Method and apparatus for power reduction

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, systems for wireless communication are described and include a method of wireless communication. A method of wireless communication includes receiving, by a communication device, an indication of a discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation of a network node and operating the communication device in accordance with the indication of the DTX operation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This document relates to systems, devices, and techniques for wireless communication. BACKGROUND

[0002] In 5G NR, there are some always-on signals that need to consume power even if these signals are transmitted in long periodicity (e.g., maximum periodicity of 160 milliseconds (ms)) during micro-sleep TX (transmit, transmission, or transmitter) in low traffic load scenarios. In practical implementation, most of the transmissions are unnecessary. Therefore, there is a need for signal transmission enhancement solutions to achieve lower power consumption.

[0003] Currently, 5G devices have been deployed in large quantities, so 5G carrier frequencies can only provide coverage for both DL (downlink) and UL (uplink). It is observed that the UL coverage of 5G is not as good as that of 4G systems because the UL carrier frequencies of 5G are different from those of 4G. Efficient UL transmission enhancement can also achieve potential energy saving effects, so there is also a need to provide solutions for UL coverage enhancement. SUMMARY

[0004] This document describes techniques to provide solutions for signal transmission enhancement to achieve lower power consumption, among other things.

[0005] A method of wireless communication includes receiving, by a communication device, an indication of a discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation of a network node and operating the communication device in accordance with the indication of the DTX operation.

[0006] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation includes identifying one or more activities that the network node is to be off during the DTX operation or a pattern of on durations and off durations of the DTX operation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the activities can be periodic or aperiodic.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an on duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: DL signal / channel transmission, UL signal / channel transmission, or cell-specific activities.

[0009] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an off duration, the communication device is restricted from performing at least one of the following activities: SSB, SIB, paging, periodic, semi-persistent CSI-RS, SRS, SR, or UL grant, HARQ-ACK feedback, or DRX operation.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an off duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: a timer triggered behavior; a DRX associated activity, or a behavior including a message or feedback received by the communication device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the timer triggered behavior can be performed during a duration when a ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or a msgB-ResponseWindow is running.

[0012] In some embodiments, the DRX associated activity can be a running of a drx- RetransmissionTimerDL, a drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, or a drx-RetransmissionTimerSL.

[0013] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation includes at least one of the following: an off duration or availability of an off duration, an on duration or validity of an on duration, a periodicity or availability of a periodicity, offset information, or delay information.

[0014] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation is transmitted through signaling, wherein the signaling includes at least one of the following: DCI, MAC CE, RRC signaling, SIB, interaction information from another communication device, or an event.

[0015] In some embodiments, the DCI can be at least one of the following: cell specific signaling, group common signaling, or UE specific DCI information.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the DCI indication information is cell specific signaling or group common signaling, the DCI indication information can be generated in at least one of the following methods: through an information block configured to indicate a cell within a cell group or a device within a device group, through an information block configured to indicate a cell group or a device group, or through a bit in a bitmap configured to indicate a cell or a cell group, or a device or a device group.

[0017] In some embodiments, when the DCI is group common signaling or UE specific DCI, an information field in the DCI associated with the DTX operation can be at least one of the following: an existing field in the indication of the DTX operation, wherein the reuse is triggered by another existing field in the DCI, or triggered by a higher layer parameter associated with the DTX operation; or a new field in the indication of the DTX operation.

[0018] In another exemplary aspect, the above method is embodied in the form of processor-executable code and stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. When the code included in the computer-readable storage medium is executed by a processor, the processor causes the processor to implement the method described in this patent document.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, a device is disclosed, the device being configured or operable to perform the above method.

[0020] The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the drawings, description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is an example of a flow chart of DTX operation.

[0022] Figure 2 An example of a DTX off duration is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 An example of DTX on-duration is shown.

[0024] Figure 4 is an example of a DTX pattern with a DTX on-duration and a DTX off-duration.

[0025] Figure 5 is an example of a DTX cycle.

[0026] Figure 6 is an example of a DTX cycle.

[0027] Figure 7 Examples of possible relationships between DTX cycles and DRX cycles are shown.

[0028] Figure 8 An example of using a "wake-up" indication to perform DTX operation is shown.

[0029] Figure 9 Another example of using a "wake-up" indication to perform DTX operation is shown.

[0030] Figure 10 An exemplary block diagram of a hardware device graphics platform that may be part of a network device or communication device is shown.

[0031] Figure 11 An example of wireless communication is shown that includes a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) based on some implementations of the disclosed technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The section headings used in the present document are for readability purposes only and do not limit the scope of embodiments and techniques disclosed in each section to that section only. In addition, some embodiments are described in reference to a third generation partnership project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) standards (“5G”) and the described techniques can be implemented in different wireless systems that implement protocols other than 5G protocols.

[0033] Preliminary opinion

[0034] Switching to sleep patterns or turning off some RF components when not needed is an effective way to reduce network power consumption. For example, a carrier can be deactivated if there is no UE access. The number of Tx / Rx antennas can be reduced when the traffic load is low.

