Method and apparatus for determining a cell in a wireless communication system

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a system information block 1 (SIB 1) broadcasted from a base station (BS) of a cell, and identifying whether the cell is a non-public network (NPN) cell based on whether SIB1 includes information of an NPN. The NPN cell is a cell that the UE is allowed to access in the NPN. In addition, the method also includes accessing the cell when the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and a user equipment (UE) for determining cell suitability for cell selection in a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the increased demand for wireless data traffic since the deployment of the 4th generation (4G) communication system, efforts have been made to develop improved 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G (pre-5G) communication systems. 5G or pre-5G communication systems are also called "super 4G networks" or "post-long term evolution (LTE) systems". 5G communication systems are considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands (e.g., 60GHz bands) to achieve higher data rates. In order to reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technology are discussed with respect to 5G communication systems. In addition, in 5G communication systems, development of system network improvements is underway based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communications, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, collaborative communications, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), receiving-end interference elimination, etc.

[0003] In 5G systems, hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK) and Feher's quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) have been developed as advanced coded modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) have been developed as advanced access technologies.

[0004] The Internet is a human-centered connected network in which humans generate and use information, and is now developing towards the Internet of Things (IoT), in which distributed entities (such as things) can exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE) has emerged as a combination of IoT technology and big data processing technology through connection with cloud servers. Because the realization of IoT requires technical elements such as "sensing technology", "wired / wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology" and "security technology", sensor networks, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), etc. have recently been studied. Such an IoT environment can provide smart Internet technology services that create new value for human life by collecting and analyzing data generated between connected things. IoT can be applied to various fields, including smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, smart grids, medical care, smart appliances, and advanced medical services, etc., through the integration and combination of existing information technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

[0005] Accordingly, various attempts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as sensor networks, MTC, and M2M communications can be implemented through beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. The application of cloud RAN, which is the above-mentioned big data processing technology, can also be considered as an example of the fusion between 5G technology and IoT technology.

[0006] As described above, various services can be provided according to the development of wireless communication systems, and thus a method for easily providing such services is required. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a system information block 1 (SIB 1) broadcasted from a base station (BS) of a cell, and identifying whether the cell is a non-public network (NPN) cell based on whether information of an NPN is included in the SIB 1, wherein the NPN cell is a cell that a UE in the NPN is allowed to access. In addition, the method also includes accessing the cell when the cell is identified as an NPN cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present disclosure is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments of the present invention will be better understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1Various hardware components of a UE for determining cell suitability for cell selection or cell reselection in a wireless communication system according to embodiments disclosed herein are shown;

[0011] Figures 2A to 2G is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining cell suitability for cell selection or cell reselection in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

[0012] Figure 3A is a flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0013] Figure 3B is another flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0014] Figure 3C is another flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0015] Figure 4A is a flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0016] Figure 4B is another flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0017] Figure 4C is another flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0018] Figure 5A is a flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0019] Figure 5B is another flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0020] Figure 5C is another flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0021] Fig. 6A is a flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0022] Figure 6Bis another flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0023] Figure 6C is another flow chart illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0024] Fig. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a legacy / non-NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

[0025] Figure 7B is a flow chart illustrating a legacy / non-NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0027] Fig. 9 A user equipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for determining, by a UE, the suitability of a cell for cell selection in a wireless communication system. The method includes obtaining, by the UE, SIB1 information from a cell when the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the MIB is not prohibited. In addition, the method includes detecting, by the UE, whether one of an NPN ID and a CAG ID is available in the obtained SIB1 information. In addition, the method includes performing one of the following by the UE: if an NPN ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as an NPN cell, if a CAG ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as a CAG cell, and if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as a PLMN cell.

[0029] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is an NPN UE. In addition, the method includes: if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell, determining, by the UE, the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the method includes selecting, by the UE, a cell for camping, in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is an NPN UE.

[0030] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is a CAG UE. The method includes: if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a CAG cell, determining, by the UE, the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the method includes selecting, by the UE, a cell for camping, in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is a CAG UE with an allowed CAG list.

[0031] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. In addition, the method includes: if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determining, by the UE, the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the method includes selecting, by the UE, a cell for camping, in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. In addition, the method includes: if an NPN ID or a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell or a CAG cell, determining, by the UE, that the cell is an unsuitable cell. In addition, the method includes prohibiting, by the UE, the cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0033] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is an NPN UE. In addition, the method includes: if no NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determining, by the UE, that the cell is an unsuitable cell. In addition, the method includes, in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE is an NPN UE, prohibiting, by the UE, the cell for camping.

[0034] In an embodiment, the method includes identifying, by the UE, that the UE is a CAG UE. In addition, the method includes: if no CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determining, by the UE, that the cell is an unsuitable cell. In addition, the method includes, in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a CAG UE, prohibiting, by the UE, the cell for camping.

[0035] In an embodiment, the method includes determining, by the UE, that a CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is available in an allowed CAG list. In addition, the method includes camping, by the UE, on a selected cell.

[0036] In an embodiment, the method includes determining, by the UE, that a CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is not available in an allowed CAG list. In addition, the method includes prohibiting, by the UE, a selected cell.

[0037] In an embodiment, cell selection is determined by receiving system information including a whitelist of cells supporting CAG selection, wherein the whitelist corresponds to a list of physical cell identities (PCIs) reserved for CAG cells.

[0038] Therefore, embodiments of the present invention disclose a UE for determining the suitability of a cell for cell selection in a wireless communication system. The UE includes a processor connected to a memory. The processor is configured to obtain SIB1 information from a cell when the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the MIB is not prohibited. In addition, the processor is configured to detect whether one of an NPN ID and a CAG ID is available in the acquired SIB1 information. In addition, the processor is configured to perform one of the following: if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, the cell is identified as an NPN cell, if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, the cell is identified as a CAG cell, and if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, the cell is identified by the UE as a public land mobile network (PLMN) cell.

[0039] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is an NPN UE; if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell, determine the cell as a suitable cell; and in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is an NPN UE, select a cell for camping.

[0040] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is a CAG UE; if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, determine the cell as a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as a CAG cell; and select a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is a CAG UE with an allowed CAG list.

[0041] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE; if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, determine the cell as a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell; and select a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0042] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE; if an NPN ID or a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell or a CAG cell; and prohibit the cell from being used for residence in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0043] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is an NPN UE; if no NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell; and in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE is an NPN UE, prohibit the cell for camping.

[0044] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: identify that the UE is a CAG UE; if no CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell; and in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE is a CAG UE, prohibit the cell from being used for camping.

[0045] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: determine that a CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is available in an allowed CAG list; and camp on the selected cell.

[0046] In an embodiment, the processor is configured to: determine that a CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is not available in the allowed CAG list; and prohibit the selected cell.

[0047] In an embodiment, wherein the cell selection is determined by receiving system information including a whitelist of cells for supporting CAG selection, wherein the whitelist corresponds to a list of physical cell identities (PCIs) reserved for CAG cells.

[0048] In an embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes: receiving a system information block 1 (SIB1) broadcasted from a base station (BS) of a cell; identifying whether a cell is a non-public network (NPN) cell based on whether information of an NPN is included in SIB 1, wherein an NPN cell is a cell that a UE in the NPN is allowed to access; and accessing the cell when the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0049] In an embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a master information block (MIB) including an indicator from a BS in the cell, wherein the indicator indicates whether the cell is barred for UE; and determining whether to identify the cell as an NPN cell based on the indicator in the MIB.

