Communication method, access network node and user equipment

Abstract

A method is disclosed in which network energy savings configuration information for energy savings at an access network node is provided to a user equipment (UE). The UE determines whether measurement of a reference signal (RS) will be limited due to energy conservation at an access network node, and the UE configures operation of the UE for the measurement of the RS based on the determination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication systems. The present disclosure relates particularly, but not exclusively, to wireless communication systems and apparatus thereof operating in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards or their equivalents or derivatives, including Advanced LTE, next generation or 5G networks, future generations and beyond. The present disclosure relates particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to network energy saving enhancements and techniques in radio access networks.

[0002] The most recent development of the 3GPP standards is called the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) (also commonly referred to as "4G"). In addition, the terms "5G" and "New Radio" (NR) refer to evolving communication technologies that are expected to support a variety of applications and services. Various details of 5G networks are described, for example, by the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance in the "NGMN 5G White Paper" V1.0 (which document is available at https: / / www.ngmn.org / 5g-white-paper.html). 3GPP intends to support 5G through the so-called 3GPP Next Generation (NextGen) Radio Access Network (RAN) and 3GPP NextGen Core Network. Background Art

[0003] Under the 3GPP standard, a NodeB (or eNB in ​​LTE, gNB in ​​5G) is a radio access network (RAN) node (or simply "access node" or "base station"), via which a communication device (user equipment or "UE") connects to the core network and communicates with other communication devices or remote servers. For simplicity, this application will use the term RAN node or base station to refer to any such access node.

[0004] In current 5G architectures, for example, the gNB structure may be split into two parts called a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) connected via an F1 interface. This enables the use of a "split" architecture, whereby typically "higher" CU layers (e.g., but not necessarily or exclusively, PDCP) and typically "lower" DU layers (e.g., but not necessarily or exclusively, RLC / MAC / PHY) are implemented separately. Thus, for example, higher layer CU functionality for multiple gNBs may be implemented centrally (e.g., by a single processing unit, or in a cloud-based or virtualized system), while retaining lower layer DU functionality locally in each gNB.

[0005] For simplicity, this application will use the term mobile device, user device or UE to refer to any communication device capable of connecting to a core network via one or more base stations. Although this application may refer to mobile devices in the specification, it will be understood that the described technology can be implemented on any communication device (mobile and / or generally stationary) that can connect to a communication network to send / receive data, regardless of whether such a communication device is controlled by human input or by software instructions stored in a memory.

[0006] As 5G is becoming ubiquitous across industries and geographic regions, handling more advanced services and applications (e.g., extended reality (XR)) that require very high data rates, networks are: becoming denser; using more antennas; and adopting greater bandwidth and a greater number of frequency bands. In this context, network energy conservation is very important for environmental sustainability, reducing environmental impact, and operating cost savings. For example, it is reported that the energy cost of cellular networks accounts for about 23% of total operator costs. Summary of the invention

[0007] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Most of the energy consumption in modern networks is associated with the radio access network, and in particular with the active antenna unit (AAU). The power consumption used by the radio access can be split into two key parts: a dynamic part, which is consumed only when data communication is taking place, and a static part, which is consumed continuously to maintain the operation of the radio access network even when communication is not taking place. Therefore, while UE power consumption has been extensively studied and considered, the power consumption on the network side also needs to be considered, and in particular the power consumption used by the base station.

[0009] Some techniques (e.g., cell activation / deactivation mechanisms) have been defined to facilitate base station energy saving, and some UE power saving techniques (such as discontinuous reception (DRX) and cell dormancy mechanisms, etc.) can also provide some base station energy saving by carefully selecting parameters. In addition, the base station can achieve some energy saving based on appropriate configuration of the physical channels / signals and resources used by the UE. However, network-side energy saving has not been considered in detail at the system level.

[0010] Therefore, it can be seen that considering the environmental impact of 5G, new solutions for improving network energy conservation need to be developed.

[0011] The present disclosure is directed to providing apparatus and related methods that are intended to at least partially address the above-mentioned needs.

[0012] The inventors have considered various techniques and enhancements for network energy conservation. These can be grouped into a number of different broad categories, including (but not limited to): time domain techniques; frequency domain techniques; space domain techniques; and power domain techniques.

[0013] Solutions for solving problems

[0014] Possible technologies and enhancements considered to increase time domain energy saving opportunities in base stations include (but are not limited to):

[0015] - Potential methods to reduce or adapt: ​​transmission / reception of common channels and / or signals (such as, for example, synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), system information blocks (e.g., SIB1), other system information (SI), paging and / or physical random access channel (PRACH), etc.); and the potential impact of transmission / reception of such common channels / signals, e.g., on initial access procedures, cell (re)selection, handover, synchronization and / or measurements performed by (idle, inactive or connected) UEs:

[0016] - Potential methods of reducing transmission / reception of common channels / signals may include, for example, no or reduced transmission / reception, increased periodicity, on-demand transmission / reception of common channels / signals, or offloading of common channels / signals to other carriers or use of "light" or "relaxed" versions of common channels / signals;

[0017] - Potential methods to reduce / adapt the transmission / reception of periodic and semi-persistent signals and channel configurations (such as, for example, Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Group Common / UE-Specific Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Semi-persistently Scheduled Physical Downlink Shared Channel (SPS PDSCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) carrying Scheduling Request (SR), PUCCH / PUSCH carrying Channel State Information (CSI) reports, PUCCH carrying Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) for Semi-persistent Scheduling (SPS), Configuration Grant Physical Uplink Shared Channel (CG-PUSCH), Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), etc.).

[0018] - Semi-static and / or dynamic cell on / off at one or more granularities (e.g., subframe, slot and / or symbol granularity), for example:

[0019] - a cell / network node activation request by the UE, e.g. using a signal / channel from the UE for a base station wake-up request;

[0020] - Enhancements to Layer 1 / Layer 2 (L1 / L2) based mobility to efficiently enable network nodes (e.g., transmission and reception points (TRPs), repeaters, or the like) to be turned on / off within a cell;

[0021] -Signaling enhancements for indication of semi-static and / or dynamic cell / subframe / timeslot / symbol on / off duration;

[0022] -Support for periodic and / or one or more on-demand reference signals from a base station to assist in cell discovery;

[0023] - Dynamic adaptation of UE connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) configuration in a UE group or cell specific manner;

[0024] - Mechanisms to exploit potential energy saving states or sleep modes and transitions between states by taking advantage of cell on / off opportunities, including:

[0025] - the possibility of waking up the base station due to user traffic or user density or the base station receiving a wake-up signal;

[0026] - Make it possible to discover and measure cells that are in a sleeping or dormant state;

[0027] - Use UE assistance information to facilitate base station time domain adaptation.

[0028] It will be appreciated that all of these time domain techniques are potentially applicable to both the single component carrier case and the multiple component carrier case.Furthermore, the use of UE grouping and its interaction with the above techniques is considered.

[0029] Possible technologies and enhancements and related matters considered by the base station for frequency domain adaptation include (but are not limited to):

[0030] - For operation with a single carrier or within a single component carrier (CC):

[0031] -Enhancements to dynamic bandwidth adaptation:

[0032] This includes adjustments to the resource blocks (RBs) and / or bandwidth parts (BWPs) used by UEs for transmission and reception, reduction of BWP switching delays, UE group BWP switching, and joint adaptation of transmission bandwidth and power spectral density;

[0033] - Support UE group common BWP, cell-specific BWP or dedicated BWP for network energy saving, and related BWP switching mechanism;

[0034] - Enhancements for frequent BWP switching scenarios, such as resource allocation for SPS PDSCH and Type-2CG PUSCH;

[0035] - For operation utilizing multiple carriers:

[0036] - Reduction and / or adaptation of common channels / signals for one or more CCs in multi-carrier operation:

[0037] Includes enabling SSB-free secondary cell operation for one or more CCs in case of inter-band carrier aggregation (CA). For SSB-free cell operation, the required conditions and restrictions and related procedures (including secondary cell (SCell) activation procedure) for idle, inactive or connected UEs are considered;

[0038] This includes enabling SIB-free operation for one or more CCs in case of intra-band and inter-band CA;

[0039] Reducing and / or adapting the transmission / reception of other common channels / signals (except SSB) and timing reference signals (TRS) for one or more CCs by the base station;

[0040] - Enhancements to SCell activation and deactivation, SCell dormancy, and dynamic primary cell (PCell) switching:

[0041] including trigger conditions and methods for signaling activation / deactivation;

[0042] Including UE group common dynamic PCell switching.

[0043] Possible technologies and enhancements and related matters considered for base station adaptation of the number of spatial elements include (but are not limited to):

[0044] - Dynamic adaptation of spatial elements and the associated impact on UE operations (e.g., measurements, CSI feedback, power control, PUSCH / PDSCH repetition, SRS transmission, Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) configuration, beam management, beam failure recovery, radio link monitoring, cell (re)selection, handover, initial access, etc.);

[0045] - Feedback / auxiliary information from UE required to support dynamic spatial element adaptation:

[0046] - For example, CSI measurement and reporting, SR, etc.;

[0047] - Signalling methods (including reduced signalling) for enabling dynamic spatial element adaptation:

[0048] - For example, group common L1 signaling, broadcast signaling, media (or medium) access control (MAC) control element (CE), etc.;

[0049] - Dynamic Transmit Reception Point (TRxP) adaptation, for example:

[0050] - triggering an on / off condition for one or more TRxPs (which may potentially depend on the network implementation);

[0051] -SSB, Path Loss Reference Signal (PL-RS), TRS and CSI-RS reconfiguration and associated impact on initial access procedures and / or synchronization and measurements for idle, inactive or connected UEs;

[0052] - Dynamic logical port adaptation and efficient port reconfiguration, for example:

[0053] - Signaling the port (e.g., non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) port) if the port needs to be known by the UE;

[0054] - Dynamic adaptation (including activation / deactivation) of CSI measurement or reporting configuration for port adaptation;

[0055] - Joint adaptation of spatial, frequency and / or power domain configurations to avoid coverage loss;

[0056] - Grouping UEs to reduce transmission and reception coverage at a base station, including (but not limited to) grouping users in the spatial domain.

[0057] It will be understood that a spatial element may comprise one or more antenna elements, transceiver units (TxRUs) (with subarrays or fully connected), antenna panels, TRxPs (co-located or geographically separated) and / or logical antenna ports (corresponding to specific signals and channels).

[0058] According to one aspect, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided, the method comprising: receiving at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at an access network node from the access network node; identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated; and configuring the operation of the UE based on the at least one network energy saving configuration and when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated.

[0059] The at least one network energy saving configuration may include at least one of the following configurations: at least one time domain configuration, which includes the configuration of at least one time domain resource for energy saving at the access network node; at least one frequency domain configuration, which includes the configuration of at least one frequency domain resource for energy saving at the access network node; at least one space domain configuration, which includes a transmitter or receiver configuration to be applied at the access network node to provide energy saving; and at least one power domain configuration, which includes a power configuration to be applied at the access network node to provide energy saving.

[0060] In case the at least one network energy saving configuration comprises at least one time domain configuration, the at least one time domain configuration may define at least one time period during which the at least one network energy saving configuration shall be active.

[0061] The at least one time domain configuration may include an indication of at least one of the following: at least one periodicity of the at least one time period; at least one offset indicating a start time of the at least one time period; at least one granularity for the at least one time period; at least one duration of the at least one time period; at least one timer value for timing the at least one time period; and at least one time of a day corresponding to the at least one time period. The at least one time domain configuration may include timing information indicating at least a portion of the at least one time period during which network energy saving will be active or inactive. The timing information may indicate at least one pattern of time domain resources within the at least one time period during which network energy saving will be active or inactive. The timing information may include at least one bitmap to indicate at least one pattern of time domain resources. The timing information may include at least one offset to indicate a start of at least one pattern of time domain resources. The at least one time domain configuration may include a granularity for the timing information. The at least one network energy saving configuration may include a plurality of time domain configurations, each of the plurality of time domain configurations defining a respective time period during which the network energy saving configuration will be active, wherein the respective time periods defined by each of the plurality of time domain configurations have different respective periodicities.

