Technique of a User Equipment (UE) Dynamically Adjusting a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Timer in a Wireless Communication System

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) that dynamically adjusts a non-access stratum (NAS) timer. Specifically, the UE can determine operations in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions; the UE can also identify the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operations in the broadband and the EC restrictions. The UE can also send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The UE can also receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions. The UE can also apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions or the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 011,968, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR USER EQUIPMENT (UE) DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A NON - ACCESS STRATUM (NAS) TIMER IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM", filed on April 17, 2020, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 232,041, entitled "TECHNIQUES FOR USER EQUIPMENT (UE) DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A NON - ACCESS STRATUM (NAS) TIMER IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM", filed on April 15, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Background Art

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to user equipment (UE) that dynamically adjusts a non - access stratum (NAS) timer.

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These systems can be multi - access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources, such as time, frequency, and power. Examples of such multi - access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and single - carrier frequency division multiple access (SC - FDMA) systems.

[0005] These multiple access technologies have been used in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the urban, national, regional, and even global levels. For example, fifth - generation (5G) wireless communication technology (which may be referred to as NR) is envisioned to extend and support a variety of use cases and applications associated with current mobile network generations. In some aspects, 5G communication technology may include: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), which addresses human - centric use cases for accessing multimedia content, services, and data; ultra - reliable low - latency communication (URLLC), which has specific specifications for latency and reliability; and massive machine - type communication (mMTC), which may allow for the transmission of a very large number of connected devices and relatively small amounts of non - latency - sensitive information.

[0006] For example, for various communication technologies (such as but not limited to NR), some embodiments may increase transmission speed and flexibility, but may also increase transmission complexity. Thus, improvements in wireless communication operations may be desired. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] A simplified summary of one or more aspects is presented below in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This Summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0008] Example embodiments include a method of wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), including determining an operation in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions. The method may also include identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining the operation in the broadband and the EC restrictions. The method may also include sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The method may also include receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions. The method may also include: applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions, or a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0009] Another aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include a memory containing instructions and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor for executing the instructions to determine an operation in a broadband and support for EC restrictions. The processor may also be configured to identify a duration of a NAS timer based on determining the operation in the broadband and the EC restrictions. The processor may also be configured to send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The processor may also be configured to receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions. The processor may also be configured to: apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions, or a history of EC restrictions of a PLMN in a defined geographical area; and start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0010] Another aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a device for wireless communication. The device can include components for determining operation in a broadband and support for EC restrictions. The device can also include components for identifying the duration of a NAS timer based on determining operation in a broadband and EC restrictions. The device can also include components for sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure. The device can also include components for receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction. The device can also include: components for applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction, or the history of the EC restriction of the PLMN in a defined geographical area; and components for starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0011] Another aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium including stored communication instructions that can be executed by a processor to determine operation in a broadband and support for EC restrictions. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions for identifying the duration of a NAS timer based on determining operation in a broadband and EC restrictions. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions for: sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure, receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions for applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction, or the history of the EC restriction of the PLMN in a defined geographical area. The non-transitory computer-readable medium also includes instructions for starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0012] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, one or more aspects include the features that are fully described below and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of one or more aspects. However, these features are only indicative of several of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects can be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 Illustrates an example of a wireless communication system.

[0014] Figure 2 Is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network entity (also referred to as a base station).

[0015] Figure 3 Is a block diagram illustrating an example of a user equipment (UE).

[0016] Figure 4 It is an example communication flow for an initial access attempt to a public land mobile network (PLMN) between a UE and a network entity (e.g., gNB).

[0017] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication at a UE.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication at a UE.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system including a base station and a UE.

[0020] Like reference numerals and designations in the various figures indicate like elements. Detailed Description

[0021] Aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for purposes of explanation in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It will be evident, however, that such aspects may be practiced without these specific details.

[0022] The described features generally relate to a user equipment (UE) that dynamically adjusts the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer. Specifically, a UE operating under category extended coverage (EC) can operate in at least two modes, e.g., EC mode A or EC mode B. Coverage enhancement or EC can be achieved through transmission repetition according to one of two defined modes - EC mode A or EC mode B. For example, in typical 4G operation, each transmission may span 1 millisecond, but in EC mode, each transmission can be repeated dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of times to improve the chance of successful transmission. EC mode A can be optimized for moderate coverage enhancement where there is no repetition or a small number of repeated transmissions, while EC mode B provides deeper coverage by allowing a large number of repeated transmissions. Unconstrained EC operation will allow the UE to operate according to one of EC mode A or B. Constrained EC operation will not allow the UE to operate according to one or both of EC mode A and / or B.

[0023] If the UE supports EC mode B, the UE can operate in wideband (WB)-S1 mode, and the usage settings of the UE may not be set to voice-centric. The UE can apply extended NAS timer values to cover slow network responses in such deployments (i.e., WB-S1 or WB-N1). Examples of the extended NAS timer durations at the UE include "T3410" for sending an Attach request, which is set to 85 seconds, and "T3430" for sending a Tracking Area Update (TAU) request, which is set to 77 seconds. Although the UE can support EC mode B, the network can still determine to restrict EC mode B to several UEs. For example, the UE can indicate support for restricted use of EC by setting "RestrictEC" to "supported" in the UE network capability information element (IE) of the Attach or TAU request message. The network can allow the use of EC by sending an Attach or TAU acceptance message that includes the setting of "RestrictEC" in the evolved packet system (EPS) network feature support IE. However, in some cases, the UE may trigger the initial access procedure without knowing whether access to the EC mode is allowed or restricted for a particular PLMN. The UE can typically use such information to set the duration of one or more NAS timers. In the absence of such information, the UE may not be able to accurately set the duration of the NAS timer, resulting in an initial access failure.

