Transmission of reference signal configuration in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. The method may include: receiving, when the UE is operating in a first mode, a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; receiving, when operating in the first mode, one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determining one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following relates to wireless communication, including transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multi-access systems include fourth-generation (4G) systems (such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Advanced 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 techniques 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 multi-access communication system may include one or more base stations or one or more network access nodes, each supporting communication for multiple communication devices (which may otherwise be referred to as user equipment (UE)) simultaneously.

[0003] Some wireless systems may support UE-specific transmissions to a user equipment (UE). However, improvements in UE-specific transmissions to a UE may be desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment. Generally, the described techniques provide a user equipment (UE) that, when the UE is operating in an idle mode or an inactive mode, receives a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE. In some cases, the reference signal configuration may indicate one or more reference signal parameters. When operating in the idle mode or the inactive mode, the UE may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. In some cases, the UE may determine one or more channel measurements at least partially based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0005] Describes a method for wireless communication at a UE. The method may include: when the UE is operating in a first mode, receiving a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receiving one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determining one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0006] Describes an apparatus for wireless communication at a UE. 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: when the UE is operating in a first mode, receiving a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receiving one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determining one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0007] Describes another apparatus for wireless communication at a UE. The apparatus may include units for performing the following: when the UE is operating in a first mode, receiving a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receiving one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determining one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0008] Describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a UE. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to perform the following: when the UE is operating in a first mode, receiving a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receiving one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determining one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0009] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving a broadcast transmission including a reference signal configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks.

[0010] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for periodically receiving one or more system information blocks based on scheduling information indicated in a type 1 system information block when the type of one or more system information blocks does not include a type 1 system information block.

[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for a serving cell, the one or more system information blocks include a type 1 system information block.

[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for an in-band neighboring cell, the one or more system information blocks include a type 2 system information block or a type 3 system information block, or both.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for an inter-band neighboring cell, the one or more system information blocks include a type 4 system information block or a type 5 system information block, or both.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving an update to a reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks, where the update to the reference signal configuration can be indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that a reference signal configuration can be updated based on a system information modification bit of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that a reference signal configuration can be updated based on bits in a set of unused bits of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the availability or update can be indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that one or more bits of paging downlink control information indicate that a reference signal may be available for a UE or that an update to a reference signal configuration may exist.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a set of unused bits of paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of paging downlink control information, or both, includes one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, paging downlink control information may be associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

[0021] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that one or more bits of paging downlink control information include a first bit for indicating whether a reference signal may be available for a UE in a physical downlink control channel, or a second bit for indicating whether an update to a reference signal configuration may exist, or both.

[0022] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource of a reference signal configuration.

[0023] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource group of a reference signal configuration.

[0024] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource set of a reference signal configuration.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include an indication per group of reference signal resource sets of a reference signal configuration.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: determining, for each reference signal resource, each set of reference signal resources, each group of reference signal resources, or each group of sets of reference signal resources, identifiers from a minimum identifier to a maximum identifier; and mapping the reference signal resources, sets of reference signal resources, groups of reference signal resources, or groups of sets of reference signal resources to one or more bits in order from the minimum identifier to the maximum identifier, wherein the reference signal resource, set of reference signal resources, group of reference signal resources, or group of sets of reference signal resources having the minimum identifier may be mapped to the least significant bit(s) of the one or more bits, and the reference signal resource, set of reference signal resources, group of reference signal resources, or group of sets of reference signal resources having the maximum identifier may be mapped to the most significant bit(s) of the one or more bits.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving, in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0028] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a physical downlink control channel carries information for at least one set of UEs associated with a paging occasion.

[0029] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for identifying a dynamic indication field of a physical downlink control channel, wherein the dynamic indication field indicates that a group of UEs in at least one set of UEs may be paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for identifying a content field of a physical downlink control channel, wherein a first bit of the content field indicates whether the UE may be paged in a next paging occasion, and the remaining bits of the content field include an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving, in one or more reference signal sequences, an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0032] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a reference signal configuration may be encoded when at least one reference signal sequence among one or more reference signal sequences can be generated.

[0033] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining the availability of one or more reference signals based on one or more reference signal sequences.

[0034] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for: receiving that a first reference signal sequence among one or more reference signal sequences indicates that one or more reference signals remain available, receiving that a second reference signal sequence among one or more reference signal sequences and different from the first reference signal sequence indicates that one or more reference signals do not remain available, and neither receiving the first reference signal sequence nor receiving the second reference signal sequence indicates that the UE may not be paged in the next paging occasion.

[0035] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel.

[0036] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that one or more bits in a set of unused bits of a paging downlink control information short message indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0037] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for determining that one or more bits in a set of reserved bits of a paging downlink control information indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0038] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for receiving a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a nonCriticalExtension of a paging message, where the pagingRecordList may not be included in the paging message.

[0039] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: receiving a second reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel after receiving a reference signal configuration, and adopting the second reference signal configuration to overwrite the reference signal configuration in a memory based on receiving the second reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0040] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: receiving an update to a reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel, and updating at least a portion of the reference signal configuration in a memory based on receiving the update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0041] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for identifying a channel state information resource configuration in a reference signal configuration.

[0042] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for identifying a channel state information resource for a resource identifier that is linked to a resource set provided in a reference signal configuration, wherein the channel state information resource may be quasi-co-located with one or more synchronization signal blocks.

[0043] A method of wireless communication performed at a base station is described. The method may include: generating a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; transmitting a broadcast transmission including the reference signal configuration to the UE; when the UE is operating in the first mode, transmitting one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration; and receiving one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals transmitted to the UE.

[0044] Describes an apparatus for wireless communication at a base station. 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: generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; transmit a broadcast transmission to the UE including the reference signal configuration; when the UE is operating in the first mode, transmit one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration; and receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals transmitted to the UE.

[0045] Describes another apparatus for wireless communication at a base station. The apparatus may include units for: generating a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; transmitting a broadcast transmission to the UE including the reference signal configuration; when the UE is operating in the first mode, transmitting one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration; and receiving one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals transmitted to the UE.

[0046] Describes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a base station. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to: generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; transmit a broadcast transmission to the UE including the reference signal configuration; when the UE is operating in the first mode, transmit one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration; and receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals transmitted to the UE.

[0047] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, transmitting a broadcast transmission including the reference signal configuration may include operations, features, units, or instructions for transmitting the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks.

[0048] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for periodically transmitting one or more system information blocks based on scheduling information indicated in a type 1 system information block transmitted from the base station to the UE when the type of one or more system information blocks does not include a type 1 system information block.

[0049] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for a serving cell, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 1.

[0050] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for intra-frequency neighboring cells, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 2 or System Information Block Type 3, or both.

[0051] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, when one or more reference signals can be configured for inter-frequency neighboring cells, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 4 or System Information Block Type 5, or both.

[0052] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending an update to a reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks, where the update to the reference signal configuration may be indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0053] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for indicating that a reference signal configuration can be updated based on a system information modification bit of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0054] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for indicating that a reference signal configuration can be updated based on bits in a set of unused bits of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0055] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the availability or update may be indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0056] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for indicating in one or more bits of paging downlink control information that a reference signal may be available for a UE or that there may be an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0057] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a set of unused bits of paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of paging downlink control information, or both, includes one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0058] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, paging downlink control information may be associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

[0059] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring a first one of one or more bits of paging downlink control information to indicate whether a reference signal is available for a UE in a physical downlink control channel, or for configuring a second one of one or more bits of paging downlink control information to indicate whether an update to a reference signal configuration is possible, or for configuring both.

[0060] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits of paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource of a reference signal configuration.

[0061] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits of paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource group of a reference signal configuration.

[0062] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits of paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource set of a reference signal configuration.

[0063] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits of paging downlink control information to include an indication per group of reference signal resource sets of a reference signal configuration.

