Release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states

Abstract

This document discloses the release of information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. It describes the techniques and apparatus used to release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. To improve communication performance, a user equipment (UE) releases dedicated cell selection information that may be inappropriate when the UE moves to a different geographical location and transitions to a different resource control state. Various situations cause the UE to release dedicated cell selection information, including: performing a cell selection process that does not support the selection of another cell in an inactive state, processing paging messages, or transitioning from an inactive state to an idle state. By releasing dedicated cell selection information, the UE performs future cell selection processes without relying on the dedicated cell selection information. As a result, the UE can select the optimal cell to achieve target communication performance under different resource control states.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201980005302.9, filed on June 18, 2019. Technical Field

[0003] This application generally relates to releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control conditions. Background Technology

[0004] The evolution of wireless communication towards fifth-generation (5G) standards and technologies offers higher data rates and greater capacity, along with improved reliability and lower latency, thereby enhancing mobile broadband services. 5G technology also enables new service categories for vehicles, fixed wireless broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The specifications for the characteristics of the 5G air interface for user equipment (UE) are defined as 5G New Radio (5G NR).

[0005] As a UE moves to different geographical locations, it is important to select a given cell to achieve the desired communication performance. Some cell selection processes consider factors such as radio frequency (RF) carrier priority, cell reference priority, radio link quality, and signal strength. Sometimes, the network provides cell selection information to the UE to bias or increase the likelihood of a given cell or cell type being selected by the UE. However, in some cases, this information may lead the UE to select a suboptimal cell. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Techniques and apparatus are described that enable the release of dedicated cell selection information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. The described techniques and apparatus are designed to improve communication performance by triggering the release of dedicated cell selection information that may be inappropriate when a user equipment (UE) moves to a different geographical location and transitions to a different resource control state. By releasing the dedicated cell selection information, the UE can select the optimal cell to achieve target communication performance under different resource control states.

[0007] The aspects described below include a method performed by a UE to release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. The method includes storing dedicated cell selection information and operating in an inactive state to suspend connection to the current cell. The method also includes performing at least one action from a set of actions. This set of actions may include: performing a cell selection process in the inactive state that selects another cell associated with a core network that does not support the inactive state (the selection of the other cell may be triggered based on detected movement of the UE's geographic area), processing a paging message, or transitioning from the inactive state to an idle state to release connection to the current cell. The method also includes releasing the dedicated cell selection information based on at least one action from the set of actions so that subsequent cell selection processes can select an alternative cell independently of the dedicated cell selection information. The method may further include: receiving a request message including dedicated cell selection information; and transitioning to an inactive state based on the request message.

[0008] The aspects described below include a UE having a radio frequency transceiver. The UE also includes a processor and memory system configured to perform any of the methods described.

[0009] The aspects described below also include a system having means for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The following figures describe apparatus and techniques for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to denote similar features and components:

[0011] Figure 1 The illustration shows an example wireless network environment where releasing information can improve cell selection under different resource control states.

[0012] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example device diagram of user equipment used to release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states.

[0013] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example environment where user equipment releases information to improve cell selection under different resource control states.

[0014] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example method for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states.

[0015] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates another example method for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states.

[0016] Figure 6The diagram illustrates an example method for utilizing different dedicated cell selection information for different resource control states.

[0017] Figure 7 This illustrates yet another example method for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Overview

[0019] This document describes the techniques and devices that enable the release of information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. In some cases, dedicated cell selection information can be provided to the User Equipment (UE) that biases or increases the likelihood of the UE selecting a given cell or cell type. When the UE moves to a different geographic location, dedicated cell selection information may cause the UE to select a suboptimal cell that does not achieve the desired performance. Suboptimal cells may, for example, lack signal strength, or fail to utilize the desired radio frequency, etc. This dedicated cell selection information can also be retained when the UE transitions to a different resource control state, such as from an inactive state to an idle state. Therefore, this dedicated cell selection information may not be appropriately configured for the current state.