[0062] The method may further include determining whether the reference signal to be measured will coincide with a time when network energy saving is active; and excluding the reference signal to be measured from the measurement if the reference signal to be measured will coincide with a time when network energy saving is active.

[0063] The method may further include determining whether the reference signal to be transmitted will coincide with a time when network power saving is active, and excluding the reference signal to be transmitted from transmission if the reference signal to be transmitted will coincide with a time when network power saving is active.

[0064] The at least one network energy saving configuration may include an indication of a time at which the at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated, and the identifying may be based on the indication of a time at which the at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated.

[0065] In case the at least one network energy saving configuration comprises at least one frequency domain configuration, the at least one frequency domain configuration may define at least one reconfiguration of frequency resources to be applied if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0066] The at least one frequency domain configuration may include an indication that a reduced reference signal density is to be applied if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active. The indication that the reduced reference signal density is to be applied may indicate a density scaling factor to be applied to the current reference signal density to achieve the reduced reference signal density. The at least one frequency domain configuration may indicate at least one reduced bandwidth to be applied if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active. The at least one frequency domain configuration may include a frequency offset indicating a starting position within the at least one reduced bandwidth for the bandwidth to be used by the UE. The at least one frequency domain configuration may indicate a UE-specific bandwidth portion to be used if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active. The at least one frequency domain configuration may indicate at least one bandwidth portion scaling factor to be applied with respect to at least one bandwidth portion to achieve at least one reduced bandwidth. The at least one frequency domain configuration may indicate a mapping between the at least one bandwidth portion scaling factor and the at least one bandwidth portion to which the bandwidth portion scaling factor is to be applied. The at least one frequency domain configuration may indicate at least one pattern of frequency domain resources to be active or inactive if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active. The at least one frequency domain configuration may include at least one bitmap to indicate a pattern of frequency domain resources. The at least one frequency domain configuration may include a granularity for the pattern of frequency domain resources.

[0067] The UE may be configured with a default bandwidth portion, wherein in the case where the default bandwidth portion is not the currently active bandwidth portion, the configuring comprises redefining the currently active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving as a new default bandwidth portion. The UE may be configured with a default bandwidth portion and an inactivity timer for timing a period of inactivity, after which the UE is configured to switch back to the default bandwidth portion, wherein in the case where the default bandwidth portion is not the currently active bandwidth portion, the configuring comprises disabling operation of the inactivity timer so that the UE continues to use the currently active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving. The UE may be configured with at least one first bandwidth portion for use in the case where network energy saving is not active and at least one second bandwidth portion for use in the case where network energy saving is active, wherein the configuring may comprise switching from the at least one first bandwidth portion to the at least one second bandwidth portion.

[0068] The method may also include: receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal reporting configuration indicating at least one reference signal set for reporting to the access network node, and at least one transceiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set; measuring the at least one reference signal set; and reporting the results of the measurements to the access network node, wherein, in a case where the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one spatial domain configuration, the at least one spatial domain configuration may indicate at least one transceiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurements, the measurements being measurements reported by the UE for at least one reference signal set associated with the at least one transceiver configuration selected by the access network node.

[0069] The method may also include: receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal resource configuration indicating at least one resource set for transmission of at least one reference signal set, and at least one receiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set; and using the at least one resource set to transmit the at least one reference signal set to the access network node, wherein, in the case where the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one spatial domain configuration, the at least one spatial domain configuration may indicate at least one receiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurement, and the measurement is a measurement of at least one reference signal set transmitted by the UE and associated with the at least one receiver configuration selected by the access network node.

[0070] In case the at least one network energy saving configuration comprises at least one power domain configuration, the at least one power domain configuration may indicate at least one of a power scaling factor and a sleep mode type to be applied at the access network node for network energy saving.

[0071] The at least one network energy saving configuration may include at least one joint configuration indicating a mapping between a plurality of different configurations, the plurality of different configurations including at least two of the following configurations: a time domain configuration; a frequency domain configuration; a space domain configuration; and a power domain configuration.

[0072] According to one aspect, a user equipment (UE) is provided, comprising: a component for receiving at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at an access network node from the access network node; a component for identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated; and a component for configuring the operation of the UE based on the at least one network energy saving configuration and when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated.

[0073] According to one aspect, a method performed by an access network node is provided, the method comprising: transmitting at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node to a user equipment (UE); identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated; activating the at least one network energy saving configuration; and configuring the operation of the access network node based on the at least one network energy saving configuration transmitted to the UE.

[0074] According to one aspect, an access network node is provided, comprising: a component for transmitting at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node to a user equipment (UE); a component for identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated; a component for activating the at least one network energy saving configuration; and a component for configuring the operation of the access network node based on the at least one network energy saving configuration transmitted to the UE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] Example embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0076] Figure 1 Schematic illustration Figure 1 mobile ("cellular" or "wireless") telecommunications systems;

[0077] Figure 2 Examples can be found in Figure 1 Typical frame structures used in telecommunication systems;

[0078] Figure 3 is an example Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the main components of a UE used in a telecommunication system;

[0079] Figure 4 is an example Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the main components of a base station used in a telecommunication system;

[0080] Figure 5 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of a process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0081] Figure 6 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0082] Figure 7 is Figure 6 A simplified illustration of how time domain network energy conservation can be achieved in the process of

[0083] Figure 8 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0084] Fig. 9 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0085] Fig.10 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0086] Fig.11 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system;

[0087] Fig.12 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system of; and

[0088] Fig.13 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of another process implemented in a telecommunications system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] Overview

[0090] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exemplary telecommunications system is described by way of example only.

[0091] Figure 1 A mobile ("cellular" or "wireless") telecommunications system 1 is schematically illustrated to which example embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable.

[0092] In the network 1, user equipment (UE) 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 (e.g., mobile phones and / or other mobile devices) can communicate with each other via a radio access network (RAN) node 5 operating according to one or more compatible radio access technologies (RATs). In the illustrated example, the RAN node 5 includes an NR / 5G base station or "gNB" 5 operating one or more associated cells 9. Communications via the base stations 5 are typically routed through a core network 7 (e.g., a 5G core network or an evolved packet core network (EPC)).

[0093] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although for purposes of illustration, Figure 1 Three UEs 3 and one base station 5 are shown in FIG. 5 , but the system will typically include other base stations and UEs when implemented.

[0094] Each base station 5 controls one or more associated cells directly or indirectly via one or more other nodes (such as a home base station, a repeater, a remote radio head, a distributed unit and / or the like). It will be understood that the base station 5 can be configured to support both 4G and 5G, and / or any other 3GPP or non-3GPP communication protocols.

[0095] The UE 3 and its serving base station 5 are connected via a suitable air interface (e.g., a so-called "Uu" interface and / or the like). Neighboring base stations 5 may be connected to each other via a suitable base station to base station interface (such as a so-called "X2" interface, "Xn" interface and / or the like).

[0096] The core network 7 includes a plurality of logical nodes (or "functions") for supporting communications in the telecommunications system 1. In this example, the core network 7 includes a control plane function (CPF) 10 and one or more user plane functions (UPFs) 11. The CPF 10 includes one or more access and mobility management functions (AMFs) 10-1, one or more session management functions (SMFs), and a plurality of other functions 10-n.

[0097] The base station 5 is connected to the core network node via an appropriate interface (or "reference point"), such as an N2 reference point between the base station 5 and the AMF 10-1 for communication of control signaling, and an N3 reference point between the base station 5 and each UPF 11 for communication of user data. The UEs 3 are each connected to the AMF 10-1 via a logical non-access stratum (NAS) connection via an N1 reference point (similar to the S1 reference point in LTE). It will be understood that the N1 communication is transparently routed via the base station 5.

[0098] One or more UPFs 11 are connected to an external data network (eg, an IP network such as the Internet) via a reference point N6 for communication of user data.

[0099] AMF 10-1 performs mobility management related functions, maintains non-NAS signaling connections with each UE 3 and manages UE registration. AMF 10-1 is also responsible for managing paging. SMF 10-2 provides session management functionality (forming part of the MME functionality in LTE) and additionally combines some control plane functions (provided by the serving gateway and packet data network gateway in LTE). SMF 10-2 also allocates an IP address to each UE 3.

[0100] refer to Figure 2(which illustrates a typical frame structure that can be used in telecommunication system 1), a base station 5 and a UE 3 of telecommunication system 1 communicate with each other using resources organized in a time domain as frames of length 10 ms. Each frame includes ten equally sized subframes of length 1 ms. Each subframe is divided into one or more time slots including 14 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of equal length.

[0101] like Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG, the telecommunications system 1 supports a number of different system parameters (subcarrier spacing (SCS), time slot length and therefore OFDM symbol length). In particular, each system parameter is identified by a parameter μ, where μ=0 represents 15 kHz (corresponding to LTE SCS). Currently, the SCS for other values ​​of μ can actually be increased from μ=0 by scaling up by a power of 2 (i.e., SCS=15×2 μ The relationship between the parameter μ and SCS (Δf) is shown in Table 1.

[0102]

[0103] Table 1-5G system parameters

[0104] In the communication system 1, the cell bandwidth may be partitioned into a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWPs), each of which starts at a corresponding common resource block (RB) and correspondingly comprises a set of contiguous RBs on a given carrier with given system parameters (subcarrier spacing "SCS" and cyclic prefix "CP"). It will be understood that conventionally, the number of downlink symbols, uplink symbols and flexible symbols in each slot of a slot configuration (e.g., common or dedicated) will be common to each configured BWP.

[0105] Thus, the UE 3 and the base station 5 of the communication system 1 are configured for operation using BWPs. For each serving cell of the UE 3, the base station 5 may configure at least one downlink (DL) BWP (e.g., an initial DL BWP). The base station 5 may configure up to a maximum (typically four) other DL BWPs for the UE 3, wherein only a single DL BWP is active at a given time. The UE 3 is not expected to receive PDSCH, PDCCH, or CSI-RS (except for radio resource management (RRM)) outside the active bandwidth portion. In the case where the serving cell is configured with an uplink (UL), the base station 5 may configure at least one UL BWP (e.g., an initial UL BWP). The base station 5 may configure up to a maximum (typically four) other UL BWPs for the UE 3, wherein only one UL BWP is active at a given time. The UE 3 does not transmit PUSCH or PUCCH outside the active bandwidth portion. For an active cell, the UE 3 does not transmit SRS outside the active bandwidth portion.

[0106] A BWP identifier or index (BWP-ID) is used to refer to a BWP (independently in UL and DL). Thus, various Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration procedures may use the BWP-ID to associate themselves with a specific BWP.

[0107] Specifically, the base station 5 is able to configure the initial DL BWP (e.g., by means of an initialDownlinkBWP IE) via system information (e.g., system information block 1 "SIB1") and / or via dedicated (e.g., RRC) signaling (e.g., RRC reconfiguration, RRC restart or RRC setup message). For example, common parameters for the initial DL BWP may be provided via system information, while UE-specific parameters may be provided via dedicated signaling (e.g., in a ServingCellConfig IE within an RRC message containing a dedicated, UE-specific BWP configuration). The dedicated signaling may also contain some cell-specific information that may be useful for specific scenarios (e.g., handover).

[0108] The base station 5 is able to configure the initial UL BWP (e.g., by means of an initialUplinkBWP IE) via system information (e.g., system information block 1 "SIB1") and / or via dedicated (e.g., RRC) signaling (e.g., RRC reconfiguration, RRC restart or RRC setup message). For example, common parameters for one or more initial UL BWPs may be provided via system information, while UE-specific parameters may be provided via dedicated signaling (e.g., in a ServingCellConfig IE within an RRC message containing a dedicated, UE-specific BWP configuration). This provides configuration information for a so-called special cell (SpCell), which is a PCell of a primary cell group (MCG) or a secondary cell group (SCG), or a secondary cell (SCell).