[0024] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes a method, an apparatus, and a non-statutory computer-readable medium for wireless communication at a UE, including: determining operation in wideband and support for EC restriction; identifying the duration of a NAS timer based on the determined operation in wideband and EC restriction; sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management process; receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction; applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating the unrestricted or restricted status of the EC restriction, or the history of EC restriction of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0025] As used in this application, the terms "component", "module", "system", etc. are intended to include computer-related entities, such as, but not limited to, hardware, software, combinations of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, an execution thread, a program, or a computer. By way of illustration, an application running on a computing device and the computing device can both be components. One or more components can reside in a process or execution thread, and a component can be located on one computer or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer-readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components can communicate by local or remote processes, such as in accordance with signals having one or more data packets (such as data from one component interacting with another component through signals with a local system, a distributed system, or across a network, such as the Internet with other systems). Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0026] The techniques described herein can be used in various wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are generally used interchangeably. CDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). CDMA2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. Release 0 and A of IS-2000 are often referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is often referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. TDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). OFDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as the following: Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new versions of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "Third Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "Third Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein can be used in the above systems and radio technologies and other systems and radio technologies, including cellular (such as LTE) communication on shared radio frequency spectrum bands. However, for purposes of illustration, the following description describes LTE / LTE-A systems, and the LTE term is used in most of the following description, although these techniques are applicable beyond LTE / LTE-A applications (such as Fifth Generation (5G) NR networks or other next-generation communication systems).

[0027] The following description provides examples, but is not a limitation to the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made to the functionality and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various processes or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and individual steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Similarly, features described with respect to some examples may be combined into other examples.

[0028] Various aspects or features will be presented with respect to a system, which may include several devices, components, modules, and so on. It should be understood and appreciated that various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Combinations of these approaches may also be used.

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. illustrates an example of a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes an access network 100, a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160 or a 5G core (5GC) 190. The base station 102 (which may also be referred to as a network entity) may include a macro cell (high-power cellular base station) or a small cell (low-power cellular base station). A macro cell may include a base station. A small cell may include a femto cell, a pico cell, and a micro cell. In an example, as further described herein, the base station 102 may also include a gNB 180.

[0030] In one example, as described herein, certain nodes (such as the base station 102 / gNB 180) may have a modem 240 and a communication component 242 for performing an initial access procedure with the UE 104 for accessing a PLMN when the UE 104 is unaware of the EC mode restriction. Although the base station 102 / gNB 180 is shown as having a modem 240 and a communication component 242, this is an illustrative example, and substantially any node may include a modem 240 and a communication component 242 for providing the corresponding functionality described herein.

[0031] In another example, as described herein, certain nodes (such as the UE 104 of a wireless communication system) may have a modem 340 and a communication component 342 for operations including: determining that information associated with an EC restriction for a PLMN for a current serving coverage area does not exist; identifying a duration of a NAS timer based on the determination that information associated with an EC restriction for the PLMN does not exist; sending an access request message to a network entity associated with the PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure; and starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration in response to sending the access request message to the network entity. Although the UE 104 is shown as having a modem 340 and a communication component 342, this is an illustrative example, and substantially any node or node type may include a modem 340 and a communication component 342 for providing the corresponding functionality described herein.

[0032] The base station 102 configured for 4G LTE (which may be collectively referred to as the evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with the EPC 160 via a backhaul link 132 (such as using the S1 interface). The base station 102 configured for 5G NR (which may be collectively referred to as the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with the 5GC 190 via a backhaul link 184. Among other functions, the base station 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (such as handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, non-access stratum (NAS) message distribution, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment tracking, radio access network information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly (such as via the EPC 160 or 5GC 190) with each other via a backhaul link 134 (such as using the X2 interface). The backhaul links 132, 134, or 184 can be wired or wireless.

[0033] Base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with one or more UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographical coverage area 110. There may be overlapping geographical coverage areas 110. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network may also include a home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB) that may provide services to a restricted group that may be referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (UL) (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 or a downlink (DL) (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, or transmit diversity. The communication link may pass through one or more carriers. The base station 102 / UE 104 may use a spectrum of up to a total of Yx MHz (such as for x component carriers) with each carrier allocated for DL or UL direction transmission in carrier aggregation up to Y MHz (such as 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth. The carriers may be adjacent to each other or not. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (such as more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). A component carrier may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell) and the secondary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCell).

[0034] In another example, certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. The D2D communication links 158 may use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication links 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as the physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), the physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and the physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as for example FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0035] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0036] The small cell 102' may operate in a licensed or unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in the unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell 102' may adopt NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as that used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed frequency spectrum may facilitate coverage of the access network or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0037] The base station 102, whether it is a small cell 102' or a large cell (such as a macro base station), may include an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or other types of base stations. Certain base stations (such as the gNB 180) may operate in the traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, or near mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 104. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 may be referred to as a mmW base station. The extremely high frequency (EHF) is the part of the RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. The EHF ranges from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. The near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz and a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band has extremely high path loss and short distances. The mmW base station that may correspond to the gNB 180 may utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distances. The base station 102 mentioned in this article may include the gNB 180.