[0035] However, there are some problems with this power saving approach. First, there are some common signals and necessary transmissions in NR, such as SSB (synchronization signal block), SIB1 (system information block), paging, and PRACH (physical random access channel) reception. Second, even if a UE is configured with DRX, the DRX active times of different UEs are difficult to align with each other. Therefore, the network cannot easily enter a low power state, such as sleep mode. Third, even if a device can enter a sleep state, waking up the device is a problem. If a semi-static configuration is used, the device can only wake up after sleeping for a period of time. If there are service requirements in the sleep state, the requirements cannot be met, which will result in a large delay and in turn affect the user experience.

[0036] Therefore, in order to reduce the power consumption of a communication system, the network should be able to enter a low power state for as long as possible. In addition, a more dynamic power saving stop mechanism should be introduced to meet flexible service requirements and minimize the impact on user experience. Therefore, the UE can participate in the process to achieve better results.

[0037] Introduction of examples

[0038] At least one DTX operation is disclosed in this document to achieve power saving without increasing UE power and reducing UE experience.

[0039] In this disclosure, a base station (BS) can refer to a communication node, or a BTS (base transceiver station) in 2G, or a NodeB in 3G, or an eNB (E-UTRAN NodeB / enhanced NodeB) in 4G, or a gNB in 5G, or a base station of LTE (Long Term Evolution) or NR (New Radio Access Technology), or a base station of the next generation communication system, or a cell with a normal state or an active state or a deactivated state or a dormant state, or a cell providing basic coverage or cell enhanced capacity, or a small cell, or a primary cell, or a secondary cell.

[0040] Figure 1 Flowcharts of examples of DTX operation are disclosed. According to Figure 1 , a network node signals one or more communication devices with signaling carrying one or more indication information. In some embodiments, the indication information is associated with DTX operation. Then, the communication devices detect the signaling and determine whether to perform DTX operation based on the one or more indication information.

[0041] 1) Pattern of DTX operation

[0042] Patterns of DTX operation include at least one of the following:

[0043] A) DTX OFF duration. As shown in Figure 2 , the UE assumes that the configuration / activity is unavailable during the DTX OFF duration. The unavailable or available configuration / activity is introduced in the embodiment section as shown below.

[0044] B) DTX ON duration. As shown in Figure 3 , the UE assumes that the configuration / activity is available during the DTX ON duration. The available configuration / activity is introduced in the embodiment section as shown below.

[0045] C) DTX period. As shown in Figure 4 , the UE assumes that the DTX operation is performed periodically during each DTX period (i.e., the length of the DTX period is determined by the DTX period). During one DTX period, one or more DTX OFF durations or DTX ON durations can be presented. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Two examples of DTX period pattern are disclosed.

[0046] D) Starting position of DTX OFF duration, DTX ON duration, or DTX period. The UE determines the starting position according to an offset or delay or DTX period or DRX period and offset.

[0047] Example 1: The starting position is after an offset from the beginning of a subframe that satisfies [(SFN x 10) + subframe number] mod (DTX period) = offset.

[0048] Example 2: The starting position is after a delay from the OFDM symbol / slot / subframe in which the indication or configuration of DTX operation is received.

[0049] Example 3: The starting position is after a DRX offset from the beginning of a subframe that satisfies [(SFN x 10) + subframe number] mod (DRX period) = DRX offset.

[0050] E) Valid time of DTX operation. The valid time of DTX operation is associated with a DTX on duration, a DTX off duration, or a DTX cycle. The valid time of DTX operation can also be a start position or an end position of a DTX off duration, a start position or an end position of a DTX on duration, a start position or an end position of a DTX cycle, or a DRX cycle and offset.

[0051] The start position of the valid time of DTX operation is set to a start position or an end position of a DTX off duration, a start position or an end position of a DTX on duration, a start position or an end position of a DTX cycle, or a start position of a DRX cycle.

[0052] Example 1: The UE assumes that one or more DTX on durations are set as the valid time of DTX.

[0053] Example 2: The UE assumes that one or more DTX off durations are set as the valid time of DTX.

[0054] Example 3: The UE assumes that a combination of one or more DTX on durations and one or more DTX off durations are set as the valid time of DTX.

[0055] Example 4: The UE assumes that one or more DTX cycles are set as the valid time of DTX.

[0056] F) Configuration of DTX operation. If the UE is provided with a configuration of DTX operation, the UE performs the DTX operation from a start position of a DTX off duration, a DTX on duration, or a DTX cycle.

[0057] G) Modification period. The UE detects an indication of DTX operation or a configuration of DTX operation during a modification period.

[0058] H) DRX offset. The UE is indicated with an offset by L1 signaling. The offset is used to adjust or determine a start position of a subsequent DRX cycle.

[0059] I) Number of DRX cycles. The UE assumes a number of DRX cycles are used for DTX operation.

[0060] Example 1: The length of a DTX cycle, a DTX on duration, or a DTX off duration is a multiple of a DRX cycle.

[0061] Example 2: The length of the DTX ON duration or the DTX OFF duration is equal to, greater than, or a multiple of the DRX ON duration timer, or the sum of drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer or drx-RetransmissionTimerDL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL or drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL or drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL.

[0062] Example 3: The length of the DTX OFF duration is equal to, greater than, or a multiple of the DRX cycle minus the DRX ON duration timer, or minus the sum of drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer or drx-RetransmissionTimerDL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL or drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL or drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL.

