User equipment and base station participating in paging

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) comprising the following parts. A processor of the UE operates a paging function, the paging function comprising monitoring a downlink control channel to receive a paging downlink control information (DCI), and comprising receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. A receiver of the UE receives paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The processor determines how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index satisfies a requirement involving an identity of the UE.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to methods, apparatus, and articles in communication systems such as 3GPP communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is working on the technical specifications for next-generation cellular technology (also known as fifth-generation (5G)).

[0003] One goal is to provide a single technology framework (see, for example, Section 6 of TR 38.913, version 15.0.0) that addresses all use cases, requirements, and deployment scenarios, including at least Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC). For example, eMBB deployment scenarios could include indoor hotspots, dense urban areas, rural areas, urban macrocells, and highways; URLLC deployment scenarios could include industrial control systems, mobile healthcare (remote monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment), real-time control of vehicles, and wide-area monitoring and control systems for smart grids; and mMTC deployment scenarios could include scenarios involving the transmission of non-time-critical data by a large number of devices (such as smart wearables and sensor networks). While eMBB and URLLC services share the requirement for very wide bandwidth, URLLC services may preferably require ultra-low latency.

[0004] The second objective is to achieve forward compatibility. No backward compatibility with Long Term Evolution (LTE, LTE-A) cellular systems is required, which facilitates entirely new system designs and / or the introduction of novel features. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A non-limiting and exemplary embodiment helps to provide a procedure that assists the UE in performing paging functions.

[0006] In one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is characterized by a user equipment (UE) comprising the following: A processor of the UE operates a paging function, the paging function including monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI), and receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. A receiver of the UE receives paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The processor determines how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index satisfies requirements involving the UE identifier.

[0007] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments can be implemented as systems, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, storage media, or any alternative combination thereof. For example, an integrated circuit can control the processes of a UE or base station.

[0008] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments and different implementations will be apparent from the specification and drawings. These benefits and / or advantages can be obtained individually from the various embodiments and features in the specification and drawings, without the need to provide all embodiments and features to obtain one or more such benefits and / or advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0009] In the following exemplary embodiments, a more detailed description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 An exemplary architecture of a 3GPP NR system is shown;

[0011] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional division between NG-RAN and 5GC;

[0012] Figure 3 This is a sequence diagram of the RRC connection establishment / reconfiguration procedure;

[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use cases of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC);

[0014] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary 5G system architecture for non-roaming scenarios;

[0015] Figure 6 Possible RRC status changes are shown;

[0016] Figure 7 The message exchange used in the paging procedure is shown;

[0017] Figure 8 An exemplary simplified structure of the UE and gNB is shown;

[0018] Figure 9 The structure of a UE according to an exemplary implementation of an improved paging procedure is shown;

[0019] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating UE behavior according to an exemplary implementation of an improved paging procedure;

[0020] Figure 11 The structure of a base station according to an exemplary implementation of an improved paging procedure is shown;

[0021] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating base station behavior according to an exemplary implementation of an improved paging procedure;

[0022] Figure 13 The UE behavior of the first solution to the improved paging procedure is shown;

[0023] Figure 14 The UE behavior of the second solution to the improved paging procedure is shown;

[0024] Figure 15 The UE behavior of the third solution for the improved paging procedure is shown;

[0025] Figure 16 The UE behavior of the fourth solution to the improved paging procedure is shown;

[0026] Figure 17 The structure of a UE is shown in exemplary implementations of different solutions to an improved paging procedure;

[0027] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating UE behavior based on exemplary implementations of different solutions to the improved paging procedure;

[0028] Figure 19 The structure of a base station is shown in exemplary implementations of different solutions to an improved paging procedure;

[0029] Figure 20 This is a flowchart illustrating base station behavior according to exemplary implementations of different solutions to the improved paging procedure; and

[0030] Figure 21 The UE behavior of this different solution to the improved paging procedure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] 5G NR System Architecture and Protocol Stack

[0032] 3GPP has been working on the next version of fifth-generation cellular technology (5G), including the development of New Radio Access Technology (NR) that operates in frequency ranges up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, allowing for trials and commercial deployment of smartphones that comply with the 5G NR standard.

[0033] The overall system architecture employs NG-RAN (Next Generation – Radio Access Network) including gNBs to provide UEs with NG-radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminals. gNBs are interconnected via Xn interfaces. gNBs also connect to NGC (Next Generation Core) via Next Generation (NG) interfaces, and more specifically, to AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) (e.g., a specific core entity performing AMF) via NG-C interfaces and to UPF (User Plane Function) (e.g., a specific core entity performing UPF) via NG-U interfaces. Figure 1 The NG-RAN architecture is shown (see, for example, Section 4 of 3GPPTS 38.300v16.2.0).

[0034] The NR user plane protocol stack (see, for example, Section 4.4.1 of 3GPP TS 38.300) includes the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, see Section 6.4 of TS 38.300) sublayer, the RLC (Radio Link Control, see Section 6.3 of TS 38.300) sublayer, and the MAC (Medium Access Control, see Section 6.2 of TS 38.300) sublayer, all terminated in the network-side gNB. Additionally, a new access stratum (AS) sublayer (SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol)) is introduced above the PDCP (see, for example, Subclause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). A control plane protocol stack is also defined for NR (see, for example, Section 4.4.2 of TS 38.300). An overview of the Layer 2 functionality is given in Sub-clause 6 of TS 38.300. The functionality of the RRC layer is listed in Sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0035] For example, the media access control layer handles logical channel multiplexing, scheduling, and scheduling-related functions, including handling different sets of parameters (numerology).

[0036] The Physical Layer (PHY) is responsible for tasks such as encoding / decoding, PHY HARQ processing, modulation, multi-antenna processing, and mapping signals to appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also handles the mapping from transport channels to physical channels. The Physical Layer provides services to the MAC Layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to a set of time-frequency resources used for transmission on a specific transport channel, and each transport channel is mapped to a corresponding physical channel. For example, physical channels are PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) for uplink, and PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) for downlink.

[0037] Use cases / deployment scenarios for NR may include Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC) with varying requirements in terms of data rate, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB is expected to support peak data rates (20Gbps downlink, 10Gbps uplink) and user experience data rates three orders of magnitude higher than those offered by Advanced IMT. On the other hand, in the case of URLLC, ultra-low latency (0.5ms user plane latency for both UL and DL) and high reliability (1-10 times latency within 1ms) are crucial. -5 This places more stringent requirements on mMTC. Finally, mMTC may preferably require a high connection density (1,000,000 devices / km in urban environments). 2 ), wide coverage in harsh environments, and extremely long-life batteries (15 years) for low-cost devices.

[0038] Therefore, a set of OFDM parameters suitable for one use case (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, number of symbols per scheduling interval) may not be effective for another use case. For example, low-latency services may preferably require shorter symbol durations (and thus larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (also known as TTI) compared to mMTC services. Furthermore, deployments with large channel delay spreads may preferably require longer CP durations compared to scenarios with short delay spreads. Subcarrier spacing should be optimized accordingly to maintain similar CP overhead. NR can support more than one subcarrier spacing value. Accordingly, subcarrier spacings of 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, etc., are currently considered. Symbol duration T u The subcarrier spacing Δf is obtained through the formula Δf = 1 / T u And directly related. In a manner similar to that in LTE systems, the term "resource element" can be used to represent the smallest resource unit consisting of a subcarrier of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol length.

[0039] In the new 5G-NR radio system, for each parameter set and carrier, resource grids for subcarriers and OFDM symbols are defined for both uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is identified based on its frequency index in the frequency domain and its symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211v16.2.0, e.g., Section 4). For example, downlink and uplink transmissions are organized into frames with a duration of 10 ms, each frame consisting of ten subframes with a duration of 1 ms each. In the 5G NR implementation, the number of consecutive OFDM symbols in each subframe depends on the subcarrier spacing configuration. For example, for a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, a subframe has 14 OFDM symbols (similar to the LTE-compliant implementation, assuming a normal cyclic prefix). On the other hand, for a 30 kHz subcarrier spacing, a subframe has two slots, each slot comprising 14 OFDM symbols.

[0040] 5G NR Function Division between NG-RAN and 5GC

[0041] Figure 2 This illustrates the functional division between NG-RAN and 5GC. NG-RAN logical nodes are either gNBs or ng-eNBs. 5GC has logical nodes AMF, UPF, and SMF (Session Management function).

[0042] Specifically, gNB and ng-eNB host the following main functions:

[0043] - Functions for radio resource management, such as radio bearer control, radio access control, connection mobility control, and dynamic allocation (scheduling) of resources to the UE in the uplink and downlink;

[0044] - Data IP header compression, encryption, and integrity protection;

[0045] - When the route to the AMF cannot be determined based on the information provided by the UE, the AMF is selected when the UE is attached;

[0046] - Routing user plane data toward (multiple) UPFs;

[0047] -Oriented towards AMF routing control plane information;

[0048] - Connection establishment and release;

[0049] - Scheduling and transmission of paging messages;

[0050] - The scheduling and transmission of system broadcast information (originating from AMF or OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance));

[0051] - Configuration for measurement and measurement reporting for mobility and scheduling;

[0052] -Transmission level packet markers in the uplink;

[0053] -Session management;

[0054] -Supports network slicing;

[0055] - QoS flow management and mapping to data radio bearers;

[0056] - Supports UEs in the RRC_INACTIVE state;

[0057] - NAS (Non-Access Stratum) message distribution functionality;

[0058] - Radio access network sharing;

[0059] - Dual connectivity;

[0060] -Close interoperability between NR and E-UTRA.

[0061] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) hosts the following key functions:

[0062] -Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling terminal;

[0063] -NAS signaling security;

[0064] - Access layer AS security control;

[0065] - Inter-node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks;

[0066] - Idle mode UE reachability (including paging retransmission control and execution);

[0067] -Registration area management;

[0068] -Supports mobility within and between systems;

[0069] -Access authentication;

[0070] - Access authorization, including checking roaming permissions;

[0071] - Mobility management controls (subscriptions and policies);

[0072] -Supports network slicing;

[0073] -Session Management Function (SMF) selection.

[0074] In addition, the User Plane Function UPF hosts the following main functions:

[0075] - Anchor points for movement within / between RATs (where applicable);

[0076] - External PDU session points that interconnect with the data network;

[0077] - Packet routing and forwarding;

[0078] - Group checks and user plane components for policy rule enforcement;

[0079] - Traffic usage report;

[0080] -Supports uplink classifiers that route traffic streams to the data network;

[0081] -Supports branch points for PDU sessions from multiple locations;

[0082] - QoS processing in the user plane, such as packet filtering, gating, and UL / DL rate implementation;

[0083] - Uplink traffic verification (SDF to QoS flow mapping);

[0084] - Downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering.

[0085] Finally, the session management function SMF hosts the following main functions:

[0086] -Session management;

[0087] -UE IP address allocation and management;

[0088] -Selection and control of UP function;

[0089] - Configure traffic routing at the User Plane Function (UPF) to route traffic to the correct destination;

[0090] - The control portion of policy implementation and QoS;

[0091] - Downlink data notification.

[0092] RRC connection establishment and reconfiguration procedure

[0093] Figure 3This illustrates some interactions between the UE, gNB, and AMF (5GC entity) in the context of the UE transitioning from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED for the NAS portion (see TS 38.300).

[0094] RRC is a higher-level signaling (protocol) used for UE and gNB configuration. Specifically, this transition involves the AMF preparing UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, and UE security capabilities) and sending it to the gNB along with an "Initial Context Establishment Request". The gNB then activates AS security with the UE, which is performed by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE, and the UE responding to the gNB with a SecurityModeComplete message. Afterward, the gNB performs reconfiguration by sending an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE, and in response, the gNB receives an RRCReconfigurationComplete message from the UE to establish Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and (multiple) Data Radio Bearers (DRBs). For signaling-only connections, the steps related to RRCReconfiguration are skipped because SRB2 and DRBs are not established. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the establishment procedure is complete with an "Initial Context Establishment Response".

[0095] Therefore, this disclosure provides an entity for a 5th Generation Core (5GC) (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.), which includes control circuitry for establishing a Next Generation (NG) connection with the gNodeB and a transmitter that sends an initial context establishment message to the gNodeB via the NG connection to initiate the establishment of a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and the User Equipment (UE). Specifically, the gNodeB sends Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling containing a resource allocation configuration information element (IE) to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then performs uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0096] IMT use cases in 2020 and beyond

[0097] Figure 4Some use cases for 5G NR are shown. In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project New Radio (3GPP NR), three use cases already envisioned for IMT-2020 support a wide variety of services and applications are being considered. Phase 1 specifications for Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) have been completed. In addition to further expanding eMBB support, current and future work will involve the standardization of Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) and Massive Machine-Type Communication. Figure 4 Examples of envisioned IMT use cases for 2020 and beyond are shown (see, for example, ITU-R M.20183). Figure 2 ).

[0098] URLLC use cases have stringent requirements for features such as throughput, latency, and availability, and are envisioned as a supporter for future vertical applications such as wireless control of industrial manufacturing or production processes, telemedicine surgery, distribution automation in smart grids, and transportation security. URLLC's ultra-reliability is supported by identifying technologies that meet the requirements set forth in TR 38.913 version 15.0.0. For NR URLLC in version 15, key requirements include a target user plane latency of 0.5ms for both the UL (uplink) and DL (downlink). Typical URLLC requirements for a single packet transmission are a BLER (Block Error Rate) of 1E-5 for a 32-byte packet size and a 1ms user plane latency.