[0020] The described technology and equipment are designed to improve communication performance by triggering the UE to release dedicated cell selection information. The release of dedicated cell selection information can occur when the UE is inactive or idle. By releasing dedicated cell selection information, the UE can select the optimal cell to achieve target communication performance under different resource control states.

[0021] Example Environment

[0022] Figure 1The illustration shows an example environment 100 that can implement parallel beamforming training using cooperative base stations. Environment 100 includes multiple UEs 110, illustrated as UE 111, UE 112, and UE 113. Each UE 110 communicates with one or more base stations 120 (illustrated as base stations 121, 122, 123, and 124) via one or more wireless communication links 130 (wireless links 130) illustrated as wireless links 131 and 132. Although illustrated as a smartphone, UE 110 can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, modem, cellular phone, gaming device, navigation device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smart home appliance, vehicle-based communication system, etc. Base station 120 (e.g., Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN Node B, Evolved Node B, eNodeB, eNB, Next Generation Evolved Node B, ng-eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB, etc.) can be implemented in macro cells, micro cells, small cells, pico cells, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0023] Base station 120 communicates with UE 110 using radio links 131 and 132, which can be implemented as any suitable type of radio link. Radio links 131 and 132 may include downlinks transmitting data and control information from base station 120 to UE 110, uplinks transmitting other data and control information from UE 110 to base station 120, or both. Radio link 130 includes one or more radio links or bearers implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, or a combination of communication protocols or standards, such as 3GPP LTE, eLTE, 5G NR, 4G, etc. Carrier aggregation can be used to aggregate multiple radio links 130 to provide a higher data rate for UE 110. Multiple radio links 130 from multiple base stations 120 can be configured for Co-op Multi-Point Communication (CoMP) with UE 110.

[0024] Base stations 120 are all part of a radio access network 140 (RAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, 5G NR RAN, or NR RAN) that uses Radio Access Technology (RAT). RAN 140 includes NR RAN 141 and E-UTRAN 142. Figure 1In this configuration, core network 190 includes a fifth-generation core (5GC) network 150 (5GC 150) and an evolved packet core (EPC) network 160 (EPC 160), which are different types of core networks. Base stations 121 and 123 in NR RAN 141 are connected to 5GC 150. Base stations 122 and 124 in E-UTRAN 142 are connected to EPC 160. Optionally or additionally, base station 122 is connected to both the 5GC 150 and EPC 160 networks.

[0025] Base stations 121 and 123 connect to 5GC 150 at locations 102 and 104, respectively, using the NG2 interface for control plane signaling and the NG3 interface for user plane data communication. Base stations 122 and 124 connect to EPC 160 at locations 106 and 108, respectively, using the S1 interface for control plane signaling and user plane data communication. If base station 122 connects to both 5GC 150 and EPC 160, then at location 180, base station 122 can connect to 5GC 150 using the NG2 interface for control plane signaling and the NG3 interface for user plane data communication. In addition to connections to the core network 190, base stations 120 can also communicate with each other. For example, base stations 121 and 123 communicate using the Xn interface at location 112. Base stations 122 and 124 communicate using the X2 interface at location 114. Base stations 122 and 123 can communicate using the Xn interface at location 116 to perform a handover procedure.

[0026] 5GC 150 includes Access and Mobility Management Function 152 (AMF 152), which provides control plane functions such as registration and authentication, authorization, and mobility management for multiple UEs 110 in the 5G NR network. EPC 160 includes Mobility Management Entity 162 (MME 162), which provides control plane functions such as registration and authentication, authorization, and mobility management for multiple UEs 110 in the E-UTRAN network. AMF 152 and MME 162 communicate with base station 120 in RAN 140 and also communicate with multiple UEs 110 through base station 120. Further description regarding... Figure 2 Components of UE 110.

