Apparatus, method and computer program for multicast session in rrc inactive

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for an access node (802), the apparatus causing the access node to: receive (8001) a request for activation of a multicast session; for at least one cell, determining (8003) whether to transmit data for a multicast session using a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or using a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state; when it is determined that data for a multicast session is transmitted using a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state, for at least one user equipment in at least one cell, signaling (8004) an indication that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for reception will be for a radio resource control inactive state; and transmitting data of the multicast session in the at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority to UK patent application number 2204466.3 filed on March 29, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Various examples described herein generally relate to apparatus, methods, and computer programs, and more particularly (but not limited to) relate to apparatus, methods, and computer programs for network devices. Background Art

[0004] In general, a communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables a communication session between two or more entities (such as user terminals, access nodes, and / or other nodes) by providing a bearer between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided by a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session may include, for example, a communication for carrying data for communication, such as voice, electronic mail (email), text messaging, multimedia, and / or content data. Content may be multicast or unicast to a communication device.

[0005] A user can access the communication system through an appropriate communication device or terminal. The user's communication device is usually called a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device can access the bearer provided by the access node and send and / or receive communications on the bearer.

[0006] The communication system and associated equipment typically operate according to a required standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be implemented. The communication protocols and / or parameters to be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Another example of an architecture is the Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. Another example communication system is a so-called 5G system that allows a user equipment (UE) or user device to contact the 5G core via, for example, a new radio (NR) access technology or via other access technologies (such as untrusted access to 5GC or wired access technology).

[0007] In 5G, the UE Registration Area (RA) includes a list of one or more Tracking Areas (TAs). A Tracking Area is a logical concept of an area where a UE can move around without updating the network. The network can assign a list with one or more TAs to a UE. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to a first aspect, a device for an access node is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; determining, for at least one cell, whether to transmit data for the multicast session using a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or using a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state; when it is determined that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, signaling, for at least one user equipment in at least one cell, that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode used for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control inactive state; and transmitting the data for the multicast session in at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0009] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0010] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0011] The apparatus may also include means for receiving an indication of a service area in which to activate the multicast session from a neighboring radio access network node.

[0012] The means for determining may include means for determining dependent on at least one of: a number of radio resource control connected user equipment configured to receive the multicast session in at least one cell; and a pre-configuration.

[0013] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0014] The apparatus may include means for transmitting the signaled indication only when the multicast session is active.

[0015] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0016] The means for signaling the indication may include means for signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0017] The signaling means may include means for signaling a paging request for the multicast session to at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0018] The apparatus may also include means for repeatedly signaling an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0019] The apparatus may further include a component for: determining area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a service area for the multicast session; and signaling a request for activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the neighboring RAN node.

[0020] The request to at least a neighboring RAN node for activation of a multicast service may comprise an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0021] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising components for: receiving an indication from an access point that a multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for reception is to be used in a radio resource control inactive state; and receiving data for the multicast session using the transmission mode for reception in the radio resource control inactive state.

[0022] The indication may be an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0023] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0024] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0025] The apparatus may also include means for receiving the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0026] The apparatus may also include means for receiving the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0027] The apparatus may also include means for repeatedly receiving an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0028] According to a third aspect, a device for an access node is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, comprising code, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the device to: receive a request for activation of a multicast session; determine, for at least one cell, whether to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state, or to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state to transmit data for the multicast session; when it is determined that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, send a signal to at least one user equipment in at least one cell that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode used for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control inactive state; and transmit the data for the multicast session in at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0029] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0030] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0031] The apparatus may also be caused to receive, from a neighboring radio access network node, an indication of a service area in which to activate the multicast session.

[0032] The determining may include: determining depending on at least one of: a number of radio resource control connected user equipments configured to receive the multicast session in at least one cell; and pre-configuration.

[0033] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0034] The apparatus may be caused to transmit the signaled indication only when the multicast session is active.

[0035] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0036] Signaling the indication may include signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0037] The signaling may include signaling a paging request for the multicast session to at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0038] The apparatus may also be caused to repeatedly signal an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0039] The apparatus may also be caused to: determine area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a service area for the multicast session; and signal a request for said activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the neighboring RAN node.

[0040] The request to at least a neighboring RAN node for activation of a multicast service may comprise an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect, a device for a user equipment is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, comprising code, which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the device to: receive an indication from an access point that a multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for reception will be used for a radio resource control inactive state; and receive data for the multicast session using the transmission mode for reception in the radio resource control inactive state.

[0042] The indication may be an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0043] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0044] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0045] The apparatus may also be caused to receive the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0046] The apparatus may also be caused to receive the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0047] The apparatus may also be caused to repeatedly receive an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0048] According to a fifth aspect, a method for an apparatus for an access node is provided, the method comprising: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; determining, for at least one cell, whether to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state to transmit data for the multicast session; when it is determined that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, for at least one user equipment in at least one cell, sending a signal that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode used for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control inactive state; and transmitting the data for the multicast session in at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0049] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0050] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0051] The method may further include receiving an indication of a service area in which to activate the multicast session from a neighboring radio access network node.

[0052] The determining may include: determining depending on at least one of: a number of radio resource control connected user equipments configured to receive the multicast session in at least one cell; and pre-configuration.

[0053] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0054] The method may comprise transmitting the signaled indication only when the multicast session is active.

[0055] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0056] Signaling the indication may include signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0057] The signaling may include signaling a paging request for the multicast session to at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0058] The method may further include repeatedly signaling an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0059] The method may also include: determining area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a service area of ​​the multicast session; and signaling a request for the activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the neighboring RAN node.

[0060] The request to at least a neighboring RAN node for activation of a multicast service may comprise an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0061] According to a sixth aspect, a method for a device for a user equipment is provided, the method comprising: receiving an indication from an access point that a multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for reception will be for a radio resource control inactive state; and receiving data for the multicast session using the transmission mode for reception in the radio resource control inactive state.

