Multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Generally, the described techniques provide a user equipment (UE) receiving a configuration for a plurality of dormancy modes for a secondary cell group (SCG) dormancy state. The UE can receive the configuration and determine to transition to an SCG dormancy mode based on the configuration. The UE can enter the dormancy mode and communicate with a master cell group (MCG), the SCG, or both based on the configuration for the dormancy mode. The UE can perform radio resource management, radio link management, and beam failure detection procedures while in the SCG dormancy mode. The UE can also perform layer 1 measurements and reporting, timing configuration procedures, power control procedures, and the like in accordance with the dormancy mode.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This patent application claims the benefits of: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 074,432, filed by Awoniyi-Oteri et al. on September 3, 2020, entitled “MULTIMODE SECONDARY CELL GROUP DORMANCY”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 394,566, filed by Awoniyi-Oteri et al. on August 5, 2021, entitled “MULTIMODE SECONDARY CELL GROUP DORMANCY”; each of the above applications is assigned to the assignee of this application. Technical Field

[0003] The following relates to wireless communications, including multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These systems can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) systems, improved LTE (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems) and fifth generation (5G) systems (which may be referred to as new radio (NR) systems). These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each base station or network access node simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices (which may also be referred to as user equipment (UE)).

[0005] Some wireless communication systems may support communication with multiple base stations. For example, new radio systems may support dual connectivity, which may allow a UE to communicate with multiple base stations to support improved throughput and latency. To support dual connectivity, a UE may be configured with a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG). The UE may utilize significant processing, power, and memory resources to maintain connections in both the MCG and the SCG. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting multi-mode secondary cell group sleep. In summary, the described technology provides for a user equipment (UE) to receive a configuration of multiple sleep (e.g., power saving) modes for a secondary cell group (SCG) sleep (e.g., power saving) state. The UE can receive the configuration and, based on the configuration, determine to transition to an SCG power saving mode. The UE can enter the power saving mode and, based on the configuration for the power saving mode, communicate with a primary cell group (MCG) or an SCG, or both.

[0007] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method may include: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; determining a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state to which the UE is to transition based on the configuration; and communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0008] An apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the following operations: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; determining, based on the configuration, a first power saving mode to which the UE is to transition from the secondary cell group power saving state; and communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0009] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE is described. The apparatus may include: means for identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; means for receiving a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; means for determining, based on the configuration, a first power saving mode to which the UE is to transition of the secondary cell group power saving state; and means for communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0010] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: identify that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receive a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; determine, based on the configuration, a first power saving mode to which the UE is to transition from the secondary cell group power saving state; and communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the configuration may indicate one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between the plurality of power saving modes.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes may be associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each different level of communication activity corresponds to whether the UE will send an uplink control channel message on a first resource of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0014] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the configuration may include three power saving modes for the secondary cell group power saving state.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving an indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for monitoring in one or more of the multiple power saving modes.

[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving an indication of uplink resources of the secondary cell group for sending control information in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a radio link monitoring procedure, a beam failure detection procedure, or both according to the first power saving mode.

[0018] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving an indication as to whether the UE may send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes; and receiving an indication as to whether the UE may monitor reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating via the secondary cell group may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a sounding reference signal to the secondary node of the secondary cell group on the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, determining that the UE can transition to the first power saving mode can also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: identifying that the UE can avoid sending physical uplink control channel messages on first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode; and identifying that the UE can avoid monitoring the reception of downlink control messages on second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0021] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode; and identifying that the UE may avoid monitoring the reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0022] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode; and monitoring reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0023] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving a downlink control message on resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving a downlink control message on resources of a primary cell group in accordance with the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a first signal sent using downlink resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group, a second signal sent using downlink resources of the secondary cell of the secondary cell group, or both the first signal and the second signal are measured in the first power saving mode; and the results of the measurements are sent on uplink resources of the PSCell.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for measuring both the first signal and the second signal based on the PSCell operating in a first frequency and the secondary cell operating in a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, means, or instructions for measuring the first signal and avoiding measuring the second signal based on the PSCell and the secondary cell operating in the first frequency.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, determining that the UE can transition to the first power saving mode can include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: determining that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group satisfies a signal measurement threshold; and transitioning to the first power saving mode based on determining that the signal measurement satisfies the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power saving mode can be associated with a lower level of communication activity compared to a second power saving mode in the multiple power saving modes.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, determining that the UE can transition to the first power saving mode can include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: determining that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group fails to meet a signal measurement threshold; and transitioning to the first power saving mode based on determining that the signal measurement fails to meet the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power saving mode can be associated with a higher level of communication activity compared to a second power saving mode in the multiple power saving modes.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: comparing a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group with a signal measurement threshold; and determining, based on the comparison, that the UE can transition from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving instructions from the base station for transitioning to the first power saving mode or transitioning from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0032] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending a sounding reference signal to a secondary node of the base station via a secondary cell group, wherein the instruction for switching may be received from the base station based on sending the sounding reference signal.

[0033] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a request to the base station for transitioning to the secondary cell group power saving state based on: an overheating condition, a traffic condition, a condition associated with the secondary cell group, or a combination thereof, wherein the instruction for transitioning to the first power saving mode may be received based on sending the request.

[0034] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: detecting beam failure or radio link failure when the UE may be in the first power saving mode that may be associated with a lowest level of communication activity among the multiple power saving modes; and sending a random access request to the base station based on detecting the beam failure or the radio link failure.

[0035] A method for wireless communication at a base station is described. The method may include: identifying the base station as part of a primary cell group for communication with a UE; sending a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for a secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicating with the UE according to the configuration.

[0036] An apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify the base station as part of a primary cell group for communication with a UE; send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for a secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicate with the UE according to the configuration.

[0037] Another apparatus for wireless communication at a base station is described. The apparatus may include: means for identifying the base station as part of a primary cell group for communication with a UE; means for sending a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for a secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and means for communicating with the UE in accordance with the configuration.

[0038] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: identify the base station as part of a primary cell group for communicating with a UE; send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for a secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicate with the UE according to the configuration.

[0039] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, means, or instructions for including within the configuration one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining transitions between the plurality of power saving modes.

[0040] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, the power saving mode configuration indicates that each of the plurality of power saving modes may be associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

[0041] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, each different level of communication activity corresponds to whether the UE will send an uplink control channel message on a first resource of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0042] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, means, or instructions for sending power saving mode configurations for three power saving modes.

[0043] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending an indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for the UE to monitor in one or more of the multiple power saving modes.

[0044] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending an indication of uplink resources that the UE of the secondary cell group can use to send control information in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0045] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending an indication that the UE may perform a radio link monitoring process, a beam failure detection process, or both in each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0046] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending an indication as to whether the UE may send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes; and sending an indication as to whether the UE may monitor reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0047] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with the UE may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a sounding reference signal from the UE on a secondary node of the base station according to the configuration.

[0048] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE may avoid sending physical uplink control channel messages on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE may avoid monitoring the reception of downlink control messages on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0049] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE may send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE may avoid monitoring the reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0050] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, sending the configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE may send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and monitor reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0051] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending a downlink control message on the resources of the primary cell group according to the sent configuration, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0052] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: sending instructions to the UE for transitioning to a first power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes or transitioning from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0053] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving a sounding reference signal from the UE on a secondary node of the base station, wherein the instruction for converting may be sent to the UE based on receiving the sounding reference signal.

[0054] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving a request from the UE to transition to the secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the instruction for transition may be sent to the UE based on receiving the request.

[0055] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for performing the following operations: receiving a random access request from the UE when the UE can operate in one of the multiple power saving modes; and sending a random access response to the UE based on receiving the random access request. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Figure 1An example of a system for wireless communication supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0057] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0058] Figure 3A and 3B An example of a deployment scenario supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0059] Figure 4 An example of a process flow diagram for supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0060] Figure 5 and 6 A block diagram of a device supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0061] Figure 7 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0062] Figure 8 A diagram illustrating a system including a device supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0063] Figure 9 and 10 A block diagram of a device supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0064] Figure 11 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0065] Figure 12 A diagram illustrating a system including a device supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0066] Figure 13 and 14 A flow chart illustrating a method of supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Some wireless communication systems may support communication with multiple base stations. For example, new radio systems may support dual connectivity, which may allow a UE to communicate with multiple base stations to support improved throughput and latency. To support dual connectivity, a UE may be configured with a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG). The UE may utilize significant processing, power, and memory resources to maintain connections in both the MCG and the SCG.