[0064] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: determining identifiers for each reference signal resource, each set of reference signal resources, each group of reference signal resources, or each group of sets of reference signal resources from a minimum identifier to a maximum identifier; and mapping the reference signal resources, sets of reference signal resources, groups of reference signal resources, or groups of sets of reference signal resources to one or more bits in order from the minimum identifier to the maximum identifier, wherein the reference signal resource, set of reference signal resources, group of reference signal resources, or group of sets of reference signal resources having the minimum identifier may be mapped to the least significant bit(s) of the one or more bits, and the reference signal resource, set of reference signal resources, group of reference signal resources, or group of sets of reference signal resources having the maximum identifier may be mapped to the most significant bit(s) of the one or more bits.

[0065] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel.

[0066] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, a physical downlink control channel carries information for at least one set of UEs associated with a paging occasion.

[0067] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for identifying a dynamic indication field of a physical downlink control channel, wherein the dynamic indication field indicates that a group of UEs in at least one set of UEs may be paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

[0068] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring a first bit of a content field of a physical downlink control channel to indicate whether the UE may be paged in a next paging occasion, and the remaining bits of the content field to include an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0069] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for sending an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an indication of an update to a reference signal configuration in one or more reference signal sequences.

[0070] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for encoding a reference signal configuration when at least one reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences can be generated.

[0071] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for indicating the availability of one or more reference signals based on one or more reference signal sequences.

[0072] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for: transmitting a first reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences indicating that one or more reference signals remain available, transmitting a second reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences and different from the first reference signal sequence indicating that one or more reference signals do not remain available, and neither transmitting the first reference signal sequence nor the second reference signal sequence indicating that the UE may not be paged in the next paging occasion.

[0073] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for transmitting a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel.

[0074] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits in a set of unused bits of a paging downlink control information short message to indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0075] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring one or more bits in a set of reserved bits of a paging downlink control information to indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0076] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may also include operations, features, units, or instructions for transmitting a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a nonCriticalExtension of a paging message, where the pagingRecordList may not be included in the paging message.

[0077] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for transmitting a second reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel after transmitting a reference signal configuration, wherein the UE may be configured to adopt the second reference signal configuration to overwrite the reference signal configuration in a memory based on the UE receiving the second reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0078] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for transmitting an update to a reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel, wherein the UE may be configured to update at least a portion of the reference signal configuration in a memory based on the UE receiving the update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0079] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring a reference signal configuration to include a channel state information resource configuration.

[0080] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, units, or instructions for configuring a reference signal configuration to include a channel state information resource for a resource identifier that is linked to a resource set, wherein the channel state information resource may be quasi co-located with one or more synchronization signal blocks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0081] Figure 1 An example of a system for wireless communication that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication subsystem that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0083] Figure 3 An example of an environment that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0084] Figure 4 An example of a process flow that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0085] Figure 5 and 6A block diagram of a device supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0086] Figure 7 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0087] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a system including a device supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0088] Figure 9 and 10 A block diagram of a device supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0089] Figure 11 A block diagram of a communication manager supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0090] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a system including a device supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0091] Figures 13 to 20 A flowchart showing a method supporting transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Description

[0092] Some wireless communication systems, such as 4G, 5G, and New Radio (NR) systems, may support user equipment (UE)-specific transmissions to one or more UEs. This technology includes transmission of reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for UEs operating in idle and inactive modes. In some cases, when a UE is in a connected or active mode, a base station may send UE-specific transmissions to the UE, and the UE may respond using channel measurements, etc., without any problems. However, when a UE is in an idle or inactive mode, the UE may not be configured or may not be able to receive UE-specific transmissions that the UE is configured to receive in a connected or active mode.

[0093] This technology includes supporting UE-specific transmissions to the UE when the UE is in the idle mode or the inactive mode. When the UE is in the idle mode or the inactive mode, the UE can be configured to receive broadcast messages or multicast messages. This technology can include providing UE-specific transmissions in the broadcast messages or multicast messages such that when the UE is in the idle mode or the inactive mode, the UE is able to receive and process the UE-specific transmissions. In some cases, the UE-specific transmissions can include resource signal configurations. In some cases, the base station can send the resource signal configuration or an indication of the resource signal configuration in a system information block, or a physical downlink control channel, or a physical downlink shared channel, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the base station can broadcast or multicast a complete resource signal configuration, or a partial resource signal configuration, or an indicator of the resource signal configuration, or any combination thereof. The indicator of the resource signal configuration can indicate that the resource signal configuration is available or unavailable. In some cases, the indicator of the resource signal configuration can indicate that the resource signal configuration is updated or not updated, or that an update to the resource signal configuration is available, or that an update to the resource signal configuration is unavailable.

[0094] Aspects of the subject matter described in this document can be implemented to achieve one or more advantages. The described techniques can support improvements in system efficiency, which enable the UE to perform channel measurements when the UE is in the inactive or idle mode and configure the UE to do so. Additionally, whether the UE is operating in the connected or active mode or the UE is operating in the inactive or idle mode, the described techniques can result in an improved user experience, avoid multiple retransmissions and failed transmissions, reduce system latency, and improve the reliability of channel measurements.

[0095] Aspects of the present disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to a wireless communication subsystem, environment, and process flow related to the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, and with reference to the apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts related to the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment.

[0096] Figure 1FIG. 0 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. 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, communication with low-cost and low-complexity devices, or any combination thereof.

[0097] The base stations 105 may be distributed across a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100 and may be devices of different forms or have different capabilities. The base stations 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125. Each base station 105 may provide a coverage area 110 over which the UEs 115 and the base station 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a coverage area over which the base station 105 and the UEs 115 may support transmission of signals according to one or more radio access technologies.

[0098] The UEs 115 may be distributed across the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both stationary and mobile at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices of different forms or have different capabilities. Some examples of UEs 115 are shown in Figure 1 FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the UEs 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115, base stations 105, or network devices (e.g., core network nodes, relay devices, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes), or other network devices.

[0099] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with each other, or both. For example, the base stations 105 may 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 may communicate with each other directly (e.g., directly between base stations 105), or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130), or both, over the backhaul links 120 (e.g., via X2, Xn, or other interfaces). In some examples, the backhaul links 120 may be or include one or more wireless links.

[0100] One or more of the base stations 105 described herein may include or may be referred to by those of ordinary skill in the art as a base station transceiver, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B or Gigabit Node B (any of which may be referred to as a gNB), home Node B, home evolved Node B, or other suitable terms.

[0101] The UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handheld device, or user equipment, or some other suitable term, where the "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, etc. The UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, laptop computer, or personal computer. In some examples, the UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or machine type communication (MTC) device, etc., which may be implemented in various objects, such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, etc.

[0102] The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of devices, such as other UE 115s that may sometimes act as repeaters, as well as the base station 105 and network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, relay base stations, etc., as Figure 1 shown.

[0103] The UE 115 and the base station 105 may wirelessly communicate with each other via one or more communication links 125 on one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may 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 for the communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., bandwidth part (BWP)) of a radio frequency band 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 may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating carrier operation, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may use carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation to support communication with the UE 115. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) component carriers.

[0104] The signal waveform transmitted on a carrier can be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread spectrum OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element can be composed of a symbol period (e.g., the duration of a modulation symbol) and a subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing are inversely related. The number of bits carried by each resource element can 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 UE 115 and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of UE 115 may be. Wireless communication resources can refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and space resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams), and the use of multiple spatial layers can also increase the data rate or data integrity for communication with UE 115.

[0105] The time intervals for the base station 105 or UE 115 can be expressed as multiples of a basic time unit, which can refer to T s = 1 / (Δf max ·N f ) seconds of sampling period, where Δf max can represent the maximum supported subcarrier spacing, and N f can represent the maximum supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. The time intervals of the communication resources can be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).

[0106] Each frame can include a plurality of consecutively numbered subframes or time slots, and each subframe or time slot can have the same duration. In some examples, a frame can be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe can also be divided into multiple time slots. Alternatively, each frame can include a variable number of time slots, and the number of time slots can depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each time slot can include a plurality of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prefixed to each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a time slot can also be divided into multiple mini-slots each containing one or more symbols. In addition to the cyclic prefix, each symbol period can contain one or more (e.g., N f ones) sampling periods. The duration of the symbol period can depend on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band.

