Method and apparatus for PRACH resource and tracking reference signal adaptation in wireless communications

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) configured to decode a system information block (SIB) based on signaling received from a base station, the system information block (SIB) including a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and determining that one of the PRACH configurations from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel (RAK) procedure.

Description

[0001] Priority / Incorporated by Reference

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 371,100, filed on August 11, 2022, entitled “Method and Apparatus for PRACH Resource and Tracking Reference Signal Adaptation in Wireless Communication,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Typically, energy saving mechanisms are designed to save power at the user equipment (UE). However, energy consumption at the network end is also a concern, and network power saving mechanisms may also be utilized. It has been recognized that techniques configured to support specific implementations of network power saving mechanisms are needed. Summary of the invention

[0004] Some exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having a processing circuit configured to: decode a system information block (SIB) including a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when the base station uses a power saving mode based on signaling received from a base station; and determine that one of the PRACH configurations from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0005] Other exemplary embodiments relate to a processor configured to: decode a system information block (SIB) based on signaling received from a base station, the system information block (SIB) including a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and determine that one of the PRACH configurations from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0006] Another exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus of a base station, the apparatus having processing circuitry configured to: configure a transceiver circuit to send a system information block (SIB) including a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and configure the transceiver circuit to send downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE), the DCI indicating that one PRACH configuration from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0007] Additional exemplary embodiments relate to a processor configured to: configure a transceiver circuit to send a system information block (SIB) comprising a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when a base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and configure the transceiver circuit to send downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE), the DCI indicating that one PRACH configuration from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment also relates to a device of a user equipment (UE), the device having a processing circuit configured to: decode a signal from signaling received from a base station, the signal including multiple tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and decode downlink control information (DCI) from signaling received from the base station, the downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more TRS resource sets among the multiple TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

[0009] More exemplary embodiments relate to a processor configured to: decode a signal from signaling received from a base station, the signal comprising multiple tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and decode downlink control information (DCI) from signaling received from the base station, the downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more of the multiple TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

[0010] Another exemplary embodiment relates to an apparatus of a base station, the apparatus having processing circuitry configured to: configure a transceiver circuit to send a signal to a user equipment (UE), the signal comprising a plurality of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and configure the transceiver circuit to send downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more of the plurality of TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

[0011] Still further exemplary embodiments relate to a processor configured to: configure a transceiver circuit to send a signal to a user equipment (UE), the signal comprising a plurality of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and configure the transceiver circuit to send downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more of the plurality of TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 Exemplary network arrangements are shown according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0013] Figure 2 An exemplary user equipment (UE) is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

[0014] Figure 3 An exemplary base station according to various exemplary embodiments is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 Methods for dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources according to various exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0016] Figure 5 An example Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

[0017] Figure 6 Tables according to various exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0018] Figure 7 Methods for dynamic adaptation of Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources according to various exemplary embodiments are shown.

[0019] Figure 8 Examples of DCI according to various exemplary embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and associated drawings, wherein like elements are provided with like reference numerals.The exemplary embodiments introduce techniques configured to support specific implementations of network power saving mechanisms.

[0021] The exemplary embodiments are described with respect to user equipment (UE). However, reference to UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary embodiments may be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any electronic component.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments are also described with reference to a fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) network and a next generation Node B (gNB). However, reference to a 5G NR network and gNB is provided for illustration purposes only. The exemplary embodiments may be utilized with any suitable type of network and base station.

[0023] The exemplary embodiments are further described with respect to a network power saving mode (PSM). Throughout the description, the term "PSM" may be used to refer to time intervals during which the gNB utilizes a sleep mode to save power. Reference to PSM or sleep mode does not necessarily imply sleeping, dormant, or deactivating processing components, transmission components, and / or reception components of a cell operated by the gNB. Rather, the PSM described herein involves saving power by interrupting at least a subset of the data exchange processing functionality associated with operating as a base station. Outside of the PSM, the gNB may use an active mode of data exchange processing to send and / or receive traffic that was not exchanged during the PSM. However, reference to the term "PSM" is provided for illustrative purposes only, and different entities may refer to similar concepts by different names.

[0024] The following non-limiting examples describe some types of operations that may be interrupted during PSM. The gNB may interrupt transmission of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the gNB may interrupt transmission of the periodic tracking reference signal (TRS), the gNB may interrupt reception of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the gNB may interrupt transmission and reception of various different types of periodic / semi-persistent (SP) signals (e.g., synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), physical random access channel (PRACH) resources, periodic channel state information (CSI) reports, periodic CSI reference signal (RS), semi-persistent (SP) CSI-RS, periodic sounding reference signal (SRS), SPSRS, etc.).

