Communication System

Abstract

A communication device is disclosed. A network device is provided, the network device comprising: a component for configuring a first management area and a second management area for a terminal when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; a component for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and a component for sending to the terminal using the selected management area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and apparatus relating to configuring a management area. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility for enabling communication between two or more devices such as user terminals, machine-like terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes by providing a carrier between the communication devices. For example, a communication system can be provided by a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. Communication can include, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems such as the Internet. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising: a component for configuring a first management area and a second management area for a terminal when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; a component for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and a component for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

[0004] The network device may further include: means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area according to the received first notification.

[0005] The network device may further include: means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered a second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area according to the received second notification.

[0006] The network device may also include: a component for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and a component for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the component for selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently.

[0007] The notification may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

[0008] When no notification about the terminal leaving the second management area is received, the means for selecting may select the second management area.

[0009] The network device may also include means for sending a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

[0010] The network device may also include means for sending a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

[0011] According to a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for receiving, from a network device when the apparatus is in a reduced operating mode, at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and means for receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first management area and the second management area the transmission is received on depends on a current location of the apparatus.

[0012] The apparatus may further include means for sending a first notification that the apparatus has left the second administrative region, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the first administrative region in response to the sent first notification.

[0013] The apparatus may further include means for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered a second administrative region, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the second administrative region in response to the transmitted second notification.

[0014] The device may also include: a component for sending a first notification that the device has left the second management area; and a component for sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, wherein the component for receiving receives the transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently.

[0015] The notification may be sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

[0016] The means for receiving may receive a transmission on the second management area when a notification that the apparatus has left the second management area has not been sent by the apparatus.

[0017] The apparatus may also include means for sending a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0018] The apparatus may also include means for transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal entering a second managed area.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a network device is provided, comprising: a component for receiving at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the management area; and a component for notifying the network device serving the terminal of the type of notification received.

[0020] The network device may further include: means for providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is a first notification; and means for providing a second preamble to the terminal, wherein the second preamble is a second notification.

[0021] The means for notifying the network device of the service terminal of the received notification may be an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, a method for a network device is provided, the method comprising: when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, configuring a first management area and a second management area for the terminal, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

[0023] The method may further include receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the selecting selects the first management area according to the received first notification.

[0024] The method may further include receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered a second management area, wherein the selecting selects the second management area according to the received second notification.

[0025] The method may also include: receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the selection selects one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently.

[0026] The notification may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

[0027] When no notification about the terminal leaving the second management area is received, the selection may select the second management area.

[0028] The method may also include sending a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0029] The method may further include sending a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second managed area.

[0030] According to a fifth aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: when the device is in a reduced operation mode, receiving at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area from a network device, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; and receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which management area of ​​the first management area and the second management area the transmission is received on depends on a current location of the device.

[0031] The method may further include sending a first notification that the apparatus has left the second administrative region, wherein the receiving receives a transmission on the first administrative region in response to the sent first notification.

[0032] The method may further include transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered a second managed area, wherein the receiving receives a transmission over the second managed area in response to the transmitted second notification.

[0033] The method may also include sending a first notification that the device has left the second management area and sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, wherein the receiving receives a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently.

[0034] The notification may be sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

[0035] The receiving may receive a transmission on the second management area when a notification that the device has left the second management area has not been sent by the device.

[0036] The method may also include sending a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0037] The method may further include sending a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second managed area.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, a method for a network device is provided, the method comprising: receiving at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the management area; and notifying the network device serving the terminal of the type of notification received.

[0039] The method may further include providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is a first notification; and providing a second preamble to the terminal, wherein the second preamble is a second notification.

[0040] Notifying the network device of the service terminal of the received notification may be performed via the Xn interface or the X2 interface.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect, a network device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is executed on the at least one processor, the device is caused to: when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, configure a first management area and a second management area for the terminal, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; select one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and transmit to the terminal using the selected management area.

[0042] The network device may also be caused to receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select the first management area based on the received first notification.

[0043] The network device may also be caused to receive a second notification that the terminal has entered a second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select the second management area based on the received second notification.

[0044] The network device may also be caused to: receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently.

[0045] The notification may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

[0046] When no notification regarding the terminal leaving the second management area is received, the network device may be caused to select the second management area.

[0047] The network device may be caused to send a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0048] The network device may be caused to send a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second managed area.

[0049] According to an eighth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is executed on the at least one processor, the device is caused to: when the device is in a reduced operation mode, receive at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area from the network device, wherein the second management area comprises fewer access points than the first management area; and receive a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first management area and the second management area the transmission is received on depends on a current location of the device.

[0050] The network device may be caused to send a first notification that the device has left the second administrative area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on the first administrative area in response to the sent first notification.

[0051] The network device may be caused to transmit a second notification that the device has entered a second administrative area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on the second administrative area in response to the transmitted second notification.

[0052] The network device may be caused to: send a first notification that the device has left the second management area; and send a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been most recently sent.

[0053] The notification may be sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

[0054] The network device may be caused to receive a transmission over the second managed area when a notification of the device leaving the second managed area has not been sent by the device.

[0055] The network device may be caused to send a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0056] The network device may be caused to transmit a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal entering a second managed area.

[0057] According to a ninth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising code, wherein when the code is executed on the at least one processor, the device is caused to: receive at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the management area; and notify the network device serving the terminal of the type of notification received.

[0058] The network device may be caused to: provide a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is a first notification; and provide a second preamble to the terminal, wherein the second preamble is a second notification.