[0107] A subframe, a time slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol can be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., in the time domain), and can be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the number of symbol periods in the TTI) can be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 can be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).

[0108] Physical channels can be multiplexed on a carrier according to various techniques. Physical control channels and physical data channels can be multiplexed on a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region for a physical control channel (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) can be defined by a plurality of symbol periods and can extend across the system bandwidth of the carrier or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) can be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 can monitor or search a control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set can include one or more control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. The aggregation level for a control channel candidate can 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 set can include a common search space set configured to send control information to a plurality of UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a specific UE 115.

[0109] In some examples, the base station 105 can be movable and, thus, provide communication coverage for a mobile geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can overlap, but 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 provide coverage for respective geographic coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.

[0110] Some UEs 115 may be configured to operate in power-reducing modes of operation, 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 saving techniques for the UE 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not participating in active communication, operating on 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 associated with a defined portion or extent (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard band of the carrier, or outside the carrier.

[0111] The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or mission-critical communication. The UE 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions (e.g., mission-critical functions). Ultra-reliable communication may include private communication or group communication and may 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 may include prioritization of services, and mission-critical services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, mission-critical, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.

[0112] In some examples, the UE 115 may also be capable of communicating directly with other UEs 115 over a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or D2D protocols). One or more UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may 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, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system where each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some examples, the base station 105 facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication is performed between UEs 115 without involving the base station 105.

[0113] 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 that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)), and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to an external network (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for a UE 115 served by a base station 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 an IP service 150 for one or more network operators. The IP service 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched streaming services.

[0114] Some network devices in the wireless communication system 100, such as the base station 105, may include subcomponents such as an access network entity 140, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity 140 may communicate with a UE 115 through one or more other access network transmission entities 145, which may be referred to as radio heads, intelligent radio heads, or transmit / receive points (TRPs). Each access network transmission 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 combined into a single network device (e.g., the base station 105).

[0115] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands (generally in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz)). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is referred to as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or the decimeter band because the wavelength range is from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, but, for macrocells, the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently to provide service to a UE 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to transmissions using smaller frequencies and longer wavelengths in the higher frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0116] The wireless communication system 100 can utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can employ Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed frequency band (such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band). When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency band, devices such as the base station 105 and the UE 115 can employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, the operation in the unlicensed band can be based on a carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., LAA) that combines with a component carrier operating in a licensed band. The operation in the unlicensed spectrum can include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission, etc.

[0117] The base station 105 or the UE 115 can be equipped with multiple antennas, and the multiple antennas can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the base station 105 or the UE 115 can be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays can 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 can be located in different geographical locations. The base station 105 can have an antenna array with multiple rows and columns of antenna ports, and the base station 105 can use the antenna array to support beamforming for communication with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 can have one or more antenna arrays, which can support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel can support radio frequency beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.

[0118] The base station 105 or the UE 115 can use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique can be referred to as spatial multiplexing. For example, the multiple signals can be transmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals can be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals can be referred to as a separate spatial stream and can carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). The different spatial layers can be associated with different antenna ports for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) (where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device) and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) (where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices).

[0119] 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., base station 105, UE 115) to shape or control 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 the antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating in a particular azimuth relative to the antenna array experience constructive interference while other signals experience destructive interference. Adjustment of the signals transmitted via the 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. The adjustment associated with each of the antenna elements can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a particular azimuth (e.g., relative to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or relative to some other azimuth).

[0120] The base station 105 or the UE 115 can use beam scanning techniques as part of the beamforming operation. 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. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) can be transmitted by the base station 105 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. Transmissions in different beam directions can be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device such as the base station 105, or a receiving device such as the UE 115) the beam direction for later transmission or reception by the base station 105.

[0121] Some signals (such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device) can be transmitted by the base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., the direction associated with the receiving device such as the UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction can be determined based on signals transmitted in one or more beam directions. For example, the UE 115 can receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station 105 in different directions and can report to the base station 105 an indication of the signal that has the highest signal quality or otherwise acceptable signal quality as received by the UE 115.

[0122] In some examples, transmissions performed by a device (e.g., by base station 105 or UE 115) can be carried out using multiple beam directions, and the device can use a combination of digital precoding or radio frequency beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from base station 105 to UE 115). UE 115 can report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback can correspond to a configured number of beams across the system bandwidth or one or more subbands. Base station 105 can transmit reference signals that can be precoded or not precoded (e.g., cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)). UE 115 can provide feedback for beam selection, which can be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., multi-panel type codebook, linear combination type codebook, port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by base station 105 in one or more directions, UE 115 can employ similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying beam directions for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115) or to transmit signals in a single direction (e.g., for sending data to a receiving device).

[0123] When receiving various signals (such as, synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) from base station 105, a receiving device (e.g., UE 115) can attempt multiple receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening). For example, the receiving device can attempt multiple receiving directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different sets of receive beamforming weights (e.g., different sets of directional listening weights) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different sets of receive beamforming weights applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array. Any of these ways can be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or receiving directions. In some examples, the receiving device can use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receiving configuration can be aligned in a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receiving configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

[0124] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network operating according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, the communication 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 communication over 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 techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer can provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of the RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or the core network 130 to support the radio bearers for user plane data. At the physical layer, the transport channels can be mapped to physical channels.

[0125] The UE 115 and the base station 105 can support retransmissions 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 over the communication link 125. HARQ can include a combination of error detection (e.g., using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC)), Forward Error Correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ)). HARQ can improve the throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise ratio conditions). In some examples, a device can support HARQ feedback in the same time slot, where the device can provide HARQ feedback for data received in previous symbols in the particular time slot. In other cases, the device can provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent time slot, or according to some other time interval.

[0126] In some examples, when the UE 115 is operating in the idle mode or the inactive mode, the UE 115 can receive a broadcast transmission from the base station 105. In some cases, the broadcast transmission can include a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station 105 and the UE 115. In some cases, the reference signal configuration can indicate one or more reference signal parameters. When operating in the idle mode or the inactive mode, the UE 115 can receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. In some cases, the UE 115 can determine one or more channel measurements based at least in part on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0127] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication subsystem 200 that supports transmission of reference signal configuration in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment is shown. In some examples, the wireless communication subsystem 200 can implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100.

[0128] As shown, the wireless communication subsystem 200 may include a UE 115-a and a base station 105-a, which may be examples of the UE 115 or the base station 105 described herein. The wireless communication subsystem 200 may also include a downlink 205 and an uplink 210. The base station 105-a may use the downlink 205 to transmit control and / or data information to the UE 115-a. Also, the UE 115-a may use the uplink 210 to transmit control and / or data information to the base station 105-a. In some cases, the downlink 205 may use different time and / or frequency resources than the uplink 210. Figure 1 In some examples, when the UE 115-a is operating in an idle mode or an inactive mode, the UE 115-a may receive a broadcast transmission from the base station 105-a. In some cases, the broadcast transmission may include a reference signal configuration 215 for communication between the base station 105-a and the UE 115-a. In some cases, the reference signal configuration 215 may indicate one or more reference signal parameters. When operating in an idle mode or an inactive mode, the UE 115-a may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration 215. In some cases, the UE 115-a may determine one or more channel measurements based at least in part on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0129] In some cases, the base station 105-a may send a resource signal configuration or an indication of a resource signal configuration in a system information block, or a physical downlink control channel, or a physical downlink shared channel, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the base station 105-a may broadcast or multicast a complete resource signal configuration, or a partial resource signal configuration, or an indicator of a resource signal configuration, or any combination thereof. The indicator of the resource signal configuration may indicate that the resource signal is available or unavailable. In some cases, the indicator of the resource signal configuration may indicate that the resource signal configuration is updated or not updated, or that the resource signal is available and the resource signal configuration is updated or the resource signal is unavailable.