[0099] From a physical layer perspective, reliability can be improved in several ways. Current approaches to improving reliability involve defining a separate CQI table for URLLC, a more compact DCI format, PDCCH repetition, and more. However, this scope can be broadened to achieve hyper-reliability as NR becomes more stable and advanced (for NR URLLC-critical requirements). Specific use cases for NR URLLC in version 15 include augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR), eHealth, eSafety, and mission-critical applications.

[0100] Furthermore, the technical enhancements targeted by NR URLLC aim to improve latency and reliability. Enhancements for latency improvement include configurable parameter sets, non-slot-based scheduling with flexible mapping, unlicensed (configurable licensed) uplinks, slot-level repetition of data channels, and downlink preemption. Preemption means stopping a transmission for which resources have already been allocated and using those resources for another transmission that was requested later but has lower latency / higher priority requirements. Accordingly, the already licensed transmission is preempted by the later transmission. The application of preemption is independent of a specific service type. For example, a transmission of service type A (URLLC) can be preempted by a transmission of service type B (such as eMBB). Technical enhancements for reliability improvement include a dedicated CQI / MCS table for the target BLER of 1E-5.

[0101] The use cases for mMTC (massive machine-type communication) are characterized by a very large number of connected devices typically transmitting relatively small amounts of non-latency-sensitive data. This requires devices to be low-cost and have very long battery life. From an NR (Radio Frequency Identification) perspective, utilizing a very narrow bandwidth is a possible solution that offers power savings and achieves long battery life from a UE (User Equipment) perspective.

[0102] As mentioned above, the range of reliability in NR is expected to become broader. A key requirement for all situations (especially for URLLC and mMTC) is high or ultra-high reliability. Several mechanisms can be considered to improve reliability from both the radio device and network perspectives. Generally, there are several key potential areas that can help improve reliability. These areas include compact control channel information, data / control channel repetition, and diversity in the frequency, time, and / or spatial domains. These areas apply to reliability in general, regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0103] For NR URLLC, other use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, such as factory automation, the transportation industry, and power distribution. These more stringent requirements include higher reliability (up to 10). 6 (Level), higher availability, packet size up to 256 bytes, time synchronization down to the order of microseconds (where the value can be one microsecond or several microseconds, depending on the frequency range), and short latency in the order of 0.5 to 1 ms (especially 0.5 ms target user plane latency, depending on the use case).

[0104] Furthermore, for NR URLLC, several technical enhancements from a physical layer perspective have been identified. These include PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) enhancements related to compact DCI, PDCCH repetition, and increased PDCCH monitoring. Additionally, UCI (Uplink Control Information) enhancements are associated with enhanced HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) and CSI feedback enhancements. Furthermore, PUSCH enhancements related to micro-slot level frequency hopping and retransmission / repetition enhancements have been identified. The term "micro-slot" refers to a transmission time interval (TTI) containing fewer symbols than a single time slot (which consists of 14 symbols).

[0105] QoS control

[0106] The 5G QoS (Quality of Service) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS flows). Therefore, at the NAS level, QoS flows represent the finest granularity of QoS differentiation within a PDU session. QoS flows are identified within a PDU session by the QoS flow ID (QFI) carried in the encapsulation header on the NG-U interface.

[0107] For each UE, 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, NG-RAN establishes at least one data radio bearer (DRB) along with the PDU session, and subsequently, multiple additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session can be configured (when to do so depends on NG-RAN), for example, as referenced above. Figure 3 As shown, NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. The NAS-level packet filter in the UE and 5GC associates UL and DL packets with QoS flows, while the AS-level mapping rules in the UE and NG-RAN associate UL and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0108] Figure 5 A 5G NR non-roaming reference architecture is shown (see Section 4.2.3 of TS 23.501v16.5.1). Application Function (AF) (e.g., in...) Figure 4The external application server (exemplarily described in the example) hosting 5G services interacts with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as supporting application impact on traffic routing, access to the Network Exposure Function (NEF), or interaction with policy frameworks used for policy control (see Policy Control Function (PCF)) (e.g., QoS control). Based on operator deployment, application functions considered trusted by the operator may be allowed to interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions that the operator does not allow to directly access network functions may interact with the relevant network functions via the NEF using the external exposure framework.

[0109] Figure 5 Other functional units of the 5G architecture are illustrated, namely the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Data Network (DN), such as carrier services, internet access, or third-party services. All or part of the core network functions and application services can be deployed and run in a cloud computing environment.

[0110] Therefore, this disclosure provides an application server (e.g., an AF in a 5G architecture) including a transmitter and control circuitry, the transmitter sending a request containing QoS requirements for at least one of URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC services to at least one function of 5GC (e.g., NEF, AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, etc.) to establish a PDU session including radio bearers between the gNodeB and the UE according to the QoS requirements, and the control circuitry using the established PDU session to perform services.

[0111] UE identifier

[0112] RNTI stands for Radio Network Temporary Identifier. For example, RNTI can be used to distinguish and identify UEs within a radio cell. Furthermore, RNTI can identify a specific radio channel, a group of UEs in a paging situation, a group of UEs for which an eNB issues power control, and system information sent by a 5G gNB for all UEs. 5G NR defines many different identifiers for UEs, some of which are given in the table below (see Section 7.1 of 3GPP TS 38.321v16.1.0).

[0113] Table: RNTI values.

[0114]

[0115] Table: RNTI Usage

[0116]

[0117]

[0118] For example, another UE identifier that can be used in conjunction with paging is UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024. RRC status (RRC_Connected, RRC_Inactive)

[0119] In LTE, the RRC state machine consists of only two states: the RRC idle state (primarily characterized by high power saving, autonomous UE mobility, and no established UE connectivity to the core network) and the RRC connected state (where the UE can transmit user plane data, and mobility is controlled by the network to support lossless service continuity). In conjunction with 5G NR, the LTE-related RRC state machine is extended to include inactive states (see, for example, TS 38.331v16.1.0). Figure 4 2.1-1 and Figure 4 2.1-2), as described below.

[0120] RRC in NR 5G (see Section 4 of TS 38.331) supports three states: RRC Idle, RRC Inactive, and RRC Connected. When an RRC connection is established, the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED or RRC_INACTIVE state. If this is not the case, i.e., no RRC connection has been established, the UE is in the RRC_IDLE state. Figure 6 As shown, the following state transitions are possible:

[0121] • From RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED, follow procedures such as “connection establishment”;

[0122] • From RRC_CONNECTED to RRC_IDLE, follow procedures such as "connection release";

[0123] • From RRC_CONNECTED to RRC_INACTIVE, follow procedures such as "connection release with pause";

[0124] • From RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED, follow procedures such as “connection recovery”;

[0125] • From RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_IDLE (one-way), follow procedures such as "connection release".

[0126] The new RRC inactive state is defined for new radio technologies in 5G 3GPP to provide benefits while supporting a wider range of services, such as eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (massive Machine-Type Communications), and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications), which have very different requirements in terms of signaling, power saving, and latency. Therefore, the new RRC inactive state should be designed to allow for minimizing signaling, power consumption, and resource costs in the radio access network and core network, while still allowing, for example, data transmission to begin with low latency.

[0127] According to the exemplary 5G NR implementation, the characteristics of different states are as follows (see Section 4.2.1 of TS 38.331):

[0128] “RRC_IDLE:

[0129] -UE-specific DRX can be configured by the upper layer;

[0130] - UE-controlled mobility based on network configuration;

[0131] -UE:

[0132] - Monitor short messages transmitted via DCI using P-RNTI (see Section 6.5);

[0133] - Monitor the paging channel used for CN paging using 5G-S-TMSI;

[0134] - Perform neighboring cell measurements and cell (reselection);

[0135] - It can obtain system information and send SI requests (if configured).

[0136] - To perform recording of available measurements, as well as location and time, for UEs configured to record measurements.

[0137] RRC_INACTIVE:

[0138] -UE-specific DRX can be configured by the upper layer or the RRC layer;

[0139] - UE-controlled mobility based on network configuration;

[0140] -UE stores the AS context of inactive UEs;

[0141] - RAN-based notification areas are configured by the RRC layer;

[0142] -UE:

[0143] - Monitor short messages transmitted via DCI using P-RNTI (see Section 6.5);

[0144] - Monitor paging channels used for CN paging using 5G-S-TMSI and RAN paging using full RNTI;

[0145] - Perform neighboring cell measurements and cell (reselection);

[0146] - Perform RAN-based notification area updates periodically and when moving outside the configured RAN-based notification area;

[0147] - It can obtain system information and send SI requests (if configured).

[0148] - To perform recording of available measurements, as well as location and time, for UEs configured to record measurements.

[0149] RRC_CONNECTED:

[0150] -UE stores AS context;

[0151] - Transmit unicast data to / from the UE;

[0152] - At lower levels, the UE can be configured with UE-specific DRX;

[0153] - For UEs that support CA, use one or more SCells aggregated with SpCell to increase bandwidth;

[0154] - For UEs that support DC, use an SCG aggregated with MCG to increase bandwidth;

[0155] - Mobility within NR and to / from E-UTRA network-controlled;

[0156] -UE:

[0157] - Monitor short messages transmitted via DCI using P-RNTI (see Section 6.5), if configured;

[0158] - Monitor the control channel associated with the shared data channel to determine whether to schedule data for it;

[0159] - Provides channel quality and feedback information;

[0160] - Perform neighboring cell measurements and measurement reports;

[0161] - Obtain system information;

[0162] - Perform instant MDT measurements and report available locations.

[0163] Based on the characteristics of the RRC inactive state, for an inactive UE, the connection with the RAN and core network is maintained (for both the user plane and control plane). More specifically, in the RRC inactive state, although the connection still exists, it is suspended, or in other words, the connection is no longer active. On the other hand, in the RRC connected state, the connection exists and is active, for example, in the sense of its use for data transmission. In the RRC idle state, the UE has no RRC connection with the RAN and core network, which also means that the radio base station, for example, does not have any context of the UE and, for example, does not know the UE's identity, and does not have the security parameters associated with the UE to correctly decode the data transmitted by the UE (security, such as ensuring the integrity of the transmitted data). The UE context may be available in the core network, but must first be obtained by the radio base station.

[0164] Furthermore, the paging mechanism (also known as the notification mechanism) for user equipment in a radio cell is based on the so-called notification area (RNA) based on the radio access network (RAN). The RAN should know the current RNA in which the user equipment is located, and the user equipment can assist the gNB in ​​tracking the UE moving between various RNAs. The RNA can be UE-specific.

[0165] Synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration - SMTC-PSS / SSS, PBCH

[0166] NR has introduced so-called synchronization signal blocks, or SS blocks (SSBs), which include the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The UE can use the PSS and SSS to find, synchronize with, and identify the network. The PBCH carries minimal system information, including instructions on where to send any remaining broadcast system information.

[0167] In LTE, the PSS, SSS, and PBCH signals are also used, although they are not part of a single SSB. The three SSB components are always transmitted together in NR, for example, they have the same period. A given SSB can repeat within an SS burst set, which can potentially be used for gNB beam scanning transmission. SS burst sets can be limited to specific time periods, such as a 5ms window. For initial cell selection, the UE can assume a default SS burst set period of 20ms.

[0168] 5G NR PSS is a physical layer-specific signal used to identify radio frame boundaries and is an m-sequence type. 5G NR SSS is also a physical layer-specific signal used to identify subframe boundaries and is also an m-sequence (see, for example, sections 7.4.2 and 7.4.3 of TS38.211v16.2.0).

[0169] According to an exemplary 5G-compliant implementation, the sequence generation definition for an SSS sequence is as follows (see Section 7.4.2.3.1 of TS38.211):

[0170] The sequence d of the auxiliary synchronization signal SSS (n) is defined by the following formula:

[0171] d SSS (n)=[1-2x0((n+m0)mod127)][1-2x1((n+m1)mod127)]

[0172]

[0173]

[0174] 0 ≤ n < 127

[0175] in

[0176] x0(i+7)=(x0(i+4)+x0(i))mod2

[0177] x1(i+7)=(x1(i+1)+x1(i))mod2

[0178] and

[0179] [x0(6) x0(5) x0(4) x0(3) x0(2) x0(1) x0(0)]=[0 0 0 0 0 0 1]

[0180] [x1(6) x1(5) x1(4) x1(3) x1(2) x1(1) x1(0)]=[0 0 0 0 0 0 1]

[0181] The time-frequency structure of an SS / PBCH block carrying an SSS is described below (see, for example, Section 7.4.3.1 of TS 38.211). In the time domain, an SS / PBCH block consists of 4 OFDM symbols, where the SSS is mapped to the symbols given in the table below. In the frequency domain, an SS / PBCH block consists of 140 consecutive subcarriers. The quantities k and l represent the frequency index and time index within an SS / PBCH block, respectively.

[0182]

[0183] Reference signal CSI-RS

[0184] Several different types of reference signals (RS) are used in 5G NR (see Section 7.4.1 of 3GPP TS38.211v16.2.0). At least the following reference signals are available in 5G NR:

[0185] • CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) can be used for channel state information acquisition and beam management.

[0186] • PDSCH DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal) can be used for PDSCH demodulation.

[0187] • PDCCH DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal) can be used for PDCCH demodulation.

[0188] • PBCH DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal), which can be used for PBCH demodulation.

[0189] • PTRS (Phase Tracking Reference Signal) can be used for phase tracking PDSCH.