[0063] Example 4: When the UE is provided with the DTX configuration, the UE assumes that the DRX operation is not available during a certain number of DRX cycles.

[0064] 2) Indication information

[0065] The indication information of the DTX operation includes at least one of the following:

[0066] - the DTX OFF duration, or the availability / unavailability of the DTX OFF duration.

[0067] - the DTX ON duration, or the availability / unavailability of the DTX ON duration.

[0068] - the DTX cycle, or the availability / unavailability of the DTX cycle.

[0069] - the offset or delay of the DTX.

[0070] - the change of the DTX operation.

[0071] - the configuration of the DTX operation.

[0072] - the validity time of the DTX operation.

[0073] - the start position of the DTX OFF duration, the start position of the DTX ON duration, the start position of the DTX cycle, or the validity time of the DTX operation.

[0074] - Activation / Deactivation of DTX operation / DTX on-duration / DTX off-duration / DTX cycle.

[0075] - DRX offset.

[0076] - Number of DRX cycles for DTX.

[0077] - Unavailability of DRX operation during one or more DRX cycles.

[0078] 3) Signaling of indication information

[0079] In some examples, the DTX operation includes a DTX off-duration or a DTX on-duration or a DTX cycle.

[0080] The signaling for indicating the information associated with the DTX operation includes at least one of the following:

[0081] A) Cell-specific signaling. DCI carrying information of UEs in the cell is used to indicate the indication information related to DTX operation. The CRC of the cell-specific DCI is scrambled by P-RNTI, SI-RNTI, TC-RNTI or RA-RNTI.

[0082] The information field can be designed by one of the following methods.

[0083] i) One information block in DCI is configured for DTX indication of a cell or a group of cells, where the number of blocks is either not greater than the number of cells or the number of groups of cells configured by a higher layer parameter or equal to 1. The starting position of the block is determined by a parameter configured by the upper layer for one or more cells or groups of cells.

[0084] ii) Bits in a bitmap field in DCI are configured for DL signal transmission indication of a cell or a group of cells. If a higher layer parameter associated with DTX operation is not configured, the bit width of the bitmap field is 0 bits. Otherwise, the N bits of the bitmap are determined according to the number of cells or the number of groups of cells provided by the higher layer parameter.

[0085] iii) One indication field in DCI is configured for DTX indication in a cell.

[0086] The group of cells is configured by the BS. Cells supporting the same eDRX parameter, default paging cycle, or DRX cycle are configured in the group of cells. The cell can be an SCell, an activated SCell, a dormant SCell, or a PCell.

[0087] B) Group common signaling. DCI format 2_7 with CRC scrambled by RNTI, or DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI, or DCI format 2_6 with CRC scrambled by PS-RNTI, or DCI format 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, or new DCI format of Rel-17 DCI format is used to carry the indication information of DTX operation. The indication information field is designed as follows:

[0088] If existing Rel-17 DCI format is used to indicate the indication information associated with DTX operation, or high layer parameter associated with DTX operation is configured for UE group, the existing information field(s) or new information field is used to indicate the information associated with DL signal transmission. The existing field includes at least one of the following:

[0089] a) ‘Wake-up indication’ or ‘SCell dormancy indication’ field in the block of DCI format 2_6 with CRC scrambled by PS-RNTI.

[0090] Example 1: As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , ‘Wake-up indication’ is re-interpreted to indicate UE group to perform DTX operation. If UE is provided with the configuration of DTX operation, ‘Wake-up indication’ field indicates that UE should perform DTX operation from the start of next DRX cycle, as shown in Figure 8 , or perform DTX operation after a delay from detecting the DCI to the end of current DRX cycle, as shown in Figure 9 , or UE should set current DRX cycle or next one or more DRX cycles as DTX cycle, or UE assumes that DRX operation is not available during current DRX cycle or next one or more DRX cycles.

[0091] Example 2: Each bit of ‘SCell dormancy indication’ is re-interpreted to indicate UE or UE group to perform DTX operation. If UE is provided with the configuration of DTX operation, the bit in bitmap of ‘SCell dormancy indication’ indicates that UE or UE group should perform DTX operation from the start of next DRX cycle, or set next one or more DRX cycles as DTX on / off duration or DTX cycle.

[0092] b) ‘Paging indication’ field or ‘TRS availability indication’ in DCI format 2_7 with CRC scrambled by PEI-RNTI.

[0093] Example 1: 'TRS availability indication' is reinterpreted to indicate UE to perform DTX operation. If the UE is provided with the configuration of DTX operation, the information of this field indicates the UE or UE group shall perform DTX operation from the start of the available valid duration, or set the following one or more available valid durations as DTX on / off duration or DTX period.

[0094] c) 'Slot format indicator', or 'Available RB set indicator', or 'COT duration indicator', or 'Search space set group switch flag' in DCI format 2_0 with CRC scrambled by SFI-RNTI.

[0095] d) 'Pre-emption indication' in DCI format 2_1 with CRC scrambled by INT-RNTI.