[0025] When the gNB is in PSM, the UE may be configured to interrupt or omit various different types of operations. That is, the UE may adapt its behavior to the gNB's PSM to ensure that the UE does not perform operations for sending signals that will not actually be received by the gNB due to PSM, or performs operations for receiving signals that will not actually be sent by the gNB due to PSM.

[0026] The following non-limiting examples describe exemplary UE behavior when the gNB is in PSM. The UE may interrupt sending PRACH resources during random access channel (RACH) opportunities, the UE may not attempt to measure CSI-RS resources (e.g., periodic CSI-RS, SP CSI-RS, TRS), the UE may interrupt beam failure detection measurements, the UE may interrupt beam failure recovery measurements, the UE may interrupt reporting periodic / SP / aperiodic (AP) CSI on and for the serving cell, the UE may interrupt sending a configured grant PUSCH, the UE may interrupt monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on and for the serving cell, the UE may interrupt sending PUCCH (including scheduling request (SR) physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmissions) on the serving cell, the UE may interrupt sending periodic / SP SRS on the serving cell, and the UE may not receive SSBs. However, these examples are provided for illustrative purposes and the UE behavior may be adapted to the PSM configuration. The exemplary embodiments do not require the UE to behave in any particular way during PSM.

[0027] According to some aspects, exemplary embodiments introduce techniques for dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources for network power saving. As will be described in more detail below, exemplary embodiments may inform the UE which PRACH configuration will be utilized during PSM. Exemplary embodiments may be utilized independently of each other, in conjunction with other currently implemented network power saving techniques, in conjunction with future implementations of network power saving techniques, or independently of other network power saving techniques.

[0028] According to other aspects, exemplary embodiments introduce techniques for dynamic adaptation of periodic TRS resource sets for network power saving. As will be described in more detail below, exemplary embodiments may inform the UE which TRS resource set will be utilized during PSM. Exemplary embodiments may be utilized independently of each other, in conjunction with other currently implemented network power saving techniques, in conjunction with future implementations of network power saving techniques, or independently of other network power saving techniques.

[0029] Figure 1 An exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a UE 110. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the UE 110 may be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a smart phone, a phablet, an embedded device, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc. It should also be appreciated that an actual network arrangement may include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Therefore, the example of a single UE 110 is provided for illustrative purposes only.

[0030] UE 110 may be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the network with which UE 110 may wirelessly communicate is a 5G NR radio access network (RAN) 120. However, UE 110 may also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., 5G cloud RAN, next generation RAN (NG-RAN), long term evolution (LTE) RAN, traditional cellular networks, wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.), and UE 110 may also communicate with the network via a wired connection. Referring to the exemplary embodiment, UE 110 may establish a connection with 5G NR RAN 120. Therefore, UE 110 may have a 5G NR chipset to communicate with NR RAN 120.

[0031] The 5G NR RAN 120 may be part of a cellular network that may be deployed by a network operator, such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. The 5G NR RAN 120 may include, for example, cells or base stations (Node B, eNodeB, HeNB, eNB, gNB, gNodeB, macro cell, micro cell, small cell, femto cell, etc.) configured to transmit and receive traffic from UEs equipped with appropriate cellular chipsets.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any relevant process may be performed for the UE 110 to connect to the 5G NR RAN 120. For example, as discussed above, the 5G NR RAN 120 may be associated with a particular cellular provider at which the UE 110 and / or its user has protocol and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of the 5G NR RAN 120, the UE 110 may send corresponding credential information in order to associate with the 5G NR RAN 120. More specifically, the UE 110 may be associated with a particular base station (e.g., gNB 120A).

[0033] The network arrangement 100 also includes a cellular core network 130, the Internet 140, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network service backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 may refer to an interconnected set of components that manage the operation and traffic of the cellular network. It may include an evolved packet core (EPC) and / or a 5G core (5GC). The cellular core network 130 also manages the traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140. The IMS 150 may generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to the UE 110 using the IP protocol. The IMS 150 may communicate with the cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to the UE 110. The network service backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with the Internet 140 and the cellular core network 130. The network service backbone 160 may generally be described as a collection of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a set of services that can be used to extend the functionality of the UE 110 to communicate with various networks.

