Discontinuous reception period for low power and high precision positioning

Abstract

The invention relates to discontinuous reception cycles for low power and high precision positioning. Embodiments provide at least for receiving information from a communication network, the information comprising a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at the apparatus, where the change is located at an overlap boundary of the one or more paging time windows, and based on the information, according to the overlap, generating a non-contiguous reception period of the apparatus. Determining at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows; comparing the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception period with the associated one or more paging time windows; determining whether a length of a maximum period of time of the discontinuous reception period is greater than a percentage of a length of at least one paging window duration; and based on the determination, changing a time period of the discontinuous reception period, or using, at the apparatus, a current configuration value of the discontinuous reception period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The teachings according to example embodiments of the present invention relate to a novel solution that at least minimizes the impact on paging performance while reducing power consumption of network equipment in DRX operation, and more specifically, to setting the DRX cycle by a network device when the DRX cycle changes at overlapping boundaries of different paging time windows. Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to provide background or context to the invention recited in the claims. The descriptions herein may include concepts that may be pursued, but not necessarily concepts that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the specification and claims in this application and is not considered prior art by virtue of inclusion in this section.

[0003] Certain abbreviations that may be found in this specification and / or drawings are defined as follows: CN Core Network

[0004] DRX Discontinuous Reception

[0005] eDRXExtended DRX

[0006] gNB 5G base station

[0007] LPHAP Low Power High Accuracy Positioning

[0008] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0009] PH paging superframe

[0010] PTW Paging Time Window

[0011] RAN Radio Access Network

[0012] RRM Radio Resource Management

[0013] NR New Radio

[0014] NTWK Network

[0015] Packet Switching

[0016] PRS Positioning Reference Signal

[0017] RACH Random Access Channel

[0018] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0019] Rx Receiver

[0020] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0021] UE User Equipment

[0022] USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

[0023] 5G, NR and LTE communication systems can support communication between terminals and network side devices or between terminals themselves (side links). In order to reduce the power consumption of terminals, a discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism can be introduced.

[0024] In these systems, it may be desirable to align discontinuous reception (DRX) timing associated with sidelink communications. In some examples, a DRX alignment group may be indicated to a user equipment (UE), such as for aligning the DRX timing of a sidelink connection with the DRX timing of at least one other connection (e.g., a base station connection and / or another sidelink connection).

[0025] Example embodiments of the present invention propose improved operations with respect to at least improved DRX timing operation, as described above. Summary of the invention

[0026] This section contains examples of possible implementations and is not meant to be limiting.

[0027] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a device for communication, such as a user equipment side device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive information from a communication network, wherein the information includes a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at the device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows, and based on the information, determine at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows according to the overlap; compare the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; determine whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and based on the determination, change the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or use the current configuration value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device.

[0028] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a method for communication, comprising: receiving information from a communication network, the information including a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows, determining, based on the information and according to the overlap, at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows; comparing the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; determining whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and based on the determination, changing the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or using the current configuration value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device.

[0029] Another exemplary embodiment is an apparatus for communication and a method for communication including the apparatus and method of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is to be changed, and wherein the discontinuous reception cycle is maintained as a constant within paging time windows of different cells, wherein the one or more paging time windows at least include a core network paging time window or a random access network paging time window, wherein the apparatus is configured to not use the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle if the maximum length of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration, wherein the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration is associated with the one or more paging time windows, wherein the configuration provides at least one value of the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration, wherein the currently configured value includes at least the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein there is a modification to the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification The modification is to identify the appropriate length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or to extend the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein for the case where the length of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the percentage of the length of the at least one of the one or more paging time windows: the configuration causes mode selection; and the selected mode is reported to the communication network, wherein the mode includes extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extension includes increasing the minimum discontinuous reception cycle by a predefined step size, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: based on the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle being less than the duration of the paging time window duration, use the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle instead of using the configured discontinuous reception cycle.

[0030] A computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the above paragraphs.

[0031] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a device for communication, comprising: a component for receiving information from a communication network, the information including a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows, a component for determining, based on the information and according to the overlap, at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows; a component for comparing the length of a maximum time period of a discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; a component for determining whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and a component for changing the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle or using a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device based on the determination.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, at least means for receiving, determining, comparing, changing and using include a network interface and computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0033] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a device for communication is provided, such as a network-side device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the device to at least: determine the configuration for one or more paging time windows and the conditions for changing the time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of a communication network, wherein the change is located at the overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; send information including the configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration is used for at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following operations at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or the use of a current configuration value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and receive information from the user equipment, wherein the information includes a report on a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or the use of a current configuration value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0034] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a method for communication, comprising: determining conditions for a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of a communication network, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; sending information including the configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration is used for at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following operations at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or use of a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and receiving information from the user equipment, the information including a report of a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or use of a currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0035] A further exemplary embodiment is an apparatus for communication and a method for communication comprising the apparatus and method of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the one or more paging time windows are configured with different lengths, and wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of more than one paging time windows, wherein the one or more paging time windows include a core network paging time window and a random access network paging time window, wherein depending on the overlap, the configuration provides at least one value of the time associated with the one or more paging time windows, wherein the configuration causes the user equipment to compare the length of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle with the at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows, wherein in the case where the length of the maximum discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the time value of the length of the at least one paging time window in the plurality of paging time windows, the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is not used, wherein the configuration causes the user equipment to modify the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is performed by using the one or more paging time windows. Different time values ​​of the length of at least one paging time window in the interval window identify the appropriate length of the discontinuous reception cycle to use the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or extend one of the discontinuous reception cycles to save power consumption, wherein for the case where the length of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the time value of the at least one of the one or more paging time windows: the configuration causes the mode selection of the user equipment; and the user equipment reports the selected mode to the communication network, wherein the mode includes extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extension includes increasing the minimum discontinuous reception cycle by a predefined step size, wherein the mode includes extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extension includes: increasing the minimum value of the discontinuous reception cycle time associated with the one or more paging time windows, and / or based on the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle being less than the duration of the at least one paging time window, using the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle instead of using the configured discontinuous reception cycle.