[0190] • Tracking reference signal, which can be used for time tracking

[0191] RIM reference signal

[0192] • Positioning reference signal

[0193] As a DL-only signal, the CSI-RS received by the UE can be used by the UE to estimate the channel and report channel quality information to the gNB (assisting the gNB in ​​modulation and coding scheme selection, resource allocation, beamforming, and MIMO rank selection). The gNB can utilize configuration density to configure the CSI-RS for periodic, aperiodic (e.g., DCI-triggered), or semi-persistent transmissions. CSI-RS can also be used for interference measurement (IM) and fine-grained frequency / time tracking purposes. Specific instances of CSI-RS can be configured for time / frequency tracking and mobility measurement. During MIMO operation, the NR can use different antenna methods based on the carrier frequency. At lower frequencies, the system uses a moderate number of active antennas for MU-MIMO and increases FDD operation. In this case, the UE can use the CSI-RS to calculate the CSI and report it back in the UL direction.

[0194] CSI-RS is UE-specific; however, multiple users can share the same CSI-RS resources. Specifically, the UE-specific configuration of CSI-RS does not necessarily mean that the transmitted CSI-RS can only be used by a single device, but rather that the same set of CSI-RS resources can be configured separately for multiple devices, meaning that a single CSI-RS can be shared among multiple devices.

[0195] For example, a single-port CSI-RS occupies a single resource element within a resource block in the frequency domain and a timeslot in the time domain. While CSI-RS can appear anywhere within a resource block, in practice, constraints can be imposed on CSI-RS resource assignments to avoid conflicts with other downlink physical channels and signals. As an example, the configured CSI-RS transmission can be configured so that it does not conflict with CORESET configured for the device, or with DM-RS associated with PDSCH and SS block transmissions.

[0196] The 5G NR standard supports flexible CSI-RS configuration. In the time domain, CSI-RS resources can start at any OFDM symbol in a time slot and span 1, 2, or 4 OFDM symbols, depending on the number of antenna ports configured.

[0197] An exemplary CSI-RS configuration conforming to 5G-NR configuration consistent with Section 7.4.1.5 of TS 38.211v16.2.0 is based on the following table.

[0198] Table: CSI-RS Locations within Time Slots

[0199]

[0200]

[0201] CSI-RS resource elements (k, l) p，μ This is determined based on the above.

[0202] Furthermore, the corresponding resource element carries a reference signal sequence r(m). According to an exemplary 5G-compliant implementation, the sequence generation definition for the CSI-RS sequence is as follows (see Section 7.4.1.5.2 of TS 38.211):

[0203] The UE will assume that the reference signal sequence r(m) is defined by the following formula:

[0204]

[0205] The pseudo-random sequence c(i) is defined in section 5.2.1. The pseudo-random sequence generator shall be initialized at the beginning of each OFDM symbol.

[0206]

[0207] in is the slot number within the radio frame, l is the number of OFDM symbols within the slot, and n ID It is equal to the higher-level parameter scrapblingID or sequenceGenerationConfig.

[0208] Paging procedures in 5G NR

[0209] Based on the current standard version, an exemplary implementation of paging functionality involving PDCCH monitoring in 5G NR will be explained below in simplified and abbreviated form.

[0210] In 5G NR, there are two different paging procedures: RAN-based paging (e.g., based on RAN-based notification areas) and core network-based paging (e.g., see 3GPP TS 38.300v16.0.0, TS38.304v16.2.0 and TS 38.331v16.1.0, which mention RAN paging and CN paging in several sections, such as Section 5.3.2 "Paging" in TS38.331 or Section 9.2.5 "Paging" in TS 38.300).

[0211] Paging allows the network to notify UEs in the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states of system information changes and public warning information (such as ETWS / CMAS (Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System / Commercial Mobile Alert System)) via paging messages and via short messages to UEs in the RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_CONNECTED states. Both paging messages and short messages are addressed to the P-RNTI on the PDCCH (e.g., using DCI format 1_0) to be monitored by the UE. However, while the actual paging message (e.g., with a paging record) is then sent in a message on the PDSCH (as instructed by the PDCCH), the short message can be sent directly through the PDCCH.

[0212] When in RRC_IDLE, the UE monitors paging initiated by the CN on the paging channel, and in RRC_INACTIVE, the UE also monitors paging initiated by the RAN on the paging channel. As defined in Section 5.3.2 of TS 38.331, the network initiates a paging procedure by sending a paging message at the paging time of the UE (see, for example, TS 38.304v16.2.0). The network can address multiple UEs within a paging message by including a paging record for each UE.

[0213] The following exemplary paging message is defined in TS 38.331:

[0214] Paging messages are used to notify one or more UEs.

[0215] Signaling radio bearer: N / A

[0216] RLC-SAP:TM

[0217] Logical Channel: PCCH

[0218] Direction: Network to UE

[0219] Paging messages

[0220]

[0221]

[0222] However, the UE does not need to continuously monitor the paging channel; a paging DRX (Discontinued Reception) function is defined, which requires only UEs in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE mode to monitor the paging channel during one paging occupancy (PO) in each DRX cycle (see 3GPP TS 38.304v16.2.0, e.g., Sections 6.1 and 7.1). The paging DRX cycle (also referred to as the paging period) is configured by the network.

[0223] The Points of Interest (POs) for UEs used for CN-initiated paging and RAN-initiated paging are based on the same UE ID, resulting in PO overlap. The number of POs in a paging frame (PF) can be configured via system information, and the network can distribute UEs to those POs based on their IDs (e.g., UE_ID below). A PO is a collection of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and can consist of multiple time slots (e.g., subframes or OFDM symbols) in which paging DCIs can be transmitted. A PF is a radio frame and can contain one or more POs or the origin of a PO.

[0224] According to an exemplary 5G-compliant solution, 3GPP technical standard 38.304 defines the PF and PO for paging in Section 7.1 using the following formula, where SFN is an abbreviation for System Frame Number:

[0225] The SFN of PF is determined by the following formula:

[0226] (SFN+PF_offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N)

[0227] The index (i_s) indicating the index of the PO is determined by the following formula:

[0228] i_s = floor(UE_ID / N) mod Ns

[0229] The following parameters are used in the calculation of PF and i_s above:

[0230] T: The UE's DRX period (T is determined by the shortest of (multiple) UE-specific DRX values ​​(if configured by RRC and / or upper layers) and the default DRX value broadcast in the system information. In RRC_IDLE state, if the UE-specific DRX is not configured by the upper layer, the default value is applied).

[0231] N: Total number of paging frames in T

[0232] Ns: Number of paging opportunities for PF

[0233] PF_offset: The offset used to determine PF.

[0234] UE_ID: 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0235] According to this example, the PDCCH monitoring timing for paging is determined based on the pagingSearchSpace as specified in TS 38.213v16.3.0 and firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO and nrofPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO (if configured) as specified in TS 38.331. When SearchSpaceId=0 is configured for pagingSearchSpace, the PDCCH monitoring timing for paging is the same as the PDCCH monitoring timing for RMSI (Remaining Minimum System Information).

[0236] When SearchSpaceId is configured as 0 for pagingSearchSpace, Ns is either 1 or 2. For Ns = 1, there is only one PO starting from the first PDCCH monitoring moment used for paging in the PF. For Ns = 2, the PO is located in the first half of the PF frame (i_s = 0) or the second half of the PF frame (i_s = 1).

[0237] When a SearchSpaceId other than 0 is configured for pagingSearchSpace, the UE monitors the (i_s+1)th PO. A PO is a set of S*X consecutive PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where S is the number of SSBs actually transmitted, determined according to ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1, and X is nrofPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO (if configured) or equal to 1 (otherwise). The [x*S+K]th PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the PO used for paging corresponds to the Kth transmitted SSB, where x = 0, 1, ..., X-1, K = 1, 2, ..., S. Starting from the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity used for paging in the PF, PDCCH monitoring opportunities used for paging that do not overlap with the UL symbols (determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon) are sequentially numbered from zero. When `firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO` exists, the starting PDCCH monitoring opportunity number for the (i_s+1)th PO is the (i_s+1)th value of the `firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO` parameter; otherwise, it is equal to `i_s*S*X`. If X>1, then when the UE detects a PDCCH transmission addressed to P-RNTI within its PO, the UE does not need to monitor subsequent PDCCH monitoring opportunities for that PO.

[0238] Note 1: The PO associated with the PF can start in the PF or after the PF.

[0239] Note 2: The PDCCH monitoring time of the PO can span multiple radio frames. When a SearchSpaceId other than 0 is configured for the paging-SearchSpace, the PDCCH monitoring time of the PO can span multiple periods of the paging search space.

[0240] The parameters Ns, nAndPagingFrameOffset, nrofPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO, and the length of the default DRX period are signaled in SIB1. The values ​​of N and PF_offset are derived from the parameter nAndPagingFrameOffset as defined in TS 38.331. The parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in SIB1 for paging in the initial DL BWP. For paging in DL BWPs other than the initial DL BWP, the parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in the corresponding BWP configuration.

[0241] If the UE does not have 5G-S-TMSI, for example, when the UE has not yet registered on the network, the UE will use UE_ID=0 in the above PF and i_s formula as the default identity.

[0242] When in RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE monitors the paging channel in any PO that sends a signaling notification in the system information to obtain System Information (SI) change indications and / or PWS (Public Warning System) notifications. In the case of Bandwidth Adaptation (BA) (see Section 6.10 of TS38.300), the UE in RRC_CONNECTED state only monitors the paging channel on the active BWP configured with a common search space.

[0243] 5G-S-TMSI is a 48-bit bit string defined in TS 23.501

[10] . In the formula above, 5G-S-TMSI will be interpreted as a binary number, where the leftmost bit represents the most significant bit.

[0244] Figure 7A simplified exemplary paging procedure is illustrated, specifically the messages exchanged between the base station and the UE. Specifically, it is exemplarily assumed that the paging procedure configuration at the UE is provided by the base station. For example, this configuration information provided by the base station may assist in defining the UE's paging frames and paging opportunities(s). Based on this paging configuration, the UE monitors the paging PDCCH (e.g., also called the paging DCI) in its paging frames and paging opportunities to attempt to receive the paging PDCCH based on its P-RNTI. If the CRC check (based on the P-RNTI) is correct (i.e., the paging PDCCH is addressed to the P-RNTI), the UE receives the scheduled paging message (sent on the PDSCH). The UE then needs to search for its own paging record in the received paging message.

[0245] When a UE receives a paging message, it can stop PDCCH monitoring. Depending on the paging reason, the UE can continue, for example, to obtain system information or establish an RRC connection with the base station and then receive data (traffic / commands) from the network.

[0246] Other improvements

[0247] 3GPP has been exploring other possibilities for UE power saving. The power saving enhancement targets in Release 17 are aimed at research into paging enhancements to reduce unnecessary UE paging reception (if possible, without impacting legacy UEs) for idle / inactive UEs as well as UEs in connected mode.

[0248] The paging procedure is performed by UEs in idle, inactive, and connected states. Paging consumes relatively more power for NR UEs in RRC idle and RRC inactive states, and relatively less power for UEs in connected states.

[0249] Therefore, paging optimization can save a significant portion of UE power consumption. However, there are two potential energy waste issues.

[0250] First, each UE in idle or inactive mode must be woken up for each PF and PO, and the paging PDCCH must be monitored even if there is no paging in the network.

[0251] Second, several UEs may be assigned to the same paging frame and paging time. In this case, it is likely that the network only intends to page one UE or a subset of UEs within the same PF and PO. However, other UEs within the same PF and PO also need to go through the entire procedure of monitoring the paging PDCCH, receiving the paging message, and searching the paging record in order to determine that there is no valid paging record for them.

[0252] For example, from a network perspective, the PF / PO allocation in each cell considers all inactive / idle mode UEs within the same tracking area. Regarding idle mode cell selection or reselection, a UE can camp in any cell within the tracking area. In this scenario, it's possible that a large number of UEs are sharing the same PF and PO in a single cell. Therefore, while only one UE (or a few UEs) is paged, many other UEs waste a considerable amount of energy on PDCCH monitoring and reception, PDSCH reception, and paging record searching.

[0253] Furthermore, considering the greater flexibility in network frequency deployment, in some small cells using high frequencies, the number of available PFs and POs may be limited due to the larger configured ssb-periodicityServingCell values. Consequently, more UEs share the same PFs and POs, increasing the false paging rate and leading to energy waste.

[0254] The aforementioned issues with paging are primarily raised in the context of 5G NR above and below, but also apply to traditional paging functions (e.g., 4G and 5G prior to the newer version 17).

[0255] The inventors have identified the aforementioned potential drawbacks and challenges. Therefore, the inventors have recognized the possibility of providing an improved paging procedure that allows for the avoidance or mitigation of one or more of the aforementioned problems. This invention relates to various solutions and variations of such an improved paging procedure.

[0256] Example

[0257] The following description addresses new radio access technologies envisioned for 5G mobile communication systems, outlining UEs, base stations, and procedures to meet these requirements, although these technologies can also be used in LTE mobile communication systems. Different implementation methods and variations will also be explained. The discussions and findings described above (and may be based at least in part on them) contribute to the following disclosure.

[0258] In general, it should be noted that many assumptions have been made herein in order to explain the basic principles of this disclosure in a clear and understandable manner. However, these assumptions should be understood as examples made for illustrative purposes only and should not limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the principles of the following disclosure and those set forth in the claims can be applied to different scenarios and can be applied in ways not expressly described herein.

