Method for indicating availability of reference signals for idle / inactive user equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing an indication of the availability of Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) and / or Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) opportunities. Channels used to carry the indication include System Information Block (SIB) signaling, paging Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and early paging indications. Various methods of providing information are described, including multiple bitmap methods, hierarchical information methods, dynamic signal indications carrying configuration indexes. Additional methods are described for reducing unnecessary overhead by designating certain Reference Signal (RS) opportunities as available.

Description

Background Art Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects may generally relate to the field of wireless communications. Summary of the invention

[0002] Aspects of the methods described herein include a user equipment (UE). The UE includes a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station. The UE also includes a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver, the processing circuit being configured to decode the downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal includes a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations. The processing circuit of the UE is further configured to track at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available and the RF receiver, wherein the downlink signal is received when the UE is in an inactive or idle state.

[0003] Aspects of the method also include a method, the method including the step of receiving, by a radio frequency (RF) receiver in a user equipment (UE) from a base station, a downlink signal. The method also includes decoding, by a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver, the downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal includes a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations. The method also includes tracking, by the processing circuit and using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available, at least one of time or frequency, wherein the downlink signal is received while in an inactive or idle state.

[0004] The present invention is provided for the purpose of illustrating some aspects only, so as to provide an understanding of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, the above-mentioned features are only examples and should not be understood as narrowing the scope or essence of the subject matter in the present disclosure. Other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and enable those skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present disclosure.

[0006] Figure 1

[0013] An example system implementing a mechanism for signaling availability of RS configurations according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 A block diagram of an example system of an electronic device that receives and processes the availability of a signaled RS configuration in accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0008] Figure 3Various aspects of time slot configurations according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0009] Figure 4 A diagram showing how a hierarchy information element indicates availability of RS configurations in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 An illustration of an RS configuration availability bitmap according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided.

[0011] Fig. 6A and 6B An illustration of RS occasions relative to paging occasions is provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 7A and 7B

[0013] An illustration of RS occasions relative to paging occasions and early paging indications is provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 8A A flow chart of a method 800 for a UE to track time or frequency in a wireless communication system using an effective RS configuration availability signaling method according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 8B A flow chart of a method 850 for a base station to signal a UE so that it can use an effective RS configuration availability signaling method to track time or frequency in a wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Fig. 9 An exemplary computer system for implementing some aspects or portions thereof.

[0016] The present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, generally, the same reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar elements. In addition, generally, the leftmost digit of a reference numeral identifies the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1An exemplary system for implementing a mechanism for signaling the availability of RS configuration according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The exemplary system 100 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosed aspects. The system 100 may include, but is not limited to, network nodes (e.g., base stations such as eNBs) 101 and 103 and electronic devices (e.g., UEs) 105. The electronic device 105 (hereinafter referred to as UE 105) may include an electronic device configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, technologies based on the third generation partnership project (3GPP) standard. For example, UE 105 may include an electronic device configured to operate using the 3GPP standard. UE 105 may include, but is not limited to, wireless communication devices, smart phones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets, personal assistants, monitors, televisions, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle communication devices, etc. The network node 101 (referred to herein as a base station) may include a node configured to operate based on a variety of wireless communication technologies (such as, but not limited to, technologies based on 3GPP standards).

[0018] According to some aspects, UE 105 and base stations 101 and 103 are configured to implement a mechanism for UE 105 to signal RS configuration availability. In some aspects, UE 105 is configured to receive signaling of RS configuration availability and perform time and / or frequency tracking based on those RS configurations. According to some aspects, UE 105 can be connected to base station 101 (e.g., serving cell) using carrier 107 and can communicate with it, and UE 105 receives signaled RS configuration availability from the carrier.

[0019] According to some aspects, UE 105 can measure one or more carriers (eg, carrier 107) used to communicate with base station 101 (eg, serving cell) to perform time and / or frequency tracking based on those RS configurations.

[0020] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary system 200 of an electronic device implementing a mechanism for time and / or frequency tracking based on signaled RS configuration availability according to some aspects of the present disclosure is shown. System 200 can be any electronic device (e.g., base station 101, UE 105) in the electronic devices of system 100. System 200 includes a processor 210, one or more transceivers 220a-220n, a communication infrastructure 240, a memory 250, an operating system 252, an application 254, and an antenna 260. The system shown is provided as an exemplary portion of system 200, and system 200 may include other circuits and subsystems. In addition, although the system of system 200 is shown as separate components, aspects of the present disclosure may include any combination of these components, fewer components, or more components.

[0021] The memory 250 may include random access memory (RAM) and / or cache, and may include control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data. The memory 250 may include other storage devices or memories, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive and / or a removable storage device / unit. According to some examples, an operating system 252 may be stored in the memory 250. The operating system 252 may manage data transmission from the memory 250 and / or one or more application programs 254 to the processor 210 and / or one or more transceivers 220a-220n. In some examples, the operating system 252 maintains one or more network protocol stacks (e.g., an Internet protocol stack, a cellular protocol stack, etc.) that may include multiple logical layers. At the corresponding layer of the protocol stack, the operating system 252 includes a control mechanism and a data structure to perform functions associated with the layer.