[0036] A computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the above paragraphs.

[0037] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus for communication, comprising: a component for determining conditions for a configuration of one or more paging time windows and for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of a communication network, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; a component for sending information including the configuration to a user equipment, wherein the configuration is used for at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following operations at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or use of a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and a component for receiving information from the user equipment, the information including a report of a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or use of a currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0038] According to an example embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, at least means for determining, sending, changing, using and receiving include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0039] A communication system includes a network side device and a user equipment side device to perform the above-mentioned operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference symbols are used to represent the same or equivalent elements. The accompanying drawings are shown to facilitate a better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

[0041] Figure 1 A diagram showing different values ​​of the DRX cycle depending on the overlap between the RAN PTW and the CN PTW;

[0042] Figure 2 shows a signaling diagram according to an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 High-level block diagrams showing various means for implementing various aspects of the invention; and

[0044] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each shows a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention that can be performed by an apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one method and apparatus for executing a novel solution are proposed, which at least minimizes the impact on paging performance while reducing the power consumption of network equipment in DRX operation. The method includes: setting the DRX cycle by the network equipment when the DRX cycle changes at the overlapping boundaries of different paging time windows.

[0046] New Radio (NR) positioning includes enhancements to Low Power and High Accuracy Positioning (LPHAP).

[0047] SA1 has introduced requirements for LPHAP (Low Power High Accuracy Positioning) for Industrial IoT scenarios, which include use cases such as large-scale asset tracking, AGV tracking in industrial plants, and personnel positioning in hazardous areas. The requirements of SA1 are high accuracy and extremely low power consumption, with battery life lasting up to one or more years. A typical scenario of interest is use case #6 as defined in TS22.104, which corresponds to tracking of artifacts (indoors and outdoors) in assembly areas and warehouses with a target accuracy of <1m, a positioning interval of 15-30 seconds, and a battery life of 6-12 months. Although Rel-17 NR positioning has introduced support for positioning in the RRC_INACTIVE state, it was not evaluated during Rel-17 whether current systems allow the LPHAP requirements to be met.

[0048] At the time of this application, specific enhancements defined in the standard to enable LPHAP use case 6 include:

[0049] Extend the eDRX cycle beyond 10.24s in RRC_INACTIVE state to meet the battery life requirements of LPHAP:

[0050] Positioning specific enhancements for eDRX cycles longer than 10.24s are defined as part of Rel-18 WI on extended and improved NR positioning:

[0051] NOTE: Work on this goal should be coordinated with work in eRedCap's Rel-18 WI.

[0052] To this end, the feature of extending the eDRX cycle beyond 10.24s should be defined as part of Rel-18WI on the eRedCap;

[0053] NOTE: Input from RAN1 (if required) can be facilitated via LS

[0054] For UL and DL+UL positioning of UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state, SRS configuration enhancement is specified based on the SRS positioning validity area to avoid frequent RRC connections for SRS (re)configuration.

[0055] For SRS for positioning configuration in multiple cells [RAN2, RAN1], details including issues such as interference, timing advance, spatial relationship information, path loss reference, and common SRS parameters across multiple cells may be further discussed during the standardization work:

[0056] Pre-configuration of one or more SRSs for positioning configuration;

[0057] SRS used for positioning activation / request process.

[0058] Specifies a solution for DL ​​PRS measurements for UEs in RRC_IDLE state and reporting measurements in RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0059] A solution to specify alignment between eDRX and PRS configurations [RAN2].

[0060] Specify the corresponding new core requirements, as well as identify and specify the impact on existing RAN4 specifications, including RRM measurements and procedures.

[0061] RAN2 has reached the following agreement on CN (Core Network) and RAN PTW (Paging Time Window), where CN PTW refers to the Idle eDRX configuration and RAN PTW refers to the INACTIVE DRX configuration for the case where the UE receives two eDRX configurations:

[0062] When TeDRX_RAN is greater than 10.24s, use T eDRX_RAN Instead of T eDRX_CN To calculate the PH for RAN paging;

[0063] For overlapping PHs, the RAN PTW start position is determined based on the CN eDRX cycle;

[0064] For non-overlapping PHs, the PTW start position of the RAN PTW is determined based on the CN eDRX cycle;

[0065] In overlapping or non-overlapping PH: inside RAN PTW and outside CN PTW, T = RAN configured DRX cycle;

[0066] If this is even a valid case (we will decide later): In overlapping PH: inside CN PTW and outside RAN PTW, T = min{CN configured DRX cycle, default paging cycle broadcast in system information}; and

[0067] In overlapping PH: within CN PTW and RAN PTW, T=min{DRX cycle configured by CN, DRX cycle configured by RAN, default paging cycle broadcast in system information}.