[0259] Furthermore, some of the terms used below, such as procedure, entity, and layer, are closely related to those used in LTE / LTE-A systems or current 3GPP 5G standards, even though specific terms to be used in the context of new radio access technologies in the next 3GPP 5G communication system have not yet been fully determined or may ultimately change. Therefore, terminology may change in the future without affecting the functionality of the embodiments. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and their scope of protection should not be limited to the specific terms used exemplarily herein, due to the lack of newer or ultimately agreed-upon terminology, but should be understood more broadly based on the functions and concepts that form the basis of the functionality and principles of this disclosure.

[0260] For example, a mobile station, mobile node, user terminal, or user equipment (UE) is a physical entity (physical node) within a communication network. A node can have several functional entities. A functional entity refers to a software or hardware module that implements a predetermined set of functions and / or provides a predetermined set of functions to other functional entities within the same node or network, or to another node or network. A node can have one or more interfaces that connect the node to a communication facility or medium through which the node can communicate. Similarly, a network entity can have logical interfaces that attach functional entities to a communication facility or medium through which the network entity can communicate with other functional entities or communication nodes.

[0261] The term "base station" or "radio base station" here refers to a physical entity within a communication network. Like a mobile station, a base station can have several functional entities. A functional entity is a software or hardware module that implements a predetermined set of functions and / or provides that predetermined set of functions to other functional entities within the same node or network or another node or network. The physical entity performs some control tasks regarding the communication equipment, including one or more of scheduling and configuration. Note that base station functions and communication equipment functions can also be integrated within a single device. For example, a mobile terminal can also implement base station functions for other terminals. The term used in LTE is eNB (or eNodeB), while the term currently used in 5G NR is gNB.

[0262] Communication between the UE and the base station is usually standardized and can be defined by different layers, such as PHY, MAC, RRC, etc. (see the background discussion above).

[0263] The term "monitoring" can be broadly understood as attempting to decode possible candidates for receiving DCI messages (e.g., based on a specific format), or more simply, attempting to decode DCI messages. This decoding attempt can also be referred to as blind decoding. DCI messages can be broadly understood as, for example, resource assignment messages for uplink or downlink radio resources. Accordingly, the term "monitoring function" in this context can be broadly understood as referring to the corresponding function performed by the UE to attempt to decode DCI messages.

[0264] The term “index” (e.g., the expression “paging subgroup index”) can be broadly understood as a decimal value or a bit value.

[0265] For the following solutions, it is exemplarily assumed that the improved paging procedure is conceptually based on a paging procedure defined according to the 3GPP 4G or 5G standard.

[0266] For example, with Figure 7 Consistent with the general description, such a paging procedure will involve at least sending / receiving a paging DCI on a downlink control channel (such as PDCCH) and subsequently sending / receiving a paging message on a downlink shared channel (PDSCH), wherein the paging message is sent / received based on information provided by the paging DCI.

[0267] Typically, it is also assumed that the improved paging procedure can be executed by a UE in idle mode, inactive mode, or connected mode.

[0268] Figure 8 A simplified exemplary block diagram of the overall user equipment (also known as a communication device) and scheduling device (here it is exemplarily assumed to be located in a base station (e.g., an eLTE eNB (or ng-eNB) or a gNB in ​​5G NR)) is shown. The UE and the eNB / gNB communicate with each other over a (wireless) physical channel using transceivers.

[0269] Communication equipment may include transceivers and processing circuitry. A transceiver may further include and / or act as both a receiver and a transmitter. Processing circuitry may be one or more pieces of hardware, such as one or more processors or any LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit). Input / output points (or nodes) exist between the transceiver and the processing circuitry, through which the processing circuitry can control the transceiver (i.e., control the receiver and / or transmitter) and exchange received / transmitted data. The transceiver (as a transmitter and receiver) may include an RF (Radio Frequency) front-end containing one or more antennas, amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators, etc. Processing circuitry may perform control tasks, such as controlling the transceiver to transmit user data and control data provided by the processing circuitry, and / or receiving user data and control data further processed by the processing circuitry. Processing circuitry may also be responsible for performing other processes, such as determination, decision-making, calculation, and measurement. The transmitter may be responsible for performing the transmission process and other related processes. The receiver may be responsible for performing the reception process and other related processes, such as monitoring the channel.

[0270] Different embodiments of the improved paging procedure will be described below. In this connection, an improved UE and an improved base station participating in the improved paging procedure are proposed. Corresponding methods for UE behavior and base station behavior are also provided.

[0271] Solution 1

[0272] Figure 9 A simplified exemplary UE structure is shown, which can be based on an exemplary solution of an improved paging procedure. Figure 8 The UE is implemented using a general UE architecture as explained in the figure. The various structural elements of the UE shown in the figure can be interconnected with each other, for example, using corresponding input / output nodes (not shown), to exchange, for example, control data and user data, as well as other signals. Although not shown for illustrative purposes, the UE may include additional structural elements.

[0273] from Figure 9 It is clear that the UE may include a paging subgroup signaling receiver, a paging subgroup index determination circuit, a requirement fulfillment determination circuit, and a paging function operation circuit.

[0274] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the receiver of the UE can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part one or more of receiving paging subgroup signaling, receiving paging DCI, and paging messages.

[0275] Furthermore, in the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the UE’s processing circuitry (also referred to as the processor) can therefore executively perform at least in part one or more of the following: performing the paging function, determining the paging subgroup index, determining how to operate the paging function, etc.

[0276] Furthermore, in the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the UE’s transmitter can therefore exemplarily perform at least partially the sending of one or more of the following: a response to a paging.

[0277] The exemplary solution disclosed below in more detail is implemented by a UE comprising the following: The UE's processor operates a paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The UE's receiver receives paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The processor determines how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index satisfies requirements involving the UE identifier.

[0278] The corresponding sequence diagram of exemplary UE behaviors consistent with the above-described UE is defined below and in Figure 10 As shown in the figure. The method includes the following steps performed by the user equipment:

[0279] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0280] • Receive paging subgroup signaling from the base station.

[0281] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the received paging subgroup signaling.

[0282] • Determine how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving UE identification.

[0283] According to this improved paging procedure, further operation of the paging function can be controlled at an earlier point in time based on the received paging subgroup signaling (in particular, the paging subgroup index determined therefrom). Accordingly, the UE can save power if the paging subgroup index does not meet the requirements (e.g., the paging is not for this UE). For example, the UE does not need to receive paging messages and search for its paging records in the paging messages.

[0284] As can be clearly seen from the above, the improved paging procedure also provides an improved radio base station. Figure 11A simplified exemplary base station structure is shown, which can be based on an exemplary solution according to an improved paging procedure. Figure 8 The implementation is based on the general base station structure explained above. Figure 11 The various structural elements of the radio base station shown can be interconnected, for example, using corresponding input / output nodes (not shown), to exchange, for example, control data and user data, as well as other signals. Although not shown for illustrative purposes, the base station may include additional structural elements.

[0285] from Figure 11 It is evident that a base station may include a paging UE determination circuit, a paging subgroup index determination circuit, a paging subgroup signaling generation circuit, a paging subgroup signaling transmitter, and a paging function operation circuit.

[0286] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the base station’s receiver can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part the function of receiving a response to a paging, etc.

[0287] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the base station's processing circuitry can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part one or more of the following: determining the UE to be paged, determining the paging subgroup index, generating paging subgroup signaling, etc.

[0288] In the present situation, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the transmitter of the base station can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part one or more of transmitting paging subgroup signaling, transmitting paging DCI, and paging messages.

[0289] An exemplary solution, disclosed in more detail below, is implemented by a radio base station comprising the following components: A processor of the base station operates a paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines a user equipment (UE) to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on a requirement involving the identifier of the determined UE and generates paging subgroup signaling based on the determined paging subgroup index. The base station's transmitter sends the generated paging subgroup signaling to the determined UE.

[0290] exist Figure 12 The diagram shows a corresponding sequence of exemplary base station behavior consistent with the aforementioned base station. The corresponding method includes the following steps performed by the base station:

[0291] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0292] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0293] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the requirements involving the identifier of the identified UE, and paging subgroup signaling is generated based on the determined paging subgroup index, and

[0294] • Send the generated paging subgroup signaling to the identified UE.

[0295] Accordingly, the improved base station participates in the improved paging procedure, thereby facilitating control of paging function operation at an earlier point in time based on the transmitted paging subgroup signaling. UEs not addressed by the paging subgroup index can thus save power, specifically because the paging subgroup index, which can be derived from the paging subgroup signaling, does not meet the requirements used by the UE to determine how to operate the paging function, for example, the paging is not targeted at those UEs.

[0296] Below, different exemplary implementations of how to implement the improved paging procedure described above will be disclosed. Conceptually, the aim of the different solutions is to allow instruction to subgroup the UE for paging the UE at an earlier point in time, so that the UE can stop paging, thereby allowing the UE to save power by not paging if it is determined that the UE does not belong to the paging subgroup.

[0297] First Solution

[0298] According to the first solution (and its variations and implementations) of the improved paging procedure, the pre-paging DCI is used as paging subgroup signaling. Accordingly, the pre-paging DCI includes fields with information that allow the UE to determine the aforementioned paging subgroup index.

[0299] A pre-paging DCI is sent at a known time prior to the paging DCI, allowing the UE to then determine whether, or even necessary, to proceed to the next step of the paging function, namely monitoring and receiving the paging DCI (and other subsequent steps of the paging function, such as, ultimately, continuing to receive paging messages as indicated by the paging DCI). Specifically, the UE determines whether the paging subgroup index derived from the pre-paging DCI meets the requirements; in other words, the UE determines whether it is in a paging subgroup. This requirement is UE-specific because it involves, for example, the use of a suitable UE identifier. Then, if the UE determines that the paging subgroup index meets the requirements, the UE proceeds to the next step of the paging function, namely monitoring the downlink control channel to receive the paging DCI.

[0300] exist Figure 13The diagram illustrates this series of steps performed by the UE in a simplified, exemplary manner. It is clear that the paging subgroup index is obtained from the pre-paging DCI and is used by the UE to determine whether it belongs to the indicated paging subgroup. If so, the UE proceeds with the paging function to obtain the paging DCI, and then obtains the paging message.

[0301] On the other hand, if not, the UE can terminate the paging process. For example, the UE may not perform the subsequent steps of the paging function, thus not monitoring the downlink control channel for the paging DCI, and therefore neither receiving the paging DCI nor the paging message. In practice, in this case, the paging message will not include the UE's paging record, thereby avoiding subsequent paging operations and the corresponding power consumption.

[0302] As described above, a pre-paging DCI is transmitted before the actual paging DCI is transmitted, for example, before one of the paging times configured for the paging frame. Both the UE and the base station will know the exact time point. For example, the pre-paging DCI may be transmitted by the base station in a specific number of subframes of the same paging frame, but before, for example, the first paging time of the radio frame. According to another example, the pre-paging DCI is transmitted in a search space, which is, for example, multiple time slots before the first paging time of the paging frame.

[0303] There are several possibilities regarding how to implement pre-paging DCI and achieve its functionality. Examples will be given below.

[0304] Compared to monitoring and receiving normal paging DCI, pre-paging DCI can be configured to allow the UE to save power. For example, pre-paging DCI can be one or more of the following: 1) having a more compact DCI format, 2) being associated with fewer blind decoding candidates, and 3) having a shorter monitoring duration compared to normal paging DCI.

[0305] For example, pre-paging DCI can reuse existing DCI formats, such as DCI formats 2_6 or 1_0 defined in appropriate 3GPP 5G standards. Alternatively, a new DCI format can be defined for pre-paging DCI.

[0306] Importantly, the pre-paging DCI carries information about the paging subgroup index in appropriate fields. For example, if an existing DCI format is reused, the corresponding existing fields can be reused to indicate the paging subgroup index. Assuming an existing paging DCI is reused, the short message-related fields within it can be reused. The information in the fields related to the paging subgroup index can have one or several bits.

[0307] In addition, the normal paging UE identity P-RNTI can be used to scramble the pre-paging DCI. Alternatively, another identity can be used for the scrambling operation.

[0308] From the base station's perspective, the base station must send a pre-paging DCI to the UE, including a field containing information about the paging subgroup index. Accordingly, based on the appropriate UE identifier of the UE to be paged (e.g., see UE_ID below), the base station determines the paging subgroup index such that the paged UE will (based on the mentioned requirements) determine that it belongs to that paging subgroup. The base station then generates the pre-paging DCI, including the paging subgroup index (or appropriate information about it) in its fields before sending the pre-paging DCI to the paged UE.

[0309] Based on this first solution, in addition to avoiding the additional processing involved in receiving and processing paging messages on the PDSCH, it is possible to avoid some unpaging UEs not needing to monitor and receive paging DCI. Furthermore, by using appropriate DCI, this first solution is flexible in providing paging subgroup indexes.

[0310] Second Solution

[0311] According to the second solution (and its variations and implementations) of the improved paging procedure, the paging DCI itself is used as paging subgroup signaling. Accordingly, the paging DCI includes fields with information that allow the UE to determine the aforementioned paging subgroup index.

[0312] In summary, the UE therefore monitors the downlink control channel to receive the paging DCI, which carries information for determining the paging subgroup index. By comparing the indicated paging subgroup index with the UE's specific requirements, the UE can determine whether to continue with the next steps of the paging function, in this case, whether to receive the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI.

[0313] exist Figure 14 The diagram illustrates this series of steps performed by the UE in a simplified, exemplary manner. It is clear that the paging subgroup index is obtained from the paging DCI and is used by the UE to determine whether it belongs to the indicated paging subgroup. If so, the UE continues with the paging function to obtain the paging message.