[0050] In an embodiment, when the indicator indicates that the cell is not prohibited for use by the UE, the NPN cell is identified based on information of the NPN included in SIB 1, and wherein the information of the NPN includes at least one of a network identifier (NID), a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, or a closed access group (CAG) identifier.

[0051] In an embodiment, when the NID matches the information of the NPN that the UE is allowed to access, the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0052] In an embodiment, the NPN cell is identified based on a closed access group (CAG) identifier included in SIB1.

[0053] In an embodiment, wherein, when the CAG ID matches a list of CAG cells that the UE is allowed to access, the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0054] In an embodiment, the method further comprises: receiving a range of physical cell identity (PCI) values ​​reserved by the NPN for use by the CAG cell, and wherein the range of PCI values ​​is broadcast by the cell.

[0055] In an embodiment, the method further comprises: identifying the cell as a barred cell based on SIB 1, and wherein SIB 1 does not include information of the NPN.

[0056] In an embodiment, the information of the NPN includes at least one of a NID or a CAG ID.

[0057] In an embodiment, wherein when the indicator indicates that the cell is barred for the UE, the cell is identified as not being an NPN cell to be accessed; and wherein the MIB also includes an indicator indicating whether another cell on the same frequency as the barred cell is allowed to be accessed by the UE.

[0058] In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes: a transceiver; and at least one processor, which is connected to the transceiver and configured to: control the transceiver to receive a system information block 1 (SIB 1) broadcasted from a base station (BS) of a cell, identify whether the cell is a non-public network (NPN) cell based on whether information of an NPN is included in the SIB 1, wherein the NPN cell is a cell that a UE in the NPN is allowed to access, and access the cell when the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0059] In an embodiment, at least one processor is configured to: control a transceiver to receive a master information block (MIB) including an indicator from a BS in a cell, wherein the indicator indicates whether the cell is barred for UE, and determine whether to identify the cell as an NPN cell based on the indicator in the MIB.

[0060] In an embodiment, at least one processor is configured to: identify an NPN cell based on information of the NPN included in SIB 1 when the indicator indicates that the cell is not prohibited for use by the UE; and wherein the information of the NPN includes at least one of a network identifier (NID), a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, or a closed access group (CAG) identifier.

[0061] In an embodiment, when the NID matches the information of the NPN to which the UE is allowed to access, the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0062] In an embodiment, a method performed by a base station (BS) in wireless communication is provided. The method includes: broadcasting a system information block 1 (SIB 1) and a master information block (MIB); and wherein the MIB includes an indicator indicating whether a cell is barred for a UE.

[0063] When considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings, these and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood. However, it should be understood that the following description, although indicating preferred embodiments and many specific details thereof, is provided in an illustrative and non-limiting manner. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

[0064] Invention method

[0065] The embodiments of this article and their various characteristics and advantageous details are more fully explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments shown in the drawings and described in detail in the following description. The description of well-known components and processing technologies is omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of this article. In addition, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, because some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. When used herein, unless otherwise stated, the term "or" refers to a non-exclusive or. The examples used herein are intended only to facilitate understanding of the manner in which the embodiments of this article can be practiced, and further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of this article. Therefore, the examples should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiments of this article.

[0066] As traditional in the art, the embodiment can be described and illustrated according to the block of one or more functions of the execution description. These blocks may be referred to as units or modules, etc. in this article, and are physically implemented by analog or digital circuits, such as logic gates, integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory circuits, passive electronic components, active electronic components, optical components, hard-wired circuits, etc., and may be optionally driven by firmware and software. For example, the circuit may be implemented in one or more semiconductor chips, or implemented on substrate supports such as printed circuit boards. The circuit constituting the block may be implemented by dedicated hardware or by a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuits) or by a combination of dedicated hardware that performs some functions of the block and a processor that performs other functions of the block. Each block of the embodiment may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks. Similarly, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the block of the embodiment may be physically combined into more complex blocks.

[0067] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical characteristics, and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the present disclosure should be interpreted as extending to any variation, equivalent and substitute other than the variation, equivalent and substitute specifically set forth in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. can be used in this article to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are usually only used to distinguish an element from another element.

[0068] Embodiments of the present invention implement a method for determining, by a UE, the suitability of a cell for cell selection in a wireless communication system. The method includes obtaining, by the UE, SIB1 information from a cell when the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the MIB is not prohibited. In addition, the method includes detecting, by the UE, whether one of an NPN ID and a CAG ID is available in the obtained SIB1 information. In addition, the method includes performing one of the following by the UE: if an NPN ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as an NPN cell, if a CAG ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as a CAG cell, and if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the obtained SIB1 information, the UE identifies the cell as a PLMN cell.

[0069] Various embodiments of the proposed method are adopted in 3GPP TS 38.300 and 3GPP TS 38.304.

[0070] In an embodiment, the NPN UE camps on a cell that broadcasts the NID / CAG ID that the UE is interested in, i.e., the UE subscribes to. In another embodiment, if the cell does not broadcast the NID / CAG ID or the cell broadcasts the NID / CAG ID that the UE does not subscribe to, the UE does not consider the cell for camping, i.e., a barred cell. If the NPN UE considers a barred cell, the NPN UE also needs to be specified how the UE bars all cells on the same frequency, i.e., based on the Rel-15 IFRI bits in the MIB.

[0071] In the past few decades, several broadband wireless technologies have been developed to meet the growing number of broadband subscribers and provide more and better applications and services. The second generation of wireless communication systems has been developed to provide voice services while ensuring the mobility of users. The third generation of wireless communication systems supports not only voice services but also data services. In recent years, the fourth generation of wireless communication systems has been developed to provide high-speed data services. However, the fourth generation of wireless communication systems currently lacks resources to meet the growing demand for high-speed data services, so the fifth generation of wireless communication systems are being developed to meet the growing demand for high-speed data services, supporting ultra-reliability and low-latency applications.

[0072] The fifth generation wireless communication system will be deployed not only in lower frequency bands, such as 500MHz to 10GHz bands, but also in higher frequency (millimeter wave (mmWAve)) bands, such as 10GHz to 100GHz bands, to achieve higher data rates. In order to mitigate the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technology are being considered when designing the fifth generation wireless communication system. In addition, the fifth generation wireless communication system is expected to address different use cases with quite different requirements in terms of data rate, latency, reliability, mobility, etc. However, the air interface design of the fifth generation wireless communication system will be flexible enough to serve UEs and market segments with quite different capabilities depending on the use case to provide end customers with services that cater to the UE. Few example use cases are fifth generation wireless communication system wireless systems that are expected to address enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (m-MTC), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLL), etc. eMBB requirements, such as data rates of tens of Gbps, low latency, and high mobility, address the market segment of conventional wireless broadband users who need Internet connectivity anywhere, anytime.

[0073] m-MTC requirements, such as very high connection density, infrequent data transmission, very long battery life, low mobility, etc., address the Internet of Things (IoT) / Internet of Everything (IoE) market segment representing the connectivity of billions of devices envisioned. URLL requirements, such as very low latency, very high reliability, and variable mobility, etc., address the vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure communication market segment representing industrial automation applications, which is envisioned as one of the enablers of autonomous cars. Industrial automation, also known as smart factories, can be implemented using private networks or non-public networks.