[0059] The network device may be caused to notify the network device of the serving terminal via the Xn interface or the X2 interface of the received notification.

[0060] According to the tenth aspect, a device is provided, which includes: a configuration circuit system for configuring a first management area and a second management area for a terminal when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; a component for selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and a transmission circuit system for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

[0061] The network device may further include: a receiving circuit system for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area based on the received first notification.

[0062] The network device may further include: a receiving circuit system for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area according to the received second notification.

[0063] The network device may also include: a receiving circuit system for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and a receiving circuit system for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the selection circuit system for selecting selects one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently.

[0064] The notification may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

[0065] When no notification about the terminal leaving the second management area is received, the selection circuitry for selecting may select the second management area.

[0066] The network device may also include transmission circuitry for sending a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0067] The network device may also include transmission circuitry for sending a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second managed area.

[0068] According to an eleventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area from a network device when the device is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; and a receiving circuit system for receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which of the first management area and the second management area the transmission is received on depends on a current location of the device.

[0069] The apparatus may further include transmission circuitry for transmitting a first notification that the apparatus has left the second administrative region, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the first administrative region in response to the transmitted first notification.

[0070] The apparatus may further include transmitting circuitry for transmitting a second notification that the apparatus has entered a second administrative region, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the second administrative region in response to the transmitted second notification.

[0071] The device may also include: a transmission circuit system for sending a first notification that the device has left a second management area; and a transmission circuit system for sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, wherein a receiving circuit system for receiving receives the transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently.

[0072] The notification may be sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

[0073] The receiving circuitry for receiving may receive the transmission over the second managed region when a notification that the apparatus has left the second managed region has not been sent by the apparatus.

[0074] The apparatus may also include transmission circuitry for sending a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0075] The apparatus may also include transmission circuitry for transmitting a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal entering a second managed area.

[0076] According to the twelfth aspect, a network device is provided, which includes: a receiving circuit system for receiving at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the management area; and a notification circuit system for notifying the network device serving the terminal of the type of notification received.

[0077] The network device may also include: a providing circuit system for providing a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is a first notification; and a providing circuit system for providing a second preamble to the terminal, wherein the second preamble is a second notification.

[0078] The notification circuit system for notifying the network device of the service terminal of the received notification may be an Xn interface or an X2 interface.

[0079] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus configured to perform the actions of the above method.

[0080] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0081] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which may cause an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[0082] According to a fifteenth aspect, an electronic device is provided, which may include the apparatus as described herein.

[0083] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a chipset, which may include the apparatus as described herein.

[0084] According to the seventeenth aspect, a non-volatile computer-readable medium is provided, which includes program instructions for causing a network device to perform at least the following operations: when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, configuring a first management area and a second management area for the terminal, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; selecting one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal; and transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area.

[0085] The network device may be caused to receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select the first management area based on the received first notification.

[0086] The network device may be caused to receive a second notification that the terminal has entered a second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select the second management area based on the received second notification.

[0087] The network device may be caused to: receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area; and receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to select one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently.

[0088] The notification may be received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

[0089] When no notification regarding the terminal leaving the second management area is received, the network device may be caused to select the second management area.

[0090] The network device may be caused to send a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0091] The network device may be caused to send a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second managed area.

[0092] According to the eighteenth aspect, a non-volatile computer-readable medium is provided, which includes program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the following operations: when the device is in a reduced operating mode, receiving at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area from a network device, wherein the second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area; and receiving a transmission via the first management area or the second management area, wherein which management area of ​​the first management area and the second management area the transmission is received on depends on the current location of the device.

[0093] The network device may be caused to send a first notification that the device has left the second administrative area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on the first administrative area in response to the sent first notification.

[0094] The network device may be caused to transmit a second notification that the device has entered a second administrative area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on the second administrative area in response to the transmitted second notification.

[0095] The network device may be caused to: send a first notification that the device has left the second management area; and send a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, wherein the network device may be caused to receive a transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area based on which of the first notification and the second notification has been most recently sent.

[0096] The notification may be sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

[0097] The network device may be caused to receive a transmission over the second managed area when a notification of the device leaving the second managed area has not been sent by the device.

[0098] The network device may be caused to send a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal leaving the second administrative area.

[0099] The network device may be caused to transmit a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with a terminal entering a second managed area.

[0100] According to the nineteenth aspect, a non-volatile computer-readable medium is provided, which includes program instructions for causing a network device to perform at least the following operations: receiving at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a management area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the management area; and notifying the network device serving the terminal of the type of notification received.

[0101] The network device may also be caused to: provide a first preamble to the terminal, wherein the first preamble is a first notification; and provide a second preamble to the terminal, wherein the second preamble is a second notification.

[0102] The network device may be caused to notify the network device of the serving terminal via the Xn interface or the X2 interface of the received notification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0103] Some examples will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0104] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an example communication system including a plurality of base stations and a plurality of communication devices is shown;

[0105] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example terminal is shown;

[0106] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example network device is shown;

[0107] Figure 4 shows a signaling diagram between different elements in a communication system;

[0108] Figure 5 A flow chart illustrating possible operation of a network device such as a last serving network node according to an example;

[0109] Figure 6 A flow chart showing possible operations of a terminal according to an example;

[0110] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication system according to an example is shown;

[0111] Figure 8 shows a signaling diagram between different elements in a communication system according to an example;

[0112] Fig. 9 shows a signaling diagram between different elements in a communication system according to an example; and

[0113] Fig.10 A flow diagram of possible operation of a network device, such as a non-last serving network node, according to an example is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] It is proposed below to configure at least two management areas for a user equipment, wherein one management area has fewer access points than another management area. A management area can be considered as an area in which the network manages the user equipment / terminal. A management area may include one or more cells. The user equipment / terminal may be configured to notify the network when it leaves and enters a management area with fewer access points.