[0068] When CN eDRX is longer than RAN eDRX, there are paging superframes (PHs) including RAN PTW, while other PHs include RAN PTW and CN PTW. Figure 1 A partial overlap is shown. Figure 1 In DRX, a paging occasion is a group of PDCCH monitoring occasions. The distance between two paging occasions is the DRX cycle, and therefore, the UE monitors one paging occasion per DRX cycle. The main purpose of DRX is to reduce power consumption.

[0069] Based on the RAN2 protocol, in a PH including RAN and CN PTWs, the start time of the two PTWs is the same. Therefore, depending on the length of the PTW, the RAN and CN PTWs may overlap completely or partially. In this case, within the CN and RAN PTWs, the DRX cycle may be defined as:

[0070] T1 = min{DRX cycle configured by CN, DRX cycle configured by RAN, default paging cycle broadcast in system information}.

[0071] Also within the CN PTW and outside the RAN PTW, the DRX cycle is:

[0072] T2 = min{DRX cycle configured by CN, default paging cycle broadcast in system information}.

[0073] Next, when the RAN PTW is outside the CN PTW, T3 is the DRX cycle configured by the RAN.

[0074] As background information for the standards used at the time of this application, the configurable values ​​for the DRX cycle may be determined according to clause 7.1 of TS 38.304.

[0075] According to the standard protocol at the time of this application, the issue of INACTIVE eDRX cycle is discussed. In particular, RAN4 studies when to measure when the UE is configured with idle and inactive eDRX configuration for serving cell measurement. Figure 1 In the case where the RAN PTW and the CN PTW partially overlap as shown in FIG, it is necessary to discuss how to determine the DRX cycle.

[0076] It is recommended to measure T in the period formula DRX The maximum value of the DRX cycle inside and outside the CN PTW is used.

[0077] Configuration of the maximum value of the possible DRX cycle increases the DRX cycle and results in less frequent paging occasions, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE. However, this will result in a paging interval that is longer than the normal paging interval configured by the RAN or CN. Therefore, paging performance may be degraded. In addition, if the maximum DRX cycle is used inside and outside a PTW, the DRX cycle configured in one PTW may be longer than the length of another PTW, potentially causing an error condition.

[0078] Depending on whether the RAN PTW completely overlaps with the CN PTW, different values ​​of the DRX cycle may be used over time. For example, the DRX cycle may change from T1 to T2, or from T1 to T3. The detailed definitions of T1, T2, and T3 are given in Section 3, and such operations may increase UE complexity. In this case, if the same DRX cycle is used within the adjacent RAN and CN PTWs, it is beneficial for the UE to reduce complexity and simplify the operating procedures and requirements. Moreover, if the same DRX cycle cannot be used, using a DRX cycle longer than the original DRX cycle may result in energy saving. However, depending on the T1, T2, and T3 values, it may significantly affect paging performance. As another aspect, the time period of the DRX cycle length is used to determine the measurement period of the UE. In particular, in order to adjust the time period of the DRX cycle length to determine the measurement period, the time period of the change in the DRX cycle length may be beneficial for the UE to complete the execution of the measurement. This adaptation of the change period of the DRX cycle value may enable the UE to reduce power consumption and / or UE complexity. Therefore, when comparing the length of the maximum time period of the DRX cycle with the PTW to determine whether and how to change the time period of the DRX cycle, the UE should find a time period for a suitable DRX cycle value by introducing an extension of the time period of the DRX cycle length, so as not to use an unnecessarily long measurement period.

[0079] Therefore, example embodiments of the present invention introduce a new solution that minimizes the impact on paging performance while reducing the power consumption of UEs in DRX operation.

[0080] Example embodiments of the present invention introduce at least one method to set the DRX cycle by the UE when the DRX cycle changes at the overlapping boundary of the CN and RAN PTWs. When the RAN and CN PTWs partially overlap, the DRX cycle must change from T1 to T2 or from T1 to T3.

[0081] Before describing in detail the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, reference is made to Figure 3 , which is used to illustrate a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing example embodiments of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 3is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting system in which example embodiments may be implemented.

[0083] Steering Figure 3 , which shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which these examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110 and a radio access LTE, 5G or 6G network base station (i.e., gNB 170) and NCE / MME / GW 190 are shown. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 1 , a user equipment (UE) 110 communicates wirelessly with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected by one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver Rx 132 and a transmitter Tx 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, etc. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes an output module 140, which includes one or both of the parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which may be implemented in a variety of ways. The output module 140 may be implemented in hardware as the output module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The output module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the output module 140 may be implemented as an output module 140-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 may be configured to, together with one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. The UE 110 communicates with the gNB 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0084] In this example, gNB 170 is a base station that provides access to wireless network 100 for wireless devices (e.g., UE 110). gNB 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, gNB 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination to a UE and is connected to a 5GC (e.g., NCE / MME / GW 190) via an NG interface. An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination to a UE and is connected to a 5GC via an NG interface. An NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and or multiple distributed units (Du) (gNB-Du), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that a DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node that hosts the radio resource control (RRC), SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or the RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-Dus. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU. The F1 interface is shown as reference 198, although reference 198 also shows links between remote elements of the gNB 170 and centralized elements of the gNB 170, such as the link between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partially controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or more cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface 198 connected to the gNB-CU. Note that DU 195 is treated as including transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some such examples may have transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under the control of and connected to DU 195. gNB 170 may also be an eNB (evolved Node B) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution) or any other suitable base station or node.