[0074] In the fourth generation wireless communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), the enhanced Node B (eNB) or base station broadcasts system information in the cell. The system information is structured as a master information block (MIB) and a set of system information blocks (SIBs). The MIB consists of the system frame number (SFN), the downlink system bandwidth, and the physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback indicator channel (PHICH) configuration. The MIB is transmitted every 40 ms. When SFN mod 4 is equal to 0, it is repeated every 10 ms in case the first transmission occurs in subframe #0. The MIB is transmitted on the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). System information block type 1 (SIB1) carries the cell identity, tracking area code, cell barring information, value tag (common to all scheduling units), and scheduling information for other SIBs. When SFN mod 8 is equal to 0, SIB 1 is transmitted every 80 ms in subframe #5. When SFN mod 2 is equal to 0, SIB 1 is repeated in subframe #5. SIB 1 is transmitted on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). While the scheduling information of the SIBs is indicated in SIB 1, the other SIBs (SIB 2 to SIB 20) are transmitted in a system information (SI) message.

[0075] In the fifth generation wireless communication system, information is divided into minimum SI (MSI) and other SI (OSI). Other SI can be structured as a group of SI blocks (SIBs).

[0076] I.MSI is broadcast periodically. MSI includes NR MIB and NR SIB1. OSI can be broadcast periodically or provided on demand based on UE request. MSI includes basic information required for initial access to the cell and information for obtaining any OSI that is broadcast periodically or provided on demand. NR MIB includes SFN, cell barring information (i.e., cell barring bit and intrafreqreselection bit), a common control resource set (CORESET) indicating the frequency position where the UE can find the SS / PBCH block with SIB1 or the frequency range where the network does not provide the SS / PBCH block with SIB1, physical layer parameters such as subcarrier spacing, frequency domain offset between the SSB and the entire resource block grid in terms of the number of subcarriers, and the position of the first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for the downlink.

[0077] II.NR SIB1 includes a list of public land mobile networks (PLMN), cell identifiers (IDs), cell residency parameters, and random access channel (RACH) parameters. If the fifth generation network allows an on-demand mechanism, the parameters required to request (one or more) other SI blocks (if any parameters are required, such as the requested RACH preamble) are also included in NR SIB1. The scheduling information in the minimum NRSIB1 includes an indicator indicating whether the relevant SI block is broadcast periodically or provided on demand. The scheduling information for other SI includes SIB type, validity information (ie, system information value tag), SI period, and SI window information. Regardless of whether other SI is broadcast periodically, scheduling information for other SI is provided. If the minimum SI indicates that the SIB is not broadcast (ie, it is provided on demand), the UE does not assume that the SIB is broadcast periodically in its SI window every SI period. Therefore, the UE can send an SI request to receive the SIB. For other SI provided on demand, the UE can request one or more SI blocks or all SI blocks in a single request. The SIB of OSI can be indicated as a cell-specific SIB or an area-specific SIB. If the SIB is cell-specific, the UE associates the relevant value tag corresponding to the SIB with the cell identifier in SIB1 from which the UE obtains the SIB. If the SIB is region-specific, the UE associates the relevant value tag corresponding to the SIB with the region identifier in SIB1 from which the UE obtains the SIB.

[0078] In the fifth generation communication system, according to 3GPP TS 22.261, the 5G core (5GC) supports non-public networks (NPNs) that are considered for non-public use, i.e., dedicated. The radio access network (RAN) connected to the 5GC can be an LTE RAN or NRRAN. NPNs can be deployed as:

[0079] 1. A Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPN) is a network function operated by an NPN operator and does not rely on the PLMN.

[0080] 2. Public network integrated NPN, i.e. a non-public network deployed with the support of PLMN. Hereafter, whether it is S-NPN or PLMN integrated NPN, such a network is generally referred to as a non-public network (NPN) or a private network.

[0081] NPN is expected to deploy NPN cells, also known as CAG (Closed Access Group) cells, on which NPN specific functions can be provided to support NPN services for UEs. An example of NPN and NPN services is a fifth generation network deployed in a factory environment for automating some industrial processes in the factory, so that the NPN can be a standalone NPN (i.e. SNPN) or a PLMN integrated NPN (PNPN). Some sensors, actuators and robots in the factory will be equipped with NR radios, and the UE needs to access the NPN cell for NPN services. NPN services can be provided for functions such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) operations in a factory environment. Two types of UEs need to be considered:

[0082] I.NPN UE: These are UEs that support NPN features or need to support CAG functionality. These can be LTE UEs or NR UEs. These types of UEs are further detailed as follows:

[0083] -Only NPN UE: These UEs can only camp on NPN cells, or in other words, the UEs are only interested in NPN services.

[0084] -NPN UE: These UEs can camp on both NPN cells and non-NPN cells. In other words, when these UEs camp on NPN cells, they usually request NPN services, and when they camp on non-NPN cells, they can request normal services.

[0085] II. Non-NPN UE: These types of UE are further detailed as follows:

[0086] - Legacy UEs: Release-15 UEs that do not understand cells supporting Closed Access Group (CAG) functionality or legacy UEs that do not understand the NPN feature. These can be LTE UEs or NR UEs. Basically, these UEs cannot understand any new signaling introduced for the NPN feature.

[0087] - Non-NPN-capable UEs: These are not legacy UEs, but UEs that neither support the NPN feature nor are required to support CAG functionality. It is not desirable for non-NPN UEs to implement features designed for the NPN feature. However, these UEs can distinguish whether the cell supports the NPN feature or the CAG feature. These can be LTE UEs or NR UEs. Basically these UEs can understand the new signaling introduced for NPN, but do not support the NPN feature.

[0088] Regardless of whether they are legacy or non-NPN types, UEs are collectively referred to as non-NPN capable UEs hereinafter. These non-NPN UEs are not expected to reside on NPN or CAG cells.

[0089] There are three types of cells to consider in the context of NPNs:

[0090] - Normal cells or non-NPN cells: These cells provide normal services. These cells do not provide NPN services, so they do not broadcast NPN information. Legacy UEs, non-NPN UEs, and NPN UEs can camp on these cells. Only NPN UEs are prohibited from normal cells.

[0091] -NPN cells: These cells provide NPN services, so they broadcast NPN information. These cells do not provide normal services. NPN UEs and NPN-only UEs can camp on these cells. NPN cells are prohibited for legacy UEs and non-NPN UEs.

[0092] - Hybrid cells: These cells provide both normal services and NPN services. They broadcast NPN information but also provide non-NPN services. All UE types can camp on a hybrid cell.

[0093] The main need of embodiments herein is to disclose methods for achieving desired UE behavior for NPN-only UEs, NPN UEs, and legacy / non-NPN UEs camped on a cell after reading system information broadcasted from the cell.

[0094] A main object of the embodiments herein is to disclose a method and a UE for determining cell suitability for cell selection in a wireless communication system.

[0095] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figures 1 to 9 , wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are shown.

[0096] Figure 1Various hardware components of a UE (100) for determining cell suitability for performing cell selection or cell reselection in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment disclosed herein are shown. The UE (100) can be, for example, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an Internet of Things (IoT), a virtual reality device, a smart phone, a flexible electronic device, and a foldable electronic device. The UE (100) includes a processor (102), a communicator (104), a memory (106), and a cell suitability determination controller (108). The processor (102) is connected to the communicator (104), the memory (106), and the cell suitability determination controller (108).

[0097] The cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to detect that the UE (100) is in an idle state or an inactive state and obtain a MIB from a cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to determine the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the obtained MIB. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to obtain SIB1 from the cell when the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the obtained MIB is not prohibited.

[0098] Furthermore, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to detect whether one of an NPN ID and a CAG ID is available in the acquired SIB1 information. Furthermore, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to perform one of the following: if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, identifying the cell as an NPN cell, if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, identifying the cell as a CAG cell, and if neither an NPN ID nor a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, identifying the cell as a PLMN cell.