[0068] Various aspects of the present disclosure described herein support a sleep state for an SCG configured at a UE. Within the sleep state, various aspects of communication in the SCG may be disabled or suspended, for example, to save power. Thus, the sleep state may be referred to as a power saving state. In one example, the SCG sleep state includes three sleep modes (e.g., power saving modes) with various activity levels. The base station may configure the UE with a sleep state, communication activity within each state, and a signal measurement threshold to be used to identify in which sleep state the UE will operate. In each of the sleep states described herein, the UE may perform a radio link monitoring (RLM) process, a beam failure detection (BFD) process, a radio resource management (RRM) process, etc. Whether the UE will perform measurements, report measurements, monitor control channels in the SCG, and other services may depend on the sleep mode. In a first sleep mode (which may be a mode corresponding to the least amount of communication activity in the SCG sleep state), the UE may perform RRM, RLM, and BFD processes, but may not perform measurements, probing processes, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions, or downlink channel monitoring in the SCG. In the second sleep mode, the UE may perform layer 1 measurement, reporting, and probing procedures, but may not monitor downlink transmissions on the primary and secondary cells (PSCells) of the SCG. In the third sleep mode (which may be referred to as a mode corresponding to the maximum amount of communication activity in the SCG sleep state), in addition to transmissions in the PUCCH of the PSCell and physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring on the PSCell, the UE may also perform layer 1 measurement, reporting, and probing procedures.

[0069] Certain aspects of the subject matter described herein can be implemented to achieve one or more advantages. The described techniques can support improvements to dual connectivity and carrier aggregation frameworks, reduce signaling overhead, and improve reliability, among other advantages. Thus, the supported techniques can include improved network operation and, in some examples, increased network efficiency, among other benefits.

[0070] Various aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of wireless communication systems. Aspects of the present disclosure are further described with respect to wireless communication systems, deployment scenarios, and process flow diagrams. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow diagrams related to multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy, and are described with reference to these diagrams.

[0071] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more base stations 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a long-term evolution (LTE) network, an advanced LTE (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a new radio (NR) network. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communication, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communication, low-latency communication, or communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0072] Base stations 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form wireless communication system 100 and may be devices of varying forms or capabilities. Base stations 105 and UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 within which a UE 115 and base station 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. Coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area within which base stations 105 and UEs 115 may support transmission of signals according to one or more radio access technologies.

[0073] UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, mobile, or both at different times. UEs 115 may be devices of different forms or with different capabilities. Figure 1 1. Some example UEs 115 are shown in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein are capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network devices (e.g., core network nodes, relays, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes, or other network devices), such as Figure 1 shown.

[0074] The base stations 105 can communicate with the core network 130, or communicate with each other, or perform both operations described above. For example, the base stations 105 can interface with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul links 120 (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or other interfaces). The base stations 105 can communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) on the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces), or perform both operations described above. In some examples, the backhaul links 120 can be or include one or more wireless links.

[0075] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base station transceiver, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B, or a Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), a Home Node B, a Home evolved Node B, or some other appropriate terminology.

[0076] UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other appropriate terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communication (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various items such as appliances, vehicles, meters, and other examples.

[0077] The UE 115 described herein is capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, which may sometimes act as relays, as well as base stations 105 and network equipment, including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0078] The UE 115 and the base station 105 can communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" can refer to a collection of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication link 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link 125 can include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) that operates according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel can carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling to coordinate operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 can support communication with the UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. Depending on the carrier aggregation configuration, the UE 115 can be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers. Carrier aggregation can be used with both frequency division duplex (FDD) component carriers and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0079] In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations with respect to other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be placed according to a channel grid for discovery by a UE 115. A carrier may operate in a standalone mode, where the UE 115 performs initial acquisition and connection via the carrier, or a carrier may operate in a non-standalone mode, where a different carrier (e.g., of the same or different radio access technology) is used to anchor the connection.

[0080] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include an uplink transmission from the UE 115 to the base station 105, or a downlink transmission from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A carrier may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry both downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode).

[0081] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the "system bandwidth" of the carrier or wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a number of determined bandwidths of a carrier for a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). A device of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication on a particular carrier bandwidth, or may be configurable to support communication on one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 or a UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication via carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate on a portion (e.g., a subband, a BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.

[0082] The signal waveform transmitted on the carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multicarrier modulation (MCM) technique such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may include one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Therefore, the more resource elements received by the UE 115 and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate for the UE 115 can be. Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers may further increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with the UE 115.

[0083] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, where the numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communications for the UE 115 may be limited to the one or more active BWPs.

[0084] The basic time unit (which may be referred to as T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds sampling period, where Δf maxIt can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f The time intervals for the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be expressed as multiples of a maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. The time intervals of the communication resources may be organized according to radio frames, each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0085] Each frame may include a plurality of consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a number of time slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot may include a number of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix added in front of each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a time slot may be further divided into a plurality of mini-slots containing one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may contain one or more (e.g., N f The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0086] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in the form of bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0087] Physical channels may be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. For example, physical control channels and physical data channels may be multiplexed on a downlink carrier using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by a number of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a group of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search the control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for the control channel candidates may refer to the number of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with the coded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space sets may include a common search space set configured for transmitting control information to multiple UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for transmitting control information to a specific UE 115 .

[0088] Each base station 105 can provide communication coverage via one or more cells (e.g., macro cells, small cells, hot spots or other types of cells, or any combination thereof). The term "cell" can refer to a logical communication entity used to communicate with the base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or other identifier) ​​used to distinguish adjacent cells. In some examples, a cell can also refer to a geographic coverage area 110 or a portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) on which the logical communication entity operates. Depending on various factors (such as the capabilities of the base station 105), the scope of such a cell can range from a smaller area (e.g., a structure, a subset of a structure) to a larger area. For example, a cell can be or include a building, a subset of a building, or an external space between or overlapping the geographic coverage area 110, as well as other examples.

[0089] A macro cell typically covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 that have a service subscription with a network provider that supports the macro cell. Small cells may be associated with lower-power base stations 105 than macro cells, and may operate in the same or different frequency bands (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) as the macro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to UEs 115 that have a service subscription with a network provider, or may provide restricted access to UEs 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A base station 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication over one or more cells using one or more component carriers.

[0090] In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.

[0091] In some examples, base station 105 can be mobile and, therefore, provide communication coverage for mobile geographic coverage areas 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, but the different geographic coverage areas 110 can be supported by the same base station 105. In other examples, overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 can include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of base stations 105 use the same or different radio access technologies to provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0092] The wireless communication system 100 can support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105 can have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 can be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 can have different frame timing, and in some examples, transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein can be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0093] Some UEs 115 (e.g., MTC or IoT devices) may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technology that allows devices to communicate with each other or base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communications from devices that incorporate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application that utilizes the information or presents it to a human interacting with the application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or implement automated behavior of machines or other equipment. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, climate and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based service billing.

[0094] Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ a mode of operation that reduces power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception rather than simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power conservation techniques for UE 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not engaged in active communications, when operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured to operate using a narrowband protocol type that is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard band of a carrier, or outside a carrier.

[0095] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication can include private communication or group communication and can be supported by one or more mission-critical services such as mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), mission-critical video (MCVideo), or mission-critical data (MCData). Support for mission-critical functions can include prioritization of services, and mission-critical services can be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency can be used interchangeably in this article.

[0096] In some examples, UE 115 can communicate directly with other UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocol). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication can be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group can be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from the base station 105. In some examples, groups of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication can utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system, in which each UE 115 transmits to each other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for the D2D communication. In other cases, the D2D communication is performed between the UEs 115 without involving the base station 105.

[0097] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel (such as a sidelink communication channel) between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, the vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination thereof. The vehicles can signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergency situations, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, the vehicles in the V2X system can communicate with roadside infrastructure (such as roadside units) or communicate with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., base station 105) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, or both.

[0098] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets to or interconnects to an external network. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for UEs 115 served by base stations 105 associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transmitted through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to the network operator IP service 150. Network operator IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0099] Some of the network devices (e.g., base stations 105) may include subcomponents such as access network entities 140, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with the UE 115 through one or more other access network transport entities 145 (which may be referred to as radio heads, smart radio heads, or transmit / receive points (TRPs)). Each access network transport entity 145 may include one or more antenna panels. In some configurations, the various functions of each access network entity 140 or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and ANCs) or consolidated into a single network device (e.g., base station 105).