[0109] The initial DL BWP and the initial UL BWP are used at least for initial access before establishing an RRC connection. Since the initial BWP has a BWP identifier (or "index") 0, the initial BWP is referred to as BWP#0. Prior to receiving system information defining the initial DL BWP of the UE, the DL BWP for each UE 3 has a frequency range and system parameters corresponding to a control resource set (CORESET) (e.g., CORESET#0) defined by a master information block (MIB) (or possible dedicated RRC signaling). The CORESET is used to carry downlink control information (DCI) transmitted via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for scheduling system information blocks.

[0110] After receiving the system information (e.g., SIB1), the UE 3 configures the initial DL BWP and the initial UL BWP using the BWP configuration defined by the system information. The configured initial UL BWP is then used to initiate a random access procedure for setting up an RRC connection. The base station 5 configures the frequency domain position and bandwidth of the initial DL BWP in the system information so that the initial DL BWP includes the entire CORESET#0 in the frequency domain.

[0111] For each DL BWP in the DL BWP set for the primary cell, the UE 3 may be configured with a CORESET for each type of common search space (CSS) set and for a UE-specific search space (USS) set. For each UL BWP in the UL BWP set for the primary cell or PUCCH secondary cell, the UE 3 is configured with a resource set for PUCCH transmission.

[0112] Other DL BWPs and other UL BWPs may be configured by downlink BWP information and uplink BWP information provided via dedicated signaling (eg, in the BWP downlink IE and the BWP uplink IE, respectively, in the ServingCellConfig IE within an RRC message).

[0113] The downlink BWP information includes, for example: an identifier (or index) of the BWP being configured (e.g., BWP-IDIE); common downlink BWP information for configuring (cell-specific) common parameters of the downlink BWP (e.g., BWP-DownlinkCommon IE); and dedicated BWP information for configuring dedicated (UE-specific) parameters of the downlink BWP (e.g., BWP-DownlinkDedicated IE).

[0114] The dedicated downlink BWP information includes information for BWP for configuring UE-specific PDCCH (e.g., PDCCH-Config IE), and information for BWP for configuring UE-specific PDSCH (e.g., PDSCH-Config IE). The configuration for CORESET and CSI-RS is also configured via the dedicated downlink BWP information (CORESET is configured via PDCCH, and CSI-RS is configured via PDSCH).

[0115] The uplink BWP information includes, for example: an identifier (or index) of the BWP being configured (e.g., BWP-ID IE or BWPIndex (BWP index)); public uplink BWP information for configuring (cell-specific) common parameters of the uplink BWP (e.g., BWP uplink common IE (BWP-UplinkCommon IE)); and dedicated BWP information for configuring dedicated (UE-specific) parameters of the uplink BWP (e.g., BWP-UplinkDedicated IE (BWP uplink dedicated IE)). The dedicated uplink BWP information includes information for BWP for configuring UE-specific PUCCH (e.g., PUCCH-Config IE), and information for BWP for configuring UE-specific PUSCH (e.g., PUSCH-Config IE).

[0116] The starting position and bandwidth of the DL BWP are defined via the corresponding location and bandwidth information (e.g., "locationAndBandwidth" IE) in the corresponding common downlink BWP information of the downlink BWP information as identified by the identifier (or index) of the BWP being configured (e.g., BWP-ID IE or BWPIndex).

[0117] The starting position and bandwidth of the UL BWP are defined via corresponding location and bandwidth information (e.g., "locationAndBandwidth" IE) in the corresponding common uplink BWP information of the uplink BWP information as identified by the identifier (or index) of the BWP being configured (e.g., BWP-IDIE or BWPIndex).

[0118] The UE 3 is configured to switch its active BWP between its configured BWPs when needed. For example, switching at the UE 3 may be initiated by the reception of a scheduling DCI, by the expiration of an inactivity timer (e.g., BWPInactivityTimer), and / or by the initiation of a random access procedure.

[0119] For typical use cases, the idle mode BWP (such as the initial BWP, etc.) is smaller than the connected mode BWP. In addition to the initial BWP, there are two main UE-specific types of BWP, namely the first active BWP and the default BWP. Like the initial BWP, the first active BWP can also be used for initial access. The first active BWP is also the first BWP at which the UE 3 starts data transmission after RRC configuration / reconfiguration. The default BWP, when configured for a UE, is the UE-specific BWP to which the corresponding UE should switch back when the inactivity timer expires. If no default BWP is configured for the UE, the initial BWP can be regarded as the default BWP.

[0120] Beneficially, the telecommunications network 1 implements a plurality of advantageous techniques and enhancements for implementing a network energy saving (NES) configuration at a base station 5, and for associated coordination of communications between a UE 3 and a base station to take into account the NES configuration at the base station. These techniques and enhancements include time domain, frequency domain, space domain, and power domain techniques. However, it will be appreciated that the NES benefits may be achieved without implementing all of the techniques and enhancements described. In particular, the benefits may be achieved by implementing only time domain NES techniques, frequency domain NES techniques, space domain NES techniques, or power domain NES techniques, or a subset of such techniques.

[0121] In more detail, the base station 5 and the UE 3 are mutually configured to support the implementation of the NES mode in the time domain, the frequency domain, the space domain and / or the power domain. As described in more detail later, the base station 5 configures the NES mode (or updates the NES configuration) and notifies the UE 3 of the (updated) NES configuration by using appropriate signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) to signal the UE 3 with information elements (IEs) defining various aspects of the NES configuration in the time domain, the frequency domain, the space domain and / or the power domain, and thus pre-configures the NES mode at the UE 3. When NES is enabled, the appropriate NES configuration is appropriately activated at the base station 5. Then, whenever the base station 5 enters the corresponding NES mode, the relevant IEs forming part of the NES configuration will be autonomously applied until the NES configuration is updated.

[0122] UE 3 is able to recognize when a particular NES configuration (whether a time domain, frequency domain, space domain or power domain configuration, or a "joint" configuration representing a combination of these configurations) is to be activated (if inactive) or deactivated (if active) at base station 5.

[0123] The timing of NES configuration activation / deactivation may be determined, for example, based on explicit signaling (e.g., dynamically via a NES activation indication in downlink control information (DCI)). For example, two bits of the NES field in the DCI may be used for dynamic activation of a specific NES configuration (e.g., a preconfigured time domain, frequency domain, space domain, and / or power domain configuration).

[0124] Specifically, different bit combinations (binary values) may be used to activate / deactivate different configuration types at the UE (e.g., 00-time; 01-frequency; 10-space; 11-power). It will be appreciated that a four-bit DCI field (where each bit represents activation / deactivation) may also be used to simultaneously activate two or more different configurations (e.g., time, frequency, space, power). Alternatively, a single bit may be used to indicate that all semi-statically configured NES configurations (that have not yet been released) will be activated when the time domain of network energy saving is activated.

[0125] However, it will be appreciated that activation / deactivation may alternatively or additionally be identified implicitly, for example based on stored NES configuration information. Implicit activation / deactivation may be based, for example, on a delay timer / period (e.g., T NES ) after the expiration of the activation (or deactivation), the delay timer / period (e.g., T NES ) represents the delay between the configuration of the NES and the start timing of activation / deactivation of the NES configuration (especially the semi-static activation of the NES).

[0126] Implicit activation / deactivation can be based, for example, on activation (or deactivation) for predetermined time periods during the day or night, deactivation (or activation) after expiration of a timer or triggered by the occurrence of a specific event, periodic activation (or deactivation) at regular preconfigured intervals, deactivation (or activation) for a specific duration after activation (or deactivation), or the like.

[0127] As described in more detail later, the telecommunications network 1 implements a number of advantageous techniques and enhancements for providing flexible time domain energy saving in which both the UE 3 and the base station 5 are able to identify the timing at which energy saving is active within the network. Based on this, the base station 5 and / or the UE 3 are able to resolve whether a specific instance of a non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) (or a sounding reference signal (SRS)) is to be excluded from measurement / reporting at the UE 3 (or base station 5) by determining whether the non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) (or a sounding reference signal (SRS)) falls within a duration of an identified NES timing during which the NES is active at the base station 5.

[0128] In one advantageous technique described in more detail below, the NES configuration provided to the UE 3 includes time domain configuration information including configurable periodicity and offsets defining regularly (periodically) occurring windows during which the energy-saving NES mode is active. The time domain configuration in the exemplary communication system 1 also defines one or more time domain patterns that define specific timing (e.g., time slots, groups of time slots, or other time periods) during the NES windows during which the NES is active or inactive. The periodicity, offset, and time domain patterns may be defined at any suitable level of timing granularity (which may vary between versions and generations of communication technology).

[0129] In another advantageous technique, the time domain configuration information (alternatively or additionally) includes information identifying a predetermined duration, a timer value, and / or a time of day representing a period during which the NES will be active. In this case, the UE 3 / base station 5 will implicitly know when the NES is no longer active, so no explicit deactivation is required thereafter. This is particularly suitable for scenarios where there is known / recurring user traffic only during a certain period (e.g., user traffic occurs at specific timings and / or for specific durations).

[0130] Advantageously, the base station 5 of the communication system 1 may also be configured for simultaneous activation and / or deactivation of multiple configurations of time domain energy-saving transmission (e.g., a time domain mode with long periodicity and a time domain mode with short periodicity). Specifically, one configuration (e.g., short periodicity) may be activated simultaneously when another configuration (e.g., long periodicity) is activated. Multiple different configurations may also be activated or deactivated independently.

[0131] This provides the base station 5 with flexibility to achieve greater power savings while having the ability to respond quickly to data arrival, particularly when there are multiple different traffic characteristics. The different time domain configurations may, for example, form part of a list defining multiple NES configurations that can be used to configure multiple NES configurations simultaneously.

[0132] As described in more detail below, the telecommunications network 1 also implements several advantageous techniques and enhancements for providing a configurable network energy saving mode in the frequency domain.

[0133] Beneficially, in one technique described in more detail below, the NES configuration provided to the UE 3 includes frequency domain configuration information including information for defining a reduced CSI-RS density. The CSI-RS is a flexible multi-purpose signal that can be used for beam management. However, during a network energy saving mode, beam refinement may not be supported and frequent RRC reconfiguration is not expected. Therefore, a reduced density may be indicated as part of the NES configuration for the frequency domain. This reduced density may then be applied autonomously (at the base station 5 and the UE 3) each time the base station 5 enters NES mode until the NES configuration is updated.

[0134] Here, it will be appreciated that the transmission power for a resource element is assumed to be fixed, however, as the number of resource elements used for transmission is reduced, the overall transmission power will be reduced. Beneficially, this has no impact on legacy UEs.

[0135] In another advantageous technique described in more detail below, frequency domain configuration information is (alternatively or additionally) configured to define a reduced NES bandwidth, and when NES is activated, UE 3 performs UE-BWP switching to operate within the NES bandwidth (if necessary). The reduced bandwidth for NES is signaled to the UE via the NES configuration.

[0136] Beneficially, the base station 5 may also define one or more new NES BWPs within the NES bandwidth. If the UE's active BWP needs to be changed to operate within the reduced NES bandwidth, the NES BWP may be a UE-specific BWP defined specifically for the NES to be used. Alternatively (or additionally), the NES BWP may be an "effective NES BWP" defined by a starting offset (which may be a starting position relative to the configured NES bandwidth), where the remaining parameters (e.g., length of the configured BWP, CORESET, CSI-RS, etc.) are reused, albeit shifted in the frequency domain by the offset. In this scenario, any portion of the BWP / CORESET / CSI-RS that extends outside the NES bandwidth will be excluded.

