Traffic Rate-Based Branch Deactivation for UE Power Efficiency in Dual Connectivity Mode

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) device may reside in a dual-connectivity state with a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG), where the radio access technologies of the MCG and the SCG are different. When in the dual-connectivity state, the UE device may transition to a mode with reduced activity (e.g., processing and / or RF activity) with respect to the secondary cell group (SCG) in order to save power, e.g., when the traffic flow via the SCG is below a threshold or when the scheduling activity on the SCG is low. Various mechanisms may be employed to reduce the activity, such as mechanisms such as reducing beam monitoring, deactivating the secondary cells of the SCG, reducing the number of active antenna elements, using a longer period for periodic measurement and reporting processes, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly, to mechanisms that enable a user equipment device in a dual-connectivity state to save power by reducing baseband and / or radio activity with respect to a secondary cell group (SCG). Background Art

[0002] A user equipment (UE) device may operate in a dual-connectivity state with a primary node and a secondary node, where the primary node and the secondary node correspond to different radio access technologies. If the traffic rate on the connection with the secondary node is small, performing processing activities related to the secondary node may be a waste of power, for example, processing activities such as beam tracking, reference signal monitoring, control channel monitoring, reference signal transmission, especially when the secondary node is configured for carrier aggregation. Therefore, there is a need for mechanisms that can reduce the processing burden on the UE device when the traffic rate on the secondary node is small. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a set of embodiments, a method for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may be performed as follows.

[0004] When the wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a primary node and a secondary node, the wireless UE device may enter a mode in which the activity of the UE device with respect to the secondary node is reduced compared to the activity with respect to the primary cell of the secondary node. (The activity of the UE device with respect to the secondary cell of the secondary node may be terminated.) The primary node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0005] In some embodiments, when entering the mode, the UE device may perform cell measurement and reporting of the primary cell of the secondary node with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0006] In some embodiments, when entering the mode, the UE device may perform beam tracking of the primary cell of the secondary node with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0007] In some embodiments, when entering the mode, the UE device may report information about the channel quality of the primary cell of the secondary node with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0008] In some embodiments, when entering the mode, the UE device may perform the transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the primary cell of the secondary node with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0009] In some embodiments, when entering the said mode, the UE device may terminate monitoring of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the primary cell of the secondary node.

[0010] In some embodiments, when entering the said mode, the UE device may terminate monitoring of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) of the primary cell of the secondary node. In some embodiments, when entering the said mode, the UE device may disable transmission on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) associated with the secondary node (e.g., the primary component carrier).

[0011] In some embodiments, when entering the said mode, the UE device may terminate measurements related to Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) with respect to the secondary node.

[0012] In some embodiments, the UE device enters the said mode in response to a command from the primary node or the secondary node. The command may be received as part of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or as part of a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, or as part of Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0013] In some embodiments, the UE device may start an inactivity timer in response to receiving uplink and / or downlink scheduling with respect to the secondary node. In response to receiving additional uplink and / or downlink scheduling with respect to the secondary node while the inactivity timer is running, the UE device may restart the inactivity timer. The above mode may be entered in response to the expiration of the inactivity timer.

[0014] In some embodiments, the UE device may start a timer in response to determining that the traffic rate of data communication with the secondary node is less than a threshold. In response to determining that a subsequent traffic rate of data communication with the secondary node is greater than the threshold, the UE device may stop the timer. The above mode may be entered in response to the expiration of the timer.

[0015] In some embodiments, after having entered the said mode, the UE device may transmit a scheduling request to the secondary node in response to determining that the amount of data to be transmitted to the secondary node is greater than a threshold.

[0016] In some embodiments, the primary node may be an eNB compliant with the 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) specification; and the secondary node may be a gNB compliant with the 5G New Radio (NR) specification.

[0017] In a set of embodiments, a method for operating a wireless UE device may be performed as follows.

[0018] When a wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a master node and a secondary node, the UE device may transmit a traffic threshold, where the traffic threshold represents a boundary between: (a) a traffic rate small enough to cause a reduction in activity with respect to the secondary node to be recommended, and (b) a traffic rate large enough to cause a reduction in activity with respect to the secondary node not to be recommended. (The master node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.) Then, the UE device may receive, from the master node or the secondary node, a message instructing the UE device to enter a mode of reduced activity with respect to the secondary node.

[0019] In some embodiments, the traffic threshold may be transmitted to the master node.

[0020] In some embodiments, the UE device may enter the mode of reduced activity with respect to the secondary node in response to receiving the above message.

[0021] In some embodiments, the traffic threshold may be determined based on one or more factors, where the one or more factors. For example, the one or more factors may include the mobility of the wireless UE device. As another example, the one or more factors may include the condition of the RF channel with respect to the secondary node. As yet another example, the one or more factors may include the configuration of the UE device with respect to the radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the master node. As yet another example, the one or more factors may include the configuration of the UE device with respect to the radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the secondary node.

[0022] In a set of embodiments, a method for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may be performed as follows.

[0023] When a wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a master node and a secondary node, the UE device may: transmit an event report to the master node or the secondary node, where the event report indicates that the expected uplink traffic from the UE device to the secondary node is less than the traffic threshold; and receive a command from the master node or the secondary node. (The master node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.) The command may instruct the UE device to reduce its activity with respect to the secondary node.

[0024] In some embodiments, the UE device may receive a message enabling the UE device to generate and transmit the event report.

[0025] In a set of embodiments, a method for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may be performed as follows.

[0026] When a wireless UE device is in a dual - connected state with a master node and a secondary node, the UE device may: receive a message indicating that the UE device reduces its activity relative to the secondary node; and reduce the activity of the UE device relative to the secondary node in response to receiving the message. The master node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0027] In some embodiments, the activity reduction includes one or more of the following: reducing the monitoring of downlink control information (DCI) relative to the secondary node; reducing beam management operations relative to the secondary node.

[0028] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include changing the bandwidth part (BWP) associated with the UE device to reduce the search space for the downlink control information.

[0029] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include changing the discontinuous reception cycle (DRX) so that DRX wake - ups are less frequent.

[0030] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include pausing the action of monitoring downlink control information (DCI) for at least a certain period of time.

[0031] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include monitoring a subset of reference signals for beam management relative to the secondary node.

[0032] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include pausing or reducing reports related to beam management relative to the secondary node.

[0033] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include pausing or reducing uplink beam management relative to the secondary node.

[0034] In some embodiments, the action of reducing activity may include operating in a signal panel - only mode relative to the secondary node. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] A better understanding of the subject matter can be obtained when considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0036] Figures 1 to 2 An example of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments is shown.

[0037] Figure 3 An example of a base station communicating with a user equipment device according to some embodiments is shown.

[0038] Figure 4Shows an exemplary block diagram of a user equipment device according to some embodiments.

[0039] Figure 5 Shows an exemplary block diagram of a base station according to some embodiments.

[0040] Figure 6 Shows an exemplary user equipment 600 according to some embodiments.

[0041] Figure 7 Shows an example of a base station 700 according to some embodiments. The base station 700 can be used to communicate with Figure 6 the user equipment 600.

[0042] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments that enables a user equipment to autonomously deactivate and / or activate NR branches for communication (e.g., for power saving in dual - connection mode).

[0043] Figure 9 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for deactivating and / or activating a secondary cell group (SCG) via a master node in a dual - connection scenario.

[0044] Figure 10 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for deactivating and / or activating a secondary cell group via a secondary node in a dual - connection scenario.

[0045] Figure 11 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for implicitly deactivating a secondary cell group using a scheduling - based timer.

[0046] Figure 12 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for implicitly deactivating a secondary cell group using a timer based on the amount of data to be transmitted.

[0047] Figure 13 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for implicitly activating a secondary cell group in response to the availability of uplink data (to be transmitted by the user equipment).

[0048] Figure 14 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for implicitly activating a secondary cell group in response to determining that the amount of uplink data available for transmission by the user equipment is greater than a given threshold.

[0049] Figure 15 Shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for reducing the activity of a secondary cell group when the user equipment is in a dual - connection mode with a master node and a secondary node. (The secondary node hosts or provides the UE's secondary cell group.)

[0050] Figure 16 is a mathematical derivation according to some embodiments that can be used to determine when a transmission via one radio access technology is due to a traffic rate threshold of a transmission via another radio access technology.

[0051] Figure 17 shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for transmitting traffic threshold information from a user equipment to a network, such that the network can determine when the user equipment would benefit from reduced activity on a secondary cell group.

[0052] Figure 18 shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for recommending reduced activity on a secondary cell group by transmitting an event report to the network.

[0053] Figure 19A and Figure 19B shows an example of a method according to some embodiments for reducing baseband and / or RF activity on a new radio branch based on signaling received from the network.

[0054] Figure 20 shows an example of waking up a new radio branch after the new radio branch has entered a power saving mode according to some embodiments.

[0055] Figure 21 shows an example of a method according to some embodiments that enables a user equipment to reduce its activity with respect to a secondary cell group in response to an explicit message from the network.