[0115] In this case, the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmission or to directly send downlink data to the user equipment over the smaller management area of ​​the at least two management areas until the user equipment notifies the network that the user equipment has left the smaller management area.

[0116] In response to the user network notifying the network that the user equipment has left the smaller administrative area, the network can be configured to page the user equipment for data transmission or directly send downlink data to the user equipment on the larger administrative area of ​​the two administrative areas. When the user equipment leaves the two administrative areas, the network can follow the established mechanism to update the radio access network area. When the user equipment re-enters the smaller administrative area in the administrative area from the larger administrative area, the user equipment can send a notification about this to the network. In response to the receipt of the notification, the network can be configured to use the smaller administrative area for paging purposes and / or for direct downlink data transmission purposes. Therefore, based on the location update received from the user equipment, the network can limit paging (possibly with data) to the smaller area, thereby saving resources in the communication system.

[0117] In the following, certain exemplary examples are explained with reference to a wireless communication system service device suitable for wireless communication. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Certain general principles of communication systems, communication devices, and control apparatuses are briefly explained to help understand the technology underlying the present disclosure.

[0118] In a wireless system, at least part of the communication between at least two stations occurs via a wireless interface. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Local area network wireless network technology that allows devices to connect to data networks is known by the trade name Wi-Fi (or WiFi). Wi-Fi is often used synonymously with WLAN.

[0119] A wireless system can be divided into cells and is therefore often referred to as a cellular system. A user can access a communication system through a suitable communication device or terminal. A user's communication device is often referred to as a user equipment (communication device) or user device. The communication device is equipped with appropriate signal receiving and sending devices for communication, such as access to a communication network or direct communication with other users. The communication device can access a carrier provided by a site (e.g., a base station of a cell) and send and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0120] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standardized communication system architecture is the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. LTE is being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). LTE uses the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access. A further development of LTE is sometimes referred to as Advanced LTE (LTE-A). The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. In this description, 3GPP releases are distinguished by the acronym "Rel-nn".

[0121] In addition to LTE evolution, 3GPP has also initiated a study project that targets a new generation of radio (5G) called New Radio (NR). NR does not need to be backward compatible with LTE. Instead, it aims to achieve close interworking between RAT (Radio Access Technology) and LTE. One goal of the NR study project is to identify and develop the technical components required for New Radio (NR) systems to use any frequency band up to at least 100 GHz. The goal may be to achieve a single technical framework to address usage scenarios, requirements and deployment scenarios defined in, for example, TR 38.913. The new radio access technology may be forward compatible to allow specification in two separate phases (Phase I and Phase II).

[0122] In such Figure 1In the wireless communication system 100 shown, wireless access is provided to wireless communication devices (e.g., machine type communication MTC devices 102, 104, 105) via at least one base station or similar wireless transmission and / or reception wireless infrastructure node or point. For example, such a node may be a base station or eNodeB (eNB), or in a 5G system a next generation NodeB (gNB), or other wireless infrastructure node. These nodes are generally referred to as base stations. Base stations are typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller device to enable their operation and management of mobile communication devices communicating with the base station. The controller device may be located in a radio access network (e.g., wireless communication system 100) or a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as a central device or its functionality may be distributed over several devices. The controller device may be part of a base station and / or provided by a separate entity such as a radio network controller. In Figure 1 In the figure, control means 108 and 109 are shown as controlling respective macro-level base stations 106 and 107. In some systems, the control means may additionally or alternatively be arranged in a radio network controller. Other examples of radio access systems include systems provided by base stations based on technologies such as 5G or new radio, wireless local area networks (WLAN) and / or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station may provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area.

[0123] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , base stations 106 and 107 are shown connected to a wider communications network 113 via a gateway 112. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network.

[0124] Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also be connected to the network 113, for example, through a separate gateway function and / or via a controller of a macro-level station. The base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be pico-level base stations or femto-level base stations, etc. In this example, stations 116 and 118 are connected via gateway 111, while station 120 is connected via controller device 108. In some examples, smaller stations may not be provided.

[0125] Now refer to Figure 2 describing in more detail possible wireless communication devices, Figure 2 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device / terminal 200 is shown. Such communication devices are generally referred to as endpoint devices. Any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals may provide a suitable communication device.

[0126] The communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, ie, a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or it may be a fixed device. The communication device may require human interaction to communicate, or may not require human interaction to communicate.

[0127] The communication device 200 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 207 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for sending radio signals. Figure 2 In the wireless device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 206. The transceiver arrangement 206 may be provided, for example, by a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0128] The communication device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for software and hardware assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control devices may be provided in appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 204. In addition, the wireless communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories. The communication devices 102, 104, 105 can access the communication system based on various access technologies.

[0129] An example of a wireless communication system is an architecture standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest 3GPP-based development is generally referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. The latest development of LTE is generally referred to as Advanced LTE (LTE-A). LTE adopts a mobile architecture called Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The base station of such a system is called an evolved or enhanced NodeB (eNB) and provides E-UTRAN features, such as user plane packet data convergence / radio link control / media access control / physical layer protocol (PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane radio resource control (RRC) protocols that terminate at the communication device. Other examples of radio access systems include radio access systems provided by base stations of systems based on technologies such as wireless local area networks (WLAN) and / or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). The base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area.

