Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving paging and dedicated system information in a wireless communication system

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system and an Internet of Things (IoT) technology beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system supporting higher data rates. The disclosure can be applied to intelligent services based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for monitoring a paging and acquiring dedicated system information in a wireless communication system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method and a system for paging monitoring and acquiring dedicated system information in a wireless communication system. BACKGROUND

[0002] To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a 'Beyond 4G Network' or a 'Post LTE System'. The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60GHz bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance, the beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are discussed for use in 5G communication systems. In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, a technology for coordination between cells, a cooperative multi-cell transmission technique, an interference mitigation and cancellation technology, a network slicing technology, and the like. In 5G communication systems, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and a sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.

[0003] The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of Things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the Big Data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged as a new paradigm for the IoT. As technology elements, such as "sensing technology", "wired / wireless communication and network infrastructure", "service interface technology", and "security technology" have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and the like have been researched. Such an IoT environment can provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value through collection and analysis of data generated from connected things. IoT can be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances, and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing Information Technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

[0004] In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication can be implemented by beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. Application of a cellular network to a M2M communication machine type communication (MTC), and the Internet of Things (IoT) is an example of fusion between the 5G technology and the IoT technology.

[0005] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. SUMMARY

[0006] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure are to provide a communication method and system for fusing a fifth generation (5G) communication system to support a higher data rate than a fourth generation (4G).

[0008] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving, from a base station, a first radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including a configuration for an on-demand system information block (SIB) request; transmitting, in an RRC connected state, a first dedicated SIB request message to the base station based on the configuration; starting a timer based on the first dedicated SIB request message; receiving, from the base station, a second RRC reconfiguration message including information on synchronization reconfiguration of a master cell group associated with the base station; stopping the timer based on the second RRC reconfiguration message; and transmitting a second dedicated SIB request message to a target base station of the master cell group based on the second RRC reconfiguration message.

[0010] In the method, a value of the timer is set to a value of prohibit timer information included in the configuration.

[0011] In the method, the second dedicated SIB request message is transmitted upon completion of a random access procedure with the target base station.

[0012] Further, the method includes receiving, from the target base station, at least one required SIB based on the second dedicated SIB request message.

[0013] Further, the method includes starting a timer based on the second dedicated SIB request message.

[0014] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method performed by a base station is provided. The method includes: sending a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message to a terminal, the first RRC reconfiguration message including configuration for on-demand System Information Block (SIB) requests; receiving, in an RRC connected state, the first dedicated SIB request message from the terminal based on the configuration; and sending a second RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, the second RRC reconfiguration message including information regarding synchronization reconfiguration of a primary cell group associated with a first base station, wherein a timer is started based on the first RRC reconfiguration message and stopped based on the second RRC reconfiguration message, and wherein, based on the second RRC reconfiguration message, a second dedicated SIB request message is sent to a target base station of the primary cell group.

[0015] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a terminal in a wireless communication system is provided. The terminal includes: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message from a base station, the first RRC reconfiguration message including configuration for requesting On-Demand System Information Blocks (SIBs); in an RRC connected state, send a first dedicated SIB request message to the base station based on the configuration; start a timer based on the first dedicated SIB request; receive a second RRC reconfiguration message from the base station, the second RRC reconfiguration message including information regarding synchronization reconfiguration of a primary cell group associated with the base station; stop the timer based on the second RRC reconfiguration message; and send a second dedicated SIB request message to a target base station of the primary cell group based on the second RRC reconfiguration message.

[0016] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a base station in a wireless communication system is provided. The base station includes: a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: send a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration message to a terminal, the first RRC reconfiguration message including configuration for on-demand System Information Block (SIB) requests; receive a first dedicated SIB request message from the terminal based on the configuration in an RRC connected state; and send a second RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, the second RRC reconfiguration message including information regarding synchronization reconfiguration of a primary cell group associated with the first base station, wherein a timer is started based on the first RRC reconfiguration message and stopped based on the second RRC reconfiguration message, and wherein a second dedicated SIB request message is sent to a target base station of the primary cell group based on the second RRC reconfiguration message. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups based on paging arrival rate indicated by the network according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups using multiple P-RNTIs based on paging arrival rate indicated by the network according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups based on paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups using multiple P-RNTIs based on paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups grouped by the CN based on paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Figure 6 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups using multiple P-RNTIs grouped by the CN based on paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Figure 7 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups based on some bits of the UE ID by itself according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 8 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups using multiple P-RNTIs based on some bits of the UE ID by itself according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 9 An example flow illustrating UE operation for paging groups using multiple P-RNTIs by itself according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 10 An example of a set of monitoring occasions according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Figure 11 An example of a set of monitoring occasions according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 12 An example of a set of monitoring occasions according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 13 An example of a set of monitoring occasions for a method according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 14 An example of a set of monitoring occasions for a method according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 15 An example of a set of monitoring occasions for a method according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 16 An example of a set of monitoring occasions for a method according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 17 An example of a set of monitoring occasions for a method according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 18 An example flow of UE operation with respect to on-demand SI request according to the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 19 is a block diagram of a terminal according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 20 is a block diagram of a base station according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] In all of the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be taken as illustrations only. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions can be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0040] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0041] It should be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0042] The term “substantially” means that a characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, can occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

[0043] Those skilled in the art know that the blocks of a flowchart (or sequence diagram) and combinations of flowcharts can be represented and executed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be loaded onto a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a programmable data processing apparatus. When the loaded program instructions are executed by the processor, they create means modules for executing the functions described in the flowcharts. Because the computer program instructions can be stored in a computer-readable memory available in a special purpose computer or a programmable data processing apparatus, an article of manufacture that executes the functions described in the flowcharts can also be created. Because the computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or a programmable data processing apparatus, when executed as a process, they can perform the operations of the functions described in the flowcharts.

[0044] The blocks of a flowchart can correspond to modules, segments, or codes containing one or more executable instructions implementing one or more logical functions, or can correspond to a part thereof. In some cases, the functions described by the blocks can be executed in an order different from that listed. For example, two blocks listed in sequence can be executed simultaneously or in reverse order.

[0045] In this specification, the words “unit,” “module,” and the like can refer to a software component or a hardware component, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), capable of performing a function or an operation. However, “unit” and the like are not limited to hardware or software. The unit and the like can be configured to reside in a addressable storage medium or to drive one or more processors. The unit and the like can refer to a software component, an object-oriented software component, a class component, a task component, a process, a function, an attribute, a procedure, a sub-routine, a program code segment, a driver, firmware, a microcode, a circuit, data, a database, a data structure, a table, an array, or a variable. The functions provided by the components and units can be a combination of smaller components and units, and can be combined with other components and units to constitute larger components and units. The components and units can be configured to drive a device in a secure multimedia card or one or more processors.

[0046] Before a detailed description, terms or definitions necessary to understand the present disclosure are described. However, these terms should be interpreted in a non-limiting manner.

[0047] A "base station (BS)" is an entity that communicates with a user equipment (UE), and can be referred to as a BS, a base transceiver station (BTS), a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an access point (AP), a 5G NB (5G NB), or a gNB (next generation node B).

[0048] A "UE" is an entity that communicates with a BS, and can be referred to as a UE, a device, a mobile station (MS), a mobile equipment (ME), or a terminal.

[0049] In recent years, several broadband wireless technologies have been developed to meet the increasing number of broadband users and provide more and better applications and services. The second generation wireless communication system has been developed to provide voice services while ensuring the mobility of users. The third generation wireless communication system not only supports voice services, but also supports data services. In recent years, the fourth wireless communication system has been developed to provide high-speed data services. However, at present, the fourth generation wireless communication system lacks resources to meet the growing demand for high-speed data services. Therefore, the fifth generation wireless communication system (also referred to as next generation radio or NR) is being developed to meet the growing demand for high-speed data services, supporting ultra-reliability and low latency applications.

[0050] The fifth generation wireless communication system supports not only low frequency bands but also high frequency (millimeter wave) bands (e.g., 10 GHz to 100 GHz bands) in order to achieve a higher data rate. In order to mitigate radio-wave propagation loss and increase a transmission distance in the fifth generation wireless communication system, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are being considered in the design of the fifth generation wireless communication system. In addition, the fifth generation wireless communication system is expected to address different use cases having different requirements for data rate, latency, reliability, mobility and the like. However, it is expected that the design of the air interface of the fifth generation wireless communication system will be flexible enough to serve UEs having quite different capabilities depending on the use cases and submarkets served by the UEs for end customers. Several example use cases that the fifth generation wireless communication system wireless system is expected to address are enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (m-MTC), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) and the like. The eMBB requirements such as tens of Gbps data rates, low latency, high mobility and the like are targeted to a submarket representing legacy wireless broadband users who need Internet connectivity anywhere, anytime. The m-MTC requirements such as very high connection density, infrequent data transmission, very long battery life, low mobility address and the like are targeted to a submarket representing the Internet of Things (IoT) / Internet of Everything (IoE) that foresees connectivity of billions of devices. The URLLC requirements such as very low latency, very high reliability and variable mobility and the like are targeted to a submarket representing industrial automation applications, vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure communication being considered as one of enablers for autonomous cars.

[0051] In a fifth generation wireless communication system operating in a higher frequency (millimeter wave) band, a UE and a gNB communicate with each other using beamforming. Beamforming techniques are used to mitigate propagation path loss and increase the propagation distance of higher frequency band communication. Beamforming uses a high-gain antenna to enhance transmission and reception performance. Beamforming can be classified into transmission (TX) beamforming performed at a transmission end and reception (RX) beamforming performed at a reception end. In general, TX beamforming allows a region where propagation arrives to be densely located in a specific direction by using a plurality of antennas to increase directivity. In this case, the aggregation of the plurality of antennas can be referred to as an antenna array, and each antenna included in the array can be referred to as an array element. The antenna array can be configured in various forms, such as a linear array, a planar array, etc. The use of TX beamforming results in an increase in signal directivity, thereby increasing the propagation distance. In addition, since a signal is almost not transmitted in a direction other than the directivity direction, signal interference acting on another reception end is significantly reduced. The reception end can perform beamforming on an RX signal by using an RX antenna array. RX beamforming increases the RX signal strength transmitted in a specific direction by allowing propagation to be concentrated in the specific direction, and excludes signals transmitted in a direction other than the specific direction from the RX signal, thereby providing an effect of blocking an interference signal. By using the beamforming technique, a transmitter can generate a plurality of transmission beam patterns in different directions. Each of the transmission beam patterns can also be referred to as a TX beam. A wireless communication system operating at a high frequency transmits a signal in a cell using a plurality of narrow TX beams, since each narrow TX beam covers a portion of the cell. The narrower the TX beam, the higher the antenna gain, and thus the greater the propagation distance of a signal transmitted using beamforming. A receiver can also generate a plurality of RX beam patterns in different directions. Each of the reception patterns can also be referred to as an RX beam.

[0052] The fifth generation wireless communication system supports standalone operation mode as well as dual connectivity (DC). In DC, multiple Rx / Tx UEs can be configured to utilize resources provided by two different nodes (or NBs) connected via a non-ideal backhaul. One node acts as a master node (MN) and the other as a secondary node (SN). The MN and SN are connected by a network interface and at least the MN is connected to the core network. NR also supports multi-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC) operation whereby a UE in radio resource connected state (RRC CONNECTED) is configured to utilize radio resources provided by two different schedulers located in two different nodes connected via a non-ideal backhaul and providing either evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) (i.e. if the node is an ng-eNB) or new radio (NR) access (i.e. if the node is a gNB). In NR, for a UE in RRC CONNECTED without configured carrier aggregation / dual connectivity (CA) / DC, there is only one serving cell comprising a primary cell (PCell). For a UE in RRC CONNECTED configured with CA / DC, the term “serving cells” is used to denote a set of cells comprising the special cell(s) (SpCell) and all secondary cells (SCells). In NR, the term master cell group (MCG) refers to a group of serving cells associated with a master node comprising a PCell and optionally one or more SCells. In NR, the term secondary cell group (SCG) refers to a group of serving cells associated with a secondary node comprising a primary SCG cell (PSCell) and optionally one or more SCells. In NR, the PCell refers to a serving cell operating on a primary frequency in the MCG where the UE either performs an initial connection establishment procedure or initiates a connection re-establishment procedure. In NR, for a UE configured with CA, a SCell is a cell providing additional radio resources on top of a special cell. The PSCell refers to a serving cell in the SCG where the UE performs random access when performing a synchronization reconfiguration procedure. For dual connectivity operation, the term SpCell (i.e. special cell) refers to either the PCell of the MCG or the PSCell of the SCG, otherwise the term special cell refers to the PCell.

[0053] In the fifth generation wireless communication system, a node B (gNB) or base station in a cell broadcasts a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SS / PBCH block or SSB) consisting of a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal (PSS, SSS) and system information. The system information includes common parameters required for communication in the cell. In the fifth generation wireless communication system (also referred to as next generation radio or NR), system information (SI) is split into MIB and multiple SIBs, where:

[0054] - The MIB is always transmitted on the PBCH with a periodicity of 80 ms and repetitions within 80 ms, and it includes parameters needed to acquire SIB1 from the cell.

[0055] - SIB1 is transmitted on the DL-SCH with a periodicity of 160 ms and variable transmission repetitions. The default transmission repetition period for SIB1 is 20 ms, but the actual transmission repetition period depends on network implementation. SIB1 includes information about the availability and scheduling of other SIBs (e.g., mapping of SIBs to SI messages, periodicity, SI window size), as well as an indication of whether one or more SIBs are provided on-demand only, and in this case, the configuration needed by the UE to perform an SI request. SIB1 is a cell-specific SIB;

[0056] - SIBs other than SIB1 are carried in SystemInformation (SI) messages, which are transmitted on the DL-SCH. Only SIBs with the same periodicity can be mapped to the same SI message.

[0057] In the fifth generation wireless communication system, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is used for scheduling of downlink (DL) transmissions on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and uplink (UL) transmissions on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), where downlink control information (DCI) on the PDCCH includes: a downlink assignment containing at least modulation and coding format, resource allocation, and hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) (HARQ) information related to a downlink shared channel (DL-SCH); an uplink scheduling grant containing at least modulation and coding format, resource allocation, and HARQ information related to an uplink shared channel (UL-SCH). In addition to scheduling, the PDCCH can also be used for: activation and deactivation of configured PUSCH transmission with configured grant; activation and deactivation of PDSCH semi-persistent transmission; informing one or more UEs of a slot format; informing one or more UEs of a physical resource block(s) (PRB(s)) and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol(s) where the UE can assume no transmission to the UE; transmission of a transmission power control (TPC) command for a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and PUSCH; transmission of one or more TPC commands for sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission by one or more UEs; switching of an active bandwidth part of a UE; initiating a random access procedure. A UE monitors a set of PDCCH candidates in one or more configured monitoring occasions in a configured control resource set (CORESET) according to a corresponding search space configuration. A CORESET consists of a set of PRBs with a time duration of 1 to 3 OFDM symbols. Resource elements groups (REGs) and control channel elements (CCEs) are defined in a CORESET, each CCE comprising a set of REGs. A control channel is formed by an aggregation of CCEs. Different code rates of a control channel are achieved by aggregating different number of CCEs. Interleaved and non-interleaved CCE-to-REG mapping is supported in a CORESET. Polar coding is used for the PDCCH. Each resource element group carrying the PDCCH carries its own demodulation reference signal (DMRS). Quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation is used for the PDCCH.