[0096] e) Fields in DCI format 2_2 with CRC scrambled by TPC-PUSCH-RNTI or TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or fields in DCI format 2_3 with CRC scrambled by TPC-SRS-RNTI, or fields in DCI format 2_4 with CRC scrambled by CI-RNTI, or fields in DCI format 2_5 with CRC scrambled by AI-RNTI.

[0097] The UE group is based on at least one of:

[0098] - UE identities of UEs in the group are configured for DCI format 2-6 or DCI format 2-7;

[0099] - The number of UE groups is configured by higher layer parameter;

[0100] - UEs with same PF or a number of consecutive PFs with valid POs during eDRX cycle or default paging cycle are configured as a UE group.

[0101] Information fields in DCI indicate one or more UEs according to the following methods:

[0102] - One information block in DCI is configured for UEs in a UE group.

[0103] - One information block in DCI is configured for a UE group.

[0104] - Bits in a bitmap in DCI are configured for a UE or a UE group.

[0105] C) UE specific DCI. Existing DCI format 0-1 or DCI format 0-2, or DCI format 1-1 or DCI format 1-2 or new DCI is used to carry the indication information of DTX operation.

[0106] In one scenario, one indication field in DCI is configured for UE’s DTX indication. The indication field can be a bitmap, which is used to indicate availability of DTX operation, or one or more DTX ON durations, or DTX OFF duration, or DTX periodicity. If a UE is configured with DRX and is provided with the configuration of DTX, some examples are provided below.

[0107] Example 1: As shown in Figure 9 , the information of this field indicates the UE to perform DTX operation after a delay from detecting the DCI to the end of the current DRX cycle.

[0108] Example 2: As shown in Figure 8 , the information of this field indicates the UE to perform DTX operation during the next DRX cycle.

[0109] In another scenario, an existing information field is used to indicate the indication information related to DTX operation. The existing information field can include:

[0110] - ‘Frequency domain resource assignment’, ‘Time domain resource assignment’, ‘Modulation and coding scheme’, ‘New data indicator’, ‘Redundancy version’, ‘HARQ process number’ or ‘UL / SUL indicator’ field in DCI format 0_0 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or MCS-C-RNTI.

[0111] - ‘HARQ-ACK bitmap’ or ‘All remaining bits’ in DCI format 0_1 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or SP-CSI-RNTI or MCS-C-RNTI for indicating CG-DFI, ‘Frequency domain resource assignment’, ‘Time domain resource assignment’, ‘Modulation and coding scheme’, ‘New data indicator’, ‘Redundancy version’, ‘HARQ process number’ or ‘UL / SUL indicator’.

[0112] - ‘Frequency domain resource assignment’, ‘Time domain resource assignment’, ‘Modulation and coding scheme’, ‘New data indicator’, ‘Redundancy version’, ‘HARQ process number’ or ‘UL / SUL indicator’ in DCI format 0_2 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or SP-CSI-RNTI or MCS-C-RNTI.

[0113] - ‘Random access preamble index’, ‘UL / SUL indicator’, ‘PDSCH-to-HARQ feedback timing indicator’, ‘HARQ-ACK request’ in DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or MCS-C-RNTI,

[0114] ‘SS / PBCH index’, ‘PRACH mask index’, ‘reserved bit’, ‘time domain resource allocation’, ‘modulation and coding scheme’, ‘new data indicator’, ‘redundancy version’, ‘HARQ process number’, ‘downlink assignment index’, ‘PUCCH resource indicator’, ‘short message’, or ‘TRS availability indication’.

[0115] - ‘Frequency domain resource assignment’, ‘time domain resource allocation’, ‘modulation and coding scheme’ for transport block 1, ‘new data indicator’ for transport block 1, ‘redundancy version’ for transport block 1, ‘HARQ process number’, ‘PDSCH group index’, or ‘HARQ-ACK retransmission indicator’, or ‘SCell dormancy indication’ in DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or MCS-C-RNTI.

[0116] D) MAC CE. The MAC CE is used to indicate the indication information. For example, information including activation / start of DTX operation, or deactivation / stop of DTX operation, or change of DTX operation.

[0117] E) RRC signaling. The parameters of the DTX operation include at least one of the following:

[0118] - the indication information of the above-mentioned DTX operation.

[0119] - the parameters of the DTX operation configured for a cell or a cell group.

[0120] - the parameters of the DTX operation configured for a UE or a UE group.

[0121] F) SIB. If the UE is configured with support of DTX operation, the UE shall acquire SIB information during the valid modification period. The UE assumes that the modification period for SIB acquisition is the modification period n after the modification period n-1 in which the indication of SI change is received, or the modification period according to the mechanism specified in NR Rel-17. Wherein if the information carried by the SIB indicates the start or availability of the DTX operation, the DTX operation during the modification period n+1 is available to the UE. If there is no indication information of the DTX operation carried in the SIB acquired by the UE, the UE considers that the DTX operation is stopped, not started or not available.

[0122] G) BS interaction. If the UE is configured with support of DTX operation, the information associated with the DTX operation is exchanged between the BS and other peer BSs or neighboring BSs. The exchange information includes at least one of the following:

[0123] - whether the serving cell supports the DTX operation can be exchanged between the wireless communication nodes through the Xn interface.

[0124] -Whether the UE group supports DTX operation can be exchanged between wireless communication nodes through the Xn interface.