[0022] According to some examples, applications 254 may be stored in memory 250. Applications 254 may include applications used by wireless system 200 and / or a user of wireless system 200 (e.g., user applications). Applications in applications 254 may include applications such as, but not limited to, Siri, TM , FaceTime TM , radio streaming, video streaming, remote control and / or other user applications.

[0023] The system 200 may also include a communication infrastructure 240. The communication infrastructure 240 provides, for example, communication between the processor 210, one or more transceivers 220a-220n, and the memory 250. In some implementations, the communication infrastructure 240 may be a bus.

[0024] Processor 210, together with instructions stored in memory 250, executes operations that enable system 200 of system 100 to implement mechanisms for exchanging searcher numbers for carrier / cell detection and measurement as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, one or more transceivers 220a-220n execute operations that enable system 200 of system 100 to implement mechanisms for performing time and / or frequency tracking based on those RS configurations as described herein.

[0025] One or more transceivers 220a-220n transmit and receive communication signals supporting mechanisms for performing time and / or frequency tracking based on those RS configurations according to some aspects, and may be coupled to antenna 260. Antenna 260 may include one or more antennas that may be the same or different types. One or more transceivers 220a-220n allow system 200 to communicate with other devices that may be wired and / or wireless. In some examples, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include processors, controllers, radio components, sockets, plugs, buffers, and similar circuits / devices for connecting to a network and communicating on the network. According to some examples, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include one or more circuits for connecting to a wired network and / or a wireless network and communicating on a wired network and / or a wireless network.

[0026] According to some aspects, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include a cellular subsystem, a WLAN subsystem, and / or a Bluetooth subsystem. TM Subsystems, each of which includes its own radio transceiver and protocol, as will be understood by those skilled in the art based on the discussion provided herein. In some implementations, one or more of the transceivers 220a-220n may include more or fewer systems for communicating with other devices.

[0027] In some examples, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include one or more circuits (including a WLAN transceiver) to enable connection and communication via a WLAN network (such as, but not limited to, a network based on the standards described in IEEE 802.11). Additionally, or alternatively, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include one or more circuits (including a WLAN transceiver) to enable connection and communication via a WLAN network (such as, but not limited to, a network based on the standards described in IEEE 802.11). TM Protocol, Bluetooth TM Low Energy Protocol or Bluetooth TM One or more circuits for connection and communication with low energy long range protocols (including Bluetooth TM For example, the transceiver 220n may include a Bluetooth TM Transceiver.

[0028] In addition, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may include one or more circuits (including cellular transceivers) for connecting to and communicating on a cellular network. Cellular networks may include, but are not limited to, 3G / 4G / 5G networks such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. For example, one or more transceivers 220a-220n may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more of Rel-15, Rel-16, Rel-17, or other versions of the 3GPP standard.

[0029] According to some aspects, processor 210 alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in memory 250 and / or one or more transceivers 220a-220n implements performing time and / or frequency tracking based on those RS configurations as discussed herein. For example, transceiver 220a may provide a first carrier (e.g., Figure 1 In this example, the transceiver 220a and / or the transceiver 220b may enable receiving signaling of RS configuration availability information (e.g., Figure 1 109). Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless system 200 may include a transceiver configured to operate on different carriers. According to some examples, the processor 210 may be configured to control a transceiver to switch between different carriers. Although the operations discussed herein are discussed with respect to the processor 210, it is noted that the processor 210 may implement these operations alone or in combination with computer instructions stored in the memory 250 and / or one or more transceivers 220a-220n.

[0030] In creating an innovative method for efficient signaling of the availability of reference signals, it should be understood that idle and / or inactive UEs receive information about the availability of reference signals through explicit indications. There is no expected blind detection of the presence or absence of reference signals on the UE side of the communication. The method described below provides details of the nature of the signaling, the information transmitted, and how it is transmitted from the base station to the UE.

[0031] When developing innovative methods, it should be noted that the availability of TRS / CSI-RS opportunities can be carried in the Early Paging Indication (PEI). The PEI is transmitted some time before the paging opportunity so that the UE can decide whether to wake up early to prepare for the paging opportunity reception.

[0032] Various designs have been developed for notifying the UE of the availability of reference signals (RS), where the designs use the following signals to convey the availability information: system information block (SIB), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and / or PEI. When evaluating and comparing different PEI candidate designs, there are two types of behaviors associated with such an analysis. In the first behavior, the PEI indicates to the UE that the UE should monitor the paging occasion (PO) to see if the UE's group / subgroup is paged. In this first behavior, if the UE does not detect the PEI at any PEI occasion associated with a particular PO, the UE does not need to monitor the PO.

[0033] In the second behavior, the PEI indicates to the UE whether the UE should monitor the PO. In the second behavior, if the UE does not detect the PEI at any PEI occasion of a specific PO, the UE is required to monitor the PO.

[0034] For the purposes of the methods described herein, an exemplary paging occasion (PO) is a set of “S” consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions, where “S” is the number of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) actually transmitted determined according to the information field ssb-PositionsInBurst in the system information block (SIB1).