[0058] In the fifth generation wireless communication system, a search space configuration list is signaled by gNB for each configured BWP, where each search configuration is uniquely identified by an identifier. The identifier of the search space configuration for a specific purpose (such as paging reception, SI reception, random access response reception) is explicitly signaled by gNB. In NR, a search space configuration includes parameters Monitoring-periodicity-PDCCH-slot, Monitoring-offset-PDCCH-slot, Monitoring-symbols-PDCCH-within-slot and duration. A UE uses the parameters PDCCH monitoring periodicity (Monitoring-periodicity-PDCCH-slot), PDCCH monitoring offset (Monitoring-offset-PDCCH-slot) and PDCCH monitoring pattern (Monitoring-symbols-PDCCH-within-slot) to determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) within a slot. The PDCCH monitoring occasion exists in the slots 'x' to x+duration, where the slot numbered 'x' in the radio frame numbered 'y' satisfies the following equation:

[0059] (y * (number of slots in a radio frame) + x - Monitoring-offset-PDCCH-slot) mod (Monitoring-periodicity-PDCCH-slot) = 0;

[0060] The starting symbol of the PDCCH monitoring occasion in each slot with PDCCH monitoring occasion is given by Monitoring-symbols-PDCCH-within-slot. The length of the PDCCH monitoring occasion in symbols is given in the corset associated with the search space. The search space configuration includes an identifier of the CORESET configuration associated with it. The gNB signals a list of CORESET configurations for each configured BWP, where each CORESET configuration is uniquely identified by an identifier. Note that the duration of each radio frame is 10 ms. The radio frame is identified by the radio frame number or system frame number (SFN). Each radio frame includes several slots, where the number of slots in a radio frame and the slot duration depend on the subcarrier spacing. The number of slots in a radio frame and the slot duration depend on the radio frame, each supported subcarrier spacing (SCS) is pre-defined in NR. Each CORESET configuration is associated with a list of TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) states. Each TCI state configures a DL reference signal (RS) ID (SSB or Channel State Information (CSI) RS (CSI-RS)). The list of TCI states corresponding to a CORESET configuration is signaled by the gNB via RRC signaling. One of the TCI states in the list of TCI states is activated and indicated to the UE by the gNB. The TCI state indicates the DL TX beam (the DL TX beam is quasi co-located with the SSB / CSI RS of the TCI state) used by the gNB for transmission of PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion of the search space.

[0061] In the fifth generation wireless communication system, bandwidth adaptation (BA) is supported. With BA, the UE's reception and transmission bandwidth does not need to be as large as the cell's bandwidth and can be adjusted: the width can be ordered to change (e.g. shrink during low activity to save power); the location can be moved in the frequency domain (e.g. to increase scheduling flexibility); and the subcarrier spacing can be ordered to change (e.g. to allow different services). A subset of the total cell bandwidth of a cell is referred to as a bandwidth part (BWP). BA is achieved by configuring the UE(s) BWP for an RRC connected and telling the UE which configured BWP is the current active BWP. When BA is configured, the UE only needs to monitor PDCCH on one active BWP, i.e. it does not need to monitor PDCCH on the whole DL frequency of the serving cell. In RRC connected state, for each configured serving cell (i.e. PCell or SCell), the UE is configured with one or more DL and UL BWP. For an activated serving cell, there is always one active UL and DL BWP at any point in time. BWP switching for a serving cell is used to activate a non-active BWP and deactivate an active BWP at a time. BWP switching is controlled by PDCCH indicating downlink assignment or uplink grant, by bwp-InactivityTimer, by RRC signaling or by the medium access control (MAC) entity itself when initiating a random access procedure. Upon adding a SpCell or activating a SCell, the DL BWP and UL BWP indicated by firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id and firstActiveUplinkBWP-Id, respectively, are active without receiving PDCCH indicating downlink assignment or uplink grant. The active BWP for a serving cell is indicated by RRC or PDCCH. For unpaired spectrum, DL BWP is paired with UL BWP and BWP switching is common for both UL and DL. Upon expiry of the BWP inactivity timer, the UE switches to the active DL BWP, to the default DL BWP or to the initial DL BWP if the default DL BWP is not configured.

[0062] In the 5G wireless communication system, random access (RA) is supported. Random access (RA) is used to achieve UL time synchronization. RA is used during initial access, handover, radio resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment procedure, scheduling request transmission, secondary cell group (SCG) addition / modification, beam failure recovery, and data or control information transmission in the UL by a non-synchronized UE in RRC CONNECTED state. Several types of random access procedures are supported, such as contention-based random access, contention-free random access, and each of these can be a 2-step or 4-step random access.

[0063] Contention-based random access (CBRA)This is also called 4-step CBRA. In this type of random access, the UE first transmits a random access preamble (RAP or also called Msgl), and then waits for a random access response (RAR) in a RAR window. The RAR is also called Msg2. The gNB transmits the RAR on PDSCH. The PDCCH scheduling the PDSCH carrying the RAR is addressed to a RA-radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI). The RA-RNTI identifies the time-frequency resource (also called physical RA channel (PRACH) occasion or PRACH transmission (TX) occasion or RA channel (RACH) occasion) where the RA preamble was detected by the gNB. The RA-RNTI is calculated as follows: RA-RNTI = 1 + s_id + 14 * t_id + 14 * 80 * f_id + 14 * 80 * 8 * ul_carrier_id, where s_id is the index of the first OFDM symbol of the PRACH occasion where the UE has transmitted the Msgl (i.e. the RA preamble); 0≤s_id<14; t_id is the index of the first slot of the PRACH occasion (0≤t_id<80); f_id is the index of the PRACH occasion in the frequency domain within the slot (0≤f_id<8), and ul_carrier_id is the UL carrier used for the Msgl transmission (0 for normal UL (NUL) carrier and 1 for supplementary UL (SUL) carrier. The gNB can multiplex several RARs for various random access preambles detected by the gNB into the same RAR MAC protocol data unit (PDU). The RAR in the MAC PDU corresponds to the UE's RA preamble transmission if the RAR includes the RA preamble identifier (RAPID) of the RA preamble transmitted by the UE. If no RAR corresponding to its RA preamble transmission is received during the RAR window and the UE has not yet transmitted the RA preamble for a configurable (configured by the gNB in the RACH configuration) number of times, the UE goes back to the first step, i.e. selects a random access resource (preamble / RACH occasion) and transmits the RA preamble. Backoff can be applied before going back to the first step.

[0064] If a RAR corresponding to its RA preamble transmission is received, the UE transmits message 3 (Msg3) in the UL grant received in the RAR. Msg3 includes messages such as RRC connection request, RRC connection reestablishment request, RRC handover confirm, scheduling request, SI request, etc. It can include UE identity (i.e., cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) or system architecture evolution (SAE)-temporary mobile subscriber identity (S-TMSI) or random number). After transmitting Msg3, the UE starts a contention resolution timer. While the contention resolution timer is running, if the UE receives a PDCCH addressed to the C-RNTI included in Msg3, contention resolution is considered successful, the contention resolution timer is stopped and the RA procedure is completed. While the contention resolution timer is running, if the UE receives a contention resolution MAC control element (CE) including the contention resolution identity of the UE (first X bits of the common control channel (CCCH) service data unit (SDU) transmitted in Msg3), contention resolution is considered successful, the contention resolution timer is stopped and the RA procedure is completed. If the contention resolution timer expires and the UE has not transmitted the RA preamble for a configurable number of times, the UE goes back to the first step, i.e., selecting a random access resource (preamble / RACH occasion) and transmitting the RA preamble.

[0065] Contention-free random access (CFRA): This is also referred to as legacy CFRA or 4-step CFRA. The CFRA procedure is used for cases such as handover requiring low latency, timing advance establishment for Scell, etc. The eNB allocates a dedicated random access preamble to the UE. The UE transmits the dedicated RA preamble. The ENB transmits a RAR on PDSCH addressed to RA-RNTI. The RAR conveys the RA preamble identifier and timing alignment information. The RAR can also include a UL grant. The RAR is transmitted in a RAR window, similar to the contention based RA (CBRA) procedure. CFRA is considered successfully completed after receiving a RAR including the RA preamble identifier (RAPID) of the RA preamble transmitted by the UE. In case the RA is initiated for beam failure recovery, CFRA is considered successfully completed if a PDCCH addressed to C-RNTI is received in the search space for beam failure recovery. If the RAR window expires and the RA is not successfully completed, and the UE has not transmitted the RA preamble for a configurable number of times (configured by gNB in RACH configuration), the UE retransmits the RA preamble.

[0066] 2-step contention-based random access (2-step CBRA)In the first step, the UE transmits a random access preamble on PRACH and a payload (i.e., MAC PDU) on PUSCH. The random access preamble and payload transmission is also referred to as MsgA. In the second step, after the MsgA transmission, the UE monitors for a response from the network (i.e., gNB) within a configured window. The response is also referred to as MsgB. If a CCCH SDU is transmitted in the MsgA payload, the UE uses the contention resolution information in the MsgB to perform contention resolution. Contention resolution is successful if the contention resolution received in the MsgB identifies a match to the first 48 bits of the CCCH SDU transmitted in the MsgA. Contention resolution is successful if the C-RNTI is conveyed in the MsgA payload and the UE receives a PDCCH addressed to the C-RNTI. If contention resolution is successful, the random access procedure is considered to be successfully completed. Instead of contention resolution information corresponding to the transmitted MsgA, the MsgB can include fallback information corresponding to the random access preamble sent in the MsgA. If the fallback information is received, the UE transmits Msg3 and uses Msg4 to perform contention resolution as in the CBRA procedure. If contention resolution is successful, the random access procedure is considered to be successfully completed. If contention resolution fails at the time of fallback (i.e., at the time of transmitting Msg3), the UE retransmits the MsgA. If the configured window for the UE to monitor for the network response expires after transmitting the MsgA and the UE does not receive a MsgB including contention resolution information or fallback information as above, the UE retransmits the MsgA. If the random access procedure is not successfully completed even after transmitting the msgA a configurable number of times, the UE falls back to the 4-step RACH procedure, i.e., the UE transmits only the PRACH preamble.

[0067] The MsgA payload can include one or more of a common control channel (CCCH) service data unit (SDU), a dedicated control channel (DCCH) SDU, a dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) SDU, a buffer status report (BSR) MAC control element (CE), a power headroom report (PHR) MAC CE, SSB information, a C-RNTI MAC CE, or padding. The MsgA can include a UE ID (e.g., a random ID, an S-TMSI, a C-RNTI, a resume ID, etc.) and a preamble in the first step. The UE ID can be included in the MAC PDU of the MsgA. The UE ID such as a C-RNTI can be carried in a MAC CE, which is included in the MAC PDU. Other UE IDs (e.g., a random ID, an S-TMSI, a C-RNTI, a resume ID, etc.) can be carried in a CCCH SDU. The UE ID can be one of a random ID, an S-TMSI, a C-RNTI, a resume ID, an IMSI, an idle mode ID, an inactive mode ID, etc. The UE ID can be different in different scenarios when the UE performs the RA procedure. When the UE performs the RA after power on (before it is connected to the network), then the UE ID is a random ID. When the UE performs the RA in the idle state after it is attached to the network, the UE ID is an S-TMSI. If the UE has an assigned C-RNTI (e.g., in the connected state), then the UE ID is the C-RNTI. In the case that the UE is in the INACTIVE state, the UE ID is the resume ID. In addition to the UE ID, some additional control information can be sent in the MsgA. The control information can be included in the MAC PDU of the MsgA. The control information can include one or more of a connection request indication, a connection resume request indication, an SI request indication, a buffer status indication, beam information (e.g., one or more DL TX beam IDs or SSB IDs), a beam failure recovery indication / information, a data indicator, a cell / BS / TRP switch indication, a connection re-establishment indication, a reconfiguration complete or handover complete message, etc.

[0068] 2-step contention-free random access (2-step CFRA)In this case, the gNB allocates to the UE a dedicated random access preamble(s) and PUSCH resource(s) for MsgA transmission. The RO(s) to be used for preamble transmission can also be indicated. In the first step, the UE transmits a random access preamble on PRACH and a payload on PUSCH using the contention-free random access resource (i.e., dedicated preamble / PUSCH resource / RO). In the second step, after the MsgA transmission, the UE monitors for a response from the network (i.e., gNB) within a configured window. If the UE receives a PDCCH addressed to C-RNTI, the random access procedure is considered successfully completed. If the UE receives a fallback information corresponding to its transmitted preamble, the random access procedure is considered successfully completed.

[0069] In a fifth generation (also referred to as NR or New Radio) wireless communication system, a UE can be in one of the following RRC states: RRC IDLE, RRC INACTIVE and RRC CONNECTED. The RRC states can be further characterized as follows:

[0070] - In RRC IDLE state, UE-specific DRX can be configured by upper layers (i.e., NAS). The UE monitors for short messages transmitted with Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) by DCI; monitors for paging channel for CN paging using 5G-S-TMSI; performs neighbor cell measurements and cell (re)selection; acquires system information and can send SI request (if configured).

[0071] - In RRC INACTIVE state, UE-specific DRX can be configured by upper layers or RRC layer; in this state, the UE stores UE INACTIVE AS context. RAN-based notification area is configured by RRC layer. The UE monitors for short messages transmitted with P-RNTI by DCI; monitors for paging channel for CN paging using 5G-S-TMSI and RAN paging using Inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI); performs neighbor cell measurements and cell (re)selection; performs RAN-based notification area update periodically and when moving outside the configured RAN-based notification area; acquires system information and can send SI request (if configured).

[0072] - In RRC CONNECTED, the UE stores AS context. Unicast data is transmitted / received to / from the UE. At lower layers, the UE can be configured with UE-specific DRX. The UE monitors short messages transmitted with P-RNTI together with DCI (if configured); monitors control channels associated with shared data channels to determine whether data is scheduled for it; provides channel quality and feedback information; performs neighbor cell measurements and measurement reporting; acquires system information.

[0073] A NR-based 5G or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) consists of NG-RAN nodes, where the NG-RAN nodes are gNBs, providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE. The gNBs are also connected, via the NG interface, to a 5GC, more specifically to an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) over the NG-C interface and to a UPF (User Plane Function) over the NG-U interface. In a fifth generation (also referred to as NR or New Radio) wireless communication system, a UE can use discontinuous reception (DRX) in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE state in order to reduce power consumption. In RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE wakes up for a short time at regular intervals (i.e. every DRX cycle) to receive paging, to receive SI update notifications and to receive emergency notifications. Paging messages are transmitted using the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). If there is a paging message in the PDSCH, the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is addressed to P-RNTI. The P-RNTI is common for all UEs. The UE identity (i.e. S-TMSI for RRC_IDLE UEs or I-RNTI for RRC_INACTIVE UEs) is included in the paging message to indicate paging for a specific UE. The paging message can include multiple UE identities to page multiple UEs. The paging message (i.e. PDCCH masked with P-RNTI) is broadcast over the data channel (i.e. PDSCH). SI update and emergency notifications are included in DCI and the PDCCH carrying this DCI is addressed to P-RNTI. In RRC IDLE / INACTIVE mode, the UE monitors one paging occasion (PO) per DRX cycle. In RRC IDLE / INACTIVE mode, the UE monitors the PO in the initial DL BWP. In RRC CONNECTED state, the UE monitors one or more POs to receive SI update notifications and to receive emergency notifications. The UE can monitor any PO in the paging DRX cycle and at least one PO in the SI modification period. In RRC IDLE / INACTIVE mode, the UE monitors the PO in its active DL BWP. A PO is a set of ‘S’ PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging, where ‘S’ is the number of SSBs (i.e. synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB) includes primary and secondary synchronization signals (PSS, SSS) and PBCH) transmitted in the cell. The UE first determines a paging frame (PF) and then determines the PO based on the determined PF. One PF is a radio frame (10 ms).

[0074] - The PF of a UE is a radio frame with system frame number ‘SFN’ that satisfies the equation (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N)*(UE_ID mod N).

[0075] - Index(i_s), which indicates the index of the PO is determined by i_s = floor(UE_ID / N) mod Ns.

[0076] - T is the DRX cycle of the UE.

[0077] * In RRC_INACTIVE state, T is determined by the shortest of the UE specific DRX value configured by RRC, the UE specific DRX value configured by NAS and the default DRX value broadcasted in system information.

[0078] * In RRC_IDLE state, T is determined by the shortest of the UE specific DRX value configured by NAS and the default DRX value broadcasted in system information. If the UE specific DRX is not configured by upper layer (i.e. NAS), the default value is applied.

[0079] - N: total number of paging frames in T

[0080] - Ns: number of paging occasions of a PF

[0081] - PF_offset: offset used for PF determination

[0082] - UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0083] - The length of the parameters Ns, nAndPagingFrameOffset and default DRX cycle are signaled in SIB1. The values of N and PF_offset are derived from the parameter nAndPagingFrameOffset. If the UE does not have 5G-S-TMSI, for example when the UE has not registered onto the network, the UE will use UE_ID = 0 as the default identity in the above PF and i_s formula.

[0084] - The PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging are determined based on the paging search space configuration signaled by gNB (pagingSearchSpace indicates the search space identifier of the search space configuration that will be used to monitor PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in PO).

[0085] - When SearchSpaceId = 0 is configured for pagingSearchSpace, the PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging are the same as for RMSI (i.e. SIB1). When SearchSpaceId = 0 is configured for pagingSearchSpace, Ns is 1 or 2. For Ns = 1, there is only one PO which starts from the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging in the PF. For Ns = 2, the PO is located in the first half frame (i_s = 0) or the second half frame (i_s = 1) of the PF. A radio frame consists of two half frames, where the duration of each half frame is 5 milliseconds.

