Method and apparatus for fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) network power saving

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for 5th Generation (5G) new radio (NR) network power saving are disclosed. Wireless communication systems and methods related to network power savings are provided. In one embodiment, a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network determines to enter a sleep mode. A BS transmits a communication signal to one or more user equipments (UEs) of a wireless communication network indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode. The BS operates in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period. In one embodiment, a UE receives a communication signal from a BS indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period. The UE suppresses performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application filed on November 12, 2019, with application number 201980072767.6 (PCT international application number PCT / US2019 / 060896), and invention name “Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) Network Power Saving”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 16 / 679,780, filed on November 11, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 760,004, filed on November 12, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes. Technical Field

[0004] This application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to reducing network power consumption and operating costs by allowing the network to enter a sleep mode during certain time periods. Background Art

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless multiple-access communication system may include several base stations (BSs), each of which simultaneously supports communication for multiple communication devices, which may also be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0006] In order to meet the growing demand for extended mobile broadband connectivity, wireless communication technology is evolving from LTE technology to next generation new radio (NR) technology. For example, NR is designed to provide lower latency, higher bandwidth or throughput, and higher reliability compared to LTE. NR is designed to operate over a wide range of frequency bands, such as low frequency bands below about 1 gigahertz (GHz) and medium frequency bands from about 1 GHz to about 6 GHz, to high frequency bands, such as millimeter wave (mmWave) bands. NR is also designed to operate across different spectrum types from licensed spectrum to unlicensed and shared spectrum. Spectrum sharing enables operators to opportunistically aggregate spectrum to dynamically support high bandwidth services. Spectrum sharing can extend the benefits of NR technology to operating entities that may not have access to licensed spectrum.

[0007] Energy efficiency is an important aspect of the user equipment side in mobile communications. For example, wireless communication protocols are designed to allow sleep cycles to be incorporated at the user equipment so that the user equipment has a longer battery life. However, a considerable part of the operating costs of cellular networks is caused by the power consumed by the infrastructure. The deployment of NR allows higher data rates and a larger number of mobile users, which can further increase infrastructure power costs. Further, NR allows off-grid network deployment, enabling wireless connectivity to remote rural areas, which can be powered by solar panels. Therefore, there may be periods of time when the network has low power. As such, network energy performance is critical to network operation. Summary of the invention

[0008] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the technology discussed. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all conceived features of the present disclosure, and is neither intended to identify the key or decisive elements of all aspects of the present disclosure nor to attempt to define the scope of any or all aspects of the present disclosure. Its only purpose is to give some concepts of one or more aspects of the present disclosure in an overview form as a prelude to a more detailed description given later.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanisms and techniques for achieving network power savings by creating opportunities for the network to power down certain components or at least allow some components to operate in a low power mode without disconnecting any connected user equipment (UE) or handing over any UE to a suboptimal BS. For example, the BS may determine to enter a sleep mode and / or configure a network sleep / wake cycle based on uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL) traffic demand, and notify the UE of the start of the sleep mode and / or the sleep / wake cycle.

[0010] For example, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless communication method includes determining, by a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, to enter a sleep mode. The method includes transmitting, by the BS, a communication signal to one or more user equipments (UEs) of the wireless communication network indicating that the BS is to enter a sleep mode. The method includes operating, by the BS, in a sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a method of wireless communication includes: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a base station (BS), a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period. The method includes refraining, by the UE, from performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The method includes synchronizing timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0012] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network includes a processor configured to determine to enter a sleep mode and operate in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period. The BS further includes a transceiver configured to transmit a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter the sleep mode to one or more user equipments (UEs) of the wireless communication network.

[0013] In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes a transceiver configured to receive a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period. The UE further includes a processor configured to refrain from performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The processor is further configured to synchronize timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0014] After studying the description of the specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other aspects, features and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Although features of the present invention may be discussed below with respect to certain embodiments and accompanying drawings, all embodiments of the present invention may include one or more advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, although one or more embodiments may be discussed to have certain advantageous features, one or more such features may also be used according to the various embodiments of the present invention discussed herein. In a similar manner, although exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system or method embodiments, it should be appreciated that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A wireless communication network is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 is a timing diagram illustrating a network power saving method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary base station (BS) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 5 is a signaling diagram illustrating a network power saving method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a network power saving method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a network power saving method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a network power saving method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The detailed description set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. This detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0024] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems (also referred to as wireless communication networks). In various embodiments, various techniques and devices (equipment) may be used for wireless communication networks, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) networks, and other communication networks. As described herein, the terms "network" and "system" may be used interchangeably.

[0025] OFDMA network can realize radio technologies such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) are parts of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Specifically, Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a version of UMTS using E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS and LTE are described in documents provided by an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP), while cdma2000 is described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). These various radio technologies and standards are known or under development. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between various telecommunications association groups that aims to define a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone specification. 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP project aimed at improving the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phone standard. 3GPP may define specifications for next generation mobile networks, mobile systems, and mobile devices. The present disclosure focuses on the evolution of wireless technologies from LTE, 4G, 5G, NR and beyond with shared access to wireless spectrum between networks using a set of new and different radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.

[0026] Specifically, 5G networks envision diverse deployments, diverse spectrum, and diverse services and devices that can be implemented using a unified OFDM-based air interface. To achieve these goals, in addition to developing new radio technologies for 5G NR networks, further enhancements to LTE and LTE-A are also considered. 5G NR will be able to scale to provide coverage for: (1) ultra-high density (e.g., about 1M nodes / km) 2 ), ultra-low complexity (e.g., about tens of bits / second), ultra-low energy (e.g., about 10+ years of battery life), and deep coverage capable of reaching challenging locations; (2) including mission-critical control with strong security (to protect sensitive personal, financial, or confidential information), ultra-high reliability (e.g., about 99.9999% reliability), ultra-low latency (e.g., about 1 ms), and users with a wide range of mobility or lack of mobility; and (3) with enhanced mobile broadband, including extremely high capacity (e.g., about 10 Tbps / km 2 ), extreme data rates (e.g., multi-Gbps rates, 100+Mbps user experience rates), and deep cognition with advanced discovery and optimization.

[0027] 5G NR can be implemented to: use an optimized OFDM-based waveform with scalable parameter sets and transmission time intervals (TTIs); have a common, flexible framework to efficiently multiplex services and features using dynamic, low-latency time time division duplex (TDD) / frequency division duplex (FDD) designs; and have advanced wireless technologies such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), robust millimeter wave (mmWave) transmission, advanced channel coding, and device-centric mobility. The scalability of the parameter set in 5G NR (and the scaling of the subcarrier spacing) can efficiently address the operation of diverse services across diverse spectrums and diverse deployments. For example, in various outdoor and macro coverage deployments less than 3GHz FDD / TDD implementations, the subcarrier spacing can occur at 15kHz, such as on bandwidths (BW) such as 5, 10, 20MHz. For other various outdoor and small cell coverage deployments of TDD greater than 3GHz, the subcarrier spacing can occur at 30kHz on 80 / 100MHz BW. For various other indoor broadband implementations, subcarrier spacing may occur at 60kHz over 160MHz BW using TDD over the unlicensed portion of the 5GHz band. Finally, for various deployments transmitting using the mmWave component with TDD at 28GHz, subcarrier spacing may occur at 120kHz over 500MHz BW.

[0028] 5G NR's scalable parameter set facilitates scalable TTI to meet diverse latency and quality of service (QoS) requirements. For example, shorter TTIs can be used for low latency and high reliability, while longer TTIs can be used for higher spectral efficiency. Efficient multiplexing of long TTIs and short TTIs allows transmissions to start on symbol boundaries. 5G NR also contemplates a self-contained integrated subframe design with uplink / downlink scheduling information, data, and acknowledgment in the same subframe. Self-contained integrated subframes support communications in unlicensed or contention-based shared spectrum, supporting adaptive uplink / downlink that can be flexibly configured on a per-cell basis to dynamically switch between uplink and downlink to meet current traffic needs.

[0029] Various other aspects and features of the present disclosure are further described below. It should be apparent that the teachings herein can be embodied in a variety of forms, and any specific structure, function, or both disclosed herein are representative and non-restrictive. Based on the teachings herein, it should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented independently of any other aspects and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement a device or practice a method. In addition, other structures, functionality, or structures and functionality that are supplementary to or different from one or more aspects set forth herein can be used to implement such a device or practice such a method. For example, the method can be implemented as a part of a system, device, device, and / or as an instruction stored on a computer-readable medium for execution on a processor or computer. Not only that, an aspect can include at least one element of a claim.