[0056] Although the features described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims. Detailed Description

[0057] Acronyms

[0058] The following acronyms are used in this disclosure:

[0059] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0060] 3GPP2: Third Generation Partnership Project 2

[0061] 5G NR: Fifth Generation New Radio component

[0062] BW: Bandwidth

[0063] BWP: Bandwidth Part

[0064] CA: Carrier Aggregation

[0065] C-DRX: Connected DRX

[0066] CQI: Channel Quality Indicator

[0067] CSI: Channel State Information

[0068] DC: Dual Connectivity

[0069] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0070] DL: Downlink

[0071] DRX: Discontinuous Reception Cycle

[0072] eNB (or eNodeB): Evolved Node B, i.e., the base station of 3GPP LTE

[0073] EN-DC: E-UTRA NR Dual Connectivity

[0074] eUICC: Embedded UICC

[0075] gNB (or gNodeB): Next Generation Node B, i.e., the base station of 5G NR

[0076] GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications

[0077] HARQ: Hybrid ARQ

[0078] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0079] LTE-A: Advanced LTE

[0080] MAC: Medium Access Control

[0081] MAC-CE: MAC Control Element

[0082] MBMS: Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service

[0083] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0084] MCS: Modulation and Coding Scheme

[0085] MO: Mobile Originated

[0086] NR-DC: Multi-RAT DC

[0087] MT: Mobile Terminated

[0088] NR: New Radio

[0089] NR-DC: NR Dual Connectivity

[0090] NW: Network

[0091] RACH: Random Access Channel

[0092] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0093] RLC: Radio Link Control

[0094] RLF: Radio Link Failure

[0095] RLM: Radio Link Monitoring

[0096] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0097] RRM: Radio Resource Management

[0098] RS: Reference Signal

[0099] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0100] SR: Scheduling Request

[0101] SRS: Sounding Reference Signal

[0102] SSB: Synchronization Signal Block

[0103] UE: User Equipment

[0104] UL: Uplink

[0105] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0106] Terms

[0107] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0108] Memory medium – any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term “memory medium” is intended to include installation media such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks or magnetic tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media such as hard disk drives or optical storage devices; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. Memory media can also include other types of memory, or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium can be located in a first computer system that executes a program, or can be located in a different second computer system that is connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system can provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memory medium” can include two or more memory media that can reside in different locations in different computer systems connected, for example, via a network. The memory medium can store program instructions (e.g., embodied as a computer program) executable by one or more processors.

[0109] Carrier medium – the memory medium as described above, and physical transmission media such as buses, networks, and / or other physical transmission media that convey signals such as electrical signals, electromagnetic signals, or digital signals.

[0110] Programmable hardware element – includes various hardware devices that include a plurality of programmable functional blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The programmable functional blocks can vary from fine-grained (combinational logic components or look-up tables) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements can also be referred to as “configurable logic components”.

[0111] Computer system – any of various types of computing or processing systems, including personal computer systems (PCs), mainframe computer systems, workstations, network appliances, Internet appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal communication devices, smart phones, television systems, grid computing systems, or other devices or combinations of devices. Generally speaking, the term “computer system” can be broadly defined to cover any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0112] User Equipment (UE) (or “UE device”) -- any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and perform wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone TM 、based on AndroidTM telephone), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM , PlayStation Portable TM , Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TM ), wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), laptop computers, PDAs, portable network devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices, etc. Generally, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to include any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) that is convenient for the user to transport and capable of wireless communication.

[0113] Base station - The term "base station" has the full scope of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used for communication as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0114] Processing element – refers to any variety of elements or combination of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), portions of or circuits for individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), and / or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.

[0115] Automatically - refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by a computer system) or a device (e.g., a circuit, programmable hardware element, ASIC, etc.) without the need for user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatically" contrasts with a user manually performing or specifying an operation, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation. An automatic process can be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions "automatically" performed are not specified by the user, i.e., are not "manually" performed, where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out a spreadsheet by selecting each field and providing input to specify information (e.g., by typing information, selecting checkboxes, radio selections, etc.) is manually filling out the spreadsheet, even though the computer system must update the spreadsheet in response to the user's actions. The spreadsheet can be filled out automatically by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the spreadsheet and fills out the spreadsheet without any user input specifying the answers to the fields. As indicated above, the user can initiate the automatic filling out of the spreadsheet but does not participate in the actual filling out of the spreadsheet (e.g., the user does not manually specify the answers to the fields but they are completed automatically). This specification provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions taken by the user.

[0116] Figures 1 to 3 - Communication system

[0117] Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system. Note that Figure 1 and Figure 2 the systems of

[0118] Figure 1 are merely examples of some possible systems, and various embodiments can be implemented in any of a variety of ways as needed. The wireless communication system of Figure 2 includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user equipment (UE) devices 106A, 106B, up to 106N via a transmission medium. Each of the user equipment devices may be referred to herein as a “user equipment” (UE). In

[0119] the wireless communication system of Figure 2 in addition to base station 102A, base station 102B also (e.g., simultaneously or concurrently) communicates with UE devices 106A, 106B, up to 106N via a transmission medium. The base stations 102A and 102B may be transceiver base stations (BTSs) or cell sites and may include hardware for implementing wireless communication with user devices 106A to 106N. Each base station 102 may also be equipped to communicate with a core network 100 (e.g., base station 102A may be coupled to core network 100A, while base station 102B may be coupled to core network 100B), which may be the core network of a cellular service provider. Each core network 100 may also be coupled to one or more external networks (such as external network 108), which may include the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any other network. Thus, base station 102A may facilitate communication between user devices and / or between a user device and network 100A; in

[0120] the system of

[0121] For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may operate according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE), while base station 102B and core network 100B operate according to a second (e.g., different) cellular communication standard (e.g., GSM, UMTS, and / or one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards). The two networks may be controlled by the same network operator (e.g., a cellular service provider or "carrier") or different network operators. Additionally, the two networks may operate independently of each other (e.g., if they operate according to different cellular communication standards), or may operate in a coupled or tightly coupled manner to some extent.

[0122] It should also be noted that although two different networks may be used to support two different cellular communication technologies as shown in the network configuration as Figure 2 shown, other network configurations for implementing multiple cellular communication technologies are also possible. As an example, base stations 102A and 102B may operate according to different cellular communication standards, but are coupled to the same core network. As another example, a multi-mode base station capable of simultaneously supporting different cellular communication technologies (e.g., LTE and CDMA 1xRTT, GSM and UMTS, or any other combination of cellular communication technologies) may be coupled to a core network that also supports different cellular communication technologies. Any other various network deployment scenarios are also possible.

[0123] As another possibility, base stations 102A and 102B may also operate according to the same wireless communication technology (or a set of overlapping wireless communication technologies). For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may be operated by one cellular service provider independently of base station 102B and core network 100B, and base station 102B and core network 100B may be operated by a different (e.g., competing) cellular service provider. Thus, in this case, although similar and potentially compatible cellular communication technologies are used, UE devices 106A to 106N may communicate independently with base stations 102A to 102B, possibly by communicating with different operator networks using separate user identities.

[0124] UE 106 is capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using either or both of 3GPP cellular communication standards (such as LTE) and / or 3GPP2 cellular communication standards (such as cellular communication standards in the CDMA2000 family of cellular communication standards). As another example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using different 3GPP cellular communication standards (such as two or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, or LTE-A). Thus, as described above, UE 106 may be configured to communicate with base station 102A (and / or other base stations) according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE) and may also be configured to communicate with base station 102B (and / or other base stations) according to a second cellular communication standard (e.g., one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards, UMTS, GSM, etc.).

[0125] Base stations 102A and 102B and other base stations operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards may thus be provided as one or more cell networks that may provide continuous or near-continuous overlapping services to UEs 106A - 106N and similar devices over a wide geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0126] UE 106 may also be configured or alternatively configured to communicate using WLAN, Bluetooth, one or more Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), one and / or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), etc. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0127] Figure 3 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A to 106N) communicating with a base station 102 (e.g., one of base stations 102A or 102B) is shown. UE 106 may be a device with wireless network connectivity, such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer or tablet, a wearable device, or substantially any type of wireless device.

[0128] The UE may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE may include programmable hardware elements such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, or any part of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0129] UE 106 may be configured to communicate using any one of multiple wireless communication protocols. For example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using two or more of GSM, UMTS (W-DCMA, TD-SCDMA, etc.), CDMA2000 (1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD, etc.), LTE, LTE-A, WLAN, or GNSS. Other combinations of wireless communication standards are also possible.

[0130] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols. Within UE 106, one or more parts of the receive and / or transmit chain may be shared among multiple wireless communication standards; for example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using either (or both) GSM or LTE using a single shared radio component. The shared radio component may include a single antenna, or may include multiple antennas for performing wireless communication (e.g., for MIMO or beamforming). MIMO is an acronym for multiple input multiple output.

[0131] Figure 4 -Exemplary Block Diagram of a UE

[0132] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of UE 106 is shown. As shown, UE 106 may include a system on a chip (SOC) 300, which may include portions for various purposes. For example, as shown, SOC 300 may include a processor 302 that can execute program instructions for UE 106 and a display circuit 304 that can perform graphics processing and provide a display signal to a display 345. Processor 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 and / or other circuits or devices (such as display circuit 304, radio component 330, connector I / F 320, and / or display 345), and the memory management unit may be configured to receive addresses from processor 302 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (such as memory 306, read only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310). MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, MMU 340 may be included as part of processor 302.