[0086] - When SearchSpaceId other than 0 is configured for pagingSearchSpace, UE monitors the (i_s+1)th PO. The PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging are determined based on the paging search space configuration (pagingSearchSpace) signaled by gNB. The PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging that do not overlap with UL symbols (where UL symbols are determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon signaled by gNB in system information) are sequentially numbered from zero starting from the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging in a PF. gNB can signal a parameter firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO corresponding to each PO of a PF. When firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled, the (i_s+1)th PO is a set of 'S*X' consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging starting from the PDCCH monitoring occasion number indicated by firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO (i.e. the (i_s+1)th value of the firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO parameter). Otherwise, the (i_s+1)th PO is a set of 'S' consecutive PDCCH monitoring occasions for paging starting from the (i_s*S*X)th PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging. 'S' is the number of actual transmitted SSBs determined according to the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from gNB. The parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in SIB1 for paging in initial DL BWP. 'X' is the number of PDCCH monitoring occasions per SSB. If X is not signaled, the value of X is assumed to be 1. For paging in DL BWP other than initial DL BWP, the parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in the corresponding BWP configuration.

[0087] The PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI carries information according to DCI format 1_0. The following information is transmitted by DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI:

[0088] - Short message indicator - 2 bits, according to Table 1.

[0089] - Short message - 8 bits, according to Table 2. This bit field is reserved if only scheduling information for paging is carried.

[0090] - Frequency domain resource allocation bits. If only short message is carried, this bit field is reserved.

[0091] is the size of CORESET 0

[0092] - Time domain resource allocation - 4 bits. If only short message is carried, this bit field is reserved.

[0093] - VRB to PRB mapping - 1 bit. If only short message is carried, this bit field is reserved.

[0094] - Modulation and coding scheme - 5 bits. If only short message is carried, this bit field is reserved.

[0095] - TB scaling - 2 bits. If only short message is carried, this bit field is reserved.

[0096] - Reserved bits - 6 bits

[0097] The short message indicator corresponding to the bit field value is shown in Table 1.

[0098]

Table 1

[0099] Bit field Short message indicator 00 Reserved 01 Only scheduling information for paging exists in DCI 10 Only short message exists in DCI 11 Both scheduling information for paging and short message exist in DCI

[0100] Table 2 defines the short message. Bit 1 is the most significant bit.

[0101]

Table 2

[0102]

[0103]

[0104] One PO can be monitored by several UEs. As a result, if there is a paging message for a UE, several UEs will receive PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in the PO and they will receive and decode PDSCH. This increases the power consumption of the UE because the UE has to wake up to receive and decode PDSCH even if there is no paging message for the UE. The UE also has to wake up earlier to acquire several SSB bursts to decode PDSCH for paging message. Note that the UE can identify whether there is a paging for it by checking its UE ID in the paging message received in PDSCH.

[0105] In the present disclosure, in order to solve this problem, a method and apparatus for implementing paging operation in group / subgroup unit are proposed.

[0106] ​In various embodiments of the disclosure, UEs are grouped into ‘P’ paging groups (or paging subgroups). The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., a gNB can signal it in paging configuration or BWP configuration in system information or in RRC signaling messages (e.g., RRC release message, RRCReconfiguration message); an AMF can signal it in NAS messages). The parameter ‘P’ can also be implicitly known from the size of the list of paging groups / subgroups information.

[0107] The gNB indicates the paging group / subgroup in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI.

[0108] The UE determines its PF and PO as described earlier. The UE monitors the determined PO, i.e., the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in the PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) of the determined PO.

[0109] When receiving the PDCCH scheduling the paging message addressed to P-RNTI, if the DCI / short message in the received PDCCH includes its paging group / subgroup, the UE receives and decodes the TB for the paging message in the scheduled PDSCH resource for the paging message, where the scheduled PDSCH resource for the paging message is indicated by the DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB for the paging message in the scheduled PDSCH resource for the paging message. In an embodiment, if the received DCI in the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI includes the scheduling information for paging, the UE checks whether the DCI includes its paging group / subgroup. If the DCI includes its paging group / subgroup, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information. Otherwise, it does not receive and decode the TB.

[0110] Method 1 (grouping / subgrouping based on paging arrival rate, where paging arrival rate is indicated by CN (e.g. AMF), and mapping between paging arrival rate and paging group / subgroup is indicated by gNB) Figure 1 :

[0111] Figure 1 An example flow illustrating UE operation with respect to paging group / subgroup based on paging arrival rate indicated by the network, according to the method of the disclosure, is shown. Figure 1 The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Figure 1 The scope of the disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0112] - UEs are grouped into 'P' paging groups / subgroups. The parameter 'P' can be predefined. The parameter 'P' can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal the parameter 'P' in the paging configuration or in the BWP configuration received in the system information or RRC signaling messages (e.g., RRC release message, RRC configuration message)); AMF can signal the parameter in the NAS message) or can be implicitly known.

[0113] - Grouping based on the paging arrival rate (also referred to as the paging rate, i.e., the number of pages per unit time / per interval). The paging arrival rate of a UE is informed to the UE (110) by the core network (i.e., AMF using NAS message). The core network can determine the paging arrival rate of a UE based on past history of UE paging, based on traffic characteristics, based on assistance information from the UE, etc.

[0114] - The mapping between the paging groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate is informed to the UE by the gNB (e.g., in the system information or in the RRC signaling messages or in the paging configuration) (120). The mapping between the paging groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate can be BWP specific (signaled separately for each BWP that supports paging) or cell specific (i.e., common for all BWPs of a cell). There can be one-to-one mapping between the paging groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, one paging group / subgroup can be associated with multiple paging arrival rates. Alternatively, one paging group can be associated with a range of paging arrival rates. The mapping information can be signaled as a list, where

[0115] *A) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate]

[0116] *B) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, one or more paging arrival rates]

[0117] *C) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate minimum, paging arrival rate maximum]. The paging group / subgroup identity of a UE whose paging arrival rate is between the paging arrival rate minimum and the paging arrival rate maximum.

[0118] *D) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity 'i'. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity 'i+1'. The entries in the list are numbered sequentially starting from zero or starting from one.

[0119] * E) Each entry in the list includes [one or more paging arrival rates]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0120] * F) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate minimum, paging arrival rate maximum]. The paging group / subgroup identity of the UE whose paging arrival rate is between paging arrival rate minimum and paging arrival rate maximum. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0121] - The UE determines its paging group / subgroup based on the information received from the core network and gNB (130).

[0122] - The UE determines its PF and PO as described before and monitors the determined PO (i.e., one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions of the PO) (140).

[0123] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e., AMF) sends the paging arrival rate of the UE to the gNB together with the paging message. The gNB identifies the paging group / subgroup of the UE based on the mapping between the paging group and the paging arrival rate.

[0124] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information of the UE to the NG-RAN node (i.e., gNB). The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, the periodic registration update timer, and the UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the paging arrival rate of the UE. This is used by the gNB to identify the paging group of the UE for RAN paging. The gNB identifies the paging group / subgroup of the UE based on the mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, the UE can inform (e.g., in the UE assistance information message) its paging group / subgroup to the RAN before the RRC connection is released.

[0125] - The gNB indicates the paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH transmitted in the PO addressed to P-RNTI (150). The paging group(s) / subgroup(s) correspond to the UE(s) being paged. The paging group(s) / subgroup(s) can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0126] * Option 1: Only one paging group / subgroup ID (the UE operates in Figure 2 is shown in the following)

[0127] ** 1-1: The paging group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0128] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO (140).

[0129] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0130] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0131] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0132] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI (150). The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message. After receiving PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI, the UE identifies whether paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI (160).

[0133] *** If the paging group / subgroup ID is not present, the UE receives and decodes TB in PDSCH resources according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI (165).

[0134] ***If the paging group / subgroup ID is present, the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE's paging group / subgroup ID (170). If the UE belongs to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE's paging group / subgroup ID), the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (180). If the paging group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE's paging group ID), the UE does not receive and decode the TB in the PDSCH resource according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI (175).

[0135] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE's paging group / subgroup, or if the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB.

[0136] **1-2: Alternatively, multiple P-RNTIs can be used (UE operation as shown in Figure 2

[0137] Figure 2 An example flow of UE operation for paging grouping using multiple P-RNTIs based on paging arrival rate indicated by the network is shown (redundant description for Option 1-1 (reference numerals 210, 220, 230) is omitted) according to the methods of the present disclosure. Figure 2 The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Method 2 (grouping based on paging arrival rate, where paging arrival rate is indicated by UE to CN, and mapping between paging arrival rate and paging group / subgroup is indicated by gNB): The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0138] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (first P-RNTI) and legacy P-RNTI (second P-RNTI) in its PO (240). In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0139] ***The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 or legacy P-RNTI (250).

[0140] ***The paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.​

[0141] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is not included in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to the legacy P-RNTI.

[0142] *** If the UE receives the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI 1 (260), the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI / short message matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (270). If the UE belongs to the paging group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI 1 (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information of the paging message in the received DCI (280). If the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode the TB (275).

[0143] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information of the paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB.

[0144] *** If the UE receives the PDCCH addressed to the legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the paging message according to the scheduling information of the paging message in the received DCI (265).

[0145] * Option 2: List of paging group / subgroup IDs

[0146] ** 2-1: The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is optional in the DCI or short message.

[0147] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the pre-defined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0148] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0149] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0150] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0151] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0152] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs does not exist, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0153] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs exists and UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs exists and UE does not belong to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, UE does not receive and decode TB.

[0154] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0155] **2-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0156] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0157] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0158] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0159] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, and if the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for paging message in the received DCI. If the UE does not belong to one of the indicated paging groups / subgroups, the UE does not receive and decode TB.

[0160] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for paging message in the received DCI.

[0161] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes paging message according to the scheduling information for paging message in the received DCI.

[0162] Option 3: Paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in DCI or short message

[0163] 3-1: Paging group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0164] *** Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different paging group / subgroup. The mapping between bits in the bitmap and paging group / subgroup can be predefined. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth most significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth least significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the least significant bit to the most significant bit

[0165] *** The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of paging groups / subgroups.

[0166] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0167] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0168] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0169] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0170] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to a P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0171] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0172] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0173] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups is set, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0174] **3-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0175] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0176] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0177] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0178] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI

[0179] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set, the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0180] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message in the received DCI.

[0181] -Alternatively, instead of indicating paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent by gNB in PO, different P-RNTIs can be reserved for different paging groups / subgroups. The gNB uses PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI specific to the paging group / subgroup the paged UE(s) belong to. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI corresponding to its paging group / subgroup.

[0182] *In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID or P-RNTI can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI of its paging group / subgroup and P-RNTI of common paging group / subgroup.

[0183] In an embodiment, paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of paging arrival rate in the operation(s) of Method 1 described above. In the description, paging arrival rate can be replaced by paging probability (or paging probability threshold).

[0184] Figure 3 Figure 3

[0185] Figure 3 An example flow of UE operation on paging group / subgroup based on paging arrival rate indicated by UE according to the method of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Figure 4 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic device.

[0186] -UEs are grouped into 'P' paging groups / subgroups. The parameter 'P' can be predefined. The parameter 'P' can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal in paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message (e.g., in RRC release message or RRCReconfiguration message)), or can be implicitly known.

[0187] - Grouping based on the paging arrival rate (also referred to as the paging rate, i.e., the number of pages per unit time / per interval). The paging arrival rate of a UE is informed to the CN by the UE (i.e., using NAS messages) (310).

[0188] - The mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate is informed to the UE by the gNB (e.g., in system information or in RRC signaling messages or in paging configuration) (320). The mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate can be BWP-specific (signaled separately for each BWP that supports paging) or cell-specific (i.e., common for all BWPs of a cell). There can be a one-to-one mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, one paging group / subgroup can be associated with multiple paging arrival rates. Alternatively, one paging group / subgroup can be associated with a range of paging arrival rates. The mapping information can be signaled as a list, where

[0189] * A) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate]

[0190] * B) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, one or more paging arrival rates]

[0191] * C) Each entry in the list includes [paging group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate minimum, paging arrival rate maximum]. The paging group / subgroup identity of the UE whose paging arrival rate is between the paging arrival rate minimum and the paging arrival rate maximum.

[0192] * D) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’. Each entry in the list is sequentially numbered.

[0193] * E) Each entry in the list includes [one or more paging arrival rates]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’. Each entry in the list is sequentially numbered.

[0194] * F) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate minimum, paging arrival rate maximum]. The paging group / subgroup identity of the UE whose paging arrival rate is between the paging arrival rate minimum and the paging arrival rate maximum. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the paging group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’. Each entry in the list is sequentially numbered.

[0195] - The UE determines its paging group / subgroup based on its paging arrival rate and information received from the gNB (330).

[0196] - The UE determines its PF and PO as described earlier and monitors the determined PO (i.e., one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions of the PO) (340).

[0197] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e., AMF) sends the UE’s paging arrival rate to the gNB along with the paging message. The gNB identifies the UE’s paging group / subgroup based on the mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate.

[0198] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node (i.e., gNB). The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, periodic registration update timer, and UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the UE’s paging arrival rate. This is used by the gNB to identify the UE’s paging group / subgroup for RAN paging. The gNB identifies the UE’s paging group / subgroup based on the mapping between the paging group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, the UE can inform the RAN (e.g., in the UE assistance information message) its paging group / subgroup before the RRC connection is released

[0199] - The gNB indicates the paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI in the PO (350). The paging group(s) / subgroup(s) can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0200] * Option 1: Only one paging group / subgroup ID is indicated (the UE operates in Figure 4 is shown in the middle)

[0201] ** 1-1: The paging group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0202] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the pre-defined P-RNTI in its PO (340).

[0203] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0204] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0205] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0206] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI (350). The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message. After receiving PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI, UE identifies whether paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI (360).

[0207] *** If paging group / subgroup ID is not present, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (365).

[0208] *** If paging group / subgroup ID is present, UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (370). If the UE belongs to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (380). If the paging group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (375).

[0209] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup, or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0210] **1-2: Alternatively, multiple P-RNTIs (UE operation as in Figure 4

[0211] Figure 4 An example flow of UE operation with respect to paging group / subgroup with multiple P-RNTIs based on the paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the method of the present disclosure is shown (redundant description with respect to Option 1-1 (reference numerals 410, 420, 430) is omitted). Method 3 (grouping by network (e.g. AMF in CN), where paging group / subgroup is indicated by network (e.g. AMF in CN). UE can inform its paging arrival rate or other assistance information (e.g. UE type or power class of UE, etc.) to CN to determine paging group / subgroup): The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Figure 5 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0212] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO (440). In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0213] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 or legacy P-RNTI (450).

[0214] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0215] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0216] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (460), the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI / short message matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (470). If the UE belongs to the paging group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (480). If the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode the TB (475).

[0217] ​****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in PDCCH belongs to the paging group / subgroup of the UE, or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0218] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message (465).

[0219] *Option 2: Indicate a list of paging group / subgroup IDs

[0220] **2-1: The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is optional in DCI or short message.

[0221] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0222] ****(Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0223] ****(Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0224] ****(Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0225] *** The UE receives a PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0226] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0227] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and the UE does not belong to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0228] *** In an embodiment, one paging group subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging group subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0229] ** 2-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0230] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0231] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0232] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0233] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and if the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the UE does not belong to one of the indicated paging groups / subgroups, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0234] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0235] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE decodes the paging message.

[0236] Option 3: Paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in DCI or short message

[0237] 3-1: Paging group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0238] ***Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different paging group / subgroup. The mapping between the bits in the bitmap and the paging group / subgroup can be predefined. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth most significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth least significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the least significant bit to the most significant bit.

[0239] ***The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of paging groups / subgroups.

[0240] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0241] ****(Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0242] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0243] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0244] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0245] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is not present, UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0246] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0247] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups is set, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message

[0248] **3-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0249] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0250] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0251] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0252] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and the bit corresponding to the UE’s paging group / subgroup in the bitmap in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the bit corresponding to the UE’s paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e., equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0253] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0254] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0255] - Alternatively, instead of indicating paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent by gNB in PO, different P-RNTIs can be reserved for different paging groups / subgroups. The gNB uses PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI specific to the paging group / subgroup that the paged UE(s) belong to. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI corresponding to its paging group / subgroup.

