Disengagement mode activity coordination set management

Abstract

This disclosure relates to out-of-sync activity coordination set management. This document describes methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses for out-of-sync activity coordination set (ACS) management. A user equipment (110) uses an ACS for joint wireless communication between the user equipment (110) and a plurality of base stations (120) included in the ACS. The user equipment (110) receives a resource configuration for an out-of-sync activity coordination set reference signal (ADRS). The user equipment (110) transitions to an out-of-sync mode (424) and receives the ADRS. The user equipment (110) determines that an updated ACS is required, transmits a message or sounding signal indicating the need for the updated ACS, and in response, receives the updated ACS from a primary base station (121).

Description

[0001] Case Analysis

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application 201980077842.8, filed on November 26, 2019. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure pertains to the management of the disengagement mode activity coordination set. Background Technology

[0004] The evolution of wireless communications towards fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) standards and technologies offers higher data rates and greater capacity, along with improved reliability and lower latency, enhancing mobile broadband services. 5G and 6G technologies also enable new categories of services for vehicles, fixed wireless broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

[0005] A unified air interface utilizing licensed, unlicensed, and shared licensed radio spectrum across multiple frequency bands is one aspect enabling 5G and 6G systems. The 5G and 6G air interface utilizes radio spectrum in bands below 1 GHz, below 6 GHz, and above 6 GHz. Radio spectrum above 6 GHz includes millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands, which provide wide channel bandwidth to support higher data rates for wireless broadband.

[0006] To improve data rates, throughput, and reliability for user equipment (UEs), 5G and 6G systems support various forms of wireless connectivity using multiple radio links between base stations and UEs. Techniques such as dual connectivity (DC) or coordinated multipoint (CoMP) communication, often combined with beamforming signaling, can improve data rates, throughput, and reliability, especially when received signal strength is reduced for UEs near the cell edge. The use of these radio link configurations increases the complexity of mobility management for maintaining high data rates and reliability for UEs.

[0007] Conventional mobility management techniques are based on base station proximity and use handover to maintain user equipment connectivity. However, conventional handover techniques based on base station proximity require user equipment to perform neighbor cell measurements and cell selection and reselection processes while the user equipment is in idle mode, which consumes some of the device's limited battery power when the user equipment is not communicating over the wireless network. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention is provided to introduce a simplified concept for managing out-of-mode activity coordination sets. The simplified concept is further described below in detail. This invention is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] In some aspects, a method for a User Equipment Maintenance Activity Coordination Set (ACS) to conduct joint wireless communication between a User Equipment and multiple base stations included in the ACS is described, wherein the User Equipment receives a message including a resource configuration for an ACS Off-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS). The User Equipment transitions to off-mode and receives the ADRS. The User Equipment determines the ACS that requires an update, signals the request for the updated ACS, and receives the updated ACS.

[0010] In another aspect, a method for managing an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) for User Equipment by a master base station is described, wherein the master base station configures resources for an Off-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) for the ACS and transmits a message to the User Equipment including the resource configuration for the ADRS. The master base station uses the resource configuration to transmit the ADRS, and in response to transmitting the ADRS, the master base station receives a request for an updated ACS and transmits the updated ACS.

[0011] Various aspects also include a user equipment configured to perform the methods described herein. A base station configured to perform the methods described herein is also provided. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described herein to be performed. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The following figures illustrate various aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management. The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures to refer to similar features and components:

[0013] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an example wireless network system in which various aspects of out-of-mode activity coordination set management can be implemented.

[0014] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates an example device capable of managing various aspects of out-of-mode activity coordination sets.

[0015] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the air interface resources that extend between the user equipment and the base station and can be used to implement various aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management technology.

[0016] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates example user equipment states that enable various aspects of out-of-mode activity coordination set management.

[0017] Figure 5 The illustration shows an example of user equipment moving through a radio access network comprising multiple base stations in contact mode, according to the disconnected mode activity coordination set management technology.

[0018] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates an example environment in which various aspects of managing a disengaged activity coordination set can be implemented.

[0019] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates an example of data and control transactions between devices in various aspects of the activity coordination set management technology according to the disengagement mode.

[0020] Figure 8 The illustrations illustrate example methods for managing off-mode activity coordination sets, which are typically associated with user equipment, according to various aspects of the techniques described herein.

[0021] Figure 9 The illustration shows an example method for managing off-mode activity coordination sets, which is typically associated with a primary base station, according to various aspects of the technology described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This document describes methods, apparatus, systems, and devices for managing an Off-Mode Activity Coordination Set (ACS). A User Equipment (UE) uses the ACS for joint wireless communication between the UE and multiple base stations included in the ACS. The UE receives resource configuration for an Off-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) for the ACS. The UE transitions to off-mode and uses the resource configuration to receive the ADRS. The UE determines which ACS requires updating, transmits a message or probe signal indicating the need for the updated ACS, and in response, receives the updated ACS from the primary base station.

[0023] In all respects, the Activity Coordination Set (ACS) is a user equipment-specific set of 5G and / or 6G base stations that can be used by user equipment for wireless communication. More specifically, base stations included in the ACS can be used for joint transmission and / or reception (joint communication, coordinated communication) between user equipment and one or more base stations in the ACS. Joint transmission and / or reception technologies include CoMP, single-RAT dual connectivity (single-RAT DC), and / or multiple-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC).

[0024] As channel conditions change for the user equipment (UE), the UE, the primary base station, and / or core network functions can add or remove base stations from the ACS while the UE communicates concurrently with base stations providing available link quality in the ACS. Based on these changes in the ACS, the primary base station can add or remove base stations from joint communication with the UE without performing a handover that interrupts data communication with the UE.

[0025] An Access Control System (ACS) can encompass numerous base stations covering a relatively large geographical area (e.g., several kilometers in diameter), especially when communicating in low-frequency radio bands. Typically, when a UE receives or updates an ACS, the new or updated ACS is centered on the UE's geographic location. By centering the UE within the ACS's coverage area, small changes in the UE's location (e.g., latitude, longitude, altitude) will not trigger an update to the ACS. This results in less resource consumption by the UE, base stations, and / or core network for mobility management.

[0026] By using ACS to provide seamless mobility with fewer handovers, user equipment (UE) can avoid performing at least some cell measurements or cell (re)selection while in out-of-mode. While in out-of-mode, UE monitors the ACS Out-of-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) jointly transmitted by base stations in the ACS. Through the joint transmission of ADRS, UE receives a stronger signal for ADRS, further reducing UE power consumption during out-of-mode.

[0027] The base station in the ACS can also jointly transmit paging channel information and / or system information blocks (SIBs) to user equipment. This joint transmission of paging channel information and / or SIBs improves the signal strength at the user equipment in response to these transmissions, thereby reducing the power consumption of the user equipment when receiving paging channel information and SIBs.