[0099] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to identify that the UE (100) is an NPN UE. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to: if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell, determine the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to select a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is an NPN UE.

[0100] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to identify that the UE (100) is a CAG UE, and if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a CAG cell, determine the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to select a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a CAG UE with an allowed CAG list.

[0101] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to determine that the CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is available in the allowed CAG list and resides on the selected cell.

[0102] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to determine that a CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is not available in the allowed CAG list and prohibit the selected cell.

[0103] In an embodiment, cell selection is determined by receiving system information including a whitelist of cells supporting CAG selection, wherein the whitelist corresponds to a list of physical cell identities (PCIs) reserved for CAG cells.

[0104] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to identify that the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to: if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determine the cell as a suitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to select a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0105] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to identify that the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to: if an NPN ID or a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell or a CAG cell, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to prohibit the cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0106] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to: identify that the UE (100) is an NPN UE, and if no NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to, in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is an NPN UE, prohibit the cell for camping.

[0107] In an embodiment, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to identify that the UE (100) is a CAG UE, and if no CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, determine the cell as an unsuitable cell. In addition, the cell suitability determination controller (108) is configured to prohibit the cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a CAG UE.

[0108] In addition, the cell access control desired by different UE types on different cell types is described below.

[0109] 1. If the cell is a normal cell or a hybrid cell, the barring bit in the MIB is set to "notBarred". The UE (100) will read SIB1 from such a cell.

[0110] a) The NPN-only UE does not find NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from the normal cell, so the NPN-only UE bars the cell. The NPN-only UE finds NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from the hybrid cell and camps on the cell if the NID / CAG ID is in the allowed CAG list stored in the NPN-only UE.

[0111] - Option 1: NPN-only UE does not find NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from normal cell, so NPN-only UE prohibits the cell,

[0112] - Option 2: The NPN-only UE does not find NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from a normal cell, so the NPN-only UE bars that cell and that frequency, and

[0113] - Option 3: NPN only UE does not find NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from a normal cell, and if the IFRI-NPN bit is set to prohibited, it prohibits the cell and the frequency, and if the IFRI-NPN bit is set to not prohibited, it prohibits the cell but not the frequency.

[0114] b) The NPN UE does not find NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in the SIB1 from the normal cell, but can access the cell for normal service. For the purpose of idle / inactive mode load balancing, it may be necessary to prohibit the NPN UE from camping on the normal cell, and then an NPN-specific prohibition bit needs to be introduced in SIB1. The NPN UE finds NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in the SIB1 from the hybrid cell, and camps on the cell if the NID / CAG ID is in the allowed NID / CAG ID list stored in the NPN UE

[0115] c) Legacy UEs and non-NPN UEs can camp on normal cells as long as the suitability or reselection criteria are met. Legacy UEs and non-NPN UEs can camp on hybrid cells as long as the suitability or reselection criteria are met. NPN information in SIB1 or SIB-X scheduling information broadcast by hybrid cells is ignored by legacy UEs and non-NPN UEs

[0116] 2. If the cell is an NPN cell, the prohibit bit in the MIB is set to "prohibited". Legacy UEs and non-NPN UEs prohibit the cell, while NPN / NPN-only UEs ignore the prohibit bit and read SIB1:

[0117] a) The NPN UE finds the NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from the NPN cell and camps on the cell if the NID / CAGID is in the allowed list stored in the UE (100).

[0118] b) NPN-only UE finds NPN information or SIB-X scheduling information in SIB1 from the NPN cell and camps on the cell if the NID / CAGID is in the allowed list stored in the UE (100).

[0119] UE behavior for NPN-only UEs: When the UE (100) reads the broadcast of MSI from the NR cell, the following UE behavior is expected for NPN-only UEs.

[0120] A.Only NPN UE always reads NR MIB and NR SIB1, i.e. ignores the setting of the cellBarred bit in NR MIB for reading NR SIB1.

[0121] B. If the NPN-only UE finds NPN information in NR SIB1 or scheduling information in NRSIB1 associated with SIB-X including NPN information, the UE camps on the cell if the NPN ID / CAG ID matches (the NPN ID / CAG ID of interest to the UE is included in the received NPN information) and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria;

[0122] C. Otherwise, only the NPN UE does not find NPN information in NR SIB1 or does not find SIB-X scheduling information in NR SIB1:

[0123] - Option 1: prohibiting cells, as shown in Figure 3a;

[0124] - Option 2: prohibit the cell and the frequency, as shown in Figure 3a.

[0125] - Option 3: If the intrafreqreselection-NPN bit in NR SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", the cell and the frequency are prohibited. If the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "not prohibited / allowed", the cell is prohibited but the frequency is not prohibited, such as Figure 3B as shown in .

[0126] -Option 4: Follow the cellBarred bit and the intrafreqreselection bit in the NR MIB, i.e., IFRI bit. Figure 3C If the prohibit bit is set to prohibited and the internal frequency reselection bit is set to "prohibited / not allowed", the cell and the frequency are prohibited. If the prohibit bit is set to prohibited and the internal frequency reselection bit is set to "not prohibited / allowed", the cell is prohibited but the frequency is not prohibited.

[0127] When the UE (100) reads the LTE MIB and LTE SIB1 from the LTE cell, the following UE behavior is expected for NPN-only UEs.

[0128] A. "NPN UE only" always reads LTE MIB and LTE SIB1.

[0129] B. NPN-only UEs ignore the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in LTE SIB1 for reading NPN information.

[0130] C. If an "NPN-only UE" finds NPN information in LTE SIB1 or finds scheduling information in LTE SIB1 associated with SIB-X including NPN information, the UE camps on the cell if the NPN ID / CAG ID (the NPN ID / CAG ID of interest to the UE is included in the received NPN information) matches and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria.

[0131] D. Otherwise "NPN-only UE" cannot find NPN information in LTE SIB1 or cannot find SIB-X scheduling information in LTE SIB1:

[0132] a. Option 1: Prohibit the cell, as shown in Figure 4a;

[0133] b. Option 2: prohibit the cell and the frequency, as shown in Figure 4a;

[0134] c. Option 3: If the internal frequency reselection-NPN, i.e., the IFRI-NPN bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", the cell and the frequency are prohibited. If the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "not prohibited / allowed", the cell is prohibited but the frequency is not prohibited, such as Figure 4B As shown;

[0135] d. Option 4: Comply with the prohibited bit in LTE SIB1, i.e., cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit and the internal frequency reselection bit -5GC, i.e., IFRI bit, as shown in Figure 4c.

[0136] UE behavior for NPN UE: The following UE behavior is expected for "NPN UE" when the UE reads the broadcast of MSI from the NR cell.

[0137] 1. “NPN UE” always reads NR MIB and NR SIB1, i.e. ignores the setting of the cellBarred bit in NR MIB for reading NR SIB1.

[0138] 2. If the "NPN UE" finds NPN information in NR SIB1 or scheduling information in NRSIB1 associated with SIB-X including NPN information, if the NPN ID / CAG ID matches (the NPN ID / CAG ID of interest to the UE is included in the received NPN information) and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria, the UE stays on the cell.