[0085] The gNB 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected by one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor 152, the memory 155, and the network interface 161. Note that the DU 195 may also include its own memory / memories and processor, and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0086] The gNB 170 includes an output module 150, which includes one or both of parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The output module 150 can be implemented in hardware as the output module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of one or more processors 152. The output module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or by other hardware (such as a programmable gate array). In another example, the output module 150 can be implemented as an output module 150-2, which is implemented as a computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and computer program code 153 are configured to enable the gNB 170 to perform one or more operations described herein together with one or more processors 152. Note that the functionality of the output module 150 can be distributed, such as distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or implemented only in the DU 195.

[0087] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate via a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0088] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, wireless channel, etc. For example, one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 receiver for a gNB implementation for 5G, other elements of the gNB 170 may be physically located in a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 may be partially implemented as, for example, a fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements of the gNB 170 (e.g., central unit (CU), gNB-CU) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network links.

[0089] It should be noted that the description herein indicates that a "cell" performs a function, but it should be clear that the device forming the cell can perform the function. A cell constitutes a part of a base station. That is, each base station can have multiple cells. For example, there can be three cells for a single carrier frequency and an associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360-degree area, so that the coverage area of ​​a single base station covers an approximate ellipse or circle. In addition, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and the base station can use multiple carriers. Therefore, if there are three 120-degree cells and two carriers for each carrier, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0090] The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190 that may include core network functions. In addition, the NCE / MME / GW 190 may, for example, perform access and mobility management functions (AMF), location management functions (LMF), mobility management entities (MME), network control elements (NCE), policy control functions (PCF), serving gateways (SGW), session management functions (SMF), and unified data management (UDM). The NCE / MME / GW 190 provides connectivity to additional networks via one or more links 181, such as telephone networks and / or data communication networks (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functions for 5G may include access and mobility management functions (AMF) and / or user plane functions (UPF) and / or session management functions (SMF). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (mobility management entity) / SGW (serving gateway) functions. These are merely example functions that may be supported by the NCE / MME / GW 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions may be supported. The gNB 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via link 131. The link 131 may be implemented as, for example, an NG interface for 5G or an S1 interface for LTE or other suitable interfaces of other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180 interconnected by one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, together with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0091] Wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based managed entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization is related to platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is classified as external, combining many networks or parts of networks into virtual units, or as internal, providing network-like functions to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities produced by network virtualization are still implemented at some level using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and such virtualized entities also produce technical effects.

[0092] Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0093] In general, various embodiments of the user device 110 may include, but are not limited to, a cellular telephone, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless communication capabilities, a portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, an image capture device, such as a digital camera with wireless communication capabilities, a gaming device with wireless communication capabilities, a music storage and playback device with wireless communication capabilities, an Internet device that allows wireless Internet access and browsing, a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, and a portable unit or terminal that combines these functions.

[0094] One or more of output modules 140-1, 140-2, 150-1, and 150-2 may be configured to implement a high-level grammar for a compressed representation of a neural network based on the examples described herein. Computer program code 173 may also be configured to implement a high-level grammar for a compressed representation of a neural network based on the examples described herein.

[0095] Further, various embodiments of any of these devices may be used with a UE vehicle, an aerial platform station, or any other such type of node associated with a ground network or any drone type radio or radio in an aircraft or other aerial vehicle or vessel traveling on water (such as a boat).

[0096] Furthermore, it is to be noted that, according to example embodiments of the present invention, any reference to a network or a communication network in the embodiments may represent a core network or a radio access network, e.g., an LTE, 5G and / or NR network, and these may be operated by a gNB or an eNB.

[0097] As described above, when the DRX cycle changes at the overlapping boundary of CN and RAN PTW, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention introduces a method for setting the DRX cycle by the UE. When the RAN and CN PTWs partially overlap, the DRX cycle must change from T1 to T2 or from T1 to T3.

[0098] In this case, if the DRX cycle is kept constant within the CN and RANPTW, the UE complexity can be reduced. The following steps are used to ensure the benefits of the same DRX cycle while minimizing the impact of DRX cycle adjustment.

[0099] First, configure the RAN PTW and the CN PTW, where the two PTWs have different lengths. Figure 1 As shown, the two PTWs partially overlap. Once the NW configures the RAN PTW and the CN PTW, the UE can calculate the values ​​of T1, T2, and T3. (Prior Art)

[0100] The UE is configured to determine whether to switch / change the configured DRX cycle at the boundary of the CN PTW and the RAN PTW based on the configuration provided from the network.In principle, the determination or switching criteria of the eDRX cycle is based on power consumption and paging performance.