[0034] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary UE 110 according to various exemplary embodiments. UE 110 sends information about Figure 1 100. UE 110 may include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input / output (I / O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. Other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a power supply, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting UE 110 to other electronic devices, etc.

[0035] The processor 205 may be configured to execute a number of engines of the UE 110. For example, the engines may include a network power saving engine 235. The network power saving engine 235 may perform various operations related to network power saving, such as, but not limited to, receiving configuration information related to PSM operation, receiving downlink control information (DCI), and adapting UE 110 behavior to PSM operation.

[0036] The engine 235 referenced above is provided as an application (e.g., program) executed by the processor 205 for illustrative purposes only. The functionality associated with the engine 235 may also be represented as a separate combined component of the UE 110, or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 110, for example, an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include an input circuit system for receiving a signal and a processing circuit system for processing signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as an application or multiple separate applications. In addition, in some UEs, the functionality described for the processor 205 is split between two or more processors (such as a baseband processor and an application processor). The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0037] Memory arrangement 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by UE 110. Display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, and I / O device 220 may be a hardware component that enables a user to enter input. Display device 215 and I / O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touch screen).

[0038] The transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with the 5G NR-RAN 120, LTE-RAN (not shown in the figure), traditional RAN (not shown in the figure), WLAN (not shown in the figure), etc. Therefore, the transceiver 225 may operate on multiple different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of continuous frequencies). The transceiver 225 may include an advanced receiver for MU-MIMO (e.g., E-MMSE-RC, R-ML, etc.). The transceiver 225 includes a circuit configured to send and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded with information for implementing any of the methods described herein. The processor 205 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 225 and configured to receive signals from and / or send signals to the transceiver 225. The processor 205 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a base station of a network) for implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0039] Figure 3 An exemplary base station 300 is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Base station 300 may represent a gNB 120A or any other access node that a UE 110 may use to establish a connection and manage network operations.

[0040] The base station 300 may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, an input / output (I / O) device 315, a transceiver 320, and other components 325. These other components 325 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, ports for electrically connecting the base station 300 to other electronic devices and / or a power source, and the like.

[0041] Processor 305 may be configured to execute multiple engines of base station 300. For example, network power saving engine 330 may perform various operations related to network power saving, such as but not limited to sending PSM configuration information, sending DCI, and turning PSM on and off.

[0042] The engine 330 described above as an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 305 is merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engine 330 may also be represented as a separate combined component of the base station 300, or may be a modular component coupled to the base station 300, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include an input circuit system for receiving signals and a processing circuit system for processing signals and other information. In addition, in some base stations, the functionality described for the processor 305 is split between multiple processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an application processor, etc.). The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the base station.

[0043] The memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the base station 300. The I / O device 315 may be a hardware component or port that enables a user to interact with the base station 300.

[0044] The transceiver 320 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a continuous frequency set). Therefore, the transceiver 320 may include one or more components (e.g., radio equipment) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs. The transceiver 320 includes a circuit configured to send and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals may be encoded with information for implementing any of the methods described herein. The processor 305 may be operably coupled to the transceiver 320 and configured to receive signals from the transceiver 320 and / or send signals to the transceiver. The processor 305 may be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a UE) for implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0045] According to some aspects, exemplary embodiments introduce techniques for dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources for network power saving.As will be described in more detail below, exemplary embodiments may enable fast RACH adaptation without requiring system information updates.

[0046] Figure 4 A method 400 for dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. The method 400 is described from the perspective of the UE 110.

[0047] In 405, UE 110 receives the SIB. The SIB may include information that enables UE 110 to subsequently perform dynamic PRACH resource adaptation. For example, the SIB may include a list of PRACH configurations that UE 110 may utilize when gNB 120A is in PSM.

[0048] In some embodiments, the SIB may be SIB1 with a RACH-ConfigGeneric IE enhanced to support prach-ConfigurationIndex and a list of message 1 (msg1) - Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) IEs. Figure 5 An example Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) 500 for these example IEs is shown in FIG. 500 . The example ASN.1 shows a "RACH-ConfigGeneric-release 18 (r18)" IE that is configured to include a prach-Configuration-List parameter corresponding to the PRACHConfig-r18 IE. The example PRACHConfig-r18 IE includes a prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter and a msg1-FDM parameter. However, the above reference to SIB1 and the example IE references are not intended to limit the example embodiments in any way. UE 110 may receive information related to dynamic PRACH resource adaptation operations in any suitable manner.