[0035] The PO may include multiple time slots. For example, the Kth PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging in the PO corresponds to the Kth SSB transmitted by the network using the same transmission beam. The PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging (which do not overlap with UL symbols, as determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon) are numbered sequentially from zero starting from the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging in a paging frame (PF).

[0036] Figure 3 Various aspects of the above-described time slot configuration according to some aspects of the present disclosure are shown. A paging frame with an exemplary duration of 10 ms is shown with an example of an assigned UE with an identifier of 0, 2, 4, etc. The sequence of paging occasions 310 within the paging frame starts with the first paging occasion i_s=0 and ends with i_s=Ns. In the illustration, within each paging occasion, there is a sequence of S monitoring occasions 320, for example, a first PDCCH occasion, a second PDCCH occasion, ..., an Sth PDCCH monitoring occasion, where an SSB is associated with each monitoring occasion. For example, SSB 1 is associated with the first PDCCH occasion.

[0037] Signaling of RS availability method

[0038] In generating a method for providing reference signal availability, it should be understood that the availability of configured TRS / CSI-RS opportunities is transmitted to the UE by a base station (e.g., a next generation Node B (gNB)). Signaling candidates for carrying the availability indication include, for example, SIB signaling, paging PDCCH, and early paging indication. In discussing the following method, not only are details of the signaling design used to transmit the availability indication provided, but also opportunities to reduce the overhead of these signals when the connected UE is not using the reference signal are described. In this description, the term reference signal (RS) will be used as a general term to refer to a tracking reference signal (TRS) or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0039] To fully understand the scale of information at issue, it should be noted that there may be a large number of RS configurations that may be configured by SIB or by dedicated signaling. This is particularly true for wireless networks with a large number of beams. By way of example, if a base station (e.g., a gNB) operates with 64 beams (the maximum number supported in New Radio (NR)), and if there is one RS configuration corresponding to each beam, there are a total of 64 RS configurations. It should be noted that for UEs in an idle and / or inactive state, a beam is typically defined as quasi-co-located with an SSB.

[0040] The following description provides many options that can be used to transmit RS availability information. In the first option, a bitmap is used to indicate availability. In the bitmap, one bit corresponds to each RS configuration, and each bit provides an indication of whether the corresponding RS configuration is available.

[0041] The bitmap provides an overall picture of the availability of all RS configurations. However, the main disadvantage of this option is the large overhead, especially when there are a large number of beam / RS configurations. For example, assuming 64 beams and one RS configuration per beam, a bitmap with 64 bits is required. This number of bits is too large to be carried in any physical layer signaling, such as the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0042] In the second option, a bitmap is included to indicate the availability of only RS configurations corresponding to the same beam as the signal carrying the availability indication. The rationale behind this option is that for a UE monitoring a specific beam, only RS on the same beam can help the UE with automatic gain control (AGC) and time and / or frequency tracking. Therefore, it is sufficient for the wireless network to indicate the availability of these specific RS configurations. This option is particularly useful if the indication is carried by physical layer signaling (e.g., paging PDCCH, advance paging indication). This option can also be used when the availability indication is carried in SIB signaling.

[0043] Typically, there should not be a large number of RS configurations corresponding to the same beam. In practice, and especially for RS, it is advantageous for the wireless network to configure the same RS for all UEs on the same beam. This solution greatly reduces signaling overhead, and it does not have scalability issues as the number of beams increases.

[0044] For this second option, the number of bits used for the indication should generally be known to the UE. This can be achieved by predefining the number of bits in a specification such as the 3GPP specification or some other predefined implementation. Alternatively, the number of bits may be broadcast in the SIB.

[0045] In another alternative, the number of bits may be implicitly derived by the UE from the number of RS configurations, for example, using the maximum number of RS configurations on beams among all beams to form a count from which the number of bits may be derived. The actual number of bits (i.e., the actual number of configurations for a particular beam) may be less than the derived number, and the UE may use the LSB or MSB of these bits.

[0046] In other aspects of the above method, it should be noted that a combination of the first option and the second option is also possible. In such a combination, one of the options will override the other option when certain conditions are met. For example, the RS availability indication may be carried by both SIB signaling and PDCCH. In this combination, the availability indication carried in the PDCCH may always override the availability indication carried in the SIB, or alternatively, the availability indication carried in the PDCCH overrides the availability indication carried in the SIB within a specific time period. This combination can be used to provide a dynamic availability indication, where the availability is relatively stable, but is interrupted by multiple cycles of instability of the availability.

[0047] In a third option, a hierarchical structure may be used to provide the availability indication. In an example, the structure would have a first signal and a second signal. In the first signaling, the availability of the number of RSs is indicated. In the second signal, the availability of the configurations indicated as "unavailable" in the first signaling. This third option allows a base station (e.g., a gNB) to include an availability indication of a more stable RS configuration in the first signal while providing an indication of the remaining RS configurations in the second signal.

[0048] An example of the third option is as follows: In this example, SIB signaling provides a first level indication. Dynamic signaling (eg, PDCCH) provides a second level indication, wherein the second level indication provides the availability of a configuration indicated as unavailable in the first level indication (eg, SIB signaling).