[0028] During out-of-mode operation, the User Equipment (UE) monitors the Received Signal Strength (RSSI) of the ADRS, and if the RSSI of the ADRS drops below a threshold, the UE transmits an ACS Out-of-Mode Update (ADUS) signal to be used as a probe signal to nearby base stations. The base station receiving the ADUS evaluates it and provides the evaluation to the master base station and / or ACS server in the ACS. The master base station and / or ACS server determine whether the UE should use a different ACS. The master base station transmits a new ACS to the UE. Providing the UE with a new ACS reduces the measurements and procedures that the UE would need to perform to create the new ACS, thereby reducing the UE's power consumption in out-of-mode operation.

[0029] The primary base station in the ACS allocates air interface resources for ADRS and ADUS. The primary base station allocates resources for ADUS in the same bandwidth portion used for ADRS and downlink idle-mode signals such as paging signals, enabling user equipment to monitor a single radio frequency in off-mode. The primary base station can allocate air interface resources for ADRS and ADUS in lower frequency bands, such as below 1 GHz (sub-GHz). By allocating air interface resources for ADRS and ADUS in lower frequency radio bands and / or in the same bandwidth portion, user equipment can reduce its power consumption in off-mode. Resources for ADUS can be allocated semi-statically. Optionally or additionally, resources for ADUS can be allocated for use by additional base stations not included in the ACS to provide a larger potential set of base stations to receive ADUS.

[0030] While the features and concepts of the systems and methods described for managing off-mode activity coordination sets can be implemented in any number of different environments, systems, devices and / or various configurations, aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management are described in the context of the following example devices, systems and configurations.

[0031] Example Environment

[0032] Figure 1 The illustration depicts an example environment 100 in which various aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management can be implemented. Example environment 100 includes a user equipment 110 (UE 110) that communicates with one or more base stations 120 (illustrated as base stations 121 and 122) via one or more wireless communication links 130 (wireless links 130) illustrated as wireless links 131 and 132. In this example, user equipment 110 is implemented as a smartphone. Although illustrated as a smartphone, user equipment 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 appliance, or vehicle-based communication system. Base stations 120 can be implemented in macrocells, microcells, small cells, picocells, etc., or any combination thereof (e.g., Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network Node B, E-UTRAN Node B, Evolved Node B, eNode B, eNB, Next Generation Node B, gNode B, gNB, 6G Node B, etc.).

[0033] Base station 120 communicates with user equipment 110 via radio links 131 and 132, which can be implemented as any suitable type of radio link. Radio links 131 and 132 can include downlinks for transmitting data and control information from base station 120 to user equipment 110, uplinks for transmitting other data and control information from user equipment 110 to base station 120, or both. Radio link 130 can include 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, 5G NR, 6G, etc. Multiple radio links 130 can be aggregated in carrier aggregation to provide higher data rates for user equipment 110. Multiple radio links 130 from multiple base stations 120 can be configured for Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) communication with user equipment 110. Additionally, multiple wireless links 130 can be configured for single-RAT dual connectivity (single-RAT-DC) or multiple-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC).

[0034] Base station 120 is a common radio access network 140 (RAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, E-UTRAN, 5G NR RAN, or NR RAN). Base stations 121 and 122 in RAN 140 are connected to core network 150, such as a fifth-generation core (5GC) or 6G core network. Base stations 121 and 122 are connected to core network 150 at 102 and 104 respectively via an NG2 interface (or a similar 6G interface) for control plane signaling and an NG3 interface (or a similar 6G interface) for user plane data communication. In addition to the connection to the core network, base station 120 can also communicate with each other at 112 via the Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) to exchange user plane and control plane data. User equipment 110 can also connect to a public network, such as the Internet 160, via core network 150 to interact with remote services 170.

[0035] Example device

[0036] Figure 2 Example device diagram 200 illustrates user equipment 110 and base station 120. User equipment 110 and base station 120 may include, for clarity, [from...] Figure 2Additional functions and interfaces are omitted. User equipment 110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), an LTE transceiver 206, a 5G NR transceiver 208, and a 6G transceiver 210 for communication with base station 120 in RAN 140. The front-end 204 of user equipment 110 is capable of coupling or connecting the LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and 6G transceiver 210 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 202 of user equipment 110 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 are tunable to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the 3GPP LTE, 5G NR, and 6G communication standards and implemented by the LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210. Additionally, antenna 202, RF front-end 204, LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210 can be configured to support beamforming for transmitting and receiving communications with base station 120. By way of example and not limitation, antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 can be implemented for operation in sub-GHz, sub-6GHz, and / or higher frequency bands as defined by 3GPP LTE, 5G NR, and 6G communication standards.

[0037] User equipment 110 also includes a processor 212 and a computer-readable storage medium 214 (CRM 214). The processor 212 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 described herein excludes propagating signals. The CRM 214 may include 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 216 of user equipment 110. Device data 216 includes user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and / or operating systems of user equipment 110, which can be executed by the processor 212 to enable user plane communications, control plane signaling, and user interaction with user equipment 110.

[0038] In some implementations, CRM 214 may also include an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) manager 218. The ACS manager 218 is capable of communicating with antenna 202, RF front-end 204, LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210 to monitor the quality of the wireless communication link 130, such as ADRS. Based on this monitoring, the ACS manager 218 is able to determine when to trigger ADUS transmission.

[0039] Figure 2 The illustrated device diagram of base station 120 includes a single network node (e.g., gNode B). The functionality of base station 120 can be distributed across multiple network nodes or devices and can be distributed in any manner suitable for performing the functions described herein. Base station 120 includes an antenna 252, a radio frequency front-end 254 (RF front-end 254), one or more LTE transceivers 256, one or more 5G NR transceivers 258, and / or one or more 6G transceivers 260 for communicating with UE 110. The RF front-end 254 of base station 120 is capable of coupling or connecting the LTE transceivers 256, 5G NR transceivers 258, and / or 6G transceivers 260 to the antenna 252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 252 of base station 120 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. Antenna 252 and RF front-end 254 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by 3GPP LTE, 5G NR and 6G communication standards and implemented by LTE transceiver 256, one or more 5G NR transceivers 258 and / or one or more 6G transceivers 260. Additionally, antenna 252, RF front-end 254, LTE transceiver 256, one or more 5G NR transceivers 258 and / or one or more 6G transceivers 260 can be configured to support beamforming, such as massive MIMO, for transmitting and receiving communications with UE 110.

[0040] Base station 120 also includes processor 262 and computer-readable storage medium 264 (CRM264). Processor 262 may be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectric, copper, etc. CRM264 may include 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 266 of base station 120. Device data 266 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, beamforming codebook, applications, and / or operating systems of base station 120, which can be executed by processor 262 to enable communication with user equipment 110.

[0041] CRM 264 also includes a joint communications scheduler 268. Alternatively or additionally, the joint communications scheduler 268 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated with or separate from other components of base station 120. In at least some aspects, the joint communications scheduler 268 configures LTE transceiver 256, 5G NR transceiver 258, and 6G transceiver 260 to communicate with user equipment 110 and with a core network such as core network 150, and routes user plane and control plane data for joint communications. Additionally, when base station 120 is acting as the primary base station for base station 120 in the ACS, the joint communications scheduler 268 can allocate air interface resources and schedule communications for UE 110 and base station 120 in the ACS.