[0130] In some cases, the base station 105-a may send a resource signal configuration or an indication of a resource signal configuration in a system information block, or a physical downlink control channel, or a physical downlink shared channel, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the base station 105-a may broadcast or multicast a complete resource signal configuration, or a partial resource signal configuration, or an indicator of a resource signal configuration, or any combination thereof. The indicator of the resource signal configuration may indicate that the resource signal is available or unavailable. In some cases, the indicator of the resource signal configuration may indicate that the resource signal configuration is updated or not updated, or that the resource signal is available and the resource signal configuration is updated or the resource signal is unavailable.

[0131] This technology can improve network efficiency and reduce network latency. At the same time, the UE (e.g., UE 115-a) saves power by operating in an inactive or idle mode, thereby improving the user experience of one or more UEs based on improved quality of service. In some cases, the described technology can support improvements in system efficiency such that UE 115-a can perform channel measurements while in an inactive or idle mode. Additionally, the described technology can result in improved quality of service by reducing system latency and increasing the reliability of channel measurements, while the UE saves battery life by continuing to operate in an inactive or idle mode.

[0132] Figure 3 An example of an environment 300 is shown that supports the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, environment 300 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100.

[0133] In some examples, environment 300 may illustrate aspects of one or more fields of a physical downlink control channel. In some cases, a base station (e.g., base station 105) may transmit a resource signal configuration or an indication of a resource signal configuration in one or more fields of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) as depicted in environment 300.

[0134] In the example shown, the one or more fields of the depicted PDCCH may include an optional common field 305, an optional dynamic indication field 310, a content field 315, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field 320. In some cases, the one or more fields of the depicted PDCCH may include X dynamic indication fields 310 for X groups of UEs and Y content fields 315 for Y groups of UEs. In some cases, X and Y are positive integers, and Y is equal to or less than X.

[0135] In some cases, the fields of the depicted PDCCH may carry information for multiple groups of UEs associated in the same paging occasion. In some cases, the depicted PDCCH may carry information for a single group of UEs associated in the same paging occasion. In some cases, the dynamic indication field 310 may indicate whether any of the X groups of UEs are paged in the next paging occasion. In some cases, the UE may identify the dynamic indication field 310, where the identified dynamic indication field 310 indicates that one group of UEs among the X groups of UEs is paged in the next paging occasion. In some cases, each paged group among the X groups of UEs may be mapped to Y content fields 315. In some cases, each of the X dynamic indication fields 310 may be mapped to Y content fields 315 (e.g., one-to-one mapping, dynamic indication field 0 mapped to content field 0, dynamic indication field 1 mapped to content field 1, etc.).

[0136] In some examples, one or more fields of the depicted PDCCH may not include the common field 305, or may not include the dynamic indication field 310, or may not include either. In some cases, one or more fields of the depicted PDCCH may include at least the content field 315 and the CRC field 320. In some cases, the content field 315 may carry resource signal configuration information for Y groups of UEs. In some cases, the first bit of each content field 315 may indicate whether the associated UE is paged (e.g., paged in the next paging occasion). In some cases, the remaining bits of each content field 315 may include a resource signal configuration (e.g., a complete resource signal configuration, or a partial resource signal configuration, or an indicator of a resource signal configuration, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the UE may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to a reference signal configuration based on the paging indicator of the content field 315.

[0137] In some examples, the UE is in a sleep mode and may wake up (e.g., during a paging occasion) to receive the PDCCH to determine whether an update to a resource configuration or a new resource configuration is available. In some cases, the UE may determine based on the PDCCH whether a resource configuration is being broadcast to a group of UEs including the UE. In some cases, the UE may wake up periodically and monitor the PDCCH to check for the presence of a paging message (e.g., the UE may look for information encrypted by a paging radio network temporary identifier).

[0138] Figure 4An example of process flow 400 is shown that supports the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow 400 may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. In some examples, process flow 400 may be implemented by or may implement aspects of wireless communication system 100. For example, UE 115-b and base station 105-b may be examples of corresponding devices described with reference to Figure 1 the like.

[0139] At 405, base station 105-b may send a reference signal configuration to UE 115-b. In some cases, the sent reference signal configuration may be configured by base station 105-b for communication between base station 105-b and UE 115-b. In some cases, base station 105-b may send the reference signal configuration in a broadcast transmission or a multicast transmission to one or more groups of UEs, where one of the groups of UEs includes UE 115-b. In some cases, when UE 115-b receives the sent reference signal configuration, UE 115-b may be operating in an idle mode or an inactive mode. In some cases, the reference signal configuration may indicate one or more reference signal parameters. In some cases, one or more parameters of the reference signal configuration may include a channel state resource configuration indication (e.g., zero power (ZP) channel state information reference signal indicator, non-zero power (NZP) channel state information reference signal indicator, CSI-ResourceConfig, ZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetList, NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet, or NZP-CSI-RS-Resource).

[0140] In some examples, UE 115-b may receive the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks. In some cases, when the type of one or more system information blocks does not include a type 1 system information block, UE 115-b may receive the one or more system information blocks periodically based at least in part on scheduling information indicated in the type 1 system information block received by UE 115-b.

[0141] In some examples, UE 115-b may receive an update to a reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks, where the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration, or both, are indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information. In some cases, UE 115-b may determine that the reference signal configuration is updated at least in part based on system information modification bits of a short message of paging downlink control information. In some cases, UE 115-b may determine that the reference signal configuration is updated at least in part based on bits in a set of unused bits of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0142] In some examples, UE 115-b may receive an indication of the availability of a reference signal or an update to a reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the availability or update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information. When the indication indicates that the reference signal is available, base station 105-b may continue to transmit the reference signal. When the indication indicates that the reference signal is unavailable, base station 105-b may stop or may have stopped transmitting the reference signal (e.g., the indication may indicate that base station 105-b is not transmitting or is no longer transmitting the reference signal). Thus, when the indication indicates that the reference signal is available, UE 115-b may determine that base station 105-b continues to transmit the reference signal, enabling UE 115-b to continue monitoring and receiving the reference signal. When the indication indicates that the reference signal is unavailable, UE 115-b may determine that base station 105-b is not transmitting the reference signal, in which case UE 115-b may stop monitoring the reference signal.

[0143] In some cases, UE 115-b may determine that one or more bits of paging downlink control information indicate that the reference signal is available or that the reference signal configuration is updated. In some cases, a set of unused bits of paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of paging downlink control information, or both, include one or more bits of paging downlink control information. In some cases, the paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information. In some cases, when one or more bits of paging downlink control information indicate that the reference signal is available, or that the reference signal configuration is updated, or both, UE 115-b may receive a reference signal configuration or an updated reference signal configuration (e.g., a set of parameters of the reference signal configuration, or a set of updated parameters of the reference signal configuration) in a system information block or a physical downlink shared channel (e.g., a system information block or a physical downlink shared channel scheduled by the paging downlink control information).

[0144] In some examples, UE 115-b may determine that one or more bits of paging downlink control information include a first bit for indicating whether a reference signal is available or unavailable, or a second bit for indicating whether a reference signal configuration is updated or not updated, or both. In some cases, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include one bit per reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration. In some cases, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include one bit per reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration. In some cases, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include one bit per reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration. In some cases, one or more bits of paging downlink control information include one bit per group of reference signal resource sets of the reference signal configuration.

[0145] In some examples, UE 115-b may determine identifiers for each reference signal resource, each reference signal resource set, each reference signal resource group, or each group of reference signal resource sets from a minimum identifier to a maximum identifier. In some cases, UE 115-b may map the reference signal resources, reference signal resource sets, groups of reference signal resources, or groups of reference signal resource sets to a group of bits in order from the minimum identifier to the maximum identifier. In some cases, the reference signal resource, reference signal resource set, group of reference signal resources, or group of reference signal resource sets with the minimum identifier is mapped to the least significant bit in the group of bits, the reference signal resource, reference signal resource set, group of reference signal resources, or group of reference signal resource sets with the next minimum identifier is mapped to the next least significant bit in the group of bits, and so on until the reference signal resource, reference signal resource set, group of reference signal resources, or group of reference signal resource sets with the maximum identifier is mapped to the most significant bit in the group of bits.