[0030] In the past, power saving on the network or infrastructure side was not a major concern. However, recent advances in wireless technology that allow for more connected mobile devices and / or always-on devices have led to a need for power saving on the network side. Some wireless network deployments save power on the network side by powering down certain BSs in an area and handing over devices connected to the powered-down BSs to other BSs in the area that are still powered on. While this approach can allow the network to save power, the UE needs to switch to a different BS that may not provide optimal performance.

[0031] The present application describes a mechanism for realizing network power saving by creating an opportunity for the network to power down certain components or at least allow some components to operate in a low power mode without disconnecting any connected UE or handing over any UE to a suboptimal BS. In a wireless network, a BS may serve several connected UEs. In the DL direction, the BS knows when DL data for a connected UE arrives. The BS also controls when to transmit DL data to the UE. Therefore, the BS can configure a sleep period according to DL traffic requirements. In the UL direction, UL data is generated by the UE. In the disclosed embodiments, in order to allow the network or BS to enter sleep mode, the BS requests the connected UE to report the UL buffer status (e.g., the number of UL data bytes queued at the corresponding UE). The BS may determine when to enter sleep mode and the duration of the sleep period based on the UE's UL buffer status report. The BS may provide an UL scheduling grant to the UE before entering sleep mode so that the UE can clear its corresponding UL buffer before the BS enters sleep mode. The BS may include one or more sleep periods and one or more wake-up periods when in sleep mode. In some examples, the BS may include a periodic sleep / wake-up cycle when in sleep mode. Accordingly, the BS may power down some components during the sleep period to save power. For example, the BS may power down at least some radio frequency (RF) components and / or at least some baseband (BB) components used for over-the-air (OTA) communication with the UE. The BS may notify the connected UE of the start of the sleep mode and the end of the sleep mode via signaling at various layers (e.g., at the physical layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, or the network layer). The BS may configure the UE to have a sleep pattern (e.g., a sleep / wake cycle) for the sleep mode. Thus, the UE may synchronize to the sleep mode operation of the BS and suppress transmission of UL communications (e.g., UL data and / or UL control) to the BS during the sleep period.

[0032] In one embodiment, the BS may transmit a DL synchronization signal during sleep mode to allow connected UEs to maintain synchronization with the BS and to allow new UEs seeking to join or access the network. The BS may reserve random access resources and / or allow some circuits to remain powered on for random access preamble monitoring.

[0033] In one embodiment, the BS may trigger a sleep mode without requesting UL data status reports from connected UEs, for example due to critical low power. For example, the BS may operate in a rural area and may rely on solar power. Therefore, during certain time periods, the power may be low. Accordingly, upon detecting a critical low power condition, the BS may broadcast a sleep mode start notification to all UEs in the area so that the UEs may refrain from transmitting UL communications to the BS.

[0034] Various aspects of the present disclosure may provide several benefits. For example, the BS seeking sleep opportunities may allow the BS to power down some components that may not need to be turned on all the time. The BS may take advantage of light UL traffic load conditions to power down OTA components (e.g., for receiving UL traffic). Powering down components during sleep periods may save power consumption at the BS, and thereby may reduce network operating costs. Signaling about sleep mode allows connected UEs to synchronize to the sleep style of the BS and avoid transmitting UL communications to the BS instead of switching to a suboptimal BS. The disclosed embodiments allow the network or BS to enter sleep mode without causing any interruption or at least minimal interruption to the operation of the connected UE. Although the disclosed embodiments are described in the context of NR networks, the disclosed embodiments may be applied to any wireless communication network to provide power savings and reduced operating costs. The disclosed embodiments are also applicable to networks powered by solar panels, where critical low power periods may occur.

[0035] Figure 1 A wireless communication network 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The network 100 may be a 5G network. The network 100 includes several base stations (BSs) 105 and other network entities. The BS 105 may be a station that communicates with the UE 115, and may also be referred to as an evolved B node (eNB), a next generation eNB (gNB), an access point, and the like. Each BS 105 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" may refer to the particular geographic coverage area of ​​the BS 105 and / or the BS subsystem that serves the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0036] BS105 may provide communication coverage for macro cells or small cells (such as pico cells or femto cells), and / or other types of cells. Macro cells generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs that have service subscriptions with a network provider. Small cells (such as pico cells) generally cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs that have service subscriptions with a network provider. Small cells (such as femto cells) generally also cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a residence) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may provide restricted access to UEs associated with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs of users in the residence, etc.). A BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell BS, a pico BS, a femto BS, or a home BS. In Figure 1In the example shown in , BS105d and 105e may be conventional macro BSs, while BS105a-105c may be macro BSs enabled with one of three-dimensional (3D), full-dimensional (FD), or massive MIMO. BS105a-105c may utilize its higher dimensional MIMO capabilities to utilize 3D beamforming in both elevation and azimuth beamforming to increase coverage and capacity. BS105f may be a small cell BS, which may be a home node or a portable access point. BS105 may support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells.

[0037] The network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, each BS may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, each BS may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different BSs may not be aligned in time.

[0038] UE 115 is dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile. UE 115 can also be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. UE 115 can be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, etc. In one aspect, UE 115 can be a device including a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). On the other hand, UE can be a device that does not include UICC. In some aspects, UE 115 that does not include UICC can also be referred to as IoT device or Internet of Everything (IoE) device. UE 115a-115d is an example of a mobile smart phone type device that accesses the network 100. UE 115 can also be a machine specially configured for connected communication (including machine type communication (MTC), enhanced MTC (eMTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), etc.). UE 115e-115h is an example of various machines configured for communication that access network 100. UE 115i-115k is an example of a vehicle equipped with a wireless communication device configured for communication that accesses network 100. UE 115 may be able to communicate with any type of BS (whether a macro BS, a small cell, etc.). Figure 1 In the figure, the lightning beam (e.g., communication link) indicates wireless transmission between UE 115 and serving BS 105, desired transmission between BSs 105, backhaul transmission between BSs, or sidelink transmission between UEs 115, and serving BS 105 is a BS designated to serve UE 115 on downlink (DL) and / or uplink (UL).

[0039] In operation, BSs 105a-105c may use 3D beamforming and coordinated spatial techniques such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP) or multi-connectivity to serve UEs 115a and 115b. Macro BS 105d may perform backhaul communications with BSs 105a-105c, and small cell BS 105f. Macro BS 105d may also transmit multicast services subscribed to and received by UEs 115c and 115d. Such multicast services may include mobile TV or streaming video, or may include other services for providing community information such as weather emergencies or alerts, such as Amber Alerts or Gray Alerts.

[0040] The BS 105 may also communicate with a core network. The core network may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At least some of the BSs 105 (e.g., which may be examples of evolved Node Bs (eNBs) or access node controllers (ANCs)) may interface with the core network via a backhaul link (e.g., S1, S2, etc.) and may perform radio configuration and scheduling to communicate with the UE 115. In various examples, the BSs 105 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the core network) over a backhaul link (e.g., X1, X2, etc.), which may be a wired or wireless communication link.

[0041] The network 100 may also support mission-critical communications with ultra-reliable and redundant links for mission-critical devices such as UE 115e, which may be a drone. The redundant communication links with UE 115e may include links from macro BSs 105d and 105e, and links from small cell BS 105f. Other machine-type devices such as UE 115f (e.g., a thermometer), UE 115g (e.g., a smart meter), and UE 115h (e.g., a wearable device) may communicate directly with a BS such as small cell BS 105f and macro BS 105e through the network 100, or in a multi-hop configuration by communicating with another user device that relays its information to the network (e.g., UE 115f communicates temperature measurement information to smart meter UE 115g, which is then reported to the network through small cell BS 105f). The network 100 may also provide additional network efficiency through dynamic, low latency TDD / FDD communications, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications between UEs 115i-115k, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications between UE 115i, 115j, or 115k and other UEs 115, and / or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications between UE 115i, 115j, or 115k and BS 105.

[0042] In some implementations, the network 100 communicates using an OFDM-based waveform. An OFDM-based system may divide the system BW into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as subcarriers, frequency modulations, frequency slots, etc. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data. In some instances, the subcarrier spacing between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) may depend on the system BW. The system BW may also be divided into subbands. In other instances, the subcarrier spacing and / or the duration of the TTI may be scalable.