[0139] 3. Otherwise "NPN UE" cannot find NPN information in NR SIB1 or cannot find SIB-X scheduling information in NR SIB1:

[0140] - Option 1: Comply with the cellBarred bit and the internal frequency reselection bit in the NR MIB, as shown in Figure 5a:

[0141] a. If the prohibit bit in the MIB is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "allowed", the cell is prohibited;

[0142] b. Otherwise, the prohibit bit in the MIB is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "not allowed", then the frequency is prohibited;

[0143] - Option 2: If the prohibition bit in the MIB is set to “not prohibited”, as shown in Figure 5b:

[0144] a. If the NPN disable bit in NR SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in NR SIB1 is set to "allowed", the cell is disabled;

[0145] b. Otherwise, if the NPN Disable bit in NR SIB1 is set to “Prohibited” and the IFRI-NPN bit in NR SIB1 is set to “Not Allowed”, then the frequency is prohibited; and

[0146] c. Otherwise, if NPN barring is not included or is set to "not barred" and the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "allowed" or is not included and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria, camp on the cell for normal service.

[0147] Option 3: Ignore the Prohibit bit and IFRI bit in the NR MIB, as shown in Figure 5c

[0148] I. Follow the NPN inhibit / NPN-IFRI bit in NR SIB1:

[0149] a. If the NPN disable bit in NR SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in NR SIB1 is set to "allowed", the cell is disabled;

[0150] b. Otherwise, if the NPN Disable bit in NR SIB1 is set to “Prohibited” and the IFRI-NPN bit in NR SIB1 is set to “Not Allowed”, then the frequency is prohibited; and

[0151] c. Otherwise, if NPN Barring is not included or is set to "Not Barred" and the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "Allowed" or is not included and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria, camp on the cell for normal service.

[0152] When the UE reads the LTE MIB and LTE SIB1 from the LTE cell, the following UE behavior is expected for a "NPN UE".

[0153] - "NPN UE" always reads LTE MIB and LTE SIB1.

[0154] - If the "NPN UE" finds NPN information in LTE SIB1 or scheduling information in LTE SIB1 associated with SIB-X including NPN information, it camps on the cell if the NPN ID / CAG ID matches (the NPN ID / CAG ID of interest to the UE is included in the received NPN information) and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria;

[0155] - Otherwise, the "NPN UE" cannot find the NPN information in the LTE SIB1 or cannot find the SIB-X scheduling information in the LTE SIB1:

[0156] 1. Option 1: Follow the prohibition bit in LTE SIB1, i.e., cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit and internal frequency reselection-5GC bit, i.e., IFRI-5GC bit, as shown in Figure 6a:

[0157] a. If the prohibit bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "allowed", the cell is prohibited; and

[0158] b. Otherwise, the prohibit bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "not allowed", then the frequency is prohibited.

[0159] 2. Option 2: If the prohibition bit in LTE SIB1 is set to “not prohibited”, as shown in Figure 6b:

[0160] a. If the NPN disable bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "allowed", the cell is disabled;

[0161] b. Otherwise, if the NPN disable bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "not allowed", the frequency is disabled; and

[0162] c. Otherwise, if NPN Barring is not included or is set to "Not Barred" and the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "Allowed" or is not included and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria, then camp on the cell for normal service.

[0163] 3. Option 3: Ignore the prohibit bit and IFRI bit in LTE SIB1, as shown in Figure 6c

[0164] I. Comply with the NPN disable / NPN-IFRI bit in LTE SIB1:

[0165] a. If the NPN disable bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "allowed", the cell is disabled;

[0166] b. Otherwise, if the NPN disable bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "disabled" and the IFRI-NPN bit in LTE SIB1 is set to "not allowed", the frequency is disabled; and

[0167] c. Otherwise, if NPN Barring is not included or is set to "Not Barred" and the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "Allowed" or is not included and the cell meets the selection / reselection criteria, then camp on the cell for normal service.

[0168] Traditional UE / non-NPN UE:

[0169] The following UE behavior is expected for “legacy / non-NPN UEs” when the UE reads the NR MIB from a NR cell.

[0170] - "Legacy / non-NPN UE" always reads the NR MIB broadcast by the NR cell, as shown in Figure 7a:

[0171] 1. If the inhibit bit in the NR MIB is set to “not inhibited”, read the NR SIB1 and camp on the cell if it meets the selection / reselection criteria;

[0172] 2. Otherwise, follow the prohibition bit and IFRI bit in the MIB to prohibit the operation:

[0173] a. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "allowed", the cell is prohibited; and

[0174] b. Otherwise, if the Disable bit is set to "disabled" and the IFRI bit is set to "not allowed", the frequency is disabled.

[0175] The following UE behavior is expected for "legacy / non-NPN UEs" when the UE reads the LTE MIB and LTE SIB1 from the LTE cell.

[0176] "- Legacy / Non-NPN UE" always reads the LTE MIB and LTE SIB1 broadcasted by the LTE cell, as shown in Figure 7b:

[0177] 1. If the prohibition bit, i.e. cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS in LTE SIB1, is set to “not prohibited”, it stays on the cell if it meets the selection / reselection criteria;

[0178] 2. Otherwise follow the prohibition bits, i.e., cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS and IFRI-5GC bits in LTE SIB1 for prohibition operation:

[0179] A. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "allowed", the cell is prohibited; and

[0180] B. Otherwise, if the Disable bit is set to "Prohibited" and the IFRI bit is set to "Not Allowed", the frequency is prohibited.

[0181] NPN-capable UEs determine whether a cell supports standalone NPN (SNPN) functionality by checking the MCC portion of the PLMN ID. If the MCC is 999, the NPN-capable UE determines that the cell is part of a dedicated network or standalone NPN (i.e., SNPN). However, CAG functionality is supported with non-standalone NPN or PLMN integrated NPN (PNPN) (i.e., the NPN is deployed as part of the PLMN), in which case the MCC portion of the PLMN ID is not 999, but a normal country code. In such a scenario, if the SIB-1 broadcast or SIB-X includes one or more NPN IDs or CAG IDs, "NPN-only UEs" and "NPN UEs" determine that the cell is part of a non-standalone NPN (i.e., PNPN). In addition, a human-readable network name for each NPN-ID or CAG-ID may also be broadcast in SIB-1 or SIB-X. SIB-X including NPN information can be classified as on-demand SI, where SIB-X can be cell-specific or area-specific, depending on the use case. There is no special handling for on-demand SI requests for SIB-X.

[0182] In an embodiment, SIB-X is always broadcast, i.e., not provided on demand. In an embodiment, the SI transmitted in the cell may broadcast NPN information of adjacent frequencies. In an embodiment, the SI transmitted in the cell may provide a whitelist of cells that support NPN. A range of physical cell ID (PCI) values ​​reserved by the network for use by CAG cells may be broadcast.

[0183] The processor (102) is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory (106) and perform various processes. The communicator (104) is configured to communicate internally between internal hardware components and to communicate with external devices via one or more networks.

[0184] The memory (106) also stores instructions to be executed by the processor (102). The memory (106) may include a non-volatile storage element. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements may include a magnetic hard disk, an optical disk, a floppy disk, a flash memory, or a form of an electrically programmable memory (EPROM) or an electrically erasable programmable (EEPROM) memory. In addition, in some examples, the memory (106) may be considered a non-transitory storage medium. The term "non-transitory" may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier or propagating signal. However, the term "non-transitory" should not be interpreted as the memory (106) being non-removable. In some examples, the memory (106) may be configured to store a larger amount of information than the memory. In some examples, the non-transitory storage medium may store data that may change over time (e.g., in a random access memory (RAM) or a cache).

[0185] although Figure 1 Various hardware components of the UE (100) are shown, but it should be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the UE (100) may include fewer or more components. In addition, the labels or names of the components are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. One or more components can be combined together to perform the same or substantially similar functions to reside on a dedicated network cell in a wireless communication system.

[0186] Figures 2A to 2G is a flow chart (200) illustrating a method for determining cell suitability for cell selection or cell reselection in a wireless communication system. Operations (202-258) are performed by a processor (102).

