Method and related devices for performing closed access group selection in non-public networks

Abstract

A method for a user equipment (UE) to perform closed access group (CAG) selection in a non-public network is provided. The method comprises: receiving, from a CAG cell, a first indication and a CAG identification via a system information block 1 (SIB1); reporting, by an access stratum (AS) layer of the UE, the first indication and the CAG identification to a non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the UE when a request from the NAS layer is received; and performing a cell selection or reselection procedure according to the CAG identification, wherein the first indication is associated with the CAG identification and indicates that the CAG identification is allowed to be manually selected even if the CAG identification is not included in an allowed CAG list of the UE.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This disclosure claims the benefit and priority of Provisional U.S. Patent Application 63 / 033,130, filed June 1, 2020, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK-CONTROLLED MANUAL CAGSELECTION IN NON-PUBLIC NETWORK” (hereinafter referred to as “'130 Provisional Case”). The disclosure of Provisional Case '130 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to a method and related apparatus for performing closed access group (CAG) selection in a non-public network (NPN). Background Technology

[0004] With the massive growth in the number of connected devices and the rapid increase in user / network traffic, various efforts have been made to improve different aspects of wireless communication in next-generation wireless communication systems, such as fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR), by increasing data rates, latency, reliability, and mobility.

[0005] 5G NR systems are designed to provide flexibility and configurability to optimize network services and types, and to adapt to different use cases, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC).

[0006] However, with the continued increase in demand for radio access, there is a need to further improve wireless communication in next-generation wireless communication systems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure provides a method and related equipment for performing closed access group (CAG) selection in a non-public network (NPN).

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for a user equipment (UE) to perform Closed Access Group (CAG) selection in a non-public network. The method includes: receiving a first indication and a CAG identification from a CAG cell via System Information Block 1 (SIB1); reporting the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS layer by the UE's Access Layer (AS) upon receiving a request from the UE's Non-Access Layer (NAS); and performing a cell selection or reselection process based on the CAG identification, wherein the first indication is associated with the CAG identification and indicates that manual selection of the CAG identification is permitted, even if the CAG identification is not included in the UE's allowed CAG list.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a UE is provided for performing CAG selection in an NPN. The UE includes: a processor for executing a computer-executable program; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the computer-executable program, wherein the computer-executable program instructs the processor to perform the method for performing CAG selection in an NPN as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0010] When combined with attachment Figure 1 When reading this document, aspects of this disclosure can be best understood from the following detailed description. The various features are not drawn to scale. For clarity of discussion, the sizes of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a closed access group (CAG) indication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of entries in a list of Human Readable Network Names (HRNNs) according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a list of HRNNs according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a closed access group selection method performed in a non-public network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6This is a block diagram illustrating a node for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following disclosure contains specific information relating to exemplary embodiments in this disclosure. The accompanying drawings and detailed description are directed to exemplary embodiments. However, this disclosure is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Other variations and embodiments of this disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise stated, the same or corresponding elements in the drawings may be indicated by the same or corresponding reference numerals. Furthermore, the drawings and descriptions are generally not to scale and are not intended to correspond to actual relative sizes.

[0018] For the purposes of consistency and ease of understanding, similar features are identified by reference numerals in the exemplary drawings (but are not shown in some examples). However, features in different embodiments may differ in other respects and should therefore not be narrowly limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0019] The phrases “in one embodiment” and “in some embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. The term “coupled” is defined as a connection, whether direct or indirect through intermediate components, and is not necessarily limited to a physical connection. The term “comprising” may mean “including but not limited to”; it specifically indicates open inclusion or membership in disclosed combinations, groups, series, and equivalents.

[0020] The term "and / or" in this document describes the relationships between related objects only, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. "A and / or B and / or C" can mean that at least one of A, B, and C exists, A and B exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, and A, B, and C exist simultaneously. Furthermore, the character " / " used here generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "OR" relationship.

[0021] Additionally, any two or more of the following elements of this disclosure may be logically and reasonably combined to form a particular method. Any sentence, paragraph, (sub)item number, point, action, behavior, term, alternative, example, or claim in this disclosure may be implemented independently and separately to form a particular method. Dependencies in this disclosure, such as “based on,” “more specifically,” “preferably,” “in one embodiment,” “in one implementation,” or “in an alternative,” may refer to only one possible example that does not limit the particular method.

[0022] For purposes of explanation and non-restriction, specific details such as functional entities, technologies, protocols, and standards are described to provide an understanding of the technologies being described. In other examples, detailed disclosures of well-known methods, technologies, systems, and architectures are omitted to avoid making the disclosure unclear due to unnecessary detail.

[0023] Those skilled in the art will recognize that any disclosed network function or algorithm can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware. The described functions may correspond to modules, which can be software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. Software implementations may include computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium such as memory or other types of storage devices. For example, one or more microprocessors or general-purpose computers with communication processing capabilities may be programmed using the corresponding executable instructions to execute the described network function or algorithm. These microprocessors or general-purpose computers may be formed using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, and / or using one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). While some of the disclosed embodiments are directed to software installed and executed on computer hardware, alternative implementations, such as firmware or hardware or a combination of hardware and software, are also fully within the scope of this disclosure.

[0024] Computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), magnetic tape, magnetic tape, disk storage, or any other equivalent medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions.

[0025] A radio communication network architecture (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, an LTE-Advanced Pro system, or a New Radio (NR) system) typically includes at least one base station (BS), at least one user equipment (UE), and one or more optional network elements providing connectivity to the network. The UE can communicate with a network (e.g., a core network (CN), an evolved packet core (EPC), an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), a next-generation core (NGC), a 5G core (5GC), or the Internet) through a radio access network (RAN) established by one or more BSs.

[0026] The UE according to this disclosure may include, but is not limited to, a mobile station, a mobile terminal or device, or a user communication radio terminal. For example, the UE may be a portable wireless device, including but not limited to a mobile phone, tablet computer, wearable device, sensor, or personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless communication capabilities. The UE may be configured to receive signals through an air interface and transmit signals to one or more cells in the RAN.

[0027] A BS may include, but is not limited to, Node Bs (NBs) in a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), evolved Node Bs (eNBs) in LTE-A, Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) in UMTS, Base Station Controllers (BSCs) in Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) / Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), next-generation eNBs (ng-eNBs) in Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) BSs connected to 5GC, next-generation Node Bs (gNBs) in 5G-RAN (or 5G Access Network (5G-AN)), and any other devices capable of controlling radio communications and managing radio resources within the cell. A BS can be connected via a radio interface to serve one or more UEs.

[0028] A BS can be configured to provide communication services based on at least one of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), GSM (commonly referred to as 2G), GERAN, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), UMTS (commonly referred to as 3G) under Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), LTE, LTE-A, evolved LTE (eLTE), New Radio (NR, commonly referred to as 5G), and / or LTE-A Pro. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to these protocols.

[0029] A BS is operable to provide radio coverage to a specific geographic area using multiple cells forming a RAN. The BS supports cell operation. Each cell is operable to provide service to at least one UE within its radio coverage area. More specifically, each cell (often referred to as the serving cell) can provide service to one or more UEs within its radio coverage area (e.g., each cell schedules downlink (DL) and optional UL resources to at least one UE within its radio coverage area for downlink and optional uplink packet transmissions). The BS can communicate with one or more UEs in a radio communication system through multiple cells.

[0030] A cell can be allocated sidelink (SL) resources to support Proximity Service (ProSe), LTE SL service, and LTE / NR Vehicle to Everything (V2X) service. Each cell can have coverage areas overlapping with other cells. In Multi-RAT Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) scenarios, the master cell of a Master Cell Group (MCG) or Secondary Cell Group (SCG) can be referred to as a Special Cell (SpCell). A Primary Cell (PCell) can refer to the SpCell of an MCG. A Primary SCG Cell (PSCell) can refer to the SpCell of an SCG. An MCG can refer to the serving cell group associated with a Master Node (MN), including SpCells and optionally one or more Secondary Cells (SCells). An SCG can refer to the serving cell group associated with a Secondary Node (SN), including SpCells and optionally one or more SCells.