[0256] * In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID or P-RNTI can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to its paging group / subgroup P-RNTI and common paging group / subgroup P-RNTI.

[0257] In an embodiment, in the operation(s) of Method 2 above, paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of paging arrival rate. In the description, paging arrival rate can be replaced by paging probability (or paging probability threshold).

[0258] Network (e.g. AMF in CN) Figure 5

[0259] Figure 5 An example flow of UE operation for paging grouping is shown with respect to the paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure. or other assistance information (e.g. UE type or power class of UE, etc.) Figure 5 An example flow of UE operation for paging grouping is shown with respect to the paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure. Figure 6 The flow embodiments shown are for illustration only. Figure 6 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0260] - UEs are grouped into ‘P’ paging groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal the parameter ‘P’ in paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message (e.g., RRC release message or RRCReconfiguration message)); AMF can signal the parameter ‘P’ in NAS message or can be implicitly known.

[0261] - Grouping is done by the network (e.g., AMF in CN). The paging group / subgroup of a UE is informed to the UE by the core network (i.e., AMF using NAS message) (510). In an embodiment, the paging arrival rate (also called paging rate, i.e., number of pages per unit time / interval) of a UE is informed to the CN (i.e., using NAS message) and the CN uses it to determine the paging group / subgroup of the UE. In an embodiment, grouping can be done by the radio access network (e.g., gNB) and informed to the UE. Figure 6 - Grouping is done by the network (e.g., AMF in CN). The paging group / subgroup of a UE is informed to the UE by the core network (i.e., AMF using NAS message) (510). In an embodiment, the paging arrival rate (also called paging rate, i.e., number of pages per unit time / interval) of a UE is informed to the CN (i.e., using NAS message) and the CN uses it to determine the paging group / subgroup of the UE. In an embodiment, grouping can be done by the radio access network (e.g., gNB) and informed to the UE.

[0262] - The UE determines its PF and PO as described earlier and monitors the determined PO (i.e., one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions of the PO) (520).

[0263] - In case of CN paging, the paging group / subgroup of the UE is sent by the CN (i.e., AMF) to the gNB along with the paging message.

[0264] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node (i.e. gNB). The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, periodic registration update timer and UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the paging group / subgroup of the UE. Alternatively, the UE can inform its paging group / subgroup to the RAN before the RRC connection is released.

[0265] - The gNB indicates the paging group(s) / subgroup(s) of the UE in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI transmitted in the PO (530). The paging group / subgroup can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0266] * Option 1: Only one paging group / subgroup ID is indicated (UE operates as Figure 6 shown)

[0267] ** 1-1: The paging group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0268] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO (520).

[0269] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0270] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0271] ****(Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0272] ***UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI (530). The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message. After receiving PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI, UE identifies whether paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI (540).

[0273] ***If paging group / subgroup ID is not present, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (545).

[0274] ***If paging group / subgroup ID is present, UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (550). If the UE belongs to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (560). If the paging group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), UE does not receive and decode TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (555).

[0275] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0276] **1-2: Alternatively, multiple P-RNTIs can be used (UE operation as shown in Method 4 (grouping by UE itself, where paging group / subgroup is determined based on some bits of UE

[0277] ID): An example flow of UE operation for paging grouping using multiple P-RNTIs by the network (e.g., AMF in the CN) based on the paging arrival rate indicated by the UE according to the methods of the present disclosure is shown (redundant description regarding Option 1-1 (reference number 610) is omitted). Figure 7 ​The illustrated flow embodiment is for illustration only. Figure 7 The scope of the disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of an electronic device.

[0278] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO (620). In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0279] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 or legacy P-RNTI (630).

[0280] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0281] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0282] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (640), the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI / short message matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (650). If the UE belongs to the paging group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (660). If the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message (655).

[0283] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message.

[0284] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message (645).

[0285] * Option 2: List of paging group / subgroup IDs

[0286] **2-1: List of paging group / subgroup IDs is optional in DCI or short message.

[0287] *** UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0288] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0289] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0290] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0291] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. DCI includes scheduling information for paging message.

[0292] *** If list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not present, UE decodes TB according to scheduling information for paging message.

[0293] *** If list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, UE receives and decodes TB according to scheduling information for paging message. If list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and UE does not belong to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, UE does not receive and decode TB.

[0294] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0295] **2-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0296] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0297] ***The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0298] ***The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0299] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, and if the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the UE does not belong to one of the indicated paging groups / subgroups, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0300] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0301] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0302] **3-1: Paging group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0303] *** Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different paging group / subgroup. The mapping between bits in the bitmap and paging groups / subgroups can be predefined.

[0304] *** The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of paging groups / subgroups. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth most significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth least significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the least significant bit to the most significant bit.

[0305] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0306] **** The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0307] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0308] **** The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j equals zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j equals 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0309] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to a P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for a paging message.

[0310] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is not present, the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0311] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0312] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0313] **3-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0314] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) and the UE supports paging group, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0315] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0316] *** The paging group / subgroup bitmap is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0317] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0318] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0319] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB of the paging message according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0320] - Alternatively, instead of indicating the paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent by gNB in PO, different P-RNTIs can be reserved for different paging groups / subgroups. The gNB uses PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI specific to the paging group / subgroup the paged UE(s) belong to. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI corresponding to its paging group / subgroup.

[0321] *In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID or P-RNTI can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI of its paging group / subgroup and P-RNTI of common paging group / subgroup.

[0322] In an embodiment, in the operation(s) of Method 1 above, paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of paging arrival rate. The same description is applicable by using paging probability (or paging probability threshold) instead of paging arrival rate.

[0323] In an embodiment, in the inactive state, the paging group / subgroup can be decided by RAN independently and indicated to the UE during RRC connection release (can be updated during RAN update).

[0324] *Alt 1: In the inactive state, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by RAN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by RAN) in DCI / short message). In the idle state, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by CN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by CN) in DCI / short message).

[0325] * Alt 2: In the inactive state, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for paging groups / subgroups indicated by RAN and CN. In the idle state, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for paging groups / subgroups indicated by CN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by CN) in DCI / short message).

[0326] Alt 3: If paging groups / subgroups are assigned by RAN, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for paging groups / subgroups indicated by RAN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by RAN) in DCI / short message). If paging groups / subgroups are not assigned by RAN, and if paging groups / subgroups are assigned by CN, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI for paging groups / subgroups indicated by CN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by CN) in DCI / short message).

[0327] * In DCI / short message, CN and RAN paging groups / subgroups use separate fields, or

[0328] * In DCI / short message, CN and RAN paging groups / subgroups use the same field.

[0329] ** Paging groups / subgroups ID space is divided into RAN paging groups / subgroups and CN paging groups / subgroups. Alternatively, different P-RNTIs can be used for CN and RAN paging instead of dividing paging groups / subgroups ID space

[0330] Figure 1 Figure 7

[0331] Figure 8 An example flow of UE operation of paging groups / subgroups based on some bits of UE ID by the UE itself according to the method of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Figure 8 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0332] - The UEs are grouped into ‘P’ paging groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., a gNB can signal in paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message (e.g., RRC release message or RRCReconfiguration message, etc.).

[0333] - The UE identifies its paging group / subgroup based on ‘X’ bits of its UE ID (710). The UE_ID can be one of the following:

[0334] * UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0335] * UE_ID: IMSI mod 1024

[0336] * UE_ID can be any other UE identity

[0337] - X = log2(P). For example, if there are 8 paging groups, X = 3.

[0338] - Y = log2(N*Ns), where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. x Lsb starting from the (Y+1)th Lsb of UE_ID indicates the paging group / subgroup of the UE, or is the paging group / subgroup identity of the UE. For example, if N = 16, Ns = 4, P = 8, (bit 9 bit 8 bit 7) indicates the paging group / subgroup of the UE.

[0339] - In an embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of the UE = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID P can be a common paging group / subgroup. For example, if P is 5, the paging group / subgroup ID of the UE will be one of 0 to 4. Paging group / subgroup ID 5 is a common paging group. In an embodiment, ‘N*Ns’ in the above equation can be replaced by ‘N*Ns*M’, where parameter M indicates the number of groups the UE is divided into for wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring.

[0340] - In an embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of the UE = 1+[(UE_ID / N*Ns) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be a common paging group / subgroup. For example, if P is 5, the paging group / subgroup ID of the UE will be one of 1 to 5. Paging group / subgroup ID 0 is a common paging group / subgroup. In an embodiment, ‘N*Ns’ in the above equation can be replaced by ‘N*Ns*M’, where parameter M indicates the number of groups the UE is divided into for wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring.

[0341] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID / N) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID P can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0342] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1+[(UE_ID / N) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0343] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID) mod P. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID P can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0344] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1+[(UE_ID) mod P]. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0345] - The UE determines its PF and PO as described before and monitors the determined PO (i.e., one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions of the PO) (720).

[0346] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e., AMF) sends the UE ID to the gNB along with the paging message. The gNB uses the UE_ID to determine the paging group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0347] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, periodic registration update timer, and UE identity index value (UE_ID), etc. The gNB uses the UE_ID to determine the paging group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0348] - The gNB indicates the paging group / subgroup in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent in the PO (730). The paging group / subgroup can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0349] * Option 1: Only one paging group / subgroup ID is indicated (the UE operates as Figure 8 shown)

[0350] ** 1-1: The paging group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0351] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in PO (720).

[0352] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI (730). The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message. After receiving PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI, the UE identifies whether paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI (740).

[0353] *** If the paging group / subgroup ID is not present, the UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (745).

[0354] *** If the paging group / subgroup ID is present, the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (750). If the UE belongs to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (760). If the paging group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message (755).

[0355] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message.

[0356] **1-2: Alternatively, multiple P-RNTIs can be used (UE operation as Method 5 (grouping by UE itself, P paging groups / subgroups per P-RNTI, multiple P-RNTIs): shown):

[0357] Figure 9 An example flow of UE operation for paging grouping by the UE itself using multiple P-RNTIs based on some bits of the UE ID according to the method of the present disclosure is shown (redundant description for option 1-1 is omitted (reference numeral 810 is omitted). Figure 9 The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Figure 9 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0358] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO (820). In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0359] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 or legacy P-RNTI (830).

[0360] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0361] *** The paging group / subgroup ID is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0362] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (840), the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI / short message matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID (850). If the UE belongs to the paging group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (860). If the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e., the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message (855).

[0363] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s paging group / subgroup or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB of the paging message.

[0364] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes TB of the paging message (845).

[0365] Option 2: List of paging group / subgroup IDs is indicated

[0366] 2-1: The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is optional in the DCI or short message.

[0367] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0368] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0369] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not present, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0370] *** If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present and the UE does not belong to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message.

[0371] **** In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message.

[0372] ** 2-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0373] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0374] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0375] *** The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0376] *** If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and if the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the UE does not belong to one of the indicated paging groups / subgroups, the UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message.

[0377] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0378] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB of the paging message.

[0379] *Option 3: Paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in DCI or short message

[0380] **3-1: Paging group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0381] ***Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different paging group / subgroup. The mapping between the bits in the bitmap and the paging groups / subgroups can be predefined. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth most significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth least significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the least significant bit to the most significant bit.

[0382] ***The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of paging groups / subgroups.

[0383] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0384] ***The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0385] ***If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0386] ***If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group in the bitmap is not set (i.e., equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0387] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0388] **3-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0389] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports paging group(s) / subgroup(s) and the UE supports paging group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0390] ***The paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0391] ***The paging group / subgroup bitmap is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0392] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e., equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0393] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0394] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the TB of the paging message.

[0395] - Alternatively, instead of a short message or DCI indicating paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent by gNB in PO, different P-RNTIs can be reserved for different paging groups / subgroups. gNB uses PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI specific to the paging group / subgroup the paged UE(s) belong to. UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI corresponding to its paging group / subgroup.

[0396] * In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID or P-RNTI can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI of its paging group / subgroup and P-RNTI of common paging group / subgroup.

[0397] Figure 9

[0398] Method six: An example flow of UE operation with respect to paging grouping by UE itself using multiple P-RNTIs according to the method of the present disclosure is shown. Method 7: The shown flow embodiments are for illustration only. Figure 10-17 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic devices.

[0399] - UEs are grouped into ‘P’ paging groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal the parameter ‘P’ in paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message (e.g., RRCRelease message or RRCReconfiguration message)).

[0400] - UE determines P-RNTI to monitor in PO based on paging configuration (910).

[0401] - UE identifies its paging group / subgroup based on its UE ID (920). The UE ID can be one of the following:

[0402] * UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0403] * UE_ID: IMSI mod 1024

[0404] * UE_ID can be any other UE identity

[0405] - In an embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID / N*Ns*R) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames, Ns is the number of POs per paging frame, and R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. R can be predefined or configured by gNB. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0406] * The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0407] - In an embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1+[(UE_ID / N*Ns*R) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames, and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group / subgroup.

[0408] * The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0409] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID / N*R) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID P can be the common paging group / subgroup. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging

[0410] * The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0411] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1 + [(UE_ID / N*R) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging

[0412] * The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0413] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID / R) mod P. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID P can be the common paging group. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging

[0414] * The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0415] - In an alternative embodiment, the paging group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1 + [(UE_ID / R) mod P]. In this case, paging group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common paging group. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for paging

[0416] * The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0417] - In an embodiment, ‘N*Ns’ in the above equation can be replaced by ‘N*Ns*M’, where parameter M indicates the number of groups / subgroups that the UEs are divided into for wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring.

[0418] - The UE determines its PF and PO as described before and monitors the determined PO (i.e., one or more PDCCH monitoring occasions of the PO) (930).

[0419] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e. AMF) sends the UE ID together with the paging message to the gNB. The gNB determines the paging group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0420] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, periodic registration update timer, and UE identity index value (UE_ID), etc. The gNB determines the paging group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0421] - The gNB indicates the paging group(s) / subgroup(s) in the short message or DCI in the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent in the PO (940). The paging group(s) / subgroup(s) can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0422] * Option 1: Only one paging group / subgroup ID is indicated (UE operates as Figure 10-17 shown)

[0423] ** 1-1: The paging group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0424] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO (as determined above) (930).

[0425] *** The UE receives the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI (940). The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message. After receiving the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI, the UE identifies whether the paging group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI (950).

[0426] *** If the paging group / subgroup ID is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (955).

[0427] *** If the paging group / subgroup ID is present, the UE identifies whether the paging group ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group ID (960). If the UE belongs to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e. the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message (970). If the paging group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated paging group / subgroup (i.e. the paging group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s paging group / subgroup ID), the UE does not receive and decode the TB (965).

[0428] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the paging group / subgroup ID in PDCCH belongs to the paging group / subgroup of the UE, or is the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB.

[0429] *Option 2: List of paging group / subgroup IDs is indicated

[0430] **2-1: The list of paging group / subgroup IDs is optional in DCI or short message.

[0431] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO (as determined above).

[0432] ***The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0433] ***If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is not present, the UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0434] ***If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present, and the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the list of paging group / subgroup IDs is present, and the UE does not belong to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, the UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message.

[0435] ****In an embodiment, one paging group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the UE belongs to one of the paging groups / subgroups indicated in the list, or the list includes the reserved paging group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode TB for the paging message.

[0436] *Option 3: Paging group / subgroup bitmap is included in DCI or short message

[0437] **3-1: The paging group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0438] ***Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different paging group / subgroup. The mapping between bits in the bitmap and paging groups / subgroups can be predefined.

[0439] ***The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of paging groups / subgroups.

[0440] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO (as determined above).

[0441] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0442] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is not present, the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0443] *** If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the paging group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0444] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group / subgroup or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups / subgroups in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0445] Figure 10-17

[0446] - Group the UEs into 'P' paging groups / subgroups (the grouping mechanism can be as described in Method 1, Method 2, Method 3, Method 4 or Method 5)

[0447] - The POs in a DRX cycle are distributed among the paging groups / subgroups

[0448] * The number of POs in a DRX cycle = X = N*Ns, N is the number of PFs and Ns is the number of POs per PF.