[0101] The UE is configured to compare the length of the maximum DRX cycle (eg, max(T1, T2, T3)) and the length of the PTW (eg, one of the RAN PTW and the CN PTW).

[0102] In case the maximum value of the DRX cycle is greater than X (>0)% of the PTW duration, the UE is configured not to use the maximum value of the DRX cycle. The UE is configured with a specific mode by the network, or the UE is configured to select a specific mode by implementation and report the selected mode to the network.

[0103] Mode 1: The UE is configured to extend the DRX cycle by Y steps. For example, the UE increases the minimum DRX cycle of T1 and T2. Note: As the DRX cycle increases, the number of paging occasions within the PTW decreases. In this case, the insufficient number of paging occasions will degrade the paging performance and measurement accuracy.

[0104] An alternative to Mode 1 is Alt 1. In Alt 1, the network provides specific values ​​for X and Y. The unit / granularity of Y may be the available values ​​of T given by clause 7.1 of TS 38.304.

[0105] Another alternative to Mode 1 is Alt 2. In Alt 2, the UE will find the appropriate length of the DRX cycle by adjusting the incremental step size Y. Thus, in this step, the UE considers different values ​​of X and Y to find out whether it is appropriate to use the maximum DRX cycle or extend the DRX cycle to save power consumption.

[0106] The following takes UE behavior details as an example:

[0107] Assume T is a value among {0.32, 0.64, 1.28, 2.56, 5.12, 10.24, ...} seconds.

[0108] If T1 is 0.32 seconds and T2 is 10.24 seconds, the maximum value of DRX cycle T1 and T2 is 10.24 seconds. This maximum value can be used to reduce the number of paging occasions and save UE energy consumption;

[0109] For a value provided on X, e.g., X=50, if the maximum DRX cycle of 10.24 seconds is longer than 50% of the PTW duration, the UE determines that the maximum DRX cycle is not used;

[0110] The UE then determines whether to use a longer DRX cycle to save power consumption. If a longer DRX cycle is needed, the DRX cycle is increased by Y steps. If Y=2, the initial DRX cycle 0.32 is stepped to 1.28.

[0111] Mode 2: The UE is configured to use the currently configured DRX cycle value (eg, T1, T2, T3).

[0112] In case the maximum value of the DRX cycle is less than X (>0)% of the RAN PTW duration and / or CN PTW, the UE is configured to use the maximum value of the DRX cycle instead of the configured DRX cycle (T1 / T2 / T3). In another option, the UE may be configured with a tolerance level on paging performance within the RAN PTW and / or CN PTW.

[0113] The UE may request to modify the DRX cycle. This request is made if using the same DRX cycle or an extended DRX cycle within the RAN and CN PTW is beneficial for the UE to save power consumption. The UE may increase the DRX cycle (e.g., T1, T2, or T3) to a longer DRX cycle that can reach the maximum value of the DRX cycle. The UE may use the following conditions to determine whether a longer DRX cycle is beneficial.

[0114] The UE compares the length of the maximum DRX cycle (eg, max(T1, T2, T3)) and the length of the PTW (eg, one of the RAN PTW and the CN PTW).

[0115] If the maximum value of the DRX cycle is greater than X% of the PTW duration, the UE does not use the maximum value. Instead, the UE decides whether to extend the DRX cycle by a step of Y. As the DRX cycle increases, the number of paging opportunities within the PTW decreases. In this case, the insufficient number of paging opportunities will degrade the paging performance and measurement accuracy. Therefore, the UE will find the appropriate length of the DRX cycle by adjusting the incremental step size Y. Thus, in this step, the UE considers different values ​​of X and Y to find out whether it is appropriate to use the maximum DRX cycle or extend the DRX cycle to save power consumption.

[0116] Assume that T is one of the values ​​in {0.32, 0.64, 1.28, 2.56, 5.12, 10.24, ...} seconds. If T1 is 0.32 seconds and T2 is 10.24 seconds, the maximum value of DRX cycles T1 and T2 is 10.24 seconds. This maximum value can be used to reduce the number of paging occasions and save UE energy consumption.

[0117] For a given X, for example, X=50, if the maximum DRX cycle of 10.24 seconds is longer than 50% of the PTW duration, the UE determines not to use the maximum DRX cycle.

[0118] The UE then determines whether to use a longer DRX cycle to save power. If a longer DRX cycle is required, the DRX cycle is increased by Y steps. If Y=2, the initial DRX cycle of 0.32 is stepped to 1.28. The UE sends a request to the NW to modify the DRX by reporting the decided mode and the selected DRX cycle. The UE can also share the values ​​of X and Y. The NW decides the actual DRX cycle. The UE then performs paging PDCCH monitoring based on the updated / changed DRX cycle.

[0119] Figure 2 1 shows a signaling diagram according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, there is communication between UE 110 and NW (network) 170.