[0043] In one embodiment, BS105 may assign or schedule transmission resources (e.g., in the form of time-frequency resource blocks (RBs)) for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions in network 100. DL refers to the transmission direction from BS105 to UE 115, and UL refers to the transmission direction from UE 115 to BS105. The communication may take the form of a radio frame. A radio frame may be divided into a plurality of subframes, e.g., about 10. Each subframe may be divided into time slots, e.g., about 2. Each time slot may be further divided into sub-time slots. In FDD mode, simultaneous UL and DL transmissions may occur in different frequency bands. For example, each subframe includes a UL subframe in a UL frequency band and a DL subframe in a DL frequency band. In TDD mode, UL and DL transmissions occur in different time periods using the same frequency band. For example, a subset of subframes in a radio frame (e.g., a DL subframe) may be used for DL ​​transmission, and another subset of subframes in a radio frame (e.g., an UL subframe) may be used for UL transmission.

[0044] DL subframes and UL subframes may be further divided into several regions. For example, each DL or UL subframe may have a predefined region for the transmission of reference signals, control information, and data. A reference signal is a predetermined signal that facilitates communication between BS105 and UE 115. For example, a reference signal may have a specific pilot pattern or structure, wherein the pilot tones may span an operating BW or frequency band, and each pilot tone may be positioned at a predefined time and a predefined frequency. For example, BS105 may transmit a reference signal (CRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) that varies from cell to cell to enable UE 115 to estimate a DL channel. Similarly, UE 115 may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) to enable BS105 to estimate an UL channel. Control information may include resource assignments and protocol controls. Data may include protocol data and / or operational data. In some embodiments, BS105 and UE 115 may communicate using self-contained subframes. A self-contained subframe may include a portion for DL ​​communication and a portion for UL communication. A self-contained subframe may be DL-centric or UL-centric. A DL-centric subframe may include a duration for DL ​​communication that is longer than a duration for UL communication. A UL-centric subframe may include a duration for UL communication that is longer than a duration for UL communication.

[0045] In one embodiment, network 100 may be an NR network deployed on a licensed spectrum. BS 105 may transmit synchronization signals (e.g., including a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) in network 100 to facilitate synchronization. BS 105 may broadcast system information associated with network 100 (e.g., including a master information block (MIB), remaining minimum system information (RMSI), and other system information (OSI)) to facilitate initial network access. In some instances, BS 105 may broadcast PSS, SSS, and / or MIB in the form of a synchronization signal block (SSB) on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and may broadcast RMSI and / or OSI on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0046] In one embodiment, a UE 115 attempting to access the network 100 may perform an initial cell search by detecting the PSS from the BS 105. The PSS may enable synchronization of period timing and may indicate a physical layer identity value. The UE 115 may then receive the SSS. The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization and may provide a cell identity value that may be combined with the physical layer identity value to identify the cell. The SSS may also enable detection of duplex mode and cyclic prefix length. The PSS and SSS may be located in the center portion of the carrier or at any suitable frequency within the carrier.

[0047] After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE 115 may receive the MIB. The MIB may include system information for initial network access and scheduling information for RMSI and / or OSI. After decoding the MIB, the UE 115 may receive the RMSI and / or OSI. The RMSI and / or OSI may include radio resource control (RRC) information related to random access channel (RACH) procedures, paging, control resource set (CORESET) for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), power control, SRS, and cell barring.

[0048] After obtaining the MIB, RMSI, and / or OSI, the UE 115 may perform a random access procedure to establish a connection with the BS 105. For the random access procedure, the UE 115 may transmit a random access preamble, and the BS 105 may respond with a random access response. Upon receiving the random access response, the UE 115 may transmit a connection request to the BS 105, and the BS 105 may respond with a connection response (e.g., a contention resolution message).

[0049] After the connection is established, UE 115 and BS 105 may enter a normal operation phase, in which operation data may be exchanged. For example, BS 105 may schedule UE 105 for UL and / or DL ​​communication. BS 105 may transmit UL and / or DL ​​scheduling grants to UE 115 via PDCCH. BS 105 may transmit DL communication signals to UE 115 via PDSCH according to the DL scheduling grant. UE 115 may transmit UL communication signals to BS 105 via PUSCH and / or PUCCH according to the UL scheduling grant. UE 115 may also report UL data status or UL buffer status to BS 105. BS 105 may schedule UL communication with UE 115 based on the UL data status report of UE 115. When UE 115 has an active connection with BS 105, UE 115 may be referred to as an RRC connected UE.

[0050] When the network 100 includes many connected UEs 115 served by various BSs 105, the network 100 may consume a large amount of power to maintain connections with the UEs 115. For example, the serving BS 105 may include radio frequency (RF) components and baseband (BB) components configured for over-the-air (OTA) communications with the connected UEs 115. The serving BS 105 may also include other processing components configured for higher layer processing (e.g., at the media access control (MAC) layer and / or at the network layer). The network 100 may also include other network components and servers (e.g., a serving gateway (SWG), a mobility management entity (MME), and / or various other core network components). The RF components, BB components, higher layer processing components, and / or network components may consume power when maintaining connections with the UEs 115 and / or serving UL data and / or DL ​​data for the UEs 115.

[0051] In one embodiment, the network 100 may seek or create opportunities during certain time periods to power down at least some of the RF components, BB components, higher layer processing components, and / or network components in the network 100. For example, the BS 105 may seek opportunities to enter a sleep mode so that at least some of the RF components and / or BB components used for OTA communications may be powered down. Powering down at least some OTA components may save power and thereby reduce network operating costs. Mechanisms for performing network sleep mode operations are described in more detail herein.

[0052] Figure 2 2 is a timing diagram illustrating a network power saving method 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 200 is employed by a BS (such as BS 105) and a UE (such as UE 115) in a network (such as network 100). Figure 2 , the x-axis represents time in some constant units. In method 200, BS 205 can serve UL and / or DL ​​communications for multiple connected UEs 215. BS 205 can be similar to BS 105, and UE 215 can be similar to UE 115. For simplicity of illustration and discussion, Figure 2 BS 205 is illustrated with two connected UEs 215a and 215b. However, embodiments of the present disclosure may be scaled to include any suitable number of UEs connected to BS 205 (eg, approximately 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, or more).

[0053] 2. Timeline 210 illustrates a sleep mode timeline for BS 205. Timeline 220a illustrates a UL transmission timeline for UE 215a. Timeline 220b illustrates a UL transmission timeline for UE 215b. At time T1, BS 205 determines to enter sleep mode to save power. Sleep mode may last for a sleep mode period 201 and end at time T2. Sleep mode period 201 may include multiple sleep-wake cycles 202. Each cycle 202 includes a sleep window 204 and a wake window 206.

[0054] The BS 205 may determine to enter sleep mode based on various factors, such as network traffic demand, power consumption parameters, and / or power supply parameters. To determine the duration of the sleep window 204, the BS 205 may request connected UEs 215a and 215b to report the UL buffer status at the corresponding UEs 215a and 215b, respectively, before entering sleep mode. Each of the UEs 215a and 215b may transmit a scheduling request (SR) 222a and SR 222b, respectively, to provide the BS 205 with a UL buffer status report (e.g., indicating the number of UL data bytes queued at the corresponding buffer).

[0055] The BS 205 may determine a sleep pattern and when to enter sleep mode based on the received SRs 222a and 222b. The BS 205 may enter sleep mode when there is no UL data, delay-sensitive UL and / or DL ​​data, or data with a known or preconfigured periodicity (e.g., background synchronization signals). Depending on the received SRs 222a and 222b, the BS 205 may define a periodic sleep pattern as shown in the timeline 210 or an on-demand based sleep pattern (e.g., a single sleep window).

[0056] BS 205 may receive UL data, UL control, and / or DL ​​measurements from UE 215 outside of sleep window 204 but not within sleep window 204. As shown, UE 215a may transmit UL communication signals 224a (e.g., including UL data, UL control, and / or DL ​​measurements) to BS 205 during awake window 206. Similarly, UE 215b may transmit UL communication signals 224b (e.g., including UL data, UL control, and / or DL ​​measurements) to BS 205 during awake window 206.

[0057] During the sleep window 204, the BS 205 may power down some components of the BS 205, such as RF, BB, and / or upper layer processing components, or at least a subset of these components. The BS 205 may refrain from transmitting any DL information data or dedicated control information to the UE 215. However, in some instances, the BS 205 may periodically transmit broadcast control information (e.g., PSS, SSS, PBCH signals) so that connected UEs 215 can maintain synchronization with the BS 205, and new UEs seeking to join the network can detect the presence of the BS 205.