[0049] This third option can also be used in combination with the second option. In this combination, the indication in the second signal only includes configurations corresponding to the same beam. For this combination, the number of bits can be determined in the same way as in the second option. As a further optimization, it can be implicitly derived from the RS configuration (using the maximum number of RS configurations) that is indicated as unavailable in the first signal in all beams.

[0050] Figure 4 An illustration of how a hierarchical information element indicates the availability of an RS configuration according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. In this example, there are four (4) beams (e.g., beams 0, 1, 2, 3) in the system. Figure 4 In the example, SIB signaling is provided for 3, 4, 2, and 2 RS configurations for beams 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The information carried in the SIB is Figure 4 The first 3 columns of the table in are shown in . The first column shows in the index of each RS configuration. The second column shows the corresponding beam number. Thus, beam 0 is associated with 3 RS configurations with RS configuration indices 1 to 3. Beam 1 is associated with 4 RS configurations with RS configuration indices 4 to 7. Beam 3 is associated with 2 RS configurations with RS configuration indices 8 and 9. Beam 4 is associated with 2 RS configurations with RS configuration indices 10 and 11. The third column provides availability indications for all RS configurations. The fourth column provides availability indications for those RS configurations shown as unavailable in the third column. Figure 4 In the example of , those configurations shown as unavailable in the third column (and therefore having entries in the fourth column) are RS configuration indexes 1, 3, 5 to 9, and 11. This table is exemplary and not limiting. Specifically, the construction of the signaling (including whether 0 or 1 or equivalent) and / or the order of the configurations are merely exemplary and not limiting.

[0051] continue Figure 4 For example, assume that the UE derives the number of bits used for indication in the PDCCH (column 4) based on the RS configuration. The maximum number of configurations indicated as unavailable in the SIB (column 3) in different beams is 3 (beam 1). Therefore, the UE derives 3 bits for indication as needed.

[0052] To enable PDCCH to carry Figure 4 The corresponding information indicated in the fourth column of the table in , if the PDCCH is transmitted on beam 0, 1, 2 or 3, respectively, the indication in the PDCCH is (01x), (110), (01x) or (0xx). In this example, the left bit corresponds to a lower configuration index, and "x" means a reserved bit that the UE can ignore.

[0053] In the fourth option, no bitmap is used. In this option, the dynamic signal (e.g., PDCCH) carries one or more RS configuration indices corresponding to the same beam as the available dynamic signal. In this option, the RS configuration index may be explicitly included as part of the configuration or implicitly derived by the UE. The RS configuration can be indexed across all beams or individually within each beam. If the RS configuration is indexed within each beam, less overhead is required. If a single index is included for the beam, the fourth option is more efficient from an overhead perspective. Otherwise, using a bitmap may be more efficient. In many cases, it may be sufficient for the UE to already have a configuration that can be used to assist automatic gain control (AGC) and time and / or frequency tracking.

[0054] In the fifth option, a bitmap is included to indicate availability, where one bit corresponds to a set of RS configurations to indicate whether the configuration is available. The fifth option is a variation of the first option, with reduced overhead, but at the expense of coarse indication granularity. The grouping of RS configurations can be predefined, or a parameter (e.g., the number of groups) can be signaled to define the grouping. The fifth option has a further enhancement within this option. In this further enhancement, two bitmaps (rather than a single bitmap) can be used to indicate RS availability. This is similar to the way ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates SIB locations via two entities (inOneGroup and groupPresence). One of the two bitmaps is used to indicate which groups are available, and the second bitmap is used to indicate which configurations within the group are available. Compared to the "unenhanced" fifth option, this enhancement provides finer granularity with slightly more overhead.

[0055] In certain aspects of these options, when PEI is enabled, availability signaling may be configured by a base station (e.g., gNB) whether the dynamic availability indication is carried in the PEI or in the paging PDCCH, assuming both are supported.

[0056] Figure 5 An illustration of an RS configuration availability bitmap according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 5 In the table, there are 64 configurations in total, indexed from 0 to 63. Figure 5 In the example shown, 8 groups are defined (shown in the first column), with 8 configurations in each group (a row for each corresponding group index). Figure 5It shows which configurations are indicated as available (highlighted in grey) when the first bitmap indicates 01010001 (identifying group indices 2, 4 and 8 as available) and the second bitmap indicates 01000101 (the leftmost bit corresponds to index 1). By looking at the intersection of the row identified by the first bitmap and the column identified by the second bitmap, squares numbered 9, 13, 15, 25, 29, 31, 57, 61 and 63 are identified as available.

[0057] For the second, third and fourth options, the messages from different beams may be different as each message carries an availability indication of the configuration associated with its own beam. However, there is a possibility of misunderstanding between the base station and the UE.

[0058] When a UE is located in the overlapping region of two beams and the monitoring spaces of the signaling from the two beams also overlap, the UE may decode a message from the other beam and incorrectly assume that the decoded message is for its own beam. There are different strategies to handle the problem. In a first strategy, it may be left to the base station (e.g., gNB) to configure to ensure that the monitoring spaces from two adjacent beams do not overlap. In a second strategy, if the total number of RS configurations is not large, the above-mentioned first option may be used. The first option provides some diversity for UEs in the overlapping region. It should also be noted that, depending on the use case, it may be additionally configured by the base station (e.g., gNB) whether to use the first option or the second option.