[0314] On the other hand, if not, the UE can terminate the paging process; for example, the UE may not perform the subsequent steps of the paging function, thus not receiving the paging message. In practice, in this case, the paging message will not include the UE's paging record, thereby avoiding subsequent paging operations and corresponding power consumption.

[0315] Compared to the first solution discussed above, the UE needs to monitor and receive the paging DCI in order to determine the paging subgroup index. On the other hand, by providing information in the paging DCI for deriving the paging subgroup index, good flexibility can be provided when distinguishing several paging subgroups.

[0316] There are several possibilities regarding how to implement paging DCI and achieve its functionality. Examples will be given below.

[0317] The DCI format 1_0 currently used in the 5G standard with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI is given below (see, for example, Section 7.3.1.2.1 of 38.212v16.3.0). The paging subgroup index can be encoded into the short message field below. Alternatively, the paging subgroup index can be encoded into the reserved field below.

[0318] <DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI>

[0319] This is used to schedule paging messages.

[0320]

[0321] <38.212-Table 7.3.1.2.1-1: Short Message Instructions>

[0322] Bit field SMS instructions 00 Reserved 01 Only scheduling information for paging exists in DCI. 10 Only short messages exist in DCI. 11 In DCI, there are both scheduling information and short messages used for paging.

[0323] <38.331-Table 6.5-1: Short Messages>

[0324]

[0325]

[0326] Importantly, the paging DCI carries information about the paging subgroup index in appropriate fields (such as the short message field mentioned above). The information in the reused fields can be one bit or several bits.

[0327] Third Solution

[0328] According to the third solution (and its variations and implementations) of the improved paging procedure, a reference signal or synchronization signal is used as the paging subgroup signaling. The determination of the paging subgroup index is performed by first determining the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal, and then determining the paging subgroup index based on these determined characteristics.

[0329] As mentioned above, the improved paging procedure can also be applied to idle and inactive UEs, so they should also be able to receive reference and synchronization signals.

[0330] The base station can use system information broadcasting to provide the UE with configuration information related to the reference signal or synchronization signal.

[0331] Before the actual paging DCI, a reference signal or synchronization signal is sent to allow the UE to first determine whether, or even necessary, to monitor and receive the paging DCI. To do this, the paging subgroup index is first derived from the received reference signal or synchronization signal, as explained below. Then, it is checked whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the appropriate UE-specific requirements, as explained above. If the UE determines that the paging subgroup index meets the requirements, it can be understood that the UE does indeed belong to that paging subgroup, and the UE continues with the subsequent steps of the paging function, including monitoring the downlink control channel to receive the paging DCI and subsequently receiving and processing the corresponding paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. On the other hand, if the requirements are not met, the UE determines that subsequent paging is not directed at itself and does not continue with the paging function, for example, by not monitoring the downlink control channel, and thus not receiving the paging DCI and subsequent paging messages.

[0332] exist Figure 15 The diagram illustrates this series of steps performed by the UE in a simplified, exemplary manner. It is clear that the paging subgroup index is obtained from a reference signal or synchronization signal and is used by the UE to determine whether it belongs to the indicated paging subgroup. If so, the UE continues with the paging function to obtain the paging DCI, and then obtains the paging message.

[0333] On the other hand, if not, the UE can terminate the paging process. For example, the UE may not perform the subsequent steps of the paging function, thus not monitoring the downlink control channel for the paging DCI, and therefore neither receiving the paging DCI nor the paging message. In practice, in this case, the paging message will not include the UE's paging record, thereby avoiding subsequent paging operations and the corresponding power consumption.

[0334] As described above, before transmitting the actual paging DCI, for example before one of the paging times configured for the paging frame, a reference signal or synchronization signal for sub-packetizing the paged UE is transmitted. Both the UE and the base station will know the exact time point. For example, the reference signal or synchronization signal may be transmitted by the base station in a specific number of time slots within the same paging frame but before, for example, the first paging time of the radio frame. Alternatively, the reference signal or synchronization signal may be transmitted before and / or after the first SSB but within a time window before the first paging time of the paging frame.

[0335] When receiving a reference / synchronization signal, the processing complexity is lower than when receiving a regular PDCCH. As a typical implementation, receiving a reference signal involves energy detection and / or sequence correlation operations. However, receiving a PDCCH involves first RS reception, channel estimation, demodulation, and then channel decoding, which requires the processor to consume more power than simply receiving a reference / synchronization signal.

[0336] More specifically, the reference signal is first referred to below as paging subgroup signaling. The characteristics of this reference signal can be one or more of a reference signal pattern and a reference signal sequence. It is assumed that the reference signal can be transmitted according to multiple different patterns, for example, carrying the reference signal at different locations in the frequency and time domains. The UE determines one of these multiple patterns based on the previously determined time / frequency location of the reference signal. The UE then (e.g., based on a suitable association table) associates the determined pattern with a specific paging subgroup index.

[0337] For example, in a 5G-compliant implementation, one example of a reference signal would be CSI-RS, as described in the corresponding section above. Several different modes are defined in the aforementioned CSI-RS related table, where each row can be understood as, for example, as a mode.

[0338] Another characteristic could be the actual sequence transmitted as a reference signal. Typically, different sequences are obtained by generating reference signal sequences based on different parameters. According to this implementation, multiple sequences can be used as reference signals for transmission. Then, by determining which of the multiple sequences is transmitted as the reference signal, the UE can determine the expected paging subgroup index.

[0339] For example, in a 5G-compliant implementation, one example of a reference signal would be CSI-RS, as described in the corresponding section above. The section above also illustrates how the reference signal sequence r(m) is generated depending on various parameters. One of the parameters used to generate the sequence is n. ID This is taken from the higher-level parameter `scramblingID` or `sequenceGenerationConfig`. The paging subgroup index can be encoded as this parameter `n`. ID The function. In the current 3GPP 5G standard, parameter n ID Candidate sequences can be broadcast to the UE, so that each UE knows how many sequences it should detect and which sequences.

[0340] Accordingly, the base station uses appropriate parameters to generate a reference signal sequence so that the UE can derive the corresponding paging subgroup index from it.

[0341] Furthermore, it is now assumed that a synchronization signal is used as paging subgroup signaling. This synchronization signal can be characterized as a sequence transmitted as a synchronization signal.

[0342] Typically, sequences of synchronization signals are generated based on different parameters, resulting in different sequences. According to this implementation, multiple sequences can be used as synchronization signals for transmission. Then, by determining which of the multiple sequences is transmitted as the synchronization signal, the UE can determine the expected paging subgroup index.

[0343] For example, in a 5G-compliant implementation, one example of a reference signal would be a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) (see the section on SSS above). The section above also illustrates how a secondary synchronization signal sequence d can be generated depending on various parameters. SSS (n). One of the parameters used to generate the sequence is N. ID The paging subgroup index can be encoded as this parameter N. ID The function.

[0344] Another variation of this third solution focuses on how to handle scenarios where the UE cannot reliably identify the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal. For example, the UE may be unable to identify a reference signal mode among multiple reference signal modes. In this case, the UE can determine that it should continue with the paging function steps (e.g., monitoring and receiving paging DCI), and as a precaution, assume that the UE is addressed for subsequent paging.

[0345] Fourth Solution

[0346] The fourth solution reuses the concepts introduced in the second and third solutions above to provide two levels of paging subgroup determination on the UE side. More specifically, according to the first level, a reference signal or synchronization signal is used as the paging subgroup signaling. As described for the third solution, the determination of the paging subgroup index (here, the first paging subgroup index) is performed by first determining the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal, and then determining the first paging subgroup index based on those determined characteristics. The first paging subgroup index is then used to determine whether a requirement is met, allowing the UE to determine whether it belongs to the paging subgroup of the UE indicated by the first paging subgroup index.

[0347] If the first paging subgroup index meets the UE's specific requirements, the UE determines that it belongs to the UE subgroup expected to be paging subsequently. Therefore, the UE continues the paging function and monitors the downlink control channel to receive the paging DCI.

[0348] According to this fourth solution, the paging DCI implements a second-level paging subgroup determination because it includes fields containing information for the UE to determine the second paging subgroup index. The UE determines whether the second paging subgroup index meets UE-specific requirements in order to determine whether the UE belongs to the UE subgroup indicated by the second paging subgroup index.

[0349] If the second paging subgroup index meets the specific requirements of the UE, the UE determines that it belongs to the UE subgroup of expected subsequent paging messages, and thus continues to perform paging functions and receive paging messages based on the paging DCI information.

[0350] exist Figure 16 The diagram illustrates this series of steps performed by the UE in a simplified, exemplary manner. It is clear that the first paging subgroup index is obtained from a reference signal or synchronization signal and is used by the UE to determine whether it belongs to the indicated paging subgroup. If so, the UE continues the paging function to obtain the paging DCI. Otherwise, the UE may have already terminated the paging function and will not continue receiving the paging DCI, nor will it subsequently receive paging messages.

[0351] According to the second level, the UE determines the second paging subgroup index based on the paging DCI and uses this index to determine whether it also belongs to the indicated paging subgroup. If so, the UE continues the paging function to obtain the paging message. Otherwise, the UE can terminate the paging process so as not to receive the paging message.

[0352] The second solution described above provides information and explanation regarding how the first level of the fourth solution can be implemented (specifically, how to use paging DCI as paging subgroup signaling). The different variations and implementations of the second solution described above can be equally applied to the second level of the fourth solution. To avoid repetition, refer to the sections above for details such as paging DCI format, fields, and content.

[0353] Furthermore, the aforementioned third solution provides information and explanation on how the first-level determination of this fourth solution can be implemented (specifically, how to use reference signals or synchronization signals to transmit the paging subgroup index (used as the first paging subgroup index in this fourth solution)). The different variations and implementations of the third solution described above can be equally applied to the first level of this fourth solution. To avoid repetition, refer to the sections above for details such as how and when reference signals or synchronization signals can be received, details regarding the different characteristics of reference / synchronization signals, and possible 5G-compliant implementations (CSI-RS, SSS), etc.

[0354] Furthermore, variations of the fourth solution focus on how to handle scenarios where the UE cannot reliably identify the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal in the first stage. As described for the third solution, in this case, the UE can determine the steps it takes to continue paging (e.g., monitoring and receiving paging DCI), and as a precaution, it is assumed that the UE is addressed for subsequent paging.

[0355] The third and fourth solutions described above rely on reference signals as paging subgroup signaling and use CSI-RS, such as CSI-RS from 5G standards, in exemplary implementations.

[0356] The following section explains the improved use of reference signals such as CSI-RS. Specifically, it is assumed that multiple different reference signal configurations are defined to indicate paging subgroup indices. Furthermore, different configurations Y are then provided, defined by using patterns (e.g., time and frequency resource elements) that include (or consist of) the overlapping (or intersection or common parts) of the multiple different reference signal configurations indicating paging subgroup indices. The UE can then use this reference signal configuration Y to perform measurements for purposes such as time / frequency tracking and / or serving cell measurements.

[0357] The aforementioned variations of the third and fourth solutions allow for reductions in overhead for subgroup indication, time / frequency tracking, and servicing cell measurements (e.g., resources that would otherwise be unavailable for data transmission).

[0358] As previously mentioned, the reference signal used for paging subgroup signaling in the improved paging procedure can be configured by the base station using system information broadcasting. Assuming 5G CSI-RS is used as an example of this reference signal, this configuration can be implemented as follows. In the SIB's CSI-RS configuration, the bandwidth used for CSI-RS transmission is:

[0359] - Configured / mapped to the initial BWP. Or

[0360] - Configured as multiple RBs in a configured BWP.

[0361] Alternatively, the bandwidth of the aforementioned CSI-RS may be fixed or assumed to be the same as that of the cell defining the SSB.

[0362] Alternatively, the bandwidth of the aforementioned CSI-RS may be fixed or assumed to be the same as CORESET#0.

[0363] An exemplary 5G-compliant implementation relies on the CSI-RS (see the section above) as a reference signal. The table of CSI-RS locations within the time slots provided above is assumed exemplarily for the purpose of explaining the basic concepts below. The same excerpt (especially its first 8 lines) is reproduced below.

[0364] Table: CSI-RS locations within time slots, first 8 rows only

[0365]

[0366] Consistent with the general interpretation of the variant above, a specific CSI-RS configuration Y is defined using resource element configurations based on the intersection (overlap) of some or all CSI-RS configurations used for paging subgroups.

[0367] Based on the first example, assume that the CSI-RS configurations in rows #4 and #5 are used to indicate two different subgroups. For example, the CSI-RS configuration in row #4 (or more precisely, its pattern) allows the UE to determine one paging subgroup index, and the CSI-RS configuration in row #5 (or more precisely, its pattern) allows the UE to determine another paging subgroup index. As can be seen from the table above, the CSI-RS configurations in rows #4 and #5 have an overlapping (intersection, common) pattern consisting of resource elements (k0, l0) of k′ = {0, 1}, which actually corresponds to the CSI-RS configuration in row #3 and can therefore be considered as the aforementioned CSI-RS configuration Y.

[0368] In addition, the common part of the resource element belongs to CDM group 0 (see the corresponding column and parameter j in the table above), so that the CSI-RS sequence of the location mapped to the CSI-RS configuration of row #3 can be the same as the CSI-RS sequence of the CSI-RS configuration of rows #4 and #5.