[0062] The indication may be an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0063] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0064] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0065] The method may further include receiving the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0066] The method may also include receiving the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0067] The method may also include repeatedly receiving an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0068] According to the seventh aspect, a device for an access node is provided, the device comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; a determining circuit system for determining, for at least one cell, whether to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state to transmit data for the multicast session; a signaling circuit system for, when determining to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state to transmit data for the multicast session, signaling, for at least one user equipment in at least one cell, that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control inactive state; and a sending circuit system for transmitting data for the multicast session in at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0069] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0070] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0071] The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry for receiving an indication of a service area for an activated multicast session from a neighboring radio access network node.

[0072] The determining circuitry for determining may comprise determining circuitry for determining dependent on at least one of: a number of radio resource control connected user equipment configured to receive the multicast session in at least one cell; and a pre-configuration.

[0073] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0074] The apparatus may include transmitting circuitry for transmitting the signaled indication only when the multicast session is active.

[0075] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0076] The signaling circuitry for signaling the indication may include signaling circuitry for signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0077] The signaling circuitry for signaling may include signaling circuitry for signaling a paging request for a multicast session to at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0078] The apparatus may further include signaling circuitry for repeatedly signaling an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0079] The apparatus may further include: a determining circuit system for determining area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a service area of ​​the multicast session; and a signaling circuit system for signaling a request for activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the neighboring RAN node.

[0080] The request to at least a neighboring RAN node for activation of a multicast service may comprise an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0081] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication from an access point that a multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for reception will be that for a radio resource control inactive state; and a receiving circuit system for receiving data for the multicast session using the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state.

[0082] The indication may be an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0083] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0084] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0085] The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry for receiving the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0086] The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry for receiving the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0087] The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry for repeatedly receiving an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0088] According to the ninth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for an access node to perform at least the following items: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; determining, for at least one cell, whether to use a received transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or a received transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state to transmit data for the multicast session; when it is determined that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, for at least one user equipment in at least one cell, signaling that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode used for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control inactive state; and transmitting data for the multicast session in at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0089] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0090] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0091] The apparatus may also be caused to receive, from a neighboring radio access network node, an indication of a service area in which to activate the multicast session.

[0092] The determining may include: determining depending on at least one of: a number of radio resource control connected user equipments configured to receive the multicast session in at least one cell; and pre-configuration.

[0093] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0094] The apparatus may be caused to transmit the signaled indication only when the multicast session is active.

[0095] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0096] Signaling the indication may include signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0097] The signaling may include signaling a paging request for the multicast session to at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0098] The apparatus may also be caused to repeatedly signal an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0099] The apparatus may also be caused to: determine area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a service area for the multicast session; and signal a request for activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the neighboring RAN node.

[0100] The request to at least a neighboring RAN node for activation of a multicast service may comprise an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0101] According to a tenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus for a user equipment to perform at least the following items: receiving an indication from an access point that a multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for reception will be for a radio resource control inactive state; and receiving data for the multicast session using the transmission mode for reception in the radio resource control inactive state.

[0102] The indication may be an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0103] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0104] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0105] The apparatus may also be caused to receive the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0106] The apparatus may also be caused to receive the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0107] The apparatus may also be caused to repeatedly receive an indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

[0108] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which can cause an apparatus to perform any method described herein.

[0109] According to a twelfth aspect, an electronic device is provided, which may include the apparatus described herein.

[0110] According to a thirteenth aspect, a chipset is provided, which may include the apparatus described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0111] Some examples will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0112] Figure 1A and 1B A schematic representation of a 5G system is shown;

[0113] Figure 2 A schematic representation of a network device is shown;

[0114] Figure 3 A schematic representation of a user equipment is shown;

[0115] Figure 4 A schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more steps of some example methods is shown;

[0116] Figure 5 A schematic representation of the network is shown;

[0117] Figures 6 to 7 The signaling operation is shown;

[0118] Figure 8 shows example signaling between communication entities described herein; and

[0119] Fig. 9 and 10 is a flow chart illustrating example operations that may be performed by the apparatus described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] In the description of the following examples, certain aspects will be explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these aspects will be described below with reference to a 5G wireless communication system. However, it should be understood that these aspects are not limited to a 5G wireless communication system and may, for example, be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., the current 6G proposal).

[0121] Before describing the examples in detail, some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems will be referred to. Figure 1A and 1B is briefly explained.

[0122] Figure 1AA schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of 5G AN, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for non-trusted / trusted non-3GPP access or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AF) 108, and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

[0123] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. A RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0124] 5GC 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more unified data management (UDM) functions 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, one or more unified data repository (UDR) functions 122, one or more network repository functions (NRF) 128 and / or one or more network exposure functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide secure exposure of network services (e.g., voice, data connectivity, billing, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 is not depicted with its interfaces, it should be understood that this is for reasons of clarity and that NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0125] The 5GC 106 also includes a network data analysis function (NWDAF) 126. The NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information based on requests from one or more network functions or devices within the network. A network function may also subscribe to the NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Thus, the NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by the NWDAF 126 may be performed based on at least one subscription to an event provided by at least one network function.

[0126] The network may also include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS management service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer may provide data analysis in the management plane taking into account parameters including, for example, load level and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer for a network function (NF) may collect load-related performance data of the NF, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data may provide a prediction of resource usage information in a predefined future time window. The analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as expansion of resources, admission control, load balancing of traffic, etc.

[0127] Figure 1B A schematic representation of a 5GC as represented in the current 3GPP specification is shown. It should be understood that the architecture is intended to illustrate potential components that may be included in a core network, and the principles currently described are not limited to a core network comprising only the components described.

[0128] Figure 1B A 5GC 106' is shown, comprising a UPF 120' connected to an SMF 114' via an N4 interface. The SMF 114' is connected to a UDM 122', a NEF 124', a NWDAF 126', an AF 108', a Policy Control Function (PCF) 130', an AMF 112', and a Charging Function 132' via an interconnect medium, which also interconnects these network functions. The 5G Core 106' also includes a Network Repository Function (NRF) 133' and a Network Function 134' connected to the interconnect medium.