[0038] The EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All User Internet Protocol (IP) packets are routed through the Serving Gateway 166, which is itself connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176. The IP services 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may act as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area for a particular broadcast service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting eMBMS-related charging information.

[0039] The 5GC 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 may be a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the 5GC 190. Generally, the AMF 192 may provide QoS flow and session management. User Internet Protocol (IP) packets (such as from one or more UEs 104) may be routed through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 may provide UE IP address allocation for one or more UEs, as well as other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to IP services 197. The IP services 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, or other IP services.

[0040] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit receive point (TRP), or some other suitable term. Base station 102 provides an access point for UE 104 to EPC 160 or 5GC 190. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, positioning systems (such as satellite, terrestrial), multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (such as MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablets, smart devices, robots, drones, industrial / manufacturing devices, wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart clothing, smart glasses, virtual reality goggles, smart bracelets, smart jewelry (such as smart rings, smart bracelets)), vehicle / vehicle-mounted devices, meters (such as parking meters, electric meters, gas meters, water meters, flow meters), air pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, medical / healthcare devices, implants, sensors / actuators, displays, or any other similar functional devices. Some of UE 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (such as meters, pumps, monitors, cameras, industrial / manufacturing devices, appliances, vehicles, robots, drones, etc.). IoT UEs may include MTC / enhanced MTC (eMTC, also known as CAT-M, CatM1) UEs, NB-IoT (also known as CAT NB1) UEs, and other types of UEs. In the present disclosure, eMTC and NB-IoT may refer to future technologies that may evolve from or be based on these technologies. For example, eMTC may include FeMTC (further eMTC), eFeMTC (enhanced further eMTC), mMTC (massive MTC), etc., while NB-IoT may include eNB-IoT (enhanced NB-IoT), FeNB-IoT (further enhanced NB-IoT), etc. UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handheld device, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0041] Turning now to Figures 2 - 7 , aspects may be depicted with reference to one or more components and one or more methods that may perform the actions or operations described herein, where aspects in dashed lines may be optional. Although below in Figure 5 and Figure 6The operations described are presented in a particular order or are presented as being performed by example components, but it should be understood that depending on the implementation, the order of the actions and the components performing the actions may vary. Further, it should be understood that the following actions, functions, or components described may be performed by a specially programmed processor, a processor executing specially programmed software or a computer-readable medium, or any other combination of hardware components or software components capable of performing the described actions or functions.

[0042] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a network entity (also referred to as a base station). The base station 102 (such as base station 102 or gNB 180 as described above) may include various components, some of which have been described above and are further described herein, including components such as one or more processors 212 and a memory 216 and a transceiver 202 that communicate via one or more buses 244, and these components may operate in conjunction with a modem 240 or a communication component 242, and the modem 240 or the communication component 242 is used to perform an initial access procedure for accessing the PLMN with the UE 104 when the UE 104 is not aware of the EC mode restriction.

[0043] In some aspects, one or more processors 212 may include the modem 240 or may be part of the modem 240 that uses one or more modem processors. Accordingly, various functions associated with the communication component 242 may be included in the modem 240 or the processor 212, and in some aspects, may be performed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different functions may be performed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in some aspects, one or more processors 212 may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receive processor, or a transceiver processor associated with the transceiver 202. In other aspects, certain of the features of one or more processors 212 or the modem 240 associated with the communication component 242 may be performed by the transceiver 202.

[0044] Similarly, the memory 216 may be configured to store data used herein or a local version of the application 275, or one or more of the communication component 242 or its subcomponents executed by the at least one processor 212. The memory 216 may include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or the at least one processor 212, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In some aspects, for example, when the base station 102 is operating the at least one processor 212 to execute one or more of the communication component 242 or its subcomponents, the memory 216 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable codes defining one or more of the communication component 242 or its subcomponents or data associated therewith.

[0045] The transceiver 202 may include at least one receiver 206 and at least one transmitter 208. The receiver 206 may include hardware or software executable by a processor for receiving data, code including instructions and stored in a memory such as a computer-readable medium. The receiver 206 may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF) receiver. In some aspects, the receiver 206 may receive signals transmitted by the at least one base station 102. Additionally, the receiver 206 may process such received signals and may also obtain measurements of the signals, such as but not limited to Ec / Io, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc. The transmitter 208 may include hardware or software executable by a processor for transmitting data, code including instructions and stored in a memory such as a computer-readable medium. Suitable examples of the transmitter 208 may include, but are not limited to, RF transmitters.

[0046] Moreover, in some aspects, the base station 102 may include an RF front end 288 that may operate communicatively with one or more antennas 265 and the transceiver 202 for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions, e.g., wireless communications transmitted by the at least one base station 102 or wireless transmissions transmitted by the UE 104. The RF front end 288 may be connected to the one or more antennas 265 and may include one or more low noise amplifiers (LNAs) 290, one or more switches 292, one or more power amplifiers (PAs) 298, and one or more filters 296 for transmitting and receiving RF signals. The antenna 265 may include one or more antennas, antenna elements, or antenna arrays.

[0047] In some aspects, the LNA 290 can amplify the received signal to a desired output level. In some aspects, each LNA 290 can have specified minimum and maximum gain values. In some aspects, the RF front end 288 can use one or more switches 292 to select a particular LNA 290 and its specified gain value based on the desired gain value for a particular application.

[0048] In addition, for example, one or more PAs 298 can be used by the RF front end 288 to amplify the signal for RF output to a desired output power level. In some aspects, each PA 298 can have specified minimum and maximum gain values. In some aspects, the RF front end 288 can use one or more switches 292 to select a particular PA 298 and its specified gain value based on the desired gain value for a particular application.