[0369] According to the second example, by using different sequences, the CSI-RS configuration of line #4 is used to subgroup into three subgroups #1, #2, and #3. The common part corresponds to the resource element (k0, l0) of k′={0,1}, which is the same as the CSI-RS configuration of line #3 (i.e., CSI-RS configuration Y).

[0370] Furthermore, the common portion of the resource elements belongs to CDM group 0. Therefore, for all these CSI-RS configurations, the CSI-RS sequence mapped to the location of the resource element can be the same. Additionally, for the CDM group index 1 portion, the three CSI-RS configurations in row #4 are code-division multiplexed.

[0371] The above describes four different solutions for implementing paging subgroups, differing primarily in the content sent as paging subgroup signaling and the resulting differences in how the paging function is further operated. Specifically, based on the determination result of the paging subgroup signaling, the UE determines whether to continue the paging function (e.g., continue with the next steps of receiving the paging DCI and then receiving the paging message, or proceed with the next steps of receiving the paging message). In other words, if a UE determines that it does not belong to the indicated paging subgroup, it may not be necessary (e.g., for a period of time) to perform the subsequent steps of the paging function, allowing some unpaging UEs to save power.

[0372] Further information on how the four solutions described above can be adapted or implemented is provided below.

[0373] The above explanation of the four solutions broadly explains how the UE determines whether the paging subgroup index meets the requirement. There are several possibilities regarding how this requirement is implemented. According to the first exemplary variant, the requirement demands that a subset of bits derived from the UE identifier be the same as, greater than, or less than the bits representing the paging subgroup index.

[0374] This subset of bits can be, for example, multiple most significant bits of the value, multiple least significant bits of the value, or multiple middle bits of the value. Furthermore, this subset of bits can even consist of bits from non-contiguous bit positions of the value.

[0375] According to further variations, this requirement can also be expressed using one of the following equations:

[0376] 1) UE_ID / N_PF == X,

[0377] 2) UE_ID / N_PF>X,

[0378] 3) UE_ID / N_PF <X,

[0379] 4) UE_ID / N_PF==i*X,

[0380] 5) UE_ID / N_PF mod Y==X,

[0381] Wherein, UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging period configured for the UE, X represents the paging subgroup index, where i = 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., and Y is a number representing the number of subgroups (which can be configured, for example, by the base station using system information broadcast).

[0382] The operation "==" should be broadly understood as the value on the left being equivalent to or corresponding to the value on the right.

[0383] As an example, suppose the paging subgroup index derived from any of the four solutions described above provides a 1-bit value that can be either 1 or 0. Then, when determining whether this 1-bit paging subgroup index meets the requirements, it can be determined, for example, whether it has the same value as a subset of bits of size 1 corresponding to (UE_ID / N_PF) (e.g., its most significant bit or least significant bit). If the values ​​of the two compared bits are the same, the UE can deduce that the 1-bit paging subgroup index meets the requirements. Conversely, if the values ​​of the two compared bits are not the same, for example, paging subgroup index = 0 and MSB of (UE_ID / N_PF) = 1, the UE can deduce that the 1-bit paging subgroup index does not meet the requirements.

[0384] Furthermore, the specific implementation of the requirements of the above options affects the granularity of subgrouping UEs used for paging functions. For example, according to Equation 1), the value of (UE_ID / N_PF) needs to correspond to the paging subgroup index, which is a less likely requirement to be met than that according to Equations 2), 3), or 4). Therefore, a relatively small number of UEs will likely determine that the received paging subgroup index meets this UE-specific requirement; conversely, a relatively large number of UEs will likely determine that they do not belong to the paging subgroup and subsequent paging will not address them, causing them to stop paging functions, thereby saving power.

[0385] Compared to Equation 1), Equation 4) allows the requirement to be met more frequently, i.e., whenever the value corresponds to a multiple of the paging subgroup index.

[0386] Equation 5) allows the network to flexibly control the subgroup size, i.e., how many UEs are paged using the subgroup index. If the network wants to change this, it can reconfigure the new Y value and broadcast it via the SIB.

[0387] However, the above equation should be understood as merely an example. Other variations that follow the requirements of other equations are equally possible.

[0388] The number of different possible values ​​for the paging subgroup index affects the granularity of subgrouping the UE used for paging functions.

[0389] Specifically, for example, assuming the paging subgroup index only allows distinguishing between two values ​​(e.g., 0 and 1, assuming 1 bit), then the paging subgroup can only distinguish between two groups, thus providing only a coarse subgroup granularity. As a result, it can be assumed that, on average, half of the UEs processing this paging subgroup index will determine that the paging subgroup index meets the requirements, while the other half will determine that the requirements do not meet. Therefore, in general, on average, half of the UEs can be prevented from continuing paging functionality when they are not actually paged. However, among the other half, there may still be many UEs that are not actually paged but are still determined to be in the indicated paging subgroup and still need to continue paging functionality.

[0390] Increasing the number of possible values ​​for the paging subgroup index allows for finer subgroup granularity, thus enabling more precise targeting of the UEs used for paging. For example, when assuming, by example, that the paging subgroup index distinguishes four distinct values ​​(e.g., 0, 1, 2, and 3, assuming 2 bits), the paging subgroups equally distinguish four distinct groups. Therefore, by providing a specific value from the four available paging subgroup index values, an average of 25% of UEs will be addressed, and an average of 75% of UEs can be prevented from continuing paging functionality if they are not actually addressed during paging.

[0391] Therefore, as the paging subgroup index granularity increases, more subgroups can be distinguished, allowing more UEs to benefit from the possibility of saving power by not continuing paging when they are not actually being paging.

[0392] Furthermore, in the above-described variations of the four solutions, it is described how the requirement can be made UE-specific by considering a suitable UE identifier. According to one example, this UE identifier can be a UE identifier used to distribute to multiple UEs across multiple paging frames and paging times. For example, according to the 5G-compliant solution, this UE identifier can be a UE_ID defined by the 5G standard as “5G-S-TMSI mod 1024” (5G-S-TMSI: 5G Shortened-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier). The UE and the base station use this UE_ID to determine the paging frame and paging time (see the paging section above).

[0393] According to the four solutions described above, the paging subgroup index (specifically, the determination of whether the UE belongs to or does not belong to a paging subgroup) can be valid for a specific time period covering one or more paging opportunities (and even paging frames). Accordingly, the UE will not perform the remaining paging functions during these one or more paging opportunities; for example, it will not monitor the downlink control channel to receive paging DCIs during these one or more paging opportunities (see the first, third, and fourth solutions), or it will not receive paging messages (see all solutions). According to exemplary implementations, the paging subgroup index (specifically, the derived determination result) may be valid for paging frames.

[0394] Second solution

[0395] Figure 17 A simplified exemplary UE structure is shown, which can be based on an exemplary solution of an improved paging procedure. Figure 8 The UE is implemented using a general UE architecture as explained in the figure. The various structural elements of the UE shown in the figure can be interconnected with each other, for example, using corresponding input / output nodes (not shown), to exchange, for example, control data and user data, as well as other signals. Although not shown for illustrative purposes, the UE may include additional structural elements.

[0396] from Figure 17 It is clear that the UE may include a paging UE identification circuit, a paging DCI receiver, a paging DCI decoding circuit, a paging message receiver, and a paging function operation circuit.

[0397] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the receiver of the UE can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part the reception of one or more of the following: paging DCI and paging messages.

[0398] Furthermore, in the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the UE’s processing circuitry (also referred to as the processor) can therefore, by way of example, at least in part, perform one or more of the following: performing a paging function to determine the identity of the second paging UE, decoding the paging DCI, etc.

[0399] Furthermore, in the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the UE’s transmitter can therefore exemplarily perform at least partially the sending of one or more of the following: a response to a paging.

[0400] An exemplary solution, disclosed in more detail below, is implemented by a UE comprising the following: The UE's processor operates a paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being sent from a base station. The processor determines a second paging UE identity based on a first paging UE identity and a UE identifier, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station, wherein the second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. The UE's receiver receives the paging DCI. The processor then decodes the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the decoding of the paging DCI is successful, the processor continues to operate the paging function to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

[0401] Sequence diagrams corresponding to exemplary UE behaviors consistent with the above-described UE are defined below and in Figure 18 As shown in the figure. The method includes the following steps performed by the user equipment:

[0402] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0403] The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the UE identifier. The identity of the first paging UE is configured by the base station, while the identity of the second paging UE can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI.

[0404] • Receive paging DCI,

[0405] • Decode the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity.

[0406] If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, continue operating the paging function to receive paging messages as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

[0407] According to this improved paging procedure, further operation of the paging function can be controlled at an earlier point in time based on defining an appropriate UE-specific paging UE identity. Specifically, the second paging UE identity is generated based on the UE identifier, making the second paging UE identity specific to a UE or a subgroup of UEs. Accordingly, if the UE fails to decode the paging DCI based on this new second paging UE identity, for example because the paging is not actually targeted at those UEs, the UE can save power. For example, the UE will not waste time receiving paging messages and then searching for its paging records in the received paging messages.

[0408] As is clearly seen above, the improved paging procedure also provides for improved radio base stations. Figure 19 A simplified exemplary base station structure is shown, illustrating an exemplary solution based on an improved paging procedure, and can be based on a combination of... Figure 8 The implementation is based on the general base station structure explained above. Figure 19 The various structural elements of the radio base station shown can be interconnected, for example, using corresponding input / output nodes (not shown), to exchange control data, user data, and other signals. Although not shown for illustrative purposes, the base station may include additional structural elements.

[0409] from Figure 19 It is evident that the base station may include a paging UE determination circuit, a second paging UE identity determination circuit, a paging DCI encoding circuit, a paging DCI transmitter, and a paging function operation circuit.

[0410] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the base station’s receiver can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part the function of receiving a response to a paging, etc.

[0411] In the present case, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the base station's processing circuitry can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part one or more of the following: determining the UE to be paged, determining the identity of the second paged UE, encoding the paging DCI, etc.

[0412] In the present situation, as will become apparent from the following disclosure, the transmitter of the base station can therefore exemplarily perform at least in part the transmission of one or more of the following: paging DCI and paging messages.

[0413] An exemplary solution, disclosed in more detail below, is implemented by a radio base station comprising the following: A processor of the base station operates a paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines a user equipment (UE) to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines a second paging UE identity based on a first paging UE identity and an identifier of the determined UE, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station for the determined UE. The processor encodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. The base station's transmitter transmits the generated paging DCI and transmits a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI.

[0414] Figure 20 A sequence diagram corresponding to exemplary base station behavior consistent with the aforementioned base station is shown. The corresponding method includes the following steps performed by the base station:

[0415] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0416] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0417] The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the identifier of the determined UE. The identity of the first paging UE is configured by the base station for the determined UE.

[0418] • Encode the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity.

[0419] • Send the generated paging DCI and send paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0420] Accordingly, the improved base station participates in the improved paging procedure, thereby helping to control the operation of the paging function at an earlier point in time based on the paging DCI (in particular through the second paging UE identity used to encode the paging DCI).

[0421] For example, using a UE-specific paging UE identity (rather than a paging UE identity that is not UE-specific at all) helps to target the UE or subgroup of UEs used for paging. Accordingly, this avoids all UEs that receive a paging DCI at a particular paging time needing to receive and search subsequent paging messages to determine whether they were actually paging.

[0422] exist Figure 21 The steps performed by the UE are illustrated in a simplified, exemplary manner. It is clear that the UE decodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. Accordingly, the UE determines whether the decoding of the paging DCI was successful; if it is also encoded at the base station using the second paging UE identity, then it is successful. Specifically, this can be understood as meaning that paging can be directed to the UE or at least to the subgroup to which the UE belongs. If the decoding of the paging DCI is successful, the UE continues with the paging function to receive paging messages and also searches for corresponding paging records within the paging messages.

[0423] On the other hand, if the UE fails to decode the paging DCI, the UE can deduce that the subsequent paging message is not for the UE, thus ending the paging process, that is, not receiving the paging message, and of course not searching for its paging record in the paging message.

[0424] The advantage of this solution is that it avoids additional overhead by introducing this UE-specific paging subgroup because it reuses the already necessary paging DCI, and because the UE-specific second paging UE identity does not introduce additional bits to be sent. On the other hand, solutions that operate differently from traditional UEs introduce a separate paging UE identity (traditional UEs mean they do not support using this solution). Furthermore, this solution requires the UE to actually monitor and attempt to receive the paging DCI in order to determine whether it can be successfully decoded.

[0425] The above describes determining the UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the UE identifier. This can be implemented in different ways. For example, the second paging UE identity can be determined by adding or subtracting a value derived from the UE identifier from the first paging UE identity. This value based on the UE identifier can also depend on the number of paging frames configured in the cell.

[0426] Alternatively, in addition to adding or subtracting the UE identifier-based value, in another exemplary implementation, an offset value can also be added or subtracted from the first paging UE identity. This offset value can be configured, for example, via system information broadcasts for each cell, thereby allowing for better differentiation of UEs from different cells.

[0427] Based on the above implementation, an exemplary equation regarding how the second paging UE identity P-RNTI' can be determined is provided below:

[0428] • P-RNTI′ = P-RNTI + (UE_ID / N_PF), or

[0429] οP-RNTI′=P-RNTI-(UE_ID / N_PF)

[0430] • P-RNTI′ = P-RNTI + (UE_ID / N_PF) + OFFSET, or

[0431] οP-RNTI′=P-RNTI-(UE_ID / N_PF)-OFFSET

[0432] Wherein, P-RNTI′ represents the second paging UE identity, P-RNTI represents the first paging UE identity, UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging cycle configured for the UE, and OFFSET represents the cell-specific offset value.