[0137] In another advantageous technique, frequency domain configuration information is (alternatively or additionally) configured for semi-static or dynamic BWP switching / adaptation, which is used to adapt the UE configuration to different traffic activities. Specifically, for the purpose of BWP adaptation for NES, certain frequency resources (e.g., resource blocks / resource block groups) of the BWP can be (re)configured, and / or a specific BWP can be (re)configured. Frequency resources / BWPs can be configured for all UEs or for a "group" of one or more than one UE.

[0138] The frequency domain configuration information may, for example, include information for configuring a scaling factor for BWP adaptation when entering NES mode and / or a frequency domain bitmap "power saving" mode. If a frequency domain bitmap is used, this may provide an indication of the frequency resources used (e.g., at a granularity of one or more resource block groups (RBGs)) within a union of a group common BWP (where each BWP is a plurality of contiguous RBGs). For example, a "1" in the frequency domain mode bitmap may indicate an active frequency resource, and a "0" may indicate a deactivated frequency resource (or vice versa).

[0139] As described in more detail later, this frequency domain configuration may be provided via RRC (re)configuration. The group common DCI or media access control element (MAC CE) may also be enhanced to include scaling factors and / or frequency domain modes for faster (dynamic) activation / deactivation of NES mode (in which the scaling factors and / or frequency domain modes are applied). As described in more detail later, one or more bandwidth scaling factors may be used to configure one or more scaled-down NES BWPs for a specific UE 3 to be used when the NES configuration is active. The advantage of a "bandwidth scaling factor" is that no dedicated BWP switching signaling is required for each individual UE in order to enter NES mode and use the NES BWP.

[0140] Although the base station 5 can currently use dedicated signaling to configure up to 4 DL BWPs per cell and up to 4 UL BWPs per cell, in an optional (but beneficial) enhancement, the communication system 1 supports the configuration of one or more additional DL NES-BWPs per cell and one or more additional UL NES-BWPs per cell during operation in NES mode.

[0141] As described in more detail below, the telecommunications network 1 also implements a number of advantageous techniques and enhancements for providing spatial domain network energy savings.

[0142] Specifically, in a beneficial example, the base station 5 generates one or more hypothetical transceiver (TRX) on / off configurations for a group of one or more UEs (the group of one or more UEs is used to determine an appropriate TRX configuration for network energy saving). Then, for each hypothetical TRX on / off configuration, a corresponding set of ports (such as 64 / 32 / 8 / 4, etc.) and one or more associated CSI-RS configurations can be determined. UE 3 measures and reports the corresponding CSI-RS corresponding to the TRX configuration, so that the base station 5 identifies the best directional beam in the directional beam and thus selects the associated TRX port to turn on / off. The TRX configuration for the NES can then be (re)configured by mapping the selected TRX port setting to an associated index in the spatial domain configuration information provided as part of the NES configuration. A field for the index is also added to the measurement report in each group of NZP-CSI-RS configurations for reference signal resource configuration and information for configuring CSI reporting.

[0143] In the uplink, as described in more detail later, similar techniques may be implemented to measure the SRS transmitted by the UE 3 at the base station 5 .

[0144] The telecommunications network 1 also advantageously provides power domain network energy savings.

[0145] Advantageously, the NES configuration provided to the UE 3 includes power domain configuration information including information defining a power scaling factor to be applied during the NES and / or information indicating a sleep mode in which the base station 5 may operate when the NES is activated. The information indicating the sleep mode may identify a "type" of sleep mode based solely on power level (such as micro-sleep, light sleep, or deep sleep, etc.). The power domain configuration information may also identify one or more specific cells for which the sleep mode is to be applied, and / or the timing of a wake-up cycle from the sleep mode.

[0146] It will be appreciated that the information elements in the NES configuration need not be limited to a single domain among the time, frequency, space and power domains. The NES configuration may, for example, include information for joint adaptation of the frequency, space, power and / or time domains when the NES is active.

[0147] In one specific example, a mapping table may be included that defines a mapping between a TRX index representing a particular TRX port on / off setting (as described above), a BWP index (e.g., corresponding to a BWP associated with the same TRX port on / off setting), and an associated power scaling factor to be applied with respect to the TRX that remains on.

[0148] User Equipment

[0149] Figure 3 is an example Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the main components of a UE 3 used in the communication system 1 is shown.

[0150] As shown, the UE 3 has a transceiver circuit 31, which is operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from the base station 5 via one or more antennas 33. The UE 3 has a controller 37 for controlling the operation of the UE 3. The controller 37 is associated with a memory 39 and coupled to the transceiver circuit 31. Although not necessarily required for the operation of the UE 3, the UE 3 may of course have all the common functionality of a conventional UE 3 (e.g., a user interface 35 (such as a touch screen / keyboard / microphone / speaker and / or the like) for allowing direct control and interaction with the user), and this may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software and firmware as appropriate. For example, the software may be pre-installed in the memory 39 and / or may be downloaded via a telecommunications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD).

[0151] The controller 37 is configured to control the overall operation of the UE 3 through program instructions or software instructions stored in the memory 39 in this example. As shown, these software instructions include an operating system 41, a communication control module 43, a control information management module 45, a NES configuration management module 47, an RRC module 51 and a system information module 53, among others.

[0152] The communication control module 43 is operable to control the communication between the UE 3 and one or more base stations 5 served by it (as well as other communication devices connected to the base station 5, such as other UEs and / or core network nodes, etc.). The communication control module 43 is configured to handle uplink communications (including both dynamic signaling and semi-static signaling (e.g., SRS)) via associated uplink channels (e.g., via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and / or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) as a whole. The communication control module 43 is also configured to handle the reception of downlink communications (including both dynamic signaling and semi-static signaling (e.g., CSI-RS)) via associated downlink channels (e.g., via the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)) as a whole. The communication control module 43 is responsible for determining the resources to be used by the UE 3 to determine how to configure frequency resources and / or time slots / symbols (eg, for UL communication, DL communication or the like) and which bandwidth portion or portions to configure for the UE 3 .

[0153] The control information management module 45 is responsible for managing tasks related to receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the base station.

[0154] The RRC module 51 is responsible for receiving RRC signaling from the base station 5 and transmitting RRC signaling to the base station 5 .

[0155] The NES configuration management module 47 is responsible for maintaining up-to-date information about one or more network energy saving configurations implemented in the network and in particular at the base station 5. These configurations may, for example, include one or more of the following: one or more time domain NES configurations 47a; one or more frequency domain NES configurations 47b; one or more space domain NES configurations 47c; and / or one or more power domain NES configurations 47d. The NES configuration management module 47 is also responsible for identifying when a particular NES configuration (whether a time domain, frequency domain, space domain or power domain configuration, or a "joint" configuration representing a combination of these configurations) is to be activated (if inactive) or deactivated (if active) at the base station 5. The timing of NES configuration activation / deactivation may be determined based on explicit signaling (e.g., dynamically via an NES activation indication in a DCI), or implicitly based on stored NES configuration information. Implicit activation / deactivation can be based, for example, on activation (or deactivation) for predetermined time periods during the day or night, deactivation (or activation) after expiration of a timer or triggered by the occurrence of a specific event, periodic activation (or deactivation) at regular preconfigured intervals, deactivation (or activation) for a specific duration after activation (or deactivation), or the like.

[0156] The system information module 53 is responsible for receiving and interpreting the system information from the base station 5 .

[0157] Base Station

[0158] Figure 4 is an example Figure 1 Schematic block diagram of the main components of a base station 5 used in the communication system 1 shown. As shown, the base station 5 has: a transceiver circuit 51 for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a communication device (such as UE 3) via one or more antennas 53 (e.g., antenna arrays / massive antennas); and a core network interface 55 (e.g., including N2, N3 and other reference points / interfaces) for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from network nodes in the core network 7. Although not shown, the base station 5 can also be coupled to other base stations via appropriate interfaces (e.g., so-called "Xn" interfaces in NR). The base station 5 has a controller 57 for controlling the operation of the base station 5. The controller 57 is associated with a memory 59. For example, the software can be pre-installed in the memory 59 and / or can be downloaded via the communication network 1 or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The controller 57 is configured to control the overall operation of the base station 5 in this example through program instructions or software instructions stored in the memory 59.

[0159] As shown, these software instructions include an operating system 61, a communication control module 63, a control information management module 65, a NES configuration management module 67, an RRC module 71, and a system information module 73, among others.

[0160] The communication control module 63 is operable to control the communication between the base station 5 and the UE 3 and other network entities connected to the base station 5. The communication control module 63 is configured to control the reception of uplink communications (including both dynamic signaling and semi-static signaling (e.g., SRS)) via associated uplink channels (e.g., via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and / or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) as a whole. The communication control module 63 is also configured to handle the transmission of downlink communications (including both dynamic signaling and semi-static signaling (e.g., CSI-RS)) via associated downlink channels (e.g., via the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)) as a whole.

[0161] The control information management module 65 is responsible for managing tasks associated with transmitting downlink control information from the base station.

[0162] The NES configuration management module 67 is responsible for generating, maintaining and informing the UE 3 of one or more network energy saving configurations implemented in the network and in particular at the base station 5. These configurations may, for example, include one or more of the following: one or more time domain NES configurations 67a; one or more frequency domain NES configurations 67b; one or more space domain NES configurations 67c; and / or one or more power domain NES configurations 67d. The NES configuration management module 67 is also responsible for identifying when a particular NES configuration (whether a time domain, frequency domain, space domain or power domain configuration, or a "joint" configuration representing a combination of these configurations) is to be activated (if inactive) or deactivated (if active) at the base station 5, and if necessary, notifying the UE 3 accordingly. The timing of NES configuration activation / deactivation may be explicitly notified to the UE 3 (e.g., dynamically via an NES activation indication in a DCI). The timing of NES configuration activation / deactivation may be implicitly notified based on the NES configuration information provided to the UE 3. Implicit activation / deactivation can be based, for example, on activation (or deactivation) for predetermined time periods during the day or night, deactivation (or activation) after expiration of a timer or triggered by the occurrence of a specific event, periodic activation (or deactivation) at regular preconfigured intervals, deactivation (or activation) for a specific duration after activation (or deactivation), or the like.

[0163] The RRC module 71 is responsible for receiving RRC signaling from the UE 3 and transmitting RRC signaling to the UE 3 .

[0164] The system information module 73 is responsible for transmitting system information to UEs in one or more cells 9 of the base station.

[0165] Network energy saving configuration

[0166] Now refer to Figure 5 The general method for configuring network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0167] Figure 5 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A simplified timing diagram of a process for configuring network energy saving at a UE 3 implemented in a telecommunication system 1 of FIG.

[0168] like Figure 5 As seen in FIG. 5 , when the base station 5 determines that NES needs to be implemented, the base station 5 (at S510 ) sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE 3 , which carries information for configuring (or reconfiguring) NES at the UE 3 , which indicates the (updated) NES configuration.

[0169] The NES (re)configuration information may include information representing a time domain NES configuration, information representing a frequency domain NES configuration, information representing a space domain NES configuration, and / or information representing a power domain NES configuration (or any combination of such information). The NES (re)configuration information may include, for example, joint configuration information for mapping specific aspects of one configuration to specific aspects of another configuration. For example, the NES (re)configuration information may include the following joint configuration information, which identifies the corresponding specific power scaling factors to be applied by the base station 5 (possibly at a specific timing) for each transceiver on / off configuration in a plurality of transceiver on / off configurations and / or each BWP in a plurality of BWPs for providing corresponding energy-saving beam modes. In addition, the NES configuration information may include a list defining a plurality of NES configurations (e.g., NESConfig-List IE).