[0133] As shown, SOC 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of UE 106. For example, UE 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, docking station, charging station, etc.), a display 345, and a radio component 330.

[0134] The radio component 330 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. For example, the radio component 330 may include two RF chains to support dual connectivity with two base stations (or two cells). The radio component may be configured to support wireless communication according to one or more wireless communication standards (such as one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0135] The radio component 330 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 335 that includes one or more antennas. For example, the antenna subsystem 335 may include multiple antennas to support applications such as dual connectivity or MIMO or beamforming. The antenna subsystem 335 transmits and receives radio signals to / from one or more base stations or devices via a radio propagation medium (typically the atmosphere).

[0136] In some embodiments, the processor 302 may include a baseband processor to generate uplink baseband signals and / or process downlink baseband signals. The processor 302 may be configured to perform data processing according to one or more wireless communication standards (such as one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0137] UE 106 may also include one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include various components such as a display 345 (which may be a touchscreen display), a keyboard (which may be a discrete keyboard or may be implemented as part of a touchscreen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or speaker, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, one or more buttons, sliders, and / or dials, and / or any of various other components capable of providing information to the user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0138] As shown, UE 106 may also include one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs) 360. Each of the one or more SIMs may be implemented as an embedded SIM (eSIM), in which case the SIM may be implemented in the device hardware and / or software. For example, in some embodiments, UE 106 may include an embedded UICC (eUICC), such as a device built into UE 106 and not removable. The eUICC may be programmable such that one or more eSIMs may be implemented on the eUICC. In other embodiments, the eSIM may be installed in the UE 106 software, for example, as program instructions on a storage medium (such as memory 306 or Flash 310) executed on a processor (such as processor 302) stored in UE 106. As an example, SIM 360 may be an application executed on a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). Alternatively or in addition, one or more of SIM 360 may be implemented as a removable SIM card.

[0139] The processor 302 of the UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In other embodiments, the processor 302 may be configured as or include: programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays); or ASICs (application specific integrated circuits); or combinations thereof.

[0140] Figure 5 - Example of a base station

[0141] Figure 5 A block diagram of the base station 102 is shown. Note that Figure 5 the base station shown is merely one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include a processor 404 that may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The processor 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 or other circuits or devices, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 404 and translate those addresses into locations in a memory (such as memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450).

[0142] The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to the telephone network (to multiple devices such as UE devices 106) such as described above in Figure 1 and Figure 2 above.

[0143] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also be configured or alternatively configured to be coupled to a cellular network, such as the core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to a plurality of devices such as UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., among other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0144] The base station 102 may include radio components 430 having one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. (For example, the base station 102 may include at least one RF chain per sector or cell). The radio 430 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 434 including one or more antennas. For example, multiple antennas are required to support applications such as MIMO or beamforming. The antenna subsystem 434 transmits and receives radio signals to / from the UE via a radio propagation medium (typically the atmosphere).

[0145] In some embodiments, the processor 404 may include a baseband processor to generate downlink baseband signals and / or process uplink baseband signals. The baseband processor 430 may be configured to operate according to one or more radio communication standards, including but not limited to GSM, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA2000, etc.

[0146] The processor 404 of the base station 102 may be configured to implement part or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In some embodiments, the processor 404 may include: programmable hardware elements such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array); or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit); or a combination thereof.

[0147] In some embodiments, the wireless user equipment (UE) device 600 may be configured as shown Figure 6 The UE device 600 may include: a radio electronic system 605 for performing wireless communication; and a processing element 610 operatively coupled to the radio electronic system. (The UE device 600 may also include any subset of the UE features described above, e.g., in combination with Figures 1 to 4 ).

[0148] The wireless electronic system 605 may include one or more RF chains, for example, as described above in various ways. Each RF chain may be configured to receive signals from the radio propagation channel and / or transmit these signals onto the radio propagation channel. Thus, each RF chain may include a transmit chain and / or a receive chain. The wireless electronic system 605 may be coupled to one or more antennas (or antenna arrays) to facilitate signal transmission and reception. Each RF chain (or some RF chains) may be tuned to a desired frequency, allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times.

[0149] The processing element 610 may be coupled to the wireless electronic system and may be configured as described above in various ways. (For example, the processing element may be implemented by the processor 302). The processing element may be configured to control the state of each RF chain in the wireless electronic system.

[0150] In some embodiments, the processing element may include one or more baseband processors to (a) generate baseband signals to be transmitted by the wireless electronic system and / or (b) process baseband signals provided by the wireless electronic system.

[0151] In the dual-connectivity operation mode, the processing element may instruct the first RF chain to communicate with the first base station using the first radio access technology and instruct the second RF chain to communicate with the second base station using the second radio access technology. For example, the first RF chain may communicate with an LTE eNB, and the second RF chain may communicate with a gNB of 5G New Radio (NR). The link with the LTE eNB may be referred to as the LTE branch. The link with the gNB may be referred to as the NR branch. In some embodiments, the processing element may include a first sub-circuit that implements baseband processing with respect to the LTE branch and a second sub-circuit that implements baseband processing with respect to the NR branch.

[0152] The processing element 610 may be further configured as described in various ways in the following sections.

[0153] In some embodiments, a radio base station 700 of a wireless network (not shown) may be configured as Figure 7 shown. The radio base station may include: a wireless electronic system 705 for performing wireless communication through the radio propagation channel; and a processing element 710 that is operatively coupled to the wireless electronic system. (The radio base station may also include any subset of the above-described base station features, for example, the features described above in connection with Figure 5 ).

[0154] The wireless electronic system 710 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may be tuned to a desired frequency, allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times.

[0155] The processing element 710 can be implemented as described above in various ways. For example, in one embodiment, the processing element 710 can be implemented by the processor 404. In some embodiments, the processing element can include one or more baseband processors to: (a) generate baseband signals to be transmitted by the radio electronic system, and / or (b) process baseband signals provided by the radio electronic system.

[0156] The processing element 710 can be configured to execute any of the base station method embodiments described herein.

[0157] In some embodiments, for a non-standalone (NSA) scenario with an EN-DC setup, when a B1 measurement report (UE-based observation) is received from the UE, the LTE cell can instruct the user equipment (UE) to add and activate a new radio (NR) branch. EN-DC is an acronym for E-UTRAN New Radio - Dual Connectivity.

[0158] In some embodiments, the NR branch in the NSA scenario can remain active until the LTE branch moves to the RRC idle state; the NR branch can remain configured even when there is no data stream; the NR branch may not include the ability for connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX). From the perspective of power consumption, in the NSA scenario, keeping the NR branch active in the case of sporadic data streams or no data stream is not efficient.

[0159] When the NR branch is active, the UE can perform multiple power-consuming activities on the NR branch, such as, for example, the following activities. The UE performs RRM measurements and reports periodic feedback of channel state information (CSI), such as feedback of SSB resource indices and CSI resource indices. (RRM is an acronym for Radio Resource Management. SSB is an acronym for Synchronization Signal Block.) The UE decodes the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) using the configured CORESET / search space. The UE performs periodic beam tracking and management to maintain the link and / or mobility. Even if long CDRX is configured on the NR branch, the UE may still need to wake up during the CDRX off period for beam tracking to handle UE rotation or movement. Therefore, a strategy of keeping the NR branch active even when the data stream is small or sporadic can result in unnecessary battery waste and has a thermal impact on the UE's circuitry. Therefore, it may be desirable for the UE to be able to request or suggest the de-configuration (or RRC state change) of the NR branch.

[0160] In some embodiments, the UE may be able to perform connected mode discontinuous reception (CDRX) only on the LTE branch, rather than on the NR branch. In other embodiments, both the LTE branch and the NR branch are able to perform CDRX, for example, with the same or different DRX cycle values.

[0161] In some embodiments, the network may configure the NR branch of the UE to issue an event B1 report when the UE measures the NR serving cell at greater than -105 dBm.

[0162] Once configured, the NR branch may remain active until the RF conditions on the NR branch become very poor (e.g., approximately -120 dBm). Thus, it would be advantageous for the UE to be able to request removal or deactivation of the NR branch even when the RF conditions are sufficient, e.g., when the user data stream is slow or sporadic.

[0163] In some embodiments, the UE may be configured to perform carrier aggregation (CA) on the NR branch. For example, 4CA is one of the specified modes allowed in the 5G New Radio specification. (4CA involves the aggregation of four component carriers.) When the NR branch is active, the UE may report (e.g., periodically report) the quality of the synchronization signal block (SSB) and CSI reference signals for all four CA carriers on the NR branch. Similar observations may apply to other carrier aggregation modes, e.g., with different numbers of component carriers.

[0164] Thus, if a UE capable of NSA is not equipped with a mechanism to request deactivation of the NR branch (or a mechanism to request a reduction in the activity on the NR branch), then that UE may consume significantly more power when both access bursty traffic compared to a UE with only LTE, without a significant gain in performance.