[0100] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Typically, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but the waves can penetrate structures sufficiently for macro cells to provide service to UEs 115 located indoors. Transmissions using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmissions using the lower frequencies and longer wavelengths of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0101] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the super high frequency (SHF) region using frequency bands from 3 GHz to 30 GHz (also referred to as centimeter bands) or in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz) (also referred to as millimeter bands). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the corresponding devices may be even smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some examples, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the device. However, the propagation of EHF transmissions may suffer from even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter distances than SHF or UHF transmissions. The technology disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of frequency bands across these frequency regions may differ depending on the country or regulatory agency.

[0102] The wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can employ license assisted access (LAA), LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band (such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band). When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, devices (such as base stations 105 and UEs 115) can employ carrier sensing for conflict detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations in the unlicensed band can be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in combination with component carriers operating in a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations in the unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.

[0103] The base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels (which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming). For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located at different geographical locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array having multiple rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming for communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0104] The base station 105 or UE 115 can use MIMO communication to take advantage of multipath signal propagation and improve spectral efficiency by sending or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, a transmitting device may send multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, a receiving device may receive multiple signals via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) (where multiple spatial layers are sent to the same receiving device) and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) (where multiple spatial layers are sent to multiple devices).

[0105] Beamforming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception) is a signal processing technique that can be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a base station 105, a UE 115) to form or direct an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals transmitted via antenna elements of an antenna array so that some signals propagating at a particular orientation relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference, while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustments to signals transmitted via antenna elements can include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both to the signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. Adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular orientation (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other orientation).

[0106] As part of the beamforming operation, the base station 105 or the UE 115 can use beam scanning techniques. For example, the base station 105 can use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. The base station 105 can transmit some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) multiple times in different directions. For example, the base station 105 can transmit signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. The transmissions in different beam directions can be used (e.g., by a transmitting device (such as the base station 105) or by a receiving device (such as the UE 115)) to identify the beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the base station 105.

[0107] Base station 105 may transmit some signals (e.g., data signals associated with a particular receiving device (e.g., UE 115)) in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along the single beam direction may be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by base station 105 in different directions and may report to base station 105 an indication of the signal received by UE 115 having the highest signal quality or otherwise acceptable signal quality.

[0108] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a base station 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from the base station 105 to the UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights used for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. The base station 105 may send reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)) that may be precoded or not precoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals sent by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 may employ similar techniques to send signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115) or to send signals in a single direction (e.g., to send data to a receiving device).

[0109] When receiving various signals (such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from the base station 105, the receiving device (e.g., UE 115) can try multiple reception configurations (e.g., directional listening). For example, the receiving device can try multiple reception directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing the received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to the signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array (e.g., different sets of directional listening weights), or by processing the received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to the signals received at multiple antenna elements of the antenna array (any of the above operations can be referred to as "listening" according to different reception configurations or reception directions). In some examples, the receiving device can use a single reception configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving data signals). A single receive configuration may be aligned on a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0110] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. The radio link control (RLC) layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly for transmission on logical channels. The medium access control (MAC) layer can perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels to transport channels. The MAC layer can also use error detection technology, error correction technology, or both to support retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the radio resource control (RRC) protocol layer can provide the establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection (which supports radio bearers for user plane data) between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or the core network 130. At the physical layer, transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0111] UE 115 and base station 105 can support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is a technique for increasing the likelihood that data is correctly received on communication link 125. HARQ can include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve throughput at the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device can support same-slot HARQ feedback, wherein the device can provide HARQ feedback in a particular time slot for data received in previous symbols in that time slot. In other cases, the device can provide HARQ feedback in subsequent time slots or according to some other time interval.

[0112] As described herein, the wireless communication system 100 can support dual connectivity and carrier aggregation. To support these features, the UE 115 can be configured with an MCG and an SCG. In some aspects, the MCG can include a primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCells), and each cell of the MCG can be associated with a first RAT (such as LTE). In these and other aspects, the SCG can include a PSCell and one or more SCells associated with a second RAT (such as 5G). By utilizing the MCG and the SCG, the UE can maintain connections in multiple base stations and / or RATs, for example, to support increased latency and throughput. The UE 115 may utilize significant resources, such as processing, memory, and power resources, to maintain connections in both the MCG and the SCG.

[0113] The implementation described herein supports a sleep or suspended state for an SCG, and the sleep state may include multiple sleep modes. The sleep modes of the SCG sleep state may be associated with reduced communication activity in the SCG. For example, when in one of the sleep modes, the UE 115 may not maintain an active connection (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) monitoring or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission) in the SCG. As a result, the UE 115 may improve processing, power, and memory efficiency. In addition, each of the multiple sleep modes may be associated with a different level of communication activity, and the corresponding mode being used by the UE may depend on the link quality or signal power of the SCG. Therefore, if the SCG is associated with poor signal strength or poor quality, the UE 115 may utilize an SCG sleep mode with a higher activity level, which includes layer 1 measurements and reporting and control channel monitoring. If the SCG is associated with high signal strength or quality, the UE 115 may utilize an SCG sleep mode with a lower activity level, in which the UE may not perform layer 1 measurements and reporting. When in sleep mode, the UE 115 can utilize RLM to detect radio link failure and BFD to detect beam failure. In addition, layer 1 measurements can be used to track and maintain sufficient or good beam quality during SCG sleep. Sounding reference signal (SRS) transmissions can be used to track and maintain timing and uplink transmission power. Beam update, timing adjustment, and power control procedures can be performed during sleep to achieve fast transition from the SCG sleep state to the SCG active state, particularly for scenarios with overlapping sleep and active bandwidth portions. The beam update, timing adjustment, and power control procedures during sleep can avoid or limit the need for frequent random access channel (RACH) procedures on the PSCell. Therefore, by using multiple modes, the UE 115 can adapt based on link quality while reducing processing, memory, and power consumption in the SCG. Therefore, in some examples, the SCG sleep state can be referred to as the SCG power saving state, and the SCG sleep mode can be referred to as the power saving mode.

[0114] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the wireless communication system 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 200 includes a base station 105-a, a base station 105-b, and a UE 115-a, which can be Figure 1Base station 105-a may support communication with various UEs 115 in coverage area 110-a, and base station 105-b may support communication with various UEs 115 in coverage area 110-b. In some cases, base station 105-a may support communication with UEs 115 in coverage area 110-a using a first RAT, such as LTE, while base station 105-b may support communication with UEs 115 in coverage area 110-b using a second RAT, such as 5G.

[0115] One of the base stations 105, such as base station 105-a, may configure a UE 115 with various cells that may be used to communicate with the network. For example, base station 105-a may configure UE 115-a with cells associated with neighboring base stations 105. Thus, as UE 115-a moves throughout a geographic area, UE 115 may use the configurations for the neighboring cells to efficiently establish or maintain a connection with the network. In some examples, UE 115 may communicate with the network using multiple cells or carriers, which may be referred to as dual connectivity or carrier aggregation. In a dual connectivity scenario, UE 115 may communicate with a primary base station 105 and a secondary base station 105. The primary base station 105 may be associated with a primary cell group 210, and the secondary base station 105 may be associated with a secondary cell group 215. The primary base station 105 may configure UE 115 with information associated with the primary base station 105 and the secondary base station 105. In some cases, the primary cell group 210 and the secondary cell group 215 may be associated with the same base station 105-a. For example, base station 105-a may support a master node (MN) associated with primary cell group 210 and one or more secondary nodes (SN) associated with secondary cell group 215. The master node and secondary nodes may be physically or logically separate components of base station 105-a.

[0116] like Figure 2As shown, UE 115-a can be an example of a primary base station, and base station 105-b can be an example of a secondary base station. Primary base station 105-b can configure UE 115-a with MCG 210 and SCG 215. For example, base station 105-a can use one or more system information block (SIB) messages to configure UE 115-a with MCG 210 and SCG 215. MCG 210 includes PCell 220 and one or more SCells 225. SCG 215 includes PSCell 230 and one or more SCells 235. As described herein, UE 115-a can use one or more cells of MCG 210 to maintain a communication link with base station 105-a. In addition, UE 115-a can use one or more cells of SCG 215 to maintain a communication link with secondary base station 105-b. However, if UE 115 maintains an active link, which means that UE 115-a sends and monitors reception of shared channel messages (PUSCH messages and PDSCH messages), UE 115-a may utilize significant resources, such as processing, memory, and power resources.