[0146] In some examples, the UE 115-b may receive information on the availability of a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel. In some cases, the physical downlink control channel carries information for at least one set of UEs 115-B associated with a paging occasion. In some cases, the UE 115-b may identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, where the dynamic indication field may indicate that one set of UEs 115-B in at least one set of UEs 115-B is paged in the next paging occasion, and this set of UEs 115-B includes the UE 115-b. In some cases, the UE 115-b may identify a content field of the physical downlink control channel, where the first bit of the content field may indicate whether the UE 115-B is paged in the next paging occasion, and the remaining bits of the content field include information on the availability of the reference signal or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0147] In some examples, the UE 115-b may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in one or more reference signal sequences. In some cases, the reference signal configuration is encoded when at least one of the one or more reference signal sequences is generated.

[0148] In some examples, the UE 115-b may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel. In some cases, the UE 115-b may determine that one or more bits in a set of unused bits of a short message for paging downlink control information indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration. In some cases, the UE 115-b may determine that one or more bits in a set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration. In some examples, the UE 115-b may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the nonCriticalExtension of a paging message, where the pagingRecordList may not be included in the paging message.

[0149] In some examples, UE 115-b may receive a second reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel carrying a system information block after receiving a reference signal configuration. In some examples, UE 115-b may receive an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel scheduled by downlink control information scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identifier. In some examples, UE 115-b may adopt the second reference signal configuration to overwrite the reference signal configuration in the memory at least partially based on receiving the second reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel. In some examples, UE 115-b may update at least a portion of the reference signal configuration in the memory at least partially based on receiving the update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0150] In some examples, UE 115-b may identify a channel state information resource configuration in the reference signal configuration. In some examples, UE 115-b may identify a channel state information resource for a resource identifier that is linked to a resource set provided in the reference signal configuration, where the channel state information resource may be quasi co-located with one or more synchronization signal blocks.

[0151] At 410, base station 105-b may send one or more reference signals to UE 115-b. When operating in an idle mode or an inactive mode, UE 115-b may receive one or more reference signals. In some cases, UE 115-b may receive one or more reference signals from base station 105-b according to the reference signal configuration transmitted at 405.

[0152] In some examples, UE 115-b may determine the availability of one or more reference signals at least partially based on one or more reference signal sequences. In some examples, receiving a first reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences indicates that one or more reference signals remain available, receiving a second reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences and different from the first reference signal sequence indicates that one or more reference signals do not remain available, and neither receiving the first reference signal sequence nor receiving the second reference signal sequence indicates that UE 115-B is not paged in the next paging occasion.

[0153] In some examples, when one or more reference signals at 410 are configured for the serving cell, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 1. In some cases, when one or more reference signals at 410 are configured for an in-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 2 or System Information Block Type 3, or both. In some cases, when one or more reference signals at 410 are configured for an inter-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include System Information Block Type 4 or System Information Block Type 5, or both.

[0154] At 415, UE 115-b may determine one or more channel measurements based at least in part on one or more reference signals received from base station 105-b at 410.

[0155] At 420, UE 115-b may optionally send one or more channel measurements to base station 105-b. In some cases, UE 115-b may determine one or more channel measurements based at least in part on one or more reference signals, and in some cases, may send one or more of the determined channel measurements to base station 105-b.

[0156] Figure 5 FIG. 500 is a block diagram of a device 505 that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device 505 may be an example of an aspect of UE 115 described herein. Device 505 may include a receiver 510, a communication manager 515, and a transmitter 520. Device 505 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0157] 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 transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of device 505. The receiver 510 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 820 described Figure 8 herein. The receiver 510 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0158] The communication manager 515 may receive a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE when the UE is operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station. The communication manager 515 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 810 described herein.

[0159] The communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, 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 sub-components may be performed by: a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), 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 in this disclosure.

[0160] The communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, according to aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, according to aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 515 or its sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to: input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof.

[0161] The transmitter 520 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device 505. In some examples, the transmitter 520 may be collocated with the receiver 510 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 520 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 820 described with reference to Figure 8 The transmitter 520 may utilize a single antenna or an array of antennas.

[0162] Figure 6 Block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supports transmission of a reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of this disclosure is shown. The device 605 may be an example of an aspect of the device 505 or UE 115 described herein. The device 605 may include a receiver 610, a communication manager 615, and a transmitter 635. The device 605 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0163] 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 transmission configured with reference signals in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 820 described with reference to Figure 8 The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0164] The communication manager 615 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 515 described herein. The communication manager 615 may include a configuration manager 620, a reference signal manager 625, and a measurement manager 630. The communication manager 615 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 810 described herein.

[0165] The communication manager 620 may receive a broadcast transmission including a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE from the base station when the UE is operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0166] When operating in the first mode, the reference signal manager 625 may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. The measurement manager 630 may determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0167] The transmitter 635 may send signals generated by other components of the device 605. In some examples, the transmitter 635 may be collocated with the receiver 610 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 635 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 820 described with reference to Figure 8 The transmitter 635 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0168] Figure 7 FIG. 700 is a block diagram of a communication manager 705 supporting transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 705 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 515, the communication manager 615, or the communication manager 810 described herein. The communication manager 705 may include a configuration manager 710, a reference signal manager 715, a measurement manager 720, a system information manager 725, a control channel manager 730, and a shared channel manager 735. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0169] The configuration manager 710 may receive a broadcast transmission including a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE from the base station when the UE is operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0170] In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the nonCriticalExtension of a paging message, where the pagingRecordList is not included in the paging message. In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may receive a second reference signal configuration in a system information block after receiving the reference signal configuration.

[0171] In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may adopt the second reference signal configuration to overwrite the reference signal configuration in the memory at least partially based on receiving the second reference signal configuration in the system information block. In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may receive an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel scheduled by downlink control information scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identifier.

[0172] In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may update at least a part of the reference signal configuration in the memory based on receiving an update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel. In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may identify a channel state information resource configuration in the reference signal configuration. In some examples, the configuration manager 710 may identify a channel state information resource for a resource identifier linked to a resource set provided in the reference signal configuration, where the channel state information resource is mapped to one or more synchronization signal blocks.

[0173] When operating in the first mode, the reference signal manager 715 may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration.

[0174] The measurement manager 720 may determine one or more channel measurements based on one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0175] The system information manager 725 may receive a reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks.

[0176] In some examples, when the type of one or more system information blocks does not include a type 1 system information block, the system information manager 725 may periodically receive one or more system information blocks at least partially based on scheduling information indicated in a type 1 system information block received by the UE.

[0177] In some examples, the system information manager 725 may receive an update to a reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks, where the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration, or both, are indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0178] In some examples, the system information manager 725 may determine that a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration is available based on a system information modification bit of a short message of paging downlink control information. In some examples, the system information manager 725 may determine that a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration is available based on bits in a set of unused bits of a short message of paging downlink control information.

[0179] In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for a serving cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 1 system information block. In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for an in-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 2 system information block or a type 3 system information block, or both. In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for an inter-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 4 system information block or a type 5 system information block, or both.

[0180] The control channel manager 730 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

[0181] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may determine that one or more bits of paging downlink control information indicate that a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration is available in the physical downlink control channel.

[0182] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may determine that one or more bits of paging downlink control information include a first bit for indicating whether a reference signal configuration is in the physical downlink control channel, or a second bit for indicating whether an update to the reference signal configuration is in the physical downlink control channel, or both. In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may determine the identifier of each reference signal resource set in a group for a reference signal resource set from a minimum identifier to a maximum identifier.

[0183] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may map a group of reference signal resource sets to a group of bits in ascending order of identifiers, where the reference signal resource set with the smallest identifier in the group of reference signal resource sets is mapped to the least significant bit in the group of bits, and the reference signal resource set with the largest identifier in the group of reference signal resource sets is mapped to the most significant bit in the group of bits.

[0184] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the paging indicator of the physical downlink control channel. In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, where the dynamic indication field indicates that the UEs in at least one group of UEs are paged in the next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

[0185] In some examples, identify a content field of the physical downlink control channel, where the first bit of the content field indicates whether the UE is paged in the next paging occasion, and the remaining bits of the content field include a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0186] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in one or more reference signal sequences associated with the physical downlink control channel. In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may determine the availability of one or more reference signals based on one or more reference signal sequences associated with the physical downlink control channel.