[0125] - The Xn interface supports the exchange of signaling information between two NG-RAN nodes and the forwarding of PDUs to the corresponding tunnel endpoints.

[0126] H) Event. If the UE is configured with DTX operation, the DTX operation is triggered by an event. The event includes at least one of the following:

[0127] i) The event triggering the DTX operation on the BS side includes at least one of the following:

[0128] - The BS receives a request for DTX operation issued by the UE.

[0129] - The BS receives confirmation information of the DTX operation configuration through a certain number of UEs, where the number of UEs is not less than 1 or greater than a threshold; the threshold is equal to a multiple of the number of idle mode UEs or connected mode UEs in the cell; where the multiple is a fraction and greater than 0.

[0130] - The RSRP / RSRQ value reported by one or more UEs is below a threshold.

[0131] -The load percentage is less than the threshold.

[0132] -The amount of DL or UL data is less than the threshold.

[0133] ii) The event that triggers the DTX operation on the UE side includes at least one of the following:

[0134] - UE reports confirmation of DTX operation configuration.

[0135] - UE's DL transmission is restricted on the serving cell.

[0136] - Only (one or more) UL or DL ​​CC(s) are configured for the UE.

[0137] - The UE is configured with DRX operation.

[0138] - The UE does not need to perform PDCCH monitoring for a certain duration.

[0139] -The measurement result based on SSB, CSI-RS, TRS, PTRS or PRS resources is less than the threshold.

[0140] -The RSRP / RSRQ measurement result is less than the threshold;

[0141] - The associated SSB and CSI-RS resources configured by higher layer parameters are quasi-collocated for the UE.

[0142] - the RRC configuration or reconfiguration including indication information associated with the DTX operation includes

[0143] at least one of the following:

[0144] - the indication information of the above DL signal transmission;

[0145] - a modification period;

[0146] - a serving cell ID or a serving cell group ID for supporting the DL signal transmission.

[0147] - a timer is introduced for the DTX operation. When the timer expires, the DTX operation or the DTX on-duration or the DTX off-duration is stopped or started.

[0148] iii) a timer is introduced for the DTX operation. When the timer expires, the DTX operation or the DTX on-duration or the DTX off-duration is stopped or started.

[0149] In some embodiments, for the indication method for indicating the DTX operation as described above, for a UE with DRX configuration, if the UE is provided with the configuration of the DTX, or if the UE detects the indication associated with the DTX operation, the UE assumes the DTX operation is performed during the next DRX cycle as shown in Figure 8 , or the UE assumes the DTX operation is performed after a delay from the detection of the indication associated with the DTX operation to the end of the current DRX cycle as shown in Figure 9 .

[0150] 4) Back-off mechanism.

[0151] If the UE is provided with the configuration of the DTX operation, or the UE reports ACK of the configuration of the DTX operation, and the UE or all UEs in the cell do not detect the signaling carrying the indication information of the DTX operation on the pre-defined resource, the UE should:

[0152] - assume the DTX operation or the DTX on-duration or the DTX off-duration is not

[0153] available;

[0154] - not perform the DTX operation; or

[0155] - determine whether to perform the DTX operation based on the configuration of the high-layer parameter associated with the DTX operation.

[0156] If the UE is provided with the configuration of DTX operation and DRX operation, or the UE reports ACK of the configuration of DTX operation, and the UE or all UEs in the cell do not detect the signaling carrying the indication information of DTX operation on the pre-defined resource, the UE shall:

[0157] - perform DTX operation from the start of next DRX cycle or after a delay from the end of the monitoring occasion for detecting the signaling to the end of the current DRX cycle or from the start of next / current DRX cycle n to the end of DRX cycle n+N-1; or

[0158] - where N is the number of consecutive DRX cycles available for DTX operation.

[0159] - set the current DRX cycle or one or more DRX cycles following as DTX cycle; or

[0160] - not perform DTX operation in the DTX on duration or DTX off duration in the current DRX cycle or a certain number of DRX cycles; or

[0161] - determine whether to perform DTX operation based on the configuration of the high layer parameter associated with DTX operation.

[0162] If the UE is provided with the configuration of DTX operation, or the UE reports ACK of the configuration of DTX operation, and the UE or all UEs in the cell do not detect the signaling carrying the indication information of DTX operation on the pre-defined resource, the UE shall continue to monitor the signaling on the next pre-defined resource, or the UE performs DTX operation during the default DRX cycle or in the default DTX on duration or default DTX off duration or default DTX cycle.

[0163] 5) UE features.

[0164] The UE features can include at least the following:

[0165] - support of DTX operation for a UE or a group of UEs or a cell or a group of cells;

[0166] - support of cell-specific DTX operation.

[0167] - support of DRX cycle configured as DTX operation, or support of DTX operation applied to DRX cycle.

[0168] - support of DTX operation triggered by DCI.

[0169] - support of DTX operation triggered by timer.

[0170] - support of DTX for PCell, SCell or CA scenario.

[0171] Embodiment: Introduction of DTX and DRX functions.

[0172] DTX function

[0173] 1) DTX is a function that controls DL signal / channel transmission or UL signal / channel transmission, or cell-specific activity or UE-specific activity, or periodic or aperiodic activity, or UL grant or semi-persistent scheduling or dynamic scheduling.