[0049] At 410, UE 110 determines when gNB 120A is to utilize PSM. For example, UE 110 may receive a signal from gNB 120A indicating that a particular PSM cycle or mode is to be utilized by gNB 120A. In another example, UE 110 may implicitly determine that gNB 120A has entered PSM.

[0050] In 415, UE 110 determines a PRACH configuration that may be used for a RACH procedure during PSM. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the PRACH configuration may indicate to UE 110 parameters such as when UE 110 is permitted to send PRACH resources and which PRACH preamble should be sent. For example, a PRACH configuration index may indicate to UE 110 which frame number and which subframe number (SFN) within a frame has PRACH resources, preamble format (e.g., 1, 2, 3, A1, A2, B2, A3, B4, C0, C1, C2, etc.), periodicity, and / or any other suitable type of parameters.

[0051] The PRACH configuration may be dynamically indicated to the UE 110 via a PRACH indication field (PIF) in the DCI. In some embodiments, the bit width of the PIF may be expressed as [log2(N)], where N represents the number of entries in the prach-configuration-list provided in 405.

[0052] The exemplary embodiment introduces a new DCI format that can be used to provide this type of information. Throughout this specification, the DCI format may be referred to as "DCI format 2_Y". In some embodiments, DCI format 2_Y includes a CRC bit scrambled with a dedicated RNTI provided to an idle mode UE via the SIB. The RNTI for DCI format 2_Y can be hard-coded in the 3GPP specification or provided in any other appropriate manner, rather than being provided via the SIB. However, reference to DCI format 2_Y is provided only for illustrative purposes, and the 2_Y classification provided herein can be used as a placeholder. In actual deployment scenarios, any appropriate number or label can be assigned to the new DCI format. In addition, the exemplary embodiment is not required to use a dedicated RNTI, and a future specific implementation of an already defined RNTI or RNTI can also be configured for DCI format 2_Y.

[0053] In some embodiments, instead of DCI format 2_Y, a different type of DCI format including information related to PSM operation, i.e., DCI format 2_X, may be introduced. DCI format 2_X may also be configured to include one or more PIFs. This may enable the network to support PRACH resource adaptation on a PSM cycle granularity. However, reference to DCI format 2_Y and DCI format 2_X is provided only for illustrative purposes. An already defined DCI format may be enhanced to include a PIF, or a PIF may be provided in any other appropriate manner.

[0054] In some embodiments, the UE 110 may implicitly determine a PRACH configuration that may be used for a RACH procedure during PSM. For example, if the PSMI field in the DCI is set to a first value (e.g., 0) indicating that the gNB 120A will enter PSM, a predefined or default PRACH configuration may be activated. In one example, the default PRACH configuration may be the PRACH configuration with the lowest index in the prach-Configuration-List. In another example, the default PRACH configuration may be the PRACH configuration with the greatest periodicity. In another example, the default PRACH configuration may be explicitly configured by a SIB (e.g., SIB1, etc.).

[0055] UE 110 may perform operations using the indicated PRACH resources at 420. For example, UE 110 may transmit the indicated PRACH preamble using the indicated PRACH resources.

[0056] Figure 6 Table 600 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. Table 600 shows an exemplary list including multiple pairs of prach-configurationIndex entries and msg1-FDM values, each pair corresponding to an entry of prach-configuration-list. Table 600 shows only a subset of parameters (e.g., index number, preamble format, periodicity) that can be associated with prach-ConfigurationIndex. However, reference to these parameters is provided for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the art will understand the types of parameters that can be associated with prach-ConfigurationIndex entries. In this example, four separate pairs are shown (e.g., the number of entries in prach-configuration-list (N) = 4). However, the reference to N = 4 is provided for illustrative purposes only, and prach-configurationIndex may include any appropriate number of entries.

[0057] To provide an example within the context of method 400, a 2-bit PIF field may be provided in a DCI (e.g., DCI format 2_Y, DCI format 2_X, etc.) that indicates a selected PRACH configuration to be used by UE 110 to accommodate PSM. In another example, when the PSMI field in the detected DCI is set to 0, the PRACH configuration index associated with #0 in the prach-configuration-list may be activated by default because it has the greatest periodicity. In another example, when the PSMI field in the detected DCI is set to 0, the PRACH configuration index associated with #4 in the prach-configuration-list may be activated by default because it is the lowest entry in the prach-configuration-list.