[0165] UE autonomous NR activation / deactivation for power saving in EN-DC

[0166] In some embodiments, to better utilize the New Radio (NR) branch in the EN-DC mode, the user equipment (UE) may send an event B1 report only when the signal conditions on the NR branch are good enough and the traffic on the NR branch is high enough. (EN-DC is the acronym for E-UTRAN New Radio - Dual Connectivity.) This is a novel use of the event B1 report. The event B1 report according to 3GPP technical specification 38.331 (NR, Radio Resource Control (RRC), protocol specification) only considers the measurement Δ between the LTE and NR serving cells. See Figure 8A embodiments, which may be useful, for example, when the UE is executing an application that communicates in data bursts (such as a messaging service), or when using an application that requires a data rate less than X MBPS. The value X may be a value derived empirically or analytically. (MBPS is the acronym for megabits per second.)

[0167] At 810, the UE may transition from the LTE RRC idle state to the connected state, e.g., for an application executed on the UE device.

[0168] At 812, the LTE eNB may send a configuration message instructing the UE to configure for NR cell measurement and reporting according to the B1 event.

[0169] At 814, the UE may determine whether a burst-oriented application (or an application known or measured to have a data rate less than X) has started. If so, the UE may proceed to 818. If not, the UE may continue to attach to the NR gNB using normal operation (i.e., operation according to the existing 5G NR specifications), as shown at 816.

[0170] At 818, the UE may use one antenna element (or fewer antenna elements) of the UE to measure the NR cell configured by B1.

[0171] At 820, the UE may use one antenna element and an SNR greater than Z dB to determine whether the B1 event criteria are met. (Z represents the SNR threshold for the B1 event. SNR is the acronym for signal-to-noise ratio.) If so, the UE may proceed to 824. If not, the UE may disable the transmission of B1 measurement reports related to the measured cell, as indicated at 822.

[0172] At 824, the UE may continue to attach to the NR gNB using one antenna element.

[0173] At 826, the UE may determine the application data rate R in the last Y seconds Y or the predicted application data rate R P or a combination thereof is greater than the data rate threshold X. (For example, R Y and R P may need to be greater than X.) If so, the UE may continue NR data transmission and / or reception according to normal operation (i.e., operation according to the existing 5G NR technical specifications), as shown at 828. If not, the UE may proceed to 830.

[0174] At 830, the UE may transmit information to the network (e.g., to the eNB or gNB) that will cause the deactivation of the NR branch. For example, the UE may initiate an NR radio link failure (RLF). As an alternative, the UE may send a CQI of 0. As another alternative, the UE may indicate a beam failure on the measured NR cell.

[0175] In some embodiments, when long DRX (Discontinuous Reception cycle) on the LTE branch is active and there is no scheduling on the NR branch, the UE can disable narrow beams on NR frequency range 2 (FR2) by reducing the number of active antenna elements, thereby saving unnecessary power consumption on the NR branch before being deactivated by the network (NW). Since fewer beams are available, the reduction in the number of active elements also helps reduce beam manager operation. The UE can also attempt to send a CQI 0 or beam failure report or radio link failure (RLF) report regarding the NR branch back to the gNB to attempt to stop the NR branch. (CQI is an acronym for Channel Quality Indicator. RLF is an acronym for Radio Link Failure.)

[0176] In some embodiments, the UE can be configured to perform Figure 8B the method of.

[0177] At 850, B1 event reporting can be used to add an NR cell to the UE.

[0178] At 852, the UE can measure the NR cell for the Synchronization Signal Block Resource Index (SSB RI) and Channel State Information - Resource Index (CSIRI) and report the measurements to the network, for example, continuously or periodically.

[0179] At 854, the UE can determine whether the LTE branch is configured for the short DRX state and there is no data (or too little data) activity on the NR branch. If not, then at 856, the UE can use normal operation (i.e., operation according to the existing 5G NR specification) to communicate with the NR branch. If so, the UE proceeds to 858.

[0180] At 858, the UE can reduce the UE beam to a wider beam (e.g., from 4 elements to 2 elements).

[0181] At 860, the UE can determine whether the LTE branch is in the long DRX state (as opposed to the short DRX state) and there is no (or not a large enough) data stream on the NR branch. If not, the UE performs normal operation (i.e., operation according to the existing 5G NR specification) to communicate with the NR branch. If so, the UE can proceed to 864.

[0182] At 864, the UE can reduce the UE beam to an even wider beam (e.g., from 2 elements to 1 element). Then, the UE can return to 854.

[0183] In some embodiments, if the LTE MCG link is in short DRX or long DRX, it can be understood that the UE device is attempting to release the bearer and there is no active data flow.

[0184] UE-initiated NR branch disconnection / suspension / reconfiguration

[0185] In some embodiments, to improve the power efficiency of NSA (Non-Standalone), in addition to adjusting event B1 reporting at the UE, for example, when adding / activating NR, it may also be required or desired for the UE to initiate the ability to disconnect / suspend the NR branch.

[0186] In some embodiments, for better UE power efficiency, the UE may be able to request to turn off the NR branch. If the UE sees low uplink data and expects low / no downlink data based on the application data flow, the UE may send a request via RRC (Radio Resource Control) or MAC-CE (Medium Access Control - Control Element) to turn off the NR branch in NSA / EN-DC. Such a request may be based on whether the (uplink and / or downlink) scheduling rate is less than a specific threshold, where the traffic threshold is determined based on the UE power.

[0187] Relying only on the buffer status report may not be sufficient because it cannot reflect the data flow in the application layer.

[0188] The following are methods for resuming (reactivating) the NR branch according to some embodiments.

[0189] A. When the uplink data increases, the UE may simply perform a random access (RACH) on the same NR cell and / or resend event B1.

[0190] B. If the MCG (Master Cell Group) observes DL data going to the UE, it may resend an RRC reconfiguration with an event B1 report, possibly with a lower threshold so that it can see the UE's measurement of NR, and further decide whether to immediately activate NR. The NW may directly activate the SCG (Secondary Cell Group) for data transmission from the master cell group (MCG).

[0191] C. If the LTE branch enters the RRC idle state or changes the serving cell, the entire procedure may start conventionally, i.e., add NR based on the UE event B1 report.

[0192] UE-initiated deactivation or suspension of a new radio branch

[0193] Based on the expected data volume of the UE and / or depending on the traffic rate of the application data stream, the UE may send a request to deactivate / suspend the NR branch / SCG. In the SCG deactivated state, all SCG SCell are in the deactivated state, and the SCG primary cell (PCell) may perform one or more of the following: continue to perform measurements / beam tracking, but with a long period; not perform PDSCH / PUSCH transmission; optionally continue to perform CQI / SRS reporting with a long period; optionally monitor PDCCH and RLM measurements. (PDSCH is the acronym for Physical Downlink Shared Channel. PUSCH is the acronym for Physical Uplink Shared Channel. SRS is the acronym for Sounding Reference Signal.) When the SCG is activated, only the SCG PCell is activated, and the SCG SCell remains in the deactivated state. The deactivation and / or activation of the SCG can be done in an explicit manner (e.g., NW explicit activation / deactivation command), or in an implicit manner (e.g., based on timing or timer), or in an autonomous manner based on pre-configured conditions (e.g., data volume / traffic rate threshold).

[0194] The method of waking up the NR branch may include the following.

[0195] A. For MO wake-up, the UE may simply perform RACH / SR on the same NR cell. (MO is the acronym for Mobile Originated.)

[0196] B. MT wake-up may be completed via LTE / MCG in the NSA / EN-DC setting. The NW may instruct the UE to wake up the NR-branch / SCG via the LTE branch or MCG. The UE may directly activate the SCG and enter the DRX-on state on the SCG PCell. (MT is the acronym for Mobile Terminated.)

[0197] Figure 9 An example of SCG deactivation and reactivation via the master node (MN) 902 is shown according to some embodiments.

[0198] The UE 902 is configured for dual connectivity with the MN and the secondary node (SN) 906, as shown at 908. The UE performs data transmission 910 (uplink and / or downlink) with the MN. (The MN may forward data for the UE to the SN, as shown at 912.) The UE may also perform data transmission 914 (uplink and / or downlink) with the SN.

[0199] As shown at 916, the decision whether to deactivate a secondary cell group (SCG) can be made at the MN 902 and can be based on a comparison of data volume or expected traffic rate, e.g., depending on the application type. For example, if the data volume is less than a first threshold (or if the traffic rate is less than a second threshold), the MN can deactivate the SCG. (The term "data volume" refers to the amount of data that has been or will be transferred between the UE and the SN. Similarly, the term "traffic rate" refers to the rate of traffic that has been or will be transferred between the UE and the SN.) If the above conditions are met, the MN can send an SCG deactivation command 918 to the SN 906 and an SCG deactivation command 920 to the UE.

[0200] In response to receiving the deactivation command 918, the SN 906 can deactivate the UE's context at the SN.

[0201] In response to receiving the deactivation command 920, the UE can enter the SCG deactivation state 924, where UE activity with respect to the secondary cells of the secondary cell group (SCG) hosted by the SN is terminated, while activity related to the primary cell of the SCG is allowed to continue, as indicated by the dashed arrow 930. (In some embodiments, the activity of the primary cell can be reduced to further save power.) Data transmission with respect to the MN can continue without interruption, e.g., as shown by data transmissions 926 and 928.