[0174] 2) During the DTX on-duration time, at least one of the following activities can be used:

[0175] A) DL signal / channel transmission includes at least one of: SSB, or SIB, or DL transmission associated with RACH procedure, or paging, or periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS, or periodic PTRS, or DRS, or TRS, or DL semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), or PDCCH with CRC scrambled by a specific RNTI, or PDSCH; wherein the specific RNTI includes at least one of: C-RNTI or CS-RNTI or CI-RNTI, or INT-RNTI, or SFI-RNTI, or SP-CSI-RNTI, or TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, or TPC-SRS-RNTI, or AI-RNTI, SL-RNTI, or SLCS-RNTI or SL semi-persistent scheduling V-RNTI, or SI-RNTI or MCCH-RNTI or G-RNTI or RA-RNTI or MsgB-RNTI or TC-RNTI or P-RNTI or PS-RNTI or RNTI; or, wherein the specific RNTI belongs to Type0-PDCCH CSS set, Type0A-PDCCH CSS set, Type0B-PDCCH CSS set, Type1A-PDCCH CSS set, Type2-PDCCH CSS set, Type2A-PDCCH CSS set, Type3-PDCCH CSS set, and UE-specific SS set. Or

[0176] B) UL signal / channel transmission includes at least one of: SRS, or UL transmission associated with RACH procedure, or RSRP / RSRQ reporting, or CSI reporting, or HARQ-ACK feedback, or scheduling request (SR), or UL grant.

[0177] C) Cell-specific activities include at least one of: cell-specific PUSCH, CG-PUSCH, cell-specific PUCCH, SSB, cell-specific SIB, PDCCH with CRC scrambled by group common RNTI, cell-specific PDSCH, cell-specific antenna port configuration, or cell-specific TDD UL / DL configuration.

[0178] Example 1: Cell-specific PUSCH is e.g. PUSCH scheduled by RAR UL grant, or cell-specific MsgA PUSCH.

[0179] Example 2: Cell-specific PUCCH is e.g. PUCCH format 0 and 1.

[0180] Example 3: Cell-specific SIB is e.g. SIB1.

[0181] Example 4: Group common RNTI is e.g. INT-RNTI, or SFI-RNTI, or SP-CSI-RNTI, or TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, or TPC-SRS-RNTI, or SI-RNTI or MCCH-RNTI or G-RNTI or RA-RNTI or P-RNTI or PS-RNTI or RNTI.

[0182] D) UE-specific activities include at least one of: UE-specific PUSCH, UE-specific PUCCH, PDCCH with CRC scrambled by UE-specific RNTI, UE-specific PDSCH, DL SPS, UE-specific RS transmission, UE-specific measurement, UE-specific reporting.

[0183] E) Periodic activities include periodic RS transmission, SSB, SIB, periodic CSI / RSRP / RSRQ reporting, periodic scheduling request, PDCCH monitoring, periodic data scheduling, semi-persistent scheduling, UL grant, or DRX. Or

[0184] Example 1: Periodic RS transmission is e.g. periodic CSI-RS, periodic ZP-CSI-RS, semi-persistent CSI-RS, periodic PTRS.

[0185] F) Aperiodic activities include aperiodic CSI-RS, aperiodic ZP-CSI-RS, dynamic data scheduling, dynamic scheduling request.

[0186] G) UL grant; or

[0187] H) SPS; or

[0188] I) Dynamic scheduling.

[0189] 3) During the DTX off duration, at least one of the following activities is not available or is limited,

[0190] - A) PDCCH with CRC scrambled by at least one of the following RNTIs: C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, CI-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI, AI-RNTI, SL-RNTI, SLCS-RNTI, or SL semi-persistent scheduling V-RNTI.

[0191] - B) SSB, or SIB, or paging, or periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS.

[0192] - C) SRS, or SR, or UL grant or HARQ-ACK feedback.

[0193] - D) Measurement reporting of periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS.

[0194] - E) drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer starts running after the beginning of the DTX off duration.

[0195] - F) drx-RetransmissionTimerDL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL starts running after the beginning of the DTX off duration.

[0196] - G) Periodic activities include periodic RS transmission, SSB, SIB, periodic CSI / RSRP / RSRQ reporting, periodic scheduling request, PDCCH monitoring, periodic data scheduling, semi-persistent scheduling, UL grant, or DRX.

[0197] 4) During the DTX off duration, at least one of the following activities is available:

[0198] A) Behaviors triggered by timers, including BWP switching, SCell deactivation / activation, RA procedure, search space set group switching, or PDCCH skipping. Examples: Behaviors performed during the duration of ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or msgB-ResponseWindow running.

[0199] B) Activities associated with DRX include at least one of the following:

[0200] - running of drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer, which starts before the beginning of the DTX off duration.

[0201] - running of drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL or drx- RetransmissionTimerSL, which starts before the beginning of the DTX off duration; or

[0202] - a scheduling request is sent on PUCCH and is in pending state. If the serving cell is part of a non-terrestrial network, the DRX active time or the DTX on duration starts after the first scheduling request transmission plus UE-gNB RTT.