[0049] Similarly, for example, one or more filters 296 can be used by the RF front end 288 to filter the received signal to obtain an input RF signal. Similarly, in some aspects, for example, the corresponding filter 296 can be used to filter the output from the corresponding PA 298 to produce an output signal for transmission. In some aspects, each filter 296 can be connected to a particular LNA 290 or PA 298. In some aspects, the RF front end 288 can use one or more switches 292 to select a transmit or receive path that uses the specified filter 296, LNA 290, or PA 298 based on a configuration specified by the transceiver 202 or the processor 212.

[0050] Thus, the transceiver 202 can be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals via the RF front end 288 through one or more antennas 265. In some aspects, the transceiver can be tuned to operate at a specified frequency such that the UE 104 can communicate with, for example, one or more base stations 102 or with one or more cells associated with one or more base stations 102. In some aspects, for example, the modem 240 can configure the transceiver 202 to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the UE configuration of the UE 104 and the communication protocol used by the modem 240.

[0051] In some aspects, the modem 240 can be a multiband-multimode modem that can process digital data and communicate with the transceiver 202 to send and receive digital data using the transceiver 202. In some aspects, the modem 240 can be multiband and configured to support multiple frequency bands for a particular communication protocol. In some aspects, the modem 240 can be multimode and configured to support multiple operating networks and communication protocols. In some aspects, the modem 240 can control one or more components of the UE 104 (such as the RF front end 288, the transceiver 202) to transmit and / or receive signals from the network based on a specified modem configuration. In some aspects, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of the modem and the frequency band used. In another aspect, the modem configuration can be based on UE configuration information associated with the UE 104 provided by the network during cell selection or cell reselection.

[0052] In some aspects, the (one or more) processors 212 can correspond to one or more of the processors described in the UE in connection with Figure 4 and Figure 6 Similarly, the memory 216 can correspond to the memory described in the UE in connection with Figure 7

[0053] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the UE 104. The UE 104 can include various components, some of which have been described above and are further described herein, including components such as one or more processors 312 and a memory 316 that communicate via one or more buses 344, and a transceiver 302, which can operate in conjunction with a modem 340 or a communication component 342 configured to perform an initial access procedure for accessing a PLMN without knowledge of EC mode restrictions.

[0054] The transceiver 302, the receiver 306, the transmitter 308, one or more processors 312, the memory 316, the application 375, the bus 344, the RF front end 388, the LNA 390, the switch 392, the filter 396, the PA 398, and one or more antennas 365 can be the same as or similar to the corresponding components of the base station 102 described above, but are configured or otherwise programmed for base station operations opposite to those of the base station.

[0055] In some aspects, the (one or more) processors 312 can correspond to one or more of the processors described in the base station in connection with Figure 7 Similarly, the memory 316 can correspond to the memory described in the base station in connection withFigure 7 The memory of the base station description in

[0056] Figure 4 is an example communication flow for an initial access attempt to a PLMN between a UE and a network entity (e.g., an eNB or a gNB). For an initial access attempt to a PLMN, without knowing whether EC mode B is allowed or restricted in the PLMN, UE 104 can trigger an attach procedure or a TAU procedure according to the EPS mobility management (EMM) state by sending an attach request message to gNB 102. For an initial access attempt to a PLMN when UE 104 does not know the PLMN restrictions, the UE can set the NAS timer to a restricted value (e.g., 15 seconds) or an unrestricted value (85 seconds). As Figure 4 shown, in the case where the UE does not receive any kind of indication regarding the EC mode B restriction for the PLMN, the UE can determine the timer duration value of T3410. Additionally, if the network triggers other procedures (e.g., authentication), the UE can also determine the timer duration value of the corresponding NAS timer. In some embodiments, the network can indicate the status of the EC mode B restriction. In such cases, the UE can set the NAS timer accordingly. For example, as shown by T3430, the UE sets the NAS timer during T3430 based on the network feedback.

[0057] In some embodiments, when the UE does not know the EC mode B restriction for the PLMN, the UE can set the NAS timer to any one of several duration values. In a first embodiment, without any knowledge of the PLMN restricting EC mode B, the UE can set the NAS timer to a restricted value (e.g., 5 - 15 seconds). The resulting outcome may be that if the PLMN does not restrict EC mode B for the UE, completing the initial NAS procedure may take longer due to the latency inherent in EC mode B access, which may in turn affect the completion of the NAS procedure.

[0058] In a second embodiment, the UE may set the NAS timer to a timer value between a restricted value (e.g., 5 - 15 seconds) and an unrestricted value (e.g., 85 seconds) based on not knowing the EC mode B restrictions of the PLMN. In a third embodiment, without any knowledge of the PLMN restricting EC mode B, the UE may set the NAS timer to an unrestricted value (e.g., 85 seconds). However, by doing so, if the PLMN restricts EC mode B for the UE, in some cases, the UE may wait longer for a network response than usual. In a fourth embodiment, the UE may store or maintain the history of that PLMN in the same country (or geographical region or MCC) or the behavior of other PLMNs regarding the EC mode B restrictions for the UE. The UE may use the historical data to predict the possible outcome for a new PLMN and set the NAS timer accordingly.

[0059] During an initial access attempt using an attach or TAU procedure, the network may trigger an authentication procedure such that several NAS timers may be configured as follows: T3416 for storing RAND / RES: the duration set by the UE is 48 seconds (compared to the original value of 30 seconds set by the network), T3418 for authentication failure (MAC): the duration set by the UE is 38 seconds (compared to the original value of 20 seconds set by the network), and / or T3420 for authentication failure (synchronization): the duration set by the UE is 33 seconds (compared to the original value of 15 seconds set by the network).