[0202] In some embodiments, in the deactivated state, the UE is not required to perform the following operations on the primary cell (PCell) of the SCG: monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); transmit sounding reference signal (SRS) or channel state information (CSI) report; perform radio link monitoring (RLM); transmit a scheduling request (SR); or perform random access (RACH). (CSI is an acronym for channel state information. RLM is an acronym for radio link monitoring.)

[0203] In response to determining that uplink data is available for transmission to the SN (e.g., if SCG data radio bearer (DRB) data is available), the UE can transmit an SCG activation request 932 to the MN. The request can include the amount of available data for transmission to the SCG. (DRB is an acronym for data radio bearer.)

[0204] In response to receiving the SCG activation request, the MN can determine whether the data volume is greater than the first threshold (or whether the traffic rate is greater than the second threshold). If so, the MN can send an SCG activation message 936 to the SN and an SCG activation message 938 to the UE.

[0205] In response to receiving the SCG activation message 940, the UE may enter the SCG activation state 940, in which the activities of the secondary cell with respect to the SCG (e.g., baseband processing activities and RF activities) are restored or enabled, as proposed by the data transmission 946. The data transmission 946 may include transmissions on the primary cell and one or more secondary cells of the SCG. The dashed arrow 944 means that data for the UE may be forwarded from the MN to the SN. (The data transmission 942 is an example of data transmission with respect to the MN in the SCG activation state.)

[0206] Figure 10 A method of SCG deactivation and reactivation via a secondary node (SN) 1006 is shown according to some embodiments. The UE 1004 may be configured in a dual-connection (DC) mode with a primary node (MN) 1002 and a secondary node (SN) 1006, as shown at 1008. The UE performs data transmission 1010 (uplink and / or downlink) with the MN. In addition, the MN may forward data for the UE to the SN, as shown at 1012.

[0207] The SN may also perform data transmission 1014 with the UE.

[0208] As shown at 1016, the decision on whether to deactivate the secondary cell group (SCG) may be made at the MN and may be based on a comparison of data volume or an expected traffic rate, e.g., depending on the application type. For example, if the data volume is less than a first threshold (or if the traffic rate is less than a second threshold), the MN may deactivate the SCG. (The data volume may be the DL data volume or the UL data volume. The DL data volume may be based on the data volume stored in the UE's DL buffer. The UL data volume may be based on the BSR reported by the UE. BSR stands for buffer status report.) If the above conditions are met, the MN may send an SCG deactivation command 1018 to the SN. In response to receiving the deactivation command 1018, the SN may send an SCG deactivation command 1020 to the UE.

[0209] In response to receiving the SCG deactivation command 1020, the UE may enter the SCG deactivation state 1022. In the SCG deactivation state 1022, the secondary cells of the secondary node may be deactivated. In addition, in the SCG deactivation state, the UE is not required to perform the following operations with respect to the primary cell (PCell) of the SCG: transmit sounding reference signals (SRS); transmit channel state information (CSI) reports, and perform radio link monitoring (RLM).

[0210] As shown at 1030, the MN may determine whether the current data volume is greater than the first threshold (or whether the traffic rate is greater than the second threshold). If this condition is met, the MN may reactivate the SCG branch for the UE by paging the UE. The dashed line 1032 indicates the possibility of forwarding data from the MN to the SN.

[0211] If the UE determines that UL data is available for transmission to the SN (e.g., if SCG DRB data is available), the UE may assert a scheduling request (SR) to the SN by initiating a random access procedure (RACH) with respect to the SN, as presented at 1034, and report the amount of UL data (to the SN) as part of a buffer status report (BSR). In response to receiving the scheduling request, the SN may send a SCG activation command 1036 to the UE. In response to receiving the SCG activation command, the UE may enter the SCG activation state 1038, in which the activity of the secondary cell of the SCG is resumed (or enabled).

[0212] In the SCG activation state 1038, data transmission 1044 regarding the primary cell and one or more secondary cells of the SCG may be performed. The dashed line 1042 indicates the possibility of forwarding data from the MN to the SN (i.e., forwarding data targeted for the UE) when the SN-to-UE link is reactivated by the MN. (Data transmission 1040 is an example of data transmission with respect to the MN during the SCG activation state.)

[0213] Figure 11 An example of implicit deactivation of a secondary cell group (SCG) using a scheduling activity-based timer is shown. The UE 1104 may be configured for a dual connection (DC) mode with a master node MN 1102 and a secondary node SN 1106, as indicated at 1108. When the dual connection mode is initiated, the UE may enter the SCG activation state 1110.

[0214] In the SCG activation state 1110, the UE may perform data transmission with respect to the MN (such as data transmission 1112) and data transmission with respect to the SN (such as data transmission 1116). Data transmission 1116 may include transmission with respect to the primary cell of the SCG and transmission with respect to one or more secondary cells of the SCG. (The SCG is associated with the SN.)

[0215] In some embodiments, the MN may forward data 1114 intended for the UE to the SN. Thus, data transmission 1116 may include this forwarded data.

[0216] In the SCG active state 1110, the UE may start (or restart) a timer in response to receiving scheduling information (e.g., downlink scheduling information or uplink grant) from the SCG. (The start of the timer is indicated by flag A.) The scheduling information specifies the uplink resources granted to the UE for uplink transmission, or the downlink resources that will carry the UE's downlink data. In the illustrated case, the scheduling information is received as part of data transmission 1116, and thus, the start of the timer coincides (at least approximately) with the reception time of data transmission 1116. While the timer is running, the UE may perform data transmission with the MN (such as 1118 and 1120).

[0217] The UE may enter the SCG deactivation state 1122 in response to the timer expiring. (The expiration of the timer is indicated by flag B.) In the SCG deactivation state, the UE may deactivate the secondary cell of the SCG (e.g., terminate the activity with respect to the secondary cell of the SCG) and may reduce the activity on the primary cell of the SCG, e.g., as described in various ways above. Communication with the SN in the deactivation state is indicated at 1122.

[0218] In some embodiments, the SN may similarly start (or restart) a timer in response to transmitting scheduling information to the UE. For example, in response to transmitting scheduling information as part of data transmission 1116, the SN may start the timer, as indicated by flag A'. When the timer expires, as indicated by flag B', the SN may deactivate the secondary cell of the SCG with respect to the UE and signal the deactivation state of the SN to the MN, as indicated at 1124.

[0219] The initial value of the timer of the UE and the initial value of the timer of the SN may be configured to be equal, e.g., such that the two timers will expire simultaneously (or approximately simultaneously).

[0220] Figure 12 An example of implicit deactivation of a secondary cell group (SCG) using a data volume-based timer according to some embodiments is shown. As indicated at 1208, the user equipment UE 1204 may be configured in a dual-connectivity mode with the master node MN 1202 and the secondary node 1206. In response to the initiation of the dual-connectivity mode, the UE may enter the SCG active state 1210. While in the SCG active state, the UE may perform (e.g., receive and / or transmit) data transmission with respect to the SN (such as data transmission 1216) and data transmission with respect to the MN (such as data transmission 1212, 1218, and 1220).

[0221] In some embodiments, the SN may forward data intended for the UE to the SN, as shown at 1214. Thus, data transmission 1216 may include such forwarded data.

[0222] In response to determining that the data volume is less than the volume threshold (or the traffic rate is less than the traffic threshold), the UE may start the SCG deactivation timer. The data volume may be the data volume received from the SG in the downlink transmission, or the uplink data volume to be transmitted by the UE to the SN. In the illustrated case, the data volume is the data volume associated with the data transmission 1216, and thus, the start of the timer (at least approximately) coincides with the time of the data transmission 1216, as indicated by the marker A.

[0223] If, while the timer is running, the subsequent data volume is greater than or equal to the volume threshold (or the traffic rate changes to a value greater than or equal to the traffic threshold), the UE may stop the timer. (The subsequent data volume may be the downlink data volume or the uplink data volume.) If, when the timer stops, the data volume again becomes less than the volume threshold (or the traffic rate again becomes less than the traffic threshold), the UE may restart the timer.

[0224] In response to the timer expiration, the UE may enter the SCG deactivation state 1222 and notify the network (NW) that it has entered the deactivation state. In the SCG deactivation state 1222, the UE may deactivate the secondary cell of the SN (e.g., terminate the activity with respect to the secondary cell of the SN) and reduce the activity with respect to the primary cell of the SN, e.g., as described in various ways above.

[0225] In one embodiment, the UE may notify the network by sending an SCG deactivation message 1224 to the MN. In response to receiving the SCG deactivation message 1224, the MN may send an SCG deactivation message 1226 to the SN. In response to receiving the SCG deactivation message 1226, the SN may deactivate the SCG secondary cell with respect to the UE.

[0226] In another embodiment, the UE may notify the network by directly sending an SCG deactivation message (now shown) to the SN.