[0117] According to the techniques described herein, a UE 115-a may enter an SCG sleep state in which the UE 115-a may not actively send PUSCH messages or monitor reception of PDSCH messages in the SCG 215. In such a case, the UE 115-a may maintain a connection with the SCG 215 by performing RLM, RRM, and BFD procedures in the SCG 215, but because the UE 115-a may not actively send PUSCH or monitor reception of PDSCH messages, the UE 115-a may reduce resource usage. The UE 115-a may enter the SCG sleep state based on instructions received from the base station 105-a. For example, the base station may detect or the UE 115-a may indicate to the base station 105-a that the SCG is in a low activity state, transmissions in the SCG are bursty, or the UE 115-a is overheating. It should be understood that other conditions may cause the base station 105-a to direct the UE 115-a to enter the SCG sleep state.

[0118] As described herein, the SCG sleep state may include multiple sleep modes, and each sleep mode may be associated with various activity levels within the cell of the SCG 215. The base station 105-a may configure the UE 115-a with one or more measurement thresholds, which the UE 115-a will use to identify which sleep mode to enter. In addition, the base station 105-a may configure the UE 115-a with resources to use and / or monitor when in each of the multiple sleep states. The base station 105-a may configure the UE 115-a with resources for each mode at the beginning of the SCG sleep. In a first sleep mode, which may be referred to as a low activity sleep mode (e.g., mode 0), the UE 115-a may perform RRM, RLM, and BFD procedures in the SCG 215 by monitoring corresponding reference signals sent via the SCG 215, but the UE 115-a may not perform any layer 1 measurement, reporting, and probing procedures in the SCG 215. For example, UE 115-a may monitor RLM-RS for radio link monitoring and BFD-RS for beam failure detection. A low sleep state (Mode 0) may be used when UE 115-a identifies high signal strength / quality in SCG 215. Thus, the signal measurement threshold associated with entering the low sleep state may be a high signal measurement threshold relative to other thresholds.

[0119] In a second sleep mode, which may be referred to as an intermediate activity level sleep mode (e.g., Mode 1), the UE 115-a may perform RRM, RLM, and BFD procedures in the SCG 215 (as discussed with respect to Mode 0). In addition, the UE 115-a may perform Layer 1 measurement, reporting, and probing procedures. That is, the UE 115-a may measure reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) transmitted by the base station 105-b in the PSCell 230, one or more SCells 235, or both the PSCell 230 and one or more SCells 235 in the SCG 215, and report the results of the measurements to the base station 105-b using the PUCCH resources of the PSCell 230. However, in Mode 1, the UE 115-a may not monitor downlink control transmissions on the PDCCH of the PSCell 230. Mode 2 may be used when the UE 115-a recognizes general signal strength / quality in the SCG 215. Thus, the signal measurement threshold associated with entering Mode 1 may be a mid-level signal measurement threshold relative to the other thresholds.

[0120] In a third sleep mode, which may be referred to as a high activity level sleep mode (e.g., Mode 2), the UE may perform RRM, RLM, and BFD procedures in the SCG 215 (as discussed with respect to Mode 0 and Mode 1). In addition, the UE 115-a may perform layer 1 measurement, reporting, and probing procedures. Thus, the UE 115-a may measure reference signals sent by the base station 105-b in the PSCell 230, one or more SCells 235-a, or both in the SCG 215, and report the results of the measurements to the base station 105-b using the PUCCH resources of the PSCell 230. Furthermore, in Mode 2, the UE 115-a may monitor downlink (DL) control transmissions on the PDCCH of the PSCell 230. Mode 2 may be used when the UE 115-a identifies poor signal strength / quality in the SCG 215. Thus, the signal measurement threshold associated with entering Mode 1 may be a low-level signal measurement threshold relative to the other thresholds.

[0121] As described, the various sleep modes can be summarized as shown in Table 1 below:

[0122]

[0123] Table 1

[0124] As described, transitions between sleep modes may be based on layer 1 measurement reports of downlink reference signals and sounding reference signals transmitted by UE 115-a via uplink (UL) resources. In one example, UE 115-a may begin in mode 2 so that the network may receive sufficient layer 1 measurement reports from UE 115-a based on channel state information (CSI) measurements or sounding measurements at base station 105-a or 105-b. Based on the measurements, base station 105-a may cause a transition (or UE 115-a may determine a transition) to another mode according to Table 2 below:

[0125]

[0126] Table 2

[0127] In an environment where base station 105-a supports both a primary node associated with primary cell group 210 and a secondary node associated with secondary cell group 215, UE 115-a can send a sounding reference signal to the secondary node, and the primary node can send an instruction to transition to another mode based on the sounding reference signal sent by UE 115-a to the secondary node via the secondary cell group. Similarly, when the primary node and the secondary node are physically separated (e.g., the primary node is in base station 105-a and the secondary node is in base station 105-b), base stations 105-a and 105-b can use a wired or wireless backhaul link to exchange reports of the sounding reference signal (and other measurements such as CSI reports).

[0128] When the UE is in Mode 0, due to the absence of Layer 1 measurements, the UE may not be able to transition directly to Mode 1 or Mode 2, but may rely on BFD and RLM to recover the connection on the SCG 215. That is, the UE 115-a may transition to an active state on the SCG 215 by sending a random access request on a random access channel (RACH) resource. Once the connection is established, the UE 115-a may enter a Mode 1 or Mode 2 sleep state. Therefore, if the UE 115-a detects a radio link failure or beam failure in the SCG 215 while in Mode 0, the UE 115-a may send a random access request to reestablish the connection. However, if the UE 115-a is operating in a Mode 1 or Mode 2 sleep state, the UE 115-a may receive beam updates periodically or when a beam failure is detected. In Mode 1, since the UE 115-a does not monitor the reception of the PDCCH, the UE 115-a may receive beam updates via a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) of the MCG 210. However, in Mode 2, UE 115-a may monitor the PDCCH of SCG 215 for reception of beam updates. Thus, in Mode 1, there may be communication delays due to receiving beam updates for SCG 215 via MCG 210.

[0129] Similar to the beam updating process, the timing adjustment and power control process may be performed depending on the sleep mode in which the UE 115-a is operating. In mode 0, the UE 115-a may not perform timing adjustment or power control. In modes 1 and 2, the UE 115-a may perform timing adjustment and power control. However, in mode 1, the timing adjustment and power control parameters may be received via the PDCCH of the MCG 210, which may result in communication delays. In mode 2, the timing adjustment and power control parameters may be received via the PDCCH of the SCG 215. A comparison of tracking, performance, transition latency, and power consumption for the sleep modes, as well as various trade-offs, is summarized in Table 3 below:

[0130]

[0131] Table 3

[0132] It should be appreciated that when the UE 115-a is in one of the SCG sleep modes, the UE 115-a may maintain an active connection with the base station 105-a via the MCG 210. Thus, the UE 115-a may still communicate with the network, receive PDSCH messages, send PUSCH messages, etc. via the MCG 210. Additionally, updates for the SCG 215 may be received via the MCG 210 based on the corresponding sleep mode in which the UE 115-a is operating.

[0133] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of a deployment scenario 300 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the deployment scenario 300 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The deployment scenario 300 includes a UE 115-b, which can be as described with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 2 1. The UE 115-b may be configured with the MCG 310 and the SCG 315 by the base station 105. In some examples, the MCG 310 and the SCG 315 may be respectively as described with respect to Figure 2 An example of an MCG 210 and an SCG 215 is depicted. The MCG 310 includes a PCell 320 and one or more SCells 325 . The SCG 315 includes a PSCell 330 and one or more SCells 335 .