[0027] Example device

[0028] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example device diagram 200 for UE 110. For clarity, UE 110 may include components from... Figure 2Additional functions and interfaces omitted. UE 110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency (RF) front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), an LTE transceiver 206, and a 5G NR transceiver 208 for communicating with one or more base stations 120 in RAN 140. The RF front-end 204 couples or connects the LTE transceiver 206 and the 5G NR transceiver 208 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 202 may include an array of multiple antennas configured to be similar to or different from each other. The antenna 202 and the RF front-end 204 may be tuned to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE and 5G NR communication standards and implemented by the LTE transceiver 206 and / or the 5G NR transceiver 208.

[0029] UE 110 also includes one or more processors 210 and computer-readable storage medium 212 (CRM 212). Processor 210 may be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. The computer-readable storage medium does not include propagating signals, and CRM 212 includes any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory that can be used to store device data 214 of UE 110. Device data 214 includes user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and / or the operating system of UE 110, which can be executed by processor 210 to enable user plane communication, control plane signaling, and user interaction with UE 110.

[0030] CRM 212 also includes a resource control module 216. Alternatively or additionally, the resource control module 216 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the UE 110. The resource control module 216 may implement a radio resource control (RRC) layer, as described in various specifications such as eLTE and 5G NR. The resource control module 216 configures the LTE transceiver 206 or the 5G NR transceiver 208 for the current resource control state 218 and performs a cell selection procedure. Specifically, the resource control module 216 configures the UE 110 to operate according to a specific resource control state 218.

[0031] Typically, different resource control states 218 have different amounts or types of available resources, which can affect power consumption within the UE 110. Example resource control states 218 include a connected (e.g., active) state 220 and a disconnected state 230. The disconnected state 230 includes an inactive state 232 and an idle state 234, and typically consumes less power than the connected state 220. In the connected state 220, the UE 110 is actively connected to the base station 120. In the inactive state 232, the UE 110 suspends connectivity with the base station 120, retaining information that allows for a quick re-establishment of connectivity with the base station 120. In the idle state 234, the UE 110 releases its connection to the base station 120. Some of the resource control states 218 may be limited to certain radio access technologies. For example, the inactive state 232 may be supported in eLTE and 5G NR, but not in 3G or other 4G standards. Other resource control states such as the connected state 220 or the idle state 234 may be common or compatible across multiple RATs. Resource control module 216 can at least partially release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states 218, such as in Figures 3-7 Further details are provided below.

[0032] Release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states

[0033] Figure 3 This is example environment 300 where UE 110 releases information to improve cell selection under different resource control states. In example environment 300, UE 110 and base station 120 communicate via... Figure 1 The UE 110 communicates via radio link 130. Different situations can cause the UE 110 to transition between different resource control states 218, as described in further detail below. In inactive state 232 or idle state 234, the UE 110 can perform a cell selection process, which involves... Figure 3 Map 302, shown at the bottom, provides further details.

[0034] Map 302 illustrates that UE 110 is physically located among multiple base stations 121, 122, and 124 (e.g., cell sites). Considering that UE 110 is in connected state 220 and has previously established a connection with base station 121, base station 121 uses a RAT that supports inactive state 232, such as eLTE or 5G NG. Base station 121 can be, for example, a gNB, and... Figure 1 The ng-eNB connected to the 5GC 150 shown or the eNB connected to the 5GC 150 are shown.

[0035] Base station 121 sends a request message 304 to UE 110, which instructs UE 110 to transition from connected state 220 to inactive state 232. Request message 304 may include, for example, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message (e.g., an RRC Release message) according to the eLTE or 5G NR standard. Request message 304 includes dedicated cell selection information 306, which affects the cell selection process performed by UE 110. Cell selection information 306 may include at least one of the following: cell selection or cell reselection priority information (e.g., idleModeMobilityControlInfo or cellReselectionPriorities in the eLTE or 5G NR standard), deprioritization information (e.g., deprioritizationReq in the eLTE or 5G NR standard), or cell redirection information. In some cases, dedicated cell selection information 306 may also include a timer to indicate the duration (e.g., a given time frame) for which UE 110 intends to use dedicated cell selection information 306 in the cell selection process. When the timer expires, UE 110 can release the dedicated cell selection information 306.