[0060] Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example method 500 of wireless communication at a device of the UE. In the example, the UE 104 may use Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 7 one or more of the components described therein to perform the functions described in method 500.

[0061] At block 502, method 500 may determine operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN for the current serving coverage area. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processor 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to determine operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN for the current serving coverage area. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processor 312, communication component 342, or its sub-components may define the component for determining operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN for the current serving coverage area. For example, processor 312 of UE 104 (which may be in conjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at memory 316) may determine operations in the broadband (i.e., WB-N1) and support for EC restrictions (i.e., CE mode B) based on the UE configuration.

[0062] In some embodiments, the EC restriction may correspond to an EC mode B restriction.

[0063] At block 504, method 500 may identify the duration of a NAS timer based on determining operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processor 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to identify the duration of a NAS timer based on determining operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processor 312, communication component 342, or its sub-components may define the component for identifying the duration of a NAS timer based on determining operations in the broadband and support for EC restrictions of the PLMN. For example, using information related to broadband operations and EC restrictions, processor 312 of UE 104 (which may be in conjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at memory 316) may identify the duration of a NAS timer.

[0064] In some embodiments, method 500 may apply an initial duration of a NAS timer corresponding to a configured time length set by the UE without an indication of an EC restriction from a network entity before receiving an acceptance message from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to apply an initial duration of a NAS timer corresponding to a configured time length set by the UE without an indication of an EC restriction from a network entity before receiving an acceptance message from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define a component for applying an initial duration of a NAS timer corresponding to a configured time length set by the UE without an indication of an EC restriction from a network entity before receiving an acceptance message from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration.

[0065] At block 506, method 500 may send an access request message to a network entity associated with a PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure or a service request procedure. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to send an access request message to a network entity associated with a PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure or a service request procedure. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define a component for sending an access request message to a network entity associated with a PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure or a service request procedure. For example, processor 312 of UE 104 may activate transceiver 302 and associated RF front end 388 components to send an access request message to a network entity associated with a PLMN to trigger a mobility management procedure or a service request procedure.

[0066] In some embodiments, the access request message may correspond to one of an attach request message, an authentication response message, an authentication failure message, a TAU request message, a mobility registration message, an initial registration request, or a service request message.

[0067] At block 508, method 500 may start a NAS timer according to an identified duration in response to sending an access request message to a network entity. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to start a NAS timer according to an identified duration in response to sending an access request message to a network entity. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define the component for starting a NAS timer according to an identified duration in response to sending an access request message to a network entity. For example, using the identified duration, processor 312 of UE 104 (which may be in conjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at memory 316) may start the NAS timer.

[0068] At block 510, method 500 may receive an acceptance message from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of an EC restriction during a mobility management procedure. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to receive an acceptance message from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of an EC restriction. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define the component for receiving an acceptance message from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of an EC restriction. For example, processor 312 of UE104 may activate transceiver 302 and associated RF front-end 388 components to receive an acceptance message from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of an EC restriction during a mobility management procedure.

[0069] In some aspects, the unrestricted state may indicate that the use of enhanced coverage is unrestricted, or that CE mode B is unrestricted.

[0070] At block 512, method 500 may update the duration of a NAS timer based on the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction received from a network entity. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to update or apply the duration of a NAS timer based on the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction received from a network entity. Accordingly, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define components for updating the duration of a NAS timer based on the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction received from a network entity. For example, processor 312 of UE 104 (which may be in conjunction with one or more applications 375 residing at memory 316) may update the duration of a NAS timer based on the unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction received from a network entity, or the history of the EC restriction of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area.

[0071] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a further example implementation for wireless communication for use in conjunction with Figure 5 In an example, UE 104 may use one or more of the components described in Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 7 to perform the functions described in method 500.

[0072] At block 602, to identify the duration of a NAS timer for a mobility management procedure, method 500 may set the duration of the NAS timer to a different value between a first value (e.g., 15 seconds) corresponding to an indication or confirmation of an EC restriction (i.e., a restriction on the use of EC), a second value corresponding to an indication of an EC restriction, and a third value (e.g., 85 seconds) corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC, or the third value corresponding to an indication or confirmation of unrestricted EC. For a service request procedure, the NAS timer is set to a duration based on previous knowledge of the EC restriction on the current serving PLMN.

[0073] In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to identify the duration of a NAS timer, and method 500 may set the duration of the NAS timer to a different value between a first value (e.g., 15 seconds) corresponding to an indication of an EC restriction, a second value corresponding to an indication of an EC restriction, and a third value (e.g., 85 seconds) corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC, or the third value corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC.

[0074] Accordingly, the UE 104, one or more processors 312, the communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define a component for identifying the duration of a NAS timer, and method 500 may set the duration of the NAS timer to a different value between a first value (e.g., 15 seconds) corresponding to an indication of an EC limit, a second value corresponding to an indication of an EC limit, and a third value (e.g., 85 seconds) corresponding to an indication of an unrestricted EC, or the third value corresponding to an indication of an unrestricted EC.

[0075] The implementation of blocks 604 to 608 relates to when the duration of a NAS timer is based on the PLMN in a defined geographical area and / or past EC limits of different PLMNs, and the defined geographical area includes the PLMN and different PLMNs. For example, the PLMN and different PLMNs may be parts of the coverage within a similar country or provide coverage within a similar country.