[0058] According to some aspects, exemplary embodiments introduce techniques for dynamic adaptation of periodic TRS resource sets. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that TRS can be configured for downlink time and frequency tracking, and each TRS resource set can be composed of multiple periodic reference signals. Exemplary embodiments can enable UE 110 to adapt to the TRS resource set to be used during PSM.

[0059] Figure 7 A method 700 for dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. The method 700 is described from the perspective of the UE 110.

[0060] In 705, UE 110 receives configuration information for multiple TRS resource sets. In this example, the RRC connected mode UE may receive configuration information for multiple TRS resource sets via dedicated RRC signaling. Throughout the specification, one or more TRS resource sets provided via RRC signaling may be represented as An RRC idle mode UE may receive configuration information for multiple TRS resource sets via SIB1. Throughout the specification, one or more TRS resource sets provided via SIB1 may be represented as However, there is no requirement that the example embodiments provide this configuration information via RRC signaling or SIB to UE 110. Example embodiments may provide this type of configuration information to UE 110 in any suitable manner.

[0061] In 710, UE 110 receives information related to DCI that may subsequently be received by UE 110. The exemplary embodiment introduces two new types of DCI that may be used for dynamic adaptation of periodic TRS resource sets. Throughout this specification, one new DCI format may be referred to as "DCI format 2_W" and another new DCI format may be referred to as "DCI format 2_Z". However, references to DCI format 2_W and DCI format 2_Z are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the 2_W and 2_Z classifications provided herein may be used as placeholders. In actual deployment scenarios, any appropriate numbers or labels may be assigned to the new DCI formats.

[0062] In some embodiments, information related to DCI format 2_W may be provided in SIB1 to UE 110. For example, SIB1 may provide a dedicated RNTI to UE 110, which may be used to CRC scramble DCI format 2_W. In other embodiments, the dedicated RNTI may be hard-coded in the 3GPP specification, or provided to UE 110 in any other suitable manner. Subsequently, the RRC idle mode UE may use the dedicated RNTI to process DCI format 2_W.

[0063] In other embodiments, information related to DCI format 2_Z may be provided to UE 110 via dedicated RRC signaling. For example, one or more RRC signals may provide a dedicated RNTI to UE 110, which may be used to CRC scramble DCI format 2_Z. In other embodiments, the dedicated RNTI may be hard-coded in the 3GPP specification, or provided to UE 110 in any other suitable manner. The dedicated RNTI may be cell-specific (e.g., RRC signaling) or group-specific (e.g., predefined, hard-coded in 3GPP, etc.).

[0064] In addition, the information related to DCI may also include the payload size of DCI format 2_W, the positioning of the starting position of the TRS indication (TRSI) field for the serving cell in DCI format 2_W, the search space set configuration for monitoring DCI format 2_W, the payload size of DCI format 2_Z, the positioning of the starting position of the TRSI field for the serving cell in DCI format 2_Z, the search space set configuration for monitoring DCI format 2_Z, any combination thereof and / or any other appropriate type of information.

[0065] At 715, UE 110 determines when gNB 120A is to utilize PSM. For example, UE 110 may receive a signal from gNB 120A indicating that a particular PSM cycle or mode is to be utilized by gNB 120A. In another example, UE 110 may implicitly determine that gNB 120A has entered PSM.

[0066] In 720, UE 110 receives DCI (e.g., DCI format 2_W, DCI format 2_Z, etc.). In 725, UE 110 determines which TRS resource set is activated for PSM. For example, the DCI may indicate to UE 110 which TRS resource set is activated for PSM. In 730, UE 110 performs operations using the indicated TRS resource set. However, in some examples, no TRS resource set may be activated.

[0067] Figure 8 An example of DCI 800 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. Example DCI 800 may represent an example of DCI format 2_W or DCI format 2_Z.

[0068] DCI 800 includes multiple TRSI fields (e.g., TRSI#1, TRSI#2, ..., TRSI#K). The bit width of the TRSI field may be expressed as [log2(M+1)] bits, where M is the number of TRS resource sets previously configured (e.g., 705) by SIB or RRC signaling. In some embodiments, the state of the TRSI field may be reserved to indicate that all configured TRS resource sets are deactivated. Accordingly, in some embodiments, [log2(M+1)] may be used instead of [log2(M)]. In addition, the exemplary DCI 800 may include other fields that may carry any other suitable type of information and may be scrambled by the CRC.