[0059] In a third strategy, the method is to introduce an explicit beam index indication in the signal carrying the availability indication. This can be achieved by adding a field in the signal to indicate the beam index. In an alternative to the third strategy, the method is to introduce an implicit beam index indication in the transmitted signal. This can be achieved via at least one of the following. First, the base station (e.g., gNB) can scramble the transmitted signal with the relevant beam index. Second, the base station (e.g., gNB) can scramble the CRC of the transmitted signal with the relevant beam index.

[0060] Signaling of RS timing method

[0061] In addition to the five options discussed above regarding availability, there are additional opportunities for addressing RS overhead. When an RS configuration is indicated as available, the default assumption is that it is available in each periodic opportunity. However, not every opportunity is required by idle and / or inactive UEs. In practical terms, if there is available paging, the UE only needs the RS opportunity before the paging opportunity to facilitate PDCCH / PDSCH decoding.

[0062] The following discussion outlines two enhancements that can be provided to reduce the requirement for RS presence, which can allow the gNB to reduce unnecessary overhead when the connected UEs do not use RS.

[0063] In the first enhancement, it can be specified that when the RS configuration is indicated as available, the UE assumes that only the RS opportunity before the PO is available. In the second enhancement, if the availability indication is carried in the early paging indication, the UE assumes that the RS opportunity is available when the UE needs to monitor the PO based on the early paging indication. These two enhancements can be used in combination.

[0064] Turning to the details of the first enhancement, it can be specified that when the RS configuration is indicated as available, the UE assumes that only certain RS opportunities before the PO are available. In this enhancement, there are two alternatives. In the first alternative, the N RS opportunities immediately before the start of the paging opportunity minus the offset (Toffset) are available. As a special case of this first alternative, when N=1, this means that the last RS opportunity is available. As another special case, Toffset=0, which means that the N RS opportunities immediately before the start of the paging opportunity are available. Fig. 6A This first alternative is shown. Fig. 6A Paging occasions are shown, and in this example N is set to 3. Toffset is a non-zero setting indicating that the RS opportunity just before the paging occasion is not available. Since the value of N is 3, the three RS opportunities before Toffset are available, while the earliest RS opportunity is not available.

[0065] In the second alternative, a similar method is followed, but instead of parameter N, a time window T0 is used. In the second alternative, RS opportunities within the time window T0 before the start of the paging occasion minus the offset (Toffset) are available. As with the first alternative, in a special case, Toffset = 0, which means that RS opportunities in the time window T0 immediately before the start of the paging occasion are available. Figure 6B This second alternative is shown. Figure 6B A paging occasion is shown, and in this example T0 is large enough to span two RS occasions. Toffset is a non-zero setting indicating that the RS occasion just before the paging occasion is not available. Due to the size of T0, the two RS occasions before Toffset are available, while the earliest RS occasion is not available. In a second alternative, the duration of the time window (T0) can be predefined or configured and / or derived based on the periodicity of the RS configuration.

[0066] For both alternatives above, the offset Toffset may be predefined or configured.The value of Toffset may also depend on the UE capabilities.

[0067] There are other variations of the above two alternatives within the scope of the various aspects disclosed above. For example, variations include scenarios where, in addition to the RS opportunities before the PO, all or part of the RS opportunities overlapping with the PO are also included. These opportunities can still potentially be used by the UE for time and / or frequency synchronization refinement.

[0068] In the second enhancement, an enhanced availability indication is provided by involving and utilizing an advance paging indication. In this enhancement, if the RS availability indication is carried in an advance paging indication (PEI), the UE assumes that the RS opportunity is available only when the UE needs to monitor the PO based on the PEI. In describing this enhancement, there are two types of UE behaviors that can be considered when the UE monitors the PO based on the PEI.

[0069] In the first behavior, if the UE detects a positive indication in the PEI, the UE monitors the PO; otherwise the UE does not monitor the PO. In the second behavior, if the UE detects a negative indication in the PEI, the UE does not monitor the PO; otherwise the UE monitors the PO. In the second behavior, if the UE detects a positive indication in the PEI or if the UE does not detect the PEI at all, the UE monitors the PO.

[0070] The branches of each of the two behaviors are as follows. For the first behavior, the UE assumes that the RS opportunity is available only if the UE detects a positive indication in the PEI. This means that if the gNB has transmitted a negative indication in the PEI or has not yet transmitted the PEI (no paging in the PO), it can omit the RS opportunity before the corresponding PO.

[0071] For the second behavior, the UE assumes that the RS opportunity is available only if the UE detects a positive indication in the PEI or if the UE does not detect the PEI. This means that if the gNB has transmitted a negative indication in the PEI (no paging in the PO), it may omit the RS opportunity before the corresponding PO.

[0072] Fig. 7A The second enhancement is shown. Fig. 7A In the second enhancement, the PEI indicates paging and indicates RS as available. The unshadowed RS opportunities between the PEI and the paging occasions are available. Intuitively, in this second enhancement, when the PEI indicates paging, all RS opportunities between the PEI and the PO can be assumed to be available. Alternatively, when the PEI indicates paging, the UE can assume that the RS opportunity just after the PEI is available. Fig. 7A The absence of shading in indicates those RS opportunities are available.