[0036] When UE 110 moves to a different geographical location, such as towards base station 124, while in inactive state 232, UE 110 can perform a cell selection procedure to select or determine another cell (e.g., another base station 120). This cell selection procedure, also known as a cell reselection procedure, allows UE 110 to change or switch to a different base station 120. However, the dedicated cell selection information 306 provided by request message 304 can influence the cell selection procedure and cause UE 110 to favor selecting base station 120 that supports inactive state 232. In some cases, due to the dedicated cell selection information 306, the selected base station 120 does not correspond to the optimal cell providing the target communication performance.

[0037] Consider the scenario where base station 124 does not support inactive state 232 (e.g., supports technologies other than eLTE and 5G NR) while base station 122 supports inactive state 232. For example, base station 124 provides Node B cell, and... Figure 1The EPC160 shown is connected to an ng-eNB cell, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell, or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cell. On the other hand, base station 122 provides a 5GC cell (e.g., a gNB cell or an ng eNB cell connected to 5GC 150) or an eLTE cell. In this example, dedicated cell selection information 306 increases the priority of base station 122, which increases the likelihood of selecting base station 122, even if base station 124 provides a higher signal strength or utilizes a higher priority frequency relative to base station 122.

[0038] To allow the optimal cell (e.g., base station 124) to be selected, UE 110 releases dedicated cell selection information 306 in inactive state 232. For example, dedicated cell selection information 306 may be released after a first cell selection process is performed in inactive state 232, or in response to the first cell selection process selecting a cell supporting technologies other than eLTE and 5G NR while inactive state 232. By releasing dedicated cell selection information 306, subsequent cell selection processes do not utilize dedicated cell selection information 306 and are therefore more likely to select the optimal cell. In some cases, UE 110 may release dedicated cell selection information 306 before a timer associated with dedicated cell selection information 306 expires, or if that timer is terminated or stopped (e.g., in response to processing a Public LAN Mobile Network (PLMN) selection request or in response to transitioning to idle state 234).

[0039] In some cases, upon receiving a paging message 308 from base station 120, UE 110 transitions from inactive state 232 to idle state 234. UE 110 transitions to idle state 234 if paging message 308 includes identifier information matching the identifier assigned to UE 110 (e.g., ue-Identity included in PagingRecord). Paging message 308 can be a core network (CN) paging message. Although cells that do not support inactive state 232 can support idle state 234, dedicated cell selection information 306 can continue to reduce the likelihood of UE 110 selecting these cells if this information has not yet been released. To achieve unbiased cell selection in idle state 234, UE 110 releases dedicated cell selection information 306 before or after transitioning to idle state 234. After releasing dedicated cell selection information 306, UE 110 uses public cell selection information from system information messages in future cell selection processes.

[0040] Example Method

[0041] Figure 4 and Figure 5Exemplary methods 400 and 500 of a UE 110 for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states are depicted. Methods 400 and 500 are shown as a set of operations (or actions) performed, but are not necessarily limited to the illustrated order or combination of these operations. Furthermore, any one or more of the operations may be repeated, combined, reorganized, skipped, or connected to provide a wide variety of additional and / or alternative methods. References may be made in the sections discussed below. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Environments 100 and 300 and in Figure 2 The entities detailed herein are for illustrative purposes only. This technique is not limited to being performed by a single entity or multiple entities operating on a single device.