[0042] Base station 120 includes an inter-base station interface 270, such as an Xn interface and / or an X2 interface, which is configured by joint communications scheduler 268 to exchange user plane and control plane data between other base stations 120 to manage communication between base station 120 and user equipment 110. Base station 120 includes a core network interface 272, which is configured by joint communications scheduler 268 to exchange user plane and control plane data with core network functions and / or entities.

[0043] Figure 3 The illustration shows air interface resources that extend between user equipment and base stations and can be used to implement various aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management. Air interface resources 302 can be divided into resource elements 304, each occupying a certain intersection of spectrum and elapsed time. A portion of air interface resources 302 is schematically illustrated in a grid or matrix having multiple resource blocks 310 including example resource blocks 311, 312, 313, 314. An example of resource element 304 thus includes at least one resource block 310. As shown, time is depicted along the horizontal dimension on the x-axis, and frequency is depicted along the vertical dimension on the y-axis. Air interface resources 302, as defined by a given communication protocol or standard, can span any suitable specified frequency range and / or can be divided into intervals of any specified duration. Time increments can correspond to, for example, milliseconds (mSec). Frequency increments can correspond to, for example, megahertz (MHz).

[0044] In typical example operation, base station 120 allocates portions of air interface resource 302 (e.g., resource element 304) for uplink and downlink communication. Each resource block 310 of network access resources can be allocated to support corresponding wireless communication links 130 for multiple user equipments 110. In the lower left corner of the grid, resource block 311 can span a specified frequency range 306 and include multiple subcarriers or frequency subbands, as defined by a given communication protocol. Resource block 311 can include any suitable number of subcarriers (e.g., 12), each subcarrier corresponding to a corresponding portion (e.g., 15 kHz) of the specified frequency range 306 (e.g., 180 kHz). Resource block 311 can also span a specified time interval 308 or time slot (e.g., lasting approximately half a millisecond or 7 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols), as defined by a given communication protocol. Time interval 308 includes sub-slots, each corresponding to a symbol such as an OFDM symbol. Figure 3 As shown, each resource block 310 may include a plurality of resource elements 320(REs) corresponding to or defined by subcarriers of frequency range 306 and sub-intervals (or symbols) of time interval 308. Alternatively, a given resource element 320 may span more than one frequency subcarrier or symbol. Thus, resource unit 304 may include at least one resource block 310, at least one resource element 320, etc.

[0045] In the example implementation, multiple user equipment 110s (one of which is shown) are communicating with base station 120 (one of which is shown) via access provided by a portion of air interface resource 302. A joint communication scheduler 268 (shown in...) Figure 2 The joint communications scheduler 268 can determine the appropriate data rate, type of information, or amount of information (e.g., data or control information) to be transmitted (e.g., sent) by user equipment 110. For example, the joint communications scheduler 268 can determine that each user equipment 110 will transmit at a different appropriate data rate or transmit a different appropriate amount of information. The joint communications scheduler 268 then allocates one or more resource blocks 310 to each user equipment 110 based on the determined data rate or amount of information.

[0046] Additionally, or as an alternative to block-level resource licensing, the joint communications scheduler 268 can allocate resource units at the element level. Therefore, the joint communications scheduler 268 can allocate one or more resource elements 320 or individual subcarriers to different user equipments 110. By doing so, a resource block 310 can be allocated to facilitate network access for multiple user equipments 110. Thus, the joint communications scheduler 268 can allocate one or more subcarriers or resource elements 320 of a resource block 310 to a single user equipment 110 or divide it across multiple user equipments 110 at various granularities, thereby achieving higher network utilization or improved spectrum efficiency.

[0047] The joint communications scheduler 268 can therefore allocate air interface resources 302 using resource units 304, resource blocks 310, frequency carriers, time intervals, resource elements 320, frequency subcarriers, time sub-intervals, symbols, spreading codes, and combinations thereof. Based on the corresponding allocation of resource units 304, the joint communications scheduler 268 can transmit corresponding messages to multiple user equipments 110 to instruct the corresponding allocation of resource units 304 to each user equipment 110. Each message can enable the corresponding user equipment 110 to queue information or configure the LTE transceiver 206, 5G NR transceiver 208, and / or 6G transceiver 210 to communicate via the allocated resource units 304 of the air interface resources 302.

[0048] User equipment status

[0049] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example UE state 400 that can benefit from various aspects of off-mode activity coordination set management. A wireless network operator provides its telecommunications services to UE devices via a wireless network. To communicate wirelessly with the network, UE 110 utilizes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) procedure to establish a connection to the network via a cell (e.g., base station, serving cell). After establishing a connection to the network via base station 120, UE 110 enters a connected mode (e.g., RRC connected mode, RRC_CONNECTED state, NR-RRC connected state, E-UTRA RRC connected state).

[0050] UE 110 operates according to different resource control states 410. Different situations may occur that cause UE 110 to switch between different resource control states 410, such as those determined by radio access technology. Figure 4Examples of resource control states 410 illustrated include connected mode 412, idle mode 414, and inactive mode 416. When the RRC connection is active, user equipment 110 is in connected mode 412 or inactive mode 416. If the RRC connection is inactive, user equipment 110 is in idle mode 414.

[0051] When establishing an RRC connection, user equipment 110 can transition from idle mode 414 to connected mode 412. After the connection is established, user equipment 110 can transition from connected mode 412 to inactive mode 416 (e.g., RRC inactive mode, RRC_INACTIVE state, NR-RRC INACTIVE state) (e.g., when the connection is deactivated), and user equipment 110 can transition from inactive mode 416 back to connected mode 412 (e.g., via an RRC connection recovery process). After the connection is established, user equipment 110 can transition between connected mode 412 and idle mode 414 (e.g., RRC idle mode, RRC_IDLE state, NR-RRC IDLE state, E-UTRA RRC IDLE state), for example, when the network releases the RRC connection. Additionally, user equipment 110 can transition between inactive mode 416 and idle mode 414.

[0052] Additionally, UE 110 may be in contact mode 422 or out of contact mode 424. As used herein, contact mode 422 is a connected mode (e.g., connected mode 412), while out of contact mode 424 is an idle, disconnected, connected but inactive, or connected but dormant mode (e.g., idle mode 414, inactive mode 416). In some cases, in out of contact mode 424, UE 110 may still be active with the Network Access Layer (NAS) registered with the radio bearer (e.g., inactive mode 416).

[0053] Each of the different resource control states 410 can make different amounts or types of resources available, which may affect the power consumption within UE 110. Typically, connection mode 412 indicates that UE 110 actively connects to (engages with) base station 120. In inactive mode 416, UE 110 suspends connectivity with base station 120 and retains information that allows the connectivity with base station 120 to be quickly re-established. In idle mode 414, UE 110 releases the connection with base station 120.