[0203] C) Behaviors, including BWP switching during the delay, or SCell deactivation / activation during the delay, or 4-step RA type msg1 / 2 / 3 / 4, or 2-step RA type msgA and msgB, or HARQ-ACK feedback of scheduled data received by the UE, or running of timers, including timers associated with BWP switching, or timers triggering SCell deactivation / activation, or timers associated with DRX operation, timers associated with search space set group switching or PDCCH skipping.

[0204] Example 1: The UE assumes that a RACH procedure during the back-off time or a RACH procedure triggered by a PDCCH order, or an ongoing RACH procedure that occurs before the beginning of the DTX off duration, is available during the DTX off duration.

[0205] Example 2: The UE assumes that a RACH procedure configured as SSB-based RA is available during the DTX off duration.

[0206] Example 3: The UE assumes that a RACH procedure to set the preamble index corresponding to the selected SSB is available during the DTX off duration.

[0207] Example 4: After successful reception of a random access response for a random access preamble not selected by the MAC entity in the contention-based random access preamble, a PDCCH indicating a new transmission addressed to the C-RNTI of the MAC entity is not received.

[0208] D) SR or UL grant.

[0209] E) Periodic reporting of RSRP / RSRQ, or reporting of CSI during the DTX off duration if configured by higher layers.

[0210] F) Measurement of aperiodic CSI / RSRP / RSRQ or measurement of periodic / semi-persistent CSI / RSRP / RSRQ (if configured by higher layer) during DTX off duration.

[0211] 5) In some examples, if a UE is provided with DTX, only DTX on duration is defined or configured for the UE. The UE assumes that activities or configurations allowed / available during DTX on duration are not available or restricted during DTX off duration, and vice versa.

[0212] 6) In some examples, if a UE is provided with DTX or the UE starts to perform DTX operation, the UE shall ignore DRX configuration or shall not perform DRX operation.

[0213] DRX function.

[0214] DRX is a function that:

[0215] - 1) controls the PDCCH monitoring activities of the UE for C-RNTI, CI-RNTI, CS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI, AI-RNTI, SL-RNTI, SLCS-RNTI, and SL semi-persistent scheduling V-RNTI of the MAC entity. When using DRX operation, the MAC entity shall also monitor PDCCH according to the requirements in NR Rel-17. When in RRC_CONNECTED, if DRX is configured, the MAC entity can monitor PDCCH discontinuously using DRX operation for all activated serving cells; otherwise, the MAC entity shall monitor PDCCH as specified in NR Rel-17.

[0216] - 2) Serving cells of the MAC entity can be configured by RRC in two DRX groups with separate DRX parameters. When RRC does not configure the secondary DRX group, there is only one DRX group and all serving cells belong to this one DRX group. When two DRX groups are configured, each serving cell is uniquely assigned to either of the two groups. The DRX parameters configured separately for each DRX group are:

[0217] drx-onDurationTimer, drx-InactivityTimer. DRX parameters common for a DRX group are: drx-SlotOffset, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle (optional), drx-ShortCycleTimer (optional), drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL, drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL, and uplinkHARQ-Mode (optional).

[0218] A DRX group refers to a group of serving cells configured by RRC and having the same DRX active time.

[0219] When DRX is configured, the active time of a serving cell in a DRX group includes the following times:

[0220] - the drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer configured for the DRX group is running;

[0221] - the drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL or drx- RetransmissionTimerSL is running on any serving cell in the DRX group;

[0222] - the ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or msgB-ResponseWindow is running;

[0223] - a scheduling request is sent on PUCCH and is pending. If the serving cell is part of a non-terrestrial network, the active time starts after the first scheduling request transmission plus UE-gNB RTT; or

[0224] - after successful reception of a random access response for a random access preamble not selected by the MAC entity in a contention based random access preamble, a PDCCH addressed to C-RNTI of the MAC entity is not received indicating a new transmission.

[0225] In some examples, the signaling-indicated DTX operation as described above is a discontinuous transmission (DTX) performed by a network node. In some examples, the signaling-indicated DTX operation as described above is a discontinuous transmission (DTX) performed by a UE. In some examples, the signaling-indicated DTX operation as described above is a discontinuous reception (DRX) performed by a UE.

[0226] Figure 10 An example block diagram of a hardware platform 1000, which can be part of a network device (e.g., a base station) or a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE)), is shown. The hardware platform 1000 includes at least one processor 1010 and a memory 1005 having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by the processor 1010, configure the hardware platform 1000 to perform the operations described in the various embodiments described in this patent document and in Figures 1 to 9 and Figure 11 The transmitter 1015 transmits or signals information or data to another device. For example, a network device transmitter can signal a message to a user equipment. The receiver 1020 receives information or data transmitted or signaled by another device. For example, a user equipment can receive a message from a network device.

