal may trigger the UE to enter active time (which may include monitoring the PDCCH).

[0147] Additionally or alternatively, in any of the example embodiments described herein, a wake-up signal may be sent before or during the on-duration. When the wake-up signal is detected before the on-duration (e.g., the monitoring window is configured to be before the on-duration), the wake-up signal may cause the UE to monitor the PDCCH for at least the next on-duration. The monitoring window (or monitoring opportunity) may also partially overlap or completely overlap with the duration, and when the wake-up signal is detected, the current on-duration may also be applied (UE is triggered to monitor PDCCH / enter active time).

[0148] In another embodiment, if the UE receives a wake-up signal when it is currently in active time, the UE can decode the PDCCH (or stay in active time) until the next on-duration ends; regardless of the inactivity timer. Alternatively, the UE can wake up during the next on-duration even if no wake-up signal is received at the next monitoring opportunity.

[0149] In one embodiment, detection of a wake-up signal during a monitoring opportunity / window will control the UE PDCCH monitoring for each on-duration between the monitoring windows. For example, if there will be N on-durations between two monitoring windows (or monitoring opportunities), the wake-up signal will trigger the UE to enter active time (e.g., at least monitor PDCCH) for the N on-durations between the monitoring windows.

[0150] In any of the embodiments herein, there may be a one-to-one mapping of a wake-up signal monitoring window / opportunity and a subsequent on-duration, such as, for example, when a wake-up signal is detected, it is applied to the next on-duration. Alternatively, there may be a one-to-many mapping of a wake-up signal monitoring window and N subsequent on-durations. In the one-to-many case, if the UE misses at least one monitoring opportunity, it may monitor the corresponding N on-durations. Alternatively, if there is a many-to-one mapping before the corresponding on-duration, and the UE misses or will miss at least one monitoring opportunity, it may wake up at the next (corresponding) on-duration. For example, the many-to-one mapping may include multiple monitoring windows. For multiple monitoring windows, there may be more than one separate set of monitoring opportunities. Alternatively, the monitoring window may include, for example, an entire DRX off-duration (or non-on-duration) portion of a DRX cycle, where one or more monitoring opportunities may be separated by a time interval determined by the search space configuration (if the search space is configured for wake-up signal monitoring, the network may configure the search space for energy-saving signals to have a longer period).

[0151] Other additional example features may be provided:

[0152] UE receives configuration of multiple BWPs

[0153] UE receives CORESET and searches for (multiple) spatial set configurations for monitoring PDCCH-based energy saving signals on the first BWP

[0154] · The UE receives signaling or the BWP inactivity time expires while operating on the second BWP to trigger the UE to switch to the first BWP

[0155] • When the first BWP is active, the UE determines that the current time slot is between the start of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity set for the WUS signal and the UE monitors the PDCCH on the next On-Duration on the current BWP.

[0156] Since the features described here are not explicit, it can be removed whether a power saving signal is sent and the UE cannot receive it, or whether a specific monitoring opportunity overlaps with other UE activities. This provides a way for the network and UE to stay synchronized.

[0157] According to an example, a method is provided, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, enabling the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration period of a discontinuous reception cycle.

[0158] The method may also include, based on enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, causing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period to be reduced, the method may also include, before enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, the user equipment monitoring the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer. The method may also include, based at least in part on the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion, enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal includes monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0159] According to an example embodiment, a device may be provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to: determine, by the device, that the device has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the device is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the device has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, cause the device to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during a discontinuous reception on-duration period.

[0160] The apparatus may be configured to reduce the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception. The apparatus may be configured to cause monitoring of the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, and switch the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer. The apparatus may also be configured to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, switch from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based at least in part on the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel, and / or wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier.

[0161] An example embodiment may be provided with a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the duration of a discontinuous reception period. The operations may also include, based on causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, causing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period to be reduced. The operations may also include, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, the user equipment monitoring the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer. The operation may also include switching from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based at least in part on monitoring of the physical downlink control channel, causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal includes monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0162] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: a component for determining, by the apparatus, that the apparatus has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the apparatus is configured to monitor the power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; and a component for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of discontinuous reception based on the determination that the apparatus has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity. The apparatus may also include: a component for causing the on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception. The apparatus may also include a component for causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer. The apparatus may also include means for causing monitoring of a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, switching from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based at least in part on the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel.

[0163] An example method may be provided, comprising: configuring a user device to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; enabling the user device to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period; and reducing the on-duration of a discontinuous reception period relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception period based on enabling the user device to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period.

[0164] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: configure the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; cause the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of discontinuous reception; and based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle, cause the discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0165] An example embodiment may be provided with a non-volatile program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations, the operations including: configuring a user equipment to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception period; and based on causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period, reducing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception period.