[0054] Some of the resource control states 410 may be limited to certain radio access technologies. For example, inactive mode 416 may be supported in LTE Release 15 (eLTE), 5G NR, and 6G, but not in 3G or earlier 4G standards. Other resource control states that span multiple radio access technologies may be common or compatible, such as connected mode 412 or idle mode 414.

[0055] Event Coordination Group

[0056] Among the various aspects, out-of-mode activity coordination set management is described, which user equipment 110 uses while in engagement mode 422 to measure the link quality of candidate base stations 120 to determine which base stations 120 should be included in the ACS. Figure 5 The illustration shows an example environment 500, in which user equipment 110 in engagement mode 422 is moving through a radio access network (RAN) including multiple base stations 120 illustrated as base stations 121-127. These base stations can utilize different technologies (e.g., LTE, 5G NR, 6G) at various frequencies (e.g., sub-GHz, sub-6GHz, and above 6GHz bands and sub-bands).

[0057] For example, User Equipment 110 follows path 502 through RAN 140 while periodically measuring the link quality of base station 120 currently in the ACS and candidate base stations 120 that UE 110 can add to the ACS. For example, at location 504, the ACS includes base stations 121, 122, and 123 at location 506. As UE 110 continues to move, at location 508, UE 110 has removed base stations 121 and 122 from the ACS and added base stations 124, 125, and 126, as shown at location 510. Continuing along path 502, UE 110 has removed base stations 123 and 124 at location 512 and added base station 127, as shown in the ACS at location 514.

[0058] Figure 6The illustration shows an example environment 600 in which various aspects of out-of-mode activity coordination set management can be implemented. User equipment 110, in liaison mode 422, is communicating with three base stations 121, 122, and 123 using joint transmission and / or reception (joint communication, coordinated communication). Base station 121 is acting as the master base station for joint transmission and / or reception. Which base station is the master base station is transparent to UE 110, and the master base station can change as base stations are added and / or removed from the ACS. The master base station coordinates control plane and user plane communications for joint communication with UE 110 via the Xn interface 112 (or a similar 6G interface) to base stations 122 and 123 and maintains the user plane context between UE 110 and the core network 150. Coordination can be performed using proprietary or standards-based messaging, procedures, and / or protocols.

[0059] The primary base station schedules air interface resources for joint communication between UE 110 and base stations 121, 122, and 123 based on the ACS associated with UE 110. The primary base station (base station 121) connects to the User Plane Function 610 (UPF 610) in the core network 150 via the N3 interface 601 (or a 6G equivalent interface) for transmitting user plane data to and from UE 110. The primary base station distributes user plane data to all base stations in joint communication via the Xn interface 112. The UPF 610 also connects to a data network, such as the Internet 160, via the N6 interface 602. All base stations 120 in the ACS, or any subset of base stations 120 in the ACS, are capable of sending downlink data to UE 110. All base stations 120 in the ACS, or any subset of base stations 120 in the ACS, are capable of receiving uplink data from UE 110.

[0060] When user equipment 110 creates or modifies an ACS, it transmits the created ACS or ACS modification to ACS server 620, which stores the ACS for each user equipment 110 operating in RAN 140. Although shown in core network 150, alternatively, ACS server 620 could be an application server located outside core network 150. User equipment 110 transmits the ACS or ACS modification via a master base station (base station 121) connected to ACS server 620 via N-ACS interface 603. Optionally or alternatively, user equipment 110 transmits the created ACS or ACS modification to ACS server 620 via Access and Mobility Function 630 (AMF 630), which is connected to master base station (base station 121) via N2 interface 604. AMF 630 relays ACS-related communications to and from ACS server 620 via ACS-AMF interface 605. It can transmit ACS data between user equipment 110 and ACS server 620 via Radio Resource Control (RRC) communication, Non-Access Stratum (NAS) communication, or application layer communication.

[0061] The ACS server 620 can be implemented as a single network node (e.g., a server). The functionality of the ACS server 620 can be distributed across multiple network nodes and / or devices and can be distributed in any manner suitable for performing the functions described herein. The ACS server 620 includes a processor and a computer-readable storage medium. The processor can be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. The CRM can include 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), hard disk drive, or flash memory useful for the ACS and related data. The CRM includes applications and / or an operating system for the ACS server 620, which can be executed by the processor to enable communication with user equipment 110, main base station 121, and AMF 630. The ACS server 620 includes one or more network interfaces for communicating with main base station 121, AMF 630, other devices in core network 150, user equipment 110, and / or devices in RAN 140.

[0062] Whenever the content of the ACS for any particular user equipment 110 changes, the ACS server 620 sends a copy of the modified ACS to the UE's primary base station (base station 121). The primary base station uses the ACS to schedule air interface resources for joint communication with user equipment 110. For example, when a new base station is added to the ACS or an existing base station in the ACS is removed, the primary base station allocates air interface resources for the new base station to participate in joint communication or releases resources for the removed base station. The primary base station relays user plane data based on the ACS received from the ACS server 620. Continuing this example, the primary base station begins routing user plane data to the new base station added to the ACS or terminates relaying data to an existing base station removed from the ACS.

[0063] In various aspects, the initial ACS for User Equipment 110 can be established by UE 110 during or after UE 110 performs an attach procedure to connect to RAN 140. For example, UE 110 can initialize the ACS with base station 120 included in the proximity table of base stations to which UE 110 attaches to RAN 140. In another example, UE 110 considers base station 120 included in the proximity table as candidates for the ACS and measures the link quality of each candidate base station before adding it to the ACS. In yet another example, User Equipment 110 queries ACS server 620 for the last ACS used by User Equipment 110. UE 110 then verifies the entries in the last used ACS to determine which (if any) entries in the last used ACS are available for communication and included in the ACS. In another example, UE 110 measures the link quality of any base station 120 within the communication range from the previous ACS and fills the ACS with one or more of the base stations 120 that exceed the included thresholds (e.g., above the thresholds for Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Received Power (RSRP), or Reference Received Quality (RSRQ)).

[0064] User equipment 110 adds or removes base station 120 from the ACS by sending an ACS modification message to the ACS server 620. The ACS modification message includes the identifier of the base station to be added or removed from the ACS and an indication for adding or removing the identified base station. Optionally or additionally, the ACS modification message may include identifiers of multiple base stations and corresponding add / remove indications for each base station. Other information useful for the management of the ACS may be stored in or with the ACS, such as timestamps of entries in the ACS, geographic location information from the UE, UE identifier, identification information of the current primary base station, etc.

[0065] ACS server 620 (via the current primary base station) receives an ACS modification message from UE 110 and performs the requested modification on the ACS record of UE 110 stored by ACS server 620. Upon receiving the ACS modification message, ACS server 620 sends a modified copy of the ACS for UE 110 to the primary base station (base station 121) via N-ACS interface 603. Optionally or alternatively, ACS server 620 may send only the modification of the ACS to the primary base station, causing the primary base station to update its copy of the ACS. Joint communication scheduler 268 in the primary base station uses the updated or modified ACS to modify the resource and joint communication scheduling of base station 120 in the ACS. The primary base station is able to perform real-time resource scheduling within the ACS of user equipment 110 to respond to changing channel conditions or communication requirements with low latency.