[0042] exist Figure 4 At point 402, the UE receives a request message including dedicated cell selection information. For example, UE 110 receives... Figure 3 The request message 304 is sent by base station 120. Request message 304 includes dedicated cell selection information 306. Different types of dedicated cell selection information 306 include cell selection priority information or cell reselection priority information (e.g., idleModeMobilityControlInfo or cellReselectionPriorities), depriority information (e.g., depriorityReq), cell redirection information, timers, or combinations thereof. Request message 304 may be an RCRelease message.

[0043] At position 404, the UE transitions to an inactive state based on a request message to suspend connection to the current cell. For example, Figure 2 Resource control module 216 transitions UE 110 from connected state 220 to inactive state 232. Inactive state 232 is a type of resource control state 218 that suspends the connection to the current cell (e.g., to base station 120). In some cases, the current cell is a gNB cell, an ng-enB cell connected to 5GC 150, or an eNB connected to 5GC 150.

[0044] At 406, the UE uses dedicated cell selection information 306 to perform a cell selection process to select an alternative cell. For example, resource control module 216 uses dedicated cell selection information 306 to perform a cell selection process to select another cell or another base station 120. In some cases, the cell selection process can reselect the current cell.

[0045] At 408, the UE releases dedicated cell selection information in response to alternative cells including inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) cells that do not support inactive states. For example, if the alternative cell is a Node B cell, an ng-eNB cell connected to EPC 160, a GSM cell, or a CDMA cell, resource control module 216 releases dedicated cell selection information 306. In other words, the alternative cell does not use or support the eLTE or 5G NR standard. By releasing dedicated cell selection information 306, resource control module 216 can perform subsequent cell selection procedures independently of (e.g., without relying on) dedicated cell selection information 306. In some cases, resource control module 216 utilizes public cell selection information provided by system information messages to perform subsequent cell selection procedures.

[0046] exist Figure 5 At point 502, the UE receives a request message including dedicated cell selection information, such as in... Figure 4 Position 402 is described above.

[0047] At position 504, the UE transitions to an inactive state based on a request message to suspend connection to the current cell. For example, resource control module 216 based on... Figure 3 Request message 304 causes UE 110 to transition to an inactive state 232, as in Figure 4 The 404th position is described above.

[0048] At point 506, the UE transitions from an inactive state to an idle state to release the connection to the current cell. The transition from inactive to idle includes releasing dedicated cell selection information before performing subsequent cell selection procedures. For example, resource control module 216 transitions UE 110 from inactive state 232 to idle state 234. Idle state 234 is a type of resource control state 218 that releases the connection to the current cell or current base station 120.

[0049] In some cases, resource control module 216 transitions to idle state 234 in response to receiving paging message 308. At 508, the UE processes the paging message. For example, UE 110 processes paging message 308, and resource control module 216 transitions to idle state 234 in response to processing paging message 308.

[0050] As part of the transition from an inactive state to an idle state, resource control module 216 releases dedicated cell selection information 306 before performing subsequent cell selection procedures. Dedicated cell selection information 306 can be released while UE 110 is in an inactive state 232 or an idle state 234. By releasing dedicated cell selection information 306, resource control module 216 can perform subsequent cell selection procedures without using dedicated cell selection information 306, which is applicable when resource control module 216 is in an idle state 234.

[0051] Figure 6 An exemplary method 600 is depicted for a UE 110 utilizing different dedicated cell selection information for different resource control states. Method 600 is shown as a set of operations (or actions) performed, but is not necessarily limited to the sequence or combination of the illustrated operations. Furthermore, any one or more operations may be repeated, combined, reorganized, skipped, or connected to provide a wide variety of additional and / or alternative methods. References may be made in the sections discussed below. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Environments 100 and 300 and Figure 2 The entities described in detail are for illustrative purposes only. This technique is not limited to being performed by a single entity or multiple entities operating on a single device.

[0052] At position 602, the UE receives a request message including first private cell selection information and second private cell selection information. For example, UE 110 receives... Figure 3 The request message 304 includes at least two private cell selection information 306 associated with different resource control states 218. The first private cell selection information 306 is considered to be associated with the inactive state 232 and the second private cell selection information 306 is considered to be associated with the idle state 234.