[0134] exist Figure 3A In FIG, deployment scenario 300-a is an intra-band carrier aggregation deployment scenario, where cells of SCG 315-a operate in the same frequency band (such as FR1). Figure 3A 3A , the MCG 310-a may be operating in another frequency band, such as FR2. In the SCG 315-a deployment scenario 300-a, the measurements performed by the UE 115 on the PSCell 330 may be highly correlated with the measurements performed on the SCell 335 of the SCG 315-a. Therefore, when in a sleep mode (e.g., Mode 1 or Mode 2) in which the UE 115-a performs measurements of the SCG 315-a, the UE 115-a may perform measurements on either the PSCell 330 or the SCell 335, rather than on both the PSCell 330 and the SCell 335. That is, if the UE is operating in an intra-band carrier aggregation dual connectivity process as shown in 3A , the UE 115-a may perform measurements of the PSCell 330. Table 4 below may summarize the various sleep modes for the deployment scenario 300-a:

[0135]

[0136] Table 4

[0137] exist Figure 3B , deployment scenario 300-b is an inter-band carrier aggregation dual connectivity deployment scenario, where the cells of SCG 315-b operate in different frequency bands. For example, PSCell 330 may operate in FR1, while SCell 335 of SCG 315-b may operate in a different frequency band (such as FR2). Therefore, measurements of PSCell 330 may be uncorrelated with measurements of SCell 335. In such a scenario, when the UE is in one of the SCG sleep modes (e.g., Mode 1 or Mode 2), UE 115-b may perform measurements of reference signals of both PSCell 330 and SCell 335 of SCG 315-b. Table 5 below may summarize the various sleep modes for deployment scenario 300-b:

[0138]

[0139] Table 5

[0140] Thus, depending on the deployment scenario, UE 115-a may perform measurements (e.g., CSI-RS measurements) on the PSCell or both the PSCell and SCell of SCG 315. However, reports of the measurements (e.g., of the PSCell or both the PSCell and SCell) may be sent on the PUCCH of the PSCell.

[0141] Figure 4 An example of a process flow diagram 400 for supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In some examples, the process flow diagram 400 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The process flow diagram includes a base station 105-c and a UE 115-c, which can be as described with respect to FIG. Figure 1 Examples of corresponding devices described in 3.

[0142] At 405, the UE 115-c may identify that the UE 115-c is configured to communicate via both the MCG and the SCG. In some cases, this identification may be based on the UE 115-c receiving a SIB message from the base station 105-a. The MCG may be associated with the base station 105-a, and the SCG may be associated with one or more different base stations 105-c. In some cases, the MCG is associated with a first RAT, such as LTE, and the SCG is associated with a second RAT, such as 5G.

[0143] At 410, the UE 115-c may receive a configuration for a secondary cell group sleep state from the base station 105-c, the secondary cell group sleep state including a plurality of sleep modes for communicating via the secondary cell group. The configuration may include an indication of one or more signal measurement thresholds that the UE 115-c will use to determine which of the plurality of sleep modes the UE 115-c will operate in. The configuration may also include an indication of resources (e.g., reference signal resources, control channel resources, etc.) on which the UE 115-c may transmit or monitor while in the sleep mode, and a change in resources between modes. The configuration may be sent by the base station 105-c via control signaling.

[0144] At 415, UE 115-c may determine, based on the configuration, that UE 115-c is to transition to a first sleep mode of the secondary cell group sleep state. In some cases, UE 115-c may transition to the first sleep mode in response to receiving the configuration. In some examples, UE 115-c may transition to the first sleep mode based on one or more signal measurements relative to one of the configured thresholds, conditions detected by UE 115-a (e.g., bursty traffic conditions, overheat conditions, etc.). In some examples, UE 115-c may send a request to transition to sleep mode, and base station 105-c may send the configuration in response to the request.

[0145] At 420, the UE 115-c may communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first sleep mode. This may include performing RRM, RLM, and BFD procedures for each sleep mode, performing layer 1 measurements, uplink control information reporting in some sleep modes, and the like. Depending on the sleep mode, the UE 115-c may receive control information via the MCG, and the control information may be applied to the SCG (e.g., power control, beam adjustment, or timing parameters). In other examples, the UE 115-c may receive such control information in the SCG (e.g., Mode 2).

[0146] Figure 5 A block diagram 500 is shown of a device 505 that supports multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 505 may be an example of aspects of the UE 115 as described herein. The device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 520. The device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0147] The receiver 510 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 505. The receiver 510 may be a reference Figure 8 Examples of aspects of the transceiver 820 are described. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0148] The communication manager 515 may perform the following operations: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; determining a first power saving mode to which the UE will transition to the secondary cell group power saving state based on the configuration; and communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode. The communication manager 515 may be an example of aspects of the communication manager 810 described herein.

[0149] The communication manager 515 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 515 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0150] The communication manager 515 or its subcomponents can be physically located at various locations, including being distributed so that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its subcomponents can be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its subcomponents can be combined with one or more other hardware components (including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

[0151] The transmitter 520 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 520 may be co-located with the receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 520 may be a reference Figure 8 Examples of aspects of the transceiver 820 are described. The transmitter 520 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0152] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 is shown of a device 605 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 605 may be an example of aspects of the device 505 or UE 115 as described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a communication manager 615, and a transmitter 640. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0153] The receiver 610 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may be a reference Figure 8 Examples of aspects of the transceiver 820 are described. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0154] Communications manager 615 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 515 as described herein. Communications manager 615 may include communications configuration identifier 620, SCG power saving state interface 625, conversion component 630, and communications interface 635. Communications manager 615 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 810 as described herein.

[0155] The communication configuration identifier 620 may identify that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group.

[0156] The SCG power saving state interface 625 may receive a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group.

[0157] Transition component 630 may determine, based on the configuration, a first power saving mode in which the UE is to transition to a secondary cell group power saving state.

[0158] The communication interface 635 may communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0159] The transmitter 640 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 605. In some examples, the transmitter 640 may be co-located with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 640 may be a reference Figure 8 Examples of aspects of the transceiver 820 are described. The transmitter 640 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0160] Figure 7A block diagram 700 is shown of a communication manager 705 that supports multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 705 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 515, the communication manager 615, or the communication manager 810 described herein. The communication manager 705 can include a communication configuration identifier 710, an SCG power saving state interface 715, a conversion component 720, a communication interface 725, an SCG power saving configuration component 730, an SCG power saving mode component 735, an SRS component 740, a power saving mode component 745, a measurement component 750, a reporting component 755, a link monitoring component 760, and a RACH component 765. Each of these modules can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0161] The communication configuration identifier 710 may identify that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group.

[0162] The SCG power saving state interface 715 may receive a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group.

[0163] In some examples, the configuration may include three power saving modes for the secondary cell group power saving state.

[0164] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 715 may receive an indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for monitoring in one or more power saving modes in a set of power saving modes.

[0165] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 715 may receive an indication of uplink resources for the secondary cell group to use for sending control information in one or more power saving modes in a set of power saving modes.

[0166] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 715 may receive an indication of whether the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of a PSCell of a secondary cell group for each power saving mode in a set of power saving modes.

[0167] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 715 may receive an indication of whether the UE will monitor for reception of downlink messages on the second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each power saving mode in the set of power saving modes.

[0168] Transition component 720 can determine, based on the configuration, a first power saving mode in which the UE is to transition to a secondary cell group power saving state.

[0169] In some examples, converting component 720 can determine that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group satisfies a signal measurement threshold.

[0170] In some examples, transition component 720 can transition to a first power savings mode based on determining that the signal measurement satisfies a signal measurement threshold, where the first power savings mode is associated with a lower level of communication activity than a second power savings mode in the set of power savings modes.

[0171] In some examples, converting component 720 can determine that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group fails to meet a signal measurement threshold.

[0172] In some examples, transition component 720 can transition to a first power saving mode based on determining that the signal measurement fails to satisfy the signal measurement threshold, where the first power saving mode is associated with a higher level of communication activity than a second power saving mode in the set of power saving modes.

[0173] In some examples, converting component 720 can compare a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group to a signal measurement threshold.

[0174] In some examples, transition component 720 may determine, based on the comparison, that the UE is to transition from a first power saving mode to a second power saving mode in the set of power saving modes.

[0175] In some examples, transition component 720 can receive instructions from a base station to transition to a first power saving mode or to transition from a first power saving mode to a second power saving mode in a set of power saving modes.

[0176] In some examples, the transition component 720 may send a request to the base station for transitioning to a secondary cell group power saving state based on: an overheating condition, a traffic condition, a condition associated with the secondary cell group, or a combination thereof, wherein the instruction for transitioning to the first power saving mode is received based on sending the request.

[0177] The communication interface 725 may communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0178] In some cases, the configuration indicates one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between sets of power saving modes.

[0179] In some examples, each power saving mode in the set of power saving modes is associated with a different level of communication activity in the secondary cell group.

[0180] In some cases, each different communication activity level corresponds to whether the UE will send uplink control channel messages on first resources of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor reception of downlink messages on second resources of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0181] The SCG power saving mode component 735 can perform a radio link monitoring procedure, a beam failure detection procedure, or both according to the first power saving mode.

[0182] In some examples, the SCG power saving mode component 735 can monitor the reception of downlink control messages on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0183] In some examples, the SCG power saving mode component 735 can receive a downlink control message on the resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0184] In some examples, the SCG power saving mode component 735 can receive a downlink control message on resources of the primary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof. The SRS component 740 can send a sounding reference signal to a secondary node of the secondary cell group on the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode.