[0449] * The number of POs per paging group / subgroup = Y = X / P

[0450] * The i-th PO in a DRX cycle belongs to the 'i mod P'th paging group / subgroup, where each PO in a DRX cycle is sequentially indexed

[0451] - The POs belonging to the same paging group / subgroup are then assigned to the UEs based on the UE ID

[0452] * The UE's PO is the PO indexed as 'i', where I = UE's paging group / subgroup id + P*(UE ID mod Y)

[0453] *Examples

[0454] **X = 8 POs in a DRX cycle; p = 4; Y = 2

[0455] **Paging group / subgroup 0: POs with indices 0, 4 (0 for UE ID mod Y = 0, 4 for UE ID mod Y = 1)

[0456] **Paging group / subgroup 1: POs with indices 1, 5 (1 for UE ID mod Y = 0, 5 for UE ID mod Y = 1)

[0457] **Paging group / subgroup 2: POs with indices 2, 6 (2 for UE ID mod Y = 0, 6 for UE ID mod Y = 1)

[0458] **Paging group / subgroup 3: POs with indices 3, 7 (3 for UE ID mod Y = 0, 7 for UE ID mod Y = 1)

[0459] UE monitors the determined PO.

[0460] (Alternative)

[0461] - Group UEs into ‘P’ paging groups / subgroups (grouping mechanism can be as described in Method 1, Method 2, Method 3, Method 4 or Method 5)

[0462] - POs in a DRX cycle are distributed across paging groups / subgroups

[0463] *Number of POs in a DRX cycle = X = N*Ns, N is the number of PFs and Ns is the number of POs per PF.

[0464] *Number of POs per paging group / subgroup = Y = X / P

[0465] *Y POs starting from (paging group / subgroup ID ‘Q’*P)th PO in a DRX cycle belong to paging group / subgroup id Q; each PO in a DRX cycle is sequentially indexed

[0466] - POs belonging to the same paging group / subgroup are then assigned to UEs based on UE ID

[0467] *PO of a UE is the PO with index ‘i’ where i = P* paging group / subgroup ID of the UE + UE ID mod Y

[0468] Figure 10

[0469] The UE receives a wake-up signal or early paging indication configuration from a gNB for paging monitoring. The configuration can be received in system information or RRC signaling message. In an embodiment, the configuration is cell-specific and the UE applies the configuration to the DL BWP in which the UE monitors paging (e.g., when the UE is in RRC IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the DL BWP is the initial DL BWP). In an embodiment, the configuration is BWP-specific, i.e., a separate configuration is provided for each BWP that supports paging. In an embodiment, the configuration is provided only for the initial DL BWP and the UE uses the configuration to receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication in the initial DL BWP. In this case, the UE does not monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication in other DL BWPs. The configuration indicates time occasions (or wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions) and / or frequency domain resources (i.e., PRBs). The time occasions can be in units of symbols or slots. If the wake-up signal or early paging indication is sequence-based, the configuration indicates wake-up signal or early paging indication sequence information for the gNB / UE to transmit / receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication, respectively. The length of one wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasion in number of OFDM symbols, the number of wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions per slot, the number of slots carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions, the offset of the first slot carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions, where the offset is relative to the start of the PF or the start of the PO. Note that the wake-up signal or early paging indication is before the PF / PO. In an embodiment, the wake-up signal or early paging indication can be a PDCCH addressed to a pre-defined RNTI or a RNTI for early paging indication signaled by the gNB. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion can also be referred to as a PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication. The PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication can be indicated by search space parameters. The gNB can signal a list of search space configurations. The search configuration used to determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication can be signaled by the gNB. The gNB can indicate the search space ID of the search space configuration used to determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication.

[0470] In an embodiment, there can be a set of one or more wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. The UE monitors for the wake-up signal or the paging early indication or the PDCCH for early paging indication in the set of monitoring occasions. Each wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion or PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set is associated with an SSB. The set can be per paging frame or per paging occasion. If the set is per paging frame, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame will monitor the same set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. If the set is per PO, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame monitor different sets of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. Depending on the configuration, it is possible that several POs or PFs have the same set of wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication.

[0471] In an embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication comprises ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions. The parameters S and X are signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs and X is the number of monitoring occasions per SSB. If X is not signaled, X is assumed to be 1. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. The SSBs are sequentially mapped to the ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions such that each SSB is sequentially mapped to “X” monitoring occasions. For example, if there are 4 SSBs and X is equal to 2, the first two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the first transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the second transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the third transmitted SSB, and so on.

[0472] In another embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication consists of ‘S’ monitoring occasions. The parameter S is signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. Each transmitted SSB is mapped to these monitoring occasions in ascending order of SSB index.

[0473] The monitoring occasions overlapping with UL symbols are considered as invalid. The UE can identify the UL symbols based on the TDD configuration received from the gNB. The TDD configuration can be determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon received from the gNB in system information. The UE identifies its set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication from the valid monitoring occasions. In the following description, monitoring occasion refers to valid monitoring occasion.

[0474] In an embodiment, the monitoring occasions starting from the slot that is at an ‘offset’ before the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment) and between that slot and the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The ‘S*X’ or ‘S’ monitoring occasions arranged in ascending order are then used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication.

[0475] Figure 11 Various examples of a set of monitoring occasions according to the method of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 12 The examples shown are for illustration only. Figure 13 The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of the electronic device.

[0476] In an embodiment (as shown), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions that are at an offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are the monitoring occasions used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1. Figure 14 In an embodiment (as shown), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions that are at an offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are the monitoring occasions used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1.

[0477] Figure 15 In an embodiment (as shown), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions that are at an offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are the monitoring occasions used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1.

[0478] In another embodiment (as shown), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions that are at an offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are the monitoring occasions used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1. Figure 16 ​The valid monitoring occasions before PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by gNB. If monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of PF. The earliest set of 'S*X' valid monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion for monitoring wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication.

[0479] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the valid monitoring occasions within a timer interval (duration) before PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by gNB. If monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of PF. The earliest set of 'S*X' monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion for monitoring wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. The timer interval duration can be signaled by gNB, can be the timer interval between two PFs, or can be equal to SSB period, or can be equal to multiple of SSB period, where SSB period is signaled by gNB. Figure 17

[0480] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the valid monitoring occasions within a timer interval (duration) before PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by gNB. If monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of PF. The earliest set of 'S*X' monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion for monitoring wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. The timer interval duration can be signaled by gNB, can be the timer interval between two PFs, or can be equal to SSB period, or can be equal to multiple of SSB period, where SSB period is signaled by gNB. Method 8: Figure 10 In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the valid monitoring occasions within a timer interval (duration) before PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by gNB. If monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of PF. The earliest set of 'S*X' monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion for monitoring wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. The timer interval duration can be signaled by gNB, can be the timer interval between two PFs, or can be equal to SSB period, or can be equal to multiple of SSB period, where SSB period is signaled by gNB.

[0481] In another embodiment, the monitoring occasion for monitoring wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication is the first 'duration' time slots after an offset before PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) valid monitoring occasions. The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration time slots, where the duration and the periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0482] In another embodiment, the monitoring occasion for wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication is the same as the occasion where SSB is transmitted in time domain. In frequency domain, the PRBs for the monitoring occasion are frequency division multiplexed (FDMed) with SSB PRBs. The exact PRBs are signaled for the monitoring occasion signaled by gNB. As shown in FIG. 6. Figure 11 ​​As shown, the UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the monitoring occasion of the Nth SSB period before the start of the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). N can be predefined or signaled by the gNB. Alternatively, as Figure 12 As shown, the UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the monitoring occasion of the Nth SSB period after an offset before the start of the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). N can be predefined or signaled by the gNB.

[0483] The UE receives the paging configuration from the gNB in each DRX cycle and determines its PF / PO as described before.

[0484] The UE determines the wake-up signal occasion(s) or early paging indication monitoring occasion(s) or PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) for early paging indication corresponding to its determined PF / PO. If the wake-up signal is detected or the early paging indication is received or the PDCCH for early paging indication is received in the determined monitoring occasion, the UE monitors its PO or the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, the UE does not monitor the PO. This operation is performed by the UE for its PO in each DRX cycle.

[0485] Figure 13

[0486] The UE receives a wake-up signal or early paging indication configuration from a gNB for paging monitoring. The configuration can be received in system information or RRC signaling message. In an embodiment, the configuration is cell-specific and the UE applies the configuration to the DL BWP in which the UE monitors paging (e.g., when the UE is in RRC IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the DL BWP is the initial DL BWP). In an embodiment, the configuration is BWP-specific, i.e., a separate configuration is provided for each BWP that supports paging. In an embodiment, the configuration is provided only for the initial DL BWP and the UE uses the configuration to receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication in the initial DL BWP. In this case, the UE does not monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication in other DL BWPs. The configuration indicates the time occasions (or wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions) and / or frequency domain resources (i.e., PRBs). If the wake-up signal or early paging indication is sequence-based, the configuration indicates the wake-up signal or early paging indication sequence information used by the gNB / UE to transmit / receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication, respectively. The length of one wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasion in number of OFDM symbols, the number of wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions per slot, the number of slots carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions, the offset of the first slot carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions, where the offset is relative to the start of the PF or the start of the PO. Note that the wake-up signal or early paging indication is before the PF / PO. In an embodiment, the wake-up signal or early paging indication can be a PDCCH addressed to a pre-defined RNTI or a RNTI signaled by the gNB for early paging indication. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion can also be referred to as the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication. The PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication or wake-up signal can be indicated by search space parameters. The gNB can signal a list of search space configurations. The search configuration for the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication can be signaled by the gNB. The gNB can indicate the search space ID of the search space configuration for the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication.

[0487] In an embodiment, there can be a set of one or more wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. The UE monitors for the wake-up signal or the paging early indication or the PDCCH for early paging indication in the set of monitoring occasions. Each wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion or PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set is associated with an SSB. The set can be per paging frame or per paging occasion. If the set is per paging frame, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame will monitor the same set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. If the set is per PO, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame monitor different sets of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. Depending on the configuration, it is possible that several POs or PFs have the same set of wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication.

[0488] In an embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication comprises ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions. The parameters S and X are signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs and X is the number of monitoring occasions per SSB. If X is not signaled, X is assumed to be 1. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. The SSBs are sequentially mapped to the ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions such that each SSB is sequentially mapped to a subset of “X” monitoring occasions. For example, if there are 4 SSBs and X is equal to 2, the first two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the first transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the second transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the third transmitted SSB, and so on.

[0489] In another embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication consists of ‘S’ monitoring occasions. The parameter S is signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. Each transmitted SSB is mapped to these monitoring occasions in ascending order of SSB index.

[0490] The monitoring occasions overlapping with UL symbols are considered as invalid. The UE can identify the UL symbols based on the TDD configuration received from the gNB. The TDD configuration can be determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon received from the gNB in system information. The UE identifies its set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication from the valid monitoring occasions.

[0491] In an embodiment, the valid wake-up signal monitoring occasions starting from the slot that is at an ‘offset’ before the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment) and between that slot and the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The ‘S*X’ or ‘S’ monitoring occasions in ascending order are then used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication.

[0492] In an embodiment (as shown in FIG. 1), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions before the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) is the monitoring occasion used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1. Figure 14 In an embodiment (as shown in FIG. 2), the earliest set of ‘S*X’ valid monitoring occasions where the first monitoring occasion starts after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) is the monitoring occasion used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. In an embodiment, X is always 1.

[0493] Figure 15 In an embodiment (as shown in FIG. 3), the valid monitoring occasions before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by the gNB. If the monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of the PF. The earliest set of ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication.

[0494] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 4), the valid monitoring occasions before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by the gNB. If the monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of the PF. The earliest set of ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication. Figure 16 In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 5), the valid monitoring occasions before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first occasion number is signaled by the gNB. If the monitoring is per PO, the starting occasion number is sent for each PO of the PF. The earliest set of ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions starting from the first occasion is the monitoring occasion used to monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication.

[0495] Figure 17 ​​In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0496] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration. Method 9: or Figure 10 In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0497] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0498] In another embodiment, the monitoring occasions for the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the same as the occasions for transmitting SSB in time domain. In frequency domain, the PRBs for the monitoring occasions are frequency division multiplexed with the SSB PRBs. The exact PRBs are signaled for the monitoring occasions signaled by the gNB. As shown in FIG. 7, the UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the monitoring occasions of the Nth SSB period before the start of the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). N can be predefined or signaled by the gNB. Figure 11 Figure 12 ​The UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the Nth SSB period of monitoring occasions after the offset before the start of PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) as shown. N can be predefined or signaled by gNB.

[0499] The UE receives the paging configuration from the gNB in every DRX cycle and determines its PF / PO as described earlier.

[0500] The UE determines the wake-up signal occasion(s) or early paging indication monitoring occasion or PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication corresponding to its determined PF / PO. If the wake-up signal is detected or early paging indication is received or PDCCH for early paging indication is received in the determined monitoring occasion, the UE monitors its PO or the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, the UE does not monitor the PO. This operation is performed by the UE for its PO in every DRX cycle.

[0501] The paging transmission / reception by gNB / UE in PO follows the operation in Method 1 or Method 2 or Method 3 or Method 4 or Method 5.

[0502] Figure 13

[0503] The UE receives a wake-up signal or early paging indication configuration from a gNB for paging monitoring. The configuration can be received in system information or RRC signaling message. In an embodiment, the configuration is cell-specific and the UE applies the configuration to the DL BWP in which the UE monitors paging (e.g., when the UE is in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, the DL BWP is the initial DL BWP). In an embodiment, the configuration is BWP-specific, i.e., a separate configuration is provided for each BWP that supports paging. In an embodiment, the configuration is provided only for the initial DL BWP and the UE uses the configuration to receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication in the initial DL BWP. In this case, the UE does not monitor the wake-up signal or early paging indication in other DL BWPs. The configuration indicates the time occasion (or wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion) and / or the frequency domain resource (i.e., PRB). If the wake-up signal or early paging indication is sequence-based, the configuration indicates the wake-up signal or early paging indication sequence information used by the gNB / UE to transmit / receive the wake-up signal or early paging indication, respectively. The length of one wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasion in number of OFDM symbols, the number of wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasions per slot, the number of slots carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasion, the offset of the first slot carrying the wake-up signal or early paging indication monitoring occasion, where the offset is relative to the start of the PF or the start of the PO. Note that the wake-up signal or early paging indication is before the PF / PO. In an embodiment, the wake-up signal or early paging indication can be a PDCCH addressed to a pre-defined RNTI or a RNTI signaled by the gNB for early paging indication. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion can also be referred to as the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication. The PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication can be indicated by search space parameters. The gNB can signal a list of search space configurations. The search configuration of the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication can be signaled by the gNB. The gNB can indicate the search space ID of the search space configuration to be used for the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication.

[0504] In an embodiment, there can be a set of one or more wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. The UE monitors for the wake-up signal or the paging early indication or the PDCCH for early paging indication in the set of monitoring occasions. Each wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion or PDCCH monitoring occasion in the set is associated with an SSB. The set can be per paging frame or per paging occasion. If the set is per paging frame, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame will monitor the same set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. If the set is per PO, the UEs belonging to different POs of a paging frame monitor different sets of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication. Depending on the configuration, it is possible that several POs or PFs have the same set of wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication.

[0505] In an embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication comprises ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions. The parameters S and X are signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs and X is the number of monitoring occasions per SSB. If X is not signaled, X is assumed to be 1. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. The SSBs are sequentially mapped to the ‘S*X’ monitoring occasions such that each SSB is sequentially mapped to a subset of “X” monitoring occasions. For example, if there are 4 SSBs and X is equal to 2, the first two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the first transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the second transmitted SSB, the next two monitoring occasions in the set are mapped to the third transmitted SSB, and so on.

[0506] In another embodiment, the set of wake-up signal monitoring occasions or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication consists of ‘S’ monitoring occasions. The parameter S is signaled by the gNB. S is the number of transmitted SSBs. In an embodiment, ‘S’ is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined from the parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst signaled in SystemInformationBlock1 received from the gNB. Each transmitted SSB is mapped to these monitoring occasions in ascending order of SSB index.

[0507] Surveillance opportunities that overlap with UL symbols are considered invalid. The UE can identify UL symbols based on the TDD configuration received from the gNB. The TDD configuration can be determined based on the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon received from the gNB in ​​the system information. The UE identifies its wake-up signal surveillance opportunity, early paging indication surveillance opportunity, or PDCCH surveillance opportunity used for early paging indication from the valid surveillance opportunities.