[0227] In some embodiments, the SN may also maintain a timer similarly based on the amount of data (or traffic rate) going to and / or coming from the UE. (In these embodiments, the UE may not need to notify the network of when it enters the SCG deactivation state 1222 based on the expiration of the timer implemented by the SN, as the SN may already know.) In response to determining that the amount of data associated with the UE is less than an amount threshold (or the traffic rate associated with the UE is less than a traffic threshold), the SN may start the timer. The amount of data may be the amount of data received from the UE in an uplink transmission or the amount of downlink data to be transmitted by the SN to the UE. In the illustrated case, the amount of data is the amount of data associated with the data transmission 1216, and thus, the start of the timer (at least approximately) coincides with the time of the data transmission 1216, as indicated by the marker A'. When the timer expires, as indicated by the marker B', the SN may deactivate the SCG secondary cell with respect to the UE.

[0228] The dashed arrow 1128 indicates the state of data communication between the UE and the SN after the SN has deactivated the SCG secondary cell.

[0229] In some embodiments, instead of immediately entering the SCG deactivation state 1222 in response to determining that a data amount criterion (or traffic rate criterion) has been met, the UE may send a request for SCG activation to the network (e.g., to the MN or SN) and wait for an acknowledgment message from the network. In these embodiments, the UE enters the SCG deactivation state 1222 in response to receiving the acknowledgment message.

[0230] Figure 13 An example of implicit activation of a secondary cell group (SCG) based on SCG uplink (UL) data arrival according to some embodiments is shown. A user equipment UE 1304 may be configured in a dual-connection (DC) mode with a master node MN 1302 and a secondary node SN 1306, as indicated at 1308. The UE may enter the SCG deactivation state 1316, for example, in response to one or more conditions, as described above in various ways.

[0231] In the SCG deactivation state 1316, the secondary cells of the SCG are deactivated. On the SCG primary cell (PCell), the UE may perform discontinuous reception (DRX) with a longer DRX cycle value compared to when in the SCG activation state, and based on this longer DRX cycle value, monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the PCell, transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) regarding the PCell, transmit a channel state information (CSI) report regarding the PCell, and perform radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to the PCell. The DRX configuration in the SCG deactivation state may be different from the DRX configuration in the SCG activation state.

[0232] In the SCG deactivation state 1316, the UE can perform (e.g., receive and / or transmit) data transmissions relative to the MN (such as data transmissions 1318, 1320, and 1322) and data transmissions relative to the SN (such as data transmission 1314).

[0233] In response to determining that uplink data is available for transmission to the SCG, the UE can trigger the reporting of a buffer status report (BSR) by, for example, initiating a random access procedure (RACH) and asserting a scheduling request (SR) as part of the random access procedure. In response to initiating the RACH and asserting the scheduling request, the UE can enter the SCG activation state 1324.

[0234] In response to receiving a scheduling request SR from the UE, the network (e.g., the SN) can enter the SCG activation state 1328 and schedule uplink resources for the UE on the SCG.

[0235] Figure 14 An example of implicit activation of a secondary cell group (SCG) based on a threshold is shown. A user equipment UE 1404 can be configured in a dual connectivity (DC) mode with a master node MN 1402 and a secondary node SN 1406, as indicated at 1408. The UE can enter the SCG deactivation state 1410 in response to one or more conditions, as described above in various ways.

[0236] In the SCG deactivation state 1410, the secondary cells of the SCG are deactivated. On the SCG primary cell (PCell), the UE can perform discontinuous reception (DRX) with a longer DRX cycle value compared to when in the SCG activation state, and based on this longer DRX cycle value, monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the PCell, transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) regarding the PCell, transmit a channel state information (CSI) report regarding the PCell, and perform radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to the PCell. The DRX configuration in the SCG deactivation state can be different from the DRX configuration in the SCG activation state.

[0237] In the SCG deactivation state 1410, the UE can perform (e.g., transmit and / or receive) data transmissions relative to the MN (such as data transmissions 1414, 1416, and 1418) and data transmissions relative to the SN (such as data transmission 1412).

[0238] If, in the SCG deactivated state, the UE determines that the amount of uplink data available for transmission to the SN is greater than the amount threshold, the UE may directly activate the SCG (e.g., by transmitting a scheduling request to the SN). In response to receiving an authorization for uplink resources from the SN, the UE may transmit (or begin transmitting) uplink data to the SN. As indicated at 1422, the scheduling request and uplink data transmission are performed.

[0239] As shown at 1420, in response to receiving a scheduling request from the UE, the network (e.g., the SN) may enter the SCG activation state 1424. In the SCG activation state 1424, the SN may activate the SCG and schedule uplink resources for the UE on the SCG.

[0240] In some embodiments, a method 1500 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include Figure 15 the operations shown. (Method 1500 may also include any subset of the elements, embodiments, and features described above in connection with Figures 1 to 14 .) For example, as described for the user equipment 600 in connection with Figure 6 , the wireless UE device may be configured for the various uses described above. Method 1500 may be executed by a processing element of the UE device.

[0241] As shown at 1510, when the wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a primary node and a secondary node, the processing element may enter a mode in which the activity of the UE device with respect to the secondary node is reduced compared to the activity with respect to the primary cell of the secondary node. (The term "activity" includes, within the scope of its meaning, the baseband processing activity and radio activity of the UE device.) The primary node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0242] By reducing the activity with respect to the secondary node, the UE device may conserve battery power when the traffic rate to and / or from the secondary node is low. Method 1500 may be particularly useful when the UE device has been configured for carrier aggregation on the secondary node but the traffic rate with respect to the secondary node is low.

[0243] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the activity of the UE device with respect to the secondary cell of the secondary node may be terminated.

[0244] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may perform

[0245] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may perform periodic cell measurements and reporting for the primary cell of the secondary node, but with a longer period compared to before entering the mode. The cell measurements may include measurements such as signal strength or signal quality or signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR).

[0246] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may perform periodic beam tracking for the primary cell of the secondary node, but with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0247] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may perform periodic reporting of information regarding channel quality (e.g., CQI) for the primary cell of the secondary node, but with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0248] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may perform transmission of sounding reference signals (SRS) to the primary cell of the secondary node, but with a longer period compared to before entering the mode.

[0249] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may terminate monitoring of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the primary cell of the secondary node.

[0250] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may terminate monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the primary cell of the secondary node.

[0251] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may disable transmission on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) associated with the secondary node. For example, the processing element may disable uplink transmission on the PUSCH for the primary component carrier of the secondary node.

[0252] In some embodiments, upon entering the mode, the processing element may terminate measurements related to radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to the secondary node.

[0253] In some embodiments, the mode is entered in response to a command from the primary node or the secondary node. The command may be received in any of various ways, such as as part of a radio resource control (RRC) message, or as part of a medium access control - control element (MAC-CE), or as part of downlink control information (DCI).

[0254] In some embodiments, the processing element may start an inactivity timer in response to receiving an uplink and / or downlink schedule with respect to a secondary node. In response to receiving an additional uplink and / or downlink schedule with respect to the secondary node while the inactivity timer is running, the processing element may restart the inactivity timer. The processing element may enter the mode in response to the expiration of the inactivity timer.

[0255] In some embodiments, the processing element may start a timer in response to determining that a traffic rate regarding data communication with a secondary node is less than a threshold. (The data communication may be uplink or downlink communication.) In response to determining that a subsequent traffic rate regarding data communication with the secondary node is greater than the threshold, the processing element may stop the timer. The processing element may enter the mode in response to the expiration of the timer.

[0256] In some embodiments, the processing element may start a timer in response to determining that a first data volume regarding data communication with a secondary node is less than a threshold. In response to determining that a subsequent data volume regarding data communication with the secondary node is greater than the threshold, the processing element may stop the timer. The processing element may enter the mode in response to the expiration of the timer.

[0257] In some embodiments, after having entered the mode, the processing element may transmit a scheduling request to the secondary node in response to determining that a data volume to be transmitted to the secondary node is greater than a threshold.

[0258] In some embodiments, the master node is an eNB compliant with 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) specifications, where the secondary node is a gNB compliant with 5G New Radio (NR) specifications.

[0259] In some embodiments, if the NR branch is in a Carrier Aggregation (CA) setup, the UE may be configured to request deactivation or deconfiguration of subcarriers. When the scheduling rate on the NR branch is low, the UE may request the gNB to deactivate (or de-map) a Secondary Component Carrier (SCC). (Monitoring an SCC that is configured but not activated consumes more effort due to beamforming than LTE.) DCI or MAC-CE may be used to indicate to the UE to deactivate or even deconfigure the SCC. This applies to both Non-Standalone (NSA) mode and Standalone (SA) mode NR users.

[0260] Analysis of traffic thresholds for mode selection

[0261] For any UE, traffic can be transmitted via the NR branch or the LTE branch, and the amount of battery energy consumption can be a differentiating factor for which branch to select. It is useful to determine the energy consumption in each of NR and LTE for delivering the same application traffic. When both LTE and NR are required to transmit a data payload L within T seconds, if LTE spends less energy than NR, then LTE can be preferred. See Figure 16 the analysis given in, where P represents power, t represents the time within one connected DRX cycle, T represents the total time, and R represents the throughput, and N represents the number of connected-mode DRX cycles. The subscripts T, P, O, SSB, and BM represent traffic, PDCCH monitoring, off, synchronization signal block, and beam management, respectively. R SSB is the synchronization signal block (SSB) duration averaged over a 20 ms period for beam management (which can vary based on UE mobility). Figure 16 The threshold 1600 on the right side of the last inequality of is based on power consumption, throughput performance, and UE behavior (BM). It can also vary based on RF conditions. If the application layer traffic rate is less than the threshold, then LTE is more energy-efficient than NR and is therefore preferred. (In this case, the UE can advantageously, for example, use any of the various mechanisms disclosed herein to request deactivation of the LTE branch.) If the application layer traffic rate is higher than the threshold, then data transmission via the active NR branch is preferred.