[0129] 3GPP refers to a group of organizations that develop and publish different standardized communication protocols. 3GPP develops and publishes documents about the system in "releases" (e.g., Release 15, Release 16 and above).

[0130] In telecommunications, a Registration Area (RA) includes a list of Tracking Areas (TAs) for a UE. A Registration Area contains one or more TAs where a UE can be paged. Each TA may include one or more cells controlled by one or more corresponding base stations.

[0131] Paging allows the network to reach UEs in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states through paging messages, and to notify UEs in RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_CONNECTED states of system information changes and earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) / commercial mobile alert system (CMAS) indications through short messages. Both paging messages and short messages are addressed using a paging temporary identifier (e.g., a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI)) on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). However, the former is sent on a paging control channel, while the latter is sent directly through the PDCCH.

[0132] While in RRC_IDLE, the UE monitors the paging channel for paging initiated by the core network. In addition, when in RRC_INACTIVE, the UE also monitors the paging channel for paging initiated by the radio access network. However, the UE does not need to continuously monitor the paging channel.

[0133] SA2 has defined 5G multicast and broadcast procedures in TS 23.247. SA2 has agreed to conduct Release 18 studies on enhancements to 5G multicast broadcast services in TR 23.700-47.

[0134] In Release 17, the MBS (Multicast and Broadcast Service) process distribution area for a multicast session is determined by the presence of UEs joining the multicast session in the cell. The distribution area may be further restricted by the service area defined for the multicast session: the data of the multicast session is only distributed in cells within the service area where UEs within the multicast session are present.

[0135] For an inactive UE, the location is unknown at the cell level and only at the RNA (RAN-based Notification Area) level. The UE can move between cells within an area configured by the NG-RAN (RNA) without notifying the NG-RAN (see TS 38.300). The RNA can be a tracking area or part of a tracking area and can also be represented by a cell ID.

[0136] The Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects (TSG-SA) includes a collection of groups responsible for the overall architecture and service capabilities of a system based on 3GPP specifications.

[0137] One of these groups, SA2, has defined 5G multicast and broadcast procedures in 3GPP TS23.247.

[0138] SA2 also agreed to conduct a study on enhancements to 5G multicast broadcast services in TR 23.700-47 for Release 18. At least one of the objectives of this study is to study the possibility of further enhancements to multicast and broadcast services (MBS) for a large number of UEs, in particular by enabling UEs to receive multicast MBS session data in a radio resource control (RRC) state, such as, for example, an RRC inactive state. RRC inactive state support typically requires collaboration with the Radio Access Network (RAN) working group in 3GPP to enable efficient operation.

[0139] Figure 6 Example signaling that may be performed between various communications and / or network elements for activating an MBS session is shown.

[0140] Figure 6 Example signaling that may be performed between a user equipment (UE) 601, a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) 602, an access and mobility function (AMF) 603, a session management function (SMF) 604, a user plane function (UPF) 605, a multicast broadcast UPF (MB-UPF) 606, and an MB-SMF 607 is shown.

[0141] At 6001, after MBS session activation is triggered for an MBS service, the MB-UPF 606 and the MB-SMF 607 exchange signaling. This may be triggered in a variety of situations. For example, this MBS service activation may be triggered when the MB-UPF 606 receives downlink data for a multicast MBS session. This MBS service activation may be triggered based on the receipt of an instruction to activate the MBS service from the MB-SMF at the MB-UPF 606. The MB-UPF may transmit an "N4mb notification" including a session identifier to the MB-SMF to indicate the arrival of downlink MBS data. As another example, the MBS service activation may be performed in response to an application function (not shown) transmitting an MBS activation request including a multicast session identifier (e.g., a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI)) to the MB-SMF (directly or through another network element, such as a network exposure function).

[0142] At 6002, MB-SMF 607 signals SMF 604. This signaling at 6002 may indicate that an MBS service is being activated. Using 3GPP terminology, this signaling at 6002 may include a Nmbsmf_MBSSession_ContextStatusNotify signal and may include a session identifier of the MBS session being activated for the user in addition to an explicit indication that a multicast session is being activated (MBS Session ID).

[0143] In response to the signaling of 6002, the SMF may set the relevant multicast MBS session state to the "active" state and determine the UE set that joins the multicast MBS session identified by the relevant MBS session identifier. When the SMF determines that the user plane of the associated (multiple) PDU session of the (multiple) UE with respect to the MBS session identifier has been activated, the signaling continues to 6012 and 6003 to 6011 are not performed. Otherwise, steps 6003 to 6011 may be performed.

[0144] At 6003, SMF 604 signals the AMF. The signaling may identify the UEs in the determined set of UEs (which may include one or more than one UE) and request at least one address for notifying those UEs in the determined set that are related to the MBS service. The signaling of 6003 may be labeled as Namf_MT_EnableGroupReachability request. The signaling of 6003 may also include an MBS session identifier. The signaling of 6003 may use at least one session identifier (e.g., a packet data unit (PDU) session identifier) ​​of a session associated with at least one UE in the determined set to identify those UEs in the determined set. When a later UE is reachable, the UE reachability notification address may be used by the AMF to identify and notify the relevant SMF.

[0145] After receiving the request at 6003, for each UE in the set, the AMF determines the connection management state of the UE. This is explained with respect to 6004 to 6011.

[0146] For those UEs participating in the multicast MBS session (i.e., included in the determined set) and in the CONNECTED state, the AMF 603 indicates those UEs to the SMF 605 at 6004. This may be performed using a Namf_MT_EnableGroupReachability response including a UE list. Otherwise, the response does not include a UE list.