[0508] In one embodiment, valid wake-up signal monitoring opportunities are sequentially numbered / indexed, starting from a time slot 'offset' before the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment) and between that time slot and the start of the PF (or PO in another embodiment). The 'S*X' or 'S' monitoring opportunities, arranged in ascending order, are then used to monitor wake-up signals or early paging indications or PDCCHs used for early paging indications.

[0509] In one embodiment (e.g.) Figure 14 As shown), the earliest set of 'S*X' valid monitoring opportunities prior to PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) is the monitoring opportunity for monitoring wake-up signals or early paging indications or PDCCHs for early paging indications. In one embodiment, X is always 1.

[0510] In one embodiment (e.g.) Figure 15 As shown), the earliest set of 'S*X' valid monitoring opportunities, starting after an offset prior to the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment), is the monitoring opportunity for monitoring wake-up signals or early paging indications, or for monitoring PDCCHs used for early paging indications. In one embodiment, X is always 1.

[0511] In another embodiment (e.g.) Figure 16 As shown), valid monitoring opportunities preceding the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) are sequentially numbered / indexed. The first opportunity number is signaled by the gNB. If monitoring is per PO, a starting opportunity number is sent for each PO of the PF. The earliest set of 'S*X' monitoring opportunities starting from the first opportunity is the monitoring opportunity for monitoring wake-up signals or early paging indications or PDCCHs for early paging indications.

[0512] In another embodiment (e.g.) Figure 17In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0513] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration. or other assistance information (e.g. or UE type or power class of UE, etc.) In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0514] In another embodiment (as shown in FIG. 6), the monitoring occasions for monitoring the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the first ‘duration’ slots after the offset before the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). The monitoring occasions for the search space occur periodically for the duration slots, where the duration and periodicity are configured in the search space configuration.

[0515] In another embodiment, the monitoring occasions for the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication are the same as the occasions where SSB is transmitted in time domain. In frequency domain, the PRBs for the monitoring occasions are frequency division multiplexed with the SSB PRBs. The exact PRBs are signaled for the monitoring occasions signaled by the gNB. As shown in FIG. 7, the UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the monitoring occasions of the Nth SSB period before the start of the PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment). N can be predefined or signaled by the gNB. Handling on-demand SI request in connected Scenario: ​The UE monitors the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication in the Nth SSB period monitoring occasion after the offset before the start of PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment) as shown. N can be predefined or signaled by gNB.

[0516] The multiple monitoring occasions for the wake-up signal or early paging indication or PDCCH for early paging indication can also be frequency division multiplexed in the frequency domain. All frequency division multiplexed monitoring occasions can be associated with the same SSB.

[0517] In an embodiment, the wake-up signal monitoring occasions (or early paging indication monitoring occasions or PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication and / or sequence) are further mapped to a wake-up signal monitoring group (may also be referred to as paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup).

[0518] The UE receives the paging configuration from the gNB in each DRX cycle and determines its PF / PO as explained before.

[0519] The UE determines the wake-up signal monitoring occasion(s) or early paging indication monitoring occasion(s) or PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) for early paging indication corresponding to its determined PF / PO.

[0520] In an embodiment, the UE determines the wake-up signal sequence and / or wake-up signal monitoring occasion corresponding to its wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup (and in an embodiment, common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup) to monitor. The wake-up signal monitoring group (or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup) can be determined by the UE and gNB in the same way as explained in methods 1 to 5. If the wake-up signal sequence is detected in the determined wake-up signal monitoring occasion(s), or early paging indication is received in the early paging indication monitoring occasion or in the PDCCH monitoring occasion for early paging indication, or the wake-up signal of the monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup is indicated in the DCI in the received PDCCH for early paging indication, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, the UE does not monitor the PO. This operation is performed by the UE for its PO in each DRX cycle. If there are multiple transmitted SSBs, the UE does not have to monitor the wake-up signal monitoring occasion(s) or early paging indication monitoring occasion(s) or PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) corresponding to each SSB. It can monitor the wake-up signal monitoring occasion or early paging indication monitoring occasion or PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponding to the best suitable SSB (i.e., SSB above a predefined or configured SS-RSRP threshold).

[0521] Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup determination embodiment 1:

[0522] - UEs are grouped into ‘P’ wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be pre-defined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal in the paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message (e.g., RRC release message or RRC Reconfiguration message)) or can be implicitly known.

[0523] - Grouping based on the paging arrival rate (also referred to as the paging rate, i.e., the number of pages per unit time / per interval). The paging arrival rate of a UE is informed to the UE by the core network (i.e., AMF using NAS message). The core network can determine the paging arrival rate of a UE based on past history of UE paging, based on traffic characteristics, etc.

[0524] - The mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate is informed to the UE by the GNB (e.g., in system information or in RRC signaling message or in paging configuration). The mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate can be BWP specific (signaled separately for each BWP supporting paging) or cell specific (i.e., common for all BWPs of a cell). There can be one-to-one mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup can be associated with multiple paging arrival rates. Alternatively, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup can be associated with a range of paging arrival rates. The mapping information can be signaled as a list, where

[0525] *A) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate]

[0526] *B) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, one or more paging arrival rates]

[0527] * C) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate minimum value, paging arrival rate maximum value]. The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity of the UE with the paging arrival rate between the paging arrival rate minimum value and the paging arrival rate maximum value.

[0528] * D) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0529] * E) Each entry in the list includes [one or more paging arrival rates]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0530] * F) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate minimum value, paging arrival rate maximum value]. The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity of the UE with the paging arrival rate between the paging arrival rate minimum value and the paging arrival rate maximum value. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0531] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e. AMF) sends the paging arrival rate of the UE together with the paging message to the gNB. The gNB identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE based on the mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate.

[0532] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, the periodic registration update timer, and the UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the paging arrival rate of the UE. This is used by the gNB to identify the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE for RAN paging. The gNB identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE according to the mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, the UE can inform the RAN of its wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup before the RRC connection is released.

[0533] In an embodiment, in the above operation, the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of the paging arrival rate. By using the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) instead of the paging arrival rate, the same description is applicable.

[0534] Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup determination embodiment 2:

[0535] - The UE is grouped into ‘P’ wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., the gNB can signal in the paging configuration received in the system information or RRC signaling message or in the BWP configuration) or can be implicitly known.

[0536] - Grouping based on the paging arrival rate (also referred to as the paging rate, i.e., the number of pages per unit time / per interval). The paging arrival rate of the UE is informed to the CN by the UE (i.e., using the NAS message).

[0537] - The mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate is informed to the UE by the GNB (e.g., in system information or in RRC signaling message or in paging configuration). The mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate can be BWP-specific (signaled separately for each BWP supporting paging) or cell-specific (i.e., common for all BWPs of the cell). There can be a one-to-one mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup can be associated with multiple paging arrival rates. Alternatively, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup can be associated with a range of paging arrival rates. The mapping information can be signaled as a list, where

[0538] *A) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate]

[0539] *B) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, one or more paging arrival rates]

[0540] *C) Each entry in the list includes [wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity, paging arrival rate minimum, paging arrival rate maximum]. The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity of the UE between the paging arrival rate minimum and the paging arrival rate maximum.

[0541] *D) Each entry in the list includes [paging arrival rate]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group identity ‘i+1’.

[0542] *E) Each entry in the list includes [one or more paging arrival rates]. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i’. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity ‘i+1’.

[0543] Each entry in the list includes [minimum value of paging arrival rate, maximum value of paging arrival rate]. The wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity of the UE is identified between the minimum value of paging arrival rate and the maximum value of paging arrival rate. The i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity 'i'. Or the i-th entry in the list corresponds to the wake-up signal monitoring group paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identity 'i+1'.

[0544] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e. AMF) sends the paging arrival rate of the UE to the gNB together with the paging message. The gNB identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE according to the mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate.

[0545] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, the periodic registration update timer, and the UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the paging arrival rate of the UE. This is used by the gNB to identify the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE for RAN paging. The gNB identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE according to the mapping between the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the paging arrival rate. Alternatively, the UE can inform the RAN of its wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup before the RRC connection is released

[0546] In an embodiment, in the above operation, the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of the paging arrival rate. By using the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) instead of the paging arrival rate, the same description is applicable.

[0547] Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup determination embodiment 3:

[0548] - The UE is grouped into 'P' wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. The parameter 'P' can be predefined. The parameter 'P' can be signaled by the network (e.g. the gNB can signal in the paging configuration received in the system information or RRC signaling message, or in the BWP configuration) or can be implicitly known.

[0549] - Grouping by the network (e.g., by the AMF in the CN). The core network (i.e., the AMF using NAS messages) informs the UE of the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. In an embodiment, the UE’s paging arrival rate (also referred to as the paging rate, i.e., the number of pages per unit time / per interval) Suggested UE operation: Figure 18 is informed to the CN (i.e., using NAS messages) and the CN uses it to determine the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. In an embodiment, the grouping can be done by the radio access network (e.g., gNB) and informed to the UE

[0550] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e., the AMF) sends the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup to the GNB along with the paging message.

[0551] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node (i.e., gNB). The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, the periodic registration update timer, and the UE identity index value, etc. The core network assistance information includes the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. Alternatively, the UE can inform its wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup to the RAN before the RRC connection is released.

[0552] In an embodiment, in the above operations, the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) can be used instead of the paging arrival rate. By using the paging probability (or paging probability threshold) instead of the paging arrival rate, the same description is applicable. Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup determination Embodiment 4:

[0553] - The UE is grouped into ‘P’ wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. The parameter ‘P’ can be predefined. The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., the gNB can signal the parameter ‘P’ in the paging configuration or in the BWP configuration received in the system information or RRC signaling message).

[0554] - The UE identifies its wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup based on ‘X’ bits of its UE ID. The UE ID can be one of the following:

[0555] * UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0556] * UE_ID: IMSI mod 1024

[0557] * UE_ID can be any other UE identification

[0558] - X = log2(P). For example, if there are 8 paging groups, X = 3.

[0559] - Y = log2(N*Ns), where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. X Lsb starting from the (Y+1)th Lsb of UE_ID indicates the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup, or is the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup identification. For example, if N = 16, Ns = 4, P = 8, (bit 9 bit 8 bit 7) indicates the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0560] - In an embodiment, the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be a common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. In an embodiment, 'N*Ns' in the above equation can be replaced by 'N*Ns*L', where parameter L indicates the number of groups the UE is divided into for PO monitoring.

[0561] - In an embodiment, the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = 1+[(UE_ID / N*Ns) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be a common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. In an embodiment, 'N*Ns' in the above equation can be replaced by 'N*Ns*L', where parameter L indicates the number of groups the UE is divided into for PO monitoring.

[0562] - In an alternative embodiment, the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = (UE_ID / N) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by the gNB in the paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID P can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0563] - In an alternative embodiment, the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = 1+[(UE_ID / N) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by the gNB in the paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0564] - In an alternative embodiment, the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = (UE_ID) mod P. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID P can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0565] - In an alternative embodiment, the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = 1+[(UE_ID) mod P]. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0566] - In the case of CN paging, the CN (i.e. AMF) sends the UE ID to the gNB along with the paging message. The gNB determines the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the same way as the UE determines.

[0567] - In the case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, the periodic registration update timer, and the UE identity index value (UE_ID), etc. The gNB determines the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the same way as the UE determines.

[0568] Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup determination embodiment 5:

[0569] - UEs are grouped into 'P' number of wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. The parameter 'P' can be predefined. The parameter 'P' can be signaled by the network (e.g., gNB can signal the parameter 'P' in paging configuration or BWP configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message).

[0570] - UE identifies its wake-up signal monitoring group based on its UE ID. The UE ID can be one of the following:

[0571] * UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0572] * UE_ID: IMSI mod 1024

[0573] * UE_ID can be any other UE identity

[0574] - In an embodiment, UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = (UE_ID / N*Ns*R) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames, Ns is the number of POs per paging frame, and R is the number of RNTIs used for wake-up signal or early paging indication. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. R can be predefined or configured by gNB. In this case, wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup.

[0575] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs used for wake-up signaling or early paging indication can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0576] - In an embodiment, UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID = 1+[(UE_ID / N*Ns*R) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames, and Ns is the number of POs per paging frame. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. R is the number of RNTIs used for wake-up signal or early paging indication. In this case, wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group.

[0577] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs for wake-up signaling or early paging indication can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0578] - In an alternative embodiment, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID of the UE = (UE_ID / N*R) mod P, where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group. R is the number of P-RNTIs for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0579] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs for wake-up signaling or early paging indication can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0580] - In an alternative embodiment, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID of the UE = 1+[(UE_ID / N*R) mod P], where N is the number of paging frames. N and Ns are signaled by gNB in paging configuration. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be the common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. R is the number of P-RNTIs for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0581] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0582] - In an alternative embodiment, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID of a UE = (UE_ID / R) mod P. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group ID P can be a common paging group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0583] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd P-RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by gNB.

[0584] - In an alternative embodiment, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID of a UE = 1+[(UE_ID / R) mod P]. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID 0 can be a common wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. R is the number of P-RNTIs used for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0585] * For wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by gNB.

[0586] - In an embodiment, ‘N*Ns’ in the above equation can be replaced by ‘N*Ns*L’, where the parameter L indicates the number of groups the UE is divided into for PO monitoring.

[0587] - In case of CN paging, the CN (i.e. AMF) sends the UE ID to the gNB along with the paging message. The gNB determines the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0588] - In case of RAN paging, the AMF provides the core network assistance information to the NG-RAN node. The core network assistance information includes the registration area configured for the UE, periodic registration update timer, and UE identity index value (UE_ID), etc. The gNB determines the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup of the UE in the same way as the UE determines.

[0589] In this method, if the UE detects a wake-up signal corresponding to a common wake-up signal monitoring group:

[0590] - The gNB indicates the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the short message or DCI of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI sent at the PO. The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup can be indicated in one of the following ways:

[0591] * Option 1: Only one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID is indicated

[0592] ** 1-1: The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID can be an optional field in the DCI or short message.

[0593] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to a pre-defined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0594] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by the gNB.

[0595] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by the gNB.

[0596] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be pre-defined or configured by the gNB.

[0597] *** The UE receives the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0598] *** If the wake-up signal monitoring group ID or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0599] *** If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID is present and the UE belongs to the indicated wake-up signal monitoring group (i.e., the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID is present and the UE does not belong to the indicated wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup (i.e., the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group ID), the UE does not decode the TB.

[0600] **** In an embodiment, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups. If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID in the PDCCH belongs to the UE’s wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup, or is the reserved wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB of the paging message.

[0601] **1-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0602] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 (first P-RNTI) and legacy P-RNTI (second P-RNTI) in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the UE supports wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0603] *** The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID is included in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0604] *** The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID is not included in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to the legacy P-RNTI.

[0605] *** If the UE receives the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI 1, and if the UE belongs to the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI 1 (i.e., the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID in the DCI matches the paging group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group ID of the UE), the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the UE does not belong to the indicated wake-up signal monitoring group (i.e., the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID in the DCI does not match the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID of the UE), the UE does not decode the TB.

[0606] **** In an embodiment, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups. If the wake-up signal monitoring group ID in the PDCCH belongs to the paging group of the UE, or is the reserved wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB.

[0607] *** If the UE receives the PDCCH addressed to the legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the paging message.

[0608] * Option 2: A list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs is indicated.

[0609] ** 2-1: The list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs is optional in the DCI or short message.

[0610] *** The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0611] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1thP-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0612] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0613] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0614] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for paging message.

[0615] *** If the list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs does not exist, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for paging message.

[0616] *** If the list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs exists and UE belongs to one of the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the list, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for paging message. If the list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs exists and UE does not belong to one of the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the list, UE does not receive and decode TB.

[0617] **** In an embodiment, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. If UE belongs to one of the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID, UE receives and decodes TB according to the scheduling information for paging message. Otherwise, UE does not receive and decode TB

[0618] **2-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0619] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 if the camped cell supports the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the UE supports the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0620] ***The list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0621] ***The list of wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup IDs is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0622] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and if the UE belongs to one of the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1, the UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the UE does not belong to one of the indicated wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup, the UE does not decode TB

[0623] ****In an embodiment, one wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID can be reserved to indicate paging to all wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. If the UE belongs to one of the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup ID, the UE decodes TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not decode TB

[0624] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the paging message.

[0625] Option 3: Wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap is included in DCI or short message

[0626] 3-1: The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap can be an optional field:

[0627] *** Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup. The mapping between bits in the bitmap and wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups can be predefined.

[0628] *** The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups.

[0629] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to a predefined P-RNTI in its PO.