[0262] New radio branch deactivation based on feedback from user equipment

[0263] As previously described, the traffic rate expected by the UE determines the preference for data transmission between the LTE and NR branches. As an alternative to the UE-initiated method described above, it can also be proactively performed on the NW side, for example, based on UE feedback on the traffic rate.

[0264] In some embodiments, the UE can periodically send the power efficiency optimal traffic threshold back to the MCG to enable it to determine the (de)activation of the UE's NR branch along with other factors (e.g., NW load). The periodic feedback of the power optimal traffic threshold can be based on one or more of the following: UE window observations of UE mobility, RF conditions, LTE and NR configurations, etc.

[0265] In some embodiments, it can be as Figure 17 (which is on the same page as Figure 15 shown) to perform method 1700 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device. (Method 1700 can also include any subset of the elements, embodiments, and features described above in connection with Figures 1 to 16 .) For example, as in connection with Figure 6For the user equipment 600 described above, the wireless UE device can be configured for various purposes as described above. The method 1700 can be executed by the processing element of the wireless UE device.

[0266] As shown at 1710, when the wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a primary node and a secondary node, the processing element can perform operations 1715 and 1720. The primary node can correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node can correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0267] At 1715, the processing element can transmit a traffic threshold, where the traffic threshold represents the boundary between: (a) a traffic rate small enough such that a reduction in activity with respect to the secondary node is recommended, and (b) a traffic rate large enough such that a reduction in activity with respect to the secondary node is not recommended.

[0268] At 1720, the processing element can receive a message from the primary node or the secondary node indicating that the UE device enters a mode of reduced activity with respect to the secondary node.

[0269] In some embodiments, the traffic threshold can be transmitted to the primary node. In an alternative embodiment, the traffic threshold can be transmitted to the secondary node.

[0270] In some embodiments, the processing element can enter the mode of reduced activity with respect to the secondary node in response to receiving the above message.

[0271] In some embodiments, the traffic threshold can be determined (e.g., calculated by the processing element) based on one or more factors. For example, one or more factors can include a measurement of the mobility of the wireless UE device. As another example, one or more factors can include a measurement of the condition of the RF channel with respect to the secondary node. As another example, one or more factors can include the configuration of the UE device with respect to the radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the primary node. As another example, one or more factors can include the configuration of the UE device with respect to the radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the secondary node.

[0272] In some embodiments, the threshold can be calculated as described above in connection with Figure 16 the analysis described.

[0273] In some embodiments, the primary node is an eNB compliant with 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) specifications, where the secondary node is a gNB compliant with 5G New Radio (NR) specifications.

[0274] In some embodiments, while the NR branch is active, when the expected UE traffic in a future time T (NW configuration) is less than a specific threshold R, the gNB can configure the UE to report an event, where R can be the UE's own power optimal threshold Ropt and the gNB configuration parameter R NW function, e.g., R = min(R opt , R NW ), where min(*, *) is the minimum operator. In other words, when the expected traffic is below a threshold and may thus cause UE power inefficiency, the UE can notify the NW through this event report. Then, the master cell group (MCG) can consider whether to deactivate the NR branch of this UE.

[0275] In some embodiments, the method 1800 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device can be performed as shown in Figure 18 (which is on the same page as Figure 15 ). (The method 1800 can also include any subset of the elements, embodiments, and features described above in connection with Figures 1 to 17 ). For example, as described for the user equipment 600 in connection with Figure 6 , the wireless UE device can be configured for various uses as described above. The method 1800 can be executed by the processing element of the wireless UE device.

[0276] As shown in 1810, when the wireless UE device is in a dual-connection state with a master node and a secondary node, the processing element can perform operations 1815 and 1820. The master node can correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node can correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0277] At 1815, the processing element can transmit an event report to the master node or the secondary node, where the event report indicates that the expected uplink traffic from the UE device to the secondary node is less than a traffic threshold.

[0278] At 1820, the processing element can receive a command from the master node or the secondary node, where the command indicates that the UE device reduces its activity with respect to the secondary node.

[0279] In some embodiments, the processing element can receive a message (e.g., a configuration message) that enables the UE device to generate and transmit an event report.

[0280] In some embodiments, the master node is an eNB compliant with the 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) specification; and the secondary node is a gNB compliant with the 5G New Radio (NR) specification.

[0281] Network behavior

[0282] In some embodiments, the network (e.g., gNB) may signal the UE to reduce its baseband and RF operations for power savings. The UE context remains in the RAN (Radio Access Network). Thus, when the UE exits the power savings state, no RRC configuration or reconfiguration is required, similar to RRC Inactive. This is for reducing overhead.

[0283] Multiple operations may be slowed down or paused to save UE power consumption. For example, the UE may slow down or pause the monitoring of downlink control information (DCI). As another example, the UE may slow down or pause RRM (mobility) measurements. As another example, the UE may slow down or pause the measurement and / or reporting of CSI (such as CQI, PMI, and / or RI). As another example, the UE may slow down or pause beam management and reporting. (RRM stands for Radio Resource Management. CQI is an acronym for Channel Quality Indicator. PMI is an acronym for Precoding Matrix Index. RI is an acronym for Rank Indicator.)

[0284] There are various ways to signal the slowdown or pause of the operations to the UE, e.g., via DCI, or via MAC CE (Medium Access Control - Control Element), or via RRC (Radio Resource Control).

[0285] Network behavior: reduced DCI monitoring

[0286] In some embodiments, power may be saved by reducing the monitoring of downlink control information (DCI) on the NR branch. The reduction of NR DCI monitoring may be achieved via signaling 1910 transmitted by the NR node (i.e., gNB), e.g., as Figure 19A shown. For example, the signaling may be used to enable a change in the UE BWP (bandwidth part) such that there is a sparse search space for control information within the BWP. As another example, the signaling may be used to enable a change in the UE discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle such that DRX wake - ups occur less frequently. As another example, the signaling may be used to disable DCI monitoring for a fixed duration.

[0287] Alternatively, the reduction of NR DCI monitoring may be achieved via signaling 1960 transmitted by the LTE node (i.e., eNB), e.g., as Figure 19B shown. The LTE node may signal the UE to pause DCI monitoring in NR. The wake - up procedure may be based on LTE signaling or timer expiration, as presented at 1965.

[0288] Network behavior: reduced RRM and beam management

[0289] In some embodiments, a network (e.g., gNB) may instruct a UE to relax or slow down its RRM and beam management procedures. In different embodiments, the signaling may come from LTE or from NR.

[0290] For radio resource management (RRM) relaxation, the NW may perform one or more of the following.

[0291] A. The network (NW) may signal the UE to perform only UE autonomous cell reselection for NR cells (i.e., no measurement reports or NW-assisted handovers).

[0292] B. The NW may reduce RRM measurement requirements, especially periodic ones, etc.

[0293] C. The NW may configure a measurement gap on the LTE branch for the UE to measure the NR branch, i.e., a time gap when the UE is not expected to make measurements on the LTE branch. This can ensure that only one RF chain is needed, for example, for inter-band EN-DC. The measurement gap is preferably large enough to cover the RF tuning time and allow the UE to capture the CSI-RS of the synchronization signal block (SSB) on the NR branch. Measurement reports may be sent on the LTE branch. (CSI-RS is an acronym for Channel State Information - Reference Signal.)

[0294] For beam management relaxation, the NW may perform one or more of the following.

[0295] A. The NW may signal the UE to monitor only a subset of the reference signals (RS) for beam management, e.g., only CSI-RS, only a subset of CSI-RS, only SSB, etc.

[0296] B. The NW may signal the UE to pause or reduce its beam management reports, especially periodic reports.

[0297] C. The NW may signal the UE to reduce or pause UL beam management, i.e., sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission.

[0298] D. The NW may signal the UE to operate in a signal panel mode only.

[0299] Post-wake-up measurement

[0300] In some embodiments, after a user equipment (UE) exits the power saving mode in NR, the network (NW) (e.g., gNB) may explicitly or implicitly instruct the UE to perform a measurement report. The signaling may be implemented via downlink control information (DCI) or MAC CE or RRC. The signaling may be sent via the LTE branch or the NR branch.

[0301] In some embodiments, the signaling may enable the UE to perform one or more of the following. For example, the signaling may enable the UE to resume DCI monitoring on the NR branch (or perform DCI monitoring more frequently). As another example, the signaling may enable the UE to resume RRM on the NR branch (or perform RRM measurements and reporting more frequently). As another example, the signaling may enable the UE to resume CSI / BW measurements and reporting on the NR branch (or perform CSI / BW measurements and reporting more frequently). BW is an acronym for bandwidth.