[0166] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: means for configuring the apparatus to monitor a power saving signal in a first bandwidth portion; means for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-period of a discontinuous reception cycle; and means for reducing an on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle based on causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0167] An example method may be provided, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered.

[0168] An example embodiment may be provided with a device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to: determine, by the device, during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after device wake-up has been triggered, that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the device is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after device wake-up has been triggered, cause the device to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0169] An example embodiment may be provided with a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations comprising: determining, by a user equipment, during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered, that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after the user equipment wake-up has been triggered.

[0170] An example embodiment may be provided with an apparatus comprising: a component for determining, by the apparatus, that an inactivity timer has expired during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after apparatus wake-up has been triggered, wherein the apparatus is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception; and a component for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception based on the determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after user equipment wake-up has been triggered.

[0171] Figure 8 The diagram shows that Figure 1 Operations performed by the network devices of the UE 110 and / or the RAN node 170 in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in step 810, the user equipment determines that the user equipment has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in the first bandwidth portion. Figure 8 As shown in step 820, based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or will miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, the user equipment is caused to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0172] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the OnDuration of the discontinuous reception cycle is reduced based on causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the OnDuration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0173] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, there is: before enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, the user equipment monitors the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion, and based on a physical downlink control channel trigger, or a discontinuous reception inactivity timer, or a bandwidth portion inactivity timer, the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel is switched from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion.

[0174] According to an example embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the switching from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion is based at least in part on the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel, so that the user equipment monitors the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception period.

[0175] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises monitoring at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0176] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving.

[0177] A stored program code (such as Figure 1 Non-transitory computer readable media (such as computer program code 123, module 140-2, computer program code 153 and / or module 150-2) in Figure 1 (multiple) memory 125 and / or (multiple) memory 155) in the memory, by at least one processor (such as Figure 1 The program code executed by (multiple) processors 120, module 140-1, (multiple) processors 152 and / or module 150-1) in at least performs the operations described in the above paragraphs.

[0178] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, there is an apparatus comprising: Figure 1 (multiple) memories 125 and / or (multiple) memories 155, computer program code 123, module 140-2, computer program code 153 and / or module 150-2, and (multiple) processors 120, module 140-1, (multiple) processors 152 and / or module 150-1) determine by a user equipment (UE 110 and / or RAN node 170) that the user equipment has missed or will miss at least one energy saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor (e.g. Figure 1 125 and / or memory(s) 155, computer program code 123, module 140-2, computer program code 153 and / or module 150-2, and Figure 1 (multiple) processors 120, modules 140-1, (multiple) processors 152 and / or modules 150-1) in the first bandwidth portion of the power saving signal. Then as Figure 8 As shown in step 820, based on (such as Figure 1 (multiple) memories 125 and / or (multiple) memories 155, computer program code 123, module 140-2, computer program code 153 and / or module 150-2, and (multiple) processors 120, module 140-1, (multiple) processors 152 and / or module 150-1) determine that a user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one energy-saving signal monitoring opportunity, so that the user equipment monitors a physical downlink control channel on a first bandwidth portion during the duration of a discontinuous reception period.

[0179] Fig. 9 The diagram shows a method that can be used by a network device such as Figure 1 The operations performed by the UE 110 and / or the RAN node 170 in FIG. Fig. 9 As shown in step 910, there is a configuration of the user equipment to monitor the energy saving signal in the first bandwidth portion. Fig. 9 As shown in step 920, there is a step of enabling the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception. Fig. 9 As shown in step 930, there is a method of reducing the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle relative to a previous on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle based on causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0180] Fig.10 The diagram shows that Figure 1 Operations performed by the network devices of the UE 110 and / or the RAN node 170 in FIG. Fig.10 As shown in step 1010, there is an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle after a user equipment wake-up has been triggered, and the user equipment determines that an inactivity timer has expired, wherein the user equipment is configured to report periodic channel state information (CSI) feedback during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception. Then as Fig.10 As shown in step 1020, there is a determination that the inactivity timer has expired during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle after the user equipment wake-up has been triggered, causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0181] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is a circuit for performing operations according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein. The circuit system may include any type of circuit system, including a content encoding circuit system, a content decoding circuit system, a processing circuit system, an image generation circuit system, a data analysis circuit system, etc.). In addition, the circuit system may include a discrete circuit system, an application-specific integrated circuit system (ASIC) and / or a field programmable gate array circuit system (FPGA), etc., and a processor specially configured by software to perform corresponding functions, or a dual-core processor with software and a corresponding digital signal processor, etc.). In addition, the necessary inputs and outputs are provided to the circuit system, the functions performed by the circuit system, and the interconnection of the circuit system with other components (possibly via inputs and outputs) may include other circuit systems to perform the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described herein.