[0120] like Figure 2 As shown in step 210 of , there is communication between NW 170 and UE 110 to configure CN eDRX and RAN eDRX. Figure 2 As shown in step 220, NW 170 provides UE 110 with a configuration for changing the eDRX cycle at the boundary of RAN PTW and / or CN PTW (provides configuration mode selection (mode 1 or mode 2)). Figure 2 As shown in step 230, there is communication between NW 170 and UE 110 to configure UE behavior to change the DRX cycle configuration instead of the configured cycle. Figure 2 As shown in step 240, there is communication between UE 110 and NW 170 to report the determined mode and the selected DRX cycle in RAN PTW and CN PTW, and if X and Y are not provided, the UE provides information about X and Y. Figure 2 As shown in step 250, NW 170 determines the actual DRX cycle in the RAN PTW and the CN PTW. Then, as Figure 2As shown in step 260 of , UE 110 performs paging PDCCH monitoring based on the updated and / or changed DRX of RAN PTW and CN PTW. As an alternative to step 260, the change period of the DRX cycle length is used to determine the measurement period.

[0121] exist Figure 2 In the present invention, the UE is configured with CN PTW and RAN PTW. Then, the NW will provide the configuration for changing the eDRX cycle at the boundary of RAN PTW and CN PTW. With this signal, the NW can share information about the configuration of Mode 1 and Mode 2. The next NW will configure subsequent UE behaviors, such as searching for a suitable DRX cycle and considering different combinations of X and Y. In the last step, the UE reports the decided mode and the selected DRX cycle within RAN PTW and CN PTW. The UE also provides the values ​​of X and Y. As a result, the NW is able to calculate the actual DRX cycle. At the same time, the UE performs paging PDCCH monitoring based on the DRX updated or changed within RAN PTW and CN PTW.

[0122] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each shows a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention that can be performed by an apparatus.

[0123] Figure 4A The diagram shows that the device may be used by, for example, but not limited to, a network device (e.g., Figure 3 Operations performed by a device such as a UE 110 in FIG. Figure 4A As shown in block 405 of , information including configuration of one or more of the paging time windows and conditions for a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device is received from the communication network, wherein the change is at an overlapping boundary of the one or more paging time windows. Figure 4A Based on the information, at least one paging window duration associated with one or more paging time windows is determined based on the overlap, as shown in block 410 of FIG. Figure 4A As shown in block 415 of , the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is compared with the associated one or more paging time windows. Figure 4A As shown in block 420 of , it is determined whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of at least one paging window duration. Then, as Figure 4A As shown in block 425 of , based on the determination, there is one of changing the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle or using the currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device.

[0124] According to the exemplary embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is changed, and the discontinuous reception cycle is kept constant within the paging time windows of different cells.

[0125] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the one or more paging time windows at least include a core network paging window or a random access network paging time window.

[0126] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the apparatus is configured to not use the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle if the maximum length of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of at least one paging time window duration.

[0127] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, a percentage of the length of at least one paging time window duration is associated with one or more paging time windows.

[0128] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the configuration provides at least one value of a percentage of a length of at least one paging time window duration.

[0129] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the current configuration value comprises at least a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0130] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, there is a modification of the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is to identify a suitable length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or to extend the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0131] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, for the case where the length of the maximum discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows: configuration causes mode selection; and reporting the selected mode to the communication network.

[0132] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the pattern comprises extending the DRX cycle, wherein the extending comprises: increasing a minimum DRX cycle by a predefined step size.

[0133] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, based on the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle being less than the duration of the paging time window duration, the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is used instead of the configured discontinuous reception cycle.

[0134] A stored program code ( Figure 3 PROG 10C) of a computer readable medium ( Figure 3 MEM 10B), the program code is executed by at least one processor ( Figure 3DP 10A) in is executed to perform operations as described at least in the above paragraphs.

[0135] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, an apparatus comprises: Figure 3 A component (such as a network 100) receiving information Figure 3 One or more transceivers 130, memory 125, computer program code 123 and / or output module 140-2 and one or more processors 120 and / or output module 140-1 in a device, the information comprising a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of the one or more paging time windows, and a component (such as a device) for determining at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows based on the information and according to the overlap. Figure 3 One or more transceivers 130, memory 125, computer program code 123 and / or output module 140-2 and one or more processors 120 and / or output module 140-1 in the discontinuous reception cycle; a component (such as comparing the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows) Figure 3 One or more transceivers 130, memory 125, computer program code 123 and / or output module 140-2 and one or more processors 120 and / or output module 140-1 in the discontinuous reception cycle; a component for determining whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and a component for changing (such as Figure 3 One or more transceivers 130, memory 125, computer program code 123 and / or output module 140-2 and one or more processors 120 and / or output module 140-1 in the discontinuous reception cycle or used at the device (such as Figure 3 One or more transceivers 130, memory 125, computer program code 123 and / or output module 140-2 and one or more processors 120 and / or output module 140-1 in the component of the currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0136] In example aspects of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for receiving, determining, comparing, changing and using comprises means operable by at least one processor [ Figure 3 The processor 120 and / or the output module 140-1] executes a computer program [ Figure 3 The computer program code 123] and / or the computer readable medium encoded with the output module 140-2 Figure 3Memory 125].

[0137] Figure 4B Operations that may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a network node (e.g., Figure 3 gNB 170) in the . Figure 4B As shown in block 450 of , a condition for a configuration of one or more paging time windows and a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of the communication network is determined, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of the one or more paging time windows. Figure 4B As shown in block 455 of , information including configuration is sent to the user equipment. Figure 4B As shown in block 460 of , the configuration is used for at least one paging window duration associated with one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following operations at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle or use of a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle. Figure 4B As shown in block 465, information is received from the user equipment, the information including a report of a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or the use of a currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0138] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, wherein the one or more paging time windows are configured with different lengths, and wherein the change is at the overlapping boundary of more than one paging time windows.