[0031] As mentioned above, the frame structure for NR supports flexible configuration to adapt to various next-generation (e.g., 5G) communication requirements, such as eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC, while meeting high reliability, high data rate, and low latency requirements. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology, as agreed in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), can be used as the baseline for NR waveforms. Scalable OFDM parameter sets, such as adaptive subcarrier spacing, channel bandwidth, and cyclic prefix (CP), can also be used. Furthermore, two coding schemes are applied for NR: (1) Low Density Parity Check Code (LDPC) and (2) Polar Code. Coding scheme adaptation can be configured based on channel conditions and / or service applications.

[0032] Furthermore, each transmission interval of a single NR frame should include at least DL transmission data, a protection period, and UL transmission data. The individual components of the DL transmission data, protection period, and UL transmission data should also be configurable, for example, dynamically configured based on the NR network. SL resources can also be provided via NR frames to support ProSe or V2X services.

[0033] To meet the low latency and high reliability requirements of vertical industries and support 5G Local Area Network (LAN) services, dedicated wireless networks (e.g., private networks) have gained attention and are being incorporated into next-generation cellular networks.

[0034] Private networks (e.g., non-public networks, NPNs) can support vertical industries and LAN services. Private networks can be classified into standalone non-public networks (SNPNs) and public network integrated non-public networks (PNI-NPNs).

[0035] 5G systems are enhanced to support NPN. Two types of network identification are applied to NPN: Network ID (NID) and Closed Access Group (CAG) identification (ID). The 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) can also implement NPN by enhancing features such as NPN identification, discovery, selection / reselection, access control, and mobility restrictions.

[0036] In an NPN scenario, the UE can be configured as either "UE in SNPN access mode" or "UE in non-SNPN access mode (e.g., UE not in SNPN access mode)" by the UE's NAS layer, by the serving / camping cell, or through pre-configuration. Conversely, the cell can be configured as "SNPN cell," "CAG cell," "Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) cell," "cell supporting at least SNPN deployment," "cell supporting at least PNI-NPN deployment," "cell supporting at least PLMN deployment," "cell supporting at least SNPN and PNI-NPN deployment," "cell supporting at least SNPN and PLMN deployment," "cell supporting at least PNI-NPN and PLMN deployment," or "cell supporting SNPN, PNI-NPN, and PLMN deployment."

[0037] A UE with NPN capability can select a CAG cell based on both automatic CAG selection and manual CAG selection methods (re-selection). The manual CAG selection method can include network-controlled manual CAG selection (e.g., PLMN-controlled manual CAG selection). Through this method, the PLMN can control the UE to manually select the NPN managed by that PLMN, while the UE cannot automatically select this PLMN without authorization. It is worth noting that the automatic and manual CAG selection methods can be predefined / default functions or commands executed by the UE. In this disclosure, the UE performs automatic CAG selection in automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection in manual CAG selection mode, and network-controlled manual CAG selection in network-controlled manual CAG selection mode.

[0038] For network-controlled manual CAG selection, the following aspects are considered: (1) an instruction for the RAN (e.g., CAG cell) to broadcast a PLMN allowing a UE in network-controlled manual CAG selection mode to manually select the CAG ID supported by the CAG cell, (2) the UE behavior when receiving the instruction (e.g., via SIB1, via SIB10), and (3) the definition of a suitable cell.

[0039] If the UE supports CAG (or NPN), the UE may be configured (or provided) with a CAG information list, which consists of zero or more entries, each entry including:

[0040] (a) PLMN ID;

[0041] (b) A list of allowed CAGs, which may contain zero or more CAG IDs; and

[0042] (c) Optional “Instruction to allow UE to access 5G System (5GS) only via CAG cell”.

[0043] The CAG information list is stored in the mobile equipment (ME). If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) and has a non-empty CAG information list configured (or provided), the UE can perform CAG selection. If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) but has an empty CAG information list configured (or provided), the UE can perform CAG selection (e.g., network-controlled manual CAG selection).

[0044] If the CAG information list is available, the UE's Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer can provide the CAG information list to the UE's Access Stratum (AS) layer. If the contents of the CAG information list have changed, the UE's NAS layer can provide the updated CAG information list to the UE's AS layer.

[0045] CAG selection can be classified into three methods: (1) automatic CAG selection, (2) manual CAG selection, and (3) network-controlled manual CAG selection.

[0046] Automatic CAG selection

[0047] Automatic CAG selection utilizes the list of allowed CAGs. After selecting a PLMN, the UE can camp on that cell only if the cell in the PLMN is not a CAG cell or has a CAG cell identified by a CAG in the list of allowed CAGs.

[0048] In other words, if a PLMN is selected and the entries in the CAG information list include the PLMN ID corresponding to the identification of the selected PLMN and a list of allowed CAGs, and the list of allowed CAGs contains CAG IDs broadcast by the cell where the UE is camped, then the UE can regard that CAG ID as the selected CAG ID. In this case, if the list of allowed CAGs contains more than one CAG ID broadcast by the cell where the UE is camped, then the UE can select one of those CAG IDs based on the UE implementation method.

[0049] If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) and is configured with a non-empty list of CAG information, then the UE may consider the PLMN indicated by the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) (e.g., cell, network (NW)) when either of the following conditions (1) or (2) is met.

[0050] Condition (1): The cell is a CAG cell and broadcasts a CAG ID to the PLMN, such that an entry with the PLMN ID of the PLMN exists in the CAG information list and the CAG ID is included in the allowed CAG list of the entry.

[0051] Condition (2): The entry for a cell that is not a CAG cell and has a PLMN ID does not exist in the CAG information list, or the entry for a cell that is not a CAG cell and has a PLMN ID exists in the CAG information list, but the "instruction to allow only UE (or mobile station (MS)) to access 5GS via CAG cell" is not included in (or does not exist in) the entry.

[0052] Manual CAG selection

[0053] If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) and is configured with a non-empty CAG information list, then for each PLMN or access technology combination of NG-RAN access technology, the UE may notify (or present) the user of the PLMN or access technology combination and a list of CAG IDs consisting of one or more CAG IDs, such that each CAG ID satisfies (1) an available CAG cell that broadcasts the CAG ID to the PLMN, and (2) an entry with the PLMN ID of the PLMN exists in the CAG information list and the CAG ID is included in the allowed CAG list of the entry.

[0054] If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) and is configured (or provided) with a non-empty list of CAG information, then for each PLMN or access technology combination of NG-RAN access technology, if there is an available NG-RAN cell that is not a PLMN but has a CAG cell, the UE may notify (or present) the user of the PLMN / access technology combination that does not have a list of CAG IDs.

[0055] If the UE supports CAG (or NPN) and is configured (or provided) with a non-empty CAG information list, then for each PLMN or access technology combination of NG-RAN access technology, if there is no available NG-RAN cell that is not a PLMN and there is no CAG ID that satisfies (1) the available CAG cell broadcasts the CAG ID to the PLMN, and (2) the entry with the PLMN ID of the PLMN exists in the CAG information list and the CAG ID is included in the allowed CAG list of the entry, then the UE may not notify (or may not present) the PLMN or access technology combination to the user.

[0056] When a UE selects a PLMN and a CAG ID (e.g., the CAG ID required by the UE), the UE can initiate a registration process on this PLMN (and on the cell broadcasting the CAG ID (e.g., as the appropriate cell)) through the access technology selected by the UE for that PLMN, or by using the highest priority available access technology for that PLMN (if the associated access technologies have a priority order). The UE can initiate a registration process on this PLMN by initiating a registration process with the core network via the serving / camping cell (e.g., as the appropriate cell). For example, the UE can initiate a registration process by transmitting a registration request message (e.g., NAS signaling) included in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (e.g., an RRC (connection) establishment completion message) to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in the core network via the serving / camping cell. The serving / camping cell is the recipient of the RRC message, and the AMF in the core network is the recipient of the registration request message.

[0057] Network-controlled manual CAG selection

[0058] The 5G system can support a mechanism for PLMN control to determine whether a UE can manually select the NPN managed by the PLMN, which is not authorized for automatic selection by the UE.

[0059] The following discloses several conditions under which the UE application indicates that the PLMN allows the UE to manually select the CAG ID supported by the CAG cell (e.g., PLMN indication, CAG indication, and / or indication in SIB10).

[0060] Condition 1: If the AS layer of the UE receives an indicator from the NAS layer of the UE indicating whether to apply the broadcast indication for network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can determine whether to apply the broadcast indication for network-controlled manual CAG selection based on the received indicator.

[0061] In one example, the UE's AS layer can receive an indicator and a list of allowed CAGs from the UE's NAS layer.