[0630] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0631] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0632] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th P-RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first P-RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second P-RNTI in the list of R P-RNTIs. The list of R P-RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0633] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to a P-RNTI. The DCI includes scheduling information for the paging message.

[0634] *** If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap is not present, the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message.

[0635] ***If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the bitmap is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group in the bitmap is not set (i.e., equal to 0), the UE does not decode the TB.

[0636] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging for all wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group or the bit corresponding to paging for all wake-up signal monitoring groups in the bitmap is set (i.e., equal to 1), the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not decode the TB

[0637] **3-2: Multiple P-RNTIs can be used:

[0638] ***The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and legacy P-RNTI in its PO. In an embodiment, if the camped cell supports wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup and the UE supports wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1. Otherwise, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0639] ***The wake-up signal monitoring group bitmap is included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1.

[0640] ***The wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup bitmap is not included in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI.

[0641] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 and the bit corresponding to the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the bitmap in the DCI / short message of PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI 1 is set, the UE decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. If the bit corresponding to the UE's wake-up signal monitoring group or paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup in the bitmap is not set, the UE does not decode the TB

[0642] ****In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups. If the bit corresponding to the UE's paging group in the bitmap or the bit corresponding to paging to all wake-up signal monitoring groups or paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE receives and decodes the TB according to the scheduling information for the paging message. Otherwise, the UE does not receive and decode the TB

[0643] ***If the UE receives PDCCH addressed to legacy P-RNTI, the UE receives and decodes the paging message.

[0644] In an embodiment, where PDCCH is transmitted in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE determines the PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication corresponding to its PO. The UE is grouped into 'P' groups (wake-up signal monitoring groups or early paging indication groups or paging groups). The group can also be called subgroup. The parameter 'P' can be signaled by the network (e.g. gNB can signal in paging configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message or in BWP configuration) or can be implicitly known.

[0645] - The gNB indicates wake-up signal monitoring groups (also called paging groups or early paging indication groups) in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication. These groups can be represented in one of the following ways:

[0646] * Option 1: Only one group ID is indicated. The group ID identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group (also called paging group or early paging indication group)

[0647] ** The group ID can be an optional field or can always be present.

[0648] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication. The RNTI is predefined or signaled by the gNB for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0649] **** (Alternatively) The UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the first RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the second RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0650] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0651] **** (Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0652] *** UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in the monitoring occasion for wake-up signal or early paging indication.

[0653] *** If group ID is not present in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication, UE monitors its PO, i.e., monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0654] *** If group ID is present in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication, and UE belongs to the indicated group (i.e., group ID in the DCI matches UE’s group ID), UE monitors its PO, i.e., monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. If group ID is present and UE does not belong to the indicated group (i.e., group ID in the DCI does not match UE’s group ID), UE does not monitor its PO.

[0655] **** In an embodiment, one group ID (common group ID) can be reserved to indicate early paging indication for all groups. For example, if there is SI update or emergency notification, this group ID can be included in the DCI. If group ID in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication belongs to UE’s paging group or is the reserved paging group ID, UE monitors its PO, i.e., monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0656] ****In an embodiment, a bit in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI in the PO is for RAN paging only. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set (i.e. equal to 1) and common group ID is supported, and the common group ID is not included in the DCI, the UE does not monitor its PO. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set (i.e. equal to 1) and common group ID is not supported, the UE does not monitor its PO.

[0657] ****In an embodiment, a bit in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI in the PO is for CN paging only. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group ID is supported, and the common group ID is not included in the DCI, the UE does not monitor its PO. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group ID is not supported, the UE does not monitor its PO

[0658] Option 2: A list of group IDs is indicated. The group ID identifies the wake-up signal monitoring group (may also be called paging group or early paging indication group)

[0659] 2-1: The list of group IDs in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication can be optional.

[0660] The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication. The RNTI is predefined or signaled by the gNB for the wake-up signal or early paging indication.

[0661] The UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0662] The UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R=2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB.

[0663] ****(Alternatively) UE monitors the j+1thRNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, UE monitors PDCCH addressed to 1stRNTI, if j is equal to 1, UE monitors 2ndRNTI in the list of RNTIs. The list of RNTIs can be predefined or configured by gNB.

[0664] ***UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in the monitoring occasion for wake-up signal or early paging indication. If the list of group IDs is not present in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication, UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0665] ***If the list of group IDs is present and UE belongs to one of the groups indicated in the list, UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. If the list of group IDs is present and UE does not belong to one of the groups indicated in the list, UE does not monitor its PO.

[0666] ****In an embodiment, one group ID (common group ID) can be reserved to indicate early paging indication for all groups. For example, if there is SI update or emergency notification, this group ID can be included in the DCI. If UE belongs to one of the groups indicated in the list or the list includes the reserved group ID, UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, UE does not monitor its PO.

[0667] ****In an embodiment, a bit in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in the PO is only for RAN paging. If UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set (i.e. equal to 1) and common group ID is supported, and common group ID is not included in the DCI, UE does not monitor its PO. If UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set (i.e. equal to 1) and common group ID is not supported, UE does not monitor its PO.

[0668] ****In an embodiment, a bit in the DCI of wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in the PO is only for CN paging. If UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group ID is supported, and common group ID is not included in the DCI, UE does not monitor its PO. If UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group ID is not supported, UE does not monitor its PO

[0669] Option 3: Group bitmap is included in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0670] *** Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a different group. The mapping between the bits in the bitmap and the groups can be predefined. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth most significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. For example, if there are P paging groups / subgroups, k = paging group / subgroup ID mod P, the kth least significant bit in the bitmap corresponds to the paging group / subgroup ID, where the bits in the bitmap are numbered in order from the least significant bit to the most significant bit

[0671] *** The size of the bitmap can be predefined. The size of the bitmap can also be determined based on the number of groups.

[0672] *** The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication. The RNTI is predefined or signaled by the gNB for the wake-up signal or early paging indication.

[0673] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N*Ns) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0674] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID / N) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0675] **** (Alternatively) the UE monitors the j+1th RNTI, where j = (UE_ID) mod R. For example, if R = 2, if j is equal to zero, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to the 1st RNTI, if j is equal to 1, the UE monitors the 2nd RNTI in the list of R RNTIs. The list of R RNTIs can be predefined or configured by the gNB. The configuration can be using system information or RRC signaling.

[0676] *** The UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasion for wake-up signal or early paging indication

[0677] *** In an embodiment, if the group bitmap is not present in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO.

[0678] *** If the group bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the group of the UE in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. If the group bitmap is present and the bit corresponding to the group of the UE in the bitmap is not set (i.e. equal to 0), the UE does not monitor its PO.

[0679] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate paging to all paging groups. If the bit corresponding to the paging group of the UE or the bit corresponding to paging to all paging groups in the bitmap is set (i.e. equal to 1), the UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, the UE does not monitor its PO

[0680] **** In an embodiment, one bit in the bitmap can be reserved to indicate early paging indication for all groups. For example, this bit can be set to 1 if there is SI update or emergency notification. In an embodiment, this bit can be included in the DCI separately, instead of in the bitmap. If the bit corresponding to the group of the UE or the bit corresponding to common group in the bitmap is set to 1, the UE monitors its PO, i.e. monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, the UE does not monitor its PO.

[0681] **** In an embodiment, the bit in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in the PO is only for RAN paging. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set to 1 and common group is supported and the common group bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) or is not included in the DCI, the UE does not monitor its PO. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is set (i.e. equal to 1) and common group is not supported, the UE does not monitor its PO.

[0682] ****In an embodiment, the bit in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication can indicate that the paging message scheduled by the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI in the PO is only for CN paging. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group is supported, and the common group bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) or not included in the DCI, the UE does not monitor its PO. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the bit is not set (i.e. equal to 0) and common group is not supported, the UE does not monitor its PO

[0683] - Alternatively, instead of indicating the group(s) in the DCI of the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI sent by the gNB in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication, different RNTIs can be reserved for different groups / subgroups. The gNB uses the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI specific to the group / subgroup the UE(s) being paged / woken up belong to. The UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI corresponding to its group / subgroup. In an embodiment, one group / subgroup ID or RNTI can be reserved to indicate paging / wakeup for all groups / subgroups. In the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI of its group / subgroup and the RNTI of the common group / subgroup.

[0684] In an embodiment, in the inactive state, the wake-up signal monitoring group or the paging group / subgroup or the early paging indication group / subgroup can be decided by the RAN independently and indicated to the UE during RRC connection release (can be updated during RAN update).

[0685] Alt 1: In the inactive state, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by the RAN (i.e. the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by the RAN) in the DCI of the early paging indication). In the idle state, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by the CN (i.e. the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by the CN) in the DCI of the early paging indication).

[0686] Alt 2: In the inactive state, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by the RAN and the CN. In the idle state, the UE monitors the PDCCH addressed to the P-RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by the CN (i.e. the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by the CN) in the DCI of the early paging indication).

[0687] Alt 3: If the paging group / subgroup is assigned by RAN, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by RAN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by RAN) in the DCI of the early paging indication). If the paging group / subgroup is not assigned by RAN, and if the paging group / subgroup is assigned by CN, the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI for the paging group / subgroup indicated by CN (i.e., the UE will check its paging group / subgroup (assigned by CN) in the DCI of the early paging indication).

[0688] In an embodiment, where PDCCH is transmitted in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication, the UE determines the PDCCH monitoring occasion for the early paging indication corresponding to its PF as mentioned earlier. The UE is grouped into ‘P’ groups / subgroups (wake-up signal monitoring groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups or paging groups / subgroups). The parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by the network (e.g., the gNB can signal in the paging configuration received in the system information or RRC signaling message or in the BWP configuration) or can be implicitly known. The gNB indicates the wake-up signal monitoring group (also referred to as paging group / subgroup or early paging indication group / subgroup) in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication. In the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication, for each PO of the PF, P bits are included, where each bit corresponds to a different group / subgroup. The mapping between the bits and the group / subgroup is predefined. If none of the P bits corresponding to the PO are set to 1, they can be skipped. The UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication. The RNTI is predefined or signaled by the gNB for the wake-up signal or early paging indication. The UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in the monitoring occasion for the wake-up signal or early paging indication. The UE checks its bit (i.e., corresponding to its group) among the ‘P’ bits corresponding to its PO. If it is set (e.g., set to 1), the UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise, it does not monitor. In an embodiment, the RAN paging indication per PO can be included in the DCI of the wake-up signal or early paging indication. If the UE is in RRC IDLE and the RAN paging indication is included or set to 1 in the DCI, the UE does not monitor its PO irrespective of whether the bit corresponding to its group is set or not.

[0689] In another embodiment, where PDCCH is transmitted in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication, UE determines PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication corresponding to its PF as mentioned earlier. UE is grouped into ‘P’ groups / subgroups (wake-up signal monitoring groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups or paging groups / subgroups). Parameter ‘P’ can be signaled by network (e.g., gNB can signal in paging configuration received in system information or RRC signaling message or in BWP configuration) or can be implicitly known. gNB indicates wake-up signal monitoring groups / subgroups (also referred as paging groups / subgroups or early paging indication groups / subgroups) in DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication. In DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication, for each PO of PF includes P bits, where each bit corresponds to different group / subgroup. Mapping between bit and group / subgroup is predefined. If none of P bits corresponding to PO are set to 1, they can be skipped. In addition to group specific bits, DCI includes bits common to all UEs (may be for each PO). UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication. RNTI is predefined or signaled by gNB for wake-up signal or early paging indication. UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication. UE checks its bit (i.e., corresponding to its group) among ‘P’ bits corresponding to its PO and checks common bits. If any of them is set (e.g., set to 1), UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise not. In an embodiment, RAN paging indication per PO can be included in DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication. If UE is in RRC IDLE and RAN paging indication is included or set to 1 in DCI, UE does not monitor its PO irrespective of whether bit corresponding to its group is set or not.

[0690] In another embodiment, where PDCCH is transmitted in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication, UE determines PDCCH monitoring occasions for early paging indication corresponding to its PF as described earlier. In the DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication, one bit is included for each PO of the PF. UE monitors PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication. RNTI is predefined or signaled by gNB for wake-up signal or early paging indication. UE receives PDCCH addressed to RNTI in monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or early paging indication. UE checks the bit corresponding to its PO. If it is set (e.g. set to 1), UE monitors PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO. Otherwise it does not monitor. In an embodiment, RAN paging indication per PO can be included in the DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication. If UE is in RRC IDLE and RAN paging indication is included or set to 1 in the DCI, UE does not monitor its PO irrespective of whether the bit corresponding to its PO is set or not.

[0691] In an embodiment, LSB of SFN of PF or SFN of PF and / or PO index can be included in the DCI for wake-up signal or early paging indication. In the received DCI, UE can check whether the information corresponding to its PF / PO is included by checking the received LSB of SFN of PF or SFN of PF and / or PO index with its corresponding information of PF / PO. In one example, DCI can include group information (bitmap / group ID / list of group IDs etc.) and [LSB of SFN of PF / SFN of PF and / or PO index]. If the LSB of SFN of PF / SFN of PF or PO index of UE does not match with its corresponding information of PF / PO, UE ignores the group information. In another example, DCI can include multiple group information (bitmap / group ID / list of group IDs etc.) and [LSB of SFN of PF / SFN of PF and / or PO index] as shown below

[0692] - PF / PO information 1: LSB of SFN of PF / SFN of PF and / or PO index

[0693] * Corresponding group information (bitmap etc. as described earlier)

[0694] - PF / PO information 2: LSB of SFN of PF / SFN of PF and / or PO index

[0695] * Corresponding group information (bitmap etc. as described earlier)

[0696] - and so on...

[0697] - can indicate the number of PF / PO information

[0698] In this case, the UE checks its group in the group information corresponding to the PF / PO information matching the UE's PF / PO information.

[0699] - If there are multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions for wake-up signal or paging early indication corresponding to its PF (in one embodiment) or PO (in another embodiment), if the UE has received PDCCH in one of the multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions, it is not required to monitor the remaining PDCCH monitoring occasions

[0700] * Note that depending on the configuration, there can be more than one PDCCH monitoring occasion per SSB in the set of PDCCH monitoring occasions for wake-up signal paging early indication. The UE can monitor the PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponding to the suitable SSB (best SSB or SSB with SS-RSRP above a threshold)

[0701] Upon determining to monitor PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO, in one embodiment, the gNB / UE's paging transmission / reception in the PO follows the operation in Method 1 or Method 2 or Method 3 or Method 4 or Method 5. In this case, the wake-up signal monitoring group / early paging indication group for monitoring wake-up signal / early paging indication and the paging group for PO monitoring can be different.

[0702] Upon determining to monitor PDCCH addressed to P-RNTI in its PO, in another embodiment, the gNB / UE's paging transmission / reception in the PO follows the existing operation.

[0703] Figure 18

[0704] A timer onDemandSIB-RequestProhibitTimer (T350) is introduced to prohibit frequent transmission of SI request in connected state.

[0705] According to the current RRC procedure, T350 is started upon reception of SIB1, as shown in Table 3 below.

[0706]

Table 3

[0707]

[0708]

[0709] In RRC CONNECTED state, SI request is not always triggered upon reception of SIB1. For example, UE acquires SIB1 at time 'T' in current modification period and later acquires SIB1 at time 'T+X' in same modification period, some service is initiated and UE needs to acquire SIB corresponding to that service. In this case, UE does not re-acquire SIB1 as it already has SIB1 acquired in current modification period. In this case, UE initiates dedicated SI request and it neither checks nor starts timer T350. This is not the correct operation.

[0710] Therefore, in the present disclosure, it is proposed that timer check and start condition is defined as below Table 4:

[0711]

Table 4

[0712]

[0713]

[0714] Figure 18

[0715] Timer T350 is running upon reception of handover command. UE needs to send SI request in target cell. In this case, timer T350 started in source cell continues to run, hence SI request in target cell can be delayed.

[0716] Alternative:

[0717] Criteria for SDT to select RA type An example flow of UE operation with respect to on-demand SI request is shown in accordance with the method of the present disclosure. Criteria to determine whether to use 4-step RA for SDT The flow embodiment shown is for illustration only. Criteria to determine whether to use 2-step RA for SDT The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of electronic device.

[0718] In step 1805, the UE enters RRC CONNECTED state from RRC IDLE / RRC INACTIVE.

[0719] When the UE enters RRC CONNECTED state, timer T350 can not be running (1807).