[0433] Furthermore, the above solution describes how to make the second paging UE identity specific to the UE by considering a suitable UE identifier. As an example, this UE identifier can be a UE identifier used to distribute to multiple UEs across multiple paging frames and paging times. For instance, according to a 5G-compliant solution, this UE identifier can be a UE_ID defined by the 5G standard as 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024 (5G-S-TMSI: 5G Shortened-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier). The UE and the base station use this UE_ID to determine the paging frame and paging time (see the paging section above).

[0434] Third solution

[0435] Further solutions are based on a combination of the first and second solutions described above, which will be explained below. Different concepts and methods for improving the paging procedure are introduced based on the first and second solutions described above. In the preceding text, these concepts and methods were explained separately from each other. However, the independent support for one of the above solutions is merely an example.

[0436] According to further solutions, the UE and the base station can support more than one solution at the same time, and then one of those supported solutions can be executed as needed or configured.

[0437] As an example, assume that the UE and base station support all of the above solutions, such as the first solution to the fourth solution in the first set and the solutions in the second set.

[0438] As an example, the actual choice of which supported solution is used between the UE and the base station can be configurable. For instance, the base station can decide the appropriate solution to use and can notify the UE of the decision, for example, through system information broadcasting. Accordingly, the UE and the base station have the same understanding of how to execute the improved paging procedure.

[0439] The appropriate solution to use can be determined based on system parameters such as resource utilization, paging load, or other suitable parameters such as whether power saving should be prioritized.

[0440] By providing a flexible choice of suitable solutions for implementing the improved paging procedure (e.g., configured by SIB), the improved paging procedure allows for adaptation to different use cases, taking into account the current environment of the system.

[0441] The following examples illustrate how these parameters can be used to determine the appropriate solution for an improved paging procedure to be performed between the UE and the base station.

[0442] When system resources are not congested and utilization is low, potential additional overhead is not a concern. Therefore, the base station can decide to follow the first solution, in which the pre-paging DCI is sent as paging subgroup signaling, which offers the benefit of good power saving gains because the UE can already be prevented from receiving the paging DCI. Alternatively, the base station can decide to follow the fourth solution in the first set in this situation, according to which a two-level subgroup is implemented for paging operations.

[0443] On the other hand, when the number of UEs in the cell is high (i.e., high paging load) and UE power saving is prioritized, the base station can decide to follow the fourth solution in the first set, according to which a two-level subgroup is implemented for paging operations. Since the number of UEs is high and the false paging rate is also high, the power saving gain achievable in this situation is very high.

[0444] Furthermore, in situations where system resources are congested and resource utilization is prioritized, the base station may decide to follow the second solution in the first set, under which the paging DCI is used as paging subgroup signaling for transmitting paging subgroup indices. The second solution in the first set is a solution that minimizes resource usage.

[0445] Other aspects

[0446] According to a first aspect, a user equipment (UE) is provided, comprising the following: A processor of the UE operates a paging function, the paging function including monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI), and receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. A receiver of the UE receives paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The processor determines how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index satisfies a requirement involving a UE identifier.

[0447] According to the second aspect provided in addition to the first aspect, the paging subgroup signaling is a pre-paging DCI, and the determination of the paging subgroup index is performed using information obtained from the fields of the pre-paging DCI. Determining how to operate the paging function includes determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive paging messages if the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements.

[0448] According to the third aspect provided in addition to the first or second aspect, the paging subgroup signaling is the paging DCI, and information from the fields of the paging DCI is used to determine the paging subgroup index. Determining how to operate the paging function includes determining, if the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements, to receive paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0449] According to the fourth aspect provided in addition to one of the first to third aspects, the paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal. Determining the paging subgroup index involves determining the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal, and then determining the paging subgroup index based on the determined characteristics. Determining how to operate the paging function includes determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive paging messages if the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements.

[0450] According to the fifth aspect provided in addition to one of the first to fourth aspects, the paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal. Determining the paging subgroup index includes determining the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal, and then determining a first paging subgroup index as the paging subgroup index based on the determined characteristics. Determining how to operate the paging function includes determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive the paging message if the determined first paging subgroup index meets the requirements. Upon receiving the paging DCI, the processor uses information from fields in the paging DCI to determine a second paging subgroup index. The processor determines whether to receive the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI based on whether the determined second paging subgroup index meets a second requirement involving the UE identifier. Optionally, determining whether to receive the paging message includes determining whether the combination of the first and second paging subgroup indices meets the second requirement.

[0451] According to a sixth aspect provided in addition to the fourth or fifth aspect, the characteristics of the reference signal are one or more of the modes and sequences of the received reference signal, wherein determining the mode of the reference signal includes

[0452] • Determine the position of the reference signal in the frequency and time domains, and

[0453] • Identify the pattern among multiple reference signal patterns based on the determined location.

[0454] Determining the reference signal sequence includes determining the sequence of values ​​transmitted as a reference signal. The characteristic of a synchronization signal is the sequence of received synchronization signals, wherein determining the synchronization signal sequence includes determining the sequence of values ​​transmitted as a synchronization signal.

[0455] According to the seventh aspect provided in addition to the sixth aspect, when the processor cannot recognize the characteristics, the processor operates the paging function in order to monitor and receive paging DCI and receive paging messages.

[0456] According to the eighth aspect provided in addition to one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the reference signal is the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) of the 3GPP 5G standard, and the synchronization signal is the auxiliary synchronization signal of the 3GPP 5G standard.

[0457] According to the ninth aspect, which is provided in addition to one of the fourth to eighth aspects, multiple different configurations of the reference signal are used to indicate a paging subgroup index, and wherein a first configuration of the reference signal includes a pattern corresponding to the overlap of some or all of the patterns of the multiple reference signals indicating the paging subgroup index. The first configuration of the reference signal can be used by the UE to perform measurements, such as measurements of tracking time and / or frequency, and one or more of the serving cells.

[0458] According to the tenth aspect provided in addition to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the processor determines the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and UE identifier, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station, wherein the second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. The receiver receives the paging DCI. The processor decodes the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the decoding of the paging DCI is successful, the processor continues to operate the paging function to receive paging messages as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

[0459] According to the eleventh aspect, which is provided in addition to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the requirement requires that a subset of bits of the value derived from the UE identifier be the same as, greater than, or less than the bits representing the paging subgroup index. In an alternative embodiment, the subset of bits of the value is a plurality of the most significant bits of the value, or a plurality of the least significant bits of the value, or a plurality of the middle bits of the value. In another alternative embodiment, the requirement requires that the paging subgroup index satisfy one of the following equations:

[0460] UE_ID / N_PF == X,

[0461] UE_ID / N_PF>X,

[0462] UE_ID / N_PF <X,

[0463] UE_ID / N_PF==i*X,

[0464] UE_ID / N_PF mod Y==X, where UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging cycle configured for the UE, X represents the paging subgroup index, where i=0,1,2,3,…, and Y is a number representing the number of subgroups.

[0465] According to the twelfth aspect, which is provided in addition to one of the first to eleventh aspects, the UE identifier is a UE identifier used to distribute to multiple UEs in multiple paging frames and paging times. Optionally, the UE identifier is determined by "5G-S-TMSI mod1024", where 5G-S-TMSI is the 5G shortened temporary mobile subscriber identifier of the 3GPP 5G standard.

[0466] According to the thirteenth aspect provided in addition to one of the first to twelfth aspects, the paging function also includes: the processor searching for the paging record addressing the UE among multiple paging records in the paging message.

[0467] According to the fourteenth aspect provided in addition to the second, third, fourth, fifth, and tenth aspects, the receiver receives an instruction from the base station instructing the UE to operate in accordance with one of the aforementioned aspects 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10.

[0468] According to the fifteenth aspect, a method is provided, comprising the following steps performed by a user equipment (UE):

[0469] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0470] • Receive paging subgroup signaling from the base station.

[0471] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the received paging subgroup signaling.

[0472] • Determine how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving UE identification.

[0473] According to a sixteenth aspect, a base station is provided comprising the following: A processor of the base station operates a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel, and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines a user equipment (UE) to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines a paging subgroup index based on a requirement involving an identifier of the determined UE, and generates paging subgroup signaling based on the determined paging subgroup index. A transmitter of the base station transmits the generated paging subgroup signaling to the determined UE.

[0474] According to the seventeenth aspect, in addition to the sixteenth aspect, the transmitter sends a pre-paging DCI as paging subgroup signaling, and the fields of the pre-paging DCI include information that can be used to determine the paging subgroup index, or

[0475] The transmitter sends a paging DCI as paging subgroup signaling, and the fields of the paging DCI include information that can be used to determine the paging subgroup index, or

[0476] The transmitter sends a reference signal or a synchronization signal as paging subgroup signaling, and the processor determines the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal based on the determined paging subgroup index. The characteristics of the reference signal are one or more of a reference signal pattern and sequence, and the characteristics of the synchronization signal are a sequence of synchronization signals, or...

[0477] In this configuration, the transmitter sends a reference signal or a synchronization signal as paging subgroup signaling, and the processor determines the characteristics of the reference signal or synchronization signal based on a first paging subgroup index, which is the determined paging subgroup index. Furthermore, the transmitter sends a paging DCI including information that can be used to determine a second paging subgroup index, which can be used by the UE to determine whether to receive a paging message.

[0478] The processor determines the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the identifier of the determined UE. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station for the determined UE. The processor encodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. The transmitter sends the generated paging DCI and sends paging messages according to the instructions of the paging DCI.

[0479] In an alternative implementation, the processor determines what to use as paging subgroup signaling, including one of pre-paging DCI, paging DCI, reference signal, or synchronization signal, and wherein the transmitter sends an indication to one or more UEs including information about the result of determining what to use as paging subgroup signaling.

[0480] According to the eighteenth aspect, a method is provided, comprising the following steps performed by a base station:

[0481] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0482] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0483] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the requirements involving the identifier of the identified UE, and paging subgroup signaling is generated based on the determined paging subgroup index, and

[0484] • Send the generated paging subgroup signaling to the identified UE.

[0485] According to a nineteenth aspect, an integrated circuit is provided that controls a user equipment process, the process including the following steps performed by the user equipment:

[0486] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0487] • Receive paging subgroup signaling from the base station.

[0488] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the received paging subgroup signaling.

[0489] • Determine how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving UE identification.

[0490] According to the twentieth aspect, an integrated circuit is provided that controls a base station process, the process including the following steps performed by the base station:

[0491] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0492] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0493] • The paging subgroup index is determined based on the requirements involving the identifier of the identified UE, and paging subgroup signaling is generated based on the determined paging subgroup index, and

[0494] • Send the generated paging subgroup signaling to the identified UE.

[0495] According to the twenty-first aspect, a UE is provided comprising the following: A processor of the UE operates a paging function, the paging function including monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI), and receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The processor determines a second paging UE identity based on a first paging UE identity and a UE identifier, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station, wherein the second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. A receiver of the UE receives the paging DCI. The processor decodes the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the decoding of the paging DCI is successful, the processor continues to operate the paging function to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

[0496] According to the twenty-second aspect, in addition to the twenty-first aspect, the determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a value derived from the UE identifier to the first paging UE identity, and optionally, by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value to the first paging UE identity. In an optional implementation, one of the following equations is used to perform the determination of the second paging UE identity:

[0497] • P-RNTI′ = P-RNTI + (UE_ID / N_PF), or

[0498] ·P-RNTI′=P-RNTI-(UE_ID / N_PF)

[0499] • P-RNTI′ = P-RNTI + (UE_ID / N_PF) + OFFSET, or

[0500] ·P-RNTI′=P-RNTI-(UE_ID / N_PF)-OFFSET

[0501] Wherein, P-RNTI′ represents the second paging UE identity, P-RNTI represents the first paging UE identity, UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging cycle configured for the UE, and OFFSET represents the cell-specific offset value.

[0502] According to aspect twenty-three, a method is provided, comprising the following steps performed by a user equipment (UE):

[0503] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0504] The second paging UE identity is determined based on the first paging UE identity and UE identifier. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station, while the second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI.

[0505] • Receive paging DCI,

[0506] • Decode the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity.

[0507] If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, continue operating the paging function to receive paging messages as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

[0508] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, a base station is provided comprising the following: A processor operates a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel, and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines a user equipment (UE) to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines a second paging UE identity based on a first paging UE identity and an identifier of the determined UE, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station for the determined UE. The processor encodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. A transmitter transmits the generated paging DCI and transmits a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI.

[0509] According to aspect twenty-five, a method is provided, comprising the following steps performed by a base station:

[0510] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0511] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0512] The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the identifier of the determined UE. The identity of the first paging UE is configured by the base station for the determined UE.

[0513] • Encode the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity.

[0514] • Send the generated paging DCI and send paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0515] According to a twenty-sixth aspect, an integrated circuit is provided that controls a user equipment process, the process including the following steps performed by the user equipment:

[0516] • Operate the paging function, which includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and paging messages being sent from the base station.

[0517] The second paging UE identity is determined based on the first paging UE identity and the UE's identifier. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station, while the second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI.

[0518] • Receive paging DCI,

[0519] • Decode the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity.

[0520] If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, continue with the paging function to proceed with the paging according to the decoded data.

[0521] The DCI indicates that the recipient should receive the paging message.

[0522] According to the twenty-seventh aspect, an integrated circuit is provided that controls a base station process, the process including the following steps performed by the base station:

[0523] • Operate the paging function, which includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0524] • Determine the user equipment that you want to use the paging function for paging.