[0147] At 6005, for each UE in the UE list included in 6004, when the QoS profile for the associated (multiple) quality of service (QoS) flow has not been provided for the (multiple) PDU sessions associated with those UEs, the SMF provides the QoS profile information for those UEs to AMF603. This can be performed using Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer. The signaling can also provide mapping information between any unicast QoS flow and any multicast QoS flow for those UEs. Associated QoS profiles and mapping information between unicast QoS flows and multicast QoS flows can be included to support 5GC separate MBS traffic delivery.

[0148] When AMF 603 determines that there is a UE in idle state and participating in a multicast MBS session (when there is no UE in idle state, the mechanism can jump to 6012), 6006 to 6011 are executed.

[0149] At 6006, the AMF determines a paging area covering all registration areas of those UEs included in the set that are in idle state, and transmits a paging request message to the NG-RAN node(s) belonging to this paging area using the MBS session identifier as the identifier to be paged if the relevant NG-RAN node(s) support MBS. When the NG-RAN node(s) for the paging area do not support MBS, the AMF 603 transmits a paging message to the NG-RAN node(s) of each UE without using the MBS session identifier.

[0150] At 6007, the paged UE 601 signals the AMF 603. The signaling at 6007 may include a service request message.

[0151] At 6008, upon receiving the service request message of 6007, the AMF 603 may signal the SMF 604 to update the context for the UE 601 at the SMF 604. This signaling may be performed using a Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request message.

[0152] At 6009, SMF 604 may respond to the signaling of 6008. The response may include, for example, a Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response message. The response may indicate that the context has been updated. Thereafter, the mechanism may jump to 6012.

[0153] For those UEs that do not respond to the paging request of 6006, 6010 and 6011 are executed.

[0154] At 6010, the AMF 603 signals the SMF 604. The signaling of 6010 informs the SMF 6004 that the paging failed. This may be signaled using, for example, a Namf_MT_UEReachabilityInfoNotify message.

[0155] The SMF 604 may respond to the signaling of 6010 at 6011. At 6011, for a UE indicated as reachable to 6010, or a user plane of the associated PDU session has been activated but QoS profile(s) for the associated QoS flow(s) need to be provided for the PDU session, the SMF may call Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer(N2 SM Info()) to the AMF at 6011.

[0156] At 6012, the AMF 603 transmits an N2 request message including N2 session management information to the RAN node 602. The N2 interface supports control plane signaling between the RAN and the 5G core, covering scenarios related to UE context management and PDU session / resource management procedures.

[0157] When the shared tunnel has not been previously established, 6013 is executed. During 6013, the shared tunnel is established.

[0158] During 6014, when 5G Core separate MBS traffic delivery is used, SMF 604 configures UPF 605 for separate delivery and requests MB-SMF 607 to configure MB-UPF 606 to transmit multicast data to UPF 605.

[0159] During 6015, the MB-SMF 607 determines that a shared tunnel has been established and, in response to the determination, signals the AMF 603. The signaling of 6015 may include an MBS session identifier.

[0160] The signaling of 6015 may include Namf_MBSCommunication_N2MessageTransfer request signaling.

[0161] At 6016, the AMF 603 signals an activation request to the NG-RAN node(s) 602 associated with the UE 601 included in the set in the CONNECTED state. The signaling may include an NGAP Activation Request message. For those UEs in the set that have joined an MBS session and are in the RRC-INACTIVE state, the RAN node may perform RAN paging.

[0162] At 6017, the NG-RAN node 602 responds to the AMF 603. The response at 6014 may include an NGAP activation response message. The response may indicate that the NG-RAN node 6014 has established radio resources for sending multicast MBS session data to (multiple) UEs associated with the NG-RAN, which is associated with the MBS multicast service. The NG-RAN 602 may not release the radio connection of a UE that has joined the multicast session simply because no unicast traffic is received for the UE.

[0163] At 6018, the AMF 603 may signal the MB-SMF 607. The response may include a Namf_MBSCommunication_N2MessageTransfer response.

[0164] At 6019, MB-SMF 607 may signal a session modification request to MB-UPF 606 for forwarding the received data packet. MB-UPF 606 may respond to this session modification request.

[0165] The figure shows (at 6016) that all inactive / idle UEs will need to transmit a service request and transition to an active / connected state in order to receive MBS session data.

[0166] The paging process is about Figure 7 is shown.

[0167] Figure 7 The signaling that may be performed between the UE 701, the last serving access point 702 of the UE 702, another access point 703, and the AMF 704 is shown. The AMF 704 may correspond to the AMF 603ay 6016 when paging those UEs in the determined set that are in IDLE connected mode.

[0168] At 7001, the UE 701 is in RRC INACTIVE CM mode when a RAN paging triggering event occurs. This may be, for example, incoming downlink signaling on the user plane and / or downlink signaling on the control plane.

[0169] At 7002, RAN paging is triggered at the last serving access point 702. This may be performed only in at least one cell controlled by the last serving access point 702, or in both at least one cell controlled by the last serving access point 702 and at least one cell controlled by another access point 703.

[0170] In the latter case, the last serving access point 702 signals another access point 703. The signaling may be implemented by Xn RAN paging in a cell controlled by another access point. The other access point 703 may be configured as a UE in a RAN-based Notification Area (RNA).

[0171] At 7004, UE 701 is paged. The paging of 7004 may include a temporary identifier. For example, the paging of 7004 may include an Inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI).

[0172] The I-RNTI is applicable to the RRC inactive state. In contrast to other RNTIs, the I-RNTI is not used to scramble the CRC bits belonging to the PDCCH payload. Instead, the I-RNTI is used to address the UE within the RRC signaling message. When the network moves the UE from the RRC connected state to the RRC inactive state, the I-RNTI may be allocated to the UE within the RRC release message.

[0173] The I-RNTI is used to identify both the UE and the base station hosting the UE context. This allows the UE context to be moved from one base station to another if the UE is in mobility while in the RRC Inactive state.