[0076] At block 604, method 500 may determine the number of EC limits for different PLMNs. In some aspects, the communication component 342 (such as in combination with one or more processors 312, the memory 316, or the transceiver 302) may be configured to determine the number of EC limits for different PLMNs. Accordingly, the UE 104, one or more processors 312, the communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define a component for determining the number of EC limits for different PLMNs. For example, the number of EC limits may be a count of the EC limits applied by the PLMN or different PLMNs to the UE regarding operation in EC mode B. This count may also represent a percentage or probability of the EC limits based on the previous total of EC limits and the total number of initial access attempts for a given PLMN, or a function of the previous total of EC limits and the total number of initial access attempts for a given PLMN.

[0077] At block 606, method 500 may determine an EC limit result for the PLMN based on the number of EC limits for different PLMNs. In some aspects, the communication component 342 (such as in combination with one or more processors 312, the memory 316, or the transceiver 302) may be configured to determine an EC limit result for the PLMN based on the number of EC limits for different PLMNs. Accordingly, the UE 104, one or more processors 312, the communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define a component for determining an EC limit result for the PLMN based on the number of EC limits for different PLMNs.

[0078] In some implementations, the EC limit result may correspond to the likelihood of an EC limit by the PLMN based on past EC limits of different PLMNs in a shared geographical area.

[0079] At block 608, method 500 may set the duration of the NAS timer based on the EC restriction result. In some aspects, communication component 342 (such as in conjunction with one or more of processors 312, memory 316, or transceiver 302) may be configured to set the duration of the NAS timer based on the EC restriction result. Thus, UE 104, one or more of processors 312, communication component 342, or one of its sub-components may define the component for setting the duration of the NAS timer based on the EC restriction result.

[0080] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a MIMO communication system 700 including base station 102 and UE 104. MIMO communication system 700 may be configured to implement the NAS timer configuration techniques described herein. MIMO communication system 700 may illustrate aspects of the wireless communication access network 100 described with reference to Figure 1 described. Base station 102 may be an example of an aspect of base station 102 described with reference to Figure 1 described. Base station 102 may be equipped with antennas 734 and 735, and UE 104 may be equipped with antennas 752 and 753. In MIMO communication system 700, base station 102 may be capable of simultaneously transmitting data over multiple communication links. Each communication link may be referred to as a "layer", and the "rank" of a communication link may indicate the number of layers used for communication. For example, in a 2×2 MIMO communication system where base station 102 transmits two "layers", the rank of the communication link between base station 102 and UE 104 is two.

[0081] At base station 102, transmit (Tx) processor 720 may receive data from a data source. Transmit processor 720 may process the data. Transmit processor 720 may also generate control symbols or reference symbols. Transmit MIMO processor 730 may perform spatial processing (such as precoding) on the data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide an output symbol stream to transmit modulators / demodulators 732 and 733. Each modulator / demodulator 732 to 733 may process the corresponding output symbol stream (such as for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator / demodulator 732 to 733 may further process the output sample stream (such as convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) to obtain a DL signal. In some examples, the DL signals from modulators / demodulators 732 and 733 may be transmitted via antennas 734 and 735, respectively.

[0082] UE 104 may be a reference to Figure 1 and 2Examples of aspects of the described UE 104. At the UE 104, UE antennas 752 and 753 can receive DL signals from the base station 102 and can provide the received signals to modulators / demodulators 754 and 755, respectively. Each modulator / demodulator 754 to 755 can condition (such as filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) the respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each modulator / demodulator 754 to 755 can further process the input samples (such as for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. The MIMO detector 756 can obtain the received symbols from the modulators / demodulators 754 and 755, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols when applicable, and provide the detected symbols. The receive (Rx) processor 758 can process (such as demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide the decoded data for the UE 104 to the data output, and provide the decoded control information to the processor 780 or the memory 782.

[0083] The processor 780 can, in some cases, execute stored instructions to instantiate the communication component 242 (see, for example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 ). The processor 740 can, in some cases, execute stored instructions to instantiate the communication component 342 (see, for example, Figure 1 and Figure 3 ).

[0084] On the uplink (UL), at the UE 104, the transmit processor 764 can receive and process data from a data source. The transmit processor 764 can also generate reference symbols for reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 764 can be precoded by the transmit MIMO processor 766 when applicable, further processed by the modulators / demodulators 754 and 755 (such as for SC-FDMA, etc.), and transmitted to the base station 102 according to the communication parameters received from the base station 102. At the base station 102, the UL signal from the UE 104 can be received by the antennas 734 and 735, processed by the modulators / demodulators 732 and 733, detected by the MIMO detector 736 when applicable, and further processed by the receive processor 738. The receive processor 738 can provide the decoded data to the data output and to the processor 740 or the memory 742.

[0085] The components of the UE 104 may be implemented, either individually or jointly, using one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the modules may be a component for performing one or more functions related to the operation of the MIMO communication system 700. Similarly, the components of the base station 102 may be implemented, either individually or jointly, using one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the components may be a component for performing one or more functions related to the operation of the MIMO communication system 700.

[0086] Certain additional examples

[0087] Aspects described herein additionally include one or more of the following aspect examples described in the following numbered clauses.

[0088] 1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising:

[0089] Determining an operation in a broadband and support for an extended coverage (EC) restriction;

[0090] Identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operation in the broadband and the EC restriction;

[0091] Sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure;

[0092] Receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction;

[0093] Applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction, or a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0094] Starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0095] 2. The method of clause 1, further comprising, before receiving the acceptance message from the network entity, applying an initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured time length set by the UE in the absence of an indication of the EC restriction from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration.