[0525] The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the identifier of the determined UE. The identity of the first paging UE is configured by the base station for the determined UE.

[0526] • Encode the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity.

[0527] • Send the generated paging DCI and send paging messages as instructed by the paging DCI.

[0528] Hardware and software implementations of this disclosure

[0529] This disclosure can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments can be implemented in part or in whole by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be controlled in part or in whole by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. An LSI can be formed as a single chip, or a chip can be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. An LSI may include data inputs and outputs coupled thereto. Depending on the level of integration, the LSI here may be referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra-LSI. However, the technology for implementing integrated circuits is not limited to LSIs and can be implemented using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or special-purpose processors. Furthermore, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and settings of the circuit cells arranged within the LSI can be reconfigured, can be used. This disclosure can be implemented as digital or analog processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces the LSI due to advancements in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, these functional blocks can be integrated using future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0530] This disclosure can be implemented by any kind of communication-enabled device, apparatus or system (referred to as a communication device).

[0531] Communication devices may include transceivers and processing / control circuitry. A transceiver may include and / or act as both a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver (as both a transmitter and a receiver) may include an RF (radio frequency) module, which includes amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators, and one or more antennas.

[0532] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include telephones (e.g., cellular phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, remote health / telemedicine (remote health and medical) devices, and vehicles that provide communication capabilities (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships) and various combinations thereof.

[0533] The communication device is not limited to portable or mobile devices, and may also include any kind of non-portable or stationary device, equipment or system, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines and any other “thing” in the Internet of Things (IoT) network.

[0534] Communication can include exchanging data through, for example, cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, and various combinations thereof.

[0535] The communication device may include a device such as a controller or sensor coupled to a communication device that performs the communication functions described in this disclosure. For example, the communication device may include a controller or sensor that generates control signals or data signals used by a communication device that performs the communication functions of the communication device.

[0536] The communication device may also include infrastructure such as base stations, access points, and any other device, equipment, or system that communicates with or controls the device (such as the device in the non-limiting example above).

[0537] Furthermore, various embodiments can also be implemented via software modules, which are executed by a processor or directly in the hardware. Combinations of software modules and hardware implementations are also possible. Software modules can be stored on any type of computer-readable storage medium, such as RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, registers, hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc. It should also be noted that various features of different embodiments can individually or in any combination form the subject matter of another embodiment.

[0538] Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and / or modifications can be made to this disclosure as illustrated in the specific embodiments. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: A processor that operates a paging function, the paging function including monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI), and including receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The receiver receives paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The processor determines the paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The processor determines how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving the UE identifier. The paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal. The determination of the paging subgroup index includes determining the characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal, and then determining a first paging subgroup index as the paging subgroup index based on the determined characteristics. Specifically, determining how to operate the paging function includes, if the determined first paging subgroup index meets the requirements, determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive the paging message. Upon receiving the paging DCI, the processor uses information from the fields of the paging DCI to determine the second paging subgroup index. The processor determines whether to receive the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI based on whether the determined second paging subgroup index meets the second requirement involving the UE identifier.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, Determining whether to receive the paging message includes determining whether the combination of the first paging subgroup index and the second paging subgroup index satisfies the second requirement.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, The characteristics of the reference signal are one or more of the modes and sequences of the received reference signal, wherein determining the mode of the reference signal includes: ◦ Determine the position of the reference signal in the frequency domain and time domain, and Based on the determined location, the pattern is identified among multiple reference signal patterns. Determining the reference signal sequence includes determining a sequence of values ​​transmitted as the reference signal. Furthermore, the characteristic of the synchronization signal is a sequence of received synchronization signals, wherein determining the synchronization signal sequence includes determining a sequence of values ​​transmitted as the synchronization signal.

4. The UE according to claim 3, wherein, If the processor cannot recognize the characteristic, the processor operates the paging function to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive the paging message.

5. The UE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The reference signal is the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) of the 3GPP 5G standard, and the synchronization signal is the auxiliary synchronization signal of the 3GPP 5G standard.

6. The UE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Multiple different configurations of the reference signal are used to indicate paging subgroup indexes, and wherein a first configuration of the reference signal includes a pattern corresponding to the overlap of some or all of the patterns of the multiple reference signals indicating the paging subgroup indexes, the first configuration of the reference signal being usable by the UE to perform measurements, including measurements of tracking time and / or frequency and one or more of the serving cells.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, The processor determines the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the UE identifier. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station. The second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. The receiver receives the paging DCI. The processor decodes the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, the processor continues to operate the paging function to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

8. The UE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The requirement stipulates that a subset of bits of the value derived from the UE identifier is the same as, greater than, or less than the bits representing the paging subgroup index.

9. The UE according to claim 8, wherein, The bit subset of the value is a plurality of the most significant bits of the value, a plurality of the least significant bits of the value, or a plurality of the middle bits of the value.

10. The UE according to claim 9, wherein, The requirement stipulates that the paging subgroup index satisfies one of the following equations: 1) UE_ID / N_PF == X, 2) UE_ID / N_PF > X, 3) UE_ID / N_PF < X, 4) UE_ID / N_PF == i*X, 5) UE_ID / N_PF mod Y== X, Wherein, UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging cycle configured for the UE, X represents the paging subgroup index, where i = 0, 1, 2, 3, …, and Y is a number representing the number of subgroups.

11. The UE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The UE identifier is a UE identifier used to distribute to multiple UEs in multiple paging frames and paging times.

12. The UE according to claim 11, wherein, The UE identifier is determined by "5G-S-TMSI mod 1024", where 5G-S-TMSI is the 5G shortened temporary mobile subscriber identifier of the 3GPP 5G standard.

13. The UE according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The paging function further includes: the processor searching for the paging record addressing the UE among multiple paging records in the paging message.

14. The UE according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 7, wherein, The receiver receives an instruction from the base station, the instruction instructing the UE to operate according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 7.

15. A method comprising the following steps performed by a user equipment (UE): The paging function includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and the paging messages being sent from a base station. Receive paging subgroup signaling from the base station The paging subgroup index is determined based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The paging function is operated based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving UE identification. in, The paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal. The determination of the paging subgroup index includes determining the characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal, and then determining a first paging subgroup index as the paging subgroup index based on the determined characteristics. Specifically, determining how to operate the paging function includes, if the determined first paging subgroup index meets the requirements, determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive the paging message. Specifically, upon receiving the paging DCI, information from the fields of the paging DCI is used to determine the second paging subgroup index. Whether to receive the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI is determined based on whether the determined second paging subgroup index meets the second requirement involving the UE identifier.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Determining whether to receive the paging message includes determining whether the combination of the first paging subgroup index and the second paging subgroup index satisfies the second requirement.

17. A base station, comprising: A processor that operates a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel, and including transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines the paging subgroup index based on the requirement involving the identifier of the determined UE, and generates paging subgroup signaling based on the determined paging subgroup index. The transmitter sends the generated paging subgroup signaling to the identified UE. The transmitter sends a reference signal or a synchronization signal as the paging subgroup signaling, and The processor determines the characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal based on a first paging subgroup index, which is the determined paging subgroup index. The transmitter sends a paging DCI that includes information that can be used to determine a second paging subgroup index, which can be used by the UE to determine whether to receive the paging message.

18. The base station according to claim 17, wherein, The processor determines the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the identifier of the determined UE. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station for the determined UE. The processor encodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. The transmitter sends the generated paging DCI and sends the paging message according to the instructions of the paging DCI.

19. A method comprising the following steps performed by a base station: The paging function includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as indicated by the paging DCI. Determine the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The paging subgroup index is determined based on the requirements involving the identifier of the identified UE, and paging subgroup signaling is generated based on the determined paging subgroup index. The generated paging subgroup signaling is sent to the identified UE. in, The paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal, and The characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal are determined based on the first paging subgroup index, which is the determined paging subgroup index, and A paging DCI is sent, which includes information that can be used to determine a second paging subgroup index, which the UE can use to determine whether to receive the paging message.

20. An integrated circuit for controlling a user equipment process, said integrated circuit comprising: A first circuit controls the user equipment to operate a paging function. The paging function includes monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving a paging message, the DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The second circuit controls the user equipment to receive paging subgroup signaling from the base station. The first circuit controls the user equipment to determine the paging subgroup index based on the received paging subgroup signaling. The first circuit controls the user equipment to determine how to operate the paging function based on whether the determined paging subgroup index meets the requirements involving the UE identifier. The paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal. The determination of the paging subgroup index includes determining the characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal, and then determining a first paging subgroup index as the paging subgroup index based on the determined characteristics. Specifically, determining how to operate the paging function includes, if the determined first paging subgroup index meets the requirements, determining to monitor and receive the paging DCI and to receive the paging message. Upon receiving the paging DCI, the first circuit controls the user equipment to use information from the fields of the paging DCI to determine the second paging subgroup index. The first circuit controls the user equipment to determine whether to receive the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI, based on whether the determined second paging subgroup index meets the second requirement involving the UE identifier.

21. The integrated circuit according to claim 20, wherein, Determining whether to receive the paging message includes determining whether the combination of the first paging subgroup index and the second paging subgroup index satisfies the second requirement.

22. An integrated circuit for controlling a base station process, said integrated circuit comprising: A first circuit controls the base station to operate a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The first circuit controls the base station to determine the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The first circuit controls the base station to determine a paging subgroup index based on a requirement involving the identifier of the determined UE, and to generate paging subgroup signaling based on the determined paging subgroup index. The second circuit controls the base station to send the generated paging subgroup signaling to the determined UE. Wherein, the paging subgroup signaling is a reference signal or a synchronization signal, and The first circuit controls the base station to determine the characteristics of the reference signal or the characteristics of the synchronization signal based on a first paging subgroup index, which is the determined paging subgroup index. The second circuit controls the base station to send a paging DCI including information that can be used to determine a second paging subgroup index, which can be used by the UE to determine whether to receive the paging message.

23. A user equipment (UE), comprising: A processor that operates a paging function, the paging function including monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI), and including receiving a paging message, the paging DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The processor determines the second paging UE identity based on a first paging UE identity and a UE identifier. The determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value from the first paging UE identity, which is configured by the base station. The second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. Receiver that receives the paging DCI, The processor decodes the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, the processor continues to operate the paging function to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

24. The UE according to claim 23, wherein, The identity of the second paging UE is determined using one of the following equations: • P-RNTI' = P-RNTI + (UE_ID / N_PF) + OFFSET, or ◦P-RNTI' = P-RNTI - (UE_ID / N_PF) -OFFSET Wherein, P-RNTI' represents the second paging UE identity, P-RNTI represents the first paging UE identity, UE_ID represents the UE identifier, N_PF represents the number of paging frames in the paging period configured for the UE, and OFFSET represents the cell-specific offset value.

25. A method comprising the following steps performed by a user equipment (UE): The paging function includes monitoring the downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving paging messages, the paging DCI and the paging messages being sent from a base station. The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the UE identifier, wherein, The determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value to the first paging UE identity, which is configured by the base station. The second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. Receive the paging DCI, The paging DCI is decoded based on the second paging UE identity. If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, the paging function continues to operate in order to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

26. A base station, comprising: A processor that operates a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel, and including transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The processor determines the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The processor determines the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the identifier of the determined UE. The determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value from the first paging UE identity, which is configured by the base station for the determined UE. The processor encodes the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. A transmitter that sends the generated paging DCI and sends the paging message as indicated by the paging DCI.

27. A method comprising the following steps performed by a base station: The paging function includes transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on the downlink control channel and transmitting paging messages as indicated by the paging DCI. Determine the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The identity of the second paging UE is determined based on the identity of the first paging UE and the identifier of the determined UE, wherein, The determination of the identity of the second paging UE is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value to the identity of the first paging UE, the identity of which is configured by the base station for the determined UE. The paging DCI is encoded using the second paging UE identity. Send the generated paging DCI, and send the paging message as instructed by the paging DCI.

28. An integrated circuit for controlling a user equipment process, said integrated circuit comprising: A first circuit controls the user equipment to operate a paging function. The paging function includes monitoring a downlink control channel to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) and receiving a paging message, the DCI and the paging message being transmitted from a base station. The first circuit controls the user equipment to determine the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the UE identifier. The determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value from the first paging UE identity. The first paging UE identity is configured by the base station. The second paging UE identity can be used by the UE to decode the paging DCI. The second circuit controls the user equipment to receive the paging DCI. The first circuit controls the user equipment to decode the paging DCI based on the second paging UE identity. If the paging DCI is successfully decoded, the first circuit controls the user equipment to continue operating the paging function so as to receive the paging message as indicated by the decoded paging DCI.

29. An integrated circuit for controlling a base station process, said integrated circuit comprising: A first circuit controls the base station to operate a paging function, the paging function including transmitting paging downlink control information (DCI) on a downlink control channel and transmitting a paging message as indicated by the paging DCI. The first circuit controls the base station to determine the user equipment to be paged using the paging function. The first circuit controls the base station to determine the second paging UE identity based on the first paging UE identity and the identifier of the determined UE. The determination of the second paging UE identity is performed by adding or subtracting a radio cell-specific offset value from the first paging UE identity, the first paging UE identity being configured by the base station for the determined UE. The first circuit controls the base station to encode the paging DCI using the second paging UE identity. The second circuit controls the base station to send the generated paging DCI and to send the paging message according to the instructions of the paging DCI.

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