[0174] At 7005, assuming that UE 701 was successfully paged at 7004, UE 701 attempts to recover from the RRC_INACTIVE state, that is, UE 701 requests a transition to the RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0175] It is identified below that when the transmission mode for inactive reception is applicable to an MBS multicast session in a cell, it would be useful for an RRC-inactive UE to remain in the RRC-inactive state during the activation of the MBS multicast session.

[0176] For clarity of the entire description, the following applies to the present disclosure. The state of a multicast session can be active or inactive. Multicast data is sent only while the multicast session is active.

[0177] A UE may be in a particular Radio Resource Control (RRC) state at any particular time. The RRC state of a UE may be RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC_CONNECTED. The UE may transition between these states.

[0178] The RAN node may be able to set the transmission mode for the multicast session. Specifically, the RAN node may be able to set the transmission mode for RRC_Inactive reception (e.g., when the receiving UE is in the RRC_Inactive state) or the transmission mode for RRC-Connected reception (e.g., when the receiving UE is in the RRC_Connected state). Thus, the transmission mode for RRC_Inactive reception may allow the UE to be in the RRC-Inactive state while receiving data for the multicast session. When the transmission mode for RRC_Inactive reception is used, a UE in the RRC-Connected state may also receive data for the multicast session.

[0179] The following relates to the process used to activate a multicast session when data transmission begins. In addition, the transmission mode can be considered irrelevant when there is no multicast data transmission. However, the UE can still transition to the inactive RRC state when there is no multicast data transmission.

[0180] The procedure for activation may depend on the selected transmission mode. For example, for a transition mode for connected reception, an inactive UE may be triggered to transition to the RRC connected state. For a transmission mode for inactive reception, an inactive UE may be notified of the MBS session activation in a manner that avoids causing the RRC inactive state UE to transition to the RRC connected state.

[0181] To this end, an example is provided below, where upon receiving an NG activation request or an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request for a multicast session (which may be indicated using an MBS session identifier, such as described above), the access point (e.g., NG_RAN node) determines whether to use a transmission mode for inactive reception or a transmission mode for connected mode reception for each cell within the RAN paging area of ​​the UE within the multicast session. The transmission mode for inactive reception enables a UE in an RRC inactive state to receive data for an MBS session without transitioning to an RRC connected state. The transmission mode for connected reception requires the UE to be in an RRC connected state to receive data for the MBS session.

[0182] When the RAN node has insufficient information about the UEs within a multicast session in a cell, the RAN node may be preconfigured to perform a predetermined action plan. For example, the location of an RRC-inactive UE is not known at the cell level. Instead, it is only known in the much larger RAN paging area. However, when the UEs are in an RRC connected state, their location is known at the cell level, which enables the RAN node to determine that at least some of the UEs within the multicast session are present within the cell. Future determinations may be affected based on the results of adopting this predetermined action plan, so that when the RAN node has insufficient information about the UEs within the multicast session in the cell, future determinations may cause different action plans to be executed. The predetermined action plan may depend on information about the UE and / or UE number.

[0183] When the NG RAN node determines to use the transmission mode for connected mode reception, the NG RAN node transmits a RAN paging request to the inactive mode UE.

[0184] When the NG RAN node determines to use the transmission mode for inactive reception, the NG RAN node may perform at least one of the following.

[0185] As a first option, the NG RAN node may broadcast in a radio channel, for example in a Multicast Control Channel (MCCH), that the NG RAN node is sending an MBS session. This broadcast may include an identifier identifying the multicast session.

[0186] In a variation of this first option, the NG RAN node also additionally or alternatively signals an MBS session identifier for the inactive session, and an indication of whether the MBS session is active (or inactive). This variation may be beneficial when handling mobility for location-dependent services, where an MBS session may be active in some areas and inactive in other areas.

[0187] In a variation of this first option, the NG RAN node also additionally or alternatively sends an MBS session ID for UEs within a multicast session utilizing a transmission mode for connected mode reception and indicates whether the transmission mode is used for inactive reception or connected mode reception. This variation may also be useful for handling mobility for location-dependent services, where an MBS session may be active in some areas and inactive in other areas.

[0188] These variants may be implemented, for example, by signaling a RAN initiated paging request to the cell and indicating in the request whether paging is for receiving MBS data via inactive transmission mode. The signaling may request establishment of shared delivery for a multicast session (when triggered by XnAP RAN multicast group paging). The NG RAN may initiate sending the data immediately or when the NG RAN node identifies that a UE interested in the multicast session is present in the cell.

[0189] The NG RAN node may transmit a request to announce the MBS session activation to at least one neighboring RAN node within the RAN notification area (multicast group paging area) of the UE in the MBS session. This may be performed, for example, using an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0190] Depending on the variant selected above, the UE may determine whether to receive data in a transmission mode for inactive reception or in a transmission mode for connected mode reception based on one of the following approaches.

[0191] For example, the UE may determine whether to receive incoming data in connected mode or in inactive mode depending on reception of a broadcast message, in response to an indication in a RAN initiated paging message to use a particular transmission mode for inactive reception, and / or depending on reception of a broadcast message in which a multicast session is sent but no RAN initiated paging message is subsequently received.

[0192] The UE may then receive MBS data in accordance with its determination. In a variant where the NG RAN node also sends an MBS session ID for an inactive session, and an indication of whether the MBS session is inactive, the UE starts receiving MBS data only if it indicates that the session is active.

[0193] The system currently described is about Figure 8 is shown.

[0194] Figure 8 Signaling that may be performed between UE 801, a first NG RAN node 802, a second NG RAN node 803, and AMF 804 is shown.

[0195] At 8001, the AMF 804 signals an activation request for an MBS session to the first NG RAN 802. The activation request indicates that data transmission for the MBS multicast session is about to start or resume. The activation request may include an identifier (e.g., TMGI) of the MBS session. The NG RAN 802 may have information of UEs served by the NG RAN 802 that have requested to receive the multicast service (in other words, the NG RAN 802 may have information of UEs served by it that have joined the multicast session).