[0058] In one embodiment, in order to enable new UEs to join the network, BS205 may further reserve certain resources (e.g., RACH resources) and / or configure certain signal monitoring or detection circuit systems to remain in an active mode during the sleep window 204 so that BS205 can detect a random access preamble from a UE requesting access to the network.

[0059] In an embodiment, BS 205 is aware of the DL data status and associated control information such as acknowledgement / non-acknowledgement (ACK / NACK) of UE 215. Therefore, BS 205 can configure a sleep mode pattern so that UE 215 can transmit ACK / NACK without interruption.

[0060] In one embodiment, BS205 may support multiple sleep mode levels, such as deep sleep mode and shallow sleep mode. BS205 may power down different component sets with respect to deep sleep and shallow sleep. Alternatively or additionally, BS205 may configure components to be in different power states depending on whether BS205 enters deep sleep mode or shallow sleep mode. The network or BS205 may be able to enter deep sleep mode or shallow sleep mode depending on the duration available for sleep. For example, when the sleep duration (e.g., sleep window 204) is long (e.g., about 100ms), the network or BS205 may enter deep sleep mode. Otherwise, BS205 may enter shallow sleep mode.

[0061] In some instances, the BS 205 may provide information associated with the sleep mode to the UE using broadcast signaling. In some other instances, the BS 205 may use a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) or physical layer one (L1) signaling to notify specific connected UEs of the sleep mode. In some instances, the BS 205 may configure the connected UEs with sleep mode information, such as the length or duration of the sleep window 204, the periodicity of the cycle 202, and / or the timing offset between the sleep windows 204, via RRC signaling. Mechanisms for performing network sleep mode operations are described in more detail herein.

[0062] Figure 3is a block diagram of an exemplary BS 300 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. BS 300 may be as described above. Figure 1 1 and 2. As shown, BS 300 may include a processor 302, a memory 304, a sleep mode module 308, a communication module 309, a transceiver 310 including a modem subsystem 312 and a radio frequency (RF) unit 314, and one or more antennas 316. These elements may communicate with each other directly or indirectly, for example, via one or more buses.

[0063] The processor 302 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a controller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 302 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0064] Memory 304 may include cache memory (e.g., cache memory of processor 302), random access memory (RAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid-state memory devices, hard drives, other forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In one embodiment, memory 304 includes non-transitory computer-readable media. Memory 304 may store instructions 306. Instructions 306 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 302, cause processor 302 to perform various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., Figure 5-8 Instructions 306 may also be referred to as code. The terms "instructions" and "code" should be interpreted broadly to include any type of computer-readable statements. For example, the terms "instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, procedures, etc. "Instructions" and "code" may include a single computer-readable statement or many computer-readable statements.

[0065] Each of the sleep mode module 308 and the communication module 309 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, each of the sleep mode module 308 and the communication module 309 may be implemented as a processor, a circuit, and / or instructions 306 stored in the memory 304 and executed by the processor 302. In some examples, the BS may include one of the sleep mode module 308 or the communication module 309. In other examples, the BS may include both the sleep mode module 308 and the communication module 309. In some examples, the BS may implement the sleep mode module 308 and the communication module 309 as an integrated module.

[0066] The sleep mode module 308 and the communication module 309 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 5-8 The sleep mode module 308 is configured to determine that a sleep mode is to be entered, determine a sleep window duration (e.g., sleep window 204) and / or a wake or active duration (e.g., wake window 206) of the sleep mode based on UL and / or DL ​​traffic demand in the network, configure a timer to track sleep and wake cycles (e.g., cycle 202), instruct the communication module 309 to request an UL buffer status report (e.g., SR 222) from a connected UE (e.g., UE 115 and 215) before entering the sleep mode, configure at least some components of the BS 300 (e.g., at least a subset of components in the RF unit 314 and / or modem subsystem 312) to be in a powered down mode or low power mode during the sleep window, configure the powered down or low power mode components to return to a powered up or awake state when transitioning from the sleep window to the wake window, instruct the communication module 309 to transmit an UL scheduling grant to the connected UE, determine that the BS 300 is in a powered down mode or low power mode during the sleep window, and configure the powered down or low power mode components to return to a powered up or awake state when transitioning from the sleep window to the wake window. The sleep mode is stopped at 300, and / or the communication module 309 is instructed to notify the connected UE of the end of the sleep mode.

[0067] The communication module 309 is configured to request a UL buffer status from a connected UE before the BS enters sleep mode, receive a scheduling request (SR) (e.g., SR 222) from the UE indicating a corresponding UL buffer status (e.g., a number of UL data bytes queued at the corresponding UE), transmit a UL scheduling grant to the UE based on the corresponding UL buffer status, receive UL data (e.g., UL communication signal 224) from the corresponding UE, notify the sleep mode module 308 that the BS is ready to enter sleep mode, notify the connected UE of the start of sleep mode, suppress UL and DL communications during a sleep window, transmit a UL scheduling grant to the connected UE after transitioning from the sleep window to the wake window, communicate UL and / or DL ​​communications with the connected UE during the wake window, and / or notify the connected UE of the end of sleep mode. In an embodiment, the communication module 309 may include information associated with the sleep / wake cycle in the sleep mode start notification message to the connected UE.

[0068] In one embodiment, the sleep mode module 308 may configure the OTA components (e.g., in the RF unit 314 and / or the modem subsystem 312) so that the BS 300 may transmit DL control and / or synchronization signals (e.g., PSS, SSS, PBCH signals) during the sleep window to enable connected UEs to maintain synchronization with the network and / or new UEs seeking to join the network to detect the BS 300 and perform signal measurements.

[0069] In one embodiment, the sleep mode module may configure the OTA components (e.g., in the RF unit 314 and / or the modem subsystem 312) so that the BS 300 can monitor the random access channel (RACH) signal (e.g., RACH preamble) from the UE seeking to join the network during the sleep window. The communication module 309 is configured to transmit DL synchronization signals and / or monitor RACH signals as instructed by the sleep mode module 308 during the sleep window.

[0070] In one embodiment, the sleep mode module 308 is configured to detect a power critical time period (e.g., when the network has a low power supply), instruct the communication module 309 to broadcast a sleep mode start notification to the connected UEs, and enter the sleep mode by powering down at least the OTA components. The communication module 309 is configured to transmit the sleep mode start notification message to the connected UEs in a broadcast mode as instructed by the sleep mode module 308.

[0071] As shown, the transceiver 310 may include a modem subsystem 312 and an RF unit 314. The transceiver 310 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as the BS 105. The modem subsystem 312 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data from the memory 304, the sleep mode module 308, and the communication module 309 according to a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.). The RF unit 314 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) the modulated / encoded data from the modem subsystem 312 (on outbound transmissions) or from a transmission originating from another source, such as the UE 115 or the BS 105. The RF unit 314 may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as being integrated together in transceiver 310, modem subsystem 312 and RF unit 314 may be separate devices that are coupled together at BS 300 to enable BS 300 to communicate with other devices.

[0072] The RF unit 314 may provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets (or more generally, data messages that may include one or more data packets and other information)) to the antenna 316 for transmission to one or more other devices. This may include, for example, transmitting SR trigger messages, UL and / or DL ​​scheduling grants, sleep mode start indication messages, DL broadcast system information and / or synchronization signals, DL data and / or control communications, random access related messages, and / or sleep mode end indication messages according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 316 may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices. This may include, for example, receiving SRs, UL buffer status reports, UL data, and / or RACH preambles according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 316 may provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at the transceiver 310. The antenna 316 may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs to maintain multiple transmission links. The RF unit 314 may configure the antenna 316.

[0073] In an embodiment, the BS 300 may include multiple transceivers 310 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In an embodiment, the BS 300 may include a single transceiver 310 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In an embodiment, the transceiver 310 may include various components, where different combinations of the components may implement the RATs.

[0074] Figure 4 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary UE 400 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE 400 may be as described above. Figure 1 1. As shown, UE 400 may include a processor 402, a memory 404, a sleep mode module 408, a communication module 409, a transceiver 410 including a modem subsystem 412 and an RF unit 414, and one or more antennas 416. These elements may communicate with each other directly or indirectly, for example, via one or more buses.