[0073] Figure 7B An illustration of combining the first enhancement and the second enhancement is provided. Figure 7B In , PEI indicates that paging is in progress and RS is indicated as available. Figure 7B In , N is set to 1 and Toffset is set to 0. Based on this information, the UE assumes that the RS opportunity immediately before PO is available, such as Figure 7B The lack of shadows is shown here.

[0074] Fig. 8A A flow chart of a method 800 for tracking time or frequency in a wireless communication system using an effective reference signal (RS) availability signaling method according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Step 810 includes receiving a downlink signal from a base station by a radio frequency (RF) receiver in a user equipment (UE). Step 820 includes decoding the downlink signal by a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver, wherein the downlink signal includes a reference signal (RS) information element that indicates the availability of one or more RS configurations. Step 830 includes tracking at least one of time or frequency of at least one tracking reference signal by the processing circuit and using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available, wherein the downlink signal is received when the UE is in an inactive or idle state.

[0075] Figure 8B A flow chart of a method 850 for a base station to signal a UE so that it can use an effective reference signal (RS) availability signaling method to track time or frequency in a wireless communication system according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Step 860 includes encoding a downlink signal by a processing circuit, wherein the downlink signal includes a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations. Step 870 includes transmitting a downlink signal to a user equipment (UE) by a radio frequency (RF) transmitter coupled to the processor circuit, wherein the downlink signal is transmitted when the UE is in an inactive or idle state, so that the UE can use the one or more RS configurations indicated as available to track at least one of time or frequency.

[0076] For example, one or more computer systems (such as Fig. 9 The computer system 900 shown in the figure can be used to implement various aspects. The computer system 900 can be any well-known computer capable of performing the functions described herein, such as Figure 1 Device 101, 103, 105, or Figure 2Device 200. Computer system 900 includes one or more processors (also referred to as central processing units or CPUs), such as processor 904. Processor 904 is connected to communication infrastructure 906 (e.g., a bus). Computer system 900 also includes user input / output devices 903, such as a monitor, keyboard, pointing device, etc., that communicate with communication infrastructure 906 through user input / output interface 902. Computer system 900 also includes main memory or primary storage 908, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory 908 may include one or more levels of cache. Main memory 908 has control logic components (e.g., computer software) and / or data stored therein.

[0077] The computer system 900 may also include one or more secondary storage devices or memories 910. The secondary storage 910 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 912 and / or a removable storage device or drive 914. The removable storage drive 914 may be a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, an optical drive, an optical storage device, a tape backup device, and / or any other storage device / drive.

[0078] The removable storage drive 914 may interact with a removable storage unit 918. The removable storage unit 918 includes a computer usable or readable storage device having computer software (control logic) and / or data stored thereon. The removable storage unit 918 may be a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a DVD, an optical storage disk, and / or any other computer data storage device. The removable storage drive 914 reads from and / or writes to the removable storage unit 918 in a well-known manner.

[0079] According to some aspects, secondary memory 910 may include other devices, means, or other methods for allowing computer programs and / or other instructions and / or data to be accessed by computer system 900. Such devices, means, or other methods may include, for example, a removable storage unit 922 and an interface 920. Examples of removable storage unit 922 and interface 920 may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as those found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and / or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

[0080] The computer system 900 may also include a communication or network interface 924. The communication interface 924 enables the computer system 900 to communicate and interact with any combination of remote devices, remote networks, remote entities, etc. (individually and collectively referenced by reference numeral 928). For example, the communication interface 924 may allow the computer system 900 to communicate with a remote device 928 via a communication path 926, which may be wired and / or wireless and may include any combination of a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, etc. Control logic components and / or data may be transmitted to and from the computer system 900 via the communication path 926.

[0081] The operations in the foregoing aspects can be implemented in various configurations and architectures. Thus, some or all of the operations in the foregoing aspects may be performed in hardware, software, or in both hardware and software. In some aspects, a tangible, non-transient device or article includes a tangible, non-transient computer-usable or readable medium on which a control logic component (software) is stored, also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, a computer system 900, a main memory 908, an auxiliary memory 910, and removable storage units 918 and 922, as well as tangible articles embodying any combination of the foregoing. When executed by one or more data processing devices (such as a computer system 900), such control logic components cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

[0082] Based on the teachings contained in this disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art how to use Fig. 9 The various aspects of the present disclosure may be made and used with data processing devices, computer systems, and / or computer architectures other than those shown. In particular, the various aspects may operate with software, hardware, and / or operating system implementations other than those described herein.

[0083] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) is provided, the UE comprising: a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station when the UE is in an inactive or idle state; and a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver. The processing circuit is configured to: decode the downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations; and track at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available and the RF receiver.

[0084] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is part of a bitmap, the bitmap providing availability indications for all of the one or more RS configurations.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the one or more RS configurations correspond only to the beam carrying the downlink signal.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is carried by a system information block (SIB) signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, and the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0088] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, wherein the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level, the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second level based on the maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, a first bitmap providing an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap providing an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the paging occasion.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further comprises an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before the paging occasion.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before a paging occasion, the time span being based on a periodicity of the one or more RS configurations.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an offset time and an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the downlink signal is scrambled by a beam index associated with the beam, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the downlink signal is scrambled by the beam index.