[0302] The signaling may also request an immediate UE measurement report for the UE to obtain the latest information on RRM or CSI or beam conditions. Resource allocation may be performed via new radio DCI or UE uplink RACH or scheduling request. (RACH is an acronym for random access procedure.)

[0303] As Figure 20 shown, when the NR branch enters deep power saving, the baseband and RF operations of the UE with respect to the NR branch stop, as indicated at 2010. (The baseband and RF operations of the NR branch of the UE are represented by black rectangles. The baseband and RF operations of the LTE branch of the UE are represented by white rectangles.) In response to signaling 2020 from the network, the UE resumes NR operations. The UE may send an NR measurement report 2025 for RRM, channel state information (CSI), or beam management (BM) to the network in response to the above signaling, as indicated by the upward-pointing arrow.

[0304] Figure 21 - Deactivation of the secondary cell of the secondary node

[0305] In some embodiments, a method 2100 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may operate as Figure 21 shown. (Method 2100 may also include any subset of the elements, embodiments, and features described above in connection with Figures 1 to 20 .) For example, as described for the user equipment 600 in connection with Figure 6 , the wireless UE device may be configured for the various uses described above. Method 2100 may be executed by a processing element of the wireless UE device.

[0306] As shown at 2110, when the wireless UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with a primary node and a secondary node, the processing element may perform operations 2115 and 2120. The primary node may correspond to a first radio access technology; and the secondary node may correspond to a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology.

[0307] At 2115, the processing element may receive a message instructing the UE device to reduce its activity with respect to the secondary node, enabling the UE to conserve power, e.g., when the UE's data transfer activity with respect to the secondary node is low.

[0308] At 2120, the processing element may reduce the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node in response to receiving the message.

[0309] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include reducing the monitoring of downlink control information (DCI) with respect to the secondary node.

[0310] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include changing the bandwidth part (BWP) associated with the UE device to reduce the search space for downlink control information.

[0311] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include changing the discontinuous reception cycle (DRX) to make DRX wakes less frequent.

[0312] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include pausing the action of monitoring downlink control information (DCI) for at least a certain period of time.

[0313] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include reducing beam management operations with respect to the secondary node.

[0314] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include monitoring a subset of reference signals for beam management with respect to the secondary node.

[0315] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node includes pausing or reducing reporting related to beam management with respect to the secondary node.

[0316] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include pausing or reducing uplink beam management with respect to the secondary node.

[0317] In some embodiments, the action of reducing the UE device's activity with respect to the secondary node may include operating in a signal panel mode only with respect to the secondary node.

[0318] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable memory medium, or a computer system. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as an ASIC. Still other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as an FPGA.

[0319] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, where if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to execute a method, such as any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0320] In some embodiments, a computer system may be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the executable program instructions are to implement any one of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The computer system may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. By way of example, the computer system may be a personal computer (in any of its various implementations), a workstation, a computer on a card, a dedicated computer in a box, a server computer, a client computer, a handheld device, a user equipment (UE) device, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc.

[0321] It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0322] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully understood. The present disclosure is intended that the following claims be construed to cover all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A wireless user equipment (UE) device, comprising: a radio circuit configured to transmit and receive radio signals; and a processor communicatively coupled to the radio circuit and configured to cooperate with the radio circuit to: when the UE device is in a dual - connected state with one or more cells of a master cell group (MCG) of a master node and one or more cells of a secondary cell group (SCG) of a secondary node, send a traffic rate expected by the UE device to the master node, wherein the traffic rate determines a preference for data transmission between a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology, wherein the master node corresponds to the first radio access technology and wherein the secondary node corresponds to the second radio access technology; after sending the traffic rate, receive a de - activation command that the SCG is de - activated from the master node; in response to receiving the de - activation command, enter an SCG de - activation state; and perform communication with the master node in the SCG de - activation state.

2. The UE device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cooperate with the radio circuit to, after performing the communication, in response to determining that uplink data is available for transmission to the secondary node, send an SCG activation request to the master node to activate the SCG.

3. The UE device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to cooperate with the radio circuit to perform any one or more of the following when entering the SCG de - activation state: report cell measurements of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG de - activation state; track one or more beams of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG de - activation state; report information about the channel quality of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG de - activation state; send a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the primary cell of the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG de - activation state; terminate monitoring of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the primary cell of the secondary cell group; terminate monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the primary cell of the secondary cell group; disable transmission on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) associated with the secondary cell group; or terminate measurements related to radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to the secondary cell group.

4. The UE device according to claim 1, wherein the de - activation command is received in a radio resource control (RRC) message, or in a media access control (MAC) control element, or as part of downlink control information (DCI).

5. The UE device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: Start an inactivity timer in response to receiving uplink and / or downlink scheduling with respect to the secondary node; and Restart the inactivity timer in response to receiving additional uplink and / or downlink scheduling with respect to the secondary node while the inactivity timer is running; Wherein the SCG deactivation state is entered in response to the expiration of the inactivity timer.

6. The UE device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: Start a timer in response to determining that a first traffic rate regarding data communication with the secondary node is less than a specified rate; and Stop the timer in response to determining that a subsequent traffic rate regarding data communication with the secondary node is greater than the specified rate; Wherein the SCG deactivation state is entered in response to the expiration of the timer.

7. A network master node, comprising: A radio circuit configured to transmit and receive radio signals; And A processor communicatively coupled to the radio circuit and configured to cooperate with the radio circuit to: Receive, from the UE device, a traffic rate expected by the UE device when the wireless user equipment UE device is in a dual-connectivity state with one or more cells of a master cell group MCG of the master node and one or more cells of a secondary cell group SCG of a secondary node, wherein the traffic rate determines a preference for data transmission between a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology, wherein the master node corresponds to the first radio access technology and wherein the secondary node corresponds to the second radio access technology; After receiving the traffic rate, send a deactivation command to the UE device to deactivate the SCG; And After sending the deactivation command, perform communication with the UE device.

8. The network master node according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to further cooperate with the radio circuit to receive, from the UE device, an SCG activation request that activates the SCG after performing the communication.

9. The network master node according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to further cooperate with the radio circuit to send the deactivation command to the UE device via one or more of the following: A radio resource control RRC message; A medium access control MAC control element; or Downlink control information DCI.

10. The network master node according to claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to further cooperate with the radio circuit to: Receive a threshold indication of a traffic threshold from the UE device, wherein the traffic threshold represents a boundary between: A traffic rate small enough to recommend reduced activity with respect to the secondary node, and A traffic rate large enough not to recommend reduced activity with respect to the secondary node; and Send, at least based on the threshold indication, a message to the UE device indicating that the UE device enters a mode of reduced activity with respect to the secondary node.

11. The network master node according to claim 10, wherein the traffic threshold is determined based on at least one of the following: the mobility of the UE device; the condition of the RF channel with respect to the secondary node; the configuration of the UE device with respect to the radio access technology (RAT) corresponding to the master node; or the configuration of the UE device with respect to the RAT corresponding to the secondary node.

12. A non-transitory memory medium storing program instructions, which when executed by a processor, direct a device to: when a user equipment (UE) device is in a dual-connectivity state with one or more cells of a master cell group (MCG) of a master node and one or more cells of a secondary cell group (SCG) of a secondary node, send the traffic rate expected by the UE device to the master node, wherein the traffic rate determines the preference for data transmission between a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different from the first radio access technology, wherein the master node corresponds to the first radio access technology and wherein the secondary node corresponds to the second radio access technology; after sending the traffic rate, receive a deactivation command for deactivating the SCG from the master node; in response to receiving the deactivation command, enter the SCG deactivation state; and perform communication with the master node in the SCG deactivation state.

13. The non-transitory memory medium according to claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further direct the device to: after performing the communication, in response to determining that uplink data is available for transmission to the secondary node, send an SCG activation request to the master node to activate the SCG.

14. The non-transitory memory medium according to claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further direct the device, when entering the SCG deactivation state, to: report cell measurements of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG deactivation state; track one or more beams of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG deactivation state; report information about the channel quality of the primary cell with respect to the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG deactivation state; send sounding reference signals (SRS) to the primary cell of the secondary cell group at a longer period than before entering the SCG deactivation state; terminate monitoring of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the primary cell of the secondary cell group; terminate monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the primary cell of the secondary cell group; disable transmission on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) associated with the secondary cell group; or terminate measurements related to radio link monitoring (RLM) with respect to the secondary cell group.

15. The non-transitory memory medium according to claim 12, wherein the deactivation command is received in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or in a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, or as part of Downlink Control Information (DCI).

16. The non-transitory memory medium according to claim 12, wherein the instruction, when executed by the processor, further instructs the device to: start an inactivity timer in response to receiving uplink and / or downlink scheduling for the secondary node; and restart the inactivity timer in response to receiving additional uplink and / or downlink scheduling for the secondary node while the inactivity timer is running; wherein the SCG deactivation state is entered in response to the expiration of the inactivity timer.

17. The non-transitory memory medium according to claim 12, wherein the instruction, when executed by the processor, further instructs the device to: start a timer in response to determining that a first traffic rate for data communication with the secondary node is less than a specified rate; and stop the timer in response to determining that a subsequent traffic rate for data communication with the secondary node is greater than the specified rate; wherein the SCG deactivation state is entered in response to the expiration of the timer.

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