[0075] The processor 402 may have various features as a special-purpose type of processor. For example, these features may include a CPU, a DSP, an ASIC, a controller, an FPGA device, another hardware device, a firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein. The processor 402 may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0076] Memory 404 may include cache memory (e.g., cache memory of processor 402), RAM, MRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, solid-state memory devices, one or more hard disk drives, memristor-based arrays, other forms of volatile and nonvolatile memory, or a combination of different types of memory. In some embodiments, memory 404 may include non-transitory computer-readable media. Memory 404 may store instructions 406. Instructions 406 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 402, cause processor 402 to perform the operations described herein (e.g., Figure 5-8 Instructions 406 may also be referred to as code, which may be broadly interpreted as including the above reference Figure 3 Any type of computer-readable statement in question.

[0077] Each of the sleep mode module 408 and the communication module 409 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, each of the sleep mode module 408 and the communication module 409 may be implemented as a processor, a circuit, and / or an instruction 406 stored in the memory 404 and executed by the processor 402. In some examples, the BS may include one of the sleep mode module 408 or the communication module 409. In other examples, the BS may include both the sleep mode module 408 and the communication module 409. In some examples, the BS may implement the sleep mode module 408 and the communication module 409 as an integrated module.

[0078] The sleep mode module 408 and the communication module 409 may be used in various aspects of the present disclosure, for example, Figure 5-8 The sleep mode module 408 is configured to configure components of the UE 400 (e.g., components in the RF unit 314 and the modem subsystem 412) to be in a power-down mode, a low-power mode, or an inactive mode during a sleep period (e.g., the sleep window 204) of a serving BS (e.g., BSs 105, 205, and 300), and / or configure a time to track a sleep mode or sleep period of the serving BS.

[0079] The communication module 409 is configured to receive an SR trigger from a serving BS before a sleep mode period of the BS (e.g., sleep mode period 201), transmit an SR (e.g., SR 222) in response to the SR trigger, receive a UL scheduling grant from the BS, transmit UL data (e.g., UL communication signal 224) based on the received UL scheduling grant, receive a sleep mode start trigger from the BS, receive a sleep mode configuration (e.g., including sleep length, periodicity and / or offset) from the BS, coordinate with the sleep mode module 408 to power down certain components of the UE 400 and / or set a timer to track the sleep pattern of the BS, avoid transmitting UL communication signals to the BS during the sleep period of the BS, monitor scheduling grants from the BS during wake-up periods (e.g., wake-up windows 206), communicate DL / UL communications (e.g., data and / or control) with the BS based on the DL / UL scheduling grants, and / or receive a sleep mode end trigger from the BS.

[0080] In one embodiment, the communication module 409 is configured to maintain synchronization with the serving BS during a sleep period of the BS. In one embodiment, the communication module 409 is configured to transmit a RACH preamble to the BS when the BS is in the sleep period.

[0081] As shown, the transceiver 410 may include a modem subsystem 412 and an RF unit 414. The transceiver 410 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with other devices, such as the UE 115 and / or another core network element. The modem subsystem 412 may be configured to modulate and / or encode data according to an MCS (e.g., an LDPC coding scheme, a turbo coding scheme, a convolutional coding scheme, a digital beamforming scheme, etc.).

[0082] The RF unit 414 may be configured to process (e.g., perform analog-to-digital conversion or digital-to-analog conversion, etc.) modulated / encoded data from the modem subsystem 412 (on outbound transmission) or for transmission originating from another source, such as BSs 105, 205, and 300 or UEs, such as UEs 115 and 215. The RF unit 414 may be further configured to perform analog beamforming in conjunction with digital beamforming. Although shown as being integrated together in the transceiver 410, the modem subsystem 412 and / or the RF unit 414 may be separate devices that are coupled together at the UE 400 to enable the UE 400 to communicate with other devices.

[0083] The RF unit 414 may provide modulated and / or processed data (e.g., data packets (or more generally, data messages that may include one or more data packets and other information)) to the antenna 416 for transmission to one or more other devices. This may include, for example, transmitting SRs (e.g., SR 222), UL communications (e.g., UL communications signal 224), and / or RACH preambles in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 416 may further receive data messages transmitted from other devices and provide the received data messages for processing and / or demodulation at the transceiver 410. This may include, for example, receiving SR triggers, sleep mode start indications, sleep mode stop indications, DL synchronization signals, and / or UL scheduling grants in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The antenna 416 may include multiple antennas of similar or different designs in order to maintain multiple transmission links.

[0084] In an embodiment, the UE 400 may include multiple transceivers 410 that implement different RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In an embodiment, the UE 400 may include a single transceiver 410 that implements multiple RATs (e.g., NR and LTE). In an embodiment, the transceiver 410 may include various components, where different combinations of the components may implement the RATs.

[0085] Figure 5 A signaling diagram of a network power saving method 500 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The method 500 is implemented between a BS 505, a UE 515a connected to the BS 505, and a UE 515b. The BS 505 is similar to the BSs 105, 205, and 300. The UEs 515a and 515b are similar to the UEs 115, 215, and 400. The steps of the method 500 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of the BS 505 and the UEs 515a and 515b. The method 500 may be implemented in the same manner as described in the referenced embodiments. Figure 2 Similar mechanisms are described in the method 200. Additionally, regarding Figure 2 1 and 2. Method 500 is described with reference to a sleep / wake cycle of FIG. 1 and, for simplicity, the same reference numerals may be used. As illustrated, method 500 includes several enumerated steps, but embodiments of method 500 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0086] At step 510, BS 505 transmits a UL data status request to UE 515a and 515b. BS 505 may transmit the UL data status request via an L1 message on a PDCCH channel or via a MAC CE on a PUSCH channel. BS 505 may transmit separate UL data status requests for UE 515a and 515b, or transmit a single UL data status request for UE 515a and 515b. BS 505 may determine that it is to enter sleep mode, and therefore may wish to allow UE 515a and UE 515b to transmit UL data queued at UE 515a and UE 515b before entering sleep mode.

[0087] At step 512, UE 515a transmits UL data status A to BS 505 in response to the UL data status request (e.g., via PUCCH). UL data status A may include a UL buffer status of UE 515a, e.g., the number of UL data bytes queued for transmission at UE 515a. In an embodiment, UL data status A may be in the form of a scheduling request (SR) message similar to SR 222a, and the UL data status request may be an SR trigger message.

[0088] Similarly, at step 514, UE 515b transmits UL data status B (e.g., SR 222b) to BS 505 in response to the UL data status request (e.g., via PUCCH). UL data status B may include the UL buffer status of UE 515b, e.g., the number of UL data bytes queued for transmission at UE 515b.

[0089] At step 520, the BS 505 transmits a first UL grant A (eg, indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 515a (eg, via the PDCCH) before entering sleep mode.

[0090] At step 525, the BS 505 transmits a first UL grant B (eg, indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 515b (eg, via the PDCCH) before entering sleep mode.

[0091] At step 530, the UE 515a transmits a first UL communication A (eg, the UL communication signal 224a) to the BS 505 based on the first UL grant A (eg, via the PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0092] At step 535, UE 515b transmits a first UL communication B (eg, UL communication signal 224b) to BS 505 based on the first UL grant B (eg, via PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0093] At step 540, after receiving the first UL communication A and the first UL communication B, the BS 505 transmits a sleep mode start message to notify the UEs 515a and 515b that the BS 505 will enter the sleep mode. The BS 505 may transmit the sleep mode start message via an L1 signal or a MAC CE signal (e.g., at a time corresponding to time T1 in method 200). The BS 505 may include timing information associated with the sleep mode in the sleep mode start message. The information may include a sleep window duration (e.g., sleep window 204), a wake window duration (e.g., wake window 206), and / or a sleep window periodicity (e.g., cycle 202). In some embodiments, the BS 505 may configure the UE to have a sleep mode configuration via an RRC message.

[0094] In an embodiment, BS 505 may configure sleep timer 542 based on the duration of sleep window 204. Similarly, each of UE 515a and 515b may configure a timer based on the duration of sleep window 204 provided by BS 505.

[0095] At step 545, after the sleep timer 542 expires, the BS 505 transmits a second UL grant A (e.g., indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 515a during the awake window 206 (e.g., via the PDCCH). Similarly, at step 550, the BS 505 transmits a second UL grant B (e.g., indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 515b (e.g., via the PDCCH) after the sleep timer expires and transitions to the awake window 206.