[0062] In one example, if the UE's AS layer receives an indicator from the UE's NAS layer, the UE can apply a broadcast indicator for network-controlled manual CAG selection.

[0063] In one example, if the UE's AS layer does not receive an indicator from the UE's NAS layer, the UE may not apply the broadcast indicator (e.g., the UE may ignore the PLMN indicator, CAG indicator, and / or the indicator in SIB10).

[0064] In one example, if the UE's AS layer receives an indicator from the UE's NAS layer, the UE can further determine whether to apply the broadcast indicator based on several criteria (e.g., the UE's mode, whether a broadcast indicator for network-controlled manual CAG selection has been broadcast, and the UE's RRC state (e.g., RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACITVE, RRC_CONNECTED)). The UE's mode may include automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, and network-controlled manual CAG selection mode. The broadcast indicator may include PLMN indicators, CAG indicators, and / or indicators in SIB10.

[0065] Condition 2: The UE may determine whether to apply a broadcast instruction for network-controlled manual CAG selection based on the UE’s mode or any combination of modes (e.g., automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, and / or network-controlled manual CAG selection mode).

[0066] In one example, if the UE is in automatic CAG selection mode, the UE may or may not ignore broadcast instructions from the serving / resident cell.

[0067] In one example, if the UE is in manual CAG selection mode, the UE may or may not ignore broadcast instructions from the serving / resident cell.

[0068] In one example, if the UE is in network-controlled manual CAG selection mode, the UE may not ignore broadcast instructions from the serving / resident cell.

[0069] Condition 3: The UE can apply broadcast instructions for network-controlled manual CAG selection regardless of the UE's mode (e.g., automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, or network-controlled manual CAG selection mode). That is, the UE can (by default or by force) apply broadcast instructions for network-controlled manual CAG selection.

[0070] In one example, the UE can perform network-controlled manual CAG selection based on whether the serving / hosted cell has broadcast a PLMN instruction that allows the UE to manually select the CAG ID supported by the CAG cell.

[0071] In one example, if a broadcast instruction is broadcast (or specified), the UE (e.g., in automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, or network-controlled manual CAG selection mode) can apply the broadcast instruction.

[0072] In one example, if there is no (or no broadcast) broadcast indication, the UE (e.g., in automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, or network-controlled manual CAG selection mode) may not apply the broadcast indication.

[0073] PLMN Instructions

[0074] CAG cells can broadcast (e.g., via SIB1, SIB10, or other system information (SI)) an indication associated with the PLMN ID in the PNI-NPN information element (IE) (i.e., the PLMN indication). The PNI-NPN information element can indicate identification and information associated with the PNI-NPN. The PNI-NPN information element may include the PLMN ID and a list of CAG IDs associated with the PLMN ID. The PNI-NPN information element can be an alternative to the NPN identification information element. For example, such as... Figure 1 The example indicates (e.g.: Figure 1 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE is associated with a PLMN ID (e.g., plmn-Identity IE) and / or with a list of CAG IDs (e.g., cag-IdentityListIE).

[0075] The indicator can be a Boolean indicator (e.g., ENUMERATED{true}, ENUMERATED{true,false}, ENUMERATED{enabled}, ENUMERATED{enabled,disabled}, ENUMERATED{allowed}, or ENUMERATED{allowed,not allowed}).

[0076] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", then the UE with the selected / registered PLMN corresponding to the PLMN ID associated with that indication (e.g., in particular, an NPN-capable UE configured with an allowed CAG list) can perform at least one of the following actions:

[0077] Action 1: The UE can determine the cell indicated by the broadcast as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection;

[0078] Action 2: If the broadcast CAG ID in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE can determine the broadcast-indicated cell as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0079] Action 3: If the broadcast CAG ID in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE can determine the cell broadcasting this indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0080] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE with the selected / registered PLMN corresponding to the PLMN ID associated with that indication (e.g., in particular, an NPN-capable UE configured (or provided) with an allowed CAG list) may perform at least one of the following actions:

[0081] Action 1: The UE may or may not identify the cell indicated by the broadcast as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection;

[0082] Action 2: If the broadcast CAG ID in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE can determine the broadcast-indicated cell as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0083] Action 3: If the broadcast CAG ID in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE may not consider the broadcast indicated cell as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0084] Furthermore, if the UE determines the broadcast indication cell as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection, the UE's AS layer can report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication and broadcast by the candidate CAG cell to the UE's NAS layer. The UE's NAS layer can select a CAG ID based on the CAG ID received from the UE's AS layer. The UE's NAS layer can report the selected CAG ID to the UE's AS layer. The UE's AS layer can perform cell (re)selection based on the selected CAG ID.

[0085] On the other hand, if the UE does not consider the cell broadcasting the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection, the UE's AS layer may not report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication and broadcast by the candidate CAG cell to the UE's NAS layer.

[0086] When a UE (e.g., in RRC_IDLE state, in RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state while timer T311 is running, where the UE can start timer T311 if an RRC connection re-establishment process is triggered) receives SIB1, and if the downlink channel bandwidth supported by the UE has a maximum transmission bandwidth configuration that is less than or equal to the carrier bandwidth (indicated in the downlinkConfigCommon IE for the sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of the initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP)) and wider than or equal to the bandwidth of the initial downlink BWP, the UE can check the indication broadcast by the cell (e.g.: Figure 1 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is used. Based on the inspection results of the indication, the UE's AS layer can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). The UE's AS layer may include the UE's physical (PHY) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, RRC layer, or service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer.

[0087] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform automatic CAG selection, the UE may ignore (or not check) the indications associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE in the UE can forward / report (as associated with the indication) the CAG ID / PLMN ID to the upper layer of the UE (e.g., the NAS layer).

[0088] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection (e.g., the UE's NAS layer may request the UE's AS layer to search for available CAGs in nearby cells and evaluate reports from the UE's AS layer regarding available CAGs for manual CAG selection in order to operate nearby cells, where available CAGs can be identified by CAG IDs broadcast by nearby cells), then the UE may ignore (or not check) indications associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is mentioned. The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report (as associated with the indication) the CAG ID / PLMN ID to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0089] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1 (manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE).

[0090] If the indication is a Boolean indication set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list).

[0091] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed" or the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0092] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can further check whether the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication. For example, if the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's NAS layer.

[0093] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1 (manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE).

[0094] If the indication is a Boolean indication set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list).

[0095] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0096] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may further check whether the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication. For example, if the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID associated with the PLMN ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the PLMN ID is associated with the indication, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0097] Furthermore, when the UE receives and reads SIB1, the UE can further determine whether SIB10 is being broadcast by checking the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE in the SI-SchedulingInfo IE, and / or whether SIB10 is an area-specific SIB (e.g., if the type is "SIB10" and areaScope is "true" in the SIB-TypeInfo IE of the SI-SchedulingInfo IE, SIB10 can be an area-specific SIB; otherwise, SIB10 can be a cell-specific SIB), and / or, if the type is "SIB10", determine whether the stored SIB10 is valid based on the value label in the SIB-TypeInfo IE. If SIB10 (e.g., an NPN-specific SIB) is included in the sib-MappingInfo IE and the associated si-BroadcastStatus IE is "broadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in SIB10), the UE may further receive a list of human-readable network names (HRNNs) via SIB10, wherein the entries in the HRNN list may correspond to NPN identifiers (SNPN identifiers, PNI-NPN identifiers, combinations of PLMN identifiers and CAG identifiers, or combinations of PLMN identifiers and CAG identifiers associated with those PLMN identifiers) broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., specifically in the cellAccessRelatedInfo IE in SIB1). The number of HRNNs in the HRNN list is the same as the number of NPNs in SIB1 (e.g., the number of NPN identifiers, the number of SNPN identifiers, the number of combinations of PLMN identifiers and CAG identifiers, or the number of combinations of PLMN identifiers and CAG identifiers associated with those PLMN identifiers). The nth entry in the HRNN list may contain the HRNN of the nth NPN (identified) in SIB1. If no HRNN is associated with a given NPN, the corresponding entry in the HRNN list is absent (or empty). If the si-BroadcastStatus IE associated with SIB10 is "broadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in SIB1), then the UE (e.g., an NPN-capable UE) may receive SIB10 and obtain the HRNN (if it exists).The UE may further examine and / or receive an HRNN associated with an NPN identification that includes a PLMN identification and / or a CAG identification, wherein the PLMN identification and / or CAG identification included in the NPN identification may be associated with an indication (e.g.: ). Figure 1 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is associated with this. If the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is the same as the received value label in SIB1), the UE can apply the stored HRNN associated with the NPN identification, which includes the PLMN identification and / or CAG identification, wherein the PLMN identification and / or CAG identification included in the NPN identification can be associated with an indication (e.g.: Figure 1 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE is associated with this. If SIB10 (e.g., NPN-specific SIB) is included in the sib-MappingInfo IE and the associated si-BroadcastStatus IE is "notbroadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in the SIB10), the UE may further request SIB10 by transmitting a preamble to the serving / camping cell based on a 2-step random access (RA) procedure or by transmitting an RRC message (e.g., an RRC system information request message) to the serving / camping cell based on a 4-step RA procedure.