[0066] ACS Management in Off-Mode

[0067] In all aspects, before User Equipment 110 transitions to Disconnect Mode 424, Master Base Station 121 configures air interface resources for ADRS and ADUS of the ACS specific to User Equipment 110. Master Base Station 121 transmits the resource configuration to User Equipment 110 and also transmits the resource configuration to Base Station 120 in the ACS. Alternatively, Master Base Station 121 transmits the resource configuration to Base Station 120 in the ACS for joint transmission to User Equipment 110. Master Base Station 121 or Base Station 120 in the ACS transmits the resource configuration to UE 110 in a Layer 1 message, Layer 2 message, or Layer 3 message. Optionally, or additionally, Master Base Station 121 can change the RF channel monitored by UE 110 by transmitting the resource configuration using resources allocated on a new radio frequency (RF) channel.

[0068] Base station 120 in the ACS periodically and jointly transmits ADRS according to resource configuration. Additionally or optionally, base station 120 in the ACS can jointly transmit paging channel information and / or system information blocks (SIBs) to user equipment 110. Master base station 121 may or may not know that UE 110 has transitioned to out-of-mode 424. For example, when master base station 121 uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling to release UE 110 from connected mode 412, causing UE 110 to transition to out-of-mode 424, master base station 121 knows of the transition to out-of-mode 424. In another example, for instance, if UE 110 fails to respond to downlink communication such as paging, master base station 121 can infer that UE 110 has transitioned to out-of-mode 424.

[0069] In one aspect, when the primary base station 121 determines that the UE 110 is in out-of-mode 424, the base station 120 in the ACS periodically and jointly transmits ADRS. In another example, the primary base station 121 is unaware of the UE 110 transitioning to out-of-mode 424 for at least a period of time, such as when the UE 110 experiences a radio link failure. Optionally or alternatively, resources for ADRS and ADUS can be allocated semi-statically, and the base station 120 in the ACS periodically and jointly transmits ADRS regardless of the UE 110's resource control state 410. In this alternative, periodic ADRS transmission allows the UE 110 to re-establish network connectivity more quickly using the ACS in the event of radio link failure or other unexpected transitions to out-of-mode 424.

[0070] After User Equipment 110 transitions to out-of-mode 424, User Equipment 110 periodically monitors the ADRS to determine whether the ACS provides a usable signal for communication via RAN 140. For example, User Equipment 110 measures link quality parameters of the received ADRS, such as Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). User Equipment 110 is able to monitor the ADRS whenever it wakes up during a paging cycle.

[0071] User equipment 110 determines whether the measured link quality parameters of ADRS are below a threshold indicating the minimum link quality required for available communication with RAN 140. If the measured link quality parameters of ADRS are below the threshold, user equipment 110 transmits ADUS as a probe signal.

[0072] In another aspect, if User Equipment 110 determines that the measured link quality parameters of ADRS are below a threshold indicating the minimum link quality for available communication, User Equipment 110 can send a message 121 requesting a new ACS to the primary base station. For example, when User Equipment 110 wakes up to monitor paging messages, it can transmit a request message to request a new ACS. In an alternative, an ADUS can be transmitted to indicate a request for a new ACS. The request message may include additional parameters, such as the geographic location of UE 110, which can be used by the primary base station 121 and / or the ACS server 620 to provide UE 110 with the ACS. The request message can be received by any base station 120 in the ACS that is capable of receiving the message. The request message can be transmitted in any suitable manner, such as a Layer 3 message, a status flag bit in a Layer 2 information element, as a Layer 1 signal, etc. Alternatively, User Equipment 110 can determine the current location of UE 110 (e.g., using a GPS receiver) and, based on a change in location exceeding a distance threshold, determine to transmit an ADUS that may be interpreted as a request for a new ACS in some configurations.

[0073] User equipment 110 transmits ADUS at low power to reduce power consumption. The main base station 121 can allocate resources so that ADUS occupies a narrow frequency bandwidth. User equipment 110 uses narrow bandwidth to transmit ADUS to reduce power consumption. The main base station 121 can allocate resources for ADUS in the same or different bandwidth portions as ADRS. For example, the main base station can allocate resources for both ADUS and ADRS in the same bandwidth portion so that UE 110 can monitor a single radio frequency and reduce power consumption.

[0074] Regardless of whether a base station is in the ACS, it receives ADUS and measures the uplink quality parameters of the received ADUS. Each base station 120 that receives ADUS reports the uplink quality parameters to the master base station 121. Based on the received uplink quality parameters, the master base station 121 determines that the user equipment 110 requests a new ACS. For example, the master base station 121 may determine the location of the user equipment 110 from the reported uplink quality parameters to configure the new ACS for the user equipment 110. The master base station 121 determines the base stations 120 to be included in the new ACS to place the center of the new ACS at or near the geographic location of the UE 110. Optionally or additionally, the master base station 121 may know or derive the direction of travel of the UE 110 and determine to include base stations 120 in the ACS along the predicted geographic path of the UE 110.

[0075] In an alternative, a function in the primary base station 121 or core network 150 can autonomously determine to assign a new ACS to the user equipment 110. If the primary base station 121 and / or core network 150 determine that the UE 110 has moved to a new location, for example based on the user equipment 110 connecting to a Wi-Fi access point with a location known to the core network 150, the primary base station 121 autonomously assigns a new ACS to the UE 110 without interacting with it while the UE 110 is in out-of-mode 424.

[0076] In another aspect, the primary base station 121 can query the ACS server 620 for a new ACS for the user equipment 110. For example, the ACS server 620 maintains a database of ACS previously reported by or on behalf of UE 110 and other UEs 110. The primary base station 121 queries the ACS server 620 using the location of the user equipment 110, the set of base stations 120 that received ADUS, and / or any other suitable query terms. The ACS server 620 queries the ACS database and returns the ACS that most closely matches the query. The primary base station 121 updates its copy of the ACS with the results returned by the ACS server 620 and sends the ACS to the UE 110.

[0077] The ACS stored in the database of ACS server 620 can include ACS from various sources. The stored ACS can include ACS previously reported by individual UEs 110 (e.g., crowdsourced from UE 110 operating in RAN 140), ACS previously created on behalf of UE 110 (e.g., by base station 120, core network 150 entities or functions, or web-based services), ACS previously created based on network architecture planning and service provider analysis and evaluation, and previous ACS created as outputs of self-organizing network (SON) software and services, etc.

[0078] The ACS server 620 can also include historical information about the UE 110. For example, the ACS server stores the location history information of the UE 110. Based on the location history, the ACS server 620 can deduce the UE 110's frequently used travel paths, such as the frequently used path between home and office. For example, based on the UE 110's current location and the current time and / or day of the week, the ACS server 620 can infer that the UE 110 will follow a path from the user's home to the user's office and provide ACS optimized for that path to minimize ACS updates on frequently traveled routes.