[0053] At position 604, the UE transitions to an inactive state based on a request message. The inactive state suspends connections to the current cell. Similar to... Figure 4 404 Figure 2 The resource control module 216 causes UE 110 to transition to an inactive state 232. The inactive state 232 suspends the connection to the current cell or base station 120.

[0054] At 606, the UE uses the first dedicated cell selection information 306 to perform a first cell selection procedure in an inactive state. For example, resource control module 216 uses the first dedicated cell selection information 306 to perform the first cell selection procedure. In some cases, the first dedicated cell selection information 306 is released in response to performing the first cell selection procedure, such as in... Figure 4As described at point 408. If the first dedicated cell selection information 306 is not released after the first cell selection process is executed, the first dedicated cell selection information 306 can be reused in subsequent cell selection processes executed in inactive state 232.

[0055] At point 608, the UE transitions from an inactive state to an idle state. The idle state releases the connection to the alternative cell. For example, resource control module 216 transitions UE 110 from inactive state 232 to idle state 234, as... Figure 5 As described in point 506 of the text.

[0056] At 610, the UE uses the second dedicated cell selection information to perform a second cell selection process in the idle state to select another cell. For example, the resource control module 216 uses the second dedicated cell selection information 306 to perform the second cell selection process. Because the second dedicated cell selection information 306 is unique for the idle state 234, the second dedicated cell selection information 306 enables the cell selection process to select the optimal cell to achieve the target performance.

[0057] Figure 7 An example method 700 for releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states is depicted in UE 110. Method 700 is shown as a set of operations (or actions) performed, but is not necessarily limited to the order or combination of operations shown. Furthermore, any one or more operations may be repeated, combined, reorganized, skipped, or connected to provide a wide variety of additional and / or alternative methods. References may be made in the sections discussed below. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Environments 100 and 300 and in Figure 2 The entities described in detail are for illustrative purposes only. This technique is not limited to being performed by a single entity or multiple entities operating on a single device.

[0058] At position 702, the UE stores dedicated cell selection information. For example, UE 110 stores... Figure 3 Dedicated cell selection information 306. In some cases, UE 110 from Figure 3 The request message 304 receives dedicated cell selection information 306, which in Figure 4 The 402nd position is described above.

[0059] At 704, the UE operates in an inactive state to suspend the connection to the current cell. For example, resource control module 216 causes UE 110 to operate in an inactive state 232 to suspend the connection to the current cell. In some cases, resource control module 216 suspends the connection in response to UE 110 receiving request message 304.

[0060] The UE performs at least one action from the set of actions described at 706, 708, and 710. At 706, the UE performs a cell selection procedure to select another cell in an inactive state. This other cell is associated with a core network that does not support the inactive state. For example, resource control module 216 performs a cell selection procedure in inactive state 232 that selects another cell associated with a core network such as EPC 160 that does not support inactive state 232. In some cases, UE 110 transitions from inactive state 232 to idle state 234 in response to the selection of this other cell.

[0061] At position 708, the UE processes the paging message. For example, UE 110 processes... Figure 3 Paging message 308. In some cases, paging message 308 instructs UE 110 to transition from inactive state 232 to idle state 234.

[0062] At 710, the UE transitions from an inactive state to an idle state to release its connection to the current cell. For example, UE110 transitions from inactive state 232 to idle state 234.

[0063] At 712, the UE releases dedicated cell selection information based on at least one action from the action set, enabling subsequent cell selection processes to select an alternative cell independently of the dedicated cell selection information. For example, resource control module 216 releases dedicated cell selection information 306 based on the occurrence of one or more actions described above at 706, 708, and 710. This allows subsequent cell selection processes to select an alternative cell independently of the dedicated cell selection information.