[0096] According to an embodiment, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, if between the advance paging indication and a paging occasion, the RS information element indicates availability of the occasions of the one or more RS configurations.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and the paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of the occasion of the one or more RS configurations, and if the UE detects a positive indication in the advance paging indication, the UE monitors the paging occasion.

[0098] On the other hand, a method is provided, comprising: receiving, by a radio frequency (RF) receiver in a user equipment (UE) from a base station when the UE is in an inactive or idle state; decoding, by a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver, the downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations; and tracking, by the processing circuit and using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available, at least one of time or frequency.

[0099] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is part of a bitmap, the bitmap providing availability indications for all of the one or more RS configurations.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the one or more RS configurations correspond only to the beam carrying the downlink signal.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is carried by a system information block (SIB) signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, and the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0103] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, wherein the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level, the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second level based on the maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, a first bitmap providing an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap providing an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a specified number of RS occasions preceding the paging occasion.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further comprises an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of the RS occasion before the paging occasion.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before a paging occasion, the time span being based on a periodicity of the one or more RS configurations.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further includes an offset time and an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the downlink signal is scrambled by a beam index associated with the beam, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the downlink signal information is scrambled by the beam index.

[0111] According to an embodiment, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, if between the advance paging indication and a paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of one or more RS-configured occasions.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and the paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of the occasion of the one or more RS configurations, and if the UE detects a positive indication in the advance paging indication, the UE monitors the paging occasion.

[0113] In another aspect, a base station is provided, comprising: a processing circuit configured to encode a downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element indicating the availability of one or more RS configurations; and a radio frequency (RF) transmitter coupled to the processor circuit, the RF transmitter configured to transmit the downlink signal to a user equipment (UE), wherein the downlink signal is transmitted when the UE is in an inactive or idle state, so that the UE can track at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available.

[0114] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is part of a bitmap, the bitmap providing availability indications for all of the one or more RS configurations.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the one or more RS configurations correspond only to the beam carrying the downlink signal.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is carried by a system information block (SIB) signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, and the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0118] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, wherein the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level, the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second level based on the maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, a first bitmap providing an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap providing an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a specified number of RS occasions preceding the paging occasion.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further comprises an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0122] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of the RS occasion before the paging occasion.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before a paging occasion, the time span being based on a periodicity of the one or more RS configurations.

[0124] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an offset time and an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the downlink signal is scrambled by a beam index associated with the beam, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the downlink signal is scrambled by the beam index.

[0126] According to an embodiment, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication of the RS information element, the RS information element indicates availability of the one or more RS configured opportunities if between the advance paging indication and a paging opportunity.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and the paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of the occasion of the one or more RS configurations, and if the UE detects a positive indication in the advance paging indication, the UE monitors the paging occasion.

[0128] On the other hand, a method is provided, comprising: encoding, by a processing circuit, a downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, wherein the RS information element indicates the availability of one or more RS configurations; and transmitting, by a radio frequency (RF) transmitter coupled to the processor circuit, the downlink signal to a user equipment (UE), wherein the downlink signal is transmitted when the UE is in an inactive or idle state, so that the UE can track at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available.

[0129] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is part of a bitmap, the bitmap providing availability indications for all of the one or more RS configurations.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the one or more RS configurations correspond only to the beam carrying the downlink signal.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is carried by a system information block (SIB) signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, and the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0133] According to one embodiment, wherein the RS information element is a two-level hierarchy, a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, wherein the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level, the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second level based on the maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first level.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, a first bitmap providing an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap providing an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

[0135] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a specified number of RS occasions preceding the paging occasion.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further comprises an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of the RS occasion before the paging occasion.

[0138] According to an embodiment, the RS information element further includes an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before a paging occasion, the time span being based on a periodicity of the one or more RS configurations.

[0139] According to one embodiment, the RS information element further includes an offset time and an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the downlink signal is scrambled by a beam index associated with the beam, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the downlink signal information is scrambled by the beam index.

[0141] According to an embodiment, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, if between the advance paging indication and a paging occasion, the RS information element indicates availability of the occasions of the one or more RS configurations.

[0142] According to one embodiment, the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and the paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of the occasion of the one or more RS configurations, and if the UE detects a positive indication in the advance paging indication, the UE monitors the paging occasion.

[0143] It should be understood that the Detailed Description section, rather than the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary aspects of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventors, and thus are not intended to limit the present disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

[0144] Although the present disclosure has been described herein with reference to exemplary aspects of exemplary fields and applications, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Other aspects and modifications are possible and are within the scope and essence of the present disclosure. For example, and without limiting the generality of this paragraph, the various aspects are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware and / or entities shown in the figures and / or described herein. In addition, the various aspects (whether or not explicitly described herein) have significant practicality for fields and applications outside the examples described herein.

[0145] Various aspects have been described herein with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of specific functions and their relationships. For ease of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein. Alternative boundaries may be defined as long as the specified functions and relationships (or their equivalents) are properly performed. In addition, alternative aspects may perform functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc., in an order different from that described herein.