[0196] At 8002, the first NG RAN 802 determines an area for activation by combining RAN-based Notification Areas (RNAs) of UEs that are joining a multicast session, are in an RRC inactive state and are being served by a RAN node, and intersecting the combined area with a possible serving area of ​​the MBS session being activated. The RNA is defined by the 3GPP specification.

[0197] For the cells in the determined activation area, the NG RAN 802 determines at 8003 whether to apply a transmission mode for inactive reception of MBS data or to apply a transmission mode for connected reception of MBS data. This determination may be made independently for each cell. This determination may be made for all cells located within the determined intersection area. As described above, the transmission mode for inactive reception enables a UE in the RRC_inactive state to receive data for a multicast session. The transmission mode for connected reception requires the UE to be in the RRC connected state to receive MBS data.

[0198] At 8004, for those cells for which the transmission mode for inactive reception was determined to be applied at 8003, the first NG RAN 802 signals broadcast information. The broadcast information may include an identifier of the multicast session. The broadcast information of 8004 may include an indication that the MBS session is active (i.e., data for the MBS session is being transmitted). In response to receiving the broadcast information 8004, the UE 801 prepares to receive the MBS session while maintaining the RRC_Inactive state for receiving MBS service data.

[0199] At 8005, for those cells for which the transmission mode for connected reception is determined to be applied at 8003, the first NGRAN 802 transmits a paging request for the multicast session. The signaling of 8005 may include a multicast session identifier. In response to the paging of 8005, the UE 801 may enter the RRC CONNECTED state for receiving MBS service data.

[0200] 8005 to 8009 are steps that can be performed when it is determined that at least a portion of the determined activation area is served by the second NG RAN 803.

[0201] At 8006, the first NG RAN 802 signals the second NG RAN 803. The signaling at 8006 may be an activation and / or paging request. The signaling at 8006 may include an identifier of an MBS session. The signaling at 8006 may include an indication of an activation area.

[0202] At 8007, the second NG RAN 803 determines whether to apply a transmission mode for inactive reception of MBS data or to apply a transmission mode for connected reception of MBS data for cells within the activation area for reception.

[0203] At 8008, for those cells for which the transmission model for inactive reception was determined to apply at 8007, the second NG RAN 803 signals broadcast information. The broadcast information may include an identifier of the multicast session. The broadcast information of 8007 may include an indication that the MBS session is active. In response to receiving the broadcast information 8004, the UE 801 prepares to receive the MBS session, but remains in the RRC_Inactive state for receiving MBS service data.

[0204] At 8009, for those cells for which the transmission mode for connected reception is determined to be applied at 8007, the second NGRAN 803 transmits a paging request for the multicast session. The signaling at 8009 may include a multicast session identifier. In response to the paging at 8009, the UE 801 may enter an RRC connected state for receiving MBS service data.

[0205] Fig. 9 and 10 Example operations that may be performed by the apparatus described herein are shown.It should be understood that these highlight the above aspects, and that features of the above examples may be combined with these highlighted aspects in certain implementations.

[0206] Fig. 9 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus for an access node are illustrated. The access node may be, for example, a RAN node, such as a NG-RAN node.

[0207] At 901, the apparatus receives a request for activation of a multicast session.

[0208] At 902, the apparatus determines, for at least one cell, whether to transmit data for a multicast session using a reception transmission mode in a radio resource control inactive state or using a reception transmission mode in a radio resource control connected state.

[0209] At 903, in response to determining that data for the multicast session is transmitted using a transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state, the apparatus signals to at least one user equipment in at least one cell an indication that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode for reception will be that for the radio resource control inactive state.

[0210] When it is determined at 902 to transmit data for the multicast session using a transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control connected state, the apparatus signals to at least one user equipment in at least one cell that the multicast session is activated and that the transmission mode for reception will be an indication for the radio resource control connected state. The receiving UE may attempt to transition to the RRC connected state in response to receiving such an indication in order to receive data for the multicast session.

[0211] At 904, the apparatus transmits data for the multicast session in the cell using the determined transmission mode.

[0212] The multicast session may be associated with a service area, and wherein at least one cell is within the service area.

[0213] The request may be received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

[0214] The apparatus may also receive an indication of a service area in which to activate the multicast session from a neighboring radio access network node.

[0215] The determination at 902 may include: making a determination depending on at least one of: the number of radio resource control connected user equipment configured to receive the multicast session in the cell (for example, if the number of RRC connected UEs in the cell is relatively large (i.e., at least a threshold number), the selected transmission mode may be a transmission mode for RRC connected mode, and when the number of RRC connected UEs in the cell is relatively low (i.e., less than a threshold number), the selected transmission mode may be a transmission mode for RRC inactive mode); and preconfiguration (for example, what the device is configured to do when the device determines that its information is insufficient).

[0216] The signaled indication that the multicast session is activated may include a display indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0217] Transmitting the signaled indication may be performed only when the multicast session is active.

[0218] The signaled indication may include an identifier of the multicast session (eg, TMGI).

[0219] Signaling the indication may include signaling the indication using a broadcast channel.

[0220] Signaling may include signaling a paging request for the multicast session to the user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the received transmission mode in the radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

[0221] The apparatus may include repeatedly signaling the indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active. The repeated signaling may be periodic. The repeated signaling may be performed only while the multicast session is active (ie, has become activated).

[0222] The apparatus may be caused to determine area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving a user equipment associated with a multicast session and a serving area for the multicast session; and signaling a request for activation for multicast to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of the first area; wherein for each RAN node, the request includes at least the determined portion processed by the RAN node. The request to at least the neighboring RAN node for activation for the multicast service may include: an XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

[0223] Fig.10 The operations that may be performed by an apparatus for a user device are shown. The user device may be the Fig.10 User device under discussion.

[0224] At 1001, the device receives a request from an access point (e.g., Fig. 9 The access point) receives an indication that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for reception will be for the radio resource control inactive state.

[0225] At 1002, the apparatus receives data for a multicast session in a cell using a transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state.