[0098] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform automatic CAG selection, the UE may ignore (or not check) the indications associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1(See manual CAG selection Allowed-r16 IE). If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID (as associated with the indication) and the received and associated HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., a stored SIB10 or a newly received SIB10) but does not receive the HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID (as associated with the indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0099] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection (e.g., the UE's NAS layer can request the UE's AS layer to search for available CAGs in the operational vicinity and evaluate reports from the UE's AS layer regarding available CAGs in the operational vicinity for manual CAG selection), the UE may ignore (or not check) indications associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (See manual CAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE). If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID (as associated with the indication) and the received and associated HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., a stored SIB10 or a newly received SIB10) but does not receive the HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), the UE's AS layer may forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID (as associated with the indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0100] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1 (manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE).

[0101] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list. The UE can further check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID (as associated with the indication) and the received and associated HRNN to the upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., stored SIB10, newly received SIB10) but has not received the HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), then the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report (as associated with the indication) the CAG ID / PLMN ID to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0102] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). The UE may not need to check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE.

[0103] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the selected / registered PLMN (e.g.: Figure 1 (manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE).

[0104] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer) without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list. The UE can further check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer can forward / report (the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication) and (the received and associated) HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., stored SIB10 or newly received SIB10) but has not received an HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with an NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), then the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report (as associated with the indication) the CAG ID / PLMN ID to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0105] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID / PLMN ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). The UE may not need to check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE.

[0106] CAG Indication

[0107] CAG cells can broadcast (e.g., via SIB1, SIB10, or other SIs) an indication associated with the CAG ID (i.e., a CAG indication) within the PNI-NPN information element. The PNI-NPN information element can indicate identification and information associated with the PNI-NPN. The PNI-NPN information element may include the PLMN ID and a list of CAG IDs associated with the PLMN ID. The PNI-NPN information element can be an alternative to the NPN identification information element. For example, as... Figure 2 The example indicates (e.g.: Figure 2The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE in the PNI-NPN information element is associated with a CAG ID (e.g., CAG-Identity IE). If the PNI-NPN information element includes a PLMN ID and a list of CAG IDs, then each CAG ID in the CAG ID list can be associated with an indication.

[0108] The indicator can be a Boolean indicator (e.g., ENUMERATED{true}, ENUMERATED{true,false}, ENUMERATED{enabled}, ENUMERATED{enabled,disabled}, ENUMERATED{allowed}, or ENUMERATED{allowed,not allowed}).

[0109] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", then a UE with a selected / registered PLMN corresponding to the PLMN ID associated with the CAG ID associated with the indication (e.g., in particular an NPN-capable UE configured with an allowed CAG list) can perform at least one of the following actions:

[0110] Action 1: The UE can determine the cell indicated by the broadcast as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection;

[0111] Action 2: If the broadcast CAG ID associated with the indication in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE can determine the cell broadcast the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0112] Action 3: If the broadcast CAG ID associated with the indication in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE may determine the cell of the broadcast indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0113] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE with the selected / registered PLMN corresponding to the PLMN ID associated with the CAG ID associated with the indication (e.g., in particular, an NPN-capable UE configured (provided) with a list of allowed CAGs) may perform at least one of the following actions:

[0114] Action 1: The UE may or may not identify the cell indicated by the broadcast as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection;

[0115] Action 2: If the broadcast CAG ID associated with the indication in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE can determine the cell broadcast the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0116] Action 3: If the broadcast CAG ID associated with the indication in the broadcast CAG ID list (e.g., cag-IdentityList IE) is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE may not consider the cell broadcast the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0117] If the UE determines that the broadcast indication cell is a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection, the UE's AS layer may report to the UE's NAS layer at least one CAG ID associated with the corresponding indication (where the indication can be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"; a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed"; or may not exist) broadcast by the candidate CAG cell. The UE's NAS layer may select a CAG ID based on the received CAG ID from the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer). The UE's NAS layer may report the selected CAG ID to the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer). The UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may perform cell (re)selection based on the selected CAG ID.

[0118] If the UE does not determine the cell broadcasting the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection, the UE's AS layer may not report to the UE's NAS layer any CAG IDs associated with the corresponding indication (where the indication may be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"; a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed"; or may not exist) broadcast by the candidate CAG cell.

[0119] When the UE receives SIB1, and if the downlink channel bandwidth supported by the UE has a maximum transmission bandwidth configuration that is less than or equal to the carrier bandwidth (indicated in the downlinkConfigCommon IE of the SCS for the initial downlink BWP) and wider than or equal to the bandwidth of the initial downlink BWP, then the UE (e.g., in RRC_IDLE state, in RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state when timer T311 is running, where the UE can start timer T311 if an RRC connection re-establishment procedure is triggered) can check the indication broadcast by the cell (e.g.: Figure 2 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is used. Based on the inspection results of the indication, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID associated with the corresponding indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0120] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform automatic CAG selection, the UE may ignore (or not check) the indications broadcast by the cell associated with the corresponding CAG ID (e.g.: Figure 2 The manual CAG selection (Allowed-r16IE) specifies the CAG ID, which can be associated with the UE's selected / registered PLMN. The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (associated with the corresponding indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0121] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection (e.g., the UE's NAS layer can provide a request to the UE's AS layer to search for available CAGs in nearby cells and evaluate reports from the UE's AS layer regarding available CAGs in nearby cells for manual CAG selection), the UE may ignore (or not check) indications broadcast by the cell associated with the corresponding CAG ID (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16IE specifies the CAG ID, which can be associated with the UE's selected / registered PLMN. The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (associated with the corresponding indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0122] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication broadcast by the cell associated with the corresponding CAG ID (e.g.: Figure 2The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE contains the corresponding CAG ID, which can be associated with the UE's selected / registered PLMN.

[0123] If the indication is a Boolean indication set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list.

[0124] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed" or the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0125] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can further check whether the CAG ID associated with the indication is in the UE's allowed CAG list. For example, if the CAG ID associated with the indication is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID associated with the indication is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer).

[0126] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication broadcast by the cell associated with the corresponding CAG ID (e.g.: Figure 2 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16IE is used, where the corresponding CAG ID can be associated with the PLMN selected / registered by the UE.

[0127] If the indication is a Boolean indication set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list.

[0128] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed" or the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0129] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can further check whether the CAG ID associated with the indication is in the UE's allowed CAG list. For example, if the CAG ID associated with the indication is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID associated with the indication is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID associated with the indication to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer).