[0146] References herein to "one aspect," "aspects," "exemplary aspects," or similar phrases indicate that the described aspects may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but each aspect may not necessarily include the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such wordings do not necessarily refer to the same aspect. Furthermore, when particular features, structures, or characteristics are described in conjunction with one aspect, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art to incorporate these features, structures, or characteristics into other aspects, whether or not explicitly mentioned or described herein. The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be limited only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0147] As described above, various aspects of the present technology may include collecting and using data available from various sources, thereby (for example) improving or enhancing functionality. The present disclosure contemplates that, in some instances, these collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, Twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying information or personal information. The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology can be used to benefit users.

[0148] The present disclosure envisions that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing or otherwise using such personal information data will comply with established privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as the collection and / or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for the legitimate and reasonable purposes of the entity and not shared or sold outside of these legitimate uses. In addition, such collection / sharing should only be done after receiving the user's informed consent. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to defend and safeguard access to such personal information data and ensure that others who have access to personal information data comply with their privacy policies and processes. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third-party assessments to demonstrate their compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to specific types of personal information data collected and / or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards that include specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, the collection or access of certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained in each country for different types of personal data.

[0149] Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates that users selectively block various aspects of the use or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology may be configured to allow users to selectively participate in "opt-in" or "opt-out" of collecting personal information data at any time during (for example) registration for a service or thereafter. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications related to access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified that their personal information data will be accessed when downloading an application, and then be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0150] In addition, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risks can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect the privacy of users. De-identification can be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at the city level rather than at the address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data between users), and / or other methods when appropriate.

[0151] Thus, while the present disclosure may broadly cover the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed aspects, the present disclosure also contemplates that various aspects may be implemented without access to such personal information data. That is, various aspects of the present technology will not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or part of such personal information data.

Claims

1. A user equipment UE, the UE comprising: a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a downlink signal from a base station when the UE is in an inactive or idle state; as well as a processing circuit coupled to the RF receiver, the processing circuit being configured to: decoding the downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element comprising a bitmap, the bitmap indicating availability of one or more RS configurations, and tracking at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available and the RF receiver, wherein the one or more RS configurations include a tracking reference signal (TRS) configuration, The RS information element is a two-level hierarchy: a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, wherein the at least one RS configuration has an indication of unavailability in the first level. 2 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the bitmap provides an availability indication for all of the one or more RS configurations.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the RS information element is carried by a system information block SIB signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel PDCCH signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period. 4 . The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second stage based on a maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first stage.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, the two bitmaps comprising: A bitmap is provided, the bitmap being a first bitmap providing an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap providing an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

6. The UE of claim 1, wherein the RS information element further comprises an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available prior to a paging occasion.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the RS information element further includes an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS opportunities available before the offset time before a paging opportunity, or further includes an offset time and an indication of a time span of RS opportunities available before the offset time before a paging opportunity.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the RS information element further comprises an indication of a time span of RS occasions available before a paging occasion. 9 . The UE of claim 8 , wherein the time span is based on a periodicity of the one or more RS configurations.

10. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the downlink signal is scrambled by a beam index associated with the beam, or a cyclic redundancy check CRC of the downlink signal is scrambled by the beam index.

11. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and a paging occasion, the RS information element indicates availability of the occasions of the one or more RS configurations.

12. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the RS information element is included in an advance paging indication, and if between the advance paging indication and a paging occasion, the RS information element indicates the availability of the occasion of the one or more RS configurations, and wherein if the UE detects a positive indication in the advance paging indication, the UE monitors the paging occasion.

13. A method comprising: encoding, by a processing circuit, a downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal comprises a reference signal (RS) information element, the RS information element comprising a bitmap, the bitmap indicating availability of one or more RS configurations; as well as transmitting the downlink signal to a user equipment UE by a radio frequency (RF) transmitter coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the downlink signal is transmitted when the UE is in an inactive or idle state, so that the UE can track at least one of time or frequency using the one or more RS configurations indicated as available, wherein the one or more RS configurations include a tracking reference signal (TRS) configuration, The information element is a two-level hierarchy: a first level indicating the availability of the one or more RS configurations, and a second level indicating the availability of at least one RS configuration among the one or more RS configurations, the at least one RS configuration having an indication of unavailability in the first level.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the RS information element is carried by a system information block SIB signal within the downlink signal, and the downlink signal also includes a second indication carried by a physical downlink control channel PDCCH signal, wherein the second indication covers the indication of the availability of the one or more RS configurations within a time period.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit determines the number of bits required for the second stage based on a maximum number of RF configurations having an indication of unavailability in the first stage.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the RS information element comprises two bitmaps, the two bitmaps: a bitmap that is a first bitmap that provides an indication of the availability of a group of the one or more RS configurations, and a second bitmap that provides an indication of the availability of individual RS configurations within the group.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the RS information element further comprises an indication of a specified number of RS occasions prior to a paging occasion.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the RS information element further comprises an offset time and an indication of a specified number of RS occasions available before the offset time before a paging occasion.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the RS information element further comprises an indication of a time span of an RS occasion preceding a paging occasion.

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