[0226] The indication is an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

[0227] The indication may be received only when the multicast session is active.

[0228] The indication may include an identifier of the multicast session.

[0229] The apparatus may also receive the indication via a broadcast channel.

[0230] The apparatus may receive the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

[0231] The apparatus may receive the indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active. The apparatus may receive the indication that the multicast session is activated only while the multicast session is active.

[0232] Figure 2An example of a control device for a communication system is shown, for example, coupled to and / or used to control a base station of an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station, a gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network (such as an MME or S-GW), a scheduling entity (such as a spectrum management entity), or a server or host (such as a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc.). The control device may be integrated with a node or module of the core network or RAN or external to it. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 may be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203 and an input / output interface 204. Via the interface, the control device may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the device. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 200 or the processor 201 may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functions.

[0233] Possible wireless communication devices will now refer to Figure 3 is described in more detail, Figure 3 A schematic, partially cutaway view of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. A suitable mobile communication device can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smart phone", a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination of these, etc. The mobile communication device can provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications (such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc.). Therefore, a user can be supplied and provided with a variety of services via the user's communication device. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services or simply access to a data communication network system, such as the Internet. Users can also be provided with broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0234] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or may be a stationary device. A wireless device may require human interaction to communicate, or may not require human interaction to communicate. As used herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0235] The wireless device 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the wireless device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0236] The wireless device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and possibly other components 303 for software and hardware assistance in performing the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control means may be provided in appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is represented by reference 304. The user may control the operation of the wireless device through an appropriate user interface (such as a keyboard 305, voice commands, a touch screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc.). A display 308, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the wireless communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (e.g., a hands-free device) thereto.

[0237] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a non-volatile storage medium 400a (e.g., a computer compact disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD)) and 400b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) is shown, storing instructions and / or parameters 402 that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform Fig. 9 and / or Fig.10 One or more of the steps of the method, and / or the method previously described.

[0238] As described herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of examples and in the claims. In general, some examples may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples may be illustrated and described in block diagrams, flow charts, or using other graphical representations, it should be fully understood that, as non-limiting examples, these boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0239] These examples may be implemented by computer software or hardware or a combination of software and hardware stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved. Furthermore, it should be noted in this regard that any process, e.g. Fig. 9 and / or Fig.10 The processes in the and / or previously described processes may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as, for example, DVDs and their data variants, CDs, etc.

[0240] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0241] Additionally or alternatively, some examples may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the previously described functions and / or method steps. The circuit system may be provided in a base station and / or a communication device and / or a core network entity.

[0242] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0243] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuitry);

[0244] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as:

[0245] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware and

[0246] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable an apparatus (such as a communication device or base station) to perform the various functions previously described; and

[0247] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0248] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0249] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of some examples by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0250] In the above, different examples are described using examples based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as examples of radio access architectures to which the technology can be applied. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, the examples can also be applied to other types of communication networks with suitable components. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0251] Figure 5 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, showing only some elements and functional entities, which are all logical units and whose implementation may differ from what is shown. Figure 5 The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system typically also includes Figure 5 Other functions and structures than those shown in.

[0252] However, the examples are not limited to the systems given as examples, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with the necessary properties.

[0253] Figure 5The example of FIG. 4 shows a portion of an exemplary radio access network. For example, the radio access network may support sidelink communications as described in more detail below.

[0254] Figure 5 Devices 500 and 502 are shown. Devices 500 and 502 are configured to be wirelessly connected to a node 504 on one or more communication channels. Node 504 is also connected to a core network 506. In one example, node 504 may be an access node, such as an (e / g) NodeB service device in a cell. In one example, node 504 may be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from a device to a (e / g) NodeB is referred to as an uplink or reverse link, and the physical link from a (e / g) NodeB to a device is referred to as a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that (e / g) NodeB or its functions may be implemented using entities such as any node, host, server or access point suitable for such purposes.

[0255] The communication system typically includes multiple (e / g)NodeBs, in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. (e / g)NodeB includes or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit, which establishes a bidirectional radio link to the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. (e / g)NodeB is also connected to a core network 506 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the deployed technology, the (e / g)NodeB is connected to a Serving and Packet Data Network Gateway (S-GW+P-GW) or a User Plane Function (UPF) for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing connectivity of the device to one or more external packet data networks, and to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or an Access Mobility Management Function (AMF) for controlling access and mobility of the device.

[0256] Examples of apparatus are subscriber units, user devices, user equipment (UE), user terminals, terminal equipment, mobile stations, mobile devices, and the like.

[0257] Devices generally refer to mobile or static devices (e.g., portable or non-portable computing devices), including wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, devices using wireless modems (alarm or measurement devices, etc.), laptops and / or touch screen computers, tablets, game consoles, notebooks, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that a device can also be an almost exclusively uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to a network. A device can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transmit data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, such as for smart grids and connected vehicles. Devices can also make use of the cloud. In some applications, a device can include a user-portable device with a radio component (such as a watch, headphones, or glasses), and the calculation is performed in the cloud.

[0258] The device shows a type of apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and therefore, any features described herein with respect to the device can be implemented with a corresponding apparatus (such as a relay node). An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station. The device (or, in some examples, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more functions of a user equipment function.

[0259] The various techniques described herein may also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS can enable the implementation and utilization of a large number of interconnected information and communication technologies, ICTs, devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects in different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems where the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals.

[0260] Furthermore, although these devices have been depicted as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units ( Figure 5 not all shown) can be implemented.