[0096] At step 555, the UE 515a transmits a second UL communication A (eg, the UL communication signal 224a) to the BS 505 based on the second UL grant A (eg, via the PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0097] At step 560, UE 515b transmits a second UL communication B (eg, UL communication signal 224b) to BS 505 based on the second UL grant B (eg, via PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0098] The sleep / wake cycle 202 may be repeated during the sleep mode period 201. For example, at the end of the sleep mode, the BS 505 determines to exit the sleep mode or power saving mode. In step 565, the BS 505 transmits a sleep mode stop message to notify the UEs 515a and 515b of the end of the sleep mode (e.g., at a time corresponding to time T2 in method 200).

[0099] In one embodiment, when BS 505 has DL data for UE 515a or UE 515b, BS 505 may transmit the DL data to the corresponding UE 515 during the awake window 206 or before entering the sleep mode (e.g., before the sleep mode period 201 starts).

[0100] It can be observed that the BS 505 looks for an opportunity to enter sleep mode and allows the connected UE 515 to flush its corresponding UL buffer before entering sleep mode. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments allow for network sleep periods with minimal or no interruption to the operation of the connected UE 515.

[0101] Figure 6 A signaling diagram illustrating a network power saving method 600 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 is implemented between a BS 605, a UE 615a connected to the BS 605, and a UE 615b. The BS 605 is similar to the BSs 105, 205, 300, and 505. The UEs 615a and 615b are similar to the UEs 115, 215, 400, and 615. The steps of the method 600 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of the BS 605 and the UEs 615a and 615b. The method 600 may be implemented in the same manner as described in the referenced embodiments. Figure 2 Similar mechanisms are described in the method 200. Additionally, regarding Figure 2 6. The sleep / wake cycle of FIG. 600 is described in detail, and for simplicity, the same reference numerals may be used. As illustrated, method 600 includes several enumerated steps, but various embodiments of method 600 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0102] Method 600 is substantially similar to method 500, but illustrates a scenario when the network needs to quickly enter sleep mode to save power. Therefore, BS 605 may not have time to trigger UE 615a and 615b to send UL data status reports and allow UE 615a and 615b to transmit UL data queued at corresponding UE 615a and 615b before entering sleep mode.

[0103] At step 610, BS 605 transmits a broadcast sleep mode start message to notify UEs 615a and 615b that BS 605 will enter sleep mode. BS 605 may transmit the sleep mode start message via an L1 signal, a MAC CE, or an RRC message. BS 605 may include timing information associated with the sleep mode in the sleep mode start message. The information may include a sleep window duration (e.g., sleep window 204), a wake window duration (e.g., wake window 206), and / or a sleep window periodicity (e.g., cycle 202). Upon receiving the sleep mode start message, UEs 615a and 615b may stop UL data and / or UL control transmissions to BS 605.

[0104] In an embodiment, BS 605 may configure timer 542 based on the duration of sleep window 204. Similarly, each of UE 615a and 615b may configure a timer based on the duration of sleep window 204 provided by BS 605.

[0105] At step 620, after the sleep timer expires, the BS 605 transmits UL grant A (e.g., indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 615a during the awake window 206 (e.g., via the PDCCH). Similarly, at step 630, the BS 605 transmits UL grant B (e.g., indicating scheduling information and resources) to the UE 615b (e.g., via the PDCCH) after the sleep timer expires and transitions to the awake window 206.

[0106] At step 630, UE 615a transmits UL communication A (eg, UL communication signal 224a) to BS 605 based on UL grant A (eg, via PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0107] At step 640, UE 615b transmits a second UL communication B (eg, UL communication signal 224b) to BS 605 based on UL grant B (eg, via PUCCH and / or PUSCH).

[0108] The sleep / wake cycle 202 may be repeated during the sleep mode period 201. For example, at the end of the sleep mode, the BS 505 determines to exit the sleep mode or power saving mode. In step 650, the BS 505 transmits a sleep mode stop message to notify the UEs 615a and 615b of the end of the sleep mode.

[0109] In one embodiment, instead of including sleep window 204 and / or cycle 202 information in the broadcast sleep mode start message of step 610, BS 605 may transmit a wakeup message at the end of sleep window 204 to notify UEs 615a and 615b that BS 605 is transitioning from sleep window 204 to wakeup window 206.

[0110] It can be observed that upon detecting a critical low power critical condition, BS 605 can broadcast a sleep mode start indication to all UEs in the coverage area of ​​BS 605 and quickly enter sleep mode. Upon power recovery, BS 605 can return to serving UEs using previously established connections. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments allow the network to enter sleep mode upon a critical condition and notify UEs in the area without causing the UEs to be disconnected from the network.

[0111] Although not shown, in some embodiments, BS 505 in method 500 and / or BS 605 in method 600 may transmit DL system information signals (e.g., SSB) and / or other DL control signals during sleep window 204 to allow connected UEs to maintain synchronization with the corresponding BS and to allow new UEs to perform random access with the corresponding BS. In some embodiments, BS 505 and / or BS 605 may provide certain sleep mode information in the DL system information signals and / or DL ​​control signals to further facilitate random access procedures during sleep mode. For example, a UE seeking to join a network may know when to access the network, for example, when to initiate a random access procedure with the network (e.g., during wake-up window 206) based on the sleep mode information.

[0112] Figure 7 700 is a flowchart of a network power saving method 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps of method 700 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of a wireless communication device or other suitable means for performing the steps. For example, a wireless communication device (such as BS105, 205, 300, 505, and 605) may utilize one or more components (such as a processor 302, a memory 304, a sleep mode module 308, a communication module 309, a transceiver 310, a modem 312, and one or more antennas 316) to perform the steps of method 700. Method 700 may be implemented in the same manner as described in the respective references. Figure 2 , 5 6. As illustrated, method 700 includes several enumerated steps, but various embodiments of method 700 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0113] At step 710, method 700 includes determining, by a BS of a wireless communication network (eg, network 100), to enter a sleep mode.

[0114] At step 720, method 700 includes transmitting, by the BS, to one or more UEs (eg, UEs 115, 215, 400, 515, and 615) of the wireless communication network a communication signal indicating that the BS is to enter a sleep mode.

[0115] At step 730 , the method 700 includes operating, by the BS, in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period (eg, the sleep mode period 201 ).

[0116] In one embodiment, the sleep mode operation includes powering off one or more components of the BS. Powering off one or more components of the BS includes powering off at least one of an RF processing component (e.g., RF unit 314), a baseband processing component (e.g., modem subsystem 312), or an upper layer processing component (e.g., processor 302).

[0117] In one embodiment, the sleep mode operation includes transmitting, by the BS, a DL system information signal. In one embodiment, the DL system information indicates a RACH resource, and the sleep mode operation includes receiving, by the BS, a RACH preamble signal in the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs.

[0118] In an embodiment, sleep mode operation includes periodically switching between a sleep window (eg, sleep window 204 ) of the sleep mode period and an active window (eg, awake window 206 ) of the sleep mode period.

[0119] In an embodiment, the sleep mode operation includes refraining from performing uplink and downlink communications by the BS during a sleep window of the sleep mode period, and performing at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications by the BS during an active window of the sleep mode period.

[0120] In one embodiment, the BS may transmit the communication signal to one or more UEs in a broadcast mode. In one embodiment, the BS may transmit the communication signal via an L1 message or a MAC CE. In one embodiment, the BS may transmit the sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via an RRC message.

[0121] In an embodiment, the BS may transmit the communication signal by transmitting a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. In an embodiment, the communication signal includes an indication of the length of the sleep mode period.

[0122] In an embodiment, the BS further transmits a stop signal to the one or more UEs indicating the end of the sleep mode period.

[0123] In one embodiment, determining to enter sleep mode includes receiving, by the BS, a UL data status (e.g., SR 222) from one or more UEs, and determining, by the BS, the start of a sleep mode period based on the received UL data status. In one embodiment, the BS further transmits to the one or more UEs a request for the one or more UEs to transmit the UL data status to the BS.

[0124] Figure 8 800 is a flowchart of a network power saving method 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The steps of method 800 may be performed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, a processing circuit, and / or other suitable components) of a wireless communication device or other suitable means for performing the steps. For example, a wireless communication device (such as UE 115, 215, 400, 515, and 615) may utilize one or more components (such as a processor 402, a memory 404, a sleep mode module 408, a communication module 409, a transceiver 410, a modem 412, and one or more antennas 416) to perform the steps of method 800. Method 800 may be implemented in the same manner as described in connection with the respective embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 , 5 6. As illustrated, method 800 includes several enumerated steps, but various embodiments of method 800 may include additional steps before, after, and between these enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of these enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

[0125] At step 810 , the method 800 includes receiving, by the UE, a communication signal from a BS (eg, BS 105 , 205 , 300 , 505 , or 605 ) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period (eg, sleep mode period 201 ).