[0079] The primary base station 121 and / or ACS server 620 are capable of creating ACS covering geographical areas of various shapes. For example, the primary base station 121 and / or ACS server 620 can create an ACS that is typically circular around the current location of the UE 110. The primary base station 121 and / or ACS server 620 can also create an ACS that covers geographical areas that are typically elliptical or rectangular based on the location and direction of movement of the user equipment 110. The primary base station 121 and / or ACS server 620 can also create an ACS with irregular shapes around the frequently traveled routes of the user equipment 110.

[0080] The main base station 121 allocates resources to the base station 120 included in the new ACS and sends the resource configuration to the base station 120 in the ACS. The base station 120 in the ACS transmits the new ACS to the user equipment 110, for example, via paging channel communication. The user equipment 110 then switches to monitoring the new ACS.

[0081] Figure 7 The illustration illustrates an example of control transactions 700 in a device that typically involves various aspects of managing the out-of-mode activity coordination set for updating the ACS for user equipment 110. At 705, user equipment 110 is in contact mode 422 and is communicating with one or more base stations in the ACS, such as primary base station 121 and base station 120.

[0082] At point 710, the main base station 121 transmits resource configurations for ADRS and ADUS to the user equipment 110. Other base stations 120 may also jointly transmit resource configurations with the main base station (in... Figure 7 (Not shown in the diagram). At 715, the main base station 121 sends resource configuration to the base station 120 in the ACS to configure the base station 120 for communication with ADRS and ADUS.

[0083] At 720, user equipment 110 transitions to disconnect mode 424. This may occur when the UE has not experienced contact mode activity within a specified time period or when the UE completes a communication session. At 725, primary base station 121 and base station 120 jointly and periodically transmit ADRS.

[0084] At 730, UE 110 periodically wakes up while in out-of-line mode to receive ADRS and evaluate whether ADRS has fallen below a link quality threshold (e.g., a threshold for the minimum RSRP level), indicating that a new ACS is needed. If ADRS is above the link quality threshold, UE 110 continues to periodically monitor and evaluate ADRS.

[0085] At 735, if the ADRS is below the link quality threshold, UE 110 transmits an ACS request message requesting a new ACS to master base station 121 or transmits ADUS. As previously mentioned, the ACS request may be implemented as ADUS alone or may include ADUS plus additional parameters. In either case, at 740, the transmission by UE 110 causes master base station 121 and / or ACS server 620 to determine the new ACS using any of the techniques described above.

[0086] For example, if a sufficient number of ADUS signals are decoded, the master base station 121 can determine whether base station 120 should be included in the new ACS. Alternatively, the master base station 121 can query the ACS server 620 by the design or configuration of the RAN 140 and core network 150, or the master base station 121 can evaluate criteria to determine whether it is capable of creating a new ACS or querying the ACS server 620 for a new ACS.

[0087] For example, if the primary base station 121 determines that the received ADUS decoding result is insufficient for it to select base station 120 for the new ACS, the primary base station 121 alternatively sends a query to the ACS server 620 including parameters such as the identifier of UE 110, the decoding result from the base station 120 that received the ADUS, the capabilities of UE 110, etc. The ACS server 620 queries its database based on the parameters in the query and determines the base station 120 to be included in the new ACS. In addition to the received query parameters, the ACS server 620 can also determine the base station 120 to be included in the new ACS based on one or more of the following: an estimate of the geographic location of UE 110, one or more stored ACSs from other UEs 110 with similar ADUS decoding results or geographic locations, previously created ACSs based on network architecture planning and service provider analysis and evaluation, previous ACSs created as outputs of Ad Hoc Network (SON) software and services, the geographic location of base station 120 in RAN 140, the configuration of base station 120 in RAN 140, etc.

[0088] In response to a query, ACS server 620 creates a new ACS for UE 110. Analysis performed by ACS server 620 can be used to populate the new ACS with base stations 120 operating on the same radio frequency as in the current ACS, on a different radio frequency than in the current ACS, or in a new radio band different from the current ACS (e.g., in a band below 1 GHz instead of a band above 6 GHz) to improve communication reliability. ACS server 620 may include base stations 120 in the new ACS that enable UE 110 to change one or more operating modes, such as communicating in a different radio band, changing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), changing the transmit power level, etc.

[0089] At point 745, the main base station 121 transmits the new ACS to the user equipment 110. (Additionally...) Figure 7 (Not shown in the diagram), the master base station 121 allocates resources for the new ACS and sends those resource allocations to the base stations 120 included in the new ACS. At 750, the user equipment monitors (e.g., periodically wakes up to receive) ADRS from one or more base stations 120 in the new ACS while still in out-of-mode 424.

[0090] Example Method

[0091] Refer to one or more aspects of the management of the activity coordination set according to the departure mode. Figure 8 and Figure 9 Example methods 800 and 900 are described. The order in which the method blocks are described is not intended to be limiting, and any number of the described method blocks can be skipped or combined in any order to implement the method or an alternative method. Generally, any of the components, modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods can be described in the general context of executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage memory local and / or remote on a computer processing system, and implementations can include software applications, programs, functions, etc. Alternatively or additionally, any of the functionalities described herein can be executed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components, such as, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0092] Figure 8The illustration shows an example method 800 for managing the Off-Mode Activity Coordination Set (AMS) typically associated with User Equipment 110. At block 802, User Equipment (e.g., User Equipment 110) receives a message including resource configuration for the Off-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) for the ACS. For example, User Equipment receives a resource configuration including air interface resources allocated for ADRS and ADUS.

[0093] At box 804, the user equipment transitions to disconnected mode 424. For example, the user equipment transitions from connected mode 422 to disconnected mode 424. For example, when the UE has not experienced connected mode 412 activity for a specified period of time, it transitions to inactive mode 416. As another example, when the UE releases a session, it transitions from connected mode 412 to idle mode 414.

[0094] At box 806, the user equipment uses the resource configuration previously received at box 802 to receive ADRS. For example, while in out-of-mode, the user equipment periodically wakes up and receives ADRS.

[0095] At box 808, the user equipment determines whether to request an updated ACS. For example, the user equipment evaluates the link quality parameters of the received ADRS and determines to request a new ACS if the link quality parameters are below a threshold. If the user equipment determines that a new ACS is not required, then at box 806, the user equipment continues to monitor the ADRS.

[0096] At box 810, based on the ACS requiring an update determined at box 808, the user equipment signals the request for the updated ACS. For example, the user equipment transmits a request message for a new ACS to the main base station, which may include transmitting ADUS. Alternatively, the transmission of ADUS alone may indicate the request for a new ACS.

[0097] At box 812, the user equipment receives the updated ACS. For example, in response to the transmission from the user equipment, the main base station 121 determines the updated ACS and transmits the updated ACS received by the user equipment.