[0096] 3. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to an EC mode B restriction.

[0097] 4. The method of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restriction.

[0098] 5. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

[0099] 6. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to be between a value corresponding to an indication of an EC restriction and a value corresponding to an indication of a non-restricted EC.

[0100] 7. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

[0101] 8. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of a non-restricted EC.

[0102] 9. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

[0103] 10. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes the PLMN and different PLMNs.

[0104] 11. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising:

[0105] Determining the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;

[0106] Determining an EC restriction result for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

[0107] Setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

[0108] 12. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to the likelihood of an EC restriction of the PLMN based on past EC restrictions of different PLMNs in a shared geographical area.

[0109] 13. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to enhanced coverage.

[0110] 14. A method according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following:

[0111] An attach request message,

[0112] An authentication response message,

[0113] An authentication failure message,

[0114] Tracking Area Update (TAU) request message,

[0115] mobility registration message, or

[0116] initial registration request message.

[0117] 15. A device for wireless communication, comprising:

[0118] a transceiver;

[0119] a memory configured to store instructions; and

[0120] at least one processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein one or more processors are configured to execute instructions to:

[0121] determine an operation in a broadband and support for Extended Coverage (EC) restrictions;

[0122] identify a duration of a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operation in the broadband and the EC restrictions;

[0123] send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure;

[0124] receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions;

[0125] apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions, or a history of the EC restrictions of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0126] start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0127] 16. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising applying an initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured length of time set by the UE in the absence of an indication of EC restrictions from the network entity before receiving the acceptance message from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration.

[0128] 17. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restrictions correspond to EC mode B restrictions.

[0129] 18. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restrictions.

[0130] 19. The device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

[0131] 20. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to be between a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restriction and a value corresponding to the indication of the non-restricted EC.

[0132] 21. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

[0133] 22. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of the non-restricted EC.

[0134] 23. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

[0135] 24. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on the past EC restrictions of the public land mobile network (PLMN) in the defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes the PLMN and different PLMNs.

[0136] 25. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising:

[0137] Determining the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN;

[0138] Determining an EC restriction result for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

[0139] Setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

[0140] 26. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to the likelihood of the EC restriction of the PLMN based on the past EC restrictions of different PLMNs in the shared geographical area.

[0141] 27. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to enhanced coverage.

[0142] 28. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following:

[0143] Attach request message,

[0144] Authentication response message,

[0145] Authentication failure message,

[0146] Tracking area update (TAU) request message,

[0147] Mobility registration message, or

[0148] Initial registration request message.

[0149] 29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising components for:

[0150] determining operations in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions;

[0151] identifying the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operations in the broadband and EC restrictions;

[0152] sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure;

[0153] receiving, from the network entity, an acceptance message indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions;

[0154] applying the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions, or the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0155] starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0156] 30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising code executable by one or more processors to:

[0157] determine operations in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions;

[0158] identify the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operations in the broadband and EC restrictions;

[0159] send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure;

[0160] receive, from the network entity, an acceptance message indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions;

[0161] apply the duration to the NAS timer based on the acceptance message received from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions, or the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0162] start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0163] 31. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

[0164] components for determining operations in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions;

[0165] A component for identifying the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining operations in a broadband and EC restrictions;

[0166] A component for sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management process;

[0167] A component for receiving an acceptance message from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of EC restrictions;

[0168] A component for applying the duration to the NAS timer based on an acceptance message received from a network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of EC restrictions, or the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0169] A component for starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0170] 32. The apparatus as in clause 31, wherein in the absence of an indication of EC restrictions from the network entity, the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a configured time length set by the UE.

[0171] 33. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restrictions correspond to EC mode B restrictions.

[0172] 34. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of EC restrictions.

[0173] 35. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

[0174] 36. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to be between a value corresponding to the indication of EC restrictions and a value corresponding to the indication of unrestricted EC.

[0175] 37. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

[0176] 38. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of unrestricted EC.

[0177] 39. The apparatus as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

[0178] 40. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on the past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes a PLMN and different PLMNs.

[0179] 41. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising:

[0180] means for determining the number of EC restrictions for a PLMN;

[0181] means for determining an EC restriction result for a PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

[0182] means for setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

[0183] 42. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to the likelihood of an EC restriction of a PLMN based on the past EC restrictions of different PLMNs sharing a geographical area.

[0184] 43. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to enhanced coverage.

[0185] 44. The apparatus according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following:

[0186] an attach request message,

[0187] an authentication response message,

[0188] an authentication failure message,

[0189] a tracking area update (TAU) request message,

[0190] a mobility registration message, or

[0191] an initial registration request message.

[0192] 45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for storing communications, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

[0193] determine operations in broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions;

[0194] identify the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on the determined operations in broadband and EC restrictions;

[0195] send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management process;

[0196] receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction;

[0197] Apply a duration to a NAS timer based on an acceptance message indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of an EC restriction received from a network entity, or a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and

[0198] Start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

[0199] 46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in clause 45, wherein in the absence of an indication of an EC restriction from a network entity, the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a configured length of time set by the UE.

[0200] 47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to an EC mode B restriction.

[0201] 48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restriction.

[0202] 49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

[0203] 50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set between a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restriction and a value corresponding to the indication of an unrestricted EC.

[0204] 51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

[0205] 52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of an unrestricted EC.