[0126] At step 820 , the method 800 includes refraining, by the UE, from performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows (eg, the sleep windows 204 ) of the sleep mode period.

[0127] In an embodiment, the UE further communicates at least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal with the BS during one or more active windows (eg, active window 206) of the sleep mode period.

[0128] In one embodiment, the communication signal is a broadcast signal from the BS. In one embodiment, the communication signal is received via at least one of an L1 signal or a MAC CE. In one embodiment, the UE further receives the sleep mode configuration information from the BS via an RRC message.

[0129] In one embodiment, the communication signal includes a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. In one embodiment, the communication signal further includes an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. In one embodiment, the communication signal further includes an indication of the length of one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0130] In an embodiment, the UE further receives a stop signal from the BS indicating the end of the sleep mode period.

[0131] In an embodiment, the UE further receives a request from the BS to transmit a UL data status to the BS. The UE further transmits the UL data status (eg, SR 222) to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data status.

[0132] In an embodiment, the UE further synchronizes timing with the BS during at least one sleep window of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0133] In one embodiment, the UE further receives a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS from the BS. The UE further performs a random access procedure with the BS based on the sleep mode information. For example, the UE may transmit a random access preamble during a wake-up window (e.g., wake-up window 206) of the BS indicated by the sleep mode information.

[0134] Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be mentioned throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0135] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in conjunction with the disclosure herein may be implemented or executed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0136] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, each function may be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted therefrom as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the above functions may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hard wiring, or any combination thereof executed by a processor. The features that implement the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations. In addition, as used herein (including in the claims), the "or" used in the enumeration of items (e.g., enumeration of items with phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive enumeration, so that, for example, the enumeration of [at least one of A, B, or C] means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

[0137] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a wireless communication method, comprising: determining, by a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, to enter a sleep mode; transmitting, by the BS, a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode to one or more user equipments (UEs) of the wireless communication network; and operating, by the BS, in a sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

[0138] The method may also include wherein operating in sleep mode includes powering off one or more components of the BS. The method may also include wherein powering off one or more components of the BS includes powering off at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component. The method may also include wherein operating in sleep mode further includes transmitting a downlink system information signal by the BS. The method may also include wherein the downlink system information signal indicates a random access channel (RACH) resource, and wherein operating in sleep mode further includes receiving a RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs by the BS. The method may also include wherein operating in sleep mode includes periodically switching between a sleep window of a sleep mode period and an active window of a sleep mode period. The method may also include wherein operating in sleep mode includes suppressing uplink and downlink communications by the BS during a sleep window of a sleep mode period, and performing at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications by the BS during an active window of a sleep mode period. The method may also include wherein transmitting a communication signal includes broadcasting a communication signal to one or more UEs. The method may also include transmitting the communication signal including transmitting the communication signal using at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The method may also include transmitting sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message by the BS. The method may also include transmitting a start signal indicating the start of a sleep mode period. The method may also include transmitting a communication signal including further transmitting an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The method may also include transmitting a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period by the BS to one or more UEs. The method may also include determining to enter sleep mode including receiving an uplink (UL) data state from one or more UEs by the BS, and determining the start of the sleep mode period by the BS based on the received UL data state. The method may also include transmitting a request by the BS to one or more UEs to cause one or more UEs to transmit UL data states to the BS.

[0139] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; and suppressing, by the UE during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period, performing uplink communication.

[0140] The method may also include communicating at least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal with the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period by the UE. The method may also include wherein receiving the communication signal includes receiving a broadcast from the BS. The method may also include wherein receiving the communication signal includes receiving the communication signal via at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The method may also include receiving sleep mode configuration information from the BS by the UE via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The method may also include wherein receiving the communication signal includes receiving a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. The method may also include wherein receiving the communication signal further includes receiving an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The method may also include wherein receiving the communication signal further includes receiving an indication of the length of one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The method may also include receiving a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period by the UE from the BS. The method may also include receiving a request by the UE from the BS to transmit an uplink (UL) data state to the BS; and transmitting the UL data state by the UE to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data state. The method may also include synchronizing timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period by the UE. The method may also include receiving, by the UE, a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS from the BS; and performing, by the UE, a random access procedure with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

[0141] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, the BS comprising a processor configured to: determine to enter a sleep mode; and operate in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period; and a transceiver configured to transmit a communication signal to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network indicating that the BS will enter the sleep mode.

[0142] The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to operate in sleep mode by powering off one or more components of the BS. The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to power off one or more components of the BS by powering off at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component. The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to operate in sleep mode by transmitting a downlink system information signal. The BS may also include wherein the downlink system information signal indicates a random access channel (RACH) resource, and wherein the processor is further configured to operate in sleep mode by receiving a RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs. The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to operate in sleep mode by periodically switching between a sleep window of a sleep mode period and an active window of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to operate in sleep mode by suppressing uplink and downlink communications during the sleep window of the sleep mode period, and performing at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications during the active window of the sleep mode period. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a communication signal by broadcasting a communication signal to one or more UEs. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the communication signal by using at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal to transmit the communication signal. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a communication signal by transmitting a start signal indicating the beginning of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a communication signal by transmitting an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The BS may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period to one or more UEs. The BS may also include wherein the processor is further configured to determine to enter sleep mode by receiving an uplink (UL) data state from one or more UEs, and determining the beginning of the sleep mode period based on the received UL data state. The BS may also include where the transceiver is further configured to transmit a request to the one or more UEs for the one or more UEs to transmit the UL data status to the BS.

[0143] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a user equipment (UE), which includes a transceiver configured to: receive a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; and a processor configured to refrain from performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0144] The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to communicate at least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal with the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a communication signal by receiving a broadcast from the BS. The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive the communication signal by receiving the communication signal via at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive sleep mode configuration information from the BS via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a communication signal by receiving a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a request from the BS to transmit an uplink (UL) data state to the BS; and transmit the UL data state to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data state. The UE may also include wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize timing with the BS during at least one sleep window in one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include where the transceiver is further configured to receive a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS from the BS; and where the processor is further configured to perform a random access procedure with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

[0145] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code including: code for causing a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network to determine that it is to enter a sleep mode; code for causing the BS to transmit a communication signal to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network indicating that the BS is to enter a sleep mode; and code for causing the BS to operate in a sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

[0146] The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to operate in sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to power off one or more components of the BS. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to power off one or more components of the BS, wherein the code is further configured to power off at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to operate in sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to transmit a downlink system information signal. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to operate in sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to receive a RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs by the BS. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to operate in sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to periodically switch between a sleep window of a sleep mode period and an active window of a sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to operate in sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to suppress uplink and downlink communications during the sleep window of the sleep mode period, and to perform at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications during the active window of the sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to transmit a communication signal, wherein the code is further configured to broadcast the communication signal to one or more UEs. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to transmit a communication signal, wherein the code is further configured to transmit the communication signal using at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to transmit sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to transmit a communication signal, wherein the code is further configured to transmit a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the BS to transmit a communication signal, wherein the code is further configured to transmit an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the BS to transmit a stop signal to one or more UEs indicating the end of the sleep mode period. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the BS to determine to enter the sleep mode, wherein the code is further configured to receive an uplink (UL) data state from one or more UEs, and determine the start of the sleep mode period based on the received UL data state. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the BS to transmit a request to one or more UEs to transmit the UL data state to the BS.