[0139] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the one or more paging time windows include a core network paging window and a random access network paging window.

[0140] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the configuration provides at least one value of a time associated with one or more paging time windows depending on the overlap.

[0141] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the configuration causes the user equipment to compare the length of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle with at least one paging window duration associated with one or more paging time windows.

[0142] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraph, in the case where the length of the maximum discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the time value of the length of at least one paging time window among the plurality of paging time windows, the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is not used.

[0143] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, the configuration enables the user equipment to modify the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is to identify the appropriate length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or to extend one of the discontinuous reception cycles to save power consumption.

[0144] According to the exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, for the case where the length of the maximum discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the time value of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows: the user equipment is configured to perform a mode selection; and the user equipment reports the selected mode to the communication network.

[0145] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the pattern comprises extending the DRX cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum DRX cycle by a predefined step size.

[0146] According to an exemplary embodiment as described in the above paragraphs, wherein the pattern comprises extending the DRX cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum value of the DRX cycle time associated with one or more paging time windows.

[0147] According to the exemplary embodiment described in the above paragraphs, based on the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle being less than the duration of at least one paging window duration, the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is used instead of the configured discontinuous reception cycle.

[0148] The present disclosure provides the following example embodiments:

[0149] Example 1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive information from a communication network, the information including a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at the device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows, determine at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows based on the information and according to the overlap; compare the length of a maximum time period of a discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; determine whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and based on the determination, change the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or use the current configuration value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device.

[0150] Example 2. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is to be changed, and wherein the discontinuous reception cycle is kept constant within paging time windows of different cells.

[0151] Example 3. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the one or more paging time windows include at least a core network paging time window or a random access network paging time window.

[0152] Example 4. The apparatus of Example 3, wherein the apparatus is configured to not use the value of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle if the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration.

[0153] Example 5. The apparatus of Example 4, wherein the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration is associated with the one or more paging time windows.

[0154] Example 6. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the configuration provides at least one value of the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration.

[0155] Example 7. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the current configuration value comprises at least a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0156] Example 8. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: modify the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is to identify a suitable length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or to extend the discontinuous reception cycle.

[0157] Example 9. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein for a case where the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the percentage of the length of the at least one of the one or more paging time windows: the configuration causes mode selection; and the selected mode is reported to the communication network.

[0158] Example 10. The apparatus of Example 9, wherein the pattern comprises extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum discontinuous reception cycle by a predefined step size.

[0159] Example 11. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

[0160] Based on the fact that the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is less than the duration of the paging time window, the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is used instead of the configured discontinuous reception cycle.

[0161] Example 12. A method for communication, comprising: receiving information from a communication network, the information including a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a device, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows, determining at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows based on the information and according to the overlap; comparing the length of a maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; determining whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; and based on the determination, changing the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or using a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle at the device.

[0162] Example 13. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of a communication network, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; send information including the configuration to a user equipment, wherein the configuration is for at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following at the user equipment: a change in the time period of a discontinuous reception cycle, use of a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and receive information from the user equipment, the information including a report of a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or use of a currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0163] Example 14. The apparatus of Example 13, wherein the one or more paging time windows are configured with different lengths, and wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of more than one paging time window.

[0164] Example 15. The apparatus of Example 13, wherein the one or more paging time windows include a core network paging time window and a random access network paging time window.

[0165] Example 16. The apparatus of Example 13, wherein the configuration provides at least one value of the time associated with the one or more paging time windows depending on the overlap.

[0166] Example 17. The apparatus of Example 13, wherein the configuration causes the user equipment to compare the length of a maximum value of a discontinuous reception cycle with the at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows.

[0167] Example 18. The apparatus of Example 17, wherein in a case where the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a time value of the length of at least one of more than one of the paging time windows, the value of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle is not used.

[0168] Example 19. The device according to Example 16, wherein the configuration enables the user equipment to modify the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is to identify the appropriate length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use a maximum discontinuous reception cycle or to extend the discontinuous reception cycle to save power consumption.

[0169] Example 20. The apparatus according to Example 13, wherein for a case where the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the time value of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows: the configuration causes mode selection of the user equipment; and the selected mode is reported by the user equipment to the communication network.

[0170] Example 21. The apparatus of Example 20, wherein the pattern comprises extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum discontinuous reception cycle by a predefined step size.

[0171] Example 22. The apparatus of Example 20, wherein the pattern comprises extending the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum value of the discontinuous reception cycle time associated with the one or more paging time windows.

[0172] Example 23. The apparatus of Example 13, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: use a value of a maximum value of a discontinuous reception cycle instead of using a configured discontinuous reception cycle based on the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle being less than a duration of the at least one paging time window duration.

[0173] Example 24. A method for communication, comprising: determining a condition for a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at a user equipment of a communication network, wherein the change is located at an overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; sending information including the configuration to the user equipment, wherein the configuration is for at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging windows to determine whether to perform one of the following at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, use of a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and receiving information from the user equipment, the information comprising a report of a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or use of the currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment.