[0720] In step 1810, the UE receives RRCReconfiguration message for reconfiguration from source SpCell. The message includes onDemandSIB-RequestProhibitTimer and onDemandSIB-Request. onDemandSIB-Request is set to TRUE.

[0721] In step 1820, the UE identifies whether one of the following criteria for SI request in RRC CONNECTED is fulfilled:

[0722] - If onDemandSIB-Request is set to TRUE and if the UE is in RRC CONNECTED with active BWP configured with common search space with field searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation; and if the UE does not have stored valid version of SIB(s) of one or several required SIBs for operation or SIB requested by upper layers, and the SI message(s) contains at least one required SIB according to si-SchedulingInfo in stored SIB1 and si-BroadcastStatus is set to notBroadcasting for it:

[0723] - Or

[0724] - If onDemandSIB-Request is set to TRUE; and if the UE is in RRC CONNECTED with active BWP not configured with common search space with field searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation; and if the UE does not have stored valid version of SIB(s) of one or several required SIBs for operation or SIB requested by upper layers.

[0725] If timer T350 is not running:

[0726] - The UE starts timer T350, the timer value is set to onDemandSIB-RequestProhibitTimer (1831);

[0727] - The UE initiates transmission of DedicatedSIBRequest message according to 5.2.2.3.6 (1832);

[0728] - Obtains the requested SI message(s) corresponding to the requested SIB(s) (1833)

[0729] In step 1840, the UE receives the RRCReconfiguration message.

[0730] In step 1850, the UE identifies whether the RRCReconfiguration message includes reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG.

[0731] If the reconfiguration message includes the reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG:

[0732] - UE stops T350 (1861).

[0733] - UE performs random access procedure to target spCell of MCG (1862)

[0734] - Upon completion of random access procedure in target SpCell, if the criteria for SI request in RRC CONNECTED are met (as in step 1820) (1863):

[0735] * UE starts timer T350 with the timer value set to onDemandSIB-RequestProhibitTimer;

[0736] * UE initiates transmission of DedicatedSIBRequest message (1870);

[0737] * Acquires the requested SI message(s) corresponding to the requested SIB(s)

[0738] Else (reconfiguration message does not include the reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG):

[0739] - UE does not stop T350 (1881).

[0740] - If the criteria for SI request in RRC CONNECTED are met (1882):

[0741] - If timer T350 is not running:

[0742] * UE initiates transmission of DedicatedSIBRequest message (1890)

[0743] Criteria to determine whether to use CG-based SDT

[0744] In an embodiment, the operations can be as follows:

[0745] - UE receives RRCReconfiguration message.

[0746] * UE identifies whether the RRCReconfiguration message includes the reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG.

[0747] * If the reconfiguration message includes the reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG:

[0748] **Timer T350 (if running in source cell) is not stopped upon reception of the RRCReconfiguration message.

[0749] **The UE performs a random access procedure on the target spCell of MCG

[0750] **Upon completion of the random access procedure in the target SpCell, the UE stops T350.

[0751] **Upon completion of the random access procedure in the target SpCell, if the criteria for SI request in RRC_CONNECTED are met:

[0752] ***The UE starts timer T350 with the timer value set to onDemandSIB-RequestProhibitTimer;

[0753] ***The UE initiates transmission of DedicatedSIBRequest message (1870);

[0754] ***Acquires the requested SI message(s) corresponding to the requested SIB(s)

[0755] * Else (the reconfiguration message does not include the reconfigurationWithSync IE in spCellConfig of MCG):

[0756] - The UE does not stop T350.

[0757] - If the criteria for SI request in RRC_CONNECTED are met:

[0758] - If timer T350 is not running:

[0759] **The UE initiates transmission of DedicatedSIBRequest message

[0760] Other conditions:

[0761] RA type selection

[0762] As in existing systems, the UE first selects the UL carrier (NUL or SUL). The UE selects the UL BWP configured with RA resources for SDT.

[0763] The UE performs SDT using 4-step RA if at least the following conditions are met.

[0764] Condition 1: Upper layer requests to resume RRC connection and the resume request is for a mobile originated call and the resume cause is mo-Data;

[0765] Condition 2: UE supports SDT

[0766] Condition 3: If the amount of data available for transmission <= a configured threshold. The threshold is signaled by gNB (e.g., in SI or RRC signaling)

[0767] Condition 4: If the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is greater than or equal to a configured threshold. The threshold is signaled by gNB (e.g., in SI or RRC signaling). (In an embodiment, this condition can be optional)

[0768] Condition 5: UE has stored value of nextHopChainingCount provided in RRCRelease message with suspend indication during previous suspend procedure;

[0769] Condition 6: Data is available for transmission only for those DRBs for which SDT is enabled.

[0770] Condition 7: The criteria for using CG resources for SDT is not met

[0771] Condition 8: If the BWP is configured with only 4-step RA type random access resources for SDT; or if the BWP is configured with both 2-step and 4-step RA type random access resources for SDT and the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is not higher than a configured threshold

[0772] It is considered that the RSRP threshold in condition 4 can ensure that SDT has a chance to succeed and avoid SDT procedure when UE is in poor channel condition. The RSRP threshold in condition 4 can be configured separately for 2-step RA based SDT and 4-step RA based SDT. The amount of data is the total amount of available data (in bytes) for the DRBs for which SDT is enabled. The size of RLC header and MAC header is not included in the calculation of the amount of available data. So basically, it is the number of PDCP PDUs multiplied by the size of each PDCP PDU. Whether SDT can be used for a DRB can be signaled by gNB in RRC signaling.

[0773] RA type selection (alternative)

[0774] As in the existing system, UE selects UL carrier (NUL or SUL). UE selects UL BWP configured with RA resources for SDT.

[0775] The UE performs SDT using 2-step RA if at least the following conditions are met.

[0776] Condition 1: Upper layer requests to resume RRC connection and the resume request is for a mobile originated call and the resume cause is mo-Data;

[0777] Condition 2: UE supports SDT

[0778] Condition 3: If the amount of data available for transmission <= a configured threshold. The threshold is signaled by gNB (e.g., in SI or RRC signaling)

[0779] Condition 4: If the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is greater than or equal to a configured threshold. The threshold is signaled by gNB (e.g., in SI or RRC signaling). (In an embodiment, this condition can be optional)

[0780] Condition 5: UE has stored value of nextHopChainingCount provided in RRCRelease message with suspend indication during previous suspend procedure;

[0781] Condition 6: Data is available for transmission only for SDT enabled DRB.

[0782] Condition 7: The criteria for using CG resource for SDT is not met

[0783] Condition 8: If the BWP is configured with only 2-step RA type random access resource for SDT; or if the BWP is configured with both 2-step and 4-step RA type random access resource for SDT and the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is above a configured threshold.

[0784] It is considered that the RSRP threshold in condition 4 can ensure that SDT has a chance to succeed and avoid SDT procedure when UE is in poor channel condition. The RSRP threshold in condition 4 can be configured separately for 2-step RA based SDT and 4-step RA based SDT. The amount of data is the total amount of available data (in bytes) for SDT enabled DRB. The size of RLC header and MAC header is not included in the calculation of the amount of available data. Therefore, basically, it is the number of PDCP PDUs multiplied by the size of each PDCP PDU. For a DRB, whether SDT can be used can be signaled by gNB in RRC signaling.

[0785] Figure 19

[0786] The UE performs SDT using CG resource if at least the following conditions are met.

[0787] Condition 1: The upper layers request to resume the RRC connection and the resume request is for a mobile originated call and the resume cause is mo-Data;

[0788] Condition 2: The UE supports SDT

[0789] Condition 3: If the amount of data available for transmission <= a configured threshold

[0790] Condition 4: If the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is greater than or equal to a configured threshold (this can be optional in an embodiment)

[0791] Condition 5: The UE has a stored value of nextHopChainingCount provided in the RRCRelease message with suspend indication during the previous suspend procedure;

[0792] Condition 6: Data is available for transmission only for those DRBs for which SDT is enabled.

[0793] Condition 7: CG resources for SDT were signaled during the previous suspend procedure and the UE is in the same cell from which it has received the CG resources for SDT

[0794] Condition 8: The UE has a valid TA value

[0795] Condition 9:

[0796] a) If SUL is supported in the cell and if the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is less than rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL and SUL and CG resources for SDT are configured for SUL; or

[0797] b) If SUL is supported in the cell and if the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is not less than rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL and CG resources for SDT are configured for NUL; or

[0798] c) If SUL is not supported in the cell and CG resources for SDT are configured for NUL

[0799] Consideration of RSRP threshold as in Condition 4 can ensure that SDT has a chance of success and avoid SDT procedure when the UE is in poor channel conditions.

[0800] Figure 19

[0801] In addition to the above cases, if a subset of SSBs are mapped to CG occasions, the following cases also need to be considered:

[0802] - In the SSBs associated with the CG resources of the selected UL carrier, the UE has at least one SSB with SS-RSRP above a threshold.

[0803] Furthermore, if SUL is supported in the cell, and if the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is not less than rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL, SUL can still be used in the cell because SUL typically has more UL coverage than NUL. Therefore, when (assuming other conditions 1 to 8 are met): if SUL is supported in the cell, and if the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is not less than rsrp-ThresholdSSB-SUL, and the CG resources for SDT are not configured for NUL but for SUL, CG-based SDT can also be used.

[0804] Figure 20

[0805] 1. The RA procedure is initiated for small data transmission.

[0806] 2. The UE selects an UL carrier (NUL or SUL).

[0807] 3. The UE selects the UL BWP configured with RA resources for SDT. In an embodiment, the BWP is the initial UL BWP. 4:

[0809] If the BWP is only configured with 2-step RA type random access resources for SDT

[0810] - Select 2-step RA for SDT.

[0811] If the BWP is only configured with 4-step RA type random access resources for SDT

[0812] - Select 4-step RA for SDT.

[0813] If the BWP is configured with both 2-step and 4-step RA type random access resources for SDT, and the RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference is above a configured threshold.

[0814] - Select 2-step RA.

[0815] Otherwise

[0816] - Select 4-step RA for SDT.

[0817] Figure 20

[0818] 1. The RA procedure is initiated for small data transmission.

[0819] 2. The UE selects an UL carrier (NUL or SUL).

[0820] 3. The UE selects an UL BWP configured with RA resource for SDT. In an embodiment, the BWP is the initial UL BWP.

[0821] If the BWP is configured with 2-step RA type random access resource for SDT, and the RSRP of downlink pathloss reference is higher than a configured threshold

[0822] - Select 2-step RA for SDT

[0823] Else if the BWP is configured with 4-step RA type random access resource for SDT

[0824] - Select 4-step RA for SDT

[0825] Else

[0826] - Do not perform SDT. Initiate normal recovery procedure.

[0827] ​ is a block diagram of a terminal according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0828] Referring to ​ , the terminal includes a transceiver 1910, a controller 1920, and a memory 1930. The controller 1920 can refer to a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or at least one processor. The transceiver 1910, the controller 1920, and the memory 1930 are configured to perform the operations of the UE described above. Although the transceiver 1910, the controller 1920, and the memory 1930 are shown as separate entities, they can be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. Alternatively, the transceiver 1910, the controller 1920, and the memory 1930 can be electrically connected or coupled to each other.

[0829] The transceiver 1910 can transmit and receive signals to and from other network entities (e.g., base stations).

[0830] The controller 1920 can control the terminal to perform functions according to one of the above-described embodiments. For example, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller 1920 controls the transceiver 1910 and / or the memory 1930 to perform paging-related operations.

[0831] In an embodiment, the operations of the terminal can be implemented using the memory 1930 storing corresponding program codes. Specifically, the terminal can be equipped with the memory 1930 to store program codes implementing desired operations. To perform desired operations, the controller 1920 can read and execute the program codes stored in the memory 1930 by using at least one processor or a central processing unit (CPU).

[0832] ​ is a block diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0833] Referring to ​ , the base station includes a transceiver 2010, a controller 2020, and a memory 2030. The controller 2020 can refer to a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or at least one processor. The transceiver 2010, the controller 2020, and the memory 2030 are configured to perform the operations of the above-described base station. Although the transceiver 2010, the controller 2020, and the memory 2030 are shown as separate entities, they can be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. Alternatively, the transceiver 2010, the controller 2020, and the memory 2030 can be electrically connected or coupled to each other.

[0834] The transceiver 2010 can transmit and receive signals to and from other network entities (e.g., terminals).

[0835] The controller 2020 can control the base station to perform functions according to one of the above-described embodiments. For example, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the controller 2020 controls the transceiver 2010 and / or the memory 2030 to perform paging-related operations.

[0836] In an embodiment, the operations of the base station can be implemented using the memory 2030 storing corresponding program codes. Specifically, the base station can be equipped with the memory 2030 to store program codes implementing desired operations. To perform desired operations, the controller 2020 can read and execute the program codes stored in the memory 2030 by using at least one processor or a central processing unit (CPU).

[0837] While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0838] As described above, the embodiments disclosed in the specification and drawings are merely presented to present specific examples to easily explain the contents of the disclosure and help understanding, but are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure should be analyzed to include all changes or modifications derived based on the technical idea of the disclosure, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1.A method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a source base station, a first radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including information on configuration for on-demand system information block (SIB) request, wherein the information on configuration for on-demand SIB request includes a value of a prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request; transmitting, to the source base station, a first dedicated SIB request message based on the information on configuration for on-demand SIB request; starting a timer T350 having a timer value set to the value of the prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request; receiving, from the source base station, a second RRC reconfiguration message; identifying whether the second RRC reconfiguration message includes information on synchronization reconfiguration of a special cell of a target base station; stopping the timer T350 in case that the second RRC reconfiguration message includes the information on synchronization reconfiguration of the special cell of the target base station; and transmitting, to the target base station, a second dedicated SIB request message. 2.The method of claim 1, in case that a random access procedure with the target base station is completed, the second dedicated SIB request message is transmitted. wherein 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from the target base station, at least one SIB in response to the second dedicated SIB request message. 4.The method of claim 1, the method further comprising: starting a timer T350 associated with the second dedicated SIB request message. 5.A method in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, by a base station to a terminal, a first radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including information on configuration for on-demand system information block (SIB) request, the information on configuration for on-demand SIB request including a value of a prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request; receiving, by the base station from the terminal, a first dedicated SIB request message based on the information on configuration for on-demand SIB request; starting, by the terminal, a timer T350 having a timer value set to the value of the prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request; transmitting, by the base station to the terminal, a second RRC reconfiguration message including information on synchronization reconfiguration of a special cell of a target base station; stopping, by the terminal, the timer T350 based on the second RRC reconfiguration message; and transmitting, by the terminal to the target base station, a second dedicated SIB request message. 6.A terminal in a wireless communication system, the terminal comprising: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: ​ ​ receiving, from a source base station, a first radio resource control, RRC, reconfiguration message, the first RRC reconfiguration message including information about configuration for on-demand system information block, SIB, request, wherein the information about configuration for on-demand SIB request includes a value of a prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request, sending, to the source base station, a first dedicated SIB request message based on the information about configuration for on-demand SIB request, starting a timer T350, the timer T350 having a timer value set to the value of the prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request, receiving, from the source base station, a second RRC reconfiguration message, identifying whether the second RRC reconfiguration message includes information about synchronization reconfiguration of a special cell of a target base station, stopping the timer T350 in a case that the second RRC reconfiguration message includes the information about synchronization reconfiguration of the special cell of the target base station, and sending, to the target base station, a second dedicated SIB request message. 7.The terminal of claim 6, wherein the second dedicated SIB request message is sent in a case that a random access procedure with the target base station is completed. 8.The terminal of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to receive at least one SIB from the target base station as a response to the second dedicated SIB request message. 9.The terminal of claim 6, wherein the controller is further configured to start a timer T350 associated with the second dedicated SIB request message. 10.A wireless communication system including a terminal and a base station, wherein the base station includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: send, to a terminal, a first radio resource control, RRC, reconfiguration message including information about configuration for on-demand system information block, SIB, request, the information about configuration for on-demand SIB request including a value of a prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request, receive, from the terminal, a first dedicated SIB request message based on the information about configuration for on-demand SIB request, and send, to the terminal, a second RRC reconfiguration message including information about synchronization reconfiguration of a special cell of a target base station, and wherein the terminal includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to: start a timer T350, the timer T350 having a timer value set to the value of the prohibit timer associated with the on-demand SIB request, stop the timer T350 based on the second RRC reconfiguration message, and send, to the target base station, a second dedicated SIB request message.

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