[0170] Examples of specific time domain, frequency domain, space domain, and power domain configurations and associated information elements are described in more detail below. However, by way of example only, a NES configuration may include:

[0171] -Time domain NES configuration information:

[0172] - Information identifying the periodicity and timing offset (e.g., PeriodicityAndOffset IE), which defines the start of the timing window during which the NES will be activated (for at least some slots / symbols);

[0173] - Information such as a bitmap that defines one or more time-domain patterns or a sequence of such patterns (e.g., Sequence <timedomainpatternbitmap>IE (Sequence <Time Domain Mode Bitmap> IE)), and information identifying a timing offset (e.g., a corresponding offset IE for each time domain mode), for identifying a specific time slot (or symbol) in the timing window in which the NES is to be activated and / or a specific time slot (or symbol) in the timing window in which the NES is to be deactivated;

[0174] - indicates one or more timer values ​​(e.g., T NES ) for timing the delay that occurs between configuration (or some other event, if appropriate) and activation (or deactivation); and / or

[0175] - Information indicating the duration of the timing window (alternatively, the duration may be fixed or implicitly determined).

[0176] - Frequency domain NES configuration information:

[0177] - Information identifying the reduced NES bandwidth in the frequency domain (e.g., NES LocationAndBandwidth IE);

[0178] - Information identifying one or more new UE-specific BWPs dedicated to NES (e.g., NESBWP IE);

[0179] - Information identifying the offset in the frequency domain relative to the reduced NES bandwidth (eg, NESBWPOffset IE);

[0180] - information indicating that a reduced CSI density is to be applied and possibly indicating the reduced CSI density absolutely (e.g., 1, 0.5, ...) or relatively (e.g., 1 / 3, 1 / 2, ...);

[0181] - information indicating one or more BWP scaling factors to be applied, information identifying the NES BWP corresponding to each BWP scaling factor, and / or information identifying an existing BWP (for which each scaling factor is to be applied) (e.g., a BWPIndex IE); and / or

[0182] - Information to identify power-saving frequency domain modes.

[0183] -Space domain NES configuration information:

[0184] - Information identifying the specific transceiver port settings for energy-saving beam configuration (e.g., TRX Port (64 / 32 / 8 / 4) IE);

[0185] - Information identifying one or more CSI-RS configurations that may be turned on or off (e.g., CSI-RS Configuration (ON / OFF) IE); and / or

[0186] - Information identifying an index associated with a specific transceiver configuration to be implemented at the base station for NES (e.g., TRXPoolIndex IE), which maps to a specific reference signal (e.g., NZP-CSI-RS) configuration in a separately provided reference signal reporting configuration.

[0187] -Power domain NES configuration information:

[0188] - information identifying a power scaling factor to be applied for base station transmissions; and / or

[0189] - Information defining the sleep mode to be applied at the base station 5 .

[0190] UE 3 stores the (updated) configuration information and sends an appropriate RRC reconfiguration response message to base station 5 at S512. The RRC reconfiguration response may be, for example, an RRC reconfiguration complete message.

[0191] Then, after receiving the RRC reconfiguration response message, at S514a, the "network side" NES configuration is activated at the base station 5. It will be appreciated that activation need not occur immediately, but may occur at any suitable specific moment. The UE 3 identifies at S514b when activation at the base station 5 occurs, and uses the stored NES configuration information to identify how the UE 3 should apply the NES configuration to adapt its own operations (e.g., communication and / or measurement operations) during the period when the NES is activated. In effect, the UE 3 activates the NES configuration at the UE 3 (the "UE side" NES), although the primary actions used for network energy saving occur in the network and are controlled by the network.

[0192] The UE 3 may implicitly identify when the activation will occur, for example based on NES (re)configuration information stored at the UE 3. For example, the activation may occur between the configuration of the NES and the start of the activation (e.g., by T NES It will be appreciated that although in Figure 5 In the process, the delay is shown as being timed from the transmission / reception of the RRC response message for illustrative purposes, but the delay may be timed from any suitable specific moment (with appropriate timing offsets possibly applied at the UE and / or base station to ensure that the start of the delay is correctly synchronized between the UE and the base station).

[0193] However, it will be appreciated that the NES may be explicitly activated by signaling from the base station 5. For example, as shown in S514c, the NES configuration (or a specific time domain, frequency domain, space domain and / or power domain portion thereof) may be activated at the UE 3 by an appropriately formatted "dynamic activation" DCI or the like. For example, two bits of the NES field in the activation DCI may be used for dynamic activation of a specific NES configuration (e.g., a pre-configured time domain, frequency domain, space domain and / or power domain configuration).

[0194] Once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, the NES operations between the base station 5 and the UE 3 begin at S516. These NES operations continue until the NES configuration is updated as shown in S518 or deactivated as shown in S520. In the case of an NES configuration update, the base station 5 (as indicated by S518a) sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE 3 carrying information for reconfiguring (updating) the NES configuration stored at the UE 3. As described above, the UE 3 updates the stored NES configuration and responds with an appropriate RRC reconfiguration response at S518b.

[0195] In the case of deactivation, the UE 3 may implicitly identify when the deactivation will occur, for example based on NES (re)configuration information stored at the UE 3. However, it will be appreciated that the NES configuration may be explicitly deactivated by signaling from the base station 5. For example, as shown in S520c, the NES configuration (or a specific time domain, frequency domain, space domain and / or power domain portion thereof) may be deactivated at the UE 3 by a suitably formatted "dynamic activation" DCI or the like. For example, the two bits of the NES field in the above-mentioned activation DCI may also be used for dynamic deactivation of a specific NES configuration (e.g., a pre-configured time domain, frequency domain, space domain and / or power domain configuration).

[0196] It will be appreciated that when configuring / updating the NES mode, the network does not need to indicate a complete set of IEs, only relevant IEs need to be provided in the time domain, frequency domain, space domain and / or power domain. This may be, for example, IEs required for energy saving of only a specific type (time / frequency / space / power), or IEs that only represent changes relative to a previous configuration notified to the UE 3.

[0197] Time Domain Network Energy Saving

[0198] Indicates time domain energy saving mode

[0199] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0200] Figure 6 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A process for configuring time domain network energy saving at a UE 3 implemented in a telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0201] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S610, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 In this example, the NES configuration information includes time domain energy saving information (e.g., periodicityAndOffset IE) indicating NES periodicity and offset, which defines windows (NES periods) that occur regularly (periodically).

[0202] During the NES period, the NES configuration is activated, although specific NES operations at the base station 5 may be activated / deactivated for only a portion of the NES period (e.g., within a specific time slot, group of time slots, half-frame, frame, or the like). The time domain configuration also defines one or more time domain patterns that define specific timings during the NES period during which network energy saving operations will be active or inactive. The time domain pattern may be signaled, for example, by means of an appropriate bitmap (e.g., TimeDomainPatternBitmap IE). Furthermore, a "sequence" type IE may be used to define a sequence of one or more time domain configurations (e.g., Sequence IE). <timedomainpatternbitmap>IE).

[0203] refer to Figure 7 (It is in Figure 5 ), for each time domain mode, the corresponding bitmap may, for example, use a bit set to "1" to indicate a time period (e.g., a time slot, a group of time slots, or other time period) during which the NES is active, and use a bit set to "0" to indicate a time period (e.g., a time slot, a group of time slots, or other time period) during which the NES is inactive (or vice versa). Although the start of each mode configured by the corresponding bitmap may be predefined (e.g., predefined as a set interval within the NES period), information defining the offset (e.g., relative to the start / end of the NES period, or relative to the start / end of the previous mode) may be provided as part of the NES configuration information.

[0204] Periodicity, offsets, and time domain patterns may be defined at any suitable level of timing granularity (which may vary between versions and generations of communication technology). The granularity itself may be configurable (e.g., as part of NES configuration information). The granularity of the periodicity and / or pattern may, for example, be configurable in multiples of frames, milliseconds, or seconds (e.g., {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10 ...}). The configurable periodicity may, for example, include one or more multiples of "5ms" (or half-frame) or "10ms" (or radio frame). The granularity of the periodicity and / or pattern may also be configurable in multiples of symbols or time slots (e.g., {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, ...}).

[0205] Then, at the start of the NES period defined by the time domain energy saving information indicating the NES periodicity and offset, at S614a, the "network side" NES configuration is activated at the base station 5. The UE 3 identifies when the activation at the base station 5 occurs at S614b, and uses the stored NES configuration information to identify the specific timing when NES operation is active / inactive, and therefore appropriately adapts its own operations (e.g., communication and / or measurement operations) while the NES configuration is activated.

[0206] It will be appreciated that configuration of the NES period does not exclude NES activation using other explicit or implicit methods as described previously, for example activation after a configured delay between configuration of the NES and the start of activation, and / or dynamic activation at the UE 3 by means of a suitably formatted “dynamic activation” DCI or the like.

[0207] Once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, NES operation between the base station 5 and the UE 3 begins at S616. In this example, the operation includes (at S616a and S616b) conducting communication between the UE 3 and the base station 5 (and possibly measurement of reference signals at the UE 3 and the base station 5) based on the NES time domain mode indicated in the NES configuration information.

[0208] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated at S618a and S618b (e.g., as described in reference to Figure 5 described above).

[0209] Application of time domain energy saving of reference signal

[0210] Now refer to Figure 8 Merely by way of example a general method illustrating how time domain power saving may be applied with respect to a reference signal is explained in more detail.

[0211] Figure 8 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A process implemented in a telecommunications system 1 for configuring reference signals and / or reference signal measurements while a NES is activated (e.g., as Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0212] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S810, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 ) stores this information and responds appropriately. In this example, (e.g., as referenced Figure 6 The) NES configuration information includes time domain energy saving information indicating the time domain NES configuration.

[0213] For the purpose of CSI reporting, when CSI reporting is configured at UE 3 by base station 5 (at S812), UE 3 determines (at S814) the instances of expected NZP-CSI-RS that occur during the NES timing duration (e.g., the time when NES operation is active) based on the time domain NES configuration and the reporting configuration. UE 3 can then (at S816) perform measurements of NZP-CSI-RS while excluding the instances of expected NZP-CSI-RS that occur during the NES timing duration. The results are then reported to base station 5 at S818. Base station 5 is able to determine (as indicated at S820) any instances of NZP-CSI-RS to be excluded from the received report based on the time domain NES configuration.

[0214] For the purpose of SRS measurement, when SRS resources are configured at UE 3 by base station 5 (at S822), UE 3 determines (at S826) instances of SRS transmission that will occur during NES timing duration (e.g., time when NES operation is active) based on time domain NES configuration and reporting configuration. UE 3 can then (as indicated by S828) avoid SRS transmission that will occur during NES timing duration. Base station 5 can also (as indicated by S830) determine any instances of SRS to be avoided and perform SRS measurements accordingly.

[0215] Configure specific time periods for network power saving

[0216] Now refer to Fig. 9 Another general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0217] Fig. 9 It is an example that can be Figure 1 Another process for configuring time domain network energy saving at UE 3 implemented in telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0218] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S910, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 The NES configuration information may be used to store the information and respond appropriately. In this example, the NES configuration information includes time domain energy saving information defining one or more configured time periods during which the NES configuration will be active (or inactive). The information may, for example, define a duration (e.g., from activation or some other timing), one or more activation / deactivation timer values, and / or a specific time period during a day, week, month, year, and / or the like.

[0219] Then, at the beginning of the configured time period defined by the time domain energy saving information, the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 (at S914a) and the UE 3 (at S914b).

[0220] It will be appreciated that configuration of a configured time period does not exclude NES activation using other explicit or implicit methods as described previously, for example activation after a configured delay between configuration of the NES and the start of activation, and / or dynamic activation at the UE 3 by means of a suitably formatted “dynamic activation” DCI or the like.

[0221] Once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, NES operation between the base station 5 and the UE 3 occurs at S916.

[0222] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated by S918a and S918b (e.g., as indicated by reference Figure 5 described above).

[0223] Frequency Domain Network Energy Saving

[0224] Indicates reduced CSI-RS density

[0225] Now refer to Fig.10 Another general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0226] Fig.10 It is an example that can be Figure 1 A process for configuring frequency domain network energy saving at UE 3 implemented in a telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0227] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S1010, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 The NES configuration information (described) stores this information and responds appropriately. In this example, the NES configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information indicating that a reduced CSI-RS density will be used when the NES configuration is active. Then, each time the base station 5 enters NES mode by activating the NES configuration, the reduced density can be applied autonomously (at the base station 5 and the UE 3) until the NES configuration is updated or deactivated.