[0130] Another example of a communication system is the 5G concept. The network architecture in 5G may be similar to that of Advanced LTE. Changes in the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and better quality of service (QoS) support and, for example, some on-demand requirements for QoS levels to support quality of experience (QoE) from the user's perspective. In addition, network-aware services and applications, as well as service- and application-aware networks, may bring changes to the architecture. These are related to information-centric networks (ICNs) and user-centric content delivery networks (UC-CDN) approaches. 5G may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller base stations, and may also employ various radio technologies to obtain better coverage and higher data rates.

[0131] The base station / access point in 5G can be called gNB.

[0132] Figure 3 An example network device for a 3GPP system is shown in FIG. Figure 3 An example of a control device 300 for a communication system is shown, for example, to be coupled to and / or used to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station or (e) Node B, or a node of a core network such as an MME. The method can be embedded in a single control device or across more than one control device. The control device can be integrated with a node or module of a core network or RAN or external to it. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device can be other network elements, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some examples, each base station can have such a control device and a control device arranged in a radio network controller. The control device 300 can be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The control device 300 includes at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input / output interface 304. Via the interface, the control device can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and / or the transmitter can be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 300 can be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functions. The control device 300 may be included in a chipset or a modem device. A chipset or a modem device including the device 300 may be included in a control node such as an eNB.

[0133] 5G systems are planned to be launched in the early 2020s to enable the expansion of International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) beyond IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced Mobile Broadband (MBB) services and to enable new services and use cases to be addressed.

[0134] This specification discusses a notification area (RNA) based on a radio access network. RNA is a management area, and the comments about management areas in this article also apply to RNA. RNA / management area is associated with a specific terminal / user equipment and defines a set of access points / cells. When the terminal moves into an area not covered by the access point / cell in the set, the terminal reports its location change to the network. When the terminal moves out of the area defined by the set, the terminal can be in a reduced operation mode. For example, when the terminal moves out of the area defined by the set, the terminal can be in a radio resource control inactive state (RRC-INACTIVE (RRC inactive) state). In this state, the terminal can still maintain a connection with the network in a connection management state, and can move within the RNA without notifying the network. Being in such a state can help reduce the paging delay to the terminal and realize a lightweight transition between the RRC-INACTIVE state and a connection state (such as a radio resource control connection state (RRC-CONNECTED (RRC connection) state)).

[0135] 3GPP TS 38.300 discusses the RNA concept in Chapter 9.2.2.3.

[0136] According to the present disclosure, a user equipment in the RRC_INACTIVE state may be configured with RNA by the last serving "NG-RAN" node. The term "NG-RAN" node is used to refer to a radio access network node operating in accordance with the new radio system. They may refer to any of the gNBs and LTE base stations supporting 5G core network operations. As the last serving 5G, the node configures RNA for the user equipment, and the last serving retains the user equipment context and the user equipment associated connection with the serving core network entities, such as the access and mobility function (AMF) and the user plane function (UPF).

[0137] The assigned RNA can cover a single or multiple cells and be contained within the core network registration area. The access points providing the cells in the RNA can directly contact each other. For example, this can be achieved through an Xn interface between two access points.

[0138] A Radio Access Network based Notification Area Update (RNAU) message may be sent periodically by the user equipment. The RNAU message may also be sent when the cell reselection process of the user equipment selects a cell that does not belong to the configured RNA (ie, the user equipment moves outside the configured RNA).

[0139] The RNA may be configured in any of a number of different ways. For example, the RNA may be configured by providing a list of cells to the user equipment. The list may be an explicit list of one or more cells that include the RNA.

[0140] As another example, a list of radio access network areas may be provided to the user equipment. This may be performed by providing at least one radio access network area identifier to the user equipment, wherein the radio access network area is a subset of or equal to a core network tracking area. A radio access network may be specified by a single radio access network area identifier, which may include a tracking area code and an optional radio access network area code. Another way to achieve this is for a cell to broadcast one or more radio access network area identifiers in system information.

[0141] The final service node can provide different RNA definitions to different user devices. However, the final service node cannot mix different definitions for the same user device at the same time.

[0142] Figure 4 It shows possible signaling performed by different entities when the network triggers a transition from RRC_INACTIVE mode to RRC_CONNECTED mode at the user equipment.

[0143] At 401 , the user equipment is in RRC_INACTIVE CM-CONNECTED mode.

[0144] At 402, the last serving access point detects a radio access network paging trigger event. For example, this may be information to be sent downlink to the user equipment. The information may be incoming downlink user plane information, downlink signaling from the 5G core, etc.

[0145] At 403, the last serving access point sends a radio access network paging message to all network access points included in the RNA area defined for the user equipment.

[0146] At 404, all network access points contacted at 403 attempt to page the user equipment. This may be performed using a temporary identifier of the user equipment, such as an Inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) in 5G.

[0147] At 405, it is assumed that the user equipment has been successfully contacted and the user equipment resumes connected mode operation, which includes the use of access and mobility functions.

[0148] The inventors have realized that the above operation is relatively inflexible and wastes a lot of resources. This is because each access point in the configured RNA of the user equipment will send a paging message to the user equipment whenever a triggering event occurs. This may also delay downlink data transmission to the user equipment in a reduced power mode (such as an inactive mode).

[0149] In addition, the above-mentioned technology is particularly disadvantageous in the case of early data transmission. In this case, the downlink data is sent in the paging message itself, which increases the overhead of the paging transmission performed by the access point in the RNA.

[0150] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, it is proposed below to configure two RNAs for a user equipment, one of which has fewer access points than the other RNA. As mentioned above, a RAN is a management area. An RNA may include one or more cells, and a group (multiple) of cells may be defined for a specific user equipment / terminal. The user equipment / terminal may be configured to notify the network when it leaves an RNA.