[0187] exist Figure 2A At 202 described in the method, the method includes detecting that the UE (100) is in an idle state or an inactive state. At 204, the method includes acquiring a MIB from a cell. At 206, the method includes determining a configuration of a cellBarred bit in the acquired MIB. At 208, the method includes acquiring SIB1 from the cell when the configuration of the cellBarred bit in the acquired MIB is not prohibited. At 210, the method includes detecting whether one of an NPN ID and a CAG ID is available in the acquired SIB1.

[0188] If an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, then at 212, the method includes identifying the cell as an NPN cell. If a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, then at 214, the method includes identifying the cell as a CAG cell. If neither an NPN ID nor a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1, then at 216, the method includes identifying the cell as a PLMN cell.

[0189] Figure 2B Shows that when Figure 2A A method for determining suitability of a cell for cell selection or cell reselection when a cell can be identified as an NPN cell at 212. At 218, the method includes identifying that the UE (100) is an NPN UE. At 220, the method includes determining the cell as a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell if an NPN ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information. At 222, the method includes selecting a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is an NPN UE.

[0190] Figure 2C Shows that when Figure 2A A method for determining suitability of a cell for cell selection or cell reselection when a cell can be identified as a CAG cell at 214 of the present invention. At 224, the method includes identifying that the UE (100) is a CAG UE. At 226, the method includes, if a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information, in response to identifying the cell as a CAG cell, determining the cell as a suitable cell. At 228, the method includes selecting a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a CAG UE with an allowed CAG list. At 230, the method includes determining whether the CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is available in the allowed CAG list. If the CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is available in the allowed CAG list, then at 232, the method includes camping on the selected cell. If the CAG ID detected in the acquired SIB1 information is not available in the allowed CAG list, then at 234, the method includes prohibiting the selected cell.

[0191] Figure 2D Shows that when Figure 2A At 216 of the present invention, a method for determining the suitability of a cell for performing cell selection or cell reselection when a cell can be identified as a PLMN cell. At 236, the method includes identifying that the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. At 238, the method includes determining that the cell is a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell if no NPN ID or CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information. At 240, the method includes selecting a cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0192] Figure 2E Shows that when Figure 2AA method for determining cell suitability for cell selection or cell reselection when a cell may be identified as an NPN cell at 212 or a cell may be identified as a CAG cell at 214. At 242, the method includes identifying that a UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE. At 244, the method includes determining that the cell is not a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as an NPN cell or a CAG cell if an NPN ID or a CAG ID is detected in the acquired SIB1 information. At 246, the method includes prohibiting the cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a non-NPN UE or a non-CAG UE.

[0193] Figure 2F Shows that when Figure 2A At 216 of the present invention, a method for determining suitability of a cell for performing cell selection or cell reselection when a cell can be identified as a PLMN cell. At 248, the method includes identifying that the UE (100) is an NPN UE. At 250, the method includes determining that the cell is not a suitable cell in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell if an NPN ID is not detected in the acquired SIB1. At 252, the method includes prohibiting the cell for camping in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is an NPN UE.

[0194] Figure 2G Shows that when Figure 2A At 216 of the method for determining suitability of a cell for cell selection or cell reselection when a cell can be identified as a PLMN cell. At 254, the method includes identifying that the UE (100) is a CAG UE. At 256, the method includes, in response to identifying the cell as a PLMN cell, if a CAG ID is not detected in the acquired SIB1 information, determining that the cell is not a suitable cell. At 258, the method includes, in response to identifying that the cell is not a suitable cell and the UE (100) is a CAG UE, prohibiting the cell for camping.

[0195] Figure 3A 300a is a flow chart illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (302a-312a) are performed by the processor (102).

[0196] At 302a, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 304a, the method includes acquiring the MIB from the cell and reading SIB1, regardless of the setting of the prohibit bit in the acquired MIB. At 306a, the method includes checking whether SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 310a, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. The cell selection / reselection criteria are defined in the existing method. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 312a, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID does not match the acquired list and does not meet the cell selection / reselection criteria, the method performs the operation of 304. If SIB1 for the NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is not available, at 308a, the method includes barring the cell or a frequency associated with the cell.

[0197] Figure 3B is another flow chart (300b) illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (302b-316b) are performed by the processor (102).

[0198] At 302b, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 304b, the method includes acquiring the MIB from the cell and reading SIB1, regardless of the setting of the prohibit bit in the acquired MIB. At 306b, the method includes checking whether SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 314b, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 316b, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 308b, the method includes checking the setting of the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 308b, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed" by checking the setting of the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. At 310b, if the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed", the method includes prohibiting the cell. At 312b, if the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency.

[0199] Figure 3C is another flow chart (300c) illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (302c-316c) are performed by the processor (102).

[0200] At 302c, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 304c, the method includes acquiring the MIB from the cell and reading SIB1 regardless of the setting of the prohibit bit in the acquired MIB. At 306c, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or SIB1's scheduling information. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in SIB1's scheduling information is available, then at 314b, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 316c, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID does not match the acquired list and does not meet the cell selection / reselection criteria, then at 308c, the method includes checking the setting of the prohibit bit and IFRI bit in the MIB. For example, at 308c, it is determined whether the cellBarred bit is set to "barred" and whether the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "allowed" by checking the settings of the barred bit and the IFRI bit in the MIB. If the cellBarred bit is set to "barred" and the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "allowed", then at 310c, the method includes barring the cell. If the cellBarred bit is set to "barred" and the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "not allowed", then at 312c, the method includes barring the frequency.

[0201] Figure 4A is a flow chart (400a) illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. The operations (402a-414a) are performed by the processor (102).

[0202] At 402a, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 404a, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB 1 from the cell. At 406a, the method includes reading the NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1. At 408a, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 412a, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and meets the cell selection / reselection criteria. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and meets the cell selection / reselection criteria, then at 414a, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and does not meet the cell selection / reselection criteria, the method performs operation 404a. If SIB1 for the NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is not available, then at 410a, the method includes barring the cell or a frequency associated with the cell.

[0203] Figure 4B is a flow chart (400b) illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (402b-416b) are performed by the processor (102).

[0204] At 402b, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 404b, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB1 from the cell. At 406b, the method includes reading the NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1. At 408b, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for the NPN information or the scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB1 for the NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 410b, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list.

[0205] If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the obtained list and

[0206] and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 412b, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell

[0207] If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 414b, the method includes checking the setting of the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 414b, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed" by checking the setting of the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. If the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed", then at 416b, the method includes prohibiting the cell. If the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", then at 418b, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency.

[0208] Figure 4C is a flow chart (400c) illustrating NPN-only UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (402c-418c) are performed by the processor (102).

[0209] At 402c, the method includes detecting that the NPN-only UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 404c, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB1 from the cell. At 406c, the method includes reading the NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1.

[0210] At 408c, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 410c, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 412c, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 414c, the method includes checking the settings of the prohibition bit and the IFRI bit in SIB1. For example, at 414c, it is determined whether the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit is set to "prohibited" and whether the IFRI bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed" by checking the settings of the prohibition bit and the IFRI bit in SIB1. If the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 416c, the method includes prohibiting the cell. If the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed", then at 418c, the method includes prohibiting the frequency.

[0211] Figure 5A 5 is a flow chart (500a) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (502a-516a) are performed by the processor (102).