[0098] Figure 9 The illustration shows an example method 900 for managing the Off-Mode Activity Coordination Set, typically associated with a primary base station 121. At block 902, the primary base station (e.g., primary base station 121) configures resources for the Off-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) resource configuration.

[0099] At box 904, the primary base station transmits a message to the user equipment including resource configuration for ADRS. For example, the primary base station transmits a message to the user equipment including configuration of air interface resources for ADRS.

[0100] At box 906, the primary base station uses resource configuration to transmit ADRS. For example, primary base station 121 and base station 120 in the current ACS jointly and periodically transmit ADRS. Primary base station 121 and base station 120 in the current ACS may transmit ADRS in response to determining that UE 110 is in out-of-mode 424, or transmit ADRS periodically regardless of the resource control state 410 of UE 110.

[0101] At box 908, in response to transmitting ADRS, the primary base station determines the ACS that requires updating. For example, the primary base station receives a message from a user equipment requesting an updated ACS or receives ADUS from the user equipment. The primary base station determines the base stations to be included in the updated ACS. The updated ACS may be determined by the primary base station 121 based on ADUS signals received at other base stations 120 and processed and sent to the primary base station 121, or it may be determined by the ACS server 620 that sends the updated ACS to the primary base station 121.

[0102] At box 910, the master base station transmits the updated ACS to the user equipment. For example, the master base station transmits a message including the new ACS to the user equipment.

[0103] A first method for a user equipment (UE) to maintain an activity coordination set (ACS) for joint wireless communication between the UE and multiple base stations included in the ACS includes: the UE receiving a message including a resource configuration for an ACS out-of-mode reference signal (ADRS); transitioning to out-of-mode; using the resource configuration to receive the ADRS; determining an ACS that requires updating; signaling a request for an updated ACS; and receiving the updated ACS.

[0104] In addition to the first method described above, the second method for determining the ACS requiring an update also includes: having the UE measure the link quality of the received ADRS; comparing the measured link quality with a link quality threshold; and determining that the measured link quality is less than the threshold.

[0105] In addition to the first method described above, the third method for determining the ACS requiring an update also includes: measuring the UE's position by the UE; comparing the measured position with a previously measured position; and determining that the UE has moved more than a threshold distance from the previously measured position.

[0106] In addition to any one of the first, second, or third methods described above, signal notification also includes: the UE transmitting a message to the main base station requesting an updated ACS.

[0107] In addition to any one of the first, second, or third methods described above, the signal notification also includes: the UE transmitting an ACS out-of-mode update signal (ADUS) that effectively enables the base station receiving the ADUS to measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS; and receiving an updated ACS that is at least partially based on the ADUS received by the base station.

[0108] Some examples are described below:

[0109] Example 1. A method for a User Equipment (UE) to maintain an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) for joint wireless communication between the UE and a plurality of base stations included in the ACS, the method comprising:

[0110] The UE receives a message including resource configuration for the ACS-out-of-mode reference signal ADRS;

[0111] Shift to disengagement mode;

[0112] Use the resource configuration to receive the ADRS;

[0113] Identify the ACS that requires an update;

[0114] Based on determining that the ACS requires the update, the request for the updated ACS is signaled; and

[0115] Receive the updated ACS.

[0116] Example 2. According to the method of Example 1, wherein determining the ACS requiring the update includes:

[0117] The link quality of the ADRS received by the UE is measured.

[0118] The measured link quality is compared with a threshold value for the link quality; and

[0119] The measured link quality is determined to be less than the threshold.

[0120] Example 3. The method according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein signal notification includes:

[0121] The UE transmits a message to the main base station requesting the updated ACS.

[0122] Example 4. The method according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein signal notification includes:

[0123] The UE transmits an ACS-out-of-mode update signal ADUS, which effectively enables the base station receiving the ADUS to measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS; and

[0124] The updated ACS is received, the updated ACS being at least in part based on the ADUS received by the base station.

[0125] Example 5. The method according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein determining the ACS requiring the update includes:

[0126] The position of the UE is measured by the UE;

[0127] Compare the measured location with the previously measured location; and

[0128] It is determined that the UE has moved more than a threshold distance from the previously measured location.

[0129] Example 6. The method described in Example 5 further includes:

[0130] Based on the determination that the UE has moved beyond the threshold distance, the UE transmits ADUS, which effectively enables the base station receiving the ADUS to measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS; and

[0131] The updated ACS is received, the updated ACS being at least in part based on the ADUS received by the base station.

[0132] Example 7. The method according to any of the foregoing examples further includes:

[0133] The UE transitions to the contact mode; and

[0134] It communicates jointly with one or more of the base stations included in the updated ACS.

[0135] Example 8. The method according to Example 7, wherein the negotiation mode is a connection mode.

[0136] Example 9. The method according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the disconnect mode is an idle mode or an inactive mode.

[0137] Example 10. The method according to any of the foregoing examples further includes:

[0138] The UE receives another resource configuration for the ADRS, the other resource configuration indicating that the ADRS is transmitted on a new radio frequency (RF) channel; and

[0139] The ADRS is received on the new RF channel.

[0140] Example 11. A method for managing an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) for a User Equipment (UE) by a primary base station, the method comprising:

[0141] The main base station configures air interface resources for transmitting ACS-out-of-mode reference signals (ADRS) to create a resource configuration for the ADRS.

[0142] The message including the resource configuration is transmitted to the UE;

[0143] The ADRS is transmitted using the configured air interface resources;

[0144] Receive requests for updated ACS; and

[0145] Transmit the updated ACS.

[0146] Example 12: According to the method of Example 11, receiving the request for the updated ACS includes:

[0147] The main base station receives a message from the UE requesting the updated ACS.

[0148] Example 13. The method according to Example 12, wherein receiving the request for the updated ACS further includes:

[0149] At the main base station, a forwarded request message is received from another base station in the current ACS.

[0150] Example 14. The method according to any one of Examples 11 to 13, wherein transmitting the updated ACS comprises:

[0151] Select the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS; and

[0152] The selected set of base stations will be included in the updated ACS.

[0153] Example 15. The method according to Example 14, wherein selecting the set of base stations to be included in the ACS includes analyzing at least one of the following:

[0154] Downlink quality parameters of the ADRS measured by the UE;

[0155] The current location of the UE;

[0156] ACS from another UE;

[0157] Uplink quality parameters; or

[0158] The previously stored ACS associated with the UE.

[0159] Example 16. The method according to Example 11, wherein receiving the request for the updated ACS includes:

[0160] The main base station receives the ACS off-mode update signal ADUS from the UE.

[0161] Example 17. The method according to Example 16, wherein the ADUS is received using the resource configuration for the ADRS.

[0162] Example 18. The method according to Example 16 or Example 17, wherein receiving the request for the updated ACS includes:

[0163] The main base station receives uplink quality parameters forwarded from another base station in the current ACS that has received the ADUS.