[0147] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code including: code for causing a user equipment (UE) to receive a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; code for causing the UE to suppress uplink communication during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period; and code for causing the UE to synchronize timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0148] The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to communicate at least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal by the UE and the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive a communication signal, which is further configured to receive a broadcast from the BS. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive a communication signal, which is further configured to receive the communication signal via at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive sleep mode configuration information from the BS via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive a communication signal, which is further configured to receive a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive a communication signal, which is further configured to receive an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The non-transient computer-readable medium may also include a code for causing the UE to receive a communication signal, which is further configured to receive an indication of the length of one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the UE to receive a stop signal from the BS indicating the end of the sleep mode period. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the UE to receive a request from the BS to transmit an uplink (UL) data state to the BS; and code for causing the UE to transmit the UL data state to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data state. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the UE to synchronize timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may also include code for causing the UE to receive a system information signal from the BS including sleep mode information associated with the BS; and code for causing the UE to perform a random access procedure with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

[0149] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, comprising: a device for determining to enter a sleep mode; a device for transmitting a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network; and a device for operating in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

[0150] The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to power off one or more components of the BS. The BS may also include a device for powering off one or more components of the BS wherein the device is further configured to power off at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to transmit a downlink system information signal. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the downlink system information signal indicates a random access channel (RACH) resource, and wherein the device for operating in a sleep mode is further configured to receive a RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs by the BS. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to periodically switch between a sleep window of a sleep mode period and an active window of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to suppress uplink and downlink communications during a sleep window of a sleep mode period; and perform at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications during an active window of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to broadcast the communication signal to one or more UEs. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit the communication signal using at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The BS includes a device for transmitting sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit a start signal indicating the start of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The BS includes a device for transmitting a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period to one or more UEs. The BS may also include a device for determining to enter a sleep mode, wherein the device is further configured to receive an uplink (UL) data state from one or more UEs, and determine the start of the sleep mode period based on the received UL data state. The BS includes a device for transmitting a request to one or more UEs to transmit UL data states to the BS.

[0151] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, comprising: a device for determining to enter a sleep mode; a device for transmitting a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network; and a device for operating in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

[0152] The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to power off one or more components of the BS. The BS may also include a device for powering off one or more components of the BS wherein the device is further configured to power off at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to transmit a downlink system information signal. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the downlink system information signal indicates a random access channel (RACH) resource, and wherein the device for operating in a sleep mode is further configured to receive a RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resource from a second UE different from the one or more UEs by the BS. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to periodically switch between a sleep window of a sleep mode period and an active window of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for operating in a sleep mode wherein the device is further configured to suppress uplink and downlink communications during a sleep window of a sleep mode period; and perform at least one of uplink communications or downlink communications during an active window of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to broadcast the communication signal to one or more UEs. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit the communication signal using at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The BS may also include a device for transmitting sleep mode configuration information to one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit a start signal indicating the start of a sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to transmit an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period to one or more UEs. The BS may also include a device for determining to enter a sleep mode, wherein the device is further configured to receive an uplink (UL) data state from one or more UEs, and determine the start of the sleep mode period based on the received UL data state. The BS may also include a device for transmitting a request to one or more UEs to transmit UL data states to the BS.

[0153] A further embodiment of the present disclosure includes a user equipment (UE), comprising: a device for receiving a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; a device for suppressing uplink communication during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period; and a device for synchronizing timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

[0154] The UE may also include a device for communicating at least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal with the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period by the UE. The UE may also include a device for receiving a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to receive a broadcast from the BS. The UE may also include a device for receiving a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to receive the communication signal via at least one of a layer one (L1) signal or a media access control element (MAC CE) signal. The UE may also include a device for receiving sleep mode configuration information from the BS via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The UE may also include a device for receiving a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to receive a start signal indicating the start of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include a device for receiving a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to receive an indication of the length of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include a device for receiving a communication signal, wherein the device is further configured to receive an indication of the length of one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include a device for receiving a stop signal indicating the end of the sleep mode period from the BS. The UE may also include means for receiving a request from the BS to transmit an uplink (UL) data state to the BS; and means for transmitting the UL data state to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data state. The UE may also include means for synchronizing timing with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period. The UE may also include means for receiving a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS from the BS; and means for performing a random access procedure with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

[0155] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art and depending on the specific application at hand, many modifications, substitutions and changes may be made to the materials, devices, configurations and methods of use of the apparatus of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In view of this, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein (as they are merely examples of the present disclosure), but should be fully equivalent to the appended claims and their functional equivalents.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: Determining, by a base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, to enter a sleep mode; transmitting, by the BS to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network, a communication signal indicating that the BS will enter the sleep mode; as well as The BS is operated in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein operating in the sleep mode comprises powering off one or more components of the BS, the one or more components comprising at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component of the BS.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating in the sleep mode further comprises: transmitting, by the BS, a downlink system information signal indicating a random access channel (RACH) resource; as well as A RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resources is received by the BS from a second UE different from the one or more UEs.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein operating in the sleep mode comprises: periodically switching, by the BS, between a sleep window of the sleep mode period and an active window of the sleep mode period; refraining, by the BS, from performing uplink communication and downlink communication during a sleep window of the sleep mode period; as well as At least one of uplink communication or downlink communication is performed by the BS during an active window of the sleep mode period.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the communication signal comprises: The communication signal is transmitted to the one or more UEs using at least one of layer one (L1) signaling, medium access control element (MAC CE) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or broadcast signaling.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Sleep mode configuration information is transmitted by the BS to the one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the communication signal comprises: An indication of at least one of a start of the sleep mode period, a length of the sleep mode period, or an end of the sleep mode period is transmitted by the BS to the one or more UEs.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining to enter the sleep mode comprises: receiving, by the BS, an uplink (UL) data status from the one or more UEs; as well as A start of the sleep mode period is determined by the BS based on the received UL data status.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: A request is transmitted by the BS to the one or more UEs for the one or more UEs to transmit the UL data status to the BS.

10. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a base station (BS), a communication signal indicating that the BS is to enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; The UE refrains from performing uplink communications during one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: At least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal is communicated by the UE with the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the communication signal comprises: The communication signal is received via at least one of layer one (L1) signaling, medium access control element (MAC CE) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or broadcast signaling.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: Sleep mode configuration information is received by the UE from the BS via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the communication signal comprises: An indication of at least one of a start of the sleep mode period, a length of the sleep mode period, a length of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period, or an end of the sleep mode period is received.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by the UE from the BS, a request to transmit an uplink (UL) data status to the BS; as well as The UL data status is transmitted by the UE to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data status.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising: Timing is synchronized, by the UE, with the BS during at least one sleep window of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving, by the UE, from the BS, a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS; as well as A random access procedure is performed by the UE with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

18. A base station (BS) of a wireless communication network, comprising: A processor configured to: Confirm that you want to enter sleep mode; as well as operating in the sleep mode for a sleep mode period; as well as A transceiver is configured to transmit a communication signal to one or more user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network indicating that the BS is to enter the sleep mode.

19. The BS of claim 18, further comprising: at least one of a radio frequency (RF) processing component, a baseband processing component, or an upper layer processing component, Wherein the processor is further configured to operate in the sleep mode by: The at least one of the RF processing component, the baseband processing component, or the upper layer processing component is powered off.

20. The BS of claim 18, wherein the processor configured to operate in the sleep mode is configured to: transmitting, via the transceiver, a downlink system information signal indicating a random access channel (RACH) resource; and A RACH preamble signal based on the RACH resources is received from a second UE different from the one or more UEs via the transceiver.

21. The BS of claim 18, wherein the processor configured to operate in the sleep mode is configured to: periodically switching between a sleep window of the sleep mode period and an active window of the sleep mode period; refraining from performing uplink communications and downlink communications during a sleep window of the sleep mode period; as well as During an active window of the sleep mode period, at least one of uplink communication or downlink communication is performed.

22. The BS of claim 18, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: The sleep mode configuration information is transmitted to the one or more UEs via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

23. The BS of claim 18, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: receiving an uplink (UL) data status from the one or more UEs; and The processor configured to determine to enter the sleep mode is further configured to: The start of the sleep mode period is determined based on the received UL data status.

24. The BS of claim 23, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: A request is transmitted to the one or more UEs for the one or more UEs to transmit the UL data status to the BS.

25. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver configured to receive a communication signal from a base station (BS) indicating that the BS will enter a sleep mode for a sleep mode period; as well as A processor configured to: During one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period, uplink communications are refrained from being performed.

26. The UE of claim 25, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: At least one of an uplink communication signal or a downlink communication signal is communicated with the BS during one or more active windows of the sleep mode period.

27. The UE of claim 25, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: Sleep mode configuration information is received from the BS via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

28. The UE of claim 25, wherein the transceiver is further configured to: receiving, from the BS, a request to transmit an uplink (UL) data status to the BS; and The UL data status is transmitted to the BS, wherein the start of the sleep mode period is based at least in part on the UL data status.

29. The UE of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to: Timing is synchronized with the BS during at least one of the one or more sleep windows of the sleep mode period.

30. The UE of claim 25, wherein: The transceiver is further configured to: receiving, from the BS, a system information signal including sleep mode information associated with the BS; and The processor is further configured to: A random access procedure is performed with the BS based on the sleep mode information.

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