[0185] In some examples, the SRS component 740 can transmit a sounding reference signal to a base station, wherein the instruction to switch is received from the base station based on transmitting the sounding reference signal.

[0186] The power saving mode component 745 can identify, based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, that the UE is to refrain from sending physical uplink control channel messages on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0187] In some examples, the power saving mode component 745 can identify, based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, that the UE is to avoid monitoring reception of downlink control messages on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0188] In some examples, the power saving mode component 745 can send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of a PSCell of a secondary cell group according to a first power saving mode.

[0189] In some examples, the power saving mode component 745 may send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of a PSCell of a secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0190] In some examples, the power save mode component 745 can measure both the first signal and the second signal based on the PSCell operating in the first frequency and the secondary cell operating in a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0191] In some examples, the power save mode component 745 can measure the first signal and avoid measuring the second signal based on the PSCell and the secondary cell operating in the first frequency.

[0192] The measuring component 750 may measure a first signal transmitted using downlink resources of a PSCell of a secondary cell group, a second signal transmitted using downlink resources of a secondary cell of a secondary cell group in a first power saving mode, or both the first signal and the second signal. The reporting component 755 may transmit the measurement result on an uplink resource of the PSCell.

[0193] Link monitoring component 760 can detect beam failure or radio link failure when the UE is in a first power saving mode associated with a lowest communication activity level in a set of power saving modes. RACH component 765 can send a random access request to a base station based on detecting beam failure or radio link failure.

[0194] Figure 8 A diagram of a system 800 including a device 805 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 805 may be an example of, or include a component of, a device 505, a device 605, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 810, an I / O controller 815, a transceiver 820, an antenna 825, a memory 830, and a processor 840. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 845).

[0195] The communication manager 810 can perform the following operations: identify that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receive a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for communicating via a secondary cell group; determine a first power saving mode to which the UE will transition to the secondary cell group power saving mode based on the configuration; and communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0196] I / O controller 815 can manage input and output signals for device 805. I / O controller 815 can also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated into device 805. In some cases, I / O controller 815 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 815 can utilize a computer such as , or another known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 815 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 815 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device 805 via I / O controller 815 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 815.

[0197] The transceiver 820 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links as described above. For example, the transceiver 820 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 820 can also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0198] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 825. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 825 that are capable of sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously.

[0199] The memory 830 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 830 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 835, which includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 830 may also contain, among other things, a basic input / output system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0200] The processor 840 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 840 may be configured to operate the memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 840. The processor 840 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 830) to cause the device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy).

[0201] The code 835 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 835 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., system memory or other types of memory). In some cases, the code 835 may not be directly executable by the processor 840, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0202] Figure 9 A block diagram 900 illustrates a device 905 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of the base station 105 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a communication manager 915, and a transmitter 920. The device 905 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0203] The receiver 910 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy). The information may be passed to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be a reference Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 are described. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0204] The communication manager 915 may perform the following operations: identifying a base station as part of a primary cell group for communication with a UE; sending a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for the secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicating with the UE according to the configuration. The communication manager 915 may be an example of various aspects of the communication manager 1210 described herein.

[0205] The communication manager 915 or its subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, in code executed by a processor (e.g., software or firmware), or any combination thereof. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 915 or its subcomponents may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other programmable logic device designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0206] The communication manager 915 or its subcomponents can be physically located at various locations, including being distributed so that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its subcomponents can be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its subcomponents can be combined with one or more other hardware components (including but not limited to input / output (I / O) components, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof).

[0207] The transmitter 920 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 920 may be co-located with the receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 920 may be a reference Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 are described. The transmitter 910 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0208] Figure 10 A block diagram 1000 is shown of a device 1005 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of aspects of the device 905 or base station 105 as described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communication manager 1015, and a transmitter 1035. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0209] The receiver 1010 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy). The information may be communicated to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be a reference Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 are described. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0210] Communications manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 915 as described herein. Communications manager 1015 may include UE configuration component 1020, SCG power saving state interface 1025, and communications interface 1030. Communications manager 1015 may be an example of aspects of communications manager 1210 as described herein.

[0211] UE configuring component 1020 can identify a base station as part of a primary cell group for communicating with the UE.

[0212] The SCG power saving state interface 1025 may send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, where the secondary cell group power saving state includes a set of power saving modes for a secondary cell group with which the UE communicates.

[0213] The communication interface 1030 may communicate with the UE according to the configuration.

[0214] The transmitter 1035 can transmit signals generated by other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the transmitter 1035 can be co-located with the receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1035 can be a reference Figure 12 Examples of various aspects of the transceiver 1220 are described. The transmitter 1035 can utilize a single antenna or a group of antennas.

[0215] Figure 11 A block diagram 1100 is shown of a communication manager 1105 that supports multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 1105 can be an example of aspects of the communication manager 915, the communication manager 1015, or the communication manager 1210 described herein. The communication manager 1105 can include a UE configuration component 1110, an SCG power saving state interface 1115, a communication interface 1120, an SRS component 1125, an SCG power saving mode component 1130, a conversion component 1135, and a RACH component 1140. Each of these modules can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0216] UE configuration component 1110 can identify a base station as part of a primary cell group to communicate with the UE. SCG power saving state interface 1115 can send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, which includes a set of power saving modes for the secondary cell group with which the UE communicates.

[0217] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may include within the configuration one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between sets of power saving modes.

[0218] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may send power saving mode configurations for three power saving modes.

[0219] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may send an indication of downlink resources of a secondary cell group for the UE to monitor in one or more power saving modes in a set of power saving modes.

[0220] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may send an indication of uplink resources that the UEs of the secondary cell group are to use to send control information in one or more power saving modes in a set of power saving modes.

[0221] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 can send an indication that the UE is to perform a radio link monitoring process, a beam failure detection process, or both in each power saving mode in a set of power saving modes.

[0222] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may send an indication of whether the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each power saving mode in the power saving mode set.

[0223] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 may send an indication of whether the UE will monitor for reception of downlink messages on the second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each power saving mode in the set of power saving modes.

[0224] In some examples, the SCG power saving state interface 1115 can send a downlink control message on the resources of the main cell group based on the sent configuration, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0225] In some cases, the power saving mode configuration indicates that each power saving mode in the power saving mode set is associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

[0226] In some cases, each different communication activity level corresponds to whether the UE will send uplink control channel messages on first resources of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor reception of downlink messages on second resources of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0227] The communication interface 1120 may communicate with the UE according to the configuration. The SRS component 1125 may receive a sounding reference signal from the UE on the secondary node of the base station according to the configuration.

[0228] The SCG power saving mode component 1130 may send a configuration for a first power saving mode indicating that the UE will avoid sending physical uplink control channel messages on first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE will avoid monitoring reception of downlink control messages on second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0229] In some examples, the SCG power saving mode component 1130 may send a configuration for a first power saving mode indicating that the UE will send physical uplink control channel messages on first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE will avoid monitoring reception of downlink control messages on second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0230] In some examples, the SCG power saving mode component 1130 can send a configuration for a first power saving mode that indicates that the UE will send physical uplink control channel messages on first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and monitor reception of downlink control messages on second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0231] The transition component 1135 can send an instruction to the UE to transition to a first power saving mode in the set of power saving modes or to transition from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode in the set of power saving modes.

[0232] In some examples, the switching component 1135 can receive a sounding reference signal from the UE at a secondary node of the base station, wherein the instruction to switch is sent to the UE based on receiving the sounding reference signal.

[0233] In some examples, the transition component 1135 may receive a request from the UE to transition to the secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the instruction to transition is sent to the UE based on receiving the request.

[0234] The RACH component 1140 can receive a random access request from the UE while the UE is operating in one of a set of power saving modes. In some examples, the RACH component 1140 can send a random access response to the UE based on receiving the random access request.

[0235] Figure 12A diagram of a system 1200 including a device 1205 supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to various aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 1205 may be an example of, or include components of, the device 905, device 1005, or base station 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may include components for two-way voice and data communications, including components for sending and receiving communications, including a communication manager 1210, a network communication manager 1215, a transceiver 1220, an antenna 1225, a memory 1230, a processor 1240, and an inter-station communication manager 1245. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1250).

[0236] The communication manager 1210 can perform the following operations: identify a base station as part of a primary cell group to communicate with the UE; send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for the secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicate with the UE according to the configuration.