[0174] A stored program code ( Figure 3 A non-transitory computer readable medium ( Figure 3 MEM10B in the program code is executed by at least one processor ( Figure 3 DP 10A) in is executed to perform operations as described at least in the above paragraphs.

[0175] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, an apparatus includes: a method for determining a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a method for determining a configuration for one or more paging time windows in a communication network ( Figure 3 A user device ( Figure 3 Components (such as UE 110 in the example) of the conditions for changing the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the UE 110 Figure 3 One or more transceivers 160, memory 155, computer program code 153 and / or loop module 150-2, one or more processors 152 and / or output module 150-1 in the present invention, wherein the change is located at the overlapping boundary of one or more paging time windows; a component for sending information including the configuration to the user equipment (such as Figure 3 One or more transceivers 160, memory 155, computer program code 153 and / or loop module 150-2, one or more processors 152 and / or output module 150-1 in the present invention, wherein the configuration is used to determine whether to perform one of the following operations at the user equipment: a change in the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle, or the use of the current configuration value of the discontinuous reception cycle; and a component for receiving information from the user equipment (such as Figure 3One or more transceivers 160, memory 155, computer program code 153 and / or looping module 150-2, one or more processors 152 and / or output module 150-1 in the communication network, the information comprising a report of a change of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment, or a use of a currently configured value of the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle at the user equipment; and means for determining an actual discontinuous reception cycle for user equipment in at least one cell of the communication network based on the information (such as Figure 3 One or more transceivers 160, memory 155, computer program code 153 and / or loop module 150-2, one or more processors 152 and / or output module 150-1).

[0176] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for receiving, determining, sending, reporting and using comprises using a computer program [ Figure 3 A non-volatile computer readable medium

[153] encoded with a computer program code Figure 3 155] and / or may be performed by at least one processor [ Figure 3 The processor 152 and / or the output module 150-1 in Figure 3 Periodic module 150-2].

[0177] Further, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is a circuit for performing operations according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein. The circuit may include any type of circuit, including content encoding circuits, content decoding circuits, processing circuits, image generation circuits, data analysis circuits, etc.). In addition, the circuit may include discrete circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc., as well as processors specially configured by software to perform various functions, or dual-core processors with software and corresponding digital signal processors, etc. In addition, the necessary inputs to the circuit and outputs from the circuit, the functions performed by the circuit, and the interconnection of the circuit with other components that may include other circuits (possibly via inputs and outputs) are provided to perform the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described herein.

[0178] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this application, the provided “circuit” may include at least one or more or all of the following:

[0179] (a) hardware-only circuit implementation (e.g., implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only);

[0180] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0181] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware; and

[0182] (ii) a hardware processor(s) with software (including a digital signal processor(s), software, and any portion(s) of memory(s) that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions, such as the functions or operations according to the example embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein); and

[0183] (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not needed for operation.

[0184] According to example embodiments of the present invention, there is sufficient circuitry for performing at least novel operations according to example embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this application, and this 'circuitry' may be used herein to mean at least the following:

[0185] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (e.g., implementation only in analog and / or digital circuits); and

[0186] (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of processors, or (ii) portions of processors / software (including digital signal processors), software, and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions; and

[0187] (c) Circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate, such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0188] The definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of only a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to the particular claim element, the term "circuitry" would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other network device.

[0189] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the invention is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0190] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in different components (e.g., integrated circuit modules). The design of integrated circuits is largely a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0191] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the embodiments described in this detailed description are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[0192] The foregoing description has provided by way of example and non-limiting example a comprehensive and informative description of the best methods and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the present invention. However, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the above description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0193] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof, mean any connection or coupling, direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as by using electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and optical (visible and invisible) region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0194] Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features.The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and not in limitation thereof.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving information from a communication network, the information including a configuration for one or more paging time windows and a condition for a change in a time period of a discontinuous reception cycle at the apparatus, wherein the change is at an overlapping boundary of the one or more paging time windows, determining, based on the information and in accordance with the overlap, at least one paging window duration associated with the one or more paging time windows; comparing the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle with the associated one or more paging time windows; determining whether the length of the maximum time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration; as well as Based on the determination, the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is changed, or a currently configured value of the discontinuous reception cycle is used at the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time period of the discontinuous reception cycle is to be changed, and wherein the discontinuous reception cycle is kept constant within the paging time windows of different cells. 3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more paging time windows at least include a core network paging time window or a random access network paging time window.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is configured not to use the value of the maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle if the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than a percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration is associated with the one or more paging time windows.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration provides at least one value for the percentage of the length of the at least one paging window duration. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the current configuration value comprises at least a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Modify the discontinuous reception cycle, wherein the modification is to identify an appropriate length of the discontinuous reception cycle by using different time values ​​of the length of at least one of the one or more paging time windows to use a maximum value of the discontinuous reception cycle or to extend the discontinuous reception cycle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein for a case where the length of the largest discontinuous reception cycle is greater than the percentage of the length of the at least one of the one or more paging time windows: The configuration causes mode selection; and The selected mode is reported to the communication network.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pattern comprises extending the DRX cycle, wherein the extending comprises increasing a minimum DRX cycle by a predefined step size.

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