[0151] In this case, after initial setup / configuration of the two RNAs, the network may be configured to page the user equipment for data transmission or to send downlink data directly to the user equipment on the smaller of the two RNAs until the user equipment notifies the network that the user equipment has left the smaller RNA.

[0152] In response to the user equipment notifying the network that the user equipment has left the smaller RNA, the network can be configured to page the user equipment for data transmission on the larger RNA of the two RNAs. When the user equipment leaves the two RNAs, the network can follow the established mechanism to update the radio access network area. When the user equipment re-enters the smaller RNA from the larger RNA of the RNAs, the user equipment can send a notification about this to the network. In response to receiving the notification, the network can be configured to use the smaller RNA for paging purposes or for direct downlink data transmission purposes. Therefore, based on the location update received from the user equipment, the network can limit paging (possibly with data) to a smaller area than before, thereby saving resources.

[0153] Example operations that may be performed by the network device in this case refer to Figure 5 Give a description.

[0154] At 501, when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, the network device configures a first management area and a second management area for the terminal. The second management area includes fewer access points than the first management area. In addition, the access points of the second management area are a subset of the access points of the first management area. This means that the second management area includes a portion of the access points of the first management area, where the portion may be less than 1. It is understood that the second management area may include more than one access point (for example, three cells may belong to one gNB).

[0155] The reduced operation mode may be a radio resource control inactive state.

[0156] Configuration can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, according to the example discussed above, configuration can be performed by the network device providing the user equipment with a corresponding list of cells for the first management area and the second management area. Configuration can be performed by the network device providing the user equipment with a corresponding list of radio access network areas. The provision in both cases can be performed by the network device.

[0157] The configuration of the first management area may be performed simultaneously with the configuration of the second management area, or may be performed at a different time than the configuration of the second management area.

[0158] It should be understood that there may be more than two configured RNAs. However, if there are too many configured RNAs, the proposed system may become less efficient because the user equipment sends more update notifications about its RNAs to the network device. Therefore, the network device may select the number of RNAs based on the mobility and / or estimated mobility of the user equipment.

[0159] At 502, the network device may select one of the first management area and the second management area for transmission to the terminal. The selection may be performed based on the received notification. The notification may indicate whether the terminal has entered the second management area. The notification may indicate whether the terminal has left the second management area. Hereinafter, the received notification may be received from the terminal. The received notification may be received from another network device. For example, the received notification may be received from an access point, such as via an Xn / X2 connection. The selection may be performed when the terminal is transferred to an inactive state.

[0160] The following provides examples of how the network device operates in different situations.

[0161] For example, the network device may receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. In this case, the first management area will be selected according to the reception of the received first notification.

[0162] For example, the network device may receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. In this case, the second management area will be selected according to the receipt of the second notification. It should be understood that the term "enter" here includes "re-enter".

[0163] For example, the network device may receive a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, and may receive a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. In this case, the network device determines which of these notifications has been received most recently, and selects one of the first management area and the second management area according to which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently (i.e., when the first notification has been received most recently, the first management area is selected, and when the second notification has been received most recently, the second management area is selected).

[0164] When the notification about the terminal leaving the second management area is not received, the network device can select the second management area. This is because the terminal can be in the second management area by default when initially configured, and if no notification is sent, it can be considered that the terminal still resides in the second management area after entering the inactive state.

[0165] The notification of the above reception may be received directly from the user equipment. This may be achieved, for example, using a corresponding dedicated preamble for entering and leaving the second management area. In this case, the corresponding dedicated preamble may be signaled to the terminal by the network device. For example, when the network device instructs the terminal to enter an inactive state, the corresponding dedicated preamble may be signaled to the terminal by the network device. The first management area configuration and the second management area configuration may also be provided to the terminal by the network device at this time.

[0166] The notification of the above reception may be received indirectly from the user equipment. This may be achieved, for example, using a corresponding dedicated preamble for entering and leaving the second management area that is signaled between network devices other than the network device performing the method ("other network devices"). In this case, the corresponding dedicated preamble may be provided to the terminal by the other network device using, for example, a broadcast transmission (such as a system information block). After any dedicated preamble has been received from the terminal, the other network device may directly signal the reception to the network device (e.g., using an Xn / X2 interface).

[0167] At 503, the network device may use the selected management area to send to the terminal. This may be performed by the network device causing an access point in the selected management area to send a message / page to the terminal or directly send data to the terminal. The message / page may include data.

[0168] Figure 6 Some possible operations performed by the above-mentioned terminal are shown.

[0169] At 601, the terminal may receive at least one configuration for configuring a first management area and a second management area from a network device when the device is in a reduced operation mode. The second management area may include fewer access points than the first management area. According to the above discussion about 501, the reduced operation mode may be a radio resource control inactive state. The first management area and the second management area may also be as described above about Figure 5 As discussed.

[0170] Configuration can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, according to the example discussed above, configuration can be performed by the network device providing the user equipment with a corresponding list of cells for the first management area and the second management area. Configuration can be performed by the network device providing the user equipment with a corresponding list of radio access network areas. The provision in both cases can be performed by the network device.

[0171] The configuration of the first management area may be performed simultaneously with the configuration of the second management area, or may be performed at a different time than the configuration of the second management area.

[0172] It should be understood that there may be more than two configured RNAs. However, if there are too many configured RNAs, the proposed system may become less efficient because the user equipment sends more update notifications about its RNAs to the network device. Therefore, the network device may select the number of RNAs based on the mobility and / or estimated mobility of the user equipment.