[0164] Example 19. The method according to Example 18, wherein transmitting the updated ACS includes:

[0165] The uplink quality parameters of the ADUS received by the main base station are measured by the main base station;

[0166] Analyze the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS measured by the primary base station and the uplink quality parameters forwarded by the secondary base station; and

[0167] Based on the analysis, a set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS is selected.

[0168] Example 20. The method according to any one of Examples 11-13, wherein transmitting the updated ACS comprises:

[0169] The primary base station sends a query to the ACS server, the query causing the ACS server to select the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS; and

[0170] Receive the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS from the ACS server.

[0171] Example 21. The method according to Example 20 or Example 21, wherein the query includes one or more of the following:

[0172] Uplink quality parameters of the ACS Out-of-Mode Update (ADUS) signal received by the main base station;

[0173] Uplink quality parameters received from the ACS by the additional base station forwarding the ADUS;

[0174] The identifier of the UE;

[0175] The downlink quality parameters of the ADRS measured by the UE; or

[0176] The current location of the UE.

[0177] Example 22. The method according to Example 20, wherein the ACS server includes a database containing one or more of the following: previous ACS of the UE, ACS of other UEs, ACS created based on network planning, ACS created based on the output of self-organizing network SON software and services, historical information of the UE or paths frequently traveled by the UE, and wherein the ACS server selects the base station set based on querying the database using the content of the received query.

[0178] Example 23. A user equipment, comprising:

[0179] Wireless transceiver;

[0180] Processor; and

[0181] A computer-readable storage medium including instructions that can be executed by the processor to configure the user equipment to perform the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 10.

[0182] Example 24. A base station, comprising:

[0183] Wireless transceiver;

[0184] Processor; and

[0185] A computer-readable storage medium including instructions that can be executed by the processor to configure the base station to perform the method according to any one of Examples 11 to 22.

[0186] Although aspects of the mode-independent activity coordination set management have been described in feature- and / or method-specific language, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are implemented as exemplary implementations of mode-independent activity coordination set management, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, various different aspects have been described, and it should be understood that each described aspect can be implemented independently or in conjunction with one or more other described aspects.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment for maintaining an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) for joint wireless communication between the user equipment and a plurality of base stations included in the ACS, the method comprising: Receive messages including resource configurations for the ACS Out-of-Mode Reference Signal ADRS and the ACS Out-of-Mode Update Signal ADUS; Switch to disengagement mode, which is the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle or inactive mode; The received ADRS resources are configured and the ADRS is received in the off-mode, the ADRS being jointly transmitted by the plurality of base stations in the ACS; Based on determining that the updated ACS is required and in the out-of-mode, the request for the updated ACS is signaled. as well as Receive the updated ACS.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Measure the link quality of the received ADRS; The measured link quality is compared with the threshold value for the link quality. as well as The measured link quality is determined to be less than the threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The request is communicated via signaling, including: A message requesting the updated ACS is sent to the main base station.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The request is communicated via signaling, including: The resource configuration transmits the ADUS, which effectively enables the base station receiving the ADUS to measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS; and The updated ACS is received, the updated ACS being at least in part based on the ADUS received by the base station.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Further includes: Measure the location of the user equipment; Compare the measured location with the previously measured location; and It is determined that the user equipment has moved more than a threshold distance from the previously measured location.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: Based on the determination that the user equipment has moved more than the threshold distance from the previously measured location, ADUS is transmitted, which effectively enables the base station receiving the ADUS to measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS; as well as The updated ACS is received, the updated ACS being at least in part based on the ADUS received by the base station.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Shift to a contact-based model; as well as It communicates jointly with one or more of the base stations included in the updated ACS.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The contact mode is a connection mode.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive another resource configuration for the ADRS, the other resource configuration indicating that the ADRS is transmitted on a new radio frequency (RF) channel; as well as The ADRS is received on the new RF channel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Notifying a request for the updated ACS by signaling includes transmitting the ADUS using the received ADUS resource configuration.

11. A method performed by a primary base station for managing an Activity Coordination Set (ACS) for joint wireless communication with a user equipment and for joint wireless communication between the user equipment and a plurality of base stations included in the ACS, the method comprising: Configure air interface resources for transmitting ACS Out-of-Mode Reference Signal (ADRS) and air interface resources for receiving ACS Out-of-Mode Update Signal (ADUS) from the user equipment to create a resource configuration. Transmit a message including the resource configuration to the user equipment; The ADRS is transmitted jointly with the plurality of base stations included in the ACS to the user equipment that has switched to the off-mode and is using the air interface resources configured for the ADRS, the off-mode being a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle or inactive mode; Based on the transmitted ADRS, a request for an updated ACS is received from the user equipment. as well as Transmit the updated ACS.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Receiving the request for the updated ACS includes: Receive a message from the user equipment requesting the updated ACS.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Receiving the request for the updated ACS also includes: Receive a forwarded request message from another base station in the current ACS.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The transmission of the updated ACS includes: Select the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS; and The selected set of base stations will be included in the updated ACS.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Selecting the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS includes analyzing at least one of the following: Downlink quality parameters of the ADRS measured by the user equipment; The current location of the user equipment; ACS from another user device; Uplink quality parameters from the ADUS; or The previously stored ACS associated with the user equipment.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Receiving the request for the updated ACS includes: The ACS off-mode update signal ADUS is received from the user equipment using the air interface resources configured for ADUS.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The ADUS is received using the resource configuration used for the ADRS.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, Receiving the request for the updated ACS includes: Receive uplink quality parameters forwarded from another base station in the current ACS that received the ADUS.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The transmission of the updated ACS includes: Receive the ADUS; Measure the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS received by the main base station; Analyze the uplink quality parameters of the ADUS measured by the primary base station and the uplink quality parameters forwarded by the secondary base station; and Based on the analysis, a set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS is selected.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The transmission of the updated ACS includes: A query is sent to the ACS server, which causes the ACS server to select the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS; and Receive the set of base stations to be included in the updated ACS from the ACS server.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The query includes one or more of the following: Uplink quality parameters of the ACS Out-of-Mode Update (ADUS) signal received by the main base station; Uplink quality parameters received from the ACS by the additional base station forwarding the ADUS; The identifier of the user equipment; Downlink quality parameters of the ADRS measured by the user equipment; or The current location of the user equipment.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The ACS server includes a database comprising one or more of the following: previous ACS of the user equipment, ACS of other user equipment, ACS created based on network planning, ACS created based on the output of self-organizing network SON software and services, historical information of the user equipment, or paths frequently traveled by the user equipment, and wherein the ACS server selects the base station set based on querying the database using the content of the received query.

23. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 22, wherein, The request for an updated ACS includes an ADUS transmitted by the user equipment using air interface resources configured for the ADUS.

24. A user equipment, comprising: Wireless transceiver; processor; as well as A computer-readable storage medium including instructions executable by the processor to configure the user equipment to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

25. A base station, comprising: Wireless transceiver; processor; as well as A computer-readable storage medium including instructions executable by the processor to configure the base station to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 23.

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