[0237] The network communications manager 1215 may manage communications with the core network (eg, via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1215 may manage the transmission of data communications for client devices (eg, one or more UEs 115).

[0238] The transceiver 1220 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links as described above. For example, the transceiver 1220 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1220 can also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0239] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1225. However, in some cases, the device may have more than one antenna 1225 that are capable of sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions simultaneously.

[0240] Memory 1230 may include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Memory 1230 may store computer-readable code 1235, which includes instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1240), cause the device to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1230 may also contain, among other things, a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0241] The processor 1240 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1240 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1240. The processor 1240 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1230) to cause the device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy).

[0242] The inter-site communication manager 1245 can manage communications with other base stations 105 and can include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in cooperation with the other base stations 105. For example, the inter-site communication manager 1245 can coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to the UE 115 to implement various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-site communication manager 1245 can provide an X2 interface within the LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communications between the base stations 105.

[0243] The code 1235 may include instructions for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communications. The code 1235 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., system memory or other types of memory). In some cases, the code 1235 may not be directly executable by the processor 1240, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0244] Figure 13 13. A flow chart illustrating a method 1300 for supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the UE 115 or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1300 may be implemented by the UE 115 or its components as described herein. Figures 5 to 8 In some examples, the UE may execute an instruction set to control the functional units of the UE to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0245] At 1305, the UE may identify that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group. The operations of 1305 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be as described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 The communication configuration identifier described is performed.

[0246] At 1310, the UE may receive a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group. The operations of 1310 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be as described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 Describes the SCG power saving state interface to implement.

[0247] At 1315, the UE may determine, based on the configuration, that the UE is to transition to a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state. The operations of 1315 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be as described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 The transformation component described is executed.

[0248] At 1320, the UE may communicate via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode. The operations of 1320 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1320 may be as described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 The communication interface described is implemented.

[0249] Figure 14 1400 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1400 for supporting multi-mode secondary cell group dormancy according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1400 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components as described herein. Figures 9 to 12 In some examples, the base station may execute an instruction set to control the functional units of the base station to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform various aspects of the functions described below.

[0250] At 1405, the base station may identify the base station as part of a primary cell group for communication with the UE. The operations of 1405 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be as described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 The UE configuration components described are used to perform the

[0251] At 1410, the base station may send a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including a set of power saving modes for the secondary cell group with which the UE communicates. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be as described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 Describes the SCG power saving state interface to implement.

[0252] At 1415, the base station may communicate with the UE according to the configuration. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be as described with reference to Figures 9 to 12 The communication interface described is implemented.

[0253] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more methods may be combined.

[0254] The following provides a summary of various aspects of the disclosure:

[0255] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state from a base station, the secondary cell group power saving state including a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group; determining, at least in part based on the configuration, a first power saving mode to which the UE will transition to the secondary cell group power saving state; and communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0256] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein the configuration indicates one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining transitions between the plurality of power saving modes.

[0257] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 2, wherein each power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes is associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

[0258] Aspect 4: A method according to Aspect 3, wherein each different communication activity level corresponds to the following: whether the UE will send an uplink control channel message on the first resource of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor the reception of a downlink message on the second resource of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0259] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the configuration includes three power saving modes for the secondary cell group power saving state.

[0260] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein receiving the configuration includes: receiving an indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for monitoring in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0261] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein receiving the configuration includes: receiving an indication of uplink resources of the secondary cell group for sending control information in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0262] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7 further includes: performing a radio link monitoring procedure, a beam failure detection procedure, or both according to the first power saving mode.

[0263] Aspect 9: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein receiving the configuration includes: receiving an indication as to whether the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes; and receiving an indication as to whether the UE will monitor the reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0264] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein communicating via the secondary cell group includes: sending a sounding reference signal to the secondary node of the secondary cell group on the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode.

[0265] Aspect 11: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein determining that the UE will switch to the first power saving mode further includes: identifying that the UE will avoid sending physical uplink control channel messages on the first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode; and identifying that the UE will avoid monitoring the reception of downlink control messages on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0266] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 further includes: sending a physical uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode; and identifying that the UE will avoid monitoring the reception of downlink control messages on the second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0267] Aspect 13: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 further includes: sending a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode; and monitoring the reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

[0268] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 and 13 further includes: receiving a downlink control message on the resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0269] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10 and 12 further includes: receiving a downlink control message on the resources of the main cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0270] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, 12 and 13 further includes: measuring a first signal sent using the downlink resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group, a second signal sent using the downlink resources of the secondary cell of the secondary cell group in the first power saving mode, or measuring both the first signal and the second signal; and sending the measurement results on the uplink resources of the PSCell.

[0271] Aspect 17: The method according to aspect 16 further includes measuring both the first signal and the second signal based at least in part on the PSCell operating in a first frequency and the secondary cell operating in a second frequency different from the first frequency.

[0272] Aspect 18: The method of aspect 16, further comprising: measuring the first signal and avoiding measuring the second signal based at least in part on the PSCell and the secondary cell operating in a first frequency.

[0273] Aspect 19: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 18, wherein determining that the UE will transition to the first power saving mode includes: determining that the signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group satisfies a signal measurement threshold; and transitioning to the first power saving mode based at least in part on determining that the signal measurement satisfies the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power saving mode is associated with a lower level of communication activity compared to the second power saving mode in the multiple power saving modes.

[0274] Aspect 20: A method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 19, wherein determining that the UE will transition to the first power saving mode includes: determining that the signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group fails to meet a signal measurement threshold; and transitioning to the first power saving mode based at least in part on determining that the signal measurement fails to meet the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power saving mode is associated with a higher level of communication activity than the second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0275] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 20 further includes: comparing the signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group with a signal measurement threshold; and determining, at least in part based on the comparison, that the UE will transition from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0276] Aspect 22: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 21 further includes: receiving an instruction from the base station for switching to the first power saving mode or switching from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode of the multiple power saving modes.

[0277] Aspect 23: The method according to aspect 22 further includes: sending a sounding reference signal to a secondary node of the base station via a secondary cell group, wherein the instruction for switching is received from the base station at least in part based on sending the sounding reference signal.

[0278] Aspect 24: The method according to Aspect 22 further includes: sending a request to the base station for transitioning to the secondary cell group power saving state based at least in part on: an overheating condition, a service condition, a condition associated with the secondary cell group, or a combination thereof, wherein the instruction for transitioning to the first power saving mode is received at least in part based on sending the request.

[0279] Aspect 25: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 24 further includes: detecting beam failure or radio link failure when the UE is in the first power saving mode associated with the lowest communication activity level among the multiple power saving modes; and sending a random access request to the base station at least in part based on detecting the beam failure or the radio link failure.

[0280] Aspect 26: A method for wireless communication at a base station, comprising: identifying the base station as part of a primary cell group for communicating with a user equipment (UE); sending a configuration for a secondary cell group power saving state to the UE, the secondary cell group power saving state including multiple power saving modes for the secondary cell group with which the UE communicates; and communicating with the UE according to the configuration.

[0281] Aspect 27: The method of aspect 26, further comprising: including within the configuration one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between the plurality of power saving modes.

[0282] Aspect 28: The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 27, wherein the power saving mode configuration indicates that each power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes is associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

[0283] Aspect 29: A method according to Aspect 28, wherein each different communication activity level corresponds to the following: whether the UE will send an uplink control channel message on the first resource of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor the reception of a downlink message on the second resource of the secondary cell group, or both.

[0284] Aspect 30: The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 29, wherein sending the configuration comprises sending power saving mode configurations for three power saving modes.

[0285] Aspect 31: The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 30, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending an indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for the UE to monitor in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0286] Aspect 32: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 31, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending an indication of uplink resources that the UE of the secondary cell group will use to send control information in one or more power saving modes of the multiple power saving modes.

[0287] Aspect 33: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 32, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending an indication that the UE will perform a radio link monitoring process, a beam failure detection process, or both in each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0288] Aspect 34: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 33, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending an indication as to whether the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes; and sending an indication as to whether the UE will monitor the reception of a downlink message on the second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the multiple power saving modes.

[0289] Aspect 35: The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 34, wherein communicating with the UE comprises: receiving a sounding reference signal from the UE on a secondary node of the base station according to the configuration.