[0064] in conclusion

[0065] Although techniques and apparatuses including the use of release information to improve cell selection under different resource control states have been described in language specific to features and / or methods, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific functions or methods described. Rather, specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments of releasing information to improve cell selection under different resource control states.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: The eNB base station receives IdleModeMobilityControlInfo from the evolved Node B for the user equipment to use for cell reselection. Store the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo; Operating in an inactive state to suspend the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection to the first cell of the eNB; In the inactive state, a cell reselection process is performed to select a second cell associated with a core network that does not support the inactive state; The process transitions from the inactive state to the idle state to release the RRC connection to the first cell; and In response to the transition to the idle state: Release the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second community includes: Node B cell; Evolved Node B cell connected to the Evolved Packet Core; Another ng-eNB cell connected to the evolved packet core; Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell; or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cells.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving includes receiving a request message that includes the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive system information messages that include public community selection information; and The public cell selection information is used to perform another cell reselection process in the idle state.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving includes receiving an RRCRelease message that includes the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo comprises at least one of the following: Priority information; or The timer duration used to specify the time when the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo is released.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The IdleModeMobilityControlInfo includes the timer duration; and Releasing the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo includes: releasing the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo before the time specified by the timer duration or at the time specified during the timer duration.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first cell includes: Next-generation node B cell; Next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB) cells connected to the fifth-generation core network; or Evolved general terrestrial radio access node B cell connected to the fifth-generation core network.

9. A user equipment, comprising: Radio frequency transceiver, the radio frequency transceiver being configured to: The eNB base station receives IdleModeMobilityControlInfo from the evolved Node B for the user equipment to use for cell reselection. and In the inactive state, a cell reselection process is performed to select a second cell associated with a core network that does not support the inactive state; and At least one processor, said at least one processor being configured to: Store the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo; The inactive state is operated to suspend the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection to the first cell of the eNB; In response to the cell reselection process, the inactive state is transitioned to the idle state to release the RRC connection to the first cell; and In response to transitioning to the idle state, the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo is released.

10. The user equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The radio frequency transceiver is also configured to receive a request message including the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo.

11. The user equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The radio frequency transceiver is also configured to receive an RCRelease message including the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo.

12. The user equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The IdleModeMobilityControlInfo includes at least one of the following: Priority information; or The timer duration used to specify the time when the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo is released.

13. The user equipment according to claim 12, wherein: The IdleModeMobilityControlInfo includes the timer duration; and The IdleModeMobilityControlInfo is released either before or at the time specified by the timer duration.

14. The user equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The radio frequency transceiver is also configured to perform another cell reselection process using another IdleModeMobilityControlInfo or public cell selection information.

15. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: The eNB base station receives IdleModeMobilityControlInfo from the evolved Node B for the user equipment to use for cell reselection. Store the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo; Operating in an inactive state to suspend the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection to the first cell of the eNB; In the inactive state, a cell reselection process is performed to select a second cell associated with a core network that does not support the inactive state; and In response to the cell reselection process: Release the IdleModeMobilityControlInfo; and The process transitions from the inactive state to the idle state to release the RRC connection to the first cell.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Use another IdleModeMobilityControlInfo or public cell selection information to perform another cell reselection process.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Receive a request message including the other IdleModeMobilityControlInfo, wherein performing the other cell reselection process includes: using the other IdleModeMobilityControlInfo to perform the cell reselection process.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Receive an RRCRelease message including the other IdleModeMobilityControlInfo, wherein performing the other cell reselection process includes: using the other IdleModeMobilityControlInfo to perform the cell reselection process.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein The other community includes: Node B cell; Evolved Node B cell connected to the Evolved Packet Core; Another ng-eNB cell connected to the evolved packet core; Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell; or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cells.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first cell comprises: Next-generation node B cell; Next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB) cell connected to the fifth-generation core network; or Evolved general terrestrial radio access node B cell connected to the fifth-generation core network.

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