[0069] In some embodiments, a 2-bit TRSI field may be used for TRS resource set adaptation. To provide an example, in 705 of method 700, UE 110 may be configured with three TRS resource sets via SIB or RRC signaling. The DCI in 720 may use a 2-bit TRSI field to dynamically indicate which TRS resource set may be used by gNB 120A. A TRSI field set to a value of "01" may indicate that a first TRS resource set is activated, a TRSI field set to a value of "10" may indicate that a second TRS resource set is activated, and a TRSI field set to a value of "11" may indicate that a third TRS resource set is activated. As described above, one TRS field value (e.g., "00") may be utilized to indicate that all TRS resource sets are to be deactivated.

[0070] Example

[0071] In a first embodiment, a method is performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a system information block (SIB) from a base station, the system information block (SIB) comprising a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration set for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and determining that one of the PRACH configurations from the PRACH configuration set is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0072] In a second embodiment, the method according to the first embodiment, wherein the SIB includes a first information element (IE), the first information element (IE) including a list of prach-configurationIndex IEs.

[0073] In a third embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein the first IE further includes a list of message 1 (msg1) - frequency division multiplexing (FDM) IEs.

[0074] In a fourth embodiment, according to the method of the first embodiment, the method further comprises receiving downlink control information (DCI), the DCI indicating which PRACH configuration has been selected by the base station for the power saving mode.

[0075] In a fifth embodiment, according to the method of the fourth embodiment, the DCI includes a PRACH configuration indication field (PIF), and the PRACH configuration indication field (PIF) is configured to dynamically indicate a PRACH configuration from the PRACH configuration set.

[0076] In a sixth embodiment, the method according to the fifth embodiment, wherein the bit width of the PIF is based on the number of entries in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB.

[0077] In a seventh embodiment, the method according to the fourth embodiment, wherein the DCI includes a power saving mode indicator (PSMI) set to a first value indicating that a default PRACH configuration is to be used for a power saving mode.

[0078] In an eighth embodiment, the method according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a lowest index in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB from the PRACH configuration set.

[0079] In a ninth embodiment, the method according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a maximum periodicity from the PRACH configuration set.

[0080] In a tenth embodiment, the method according to the seventh embodiment, wherein the default PRACH configuration is explicitly indicated in the SIB.

[0081] In an eleventh embodiment, a processor is provided, wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the methods described in accordance with the first to tenth embodiments.

[0082] In a twelfth embodiment, a user equipment (UE) comprises: a transceiver, the transceiver being configured to communicate with a network; and a processor, the processor being communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform any one of the methods described in the first to tenth embodiments.

[0083] In a thirteenth embodiment, a method performed by a base station, the method comprising: sending a system information block (SIB), the system information block (SIB) comprising a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration set for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and sending downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE), the DCI indicating that a PRACH configuration from the PRACH configuration set is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) process.

[0084] In a fourteenth embodiment, the method according to the thirteenth embodiment, wherein the SIB includes a first information element (IE), and the first information element (IE) includes a list of prach-configurationIndex IEs.

[0085] In a fifteenth embodiment, the method according to the fourteenth embodiment, wherein the first IE further includes a list of message 1 (msg1)-frequency division multiplexing (FDM) IEs.

[0086] In a sixteenth embodiment, the method according to the thirteenth embodiment, wherein the DCI includes a PRACH configuration indicator field (PIF), and the PRACH configuration indicator field (PIF) is configured to dynamically indicate a PRACH configuration from the PRACH configuration set.

[0087] In a seventeenth embodiment, the method according to the sixteenth embodiment, wherein the bit width of the PIF is based on the number of entries in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB.

[0088] In an eighteenth embodiment, the method according to the thirteenth embodiment, wherein the DCI includes a power saving mode indicator (PSMI) set to a first value indicating that a default PRACH configuration is to be used for a power saving mode.

[0089] In a nineteenth embodiment, the method according to the eighteenth embodiment, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a lowest index in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB from the PRACH configuration set.

[0090] In a twentieth embodiment, according to the method of the eighteenth embodiment, the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a maximum periodicity from the PRACH configuration set.

[0091] In a twenty-first embodiment, the method according to embodiment 18, wherein the default PRACH configuration is explicitly indicated in the SIB.