[0130] When the UE receives and / or reads SIB1, the UE can further determine whether SIB10 is broadcast periodically or on demand by checking the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE in the SI-SchedulingInfo IE, and / or determine whether SIB10 is an area-specific SIB (e.g., if the type is "SIB10" and areaScope is "true" in the SIB-TypeInfo IE of the SI-SchedulingInfo IE, SIB10 can be an area-specific SIB; otherwise, SIB10 can be a cell-specific SIB), and / or, if the type is "SIB10", determine whether the stored SIB10 is valid based on the value label in the SIB-TypeInfo IE. If SIB10 (e.g., an NPN-specific SIB) is included in the sib-MappingInfo IE and the associated si-BroadcastStatus IE is "broadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in SIB10), the UE may further receive an HRNN list via SIB10, wherein the entries in the HRNN list may correspond to NPN identifications (SNPN identifications, PNI-NPN identifications, combinations of PLMN identifications and CAG identifications, or combinations of PLMN identifications and CAG identifications associated with PLMN identifications) broadcast via SIB1 (e.g., specifically in the cellAccessRelatedInfo IE in SIB1). The number of HRNNs in the HRNN list is the same as the number of NPNs in SIB1 (e.g., the number of NPN identifications, the number of SNPN identifications, the number of combinations of PLMN identifications and CAG identifications, or the number of combinations of PLMN identifications and CAG identifications associated with PLMN identifications). The nth entry in the HRNN list may contain the HRNN of the nth NPN (identified) in SIB1. If no HRNN is associated with a given NPN, the corresponding entry in the HRNN list is absent (or empty). If the si-BroadcastStatus IE associated with SIB10 is "broadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in SIB1), then the UE (e.g., a UE with NPN capability) may receive SIB10 and obtain the HRNN (if it exists).The UE may further examine and / or receive an HRNN associated with an NPN identification that includes a PLMN identification and / or a CAG identification, wherein the PLMN identification and / or CAG identification included in the NPN identification may be associated with an indication (e.g.: ). Figure 2 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is associated with this. If the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is the same as the received value label in SIB1), the UE can apply the stored HRNN associated with the NPN identification, including PLMN identification and / or CAG identification, which may be associated with an indication (e.g.: Figure 2 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE is associated with this. If SIB10 (e.g., NPN-specific SIB) is included in the sib-MappingInfo IE and the associated si-BroadcastStatus IE is "notbroadcasting", and / or if the stored SIB10 (if it exists) is not valid (because the value label associated with the stored SIB10 is different from the received value label in the SIB10), the UE may further request SIB10 by transmitting a preamble to the serving / camping cell based on a 2-step RA procedure, or by transmitting an RRC message (e.g., an RRC system information request message) to the serving / camping cell based on a 4-step RA procedure.

[0131] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform automatic CAG selection, the UE may ignore (or not check) the indication associated with the CAG ID (e.g.: Figure 2The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE specifies that the CAG ID can be associated with the selected / registered PLMN. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) and the (received and associated) HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., stored SIB10, newly received SIB10) but has not received the HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0132] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection (e.g., the UE's NAS layer can provide a request to the UE's AS layer to search for available CAGs in nearby cells and evaluate reports from the UE's AS layer regarding available CAGs in nearby cells for CAG selection), the UE may ignore (or not check) the indication associated with the CAG ID (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE specifies that the CAG ID can be associated with the selected / registered PLMN. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) and the (received and associated) HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., a stored SIB10 or a newly received SIB10) but has not received the HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) to the UE's NAS layer without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0133] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the CAG ID (e.g.: Figure 2The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE contains a CAG ID that can be associated with the selected / registered PLMN.

[0134] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with a corresponding indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list). The UE can further check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) and the (received and associated) HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., stored SIB10 or newly received SIB10) but has not received an HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with an NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), then the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID (where each CAG ID may be associated with an indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0135] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID (where each CAG ID may be associated with the indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). The UE may not need to check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE.

[0136] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the CAGID (e.g.: Figure 2 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE contains a CAG ID that can be associated with the selected / registered PLMN.

[0137] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with a corresponding indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list). The UE can further check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE. If the UE checks and / or receives the HRNN via SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with the NPN identification in SIB1, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID (each CAG ID can be associated with an indication) and the (received and associated) HRNN to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer). If the UE checks SIB10 (e.g., stored SIB10 or newly received SIB10) but has not received an HRNN from SIB10, where the HRNN is associated with an NPN identification in SIB1 (e.g., the entry in the HRNN list corresponding to the NPN identification in SIB1 is absent / empty), then the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID (where each CAG ID may be associated with an indication) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) without forwarding / reporting the HRNN.

[0138] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer may not forward / report the CAG ID (where each CAG ID may be associated with the indication) to the UE's NAS layer. The UE may not need to check whether the cell is (currently) broadcasting SIB10 based on the si-BroadcastStatus IE and the associated sib-MappingInfo IE.

[0139] Instructions in SIB10

[0140] The UE (e.g., in RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED state) may periodically or as needed acquire / receive SIB10. If the cell periodically broadcasts SIB10, the UE may periodically acquire / receive SIB10. If the cell does not periodically broadcast SIB10, and if the UE needs SIB10 (e.g., when the UE performs intra-frequency / inter-frequency / inter-RAT cell (re)selection), the UE may initiate a system information request procedure to request SIB10. For example, the UE may acquire SIB10 when its NAS layer provides an indicator to its AS layer (e.g., RRC layer). For example, the UE may acquire SIB10 based on its mode (e.g., automatic CAG selection mode, manual CAG selection mode, or network-controlled manual CAG selection mode) or a combination of modes. For example, an RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE UE can initiate a system information request procedure for SIB10 by initiating a 2-step / 4-step RA procedure (e.g., for an MSG1-based SI request procedure or an MSG3-based SI request procedure) or by transmitting an RRC message (e.g., an RRC system information request message) to the serving / camping cell via Signaling Radio Bearer 0 (SRB0). As another example, an RRC_CONNECTED UE can initiate a system information request procedure for SIB10 by transmitting an RRC message (e.g., a dedicated SIB request message) to the serving cell via Signaling Radio Bearer 1 (SRB1). The UE can then receive / acquire SIB10 from the serving cell on an active BWP configured with a common search space, which is configured using the field `searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation`. The UE can receive SIB10 via cell broadcast or unicast (e.g., via RRC messages).

[0141] A cell (e.g., a cell supporting at least one of PNI-NPN, SNPN, and PLMN) may transmit SIB10 to the UE, which includes an HRNN list, optionally includes indications associated with the HRNN list, and optionally includes at least one indication associated with entries in the HRNN list. For example, as Figure 3 As illustrated, SIB10 may include a list of HRNNs and a list of instructions, where each instruction may correspond to an entry in the HRNN list. For another example, such as... Figure 4 As illustrated, SIB10 may include an HRNN list and an indicator, wherein the indicator may correspond to each entry in the HRNN list. Figure 4In SIB10, there may be a list of HRNNs with associated indications and another list of HRNNs without associated indications. For example, entries in the list of HRNNs with associated indications may correspond to PNI-NPN (identified by a pair of PLMN IDs and CAG IDs) and / or CAG (identified by a CAG ID). Entries in the list of HRNNs without associated indications may correspond to SNPN (identified by a pair of PLMN IDs and network IDs). It is worth noting that entries in the HRNN list refer to NPN identifications broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN identifications (i.e., a pair of PLMN identifications and network identifications) or PNI-NPN identifications (i.e., a pair of PLMN identifications and CAG identifications)).

[0142] If SIB10 is not broadcast periodically, or if SIB10 is not being broadcast based on the si-schedulingInfo IE in SIB1, the UE may further request SIB10 from the serving / camping cell (e.g., before selecting a CAG ID (or SNPN ID) at the UE's NAS layer during PLMN selection and / or cell (re)selection, and / or before reporting at least one broadcast CAG ID (or SNPN ID) from the UE's AS layer to the UE's NAS layer during PLMN selection and / or cell (re)selection).

[0143] If SIB10 is broadcast periodically, or if SIB10 is being broadcast based on the si-schedulingInfo IE in SIB1, the UE may further acquire / receive SIB10 from the serving / resident cell (e.g., before selecting a CAG ID (or SNPN ID) at the UE's NAS layer during PLMN selection and / or cell (re)selection, and / or before reporting at least one broadcast CAG ID (or SNPN ID) from the UE's AS layer to the UE's NAS layer during PLMN selection and / or cell (re)selection).

[0144] The indicator can be a Boolean indicator (e.g., ENUMERATED{true}, ENUMERATED{true,false}, ENUMERATED{enabled}, ENUMERATED{enabled,disabled}, ENUMERATED{allowed}, or ENUMERATED{allowed,not allowed}).

[0145] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed", then a UE with a selected / registered PLMN / SNPN corresponding to an NPN associated with an HRNN in the HRNN list (e.g., in particular, an NPN-capable UE configured (or provided) with an allowed CAG list) (where the indication is associated with an HRNN) may perform at least one of the following actions:

[0146] Action 1: The UE can determine the cell indicated by the transmission (e.g., via broadcast or unicast) as a candidate CAG / SNPN cell for cell (re)selection;

[0147] Action 2: If the HRNN associated with the indication corresponds to a CAG ID, and that CAG ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, then the UE can determine the cell transmitting the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0148] Action 3: If the HRNN associated with the indication corresponds to a CAG ID, and that CAG ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, then the UE may determine the cell of the transmission indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0149] It is worth noting that if an entry in the HRNN list is associated with an SNPN (or an SNPN ID in SIB1), then the indication associated with the entry in the HRNN list (e.g.: Figure 3 The manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE) in the manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE may (always) not exist (or be zero).