[0206] 53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

[0207] 54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes a PLMN and different PLMNs.

[0208] 55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, further comprising instructions for:

[0209] Determine the number of EC restrictions for a PLMN;

[0210] Determine an EC restriction result for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and

[0211] Set the duration of a NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

[0212] 56. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to the likelihood of an EC restriction by a PLMN based on past EC restrictions of different PLMNs in a shared geographical area.

[0213] 57. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to enhanced coverage.

[0214] 58. A non-transitory computer-readable medium as in any of the preceding clauses, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following:

[0215] An attach request message,

[0216] An authentication response message,

[0217] An authentication failure message,

[0218] A tracking area update (TAU) request message,

[0219] A mobility registration message, or

[0220] An initial registration request message.

[0221] As used herein, the phrase "at least one" in a list of referents means any combination of those referents, including a single member. By way of example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0222] The various illustrative logical, logical block, module, circuit, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. The interchangeability of hardware and software has been generally described in functional terms and is illustrated in the above various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0223] Hardware and data processing apparatus for implementing the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed using a general-purpose single-chip or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In certain embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry specific to a given function.

[0224] In one or more aspects, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware (including the structures disclosed in this specification and structural equivalents thereof), or any combination thereof. Implementations of the subject matter described in this specification may also be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus.

[0225] If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The processes of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented in a processor-executable software module that may reside on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program from one place to another. The storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or collection of code and instructions on a machine-readable medium and a computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0226] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure may be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the disclosure, the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0227] In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the terms "upper" and "lower" are sometimes used for convenience in describing the figures and indicate a relative positioning corresponding to the orientation of the figures on the page in the correct orientation, and may not reflect the correct orientation of any device being implemented.

[0228] Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments in this specification may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments, or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although the features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and are even initially claimed as such, in some cases, one or more features from the claimed combination may be deleted from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variant of the sub-combination.

[0229] Similarly, although the operations are depicted in the figures in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the figures may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart. However, other operations that are not depicted may be incorporated into the example processes schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the operations shown. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of the various system components in the implementations described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product, or packaged into multiple software products. Additionally, other implementations are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the acts recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining an operation in a wideband and support for enhanced coverage (EC) restrictions; identifying a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining the operation in the wideband and the support for the EC restrictions; sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure; receiving, from the network entity, an acceptance message indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions; applying the duration to the NAS timer, at least in part based on a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, before receiving the acceptance message from the network entity, applying an initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured time length set by the UE in the absence of an indication of the EC restrictions from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EC restrictions correspond to EC mode B restrictions.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of the EC restrictions.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to be between a value corresponding to an indication of the EC restrictions and a value corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 and 85 seconds.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes the PLMN and different PLMNs.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining a number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; determining an EC restriction result for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and setting the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to a likelihood of EC restrictions of the PLMN based on past EC restrictions of the different PLMNs sharing the geographical area.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EC restrictions correspond to enhanced coverage.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following: An attach request message, An authentication response message, An authentication failure message, A tracking area update (TAU) request message, A mobility registration message, or An initial registration request message.

15. A device for wireless communication, comprising: A transceiver; A memory configured to store instructions; and At least one processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute the instructions to: Determine operations in a broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions; Identify a duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining the operations in the broadband and the support for the EC restrictions; Send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management process; Receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restrictions; Apply the duration to the NAS timer at least partially based on a history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and Start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

16. The device according to claim 15, further comprising applying an initial duration of the NAS timer corresponding to a configured length of time set by the device in the absence of an indication of the EC restrictions from the network entity before receiving the acceptance message from the network entity, and wherein the initial duration is less than the identified duration.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the EC restrictions correspond to EC mode B restrictions.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restrictions.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 5 and 15 seconds.

20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to be between a value corresponding to the indication of the EC restrictions and a value corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to a timer value between 15 seconds and 85 seconds.

22. The device according to claim 15, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is set to a value corresponding to an indication of unrestricted EC.

23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the duration of the NAS timer corresponds to 85 seconds.

24. The device according to claim 15, wherein the duration of the NAS timer is based on past EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area, and wherein the defined geographical area includes the PLMN and different PLMNs.

25. The device according to claim 24, further comprising: Determine the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; Determine an EC restriction result for the PLMN based on the number of EC restrictions for the PLMN; and Set the duration of the NAS timer according to the EC restriction result.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the EC restriction result corresponds to the likelihood of an EC restriction by the PLMN based on past EC restrictions of different PLMNs sharing the geographical area.

27. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the EC restriction corresponds to enhanced coverage.

28. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the access request message corresponds to one of the following: An attach request message, An authentication response message, An authentication failure message, A tracking area update (TAU) request message, A mobility registration message, or An initial registration request message.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising components for: Determining operation in broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions; Identifying the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining operation in broadband and support for the EC restrictions; Sending an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure; Receiving an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction; Applying the duration to the NAS timer based at least in part on the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and and Starting the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising code executable by one or more processors to: Determine operation in broadband and support for extended coverage (EC) restrictions; Identify the duration of a non-access stratum (NAS) timer based on determining operation in broadband and support for the EC restrictions; Send an access request message to a network entity to trigger a mobility management procedure; Receive an acceptance message from the network entity indicating an unrestricted or restricted state of the EC restriction; Apply the duration to the NAS timer based at least in part on the history of EC restrictions of a public land mobile network (PLMN) in a defined geographical area; and Start the NAS timer according to the identified duration.

Images