[0092] In a twenty-second embodiment, a processor is provided, wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the methods described in accordance with the thirteenth to twenty-first embodiments.

[0093] In a twenty-third embodiment, a base station comprises: a transceiver configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE); and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform any one of the methods described in embodiments 13 to 21.

[0094] In a twenty-fourth embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a signal from a base station, the signal comprising multiple tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and receiving downlink control information (DCI), the downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more TRS resource sets among the multiple TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

[0095] In a twenty-fifth embodiment, the method according to the twenty-fourth embodiment, wherein the signal is a system information block (SIB).

[0096] In a twenty-sixth embodiment, the method according to the twenty-fourth embodiment, wherein the signal is provided by dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0097] In a twenty-seventh embodiment, according to the method of the twenty-fourth embodiment, the signal further includes the payload size of the DCI.

[0098] In a twenty-eighth embodiment, according to the method of the twenty-fourth embodiment, the signal further includes a starting location of a TRS indicator (TRSI) field associated with a serving cell of the UE within the DCI.

[0099] In a twenty-ninth embodiment, according to the method of the twenty-fourth embodiment, the signal further includes a search space set configuration for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to detect the DCI.

[0100] In a thirtieth embodiment, according to the method of the twenty-fourth embodiment, the method further includes receiving a dedicated radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for the DCI.

[0101] In a thirty-first embodiment, the method according to the twenty-fourth embodiment, wherein the dedicated RNTI is cell-specific.

[0102] In a thirty-second embodiment, according to the method described in the twenty-fourth embodiment, the method also includes receiving a dedicated radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for the DCI, wherein the dedicated RNTI is group-specific and is provided to the UE via dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0103] In a thirty-third embodiment, a method according to the twenty-fourth embodiment is provided, wherein the DCI includes one or more TRS indicator fields, and the one or more TRS indicator fields are configured to dynamically indicate whether a TRS resource set among the multiple TRS resource sets is selected by the base station.

[0104] In a thirty-fourth embodiment, the method according to the thirty-third embodiment, wherein the number of bits used for the first TRS indicator field is based at least on the amount of the plurality of TRS resource sets.

[0105] In a thirty-fifth embodiment, a method according to the thirty-fourth embodiment is provided, wherein the number of bits used for the first TRS indicator field is further based on the amount of the multiple TRS resource sets plus an additional bit configured to indicate that all of the multiple TRS resource sets are to be deactivated.

[0106] In a thirty-sixth embodiment, according to the method described in the thirty-third embodiment, the method also includes: when the DCI indicates that one TRS resource set among the multiple TRS resource sets has been selected by the base station, the value in the first TRS indicator field indicates a specific one of the multiple TRS resource sets.

[0107] In a thirty-seventh embodiment, according to the method of the thirty-third embodiment, the TRS indicator field of the DCI contains a value configured to indicate that the plurality of TRS resource sets are to be deactivated for PSM.

[0108] In a thirty-eighth embodiment, a processor is configured to execute any one of the methods described in embodiments twenty-four to thirty-seven.

[0109] In a thirty-ninth embodiment, a user equipment (UE) comprises: a transceiver configured to communicate with a network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform any one of the methods described in embodiments twenty-four to thirty-seven.

[0110] In a fortieth embodiment, a method performed by a base station, the method comprising: sending a signal to a user equipment (UE), the signal comprising a plurality of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and sending downlink control information (DCI), the downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more of the plurality of TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

[0111] In a 41st embodiment, the method according to the 40th embodiment, wherein the signal is a system information block (SIB).

[0112] In a 42nd embodiment, the method according to the 40th embodiment, wherein the signal is provided by dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0113] In a forty-third embodiment, according to the method of the fortieth embodiment, the signal further includes the payload size of the DCI.

[0114] In a forty-fourth embodiment, according to the method of the fortieth embodiment, the signal further includes a starting location of a TRS indicator (TRSI) associated with a serving cell of the UE within the DCI.

[0115] In a forty-fifth embodiment, the method according to the fortieth embodiment, wherein the signal further includes a search space set configuration for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to detect the DCI.

[0116] In a forty-sixth embodiment, according to the method described in the fortieth embodiment, the method also includes sending a dedicated radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for the DCI to the UE, wherein the dedicated RNTI is group-specific and is provided to the UE via dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0117] In a forty-seventh embodiment, a method according to the fortieth embodiment is described, wherein the DCI includes one or more TRS indicator fields, and the one or more TRS indicator fields are configured to dynamically indicate whether a TRS resource set among the multiple TRS resource sets is selected by the base station.