[0187] In some examples, the control channel manager 730 may receive that the first reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences indicates that one or more reference signals remain available, the second reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences and different from the first reference signal sequence indicates that one or more reference signals do not remain available, and neither receiving the first reference signal sequence nor the second reference signal sequence indicates that the UE is not paged in the next paging occasion.

[0188] In some cases, a set of unused bits of paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of paging downlink control information, or both include one or more bits of paging downlink control information. In some cases, the paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information. In some cases, one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include one bit per reference signal resource of a reference signal configuration. In some cases, one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include one bit per reference signal resource group of a reference signal configuration. In some cases, one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include one or two bits for indicating whether a reference signal resource set of a reference signal configuration is available or unavailable. In some cases, one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include a set of bits for indicating which reference signal resource sets in a group of reference signal resource sets of a reference signal configuration are available and which reference signal resource sets in the group of reference signal resource sets of a reference signal configuration are unavailable.

[0189] In some cases, the physical downlink control channel carries information for at least one group of UEs associated with a paging occasion. In some cases, the reference signal configuration is encoded when at least one reference signal sequence in one or more reference signal sequences is generated.

[0190] The shared channel manager 735 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to a reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel. In some examples, the shared channel manager 735 may determine that one or more bits in a set of unused bits of a short message of paging downlink control information indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0191] In some examples, the shared channel manager 735 may determine that one or more bits in a set of reserved bits of paging downlink control information indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to a reference signal configuration.

[0192] Figure 8FIG. 800 is a schematic diagram of a system 800 including a device 805 that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device 805 may be an example of device 505, device 605, or UE 115 described herein, or may include components of device 505, device 605, or UE 115. Device 805 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for sending and receiving communications, including communication manager 810, I / O controller 815, transceiver 820, antenna 825, memory 830, and processor 840. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses, such as bus 845.

[0193] Communication manager 810 may receive, from a base station, a broadcast transmission including a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE when the UE is operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; receive, when operating in the first mode, one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration; and determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station.

[0194] I / O controller 815 may manage input and output signals for device 805. I / O controller 815 may also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 805. In some cases, I / O controller 815 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 815 may utilize an operating system, such as, MS- MS- OS / or another well-known operating system. In other cases, I / O controller 815 may represent a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device, or may 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.

[0195] As described herein, transceiver 820 may communicate bi-directionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links. For example, transceiver 820 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 820 may also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0196] 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, which may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0197] The memory 830 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 830 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 835 including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 830 may contain (among other things) BIOS, which may control basic hardware and software operations (such as interactions with peripheral components or devices).

[0198] The processor 840 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 840 may be configured to operate a 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., memory 830) to cause the device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment).

[0199] The code 835 may include instructions for implementing aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. The code 835 may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as 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 or executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0200] Figure 9 Block diagram 900 of a device 905 supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The device 905 may be an example of an aspect of the base station 105 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).

[0201] 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 the transmission configured with reference signals in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described with reference to Figure 12 The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0202] The communication manager 915 may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between a base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; send a broadcast transmission including the reference signal configuration to the UE; send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration when the UE is operating in the first mode; and receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The communication manager 915 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 1210 described herein.

[0203] The communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be implemented in hardware, 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 sub-components may be performed by: a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), 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 in this disclosure.

[0204] The communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be physically located at various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functionality are implemented by one or more physical components at different physical locations. In some examples, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be separate and distinct components. In some examples, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, the communication manager 915 or its sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to: input / output (I / O) components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof.

[0205] The transmitter 920 may send signals generated by other components of the device 905. In some examples, the transmitter 920 may be collocated with the receiver 910 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 920 may be a reference to Figure 12An example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described. The transmitter 920 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0206] Figure 10 FIG. 1000 is a block diagram of a device 1005 that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1005 may be an example of an aspect of the device 905 or the base station 105 described herein. The device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a communication manager 1015, and a transmitter 1040. The device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0207] 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 the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1005. The receiver 1010 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described Figure 12 An example of an aspect of the transceiver 1220 described. The receiver 1010 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0208] The communication manager 1015 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 915 described herein. The communication manager 1015 may include a settings manager 1020, a broadcast manager 1025, a signal manager 1030, and a channel manager 1035. The communication manager 1015 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 1210 described herein.

[0209] The settings manager 1020 may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode. The broadcast manager 1025 may send a broadcast transmission to the UE that includes the reference signal configuration.

[0210] The signal manager 1030 may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration when the UE is operating in the first mode. The channel manager 1035 may receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE.

[0211] The transmitter 1040 may send signals generated by other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the transmitter 1040 may be collocated with the receiver 1010 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1040 may be Figure 12Examples of aspects of the transceiver 1220 described. The transmitter 1040 may utilize a single antenna or a collection of antennas.

[0212] Figure 11 FIG. 1100 is a block diagram of a communication manager 1105 that supports transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 1105 may be an example of an aspect of the communication manager 915, communication manager 1015, or communication manager 1210 described herein. The communication manager 1105 may include a settings manager 1110, a broadcast manager 1115, a signal manager 1120, a channel manager 1125, a system manager 1130, a control manager 1135, and a data manager 1140. Each of these modules may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0213] The settings manager 1110 may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between a base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0214] In some examples, the settings manager 1110 may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the nonCriticalExtension of a paging message, where the pagingRecordList is not included in the paging message.

[0215] In some examples, the settings manager 1110 may send a second reference signal configuration in a system information block after sending the reference signal configuration, where the UE is configured to adopt the second reference signal configuration to overwrite the reference signal configuration in memory based on the UE receiving the second reference signal configuration in the system information block.

[0216] In some examples, the settings manager 1110 may configure the reference signal configuration to include a channel state information resource configuration.

[0217] In some examples, the settings manager 1110 may configure the reference signal configuration to include a channel state information resource for a resource identifier linked to a resource set, where the channel state information resource is mapped to one or more synchronization signal blocks.

[0218] The broadcast manager 1115 may send a broadcast transmission to the UE that includes the reference signal configuration. The signal manager 1120 may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration when the UE is operating in the first mode.

[0219] The channel manager 1125 may receive one or more channel measurements from a UE based on one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The system manager 1130 may send reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks.

[0220] In some examples, when the type of one or more system information blocks does not include a type 1 system information block, the system manager 1130 may periodically send one or more system information blocks based on the scheduling information indicated in the type 1 system information block sent from the base station to the UE.

[0221] In some examples, the system manager 1130 may send an update to the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks, where the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration, or both, are indicated by one or more bits of the paging downlink control information.

[0222] In some examples, the system manager 1130 may indicate that the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration is available based on the system information modification bit of the short message of the paging downlink control information.

[0223] In some examples, the system manager 1130 may indicate that the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration is available based on the bits in the set of unused bits of the short message of the paging downlink control information.

[0224] In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for the serving cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 1 system information block. In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for the in-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 2 system information block or a type 3 system information block, or both. In some cases, when one or more reference signals are configured for the inter-band neighboring cell, one or more system information blocks include a type 4 system information block or a type 5 system information block, or both.

[0225] The control manager 1135 may send the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink control channel, where the update is indicated by one or more bits of the paging downlink control information. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may indicate in one or more bits of the paging downlink control information that the reference signal configuration or the update to the reference signal configuration is available in the physical downlink control channel.

[0226] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure a first bit among one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to indicate whether the reference signal configuration is in the physical downlink control channel, or a second bit among one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to indicate whether an update to the reference signal configuration is in the physical downlink control channel, or configure both. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include one bit for each reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration.

[0227] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include one bit for each reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include one or two bits for indicating whether the reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration is available or unavailable.

[0228] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include a group of bits for indicating which reference signal resource sets in the group of reference signal resource sets of the reference signal configuration are available and which reference signal resource sets in the group of reference signal resource sets of the reference signal configuration are unavailable.