[0212] At 502a, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 504a, the method includes acquiring a MIB from the cell and reading SIB1, regardless of the setting of a prohibition bit in the acquired MIB. At 506a, the method includes checking SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in the scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 508a, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 510a, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 512a, the method includes checking the setting of the prohibition bit and the IFRI bit in the MIB. For example, at 512a, by checking the settings of the prohibition bit and the IFRI bit in the MIB, it is determined whether the cellBarred bit is set to "prohibited" and whether the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "allowed". If the cellBarred bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "allowed", then at 514a, the method includes prohibiting the cell. If the cellBarred bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI bit in the MIB is set to "not allowed", then at 516a, the method includes prohibiting the frequency.

[0213] Figure 5B 5 is a flow chart (500b) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (502b-520b) are performed by the processor (102).

[0214] At 502b, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 504b, the method includes acquiring a MIB from the cell and reading SIB1 regardless of the setting of a prohibit bit in the acquired MIB. At 506b, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or SIB1's scheduling information. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in SIB1's scheduling information is available, then at 508b, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and meets the cell selection / reselection criteria. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and meets the cell selection / reselection criteria, then at 510b, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell.

[0215] If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 512b, the method includes detecting that the prohibition bit in the MIB is set to "not prohibited". At 514b, the method includes checking the settings of the NPN prohibition bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 514b, it is determined whether the prohibition bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited" and whether the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "not prohibited / allowed" by checking the settings of the NPN prohibition bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1.

[0216] If the inhibit bit is set to "not inhibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not inhibited / allowed", then at 516b, the method includes camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0217] At 517b, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed" by checking the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", then at 518b, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed", then at 520b, the method includes prohibiting the cell.

[0218] Figure 5C is a flow chart (500c) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (502c-518c) are performed by the processor (102).

[0219] At 502c, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 504c, the method includes acquiring a MIB from the cell and reading SIB1, regardless of the setting of a prohibition bit in the acquired MIB. At 506c, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or SIB1's scheduling information. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in SIB1's scheduling information is available, at 508c, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, at 510c, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, at 512c, the method includes checking the setting of the NPN prohibition bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 512c, it is determined whether the disable bit in SIB1 is set to "not disabled" and whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "enabled" by checking the settings of the NPN disable bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1.

[0220] If the inhibit bit is set to "not inhibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 514c, the method includes camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0221] At 515c, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed" by checking the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed", then at 516c, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 518c, the method includes prohibiting the cell.

[0222] Fig. 6A is a flow chart (600a) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. The operations (602a-618a) are performed by the processor (102).

[0223] At 602a, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 604a, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB 1 from the cell. At 606a, the method includes reading the NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1. At 608a, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB1 for NPN information or SIB-X in scheduling information of SIB1 is available, then at 612a, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 614a, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 614a, the method includes checking the settings of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit and the IFRI-5GC bit in SIB1. For example, at 614a, it is determined whether the prohibition bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited" and whether the IFRI-5GC bit is set to "allowed" by checking the settings of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit and the IFRI-5GC bit in SIB1.

[0224] If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-5GC bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 616a, the method includes prohibiting the cell. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-5GC bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed", then at 618a, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency.

[0225] Figure 6B is a flow chart (600b) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (602b-622b) are performed by the processor (102).

[0226] At 602b, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 604b, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB1 from the cell. At 606b, the method includes reading the NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1. At 608b, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1, then at 610b, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are met, then at 612b, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and the cell selection / reselection criteria are not met, then at 614b, the method includes detecting that the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1 is set to "not barred".

[0227] At 616b, the method includes checking the settings of the NPN disable bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 616b, it is determined whether the disable bit in SIB1 is set to "disabled" and whether the IFRI-NPN bit is set to "not disabled / allowed" by checking the settings of the NPN disable bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1.

[0228] If the inhibit bit is set to "not inhibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not inhibited / allowed", then at 618b, the method includes camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0229] At 619b, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed" by checking the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited / not allowed", then at 620b, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited / allowed", then at 622b, the method includes prohibiting the cell.

[0230] Figure 6Cis a flow chart (600c) illustrating NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. The operations (602c-620c) are performed by the processor (102).

[0231] At 602c, the method includes detecting that the NPN UE is in idle mode or inactive mode. At 604c, the method includes acquiring MIB and SIB1 from the cell. At 606c, the method includes reading NPN information / scheduling information regardless of the setting of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit in SIB1. At 608c, the method includes checking SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1. If SIB-X in SIB1 for NPN information or scheduling information of SIB1, then at 610c, the method includes checking whether the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and whether the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0232] If the NPN ID / CAG ID is in the acquired list and satisfies the cell selection / reselection criteria, then at 612c, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell. If the NPN ID / CAG ID is not in the acquired list and does not satisfy the cell selection / reselection criteria, then at 614c, the method includes checking the settings of the NPN prohibit bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. For example, at 614c, it is determined whether the prohibit bit is set to "not prohibited" and whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed" by checking the settings of the NPN prohibit bit and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1.

[0233] If the inhibit bit is set to "not inhibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 616c, the method includes camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0234] At 617c, it is determined whether the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed" by checking the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "not allowed", then at 618c, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency. If the prohibit bit is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-NPN bit in SIB1 is set to "allowed", then at 620c, the method includes prohibiting the cell.

[0235] Fig. 7A700a is a flow chart illustrating a legacy / non-NPN UE behavior when the cell is a NR cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (702a-716a) are performed by the processor (102).

[0236] At 702a, the method includes detecting that a legacy / non-NPN UE is in an idle mode / inactive mode. At 704a, the method includes acquiring a MIB from a cell. At 706a, the method includes checking the settings of a cellBarred bit and an IFRI bit in the MIB. For example, at 706a, it is determined whether the cellBarred bit is set to "not prohibited" by checking the setting of the cellBarred bit in the MIB.

[0237] If the cellBarred bit in the MIB is set to "not barred", then at 708a, the method includes reading SIB1 from the cell. At 710a, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0238] At 711a, it is determined whether the IFRI bit is set to "not allowed". If the cellBarred bit in the MIB is set to "barred" and the IFRI bit is set to "not allowed", then at 712a, the method does not read SIB1 from the cell. At 714a, the method includes barring the cell and the frequency. If the cellBarred bit in the MIB is set to "barred" and the IFRI bit is set to "allowed", then at 720a, the method does not read SIB1 from the cell and bars the cell.

[0239] Figure 7B is a flow chart (700b) illustrating legacy / non-NPN UE behavior when the cell is an LTE cell according to embodiments disclosed herein. Operations (702b-716b) are performed by the processor (102).

[0240] At 702b, the method includes detecting that the legacy / non-NPN UE is in an idle mode or an inactive mode. At 704b, the method includes acquiring the MIB and SIB1 from the cell. At 706b, the method includes checking the settings of the cellBarred-5GC / cellBarred-5GC-CRS bit and the IFRI-5GC bit in SIB1. For example, at 706b, it is determined whether the prohibition bit in SIB1 is set to "not prohibited".

[0241] If the inhibit bit in SIB1 is set to "not inhibited", then at 708b, the method includes reading further SI from the cell. At 710b, the method includes selecting a cell and camping on the cell if the cell selection / reselection criteria are met.

[0242] At 711b, it is determined whether the IFRI-5GC bit is set to "not allowed". If the prohibit bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-5GC bit is set to "not allowed", then at 712b, the method does not read further SI from the cell. At 714b, the method includes prohibiting the cell and the frequency. If the prohibit bit in SIB1 is set to "prohibited" and the IFRI-5GC bit is set to "allowed", then at 714b, the method does not read further SI from the cell and prohibits the cell.