[0173] At 602, a terminal is configured to receive a transmission via one of a first administrative area and a second administrative area. The terminal may be configured to determine which of the first and second administrative areas it is configured to receive the transmission via based on its current location. The transmission may be received from an access point associated with the administrative area through which the transmission is received.

[0174] For example, the terminal may send a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. The first notification may be sent directly and / or indirectly to a network device located in the second management area. The second notification may be sent indirectly to a network device within the second management area (e.g., a serving network device that configures the terminal in 601) by the terminal sending a second notification to a network device that is part of the first management area but not part of the second management area. The network device may then provide a notification (in original form or modified form) to a network device located in the second management area using a direct connection such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface. After the terminal sends the first notification, a transmission received by the terminal is received on the first management area in response to the first notification sent.

[0175] For example, the terminal may send a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. The second notification may be sent directly and / or indirectly to a network device located in the second management area. The second notification may be sent indirectly to a network device in the second management area (e.g., a service network device that configures the terminal in 601) by the terminal sending a second notification to a network device that is part of the first management area but not part of the second management area. The network device may then provide a notification (in original form or modified form) to a network device located in the second management area using a direct connection such as an X2 interface or an Xn interface. After the terminal sends the second notification, the terminal may receive a transmission on the second management area in response to the second notification sent. It should be understood that the transmission may be received on the first management area in response to the second notification sent.

[0176] For example, the terminal may send a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area. In addition, the terminal may send a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area. The transmission of the first notification and the second notification may be as described above. In this case, the terminal receives the transmission on one of the first management area and the second management area according to which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently (i.e., when the first notification was sent most recently, the transmission is received through the first management area, and when the second notification was sent most recently, the transmission is received on the second management area).

[0177] For example, when a notification regarding the terminal entering and / or leaving the second management area has not been sent by the device, the transmission is received by the second management area.

[0178] It should be understood above and below that where reference is made to making / receiving a transmission on a second administrative area, the transmission may be made / received on a first administrative area, since the second administrative area is a subset of the first administrative area. This may be useful when multiple leave / entry notifications are sent within a relatively short time frame (which may be defined by an operator operating a communication protocol and / or communication network), indicating that the terminal is at the border of the second administrative area.

[0179] Fig.10 Possible operation of a network device is shown, such as a network device that is part of a first administrative region but not part of a second administrative region, as discussed above and below.

[0180] At 1001 , a network device receives at least one of a first notification and a second notification from a terminal in a reduced operation mode, wherein the first notification indicates that the terminal is leaving a managed area and the second notification indicates that the terminal has entered the managed area.

[0181] The first notification may be a first preamble. The first preamble may have been previously provided to the terminal by the network device. For example, the second preamble may have been provided in a system information block sent by the network device. The first preamble may have been previously provided to the terminal by the serving network device.

[0182] The second notification may be a second preamble. The second preamble may have been previously provided to the terminal by the network device. For example, the second preamble may have been provided in a system information block sent by the network device. The second preamble may have been previously provided to the terminal by the serving network device.

[0183] At 1002, the network device notifies the network device of the service terminal of the type of notification received. The network device may perform the notification using an Xn interface. The network device may perform the notification using an X2 interface.

[0184] An example of a network for the above techniques is discussed below with reference to the current New Radio / 5G specifications. However, it should be understood that the techniques described below are not limited to such a system.

[0185] First, taking two RNAs as an example, consider how to configure more than one RNA for a user equipment in the RRC_INACTIVE state. It is understood that more than two RNAs can be configured. However, if too many RNAs are configured, the proposed system may become less efficient because the user equipment sends more update notifications about its RNA to the network device. Therefore, the network device may select the number of RNAs based on the mobility and / or estimated mobility of the user equipment.

[0186] This example is about Figure 7 To explain.

[0187] Figure 7 A user device 701 is shown within a first RNA (RNA1) covering a large geographic area and a second RNA (RNA2) covering a smaller geographic area. RNA2 is completely contained within RNA1. In the illustration, RNA1 and RNA2 are centered in the same location. However, it will be appreciated that this is not required. Several gNBs are shown in RNA1. One of these gNBs also resides in RNA2. It will be appreciated that while the following references larger / smaller geographic areas, the savings in resources come from reducing the number of paging access points / gNBs in the smaller RNA relative to the larger RNA. However, since the access points of RNA2 are a subset of the access points of RNA1, it is also useful from a conceptual perspective to consider RNA2 as also being geographically smaller.

[0188] In the current example, the first RNA (RNA1) may include several cells that may belong to several gNBs (e.g., Figure 7RNA2 has a smaller area than RNA1, of which RNA2 is a part, and RNA1 includes one or several cells belonging to a single gNB (e.g., Figure 7 gNB2 area in the figure). Figure 7 The central gNB (gNB2) in RNA1 is the only gNB in ​​RNA2 and can be the last serving gNB that configures the user equipment from a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED) to an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) in RNA1.

[0189] The central gNB may be the gNB that configures the user equipment into an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) during a Radio Area Network based Periodic Notification Area Update (RNAU) in RNA1.

[0190] The behavior of the network in this particular scenario can be as follows.

[0191] If the UE stays in RNA2 as well as RNA1, the gNB that retains the UE context while the UE is inactive (i.e., serving gNB gNB2) can quickly schedule downlink data transmission to the UE. This can be performed by any of a number of different techniques.