[0150] If all entries in the HRNN list are associated with an SNPN (or an SNPN ID in SIB1), then there may be no indication associated with the HRNN list (e.g., Figure 4 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE is used. Alternatively, if all entries in the HRNN list are associated with an SNPN (or the SNPN ID in SIB1), and if an indication associated with the HRNN list exists (e.g.: Figure 4 If the manualCAGselectionAllowed-r16 IE is specified, it indicates that the option may (always) not exist (or be zero).

[0151] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, a UE with a selected / registered PLMN / SNPN corresponding to an NPN associated with an HRNN in the HRNN list (e.g., particularly an NPN-capable UE configured (or provided) with an allowed CAG list) (where the indication is associated with an HRNN) may perform at least one of the following actions:

[0152] Action 1: The UE may or may not identify the cell indicated by the transmission (e.g., via broadcast or unicast) as a candidate CAG / SNPN cell for cell (re-selection);

[0153] Action 2: If the HRNN associated with the indication corresponds to a CAG ID, and that CAG ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, then the UE can determine the cell transmitting the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection; and

[0154] Action 3: If the HRNN associated with the indication corresponds to a CAG ID, and that CAG ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, then the UE may not consider the cell transmitting the indication as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection.

[0155] If the UE determines that the cell from which the transmission indication is received is a candidate CAG / SNPN cell for cell (re)selection, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may report to the UE's NAS layer at least one CAG ID (and / or SNPN ID and / or PNI-NPN ID) associated with the corresponding indication (broadcast by the candidate CAG / SNPN cell via SIB1) and / or at least one HRNN associated with the corresponding indication (where the indication may be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"; a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed"; or may not exist). The UE's NAS layer may select a CAG ID (or SNPN ID) based on the received CAG ID (or SNPN ID) from the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer). The UE's NAS layer reports the selected CAG ID (or selected SNPN ID) to the UE's AS layer. The UE's AS layer performs cell (re)selection based on the selected CAG ID (or selected SNPN ID).

[0156] If the UE does not determine the cell broadcasting the indication as a candidate CAG / SNPN cell for cell (re)selection, then the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not report to the UE's NAS layer any CAG ID (or SNPN ID) (broadcast by the candidate CAG / SNPN cell via SIB1) or any associated HRNN (where the indication may be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"; a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "notallowed"; or may not exist)

[0157] The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may determine whether to forward / report HRNN list entries to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) based on the existence of an entry specified as being associated with the HRNN list or an indication associated with the HRNN list. If an indication specified as being associated with the HRNN list exists, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the associated HRNN list entry (or the associated HRNN list entry) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) based on the indication. If no indication specified as being associated with the HRNN list exists, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may forward / report the HRNN list entry to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0158] If the HRNN list is not associated with an indication and / or if the entries in the HRNN list are not associated with an indication, then when the UE (e.g., in RRC_IDLE state, in RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state while timer T311 is running, where the UE can start timer T311 if an RRC connection re-establishment procedure is triggered) receives SIB10, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can forward / report the entries in the HRNN list to the upper layer of the UE (e.g., the NAS layer) and the corresponding identification of the cell broadcast in SIB1.

[0159] When the UE (e.g., in RRC_IDLE state, RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state during timer T311, where the UE can start timer T311 if an RRC connection re-establishment process is triggered) receives SIB10, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report entries in the HRNN list and their corresponding NPN-related identifiers (e.g., CAG ID, SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer), where these entries are associated with an indicator (and / or the indicator is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"), and where the UE can receive the corresponding NPN-related identifier in SIB1.

[0160] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform automatic CAG / SNPN selection, the UE may ignore (or not check) the indication associated with the corresponding entry in the HRNN list broadcast / unicast by the cell (e.g.: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE specifies that the corresponding entries in the HRNN list can be associated with the UE's selected / registered PLMN / SNPN (or the cell's identification broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID)). The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the HRNN list entries and their corresponding cell identifications broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0161] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG / SNPN selection (e.g., the UE's NAS layer can provide a request to the UE's AS layer to search for available CAG / SNPNs in nearby cells and evaluate reports from the UE's AS layer regarding available CAG / SNPNs in nearby cells for CAG / SNPN selection), the UE may ignore (or not check) the indication associated with the corresponding entry in the HRNN list broadcast / unicast by the cell (e.g., ...). Figure 3 and Figure 4The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE specifies that the corresponding entries in the HRNN list can be associated with the UE's selected / registered PLMN / SNPN (or the cell's identification broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID)). The UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the HRNN list entries and their corresponding cell identifications broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) to the UE's NAS layer.

[0162] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform manual CAG / SNPN selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the corresponding entry in the HRNN list broadcast / unicast by the cell (e.g.: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE in the HRNN list can be associated with the UE’s selected / registered PLMN / SNPN or the cell’s identification broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID).

[0163] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report the corresponding entry (or the corresponding HRNN list) in the HRNN list associated with the indication and the corresponding identification (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPNID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) broadcast by the cell in SIB1 to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list).

[0164] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report the corresponding entry (or the corresponding HRNN list) in the HRNN list associated with the indication and the corresponding identification (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) broadcast by the cell in SIB1 to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer).

[0165] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can further check whether the CAG ID associated with the entry in the HRNN list is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the HRNN list entry is associated with the indication. For example, if the CAG ID is in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) can forward / report the CAG ID and the associated entry in the HRNN list to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID and the associated entry in the HRNN list to the UE's NAS layer.

[0166] In one example, if the UE is configured to perform network-controlled manual CAG selection, the UE can check the indication associated with the corresponding entry (or the corresponding HRNN list) in the cell's broadcast / unicast HRNN list (e.g.: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The manual CAG selection allowed-r16 IE in the HRNN list can be associated with the UE’s selected / registered PLMN / SNPN or the cell’s identification broadcast in SIB1 (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID).

[0167] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed", the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) can forward / report to the UE's upper layer (e.g., NAS layer) the corresponding entry (or the corresponding HRNN list) associated with the indication and the corresponding identifier (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) broadcast by the cell in SIB1 (without checking whether the CAG ID is included in the UE's allowed CAG list).

[0168] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled" or "not allowed" or the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., RRC layer) may not forward / report to the upper layer of the UE (e.g., NAS layer) the corresponding entry (or the corresponding HRNN list) associated with the indication and the corresponding identification (e.g., SNPN ID, PNI-NPN ID, CAG ID, PLMN ID) broadcast by the cell in SIB1.

[0169] If the indication is a Boolean indicator set to "0", "false", "disabled", or "not allowed", or if the indication does not exist, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may further check whether the CAG ID associated with the entry in the HRNN list is in the UE's allowed CAG list, where the HRNN list entry is associated with the indication. For example, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may forward / report the CAG ID and the associated entry in the HRNN list to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer). In other words, if the CAG ID is not in the UE's allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer (e.g., the RRC layer) may not forward / report the CAG ID and the associated entry in the HRNN list to the UE's upper layer (e.g., the NAS layer).

[0170] Suitable community definition

[0171] When a UE identifies a cell as a candidate CAG cell for cell (re)selection, the UE can further check whether the cell is a suitable cell based on suitable cell criteria / definitions. If the cell meets the suitable cell criteria / definitions, the UE (e.g., the UE's AS layer) can select the cell and camp on it. The suitable cell criteria / definitions are disclosed.