[0228] The information indicating that a reduced CSI-RS density is to be used may define the reduced CSI-RS density. The information indicating that a reduced CSI-RS density is to be used may simply indicate that the CSI-RS density is to be reduced without necessarily defining the density (in which case the density reduction may be preconfigured at the UE 3 and the base station 5).

[0229] For example, the different supported densities may advantageously conform to the current density for NZP-CSI-RS-Resources (e.g., 0.5 corresponds to every other resource block including one resource element allocated to a CSI signal; 1 corresponds to each resource block including one resource element allocated to a CSI signal; and 3 corresponds to each resource block including three resource elements allocated to a CSI signal). Then, when the NES configuration is activated, the reduced CSI-RS density may be automatically applied such that density 3 becomes density 1, or density 1 becomes density 0.5. Alternatively or additionally, a scaling factor may be included in the NES configuration information and automatically applied (e.g., a scaling factor of 1 / 3 may be configured to reduce the density from 3 to 1, or a scaling factor of 1 / 2 may be configured to reduce the density from 1 to 0.5).

[0230] Then, when the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 (at S1014a) and the UE 3 (at S1014b) (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 5 As described above, UE 3 can adapt its operation to appropriately account for the activation of the NES configuration. Specifically, once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, the NES operation between the base station 5 and the UE 3 occurs at S1016. For example, as seen at S1016a, the base station 5 can apply a reduced CSI-RS density, and at S1016b, the UE 3 can perform reference signal measurements based on the reduced CSI-RS density (and associated reporting).

[0231] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated by S1018a and S1018b (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 5 described above).

[0232] NES Bandwidth and UE-BWP Switching

[0233] Now refer to Fig.11 Another general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0234] Fig.11 It is an example that can be Figure 1 Another process for configuring frequency domain network energy saving at UE 3 implemented in telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0235] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S1110, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 The NES configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information defining the reduced NES bandwidth. The reduced NES bandwidth is defined in this example by information identifying a starting position in the frequency domain relative to the first available resource block (i.e., the "location") and the number of resource blocks in the reduced bandwidth (i.e., the "bandwidth"). Although this information may be provided as separate parameters, the information may include a single "indicator value" (from which both the location and bandwidth may be derived).

[0236] The NES configuration in this example also includes information for defining at least one NES BWP to be used by the UE. The information defining at least one NES BWP may define a valid NES BWP by specifying a start offset (e.g., NESBWPoffset IE) (which may be a start position relative to the configured NES bandwidth), where the remaining parameters (e.g., length of the configured BWP, CORESET, CSI-RS, etc.) are reused from the existing BWP configuration but shifted in the frequency domain by the offset. In this scenario, any portion of the BWP / CORESET / CSI-RS that extends outside the configured NES bandwidth will be excluded.

[0237] Information defining at least one NES BWP may include (e.g., in a NES BWP IE similar to the BWP-DL IE) information required to define a new UE-specific NES BWP to be used when the UE's active BWP needs to be changed to operate within a reduced NES bandwidth (e.g., including configuration for CORESET, CSI-RS, and / or the like).

[0238] Then, when the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 (at S1114a) and the UE 3 (at S1114b) (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 5 ), UE 3 is able to adapt its operation to appropriately account for the activation of the NES configuration. Specifically, once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, NES operation between the base station 5 and the UE 3 occurs at S1116 using the configured NES BWP within the reduced NES bandwidth. For example, the UE 3 may autonomously switch to the NES BWP at S1116b (if required due to the active BWP extending beyond the NES bandwidth) and receive communications from the base station 5 within the NES BWP. Similarly, the base station 5 may use the NES BWP to communicate with the UE 3.

[0239] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated by S1118a and S1118b (e.g., as indicated by reference Figure 5 described above).

[0240] However, it will be appreciated that since the NES BWP will be autonomously activated upon subsequent NES activation, the NES BWP associated with the reduced NES bandwidth configuration may remain the same upon any subsequent occurrence of NES frequency configuration (without requiring an explicit BWP switching indication). Thus, the NES BWP for that configuration will remain the same until the associated NES is reconfigured.

[0241] It will be appreciated that when NES is enabled and the default BWP for a particular UE 3 is no longer the active BWP, switching back to the default BWP may be advantageously inhibited. This may be done, for example, by redefining the new active NES BWP as the new default BWP during the NES. Alternatively (or additionally), the UE 3 may be configured to remain on the current (NES) BWP without switching back to the default BWP for non-NES mode, even if the UE is configured with a BWP inactivity timer.

[0242] For semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) PDSCH, and for type 1 or type 2 configuration grant (CG) PUSCH, it will be understood that, without the need for explicit activation or DCI indication, when UE 3 enters or exits NES mode (i.e., when UE 3 recognizes that NES has been activated at base station 5), both the active BWP in non-NES mode and the active NES BWP in NES mode can be pre-configured, and BWP switching to the default NES-BWP can be performed (by automatic switching).

[0243] NES Bandwidth Scaling / Frequency Domain Mode

[0244] Now refer to Fig.12 Another general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0245] Fig.12 It is an example that can be Figure 1 Another process for configuring frequency domain network energy saving at UE 3 implemented in telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0246] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3 at S1210, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ) Figure 5 The NES configuration information may be configured to store the information and respond appropriately. In this example, the NES configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information including information defining one or more BWP scaling factors for achieving a BWP bandwidth with reduced bandwidth, and / or information (e.g., a bitmap) defining a frequency domain mode for BWP adaptation when entering NES mode. The NES configuration information including one or more scaling factors and frequency domain mode information may be addressed to all UEs or to a "group" of one or more UEs.

[0247] It will be understood that one or more scaling factors and / or frequency domain energy saving modes may alternatively or additionally be provided in a group common DCI or media access control element (MAC CE) for faster (dynamic) activation / deactivation of NES modes applying scaling factors and / or frequency domain modes.

[0248] Additional flexibility of the frequency domain energy saving mode can be provided by including information of the granularity for configuring the energy saving mode in the frequency domain configuration information. The granularity can be configured, for example, as a number (e.g., {1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10 ...}) of resource block groups (RBGs) for supporting a scalable bitmap. The information of the granularity for configuring the energy saving mode can be in the form of an RBG group indication, for example.

[0249] The respective bandwidth scaling factors may be configured to map each dedicated BWP of a plurality of dedicated BWPs configured for a particular UE 3 to a respective NES BWP. For example, each UE 3 may be effectively preconfigured with a set of NES BWPs, each configured NES BWP having an associated BWP identifier or index (e.g., NES BWPID / BWPIndex) corresponding to a respective bandwidth scaling factor (e.g., 1 / 5, 1 / 4, 1 / 3, 1 / 2, ... and / or the like). The bandwidth scaling factors are used to map each new active NES BWP (identified by a corresponding new active BWP ID) to a respective existing BWP (identified by a corresponding existing BWP ID). For example, a preconfigured mapping table may be provided to each UE 3 in the NES config. Alternatively, the new active NES BWP (to which the BWP switch occurs) may be implicitly determined (e.g., based on an implicit link to an existing BWP ID or a calculation based on an existing BWP ID). The advantage of the "Bandwidth Scaling Factor" is that no dedicated BWP switching signaling is required for each individual UE in order to enter NES mode.

[0250] Then, when the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 (at S1214a) and the UE 3 (at S1214b) (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 5 ), UE 3 is able to adapt its operation to appropriately take into account the activation of the NES configuration. Specifically, once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, the NES operation between the base station 5 and the UE 3 occurs at S1216 using the scaled NES BWP and / or NES frequency domain energy saving mode. Specifically, at S1216a, the base station 5 can communicate with the UE 3 using the scaled NES BWP and / or NES frequency domain energy saving mode. Similarly, at S1316b, the UE 3 receives communications from the base station 5 using the scaled NES BWP and / or NES frequency domain energy saving mode.

[0251] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated by S1218a and S1218b (e.g., as indicated by reference Figure 5 described above).

[0252] It will be understood that instead of reconfiguring the CORESET, CSI-RS, etc., the portion of the configured CORESET, CSI-RS, etc. that extends outside the scaled BWP may simply be excluded.

[0253] Energy saving in spatial domain networks

[0254] Transceiver on / off configuration

[0255] Now refer to Fig.13 Another general method for configuring time domain network energy saving is described in more detail by way of example only.

[0256] Fig.13 It is an example that can be Figure 1 Another process for configuring spatial domain network energy saving at UE 3 implemented in telecommunication system 1 of Figure 5 A simplified timing diagram of part of a process.

[0257] like Fig.13 As seen in the figure, the base station 5 (at S1300) generates one or more hypothetical transceiver (TRX) on / off configurations for a group of one or more UEs. The base station 5 (at S1302) uses the hypothetical TRX on / off configurations to determine the appropriate TRX configuration for network energy saving. Then, a corresponding set of ports (such as 64 / 32 / 8 / 4, etc.) and one or more associated CSI-RS configurations can be determined for each hypothetical TRX on / off configuration. Then, the base station 5 (at S1304) (for example, using reportconfig IE (report configuration IE)) configures the UE / UE group for reporting CSI-RS measurements. At S1306, UE 3 measures the configured CSI-RS set and reports the results. At S1308, the base station 5 identifies the best directional beam in the directional beams and selects the associated TRX port to turn on / off based on the reported measurements.

[0258] The TRX configuration for the NES may then be (re)configured by mapping the selected TRX port settings to the associated index (e.g., TrxPoolIndex IE) in the spatial domain configuration information provided as part of the NES configuration. For each set of NZP-CSI-RS configurations used for reference signal resource configuration and measurement reporting, a field for the index is included in the information (e.g., reportConfig IE) sent to the UE 3 for configuring CSI reporting. By way of example, the index may be mapped, for example, as follows.

[0259] {TRX config 1}{NZP-CSI-RS set 1,…} to TrxPoolIndex_1

[0260] {TRX config 2}{NZP-CSI-RS set 2,…} to TrxPoolIndex_2

[0261] {TRX config n}{NZP-CSI-RS set n,…} to TrxPoolIndex_n

[0262] At S1310, the base station 5 provides the (updated) NES configuration information to the UE 3, and the UE 3 (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The NES configuration information may include information identifying specific transceiver port settings for energy-saving beam configuration (e.g., TRX Ports (64 / 32 / 8 / 4) IE identifying the number of antennas to be turned off), and information identifying the CSI-RS configuration associated with each antenna port (e.g., in the CSI-RS Configuration (On / Off) IE). In this context, the index (TrxPoolIndex) identifies the association between the CSI-RS configuration and the antenna port to optimize capacity performance in accordance with network energy saving. The presence of the index effectively ensures that UE 3 and base station 5 have the same understanding.

[0263] Then, when the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 (at S1314a) and the UE 3 (at S1314b) (e.g., as shown in reference Figure 5 3), UE 3 is able to adapt its communications to appropriately take into account the activation of the NES configuration. Specifically, once the NES configuration is activated at the base station 5 and the UE 3, NES operations between the base station 5 and the UE 3 occur at S1316 using the selected beam configuration. Specifically, at S1316a, the base station 5 implements the selected beam configuration and uses the selected beam configuration for communicating with the UE 3. Similarly, at S1316b, the UE 3 receives communications from the base station 5 using the selected beam configuration.

[0264] NES operation continues until the NES configuration is deactivated (or updated) as indicated by S1318a and S1318b (e.g., as indicated by reference Figure 5 described above).