[0192] For example, the serving gNB may send data to the user equipment via a physical downlink control channel using a cell-specific identifier of the user equipment. The cell-specific identifier may be a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) from when the user equipment is in a connected state. In other words, the serving gNB (gNB2) may send directly to the user equipment without paging.

[0193] As another example, the serving gNB may page the user equipment using a contention-based random access technique. The user equipment may monitor for paging following defined paging occasions and move to physical downlink control channel monitoring if the user equipment detects one of its identifiers in the paging occasion.

[0194] If the user device stays within RNA1 but outside RNA2, it can follow Figure 4 In this case, the network can schedule downlink data transmission paging throughout RNA1 to trigger the user equipment to perform contention-based random access to establish a radio resource control connection.

[0195] When a user device moves out of RNA2, the user device may notify the network that it is leaving RNA2.

[0196] This can be performed by notifying a gNB (e.g., serving gNB, i.e., gNB2) belonging to both RNA2 and RNA1. Potential behaviors of such a gNB are described below.

[0197] To notify the gNB that the user equipment is leaving RNA2, the user equipment may initiate a random access channel access (RA) procedure using a dedicated preamble. The user equipment may send a first message to the gNB, the first message including the dedicated preamble and an identifier used during the inactive state, such as an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI). The preamble may be stored in the user equipment context along with an associated validity period. The dedicated preamble may be configured by the user equipment by receiving dedicated signaling from the gNB when the gNB commands the user equipment to enter an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) from a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED). The dedicated preamble may be broadcast by the gNB. For example, the dedicated preamble may be broadcast in a system information block of the gNB.

[0198] Upon receiving the dedicated preamble, the gNB can identify that the dedicated preamble is sent by the user equipment.

[0199] In this case, the gNB may reject the received first message and use this end of the random access procedure to mark the end of the RNA indication procedure. The gNB may also or alternatively send a random access response to the user equipment to mark the end of the RNA indication procedure. This may be sent to limit excessive preamble transmissions. In a gNB included in RNA2, the user equipment is marked as "Left RNA2".

[0200] When the user equipment has received the indication that the RNA indication procedure has ended, the user equipment maintains its inactive state (eg, RRC_INACTIVE) in the RNA1 region.

[0201] In this state, the user equipment can send a call to any gNB belonging to RNA1 (e.g. Figure 7 gNB1) notifies that it is now in RNA1 instead of RNA2.

[0202] For example, the user equipment may send a message including a dedicated preamble and an identifier, such as an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI). The dedicated preamble may be configured by the user equipment using dedicated signaling. Dedicated signaling may be performed, for example, when the gNB commands the user equipment to enter an inactive state (e.g., RRC_INACTIVE) from a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED), or by broadcasting this information in a system information block of the gNB. For the dedicated signaling case, the preamble may be reserved in all cells belonging to RNA1.

[0203] When the dedicated preamble is identified, the gNB rejects MSG1 and ends the RA procedure. The UE may remain in RRC_INACTIVE in the RNA1 region when RNA2 has left.

[0204] gNB (e.g. Figure 1 gNB1 in the figure notifies the gNB belonging to RNA2 of "left RNA2" (e.g., Figure 7 This can be performed via, for example, the Xn interface without obtaining the user equipment context.

[0205] The user equipment is marked as "Left RNA2" in the gNB belonging to RNA2.

[0206] When / if the user equipment moves back to RNA2, the user equipment may inform the network that it is "entering" RNA2.

[0207] This may have the same operation as the "leave" case discussed above. However, the dedicated preamble used for "entry" may be different from the dedicated preamble used for "leave". In this case, the user equipment and the network may reserve the dedicated preamble (along with any associated validity period (when used)) even if the user equipment leaves RNA2 at some point. After the dedicated preamble used for "entry" is identified by the network, the user equipment may be marked as "incoming RNA2" in the gNB belonging to RNA2.

[0208] about Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Discuss additional examples.

[0209] Figure 8 is an example signaling diagram where the user equipment has a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 from dedicated radio resource control signaling and to the last serving gNB ( Figure 7 gNB2 in the UE notifies the user equipment that it is leaving RNA2.

[0210] In this example, at 801, the last serving gNB commands the user equipment to enter an inactive state. The command may be a radio resource control release message (RRCRelease). The command may include an identifier (such as I-RNTI) for the user equipment in inactive mode, RNA1 configuration, RNA2 configuration, a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2, and a dedicated preamble for entering RNA2.

[0211] At 802, the user equipment is in an inactive state and performs signal measurements on at least one gNB other than a last serving gNB, and / or receives a system information block from at least one other gNB.

[0212] At 803, based on measurements and / or system information blocks, the user equipment decides to leave RNA2 but stay in RNA1. The user equipment therefore sends a message to the last serving gNB, the message including a message to leave RNA2 and an identifier for the user equipment in inactive mode.

[0213] At 804, the last serving eNB responds to the user equipment's message at 803 with a confirmation that the "leave" dedicated preamble was received. The last serving gNB then locally marks the user equipment as having left RNA2.

[0214] Fig. 9 is a signaling diagram of an example where the user equipment has a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 from the system information block of a gNB other than the serving gNB and sends a signal to the last serving gNB ( Figure 7 gNB2 in RNA2) notifies the user equipment that it is leaving RNA2 via another gNB.

[0215] In this example, at 901, the last serving gNB ( Figure 7 gNB2 in the example commands the user equipment to enter the inactive state. The command may be a radio resource control release (RRCRelease) message. The command may include an identifier for the user equipment in inactive mode (such as an I-RNTI), RNA1 configuration, and RNA2 configuration. Thus, this example is similar to Figure 8 The difference is that the last serving gNB does not provide the user equipment with a dedicated preamble for entering or leaving RNA2.