[0290] Aspect 36: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 35, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE will avoid sending physical uplink control channel messages on the first resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE will avoid monitoring the reception of downlink control messages on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0291] Aspect 37: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 35, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and that the UE will avoid monitoring the reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0292] Aspect 38: A method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 35, wherein sending the configuration includes: sending a configuration for a first power saving mode, the configuration indicating that the UE will send a physical uplink control channel message on a first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group and monitor the reception of a downlink control message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

[0293] Aspect 39: The method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 35 and 37 further includes: sending a downlink control message on the resources of the main cell group according to the sent configuration, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

[0294] Aspect 40: The method according to any one of aspects 26 to 39 further includes: sending an instruction to the UE to switch to a first power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes or to switch from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode among the multiple power saving modes.

[0295] Aspect 41: The method according to aspect 40 further includes: receiving a sounding reference signal from the UE on a secondary node of the base station, wherein the instruction for switching is sent to the UE based at least in part on receiving the sounding reference signal.

[0296] Aspect 42: The method according to aspect 40 further includes: receiving a request from the UE to transition to the secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the instruction for transition is sent to the UE based at least in part on receiving the request.

[0297] Aspect 43: The method according to any one of Aspects 26 to 42 further includes: receiving a random access request from the UE when the UE is operating in one of the multiple power saving modes; and sending a random access response to the UE based at least in part on receiving the random access request.

[0298] Aspect 44: A user equipment (UE), comprising at least one unit for performing the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 25.

[0299] Aspect 45: A user equipment (UE), comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory configured to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 25.

[0300] Aspect 47: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 25.

[0301] Aspect 48: A base station comprising at least one unit for performing the method according to any one of aspects 26 to 43.

[0302] Aspect 49: A base station comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the processor and the memory configured to perform the method according to any one of aspects 26 to 43.

[0303] Aspect 51: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method of any one of aspects 26 to 43.

[0304] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for example purposes, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used throughout much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the techniques described may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems, such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.

[0305] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0306] The various illustrative blocks and components described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0307] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or a combination of any of these. Features that implement the functions may also be physically located at various locations, including being distributed so that portions of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0308] Computer readable medium includes non-transitory computer storage medium and communication medium, and communication medium includes any medium that promotes the transmission of computer program from one place to another place.Non-transitory storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by general-purpose computer or special-purpose computer.By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer readable medium can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage device or can be used for carrying or storing desired program code unit and any other non-transitory medium that can be accessed by general-purpose or special-purpose computer or general or special-purpose processor in the form of instruction or data structure.In addition, any connection is suitably referred to as computer readable medium.For example, if software is to be sent from website, server or other remote source using coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave, then coaxial cable, optical fiber cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technology such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of computer readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wherein disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0309] As used herein (including in the claims), "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items ending with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, so that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be interpreted as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" could be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on" is interpreted.

[0310] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference number. In addition, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a dash and a second reference number to distinguish between similar components. If only the first reference number is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the similar components having the same first reference number, regardless of the second reference number or other subsequent reference numbers.

[0311] The descriptions set forth herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describe example configurations and do not represent all examples that can be implemented or within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," rather than "preferred" or "having advantages over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0312] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the overall principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is intended to be used in the broadest sense consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via a secondary cell group when operating in a secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the configuration comprises a first indication of whether the UE is to send an uplink control channel message on a first resource of a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes and a second indication of whether the UE is to monitor for reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes; determining, based at least in part on the configuration, that the UE is to transition to a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state; and Communicating via the secondary cell group is performed according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration indicates one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between the plurality of power saving modes.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein Each power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes is associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: Each different communication activity level corresponds to whether the UE will send the uplink control channel message on the first resource on the PScell ​​of the secondary cell group, whether the UE will monitor reception of the downlink message on the second resource on the PScell ​​of the secondary cell group, or both.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The configuration includes three power saving modes for the secondary cell group power saving state.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein Receiving the configuration includes: An indication of downlink resources of the secondary cell group for monitoring in one or more power saving modes of the plurality of power saving modes is received.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein Receiving the configuration includes: An indication of uplink resources of the secondary cell group for transmitting control information in one or more power saving modes of the plurality of power saving modes is received.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A radio link monitoring procedure, a beam failure detection procedure, or both are performed according to the first power saving mode.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The communicating via the secondary cell group includes: A sounding reference signal is sent to a secondary node of the secondary cell group on the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein Determining that the UE is to transition to the first power saving mode further includes: identifying, based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, that the UE will avoid sending the uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group; and Recognizing, based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, that the UE is to avoid monitoring reception of the downlink message on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: sending the uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the first power saving mode; as well as Recognizing, based on the received configuration for the first power saving mode, that the UE is to avoid monitoring reception of the downlink message on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: sending the uplink control channel message on the first resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode; as well as Reception of the downlink message is monitored on the second resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The downlink message is received on the second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A downlink control message is received on resources of a primary cell group according to the received configuration for the first power saving mode, wherein the downlink control message indicates one or more timing adjustment parameters, one or more power control parameters, one or more beam adjustment parameters, or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: measuring, in the first power saving mode, a first signal transmitted using downlink resources of the PSCell of the secondary cell group, a second signal transmitted using downlink resources of a secondary cell of the secondary cell group, or both the first signal and the second signal; and The measurement result is sent on the uplink resource of the PSCell.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: Both the first signal and the second signal are measured based at least in part on the PSCell operating in a first frequency and the secondary cell operating in a second frequency different from the first frequency.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: The first signal is measured and measuring the second signal is avoided based at least in part on the PSCell and the secondary cell operating in a first frequency.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein Determining that the UE is to transition to the first power saving mode includes: determining that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group satisfies a signal measurement threshold; and Transitioning to the first power save mode is based at least in part on determining that the signal measurement satisfies the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power save mode is associated with a lower level of communication activity than a second power save mode of the plurality of power save modes.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein Determining that the UE is to transition to the first power saving mode includes: determining that a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group fails to meet a signal measurement threshold; and Transitioning to the first power save mode is based at least in part on determining that the signal measurement fails to satisfy the signal measurement threshold, wherein the first power save mode is associated with a higher level of communication activity than a second power save mode of the plurality of power save modes.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing a signal measurement corresponding to the secondary cell group with a signal measurement threshold; as well as A determination is made based at least in part on the comparison that the UE is to transition from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes.

21. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: An instruction is received from the network node to transition to the first power saving mode or to transition from the first power saving mode to a second power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes.

22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising: A sounding reference signal is sent to a secondary node of the network node via the secondary cell group, wherein the instruction to switch is received from the network node based at least in part on sending the sounding reference signal.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: sending a request to the network node to transition to the secondary cell group power saving state based at least in part on: an overheat condition, a traffic condition, a condition associated with the secondary cell group, or a combination thereof, wherein the instruction to transition to the first power saving mode is received based at least in part on sending the request.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting beam failure or radio link failure when the UE is in the first power saving mode associated with a lowest communication activity level among the plurality of power saving modes; as well as A random access request is sent to the network node based at least in part on detecting the beam failure or the radio link failure.

25. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; as well as One or more processors, coupled with the one or more memories and operable individually or collectively to execute the code to cause the UE to: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via a secondary cell group when operating in a secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the configuration comprises a first indication of whether the UE is to send an uplink control channel message on a first resource of a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes and a second indication of whether the UE is to monitor for reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes; determining, based at least in part on the configuration, that the UE is to transition to a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state; and Communicating via the secondary cell group is performed according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

26. The UE according to claim 25, wherein: The configuration indicates one or more signal measurement thresholds to be used in determining to transition between the plurality of power saving modes.

27. The UE according to claim 25, wherein: Each power saving mode of the plurality of power saving modes is associated with a different communication activity level in the secondary cell group.

28. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; means for receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via a secondary cell group when operating in a secondary cell group power saving state, wherein the configuration comprises a first indication of whether the UE is to send an uplink control channel message on a first resource of a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes and a second indication of whether the UE is to monitor for reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes; means for determining, based at least in part on the configuration, that the UE is to transition to a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state; and Means for communicating via the secondary cell group according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to: identifying that the UE is configured to communicate via a secondary cell group; receiving, from a network node, configurations for a plurality of power saving modes for communicating via the secondary cell group when operating in the secondary cell group power saving state, wherein: the configuration comprising a first indication as to whether the UE is to transmit an uplink control channel message on a first resource of a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes and a second indication as to whether the UE is to monitor for reception of a downlink message on a second resource of the PSCell of the secondary cell group for each of the plurality of power saving modes; determining, based at least in part on the configuration, that the UE is to transition to a first power saving mode of the secondary cell group power saving state; as well as Communicating via the secondary cell group is performed according to the configuration for the first power saving mode.

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