[0182] It should be understood that the description herein may be illustrative only. Various alternatives and modifications may be designed by those skilled in the art. For example, the features described in the various dependent claims may be combined with each other in any suitable (multiple) combination. In addition, the features of the above-mentioned different embodiments may be selectively combined into new embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0183] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this application, the provided “circuitry system” may include at least one or more or all of the following:

[0184] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry);

[0185] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0186] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware; and

[0187] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) working together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, such as functions or operations according to example embodiments of the present invention as disclosed herein); and

[0188] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not required for operation.

[0189] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following:

[0190] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry); and

[0191] (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor / software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) working together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions); and

[0192] (c) Circuitry that requires software or firmware for operation, such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), even if the software or firmware is not actually present.

[0193] The definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, the term “circuitry” as used in this application would also cover an implementation of only a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit device in a server, cellular network device, or other network, if applicable to the particular claim element.

[0194] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the invention is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is readily understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0195] Embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert logic level designs into semiconductor circuit designs ready to be etched and formed on semiconductor substrates.

[0196] The word "exemplary" may be used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The embodiments described in this detailed description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0197] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a complete and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of the present invention will still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0198] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements being "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As a few non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, as employed herein, by using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, and by using electromagnetic energy, such as having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region, and the optical (both visible and invisible) region.

[0199] Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features.Accordingly, the above description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in the first bandwidth portion; as well as causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, the user equipment monitors the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switches the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based on: Physical Downlink Control Channel trigger, or Bandwidth section inactivity timer, Wherein determining that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity includes determining that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity due to the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel being switched from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the physical downlink control channel during at least one of the following: - the corresponding or next or subsequent OnDuration of a DRX cycle, or - The corresponding / subsequent N on-durations.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing the on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced based on causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception cycle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle based on the discontinuous reception inactivity timer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring the energy saving signal comprises: A downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for energy saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for energy saving is monitored.

6. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determining, by the device, that the device has missed or is about to miss at least one power save signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the device is configured to monitor a first bandwidth portion for a power save signal; as well as causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of discontinuous reception based on the determination that the apparatus has missed or will miss the at least one power save signal monitoring opportunity, and Prior to causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, monitoring the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: Physical Downlink Control Channel trigger, or Bandwidth section inactivity timer, Wherein determining that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity comprises determining that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity due to the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel during at least one of the following: - the corresponding or next or subsequent OnDuration of a DRX cycle, or - The corresponding / subsequent N on-durations.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: reduce the on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle based on causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for power saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for power saving.

10. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine, the program of instructions for performing operations comprising: determining, by a user equipment, that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the user equipment is configured to monitor the power saving signal in the first bandwidth portion; as well as causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of discontinuous reception based on the determination that the user equipment has missed or will miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity, wherein, before causing the user equipment to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth part during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, the user equipment monitors the physical downlink control channel on a second bandwidth part, and switches the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part based on: Physical Downlink Control Channel trigger, or Bandwidth section inactivity timer, Wherein determining that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity includes determining that the user equipment has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity due to the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel being switched from the second bandwidth part to the first bandwidth part.

11. The non-transitory program storage device of claim 10, the operations further comprising monitoring the physical downlink control channel during at least one of: - the corresponding or next or subsequent OnDuration of a DRX cycle, or - The corresponding / subsequent N on-durations.

12. The non-transitory program storage device of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise: Based on causing the user equipment to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the OnDuration of a discontinuous reception cycle, the OnDuration of a discontinuous reception cycle is reduced.

13. The non-transitory program storage device of claim 10, wherein monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for power saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for power saving.

14. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for determining, by the apparatus, that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss at least one power save signal monitoring opportunity, wherein the apparatus is configured to monitor the first bandwidth portion for a power save signal; as well as means for causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during an on-duration of discontinuous reception based on the determination that the apparatus has missed or will miss at least one power save signal monitoring opportunity, and means for causing the apparatus to: before causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of discontinuous reception, monitoring the physical downlink control channel on the second bandwidth portion, and switching the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion based on: Physical Downlink Control Channel trigger, or Bandwidth section inactivity timer, Wherein determining that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity comprises determining that the apparatus has missed or is about to miss the at least one power saving signal monitoring opportunity due to the switching of the monitoring of the physical downlink control channel from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel during at least one of: - the corresponding or next or subsequent OnDuration of a DRX cycle, or - The corresponding / subsequent N on-durations.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for causing the OnDuration of a discontinuous reception cycle to be reduced based on causing the apparatus to monitor a physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the OnDuration of discontinuous reception.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising means for causing the apparatus to monitor the physical downlink control channel on the first bandwidth portion during the on-duration of a discontinuous reception cycle based on the discontinuous reception inactivity timer.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein monitoring the power saving signal comprises monitoring a downlink control information format having at least one of a cell radio network temporary identifier, a radio network temporary identifier for power saving, or a group common radio network temporary identifier for power saving.

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