[0229] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may determine an identifier for each reference signal resource set in the group of reference signal resource sets from a minimum identifier to a maximum identifier. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may map the group of reference signal resource sets to a group of bits in an order from the minimum identifier to the maximum identifier, where the reference signal resource set with the minimum identifier in the group of reference signal resource sets is mapped to the least significant bit in the group of bits, and the reference signal resource set with the maximum identifier in the group of reference signal resource sets is mapped to the most significant bit in the group of bits.

[0230] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may transmit the reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of the physical downlink control channel. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, where the dynamic indication field indicates that the UE in at least one group of UEs is paged in the next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

[0231] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may configure the first bit of the content field of the physical downlink control channel to indicate whether the UE is paged in the next paging occasion, and the remaining bits of the content field to include a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may send the reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in one or more reference signal sequences associated with the physical downlink control channel.

[0232] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may encode the reference signal configuration when at least one of the one or more reference signal sequences is generated. In some examples, the control manager 1135 may indicate the availability of one or more reference signals based on one or more reference signal sequences associated with the physical downlink control channel.

[0233] In some examples, the control manager 1135 may send that the first reference signal sequence among one or more reference signal sequences indicates that one or more reference signals remain available, the second reference signal sequence among one or more reference signal sequences and different from the first reference signal sequence indicates that one or more reference signals do not remain available, and neither the first reference signal sequence nor the second reference signal sequence is sent indicates that the UE is not paged in the next paging occasion.

[0234] In some cases, the set of unused bits of the paging downlink control information, or the set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information, or both include one or more bits of the paging downlink control information. In some cases, the paging downlink control information is associated with the physical downlink shared channel scheduling information. In some cases, the physical downlink control channel carries information for at least one set of UEs associated with the paging occasion.

[0235] The data manager 1140 may send the reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel. In some examples, the data manager 1140 may configure one or more bits in the set of unused bits of the short message of the paging downlink control information to indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes the reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration.

[0236] In some examples, the data manager 1140 may configure one or more bits in a set of reserved bits of a short message that paging downlink control information to indicate that the physical downlink shared channel includes a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration. In some examples, the data manager 1140 may send an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel scheduled by downlink control information scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identifier, where the UE is configured to update at least a portion of the reference signal configuration in a memory based on the UE receiving the update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel.

[0237] Figure 12 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of a system 1200 including an apparatus 1205 that supports transmission of a reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1205 may be an example of the apparatus 905, the apparatus 1005, or the base station 105 described herein, or may include components of the apparatus 905, the apparatus 1005, or the base station 105. The apparatus 1205 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for sending and receiving communication, 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).

[0238] The communication manager 1210 may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between a base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode; send a broadcast transmission including the reference signal configuration to the UE; send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration when the UE is operating in the first mode; and receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE.

[0239] The network communication manager 1215 may manage communication with one or more core networks (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 1215 may manage the delivery of data communication for client devices (such as one or more UEs 115).

[0240] As described herein, transceiver 1220 can communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired or wireless links. For example, transceiver 1220 can represent a wireless transceiver and can communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 1220 can also include a modem to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna.

[0241] In some cases, the wireless device can include a single antenna 1225. However, in some cases, the device can have more than one antenna 1225, which can be capable of simultaneously sending or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0242] Memory 1230 can include RAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. Memory 1230 can store computer-readable code 1235 including instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., processor 1240), cause the device to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 1230 can contain (among other things) BIOS, which can control basic hardware and software operations (such as interactions with peripheral components or devices).

[0243] Processor 1240 can include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1240 can be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some cases, the memory controller can be integrated into processor 1240. Processor 1240 can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1230) to cause device 1205 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment).

[0244] The inter-station communication manager 1245 can manage communication with other base stations 105 and can include a controller or scheduler for collaboratively controlling communication with UE 115 with other base stations 105. For example, the inter-station communication manager 1245 can coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to UE 115 to implement various interference mitigation techniques (such as beamforming or joint transmission). In some examples, the inter-station communication manager 1245 can provide an X2 interface within the LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between base stations 105.

[0245] Code 1235 may include instructions for implementing aspects of the present disclosure, including instructions for supporting wireless communication. Code 1235 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as, system memory or other types of memory). In some cases, code 1235 may not be directly executable by the processor 1240, but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled or executed) to perform the functions described herein.

[0246] Figure 13 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1300 for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. Operations of method 1300 may be implemented by the UE 115 or its components described herein. For example, operations of method 1300 may be performed by the communication manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0247] At 1305, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the UE may receive a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1305 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1305 may be performed by the configuration manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0248] At 1310, when operating in the first mode, the UE may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1310 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1310 may be performed by the reference signal manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0249] At 1315, the UE may determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station. The operation of 1315 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1315 may be performed by the measurement manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0250] Figure 14A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1400 for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. Operations of method 1400 may be implemented by UE 115 or its components described herein. For example, operations of method 1400 may be performed by the communication manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0251] At 1405, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the UE may receive a broadcast transmission from a base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1405 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1405 may be performed by the configuration manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 described.

[0252] At 1410, when operating in the first mode, the UE may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1410 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1410 may be performed by the reference signal manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 described.

[0253] At 1415, the UE may determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station. The operation of 1415 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1415 may be performed by the measurement manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 described.

[0254] At 1420, the UE may receive the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks. The operation of 1420 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1420 may be performed by the system information manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 described.

[0255] Figure 15 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1500 for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. Operations of method 1500 may be implemented by UE 115 or its components described herein. For example, operations of method 1500 may be performed by the communication manager described with reference to Figures 5 to 8Performed by the described communication manager. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0256] At 1505, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the UE may receive a broadcast transmission from the base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1505 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1505 may be performed by the configuration manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0257] At 1510, when operating in the first mode, the UE may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1510 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1510 may be performed by the reference signal manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0258] At 1515, the UE may determine one or more channel measurements based on the one or more reference signals received from the base station. The operation of 1515 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1515 may be performed by the measurement manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0259] At 1520, the UE may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information. The operation of 1520 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1520 may be performed by the control channel manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0260] Figure 16 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1600 for supporting the transmission of a reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1600 may be implemented by the UE 115 or its components described herein. For example, the operations of method 1600 may be performed by the communication manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0261] At 1605, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the UE may receive a broadcast transmission from the base station that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1605 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1605 may be performed by a configuration manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0262] At 1610, when operating in the first mode, the UE may receive one or more reference signals from the base station according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1610 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1610 may be performed by a reference signal manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0263] At 1615, the UE may determine one or more channel measurements based on one or more reference signals received from the base station. The operation of 1615 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1615 may be performed by a measurement manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0264] At 1620, the UE may receive a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink shared channel. The operation of 1620 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1620 may be performed by a shared channel manager referred to Figures 5 to 8 as described.

[0265] Figure 17 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1700 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment. The operations of method 1700 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components described herein. For example, the operations of method 1700 may be performed by a communication manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0266] At 1705, the base station may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1705 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1705 may be performed by a settings manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0267] At 1710, the base station may send a broadcast transmission to the UE that includes the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1710 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1710 may be performed by a broadcast manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0268] At 1715, when the UE is operating in the first mode, the base station may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 1715 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1715 may be performed by a signal manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0269] At 1720, the base station may receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The operation of 1720 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1720 may be performed by a channel manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0270] Figure 18 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1800 for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1800 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components described herein. For example, the operations of method 1800 may be performed by a communication manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may perform aspects of the functions described herein using dedicated hardware.

[0271] At 1805, the base station may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation of 1805 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1805 may be performed by a settings manager referred to Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0272] At 1810, the base station may send a broadcast transmission to the UE that includes a reference signal configuration. The operation at 1810 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1810 may be performed by a broadcast manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described.

[0273] At 1815, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the base station may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration. The operation at 1815 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1815 may be performed by a signal manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described.

[0274] At 1820, the base station may receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The operation at 1820 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1820 may be performed by a channel manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described.

[0275] At 1825, the base station may send the reference signal configuration in one or more system information blocks. The operation at 1825 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1825 may be performed by a system manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described.