[0265] It will be appreciated that in the uplink, similar techniques may be implemented to measure the SRS transmitted by the UE 3 at the base station 5. Specifically, where network energy saving is enabled, a corresponding SRS index (e.g., SrsPoolIndex) may be used for SRS resource configuration and associated measurement acquisition. The SRS index may be associated with each of a plurality of uplink receiver (Rx) port configurations for Rx "on / off". In a manner similar to the downlink CSI-RS, the base station 5 may generate one or more hypothetical RX on / off configurations that may be used to determine an appropriate RX configuration to be used for network energy saving.

[0266] A corresponding set of ports and one or more associated SRS resource configurations may then be determined for each hypothetical RX on / off configuration. The base station measures the corresponding SRS corresponding to the RX configuration, thereby allowing the base station 5 to select the best RX port to turn on / off. The selected RX port settings may then be notified to the UE 3 in the spatial domain configuration information provided as part of the NES configuration. Thus, the UE 3 is able to identify which energy-saving SRS resource configurations are used for uplink SRS.

[0267] Modifications and Replacements

[0268] The above detailed examples are described together with a number of variations and substitutions. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, many modifications and substitutions may be made to the above examples while still benefiting from the disclosure embodied in these examples.

[0269] It will be understood that, for example, while for clarity, cellular communication generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, etc.) specific terms may be used to refer to a particular communication entity, the technical features described for a given entity are not limited to devices of that particular communication generation. These technical features may be implemented in any functionally equivalent communication entity, regardless of any differences in the terms used to refer to them.

[0270] In the above description, for ease of understanding, the UE and the base station are described as having multiple discrete functional components or modules. Although these modules may be provided in this way for certain applications, for example, where an existing system has been modified to implement the present disclosure, in other applications, such as in a system designed from the outset with the inventive features in mind, these modules may be built into the entire operating system or code, and therefore these modules may not be discernible as discrete entities.

[0271] In the above example embodiments, a plurality of software modules are described. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the software modules may be provided in compiled or uncompiled form and may be supplied as a signal to a base station, to a mobility management entity or to a UE via a computer network or on a recording medium. In addition, one or more dedicated hardware circuits may be used to perform the functionality performed by part or all of the software. However, the use of software modules is preferred because software modules facilitate updating base stations or UEs to update their functionality.

[0272] Each controller may include any suitable form of processing circuitry, including (but not limited to) for example: one or more hardware-implemented computer processors; microprocessors; central processing units (CPUs); arithmetic logic units (ALUs); input / output (IO) circuits; internal memory / cache (program and / or data); processing registers; communication buses (e.g., control, data, and / or address buses); direct memory access (DMA) functionality; hardware or software-implemented counters, pointers, and / or timers; and / or the like. Various other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0273] A base station may comprise a "distributed" base station having a central unit "CU" and one or more separate distributed units (DUs).

[0274] A user equipment (or "UE," "mobile station," "mobile device," or "wireless device") in the present disclosure is an entity connected to a network via a wireless interface.

[0275] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to dedicated communication devices, and as explained in the following paragraphs, can be applied to any device having a communication function.

[0276] The terms "user equipment" or "UE" (as that term is used by 3GPP), "mobile station", "mobile device" and "wireless device" are generally intended to be synonymous with each other, and include standalone mobile stations, such as terminals, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, cellular IoT devices, IoT devices and machines, etc. It will be understood that the terms "mobile station" and "mobile device" also encompass devices that remain stationary for long periods of time.

[0277] UE can be, for example, a device for production or manufacturing and / or an energy-related machine (for example, equipment or machinery such as: boilers; engines; turbines; solar panels; wind turbines; hydroelectric generators; thermal generators; nuclear power generators; batteries; nuclear systems and / or related equipment; heavy electrical machinery; pumps including vacuum pumps; compressors; fans; blowers; oil pressure equipment; pneumatic equipment; metal processing machinery; manipulators; robots and / or their application systems; tools; injection molding molds or die-casting molds; reels; conveying equipment; lifting equipment; material handling equipment; textile machinery; sewing machines; printing and / or related machinery; paper processing machinery; chemical machinery; mining and / or construction machinery and / or related equipment; machinery and / or tools for agriculture, forestry and / or fisheries; safety and / or environmental protection equipment; tractors; precision bearings; chains; gears; power transmission equipment; lubrication equipment; valves; pipe fittings; and / or application systems of any of the aforementioned equipment or machinery; etc.).

[0278] A UE may be, for example, a transportation device (e.g., a transportation device such as a rolling stock; a motor vehicle; a motorcycle; a bicycle; a train; a bus; a cart; a rickshaw; ships and other watercraft; an airplane; a rocket; a satellite; a drone; a balloon; etc.).

[0279] UE may be, for example, a type of information and communication equipment (eg, information and communication equipment such as: electronic computers and related equipment; communication and related equipment; electronic components; etc.).

[0280] UE can be, for example, a refrigerator, a product using a refrigerator, a trade and / or service industry equipment, a vending machine, an automatic service machine, an office machine or equipment, consumer electronics and electronic equipment (for example, consumer electronic devices such as: audio equipment; video equipment; speakers; radios; televisions; microwave ovens; rice cookers; coffee machines; dishwashers; washing machines; dryers; electric fans or related equipment; vacuum cleaners; etc.).

[0281] The UE may be, for example, an electrical application system or device (eg, an electrical application system or device such as: x-ray system; particle accelerator; radioisotope device; sonic wave device; electromagnetic application device; electronic power application device; etc.).

[0282] A UE may be, for example, an electronic lamp, a luminaire, a measuring instrument, an analyzer, a tester, or a mapping or sensing instrument (e.g., a mapping or sensing instrument such as: a smoke alarm; a human alarm sensor; a motion sensor; a wireless tag; etc.), a watch or clock, a laboratory instrument, an optical device, a medical device and / or system, a weapon, a piece of cutlery, a hand tool, or the like.

[0283] A UE may be, for example, a wirelessly equipped personal digital assistant or related equipment such as a wireless card or module designed to be attached to or inserted into another electronic device (eg, a personal computer, an electrical measuring machine, etc.).

[0284] A UE may be a part of a system or a device that uses various wired and / or wireless communication technologies to provide applications, services, and solutions described below regarding the “Internet of Things” (IoT).

[0285] IoT devices (or "things") may be equipped with appropriate electronics, software, sensors, network connectivity, and / or the like that enable these devices to collect and exchange data with each other and with other communication devices. IoT devices may include automated devices that follow software instructions stored in internal memory. IoT devices may operate without the need for human supervision or interaction. IoT devices may also remain stationary and / or inactive for long periods of time. IoT devices may be implemented as part of a (generally) stationary device. IoT devices may also be embedded in non-stationary devices (e.g., vehicles), or attached to an animal or person to be monitored / tracked.

[0286] It will be appreciated that IoT technology may be implemented on any communication device that can connect to a communication network for sending / receiving data, regardless of whether such communication device is controlled by human input or by software instructions stored in memory.

[0287] It will be understood that IoT devices are sometimes also referred to as machine type communication (MTC) devices or machine to machine (M2M) communication devices. It will be understood that a UE may support one or more than one IoT or MTC applications. Some examples of MTC applications are listed in the following table. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to indicate some examples of machine type communication applications.

[0288]

[0289]

[0290] The applications, services and solutions may be MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) services, emergency radio communication systems, PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems, PHS / digital cordless telecommunication systems, POS (Point of Sale) systems, advertising call systems, MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Services), V2X (Vehicle to Everything) systems, train radio systems, location-related services, disaster / emergency wireless communication services, community services, video streaming services, femtocell application services, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) services, billing services, radio on demand services, roaming services, activity monitoring services, telecommunications carrier / communication NW selection services, feature restriction services, PoC (Proof of Concept) services, personal information management services, ad-hoc network / DTN (Delay Tolerant Network) services, etc.

[0291] In addition, the above UE categories are merely examples of applications of the technical ideas and exemplary embodiments described herein. Needless to say, these technical ideas and exemplary embodiments are not limited to the above UE, and various modifications may be made to the UE.

[0292] Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

[0293] The whole or part of the exemplary embodiments disclosed above may be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0294] (Supplementary Note 1)

[0295] A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

[0296] receiving, from an access network node, at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node;

[0297] identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated; and

[0298] Based on the at least one network energy saving configuration, and when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated, the operation of the UE is configured.

[0299] (Supplementary Note 2)

[0300] The method according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one of the following configurations:

[0301] at least one time domain configuration, comprising configuration of at least one time domain resource for energy saving at the access network node;

[0302] at least one frequency domain configuration, comprising configuration of at least one frequency domain resource for energy saving at the access network node;

[0303] at least one spatial domain configuration comprising a transmitter or receiver configuration to be applied at the access network node to provide energy savings; and

[0304] At least one power domain configuration comprising a power configuration to be applied at the access network node to provide energy savings.

[0305] (Supplementary Note 3)

[0306] The method according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein, in the case where the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one time domain configuration, the at least one time domain configuration defines at least one time period during which the at least one network energy saving configuration will be active.

[0307] (Supplementary Note 4)

[0308] The method according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the at least one time domain configuration includes an indication of at least one of the following items:

[0309] at least one periodicity of the at least one time period;

[0310] at least one offset representing a start time of the at least one time period;

[0311] at least one granularity for the at least one time period;

[0312] at least one duration of the at least one time period;

[0313] at least one timer value for timing the at least one time period; and

[0314] At least one time of day corresponding to the at least one time period.

[0315] (Supplementary Note 5)

[0316] The method according to Supplementary Note 3 or 4, wherein the at least one time domain configuration comprises timing information indicating at least a portion of the at least one time period during which network energy saving will be active or inactive.

[0317] (Supplementary Note 6)

[0318] The method according to supplementary note 5, wherein the timing information indicates at least one pattern of time domain resources within the at least one time period in which network energy saving will be active or inactive.

[0319] (Supplementary Note 7)

[0320] The method according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the timing information includes at least one bitmap for indicating at least one pattern of time domain resources.

[0321] (Supplementary Note 8)

[0322] The method according to supplementary note 6 or 7, wherein the timing information comprises at least one offset to indicate the start of at least one pattern of time domain resources.

[0323] (Supplementary Note 9)

[0324] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 5 to 8, wherein the at least one time domain configuration includes a granularity for the timing information.

[0325] (Supplementary Note 10)

[0326] A method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 9, wherein the at least one network energy-saving configuration includes multiple time domain configurations, each of the multiple time domain configurations defines a corresponding time period, during which the network energy-saving configuration will be active, wherein the corresponding time periods defined by each of the multiple time domain configurations have different corresponding periodicities.

[0327] (Supplementary Note 11)

[0328] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 10, further comprising:

[0329] determining whether the reference signal to be measured will coincide with a time when network power saving is active; and

[0330] In case a reference signal to be measured would coincide with a time when network energy saving is active, the reference signal to be measured is excluded from the measurement.

[0331] (Supplementary Note 12)

[0332] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 3 to 11, further comprising:

[0333] determining whether a reference signal to be transmitted will coincide with a time when network power saving is active; and

[0334] In case a reference signal to be transmitted would coincide with a time when network power saving is active, the reference signal to be transmitted is excluded from the transmission.

[0335] (Supplementary Note 13)

[0336] A method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein the at least one network energy saving configuration comprises an indication of a time at which the at least one network energy saving configuration will be activated, and the identification is based on the indication of a time at which the at least one network energy saving configuration will be activated.

[0337] (Supplementary Note 14)

[0338] A method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 13, wherein, in a case where the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one frequency domain configuration, the at least one frequency domain configuration defines a reconfiguration of at least one frequency resource to be applied when the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0339] (Supplementary Note 15)

[0340] The method according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration comprises an indication that a reduced reference signal density is to be applied if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0341] (Supplementary Note 16)

[0342] The method according to supplementary note 14 or 15, wherein the indication of applying a reduced reference signal density is used to indicate a density scaling factor to be applied to a current reference signal density to achieve the reduced reference signal density.