[0172] For UEs not operating in SNPN access mode, a cell can be considered a suitable cell if the following conditions are met:

[0173] Condition 1: The cell is part of the selected PLMN, the registered PLMN, or a list of equivalent PLMNs, and for that PLMN:

[0174] a. The PLMN ID of the PLMN is broadcast by the cell and has no associated CAG ID, and the CAG-only indication for the PLMN in the UE (refer to 3GPP TS 23.501v16.4.0) is either absent or false;

[0175] b. The list of allowed CAGs or the selected CAG IDs for the PLMN in the UE (refer to 3GPP TS23.501v16.4.0) includes the CAG IDs broadcast by the cell for the PLMN;

[0176] c. The selected CAG ID for this PLMN in the UE (which may not be in the allowed CAG list) is associated with the indication broadcast by the cell for this PLMN (which may be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled", or "allowed"); or

[0177] d. The selected CAG ID for the PLMN in the UE (which may not be in the list of allowed CAGs) is associated with the indication broadcast by the cell for that CAG (which may be a Boolean indicator set to "1", "true", "enabled" or "allowed").

[0178] Condition 2: Based on Clause 5.2.3.2 of 3GPP TS 38.304v16.0.0, the cell selection criteria are met.

[0179] Condition 3: The UE's NAS layer can provide the latest information to the UE's AS layer. The latest information may indicate that: the cell is not prohibited based on Clause 5.3.1 of 3GPP TS38.304v16.0.0; and / or the cell is part of at least one tracking area (TA) that is not part of the PLMN's "Disabled Tracking Areas" list (refer to 3GPP TS22.261v17.2.0).

[0180] Terms such as NW, RAN, cell, hosted cell, serving cell, BS, gNB, eNB, and ng-eNB are used interchangeably. Some of these terms refer to the same network entity.

[0181] For a UE in the RRC_CONNECTED state that is not configured with carrier aggregation (CA) or dual connectivity (DC), the serving cell can refer to the primary cell. For a UE in the RRC_CONNECTED state that is configured with CA / DC, the term "serving cell" is used to refer to a group of cells that includes the primary cell and all secondary cells.

[0182] For DC operations, the term "special cell" refers to the PCell of the MCG or the PSCell of the SCG. Otherwise, the term "special cell" refers to the PCell.

[0183] The previously mentioned examples can be applied to any RAT. A RAT can be (but is not limited to) NR, NR-U (NR unlicensed, NR-based unlicensed spectrum access), LTE, E-UTRA connected to 5GC, LTE connected to 5GC, E-UTRA connected to EPC, and LTE connected to EPC.

[0184] The previously mentioned examples can be applied to UEs in public networks or private networks (e.g., non-public networks (NPN), standalone non-public networks (SNPN), or public network integrated NPNs (PNI-NPN)).

[0185] The previously mentioned examples can be used for licensed frequencies and / or unlicensed frequencies.

[0186] System information (SI) can refer to MIB, SIB1, and other SIs. The minimum SI can include MIB and SIB1. Other SIs can refer to SIB3, SIB4, SIB5, and other SIBs (e.g., SNPN-specific SIBs or PNI-NPN-specific SIBs).

[0187] Dedicated (RRC) signaling can refer to (but is not limited to) RRC messages. For example, RRC messages may include: RRC (connection) establishment request messages, RRC (connection) establishment messages, RRC (connection) establishment completion messages, RRC (connection) reconfiguration messages, RRC connection reconfiguration messages containing mobility control information, RRC connection reconfiguration messages not containing mobility control information, including RRC reconfiguration messages with synchronized configurations, RRC reconfiguration messages not containing synchronized internal configurations, RRC (connection) reconfiguration completion messages, RRC (connection) recovery request messages, RRC (connection) recovery messages, RRC (connection) recovery completion messages, RRC (connection) reconstruction request messages, RRC (connection) reconstruction messages, RRC (connection) reconstruction completion messages, RRC (connection) rejection messages, RRC (connection) release messages, RRC system information request messages, UE auxiliary information messages (e.g., UE auxiliary information NR messages, UE auxiliary information EUTRA messages), UE capability query messages, UE capability information messages, UE information request messages, and UE information response messages.

[0188] The RRC_CONNECTED UE, RRC_INACTIVE UE, and RRC_IDLE UE can apply the previously mentioned examples.

[0189] The RRC_CONNECTED UE can be configured with an active BWP that has a common search space configured to listen for system messages or paging.

[0190] Generally, the previously mentioned examples can be applied to both PCell and UE. Short messages and / or paging downlink control information (DCI) can be transmitted from the PSCell (or secondary node) to the UE. The UE can listen for PDCCH listening opportunities configured by the PSCell (or secondary node).

[0191] The allowed CAG list can represent a list of PLMNs for each CAG identifier, where the CAG identifier is the CAG identifier that allows UE access.

[0192] A CAG cell is a cell that broadcasts at least one CAG identifier.

[0193] A CAG can represent a CAG operating in a nearby cell, and a CAG can be identified by the CAG ID broadcast by the nearby cell.

[0194] CAG member cells can represent: for the UE, the cell that identifies the selected PLMN, the registered PLMN, or the equivalent PLMN, and for that PLMN, the CAG identifier that belongs to the UE's allowed CAG list.

[0195] The CAG identifier can be used to identify CAGs within a PLMN.

[0196] Network identifiers can be used in conjunction with PLMN IDs to identify SNPNs.

[0197] NPN refers to a network deployed for non-public purposes.

[0198] An NPN-only cell refers to a cell that can only be used for normal services for NPN users. A UE with NPN capability determines whether a cell is an NPN-only cell by detecting that the cellReservedForOtherUse IE is set to true and the npn-IdentityInfoList IE exists in the CellAccessRelatedInfo IE.

[0199] A PNI-NPN identifier can represent an identifier for a PNI-NPN, which includes a combination of PLMN ID and CAG ID.

[0200] The registered SNPN refers to the SNPN that has already been registered at a specific location.

[0201] The selected SNPN refers to the SNPN that has been manually or automatically selected by the NAS (e.g., the NAS layer of the UE or the NAS layer of the CN).

[0202] The SNPN access mode can indicate that the UE selects only the SNPN operation mode.

[0203] SNPN identifiers can represent SNPNs, which include a combination of PLMN ID and NID.

[0204] SNPN-only cells refer to cells that can only be used for normal services for SNPN users.

[0205] If the UE's AS layer reports a CAG ID broadcast by the serving / resident cell to the UE's NAS layer, and that CAG ID is not in the allowed CAG list, the UE's NAS layer can prioritize the CAG IDs to be selected. The UE's NAS layer can then notify the UE's AS layer of the selected CAG ID.

[0206] When a UE without NPN capability (e.g., an older / advanced UE without NPN function / capability (e.g., Rel-15 UE, Rel-16 UE)) reads / receives an indication from system information (e.g., SIB1, SIB10), the UE without NPN capability can ignore the indication.

[0207] A UE with NPN capability refers to a UE that supports CAG (or NPN).

[0208] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a CAG selection method 500 performed by a UE in an NPN. In action 502, the UE receives a first indication and a CAG ID from the CAG cell via SIB1, wherein the first indication is associated with the CAG ID, and even if the CAG ID is not included (or does not exist) in the UE's allowed CAG list, the first indication indicates that manual selection of the CAG ID is permitted. In action 504, when a request is received from the UE's NAS layer, the UE's AS layer reports the first indication and the CAG ID to the UE's NAS layer. In action 506, the UE performs a cell selection or reselection procedure based on the CAG ID.

[0209] In some examples, a request transmitted from the UE's NAS layer to the UE's AS layer instructs the UE's AS layer to search for available CAG cells.

[0210] In some examples, a request transmitted from the UE's NAS layer to the UE's AS layer instructs the UE's AS layer to report a first indication (if received).

[0211] In some examples, a request transmitted from the UE's NAS layer to the UE's AS layer instructs the UE's AS layer to report the CAG ID (if received).

[0212] In some examples, a request transmitted from the UE's NAS layer to the UE's AS layer instructs the UE's AS layer to report a first indication and the associated CAG ID.

[0213] In one example, the UE's NAS layer further determines whether the CAG ID is included in the allowed CAG list. When the CAG ID is included in the allowed CAG list or is not included (or does not exist) in the allowed CAG list, the UE's AS layer reports the first indication and the CAG ID (e.g., via the PNI-NPN ID which includes the PLMN ID and the CAG ID) to the UE's NAS layer.

[0214] In one example, the UE will identify the CAG cell that broadcasts the first indication and CAG ID as a candidate cell for the previously mentioned cell selection or reselection process, even if the CAG identification is not included (or does not exist) in the list of allowed CAGs.

[0215] In one example, the UE is configured by the NAS layer not to operate in SNPN access mode.

[0216] In one example, the UE is configured by the NAS layer to manual CAG selection mode before receiving the first instruction.