[0227] Implementations as described above will apply to wireless communications. Figure 11 An example of a wireless communication system (e.g., a 5G or NR cellular network) including a base station 1120 and one or more user equipments (UEs) 1111, 1112, and 1113 is shown. In some embodiments, a UE uses a communication link to a network (sometimes referred to as an uplink direction, as shown by the dashed arrows 1131, 1132, 1133) to access the BS (e.g., the network), which then enables subsequent communications from the BS to the UE (e.g., shown in the direction from the network to the UE, sometimes referred to as a downlink direction, as shown by the arrows 1141, 1142, 1143). In some embodiments, the BS signals information to the UE (sometimes referred to as a downlink direction, as shown by the arrows 1141, 1142, 1143), which then enables subsequent communications from the UE to the BS (e.g., shown in the direction from the UE to the BS, sometimes referred to as an uplink direction, as shown by the dashed arrows 1131, 1132, 1133). The UEs can be, for example, smartphones, tablets, mobile computers, machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc.

[0228] The disclosed and other embodiments, modules and the functional operations described in this document can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this document and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The disclosed and other embodiments can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them. The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. The propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

[0229] The present application discloses an energy saving method, the method comprising: receiving, by a communication device, an indication of a discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation of a network node; and operating the communication device in accordance with the indication of the DTX operation.

[0230] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation comprises identifying one or more activities that the network node is to be off during the DTX operation or a pattern of on durations and off durations of the DTX operation.

[0231] In some embodiments, the activities can be periodic or aperiodic.

[0232] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an on duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: DL signal / channel transmission, UL signal / channel transmission, or cell-specific activities.

[0233] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an off duration, the communication device is restricted from performing at least one of the following activities: SSB, SIB, paging, periodic, semi-persistent CSI-RS, SRS, SR, or UL grant, HARQ-ACK feedback, or DRX operation.

[0234] In some embodiments, when the pattern is an off duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: a timer triggered behavior; a DRX associated activity, or a behavior including a message or feedback received by the communication device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the timer triggered behavior can be performed during a duration when a ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or a msgB-ResponseWindow is running.

[0236] In some embodiments, the DRX associated activity can be a running of a drx- RetransmissionTimerDL, a drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, or a drx-RetransmissionTimerSL.

[0237] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation includes at least one of the following: an off duration or availability of an off duration, an on duration or validity of an on duration, a periodicity or availability of a periodicity, offset information, or delay information.

[0238] In some embodiments, the indication of the DTX operation is conveyed by signaling, where the signaling includes at least one of the following: DCI, MAC CE, RRC signaling, SIB, interaction information from another communication device, or an event.

[0239] In some embodiments, the DCI can be at least one of the following: cell specific signaling, group common signaling, or UE specific DCI information.

[0240] In some embodiments, where the DCI indication information is cell specific signaling or group common signaling, the DCI indication information can be generated in at least one of the following ways: through an information block configured to indicate a cell within a cell group or a device within a device group, through an information block configured to indicate a cell group or a device group, or through a bit in a bitmap configured to indicate a cell or a cell group, or a device or a device group.

[0241] In some embodiments, where the DCI is group common signaling or UE specific DCI, the information field in the DCI associated with the DTX operation can be at least one of the following: an existing field in the indication of the DTX operation, where the reuse is triggered by another existing field in the DCI or triggered by a higher layer parameter associated with the DTX operation, or a new field in the indication of the DTX operation.

[0242] In another example aspect, the above-described method is embodied in the form of processor-executable code, and stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The code included in the computer-readable storage medium, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method described in this patent document.

[0243] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that is configured as or operable to perform the above-described method.

[0244] A computer program, which can also be referred to or referred to as a program, software, a software application, an app, a script, or code, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that is used to store other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or code portions). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and are interconnected by a communication network.

[0245] The processes and logic flows described in this document can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0246] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, or a computer program product suitable for storing a computer program and data. However, a computer need not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0247] While this document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or of what can be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that can be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described herein in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such an order, nor

[0248] Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Many variations, modifications, and enhancements of the described examples and implementations and other implementations can be made based on what is disclosed.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a communications device, from a network node an indication of discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation of the network node, wherein the indication of the DTX operation specifies identification of one or more activities that the network node turns off during the DTX operation or during a pattern of on-durations and off-durations of the DTX operation; as well as operating the communication device in accordance with the indication of the DTX operation, When the pattern is of off-duration, the communication device is restricted from performing: periodic channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, semi-persistent CSI-RS, and hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement HARQ-ACK feedback operations. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more activities are periodic or aperiodic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein when the pattern is an on-duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: DL signal / channel transmission reception, UL signal / channel transmission, or cell-specific activity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein when the pattern is an off-duration, the communication device is further restricted from performing at least one of the following activities: SSB, SIB, paging, SRS, SR, UL grant, or DRX operation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the pattern is an off-duration, the communication device is allowed to perform at least one of the following activities: an action triggered by a timer; an action associated with DRX, or an action including a message or feedback received by the communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the behavior triggered by the timer is performed during the duration that ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or msgB-ResponseWindow is running. 7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the activity associated with DRX comprises running of drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, or drx-RetransmissionTimerSL.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication of DTX operation further indicates at least one of: an off-duration or the availability of the off-duration, an on-duration or the validity of the on-duration, a period or the availability of the period, offset information, or delay information.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication of the DTX operation is indicated by downlink control information (DCI) for one or more communication devices, and wherein the indication of the DTX operation in the DCI is generated by an information block configured to indicate a cell.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information field associated with DTX operation in the DCI comprises a new field in the indication of the DTX operation.

11. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: At least one processor configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having codes stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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