[0118] In a forty-eighth embodiment, the method according to the fortieth embodiment, wherein the number of bits used for the first TRS indicator field is based at least on the amount of the plurality of TRS resource sets.

[0119] In a forty-ninth embodiment, a method according to the forty-eighth embodiment is provided, wherein the number of bits used for the first TRS indicator field is further based on the amount of the multiple TRS resource sets plus an additional bit configured to indicate that all of the multiple TRS resource sets are to be deactivated.

[0120] In a fiftieth embodiment, according to the method described in the forty-eighth embodiment, the method also includes: when the DCI indicates that one of the multiple TRS resource sets has been selected by the base station, the value in the first TRS indicator field indicates a specific one of the multiple TRS resource sets.

[0121] In a fifty-first embodiment, according to the method of the fiftieth embodiment, the first TRS indicator field of the DCI contains a value configured to indicate that the multiple TRS resource sets are to be deactivated for PSM.

[0122] In a fifty-second embodiment, a processor is configured to execute any one of the methods described in accordance with the fortieth to fifty-first embodiments.

[0123] In a fifty-third embodiment, a base station comprises: a transceiver configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE); and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform any one of the methods described in embodiments 40 to 51.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented with any suitable software configuration or hardware configuration or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, etc. The exemplary embodiments of the above methods may be embodied as a program comprising lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0125] Although this application describes various embodiments, each having different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will understand that any feature of one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments in any manner that is not expressly negated or that is not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the prescribed function of the disclosed embodiment.

[0126] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0127] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers modifications and variations of the present disclosure as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for user equipment UE, the device comprising: A processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: decoding a system information block SIB based on signaling received from a base station, the system information block SIB comprising a set of physical random access channel PRACH configurations for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; as well as It is determined that one of the PRACH configurations from the PRACH configuration set is to be used for a random access channel (RACH) procedure. 2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the SIB comprises a first information element IE, and the first information element IE comprises a list of prach-configurationIndex IEs. 3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first IE further comprises a list of messages 1 msg1 - Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) IEs.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: Downlink control information DCI is decoded based on signaling received from the base station, the DCI indicating which PRACH configuration has been selected by the base station for the power saving mode. 5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the DCI comprises a PRACH configuration indication field (PIF), and the PRACH configuration indication field (PIF) is configured to dynamically indicate a PRACH configuration from the PRACH configuration set.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a bit width of the PIF is based on the number of entries in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB. 7 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the DCI comprises a power saving mode indicator (PSMI) set to a first value indicating that a default PRACH configuration is to be used for a power saving mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a lowest index in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB from the PRACH configuration set.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a maximum periodicity from the set of PRACH configurations.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the default PRACH configuration is explicitly indicated in the SIB.

11. A base station device, the device comprising a processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: configuring the transceiver circuitry to transmit a system information block (SIB) comprising a set of physical random access channel (PRACH) configurations for when the base station is to utilize a power saving mode; and The transceiver circuit is configured to send downlink control information DCI to a user equipment UE, the DCI indicating that one PRACH configuration from the set of PRACH configurations is to be used for a random access channel RACH procedure. 12 . The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the SIB comprises a first information element IE, and the first information element IE comprises a list of prach-configurationIndex IEs.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first IE further comprises a list of messages 1msg1-Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) IEs.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the DCI comprises a PRACH configuration indicator field (PIF), and the PRACH configuration indicator field (PIF) is configured to dynamically indicate one PRACH configuration from the PRACH configuration set.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein a bit width of the PIF is based on the number of entries in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the DCI comprises a power saving mode indicator (PSMI) set to a first value indicating that a default PRACH configuration is to be used for a power saving mode.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a lowest index in a prach-Configuration-list parameter provided in the SIB from the PRACH configuration set.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the default PRACH configuration is a PRACH configuration with a maximum periodicity from the set of PRACH configurations.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the default PRACH configuration is explicitly indicated in the SIB.

20. A device for user equipment UE, the device comprising: A processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to: decoding a signal from signaling received from a base station, the signal comprising a plurality of tracking reference signal (TRS) resource sets for when the base station is to utilize a power save mode; as well as Downlink control information (DCI) is decoded from signaling received from the base station, the downlink control information (DCI) indicating whether zero or more of the plurality of TRS resource sets are to be activated for the power saving mode.

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