[0243] Figure 8 A base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0244] refer to Figure 8 , the base station 800 may include a processor 810, a transceiver 820, and a memory 830. However, not all of the components shown are required. The base station 800 may include: Figure 8 The components shown may be implemented with more or fewer components. In addition, according to another embodiment, the processor 810 and the transceiver 820 and the memory 830 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0245] The above-mentioned components will now be described in detail.

[0246] The processor 810 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the proposed functions, processes and / or methods. The operations of the base station 800 may be implemented by the processor 810.

[0247] The transceiver 820 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying transmitted signals, and an RF receiver for down-converting the frequency of received signals. However, according to another embodiment, the transceiver 820 may be implemented by more or fewer components than those shown in the components.

[0248] The transceiver 820 may be connected to the processor 810 and transmit and / or receive signals. The signal may include control information and data. In addition, the transceiver 820 may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output the signal to the processor 810. The transceiver 820 may transmit a signal output from the processor 810 through a wireless channel.

[0249] The memory 830 may store control information or data included in a signal obtained by the base station 800. The memory 830 may be connected to the processor 810 and store at least one instruction or protocol or parameter for the proposed function, process and / or method. The memory 830 may include a read-only memory (ROM) and / or a random access memory (RAM) and / or a hard disk and / or a CD-ROM and / or a DVD and / or other storage devices.

[0250] In an exemplary embodiment, processor 810 is configured to broadcast a system information block 1 (SIB 1) and a master information block (MIB), and wherein the MIB includes an indicator indicating whether a cell is barred for a UE.

[0251] Fig. 9 A user equipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0252] refer to Fig. 9 UE 900 may include a processor 910, a transceiver 920, and a memory 930. However, not all of the components shown are required. UE 900 may include a processor 910, a transceiver 920, and a memory 930. Fig. 9 The components shown may be implemented with more or fewer components. In addition, according to another embodiment, the processor 910 and the transceiver 920 and the memory 930 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0253] The above-mentioned components will now be described in detail.

[0254] The processor 910 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the proposed functions, processes and / or methods. The operations of the UE 900 may be implemented by the processor 910.

[0255] The transceiver 920 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying transmitted signals, and an RF receiver for down-converting the frequency of received signals. However, according to another embodiment, the transceiver 920 may be implemented by more or fewer components than those shown in the components.

[0256] The transceiver 920 may be connected to the processor 910 and transmit and / or receive signals. The signal may include control information and data. In addition, the transceiver 920 may receive a signal through a wireless channel and output the signal to the processor 910. The transceiver 920 may transmit a signal output from the processor 910 through a wireless channel.

[0257] The memory 930 may store control information or data included in a signal obtained by the UE 900. The memory 930 may be connected to the processor 910 and store at least one instruction or protocol or parameter for a proposed function, process and / or method. The memory 930 may include a read-only memory (ROM) and / or a random access memory (RAM) and / or a hard disk and / or a CD-ROM and / or a DVD and / or other storage devices.

[0258] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 910 is configured to: control the transceiver 920 to receive a system information block 1 (SIB 1) broadcasted from a base station (BS) of a cell; identify whether a cell is a non-public network (NPN) cell based on whether information of the NPN is included in the SIB 1, wherein the NPN cell is a cell that a UE in the NPN is allowed to access; and access the cell when the cell is identified as an NPN cell.

[0259] The various actions, actions, boxes, steps, etc. in the flow charts (200, 300a, 300b, 300c, 400a, 400b, 400c, 500a, 500b, 500c, 600a, 600b, 600c, 700a, and 700c) may be performed in the order presented, in a different order, or simultaneously. In addition, in some embodiments, some actions, actions, boxes, steps, etc. may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, etc. without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0260] The embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by at least one software program that runs on at least one hardware device and performs network management functions to control these elements.

[0261] The above description of specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can easily modify and / or adjust various applications of such specific embodiments by applying current knowledge without departing from the general concept, and therefore, such adjustments and modifications should and are intended to be understood to be within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the words or terms used herein are for the purpose of description rather than limitation. Therefore, although the embodiments of this article have been described according to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of this article can be implemented by modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment UE in a wireless communication system, the method include: receiving a master information block (MIB) message, the MIB message including cell barring information indicating whether a cell is barred or not barred; Receiving a system information block 1 SIB1 message; and In the case where the cell barring information indicates that the cell is not barred, identifying whether the cell is barred or not based on the SIB1 message, Wherein, in the case where the SIB1 message does not include non-public network NPN information, the cell is identified as a prohibited cell, and In the case where the SIB1 message includes the NPN information, the cell is identified as a candidate cell for cell selection or cell reselection.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The NPN information includes at least one of a network identifier NID, a public land mobile network PLMN identifier, or a closed access group CAG identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: In case that the NPN information including at least one of the NID or the CAG identifier matches the allowed NPN information of the UE, cell selection or reselection is performed on the cell.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: A range of physical cell identity (PCI) values ​​reserved for use by CAG cells is received.

5. The method according to claim 1, in, The MIB message also includes intra-frequency reselection information, and Wherein, in a case where the intra-frequency reselection information is set to be not allowed and the cell barring information is set to be barred, the cell is barred and the frequency of the cell is barred.

6. The method according to claim 1, in, The MIB message also includes intra-frequency reselection information, and Wherein, in a case where the intra-frequency reselection information is set to be allowed and the cell barring information is set to be prohibited, the cell is barred and the frequency of the cell is allowed.

7. A user equipment UE in a wireless communication system, the UE include: Transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: controlling the transceiver to receive a master information block (MIB) message, the MIB message including cell barring information indicating whether a cell is barred or not barred, controlling the transceiver to receive a system information block 1 SIB1 message, and In the case where the cell barring information indicates that the cell is not barred, identifying whether the cell is barred or not based on the SIB1 message, Wherein, in the case where the SIB1 message does not include non-public network NPN information, the cell is identified as a prohibited cell, and In the case where the SIB1 message includes the NPN information, the cell is identified as a candidate cell for cell selection or cell reselection.

8. The UE according to claim 7, in, The NPN information includes at least one of a network identifier NID, a public land mobile network PLMN identifier, or a closed access group CAG identifier.

9. The UE according to claim 7, in, The at least one processor is further configured to: In case that the NPN information including at least one of the NID or the CAG identifier matches the allowed NPN information of the UE, cell selection or reselection is performed on the cell.

10. The UE according to claim 7, in, The at least one processor is further configured to: The transceiver is controlled to receive a range of physical cell identifier PCI values ​​reserved for use by a CAG cell.

11. The UE according to claim 7, in, The MIB message also includes intra-frequency reselection information, and Wherein, in a case where the intra-frequency reselection information is set to be not allowed and the cell barring information is set to be barred, the cell is barred and the frequency of the cell is barred.

12. The UE according to claim 7, in, The MIB message also includes intra-frequency reselection information, and Wherein, in a case where the intra-frequency reselection information is set to be allowed and the cell barring information is set to be prohibited, the cell is barred and the frequency of the cell is allowed.

13. A method performed by a base station BS in a wireless communication system, the method include: Sending a master information block (MIB) message, the MIB message including cell barring information indicating whether the cell is barred or not barred; as well as Sending system information block 1 SIB1 message, Wherein, when the cell barring information indicates that the cell is not barred, whether the cell is barred or not is identified based on the SIB1 message. Wherein, in the case where the SIB1 message does not include non-public network NPN information, the cell is identified as a prohibited cell, and In the case where the SIB1 message includes the NPN information, the cell is identified as a candidate cell for cell selection or cell reselection.

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