[0276] Figure 19 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 1900 for supporting the transmission of reference signal configurations in broadcast messages for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1900 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components described herein. For example, the operations of method 1900 may be performed by a communication manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0277] At 1905, the base station may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation at 1905 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1905 may be performed by a setup manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 and described.

[0278] At 1910, the base station may send a broadcast transmission to the UE that includes a reference signal configuration. The operation at 1910 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1910 may be performed by a broadcast manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0279] At 1915, when the UE is operating in a first mode, the base station may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration. The operation at 1915 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1915 may be performed by a signal manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0280] At 1920, the base station may receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The operation at 1920 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1920 may be performed by a channel manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0281] At 1925, the base station may send a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information. The operation at 1925 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 1925 may be performed by a control manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 as described.

[0282] Figure 20 A flowchart is shown that illustrates a method 2000 for supporting the transmission of a reference signal configuration in a broadcast message for idle and inactive user equipment according to aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2000 may be implemented by the base station 105 or its components described herein. For example, the operations of method 2000 may be performed by a communication manager as referenced Figures 9 to 12 as described. In some examples, the base station may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the base station to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0283] At 2005, the base station may generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the base station and a UE operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode. The operation at 2005 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 2005 may be performed by a reference Figures 9 to 12Execute using the described setup manager.

[0284] At 2010, the base station may send a broadcast transmission including reference signal configuration to the UE. The operation of 2010 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2010 may be performed by referring to Figures 9 to 12 the described broadcast manager.

[0285] At 2015, when the UE is operating in the first mode, the base station may send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration. The operation of 2015 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2015 may be performed by referring to Figures 9 to 12 the described signal manager.

[0286] At 2020, the base station may receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based on one or more reference signals sent to the UE. The operation of 2020 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2020 may be performed by referring to Figures 9 to 12 the described channel manager.

[0287] At 2025, the base station may send a reference signal configuration or an update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink shared channel. The operation of 2025 may be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 2025 may be performed by referring to Figures 9 to 12 the described data manager.

[0288] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. In addition, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0289] Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described for illustrative purposes and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in most of the description, the techniques described herein may apply beyond the scope of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may apply 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.

[0290] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and methods. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips mentioned throughout the description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0291] Various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein can be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, 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. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0292] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination of these items executed by a processor. The features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various positions, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0293] A computer-readable medium includes a non-transitory computer storage medium and a communication medium, where the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The non-transitory storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code units in the form of instructions or data structures, and any other non-transitory medium that can be accessed by a general or special purpose computer or a general or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies 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, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable medium.

[0294] As used herein (including in the claims), the "or" as used in a list of items (e.g., a list that ends with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such that a list of, for example, 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). Additionally, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, an example step described as "based on condition A" can be based on both condition A and condition B. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0295] In the figures, similar components or features may have the same reference numeral. Additionally, each of the same type of components can be distinguished by following the reference numeral with a dash and a second numeral that differentiates the similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any one of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral or any other subsequent reference numerals.

[0296] The description set forth herein with reference to the drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not represent all exemplary implementations that may be achieved or that are within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." For the purpose of providing an understanding of the described technology, the detailed description includes specific details. However, the technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0297] Providing the description herein enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: When the UE is operating in a first mode, receiving a broadcast transmission from a network device that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the network device and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; When operating in the first mode, receiving one or more reference signals from the network device according to the reference signal configuration; Determining one or more channel measurements based at least in part on the one or more reference signals received from the network device; Receiving an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, wherein the physical downlink control channel carries information for a group of at least one UE associated with a paging occasion; and Identifying a content field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein a first bit of the content field indicates whether the UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and remaining bits of the content field include the indication of the availability of the reference signal or the indication of the update to the reference signal configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receiving an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in the physical downlink control channel, wherein the availability or the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Determining that the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information indicate that the reference signal is available for the UE or that there is an update to the reference signal configuration.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein, A set of unused bits of the paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information, or both include the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein The paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Identifying a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein the dynamic indication field indicates that a group of UEs in the group of at least one UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

10. A method for wireless communication at a network device, comprising: Generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the network device and a user equipment (UE) operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; Send a broadcast transmission including the reference signal configuration to the UE; When the UE is operating in the first mode, send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration; Receive one or more channel measurements from the UE at least partially based on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE; Send an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, where the physical downlink control channel carries information for a group of at least one UE associated with a paging occasion; And Configure a first bit of a content field of the physical downlink control channel to indicate whether the UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and configure remaining bits of the content field to include the indication of the availability of the reference signal or the indication of the update to the reference signal configuration.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Send an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, where the availability or the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Indicate in the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information that the reference signal is available for the UE or that there is an update to the reference signal configuration.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, A set of unused bits of the paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information, or both include the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, where the dynamic indication field indicates that a group of UEs in the group of at least one UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE) includes: a processor, a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: when the UE is operating in a first mode, receive a broadcast transmission from a network device that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the network device and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode; when operating in the first mode, receive one or more reference signals from the network device according to the reference signal configuration; determine one or more channel measurements based at least in part on the one or more reference signals received from the network device; receive an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, wherein the physical downlink control channel carries information for a group of at least one UE associated with a paging occasion; and identify a content field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein a first bit of the content field indicates whether the UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and remaining bits of the content field include the indication of the availability of the reference signal or the indication of the update to the reference signal configuration.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: receive an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, wherein the availability or the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine that the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information indicate that the reference signal is available for the UE or that there is an update to the reference signal configuration.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein A set of unused bits of the paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information, or both, include the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information.

23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein The paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration.

25. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration.

26. The device according to claim 20, wherein The one or more bits of the paging downlink control information include an indication per reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration.

27. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein the dynamic indication field indicates that a group of UEs in the group of at least one UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network device, comprising: a processor, a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: generate a reference signal configuration for communication between the network device and a user equipment (UE) operating in a first mode, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; send a broadcast transmission to the UE including the reference signal configuration; send one or more reference signals to the UE according to the reference signal configuration when the UE is operating in the first mode; receive one or more channel measurements from the UE based at least in part on the one or more reference signals sent to the UE; and send an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, wherein the physical downlink control channel carries information for a group of at least one UE associated with a paging occasion; and configure a first bit of a content field of the physical downlink control channel to indicate whether the UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and configure remaining bits of the content field to include the indication of the availability of the reference signal or the indication of the update to the reference signal configuration.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: send an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration in a physical downlink control channel, wherein the availability or the update is indicated by one or more bits of paging downlink control information.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: indicate in the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information that the reference signal is available for the UE or that there is an update to the reference signal configuration.

31. The device according to claim 29, wherein, A set of unused bits of the paging downlink control information, or a set of reserved bits of the paging downlink control information, or both, includes the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information.

32. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein, The paging downlink control information is associated with physical downlink shared channel scheduling information.

33. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource of the reference signal configuration.

34. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource group of the reference signal configuration.

35. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: configure the one or more bits of the paging downlink control information to include an indication per reference signal resource set of the reference signal configuration.

36. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein, The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: Identify a dynamic indication field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein the dynamic indication field indicates that UEs in a group of the at least one UE are paged in a next paging occasion, and the group of UEs includes the UE.

37. An apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE), comprising: a unit for receiving, when the UE is operating in a first mode, a broadcast transmission from a network device that includes a reference signal configuration for communication between the network device and the UE, the reference signal configuration indicating one or more reference signal parameters, and the first mode being an idle mode or an inactive mode; a unit for receiving, when operating in the first mode, one or more reference signals from the network device according to the reference signal configuration; a unit for determining one or more channel measurements based at least in part on the one or more reference signals received from the network device; a unit for receiving, in a paging indicator of a physical downlink control channel, an indication of the availability of the reference signal or an indication of an update to the reference signal configuration, wherein the physical downlink control channel carries information for a group of at least one UE associated with a paging occasion; and a unit for identifying a content field of the physical downlink control channel, wherein a first bit of the content field indicates whether the UE is paged in a next paging occasion, and remaining bits of the content field include the indication of the availability of the reference signal or the indication of the update to the reference signal configuration.

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