[0216] At 902, a user equipment is in an inactive state and receives system information blocks of gNBs other than the last serving gNB. The system information blocks may be received after cell reselection is initiated. At least one of the system information blocks may include a dedicated preamble for leaving RNA2 and a dedicated preamble for entering RNA2.

[0217] At 904, the user equipment decides to leave RNA2 but remain in RNA1. In this case, the user equipment sends a message to this effect to at least one of the other gNBs, the message including a message to leave RNA2 and an identifier for the user equipment in inactive mode.

[0218] At 905, another gNB responds to the user equipment's message at 903 with a confirmation that the "leave" dedicated preamble was received.

[0219] At 906, the other gNB sends a direct message to the last serving gNB (e.g., using an Xn / X2 interface) notifying the last serving gNB that the user equipment has left RNA2. In response to the message, the last serving gNB locally marks the user equipment as having left RNA2.

[0220] It should be understood that the term "terminal" throughout the above text may include terminals without users accessing the communication network, such as terminals performing machine-to-machine communication with the network, in addition to and / or alternatively to terminals (e.g., user equipment) used by users to access the communication network.

[0221] It will be appreciated that reference to a "cell" in the foregoing refers to a coverage area provided by an access point to a network. Thus, measurements performed on a cell may refer to measurements performed on at least one carrier provided by or otherwise accessible in the cell.

[0222] The required data processing means and functions may be provided by one or more data processors. The described functions may be provided by separate processors or by an integrated processor. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASystem InformationC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Data processing may be distributed over several data processing modules. The data processor may be provided, for example, by at least one chip. Appropriate storage capacity may be provided in the relevant equipment. One or more memories 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 memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. About Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 One or more of the steps discussed may be performed by one or more processors in conjunction with one or more memories.

[0223] When loaded or otherwise provided on an appropriate data processing device, a suitably modified computer program code product can be used to implement the examples. The program code product for providing the operation can be stored on an appropriate carrier medium, provided and embodied by an appropriate carrier medium. An appropriate computer program can be contained on a computer-readable recording medium. One possibility is to download the program code product via a data network. In general, the various examples can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Therefore, the above examples can 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 can be used to convert logic-level designs into semiconductor circuit designs that are ready to be etched and formed on semiconductor substrates.

[0224] It should be noted that although examples have been described with respect to certain architectures, similar principles may be applied to other systems. Thus, although certain examples are described above by way of example with reference to certain exemplary architectures for wireless networks, technologies, and standards, the examples may be applied to any other suitable form of communication system in addition to those shown and described herein. It should also be noted that different combinations of different examples are possible. It should also be noted here that although examples are described above, various changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising: means for configuring a first management area RNA and a second management area RNA for the terminal when the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, wherein the second management area RNA includes fewer cells than the first management area RNA; means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area RNA; means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area RNA; means for selecting one of the first management area RNA and the second management area RNA for transmission to the terminal according to which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently; as well as Means for transmitting to the terminal using the selected management area RNA.

2. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the first management area based on the received first notification.

3. The network device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area based on the received second notification. 4 . The network device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification is received from at least one of a user terminal and another network device.

5. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for selecting selects the second management area when a notification that the terminal leaves the second management area is not received.

6. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for sending a first dedicated preamble to the terminal, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal leaving the second management area.

7. The network device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising means for sending a second dedicated preamble to the terminal, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the terminal entering the second management area.

8. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving from a network device at least one configuration for configuring a first management area RNA and a second management area RNA when the device is in a reduced mode of operation, wherein the second management area RNA includes fewer cells than the first management area RNA; means for sending a first notification that the device has left the second management area RNA; means for sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area RNA; as well as A component for receiving a transmission via the first management area RNA or the second management area RNA, wherein which of the first management area RNA and the second management area RNA the transmission is received on depends on the current location of the device, and the current location of the device depends on which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: means for sending a first notification that the device has left the second management area, Wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the first management area in response to the first notification being sent.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: means for sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area, Wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission over the second management area in response to the sent second notification.

11. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the notification is sent to at least one of the network device and another network device.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the means for receiving receives a transmission on the second managed area when a notification of the apparatus leaving the second managed area has not been sent by the apparatus.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising means for sending a first dedicated preamble to the network, the first dedicated preamble being associated with the apparatus leaving the second administrative area.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising means for sending a second dedicated preamble, the second dedicated preamble being associated with the apparatus entering the second managed area.

15. A method for a network device, the method comprising: When the terminal is in a reduced operation mode, configuring a first management area RNA and a second management area RNA for the terminal, wherein the second management area RNA includes fewer cells than the first management area RNA; receiving a first notification that the terminal has left the second management area RNA; receiving a second notification that the terminal has entered the second management area RNA; selecting one of the first management area RNA and the second management area RNA for transmission to the terminal according to which of the first notification and the second notification has been received most recently; as well as The selected management area RNA is used to transmit to the terminal.

16. A method for an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving, when the device is in a reduced operating mode, from a network device at least one configuration for configuring a first management area RNA and a second management area RNA, wherein the second management area RNA includes fewer cells than the first management area RNA; sending a first notification that the device has left the second management area RNA; sending a second notification that the device has entered the second management area RNA; as well as Receiving a transmission via the first management area RNA or the second management area RNA, wherein which of the first management area RNA and the second management area RNA the transmission is received on depends on a current location of the device, and the current location of the device depends on which of the first notification and the second notification has been sent most recently.

17. A computer program product comprising computer code which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the steps of any one of claims 15 or 16.

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