[0343] (Supplementary Note 17)

[0344] The method according to any of Supplementary Notes 14 to 16, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration indicates at least one reduced bandwidth to be applied if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0345] (Supplementary Note 18)

[0346] The method according to Supplementary Note 17, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration includes a frequency offset indicating a starting position of a bandwidth to be used by the UE within the at least one reduced bandwidth.

[0347] (Supplementary Note 19)

[0348] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 14 to 18, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration indicates a UE-specific bandwidth portion to be used if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0349] (Supplementary Note 20)

[0350] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 14 to 19, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration indicates at least one bandwidth part scaling factor to be applied with respect to at least one bandwidth part to achieve at least one reduced bandwidth.

[0351] (Supplementary Note 21)

[0352] The method according to Supplementary Note 20, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration indicates a mapping between the at least one bandwidth part scaling factor and the at least one bandwidth part to which the bandwidth part scaling factor is to be applied.

[0353] (Supplementary Note 22)

[0354] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 14 to 21, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration indicates at least one pattern of frequency domain resources that will be active or inactive if the at least one network energy saving configuration is active.

[0355] (Supplementary Note 23)

[0356] The method according to Supplementary Note 22, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration comprises at least one bitmap to indicate a pattern of frequency domain resources.

[0357] (Supplementary Note 24)

[0358] The method according to Supplementary Note 22 or 23, wherein the at least one frequency domain configuration includes a granularity of a pattern for frequency domain resources.

[0359] (Supplementary Note 25)

[0360] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 24, wherein

[0361] The UE is configured with a default bandwidth portion, and

[0362] Wherein, in the case that the default bandwidth portion is not the current active bandwidth portion, the configuration includes: redefining the current active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving as a new default bandwidth portion.

[0363] (Supplementary Note 26)

[0364] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 24, wherein

[0365] The UE is configured with a default bandwidth portion and an inactivity timer for timing a period of inactivity, after which the UE is configured to switch back to the default bandwidth portion, and

[0366] Wherein, in a case where the default bandwidth portion is not the current active bandwidth portion, the configuration includes prohibiting the operation of the inactivity timer so that the UE continues to use the current active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving.

[0367] (Supplementary Note 27)

[0368] A method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 26, wherein the UE is configured with at least one first bandwidth part for use when network energy saving is not active and at least one second bandwidth part for use when network energy saving is active, and wherein the configuration includes switching from at least one first bandwidth part to at least one second bandwidth part.

[0369] (Supplementary Note 28)

[0370] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 27, further comprising:

[0371] receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal reporting configuration indicating at least one reference signal set for reporting to the access network node and at least one transceiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set;

[0372] measuring the at least one reference signal set; and

[0373] reporting the measurement result to the access network node,

[0374] In which, when the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one spatial domain configuration, the at least one spatial domain configuration indicates at least one transceiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurement, and the measurement is a measurement reported by the UE for at least one reference signal set associated with the at least one transceiver configuration selected by the access network node.

[0375] (Supplementary Note 29)

[0376] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 28, further comprising:

[0377] receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal resource configuration indicating at least one set of resources used for transmission of at least one reference signal set and at least one receiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set;

[0378] transmitting the at least one reference signal set to the access network node using the at least one resource set,

[0379] In which, when the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one spatial domain configuration, the at least one spatial domain configuration indicates at least one receiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurement, and the measurement is a measurement of at least one reference signal set associated with the at least one receiver configuration selected by the access network node and transmitted by the UE.

[0380] (Supplementary Note 30)

[0381] A method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 29, wherein, when the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one power domain configuration, the at least one power domain configuration indicates at least one of a power scaling factor and a sleep mode type to be applied at the access network node for network energy saving.

[0382] (Supplementary Note 31)

[0383] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 30, wherein the at least one network energy saving configuration includes at least one joint configuration indicating a mapping between a plurality of different configurations, the plurality of different configurations including at least two of the following configurations:

[0384] Time domain configuration;

[0385] Frequency domain configuration;

[0386] Spatial domain configuration; and

[0387] Power domain configuration.

[0388] (Supplementary Note 32)

[0389] A user equipment, namely, UE, includes:

[0390] means for receiving, from an access network node, at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node;

[0391] means for identifying when said at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated; and

[0392] Means for configuring operation of the UE based on the at least one network energy saving configuration and when the at least one network energy saving configuration has been activated.

[0393] (Supplementary Note 33)

[0394] A method performed by an access network node, the method comprising:

[0395] transmitting at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node to a user equipment (UE);

[0396] identifying when the at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated;

[0397] activating the at least one network energy saving configuration; and

[0398] The operation of the access network node is configured based on the at least one network energy saving configuration transmitted to the UE.

[0399] (Supplementary Note 34)

[0400] An access network node, comprising:

[0401] means for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) at least one network energy saving configuration for energy saving at the access network node;

[0402] means for identifying when said at least one network energy saving configuration is to be activated;

[0403] means for activating said at least one network energy saving configuration; and

[0404] Means for configuring operation of the access network node based on the at least one network energy saving configuration transmitted to the UE.

[0405] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from UK patent application 2209589.7 filed on 29 June 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0406] Reference numerals list

[0407] 3 UE

[0408] 5 Radio Access Network (RAN) Nodes

[0409] 7 Core Network

[0410] 9 Residential Area

[0411] 10 CPF

[0412] 11 UPF< / timedomainpatternbitmap> < / timedomainpatternbitmap>

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, from an access network node, network energy saving configuration information for energy saving at the access network node; determining whether measurement of a reference signal (RS) will be limited due to energy saving at the access network node; and Operation of the UE for measurement of the RS is configured based on the determination.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The network energy saving configuration information indicates at least one of the following configurations: time domain configuration, comprising configuration of at least one time domain resource for energy saving at the access network node; frequency domain configuration, comprising configuration of at least one frequency domain resource for energy saving at the access network node; a spatial domain configuration comprising a transmitter or receiver configuration for energy saving at said access network node; as well as a power domain configuration including a power configuration for energy saving at said access network node, and The determining includes determining, based on the network energy saving configuration information, whether measurement of the RS will be restricted due to energy saving related to at least one of a time domain, a frequency domain, a space domain, and a power domain at the access network node.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The network energy saving configuration information indicates at least one joint configuration for indicating a mapping between multiple configurations, where the multiple configurations include at least two of the following configurations: Time domain configuration; Frequency domain configuration; Spatial domain configuration; and Power domain configuration.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: receiving information for activating or deactivating at least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information, and The determination is performed based on at least one activated or deactivated energy saving configuration.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The information for activating or deactivating the at least one network energy saving configuration indicates activating or deactivating a plurality of network energy saving configurations simultaneously.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The information for activating or deactivating the at least one network energy saving configuration is transmitted in at least one of downlink control information (DCI) and medium access control-control element (MAC-CE).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information is configured to be activated within a predetermined periodicity.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In case the at least one network energy saving configuration comprises a time domain configuration, the time domain configuration defines at least one time resource subject to energy saving at the access network node.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The time domain configuration includes an indication of at least one of the following: a periodicity corresponding to the time domain configuration; An offset representing a start time corresponding to the time domain configuration; The granularity of the time resource; the duration of the temporal resource; a timer value for timing corresponding to the time domain configuration, and The time of day corresponding to the time domain configuration.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The time domain configuration defines at least one time resource that is subject to energy saving at the access network node and defines at least one time resource that is not subject to the energy saving.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The time domain configuration indicates a pattern of at least one time resource subject to energy saving at the access network node and / or at least one time resource not subject to energy saving at the access network node.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The time domain configuration includes a bitmap to indicate at least one time resource subject to energy saving at the access network node and / or at least one time resource not subject to energy saving at the access network node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: In case the network energy saving configuration information indicates a frequency domain configuration, the frequency domain configuration defines at least one frequency resource subject to network energy saving at the access network node.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The frequency domain configuration includes an indication that a reduced reference signal density is to be applied if at least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information is active.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The indication is used to indicate a scaling factor to be applied to a current reference signal density to achieve the reduced reference signal density.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein: The frequency domain configuration indicates a reduced bandwidth to be applied if at least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information is active.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The frequency domain configuration includes a frequency offset indicating a starting position of a bandwidth to be used by the UE within the reduced bandwidth.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein: The frequency domain configuration indicates a UE-specific bandwidth portion to be used if at least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information is active.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein: The frequency domain configuration indicates at least one bandwidth part scaling factor to be applied with respect to at least one bandwidth part to achieve the reduced bandwidth.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The frequency domain configuration indicates a mapping between the at least one bandwidth part scaling factor and the at least one bandwidth part to which the bandwidth part scaling factor is to be applied.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein: The frequency domain configuration indicates at least one pattern of at least one frequency resource to be active or inactive if at least one network energy saving configuration indicated in the network energy saving configuration information is active.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The frequency domain configuration includes a bitmap for indicating a pattern of at least one frequency resource.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein: The frequency domain configuration includes a granularity of a pattern for at least one frequency resource.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein: The UE is configured with a default bandwidth portion, and In case the default bandwidth portion is not the currently active bandwidth portion, the configuring includes redefining the currently active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving as a new default bandwidth portion.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein: The UE is configured with a default bandwidth portion and an inactivity timer for timing a period of inactivity, after which the UE is configured to switch back to the default bandwidth portion, and In case the default bandwidth portion is not a currently active bandwidth portion, the configuring includes disabling operation of the inactivity timer to cause the UE to continue to use the currently active bandwidth portion configured for network energy saving at the access network node.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein: The UE is configured with a first bandwidth portion for use if network power saving is not active and a second bandwidth portion for use if network power saving is active, and The configuring includes switching from a first bandwidth portion to a second bandwidth portion.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 26, further comprising: receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal reporting configuration indicating at least one reference signal set for reporting to the access network node and at least one transceiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set; measuring the at least one reference signal set; as well as reporting the measurement result to the access network node, In which, when the network energy saving configuration information indicates a spatial domain configuration, the spatial domain configuration indicates a transceiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurements, and the measurements are measurements reported by the UE for at least one reference signal set associated with the transceiver configuration selected by the access network node.

28. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27, further comprising: receiving, from the access network node, a reference signal resource configuration indicating at least one set of resources used for transmission of at least one reference signal set and at least one receiver configuration associated with the at least one reference signal set; transmitting the at least one reference signal set to the access network node using the at least one set of resources, In which, when the network energy saving configuration information indicates a spatial domain configuration, the spatial domain configuration indicates at least one receiver configuration selected by the access network node for network energy saving based on measurement, and the measurement is a measurement of at least one reference signal set transmitted by the UE and associated with the receiver configuration selected by the access network node.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein: In the case where the network energy saving configuration information indicates a power domain configuration, the power domain configuration indicates at least one of the following items to be applied at the access network node for network energy saving: Power scaling factor, and Sleep mode type.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein: The RS includes at least one of the following: Channel State Information-Reference Signal, or CSI-RS, and Sounding Reference Signal is SRS.

31. A user equipment, namely, UE, comprising: means for receiving, from an access network node, network energy saving configuration information for energy saving at the access network node; means for determining whether measurement of a reference signal, RS, will be limited due to energy saving at said access network node; as well as Means for configuring operation of the UE for measurement of the RS based on the determination.

32. A method performed by an access network node, the method comprising: Transmitting network energy saving configuration information for energy saving at the access network node to a user equipment (UE), the network energy saving configuration information enabling the UE to determine whether measurement of a reference signal (RS) by the UE will be restricted due to energy saving at the access network node; as well as activating at least one of the network energy saving configurations indicated by the network energy saving configuration information; and Operation of the access network node is configured based on the activation.

33. An access network node, comprising: means for transmitting network energy saving configuration information for energy saving at the access network node to a user equipment (UE), the network energy saving configuration information enabling the UE to determine whether the UE's measurement of a reference signal (RS) will be restricted due to energy saving at the access network node; A component for activating at least one of the network energy saving configurations indicated by the network energy saving configuration information; as well as Means for configuring operation of the access network node based on the activation.

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