[0217] In one example, during the previously mentioned cell selection or reselection process, the UE performs the following actions:

[0218] Action 1: The UE selects the CAG ID from the UE's NAS layer;

[0219] Action 2: The UE reports the selected CAG identifier from its NAS layer to its AS layer; and

[0220] Action 3: The UE performs a cell selection or reselection process based on the selected CAG ID by its AS layer (e.g., the UE selects and broadcasts the appropriate cell for the selected CAG ID by its AS layer).

[0221] In one example, after the UE selects a suitable cell, the UE initiates the registration process via the suitable cell through the UE's AS layer.

[0222] In one example, the UE can receive the HRNN via SIB10, and the UE reports the first indication, CAG ID, and HRNN from the UE's AS layer to the UE's NAS layer.

[0223] Figure 6This is a block diagram illustrating a node 600 for wireless communication according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0224] like Figure 6 As shown, node 600 may include a transceiver 620, a processor 626, a memory 628, one or more presentation components 634, and at least one antenna 636. Node 600 may also include a radio frequency (RF) spectrum module, a base station communication module, a network communication module, a system communication management module, input / output (I / O) ports, I / O components, or a power supply (in [the context of the previous sentence]). Figure 6 (Not shown in the image).

[0225] Each of these components can communicate with each other directly or indirectly via one or more buses 640. Node 600 can perform actions such as... Figure 5 The various publicly available functions of the UE or BS are shown.

[0226] Transceiver 620 may have a transmitter 622 (with transmitting circuitry) and a receiver 624 (with receiving circuitry), and may be configured to transmit and / or receive time and / or frequency resource allocation information. Transceiver 620 may be configured to transmit in different types of subframes and time slots, including but not limited to usable, unusable, and flexibly usable subframe and time slot formats. Transceiver 620 may be configured to receive data and control channels.

[0227] Node 600 may include a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any media accessible by Node 600, and includes both volatile (and non-volatile) media, as well as removable (and non-removable) media. Computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile (and / or non-volatile) and removable (and / or non-removable) media, and can be implemented in any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable media.

[0228] Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory (or other storage technologies), CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) (or other optical disc storage devices), magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices. Computer storage media do not include those used for transmitting data signals.

[0229] Communication media can typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals (such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms), and include any information transmission medium. The term "modulated data signal" can refer to a signal having one or more characteristics set or altered in a manner that encodes information in the signal. Communication media include wired media (such as wired networks or direct wired connections) and wireless media (such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media). Any combination of disclosed media should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0230] Memory 628 may include computer storage media in the form of volatile and / or non-volatile memory. Memory 628 may be removable, non-removable, or a combination thereof. For example, memory 628 may include solid-state memory, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, etc. Figure 6 As shown, the memory 628 may include solid-state storage, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, etc. Figure 6 As shown, memory 628 may store computer-readable and / or computer-executable instructions 632 (e.g., software code), which, when executed, cause processor 626 (e.g., processing circuitry) to perform various publicly disclosed functions. Alternatively, instructions 632 may not be executed directly by processor 626, but may be configured to cause node 600 (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform various publicly disclosed functions.

[0231] Processor 626 may include intelligent hardware devices such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, ASIC, etc. Processor 626 may include memory. Processor 626 can process data 630 and instructions 632 received from memory 628, as well as information received via transceiver 620, baseband communication module, and / or network communication module. Processor 626 can also process information to be sent to transceiver 620 for transmission via antenna 636, and / or to network communication module for transmission to CN.

[0232] One or more presentation components 634 may present data to a person or other device. Presentation components 634 may include display devices, speakers, printing components, vibrating components, etc.

[0233] According to this disclosure, it will be apparent that various techniques can be used to implement the concepts of this disclosure without departing from the scope of these concepts. Furthermore, although the concepts have been disclosed with specific reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the scope of those concepts. Therefore, this disclosure should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects. It should also be understood that while this disclosure is not limited to the specific disclosed embodiments, many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for a user equipment (UE) to perform Closed Access Group (CAG) selection in a non-public network (NPN), the method comprising: A first indication and a CAG identification are received from the CAG cell via System Information Block 1 (SIB1). The first indication is associated with the CAG identification, and even if the CAG identification is not included in the UE's allowed CAG list, the first indication also indicates that the CAG identification can be manually selected. When a request is received from the UE's non-access stratum (NAS), the UE's access stratum (AS) reports the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS; Even if the CAG identification is not included in the allowed CAG list, the CAG cell is determined as a candidate cell for the cell selection or reselection process based on the first indication broadcast by the CAG cell and the CAG identification. If it is determined that the UE is not operating in the Independent Non-Public Network (SNPN) access mode, the cell selection or reselection process is performed according to the CAG identification. as well as The NAS determines whether the CAG identifier is included in the list of allowed CAGs. When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS, including: When it is determined that the CAG identifier is included in the list of allowed CAGs, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identifier to the NAS.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: when the CAG identification is not included in the allowed CAG list, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before receiving the first instruction, the NAS sets the manual CAG selection mode.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The request instructs the AS to search for available CAG cells.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If it is determined that the UE is not operating in the SNPN access mode, the cell selection or reselection process performed according to the CAG identification includes: The CAG is selected by the NAS; The NAS reports the selected CAG identification to the AS; and The AS performs the cell selection or reselection process based on the selected CAG.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The cell selection or reselection process performed by the AS based on the selected CAG includes: The AS selects the appropriate cell identified by the CAG.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The registration process is initiated by the AS via the appropriate cell.

8. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The human-readable network name HRNN is received via System Information Block 10 (SIB10). When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reporting the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS further includes the AS reporting the HRNN, the first indication, and the CAG identification to the NAS.

9. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reporting the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS further includes: The AS reports the first indication and the public network integration non-public network PNI-NPN identification to the NAS, the PNI-NPN identification including the CAG identification and the public land mobile network PLMN identification associated with the CAG identification.

10. A user equipment (UE) for performing Closed Access Group (CAG) selection in a non-public network (NPN), the UE comprising: A processor for executing a computer-executable program; as well as A memory, coupled to the processor, is used to store the computer-executable program, wherein the computer-executable program instructs the processor to: A first indication and a CAG identification are received from the CAG cell via System Information Block 1 (SIB1). The first indication is associated with the CAG identification, and even if the CAG identification is not included in the UE's allowed CAG list, the first indication also indicates that the CAG identification can be manually selected. When a request is received from the UE's non-access stratum (NAS), the UE's access stratum (AS) reports the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS; Even if the CAG identification is not included in the allowed CAG list, the CAG cell is determined as a candidate cell for the cell selection or reselection process based on the first indication broadcast by the CAG cell and the CAG identification. If it is determined that the UE is not operating in the Independent Non-Public Network (SNPN) access mode, the cell selection or reselection process is performed according to the CAG identification. as well as The NAS determines whether the CAG identifier is included in the list of allowed CAGs. When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identification to the NAS, including: When it is determined that the CAG identifier is included in the list of allowed CAGs, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identifier to the NAS.

11. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The computer-executable program further instructs the processor to: When the CAG identifier is not included in the list of allowed CAGs, the AS reports the first indication and the CAG identifier to the NAS.

12. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The computer-executable program further instructs the processor to: Before receiving the first instruction, the NAS sets the manual CAG selection mode.

13. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The request instructs the AS to search for available CAG cells.

14. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, If it is determined that the UE is not operating in the SNPN access mode, the cell selection or reselection process performed according to the CAG identification includes: The CAG is selected by the NAS; The NAS reports the selected CAG identification to the AS; and The AS performs the cell selection or reselection process based on the selected CAG.

15. The UE as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The cell selection or reselection process performed by the AS based on the selected CAG includes: The AS selects the appropriate cell identified by the CAG.

16. The UE as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that, The computer-executable program further instructs the processor to: The registration process is initiated by the AS via the appropriate cell.

17. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The computer-executable program further instructs the processor to: Receive the human-readable network name HRNN via System Information Block 10 (SIB10); and When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reports the HRNN, the first indication, and the CAG identification to the NAS.

18. The UE as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The computer-executable program further instructs the processor to: When the request is received from the NAS, the AS reports the first indication and the Public Network Integration Non-Public Network (PNI-NPN) identification to the NAS. The PNI-NPN identification includes the CAG identification and the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identification associated with the CAG identification.

Images