[0261] 5G enables the use of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller stations, and the adoption of various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine-type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control). 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, such as below 6 GHz or above 24 GHz, centimeter wave and millimeter wave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies (such as LTE). At least in the early stages, integration with LTE can be implemented as a system where macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells aggregated to LTE. In other words, 5G plans to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, above 6GHz or 24GHz - cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts considered for use in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created within the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0262] LTE network architecture is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing content close to the radio, giving rise to local breakout and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the data source. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content close to cellular subscribers to speed up response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networks and processing, and can also be categorized as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloud, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0263] The communication system can also communicate with or utilize services provided by other networks 512, such as a public switched telephone network, a VoIP network, the Internet, or a private network. The communication network can also support the use of cloud services, for example, at least part of the core network operations can be performed as a cloud service (this is in the Figure 5 When performed away from the core network, this may also be referred to as edge computing. The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like to provide collaboration facilities for the networks of different operators, for example in terms of spectrum sharing.

[0264] Edge computing techniques can be introduced into the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud techniques may mean that access node operations are at least partially performed in a server, host or node that is operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station including radio components. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed at or near a remote antenna site (in a distributed unit DU 508), and non-real-time functions can be performed in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit CU 510).

[0265] It should also be understood that the division of labor between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are big data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) networks are being designed to support multiple hierarchical structures where edge computing servers can be placed between the core and the base stations or Node Bs (gNBs). An example of edge computing is MEC, which is defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. It should be understood that MEC (and other edge computing protocols) can also be applied to 4G networks.

[0266] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or on-board passengers, mobile broadband (MBB) or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite in a mega-constellation can cover multiple satellite network entities creating ground cells. Ground cells can be created by ground relay nodes or by gNBs located on the ground or in satellites.

[0267] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system, in practice, the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, the device may have access to multiple radio cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements. At least one (e / g)NodeB may be a home (e / g)nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of ​​a radio communication system, a plurality of different types of radio cells and a plurality of radio cells may be provided. A radio cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell, typically up to tens of kilometers in diameter, or a smaller cell, such as a micro, femto or pico cell. Figure 5 The (e / g)NodeB can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network including several cells. Usually, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides one or several cells, so multiple (e / g)NodeBs are needed to provide this network structure.

[0268] In order to meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB is introduced. Generally, a network that can use "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB includes not only the home (e / g) NodeB (H(e / g)nodeB), but also the home NodeB gateway or HNB-GW ( Figure 5 (not shown). An HNB gateway (HNB-GW) (which is usually installed in the operator's network) can aggregate traffic of a large number of HNBs back to the core network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for accessing a node, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; For at least one cell, determining whether to transmit data for the multicast session using a transmission mode received in a radio resource control inactive state or using a transmission mode received in a radio resource control connected state; When it is determined that the transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, signaling, for at least one user equipment in the at least one cell, an indication that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for reception is to be for a radio resource control inactive state; as well as The data of the multicast session is transmitted in the at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multicast session is associated with a service area, and wherein the at least one cell is within the service area.

3. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the request is received from a core network function, or a neighboring radio access network node.

4. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: Means for receiving an indication of the service area in which the multicast session is activated from a neighboring radio access network node.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for determining comprises: For components determined based on at least one of the following: a number of radio resource control-connected user equipments configured to receive the multicast session in the at least one cell; and Preconfigured.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the signaled indication that the multicast session is activated comprises: An explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising: Means for transmitting said signaled indication only when said multicast session is active.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the signalled indication comprises: An identifier of the multicast session.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the means for signaling the indication comprises: Means for signaling said indication using a broadcast channel.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the means for signaling comprises: A paging request for the multicast session is signaled to the at least one user equipment, wherein the paging request includes an indication that the transmission mode received in a radio resource control inactive state is to be used for the multicast session.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising: Means for repeatedly signaling the indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means for: Determine area information representing a first area, the area information indicating: an intersection between a radio access network RAN ​​paging area serving user equipment associated with the multicast session and the service area of ​​the multicast session; and A request for said activation for said multicast is signaled to at least one neighboring RAN node serving at least a portion of said first area; wherein for each neighboring RAN node, said request comprises at least said determined portion to be processed by said neighboring RAN node.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the request to the at least neighboring RAN node for the activation of the multicast service comprises: XnAP RAN multicast group paging request.

14. An apparatus for a user equipment, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving an indication from the access point that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for receiving is to be for a radio resource control inactive state; and Data for the multicast session is received using a transmission mode of reception in a radio resource control inactive state.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the indication is an explicit indication indicating whether the multicast session is active or inactive.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 14, wherein the indication is received only when the multicast session is active.

17. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the indication comprises an identifier of the multicast session.

18. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising: Means for receiving the indication via a broadcast channel.

19. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, comprising: Means for receiving the indication via a radio access network paging request for the multicast session.

20. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, further comprising: Means for repeatedly receiving the indication that the multicast session is activated while the multicast session is active.

21. A method for an apparatus for accessing a node, the method comprising: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; For at least one cell, determining whether to transmit data for the multicast session using a transmission mode received in a radio resource control inactive state or using a transmission mode received in a radio resource control connected state; When it is determined that the transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, signaling, for at least one user equipment in the at least one cell, an indication that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for reception is to be for a radio resource control inactive state; as well as The data of the multicast session is transmitted in the at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

22. A method for a user equipment device, the method comprising: receiving an indication from the access point that the multicast session is activated and that a transmission mode for receiving is to be used for a radio resource control inactive state; as well as Data for the multicast session is received using the transmission mode of reception in a radio resource control inactive state.

23. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for an access node, causing the apparatus to execute: receiving a request for activation of a multicast session; For at least one cell, determining whether to transmit data for the multicast session using a transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state or using a transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control connected state; When it is determined that the transmission mode for reception in a radio resource control inactive state is used to transmit data for the multicast session, signaling, for at least one user equipment in the at least one cell, an indication that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for reception is to be for a radio resource control inactive state; as well as The data of the multicast session is transmitted in the at least one cell using the determined transmission mode.

24. A computer program product, when executed on an apparatus for an access node, causes the apparatus to perform: receiving an indication from the access point that the multicast session is activated and the transmission mode for receiving is to be used for a radio resource control inactive state; and Data for the multicast session is received using the transmission mode of reception in a radio resource control inactive state.

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