Access control for energy saving mode

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to access control for energy saving mode. A first device receives, from a second device, at least one barring configuration corresponding to at least one power saving mode of the second device. The first device receives, from the second device, a first mode indication that the second device operates in a first one of the at least one power saving mode. The first device performs a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode in the at least one barring configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for access control of energy saving modes. Background Art

[0002] Significant attention has been paid to reducing energy consumption in networks, especially the Radio Access Network (RAN), which consumes the largest portion of the total energy consumption in the network. Therefore, components for achieving network energy conservation in fifth generation (5G) communication systems have been proposed. Research on network energy conservation is mainly focused on the Radio Access Network and aims to identify adaptive techniques for transmission and / or reception in the time, frequency, spatial and power domains, with potential support and / or feedback from User Equipment (UE), potential UE assistance information, and information exchange and / or coordination on network interfaces. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the first device at least performs: receiving at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device from a second device; receiving from the second device a first mode indication that the second device operates in a first energy-saving mode of at least one energy-saving mode; and performing a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first prohibition configuration corresponding to the first energy-saving mode in the at least one prohibition configuration.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a second device is provided. The second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the second device at least performs: sending at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device to the first device; determining whether the second device operates in an energy-saving mode in at least one energy-saving mode; and sending a first mode indication of the second device operating in the first energy-saving mode to the first device according to determining that the second device operates in a first energy-saving mode in at least one energy-saving mode.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a first device, from a second device at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device; receiving, from the second device, a first mode indication that the second device operates in a first energy-saving mode of at least one energy-saving mode; and performing a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first prohibition configuration corresponding to the first energy-saving mode of the at least one prohibition configuration.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: sending at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device from a second device to a first device; determining whether the second device operates in an energy-saving mode in at least one energy-saving mode; and sending a first mode indication of the second device operating in the first energy-saving mode to the first device based on determining that the second device operates in a first energy-saving mode in the at least one energy-saving mode.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes: a component for receiving at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device from a second device; a component for receiving a first mode indication that the second device operates in a first energy-saving mode of at least one energy-saving mode from the second device; and a component for performing a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first prohibition configuration corresponding to the first energy-saving mode in the at least one prohibition configuration.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a component for sending at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy-saving mode of the second device to the first device; a component for determining whether the second device operates in an energy-saving mode in at least one energy-saving mode; and a component for sending a first mode indication of the second device operating in the first energy-saving mode to the first device based on determining that the second device operates in the first energy-saving mode in the at least one energy-saving mode.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the first aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon, and the instructions are used to cause a device to at least execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0011] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0014] Figure 2shows a signaling diagram for access control according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 4 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0017] Figure 5 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 6 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the way described below.

[0021] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0022] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0023] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0024] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is combined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0025] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "A" occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0026] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "including", "having", "containing", "including", and / or "comprising" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0027] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as analog implementation and / or digital circuit only) and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware (ii) any part of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software that works together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may not be present when the software is not needed to operate.

[0028] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0029] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal equipment and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in future systems, such as the sixth generation (6G). The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be communication technologies and systems of future types that can embody the present disclosure. It should not be considered that the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the aforementioned system.

[0030] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network, via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from it. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a Node B (Node B or NB), an evolved NodeB (e Node B or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node (such as a femto), a micro, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or a non-terrestrial network device (such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite), an aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion similar to a UE toward a parent node, and a DU portion of an IAB node is similar to a base station toward a next-hop IAB node.

[0031] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local ring phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0032] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices including a first device 110 and a second device 120 may communicate with each other.

[0033] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may include a terminal device, and the second device 120 may include a network device serving the terminal device. A service area of ​​the second device 120 may be referred to as a cell 102.

[0034] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of devices and their connections shown in is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation.Communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implement example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described in which the first device 110 operates as a terminal device and the second device 120 operates as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, the operations described in conjunction with the terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and the operations described in conjunction with the network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0036] In some example embodiments, if first device 110 is a terminal device and second device 120 is a network device, the link from second device 120 to first device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), and the link from first device 110 to second device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In UL, first device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and second device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0037] The communication in the communication environment 100 can be implemented according to any appropriate communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, the communication can utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0038] The second device 120 may sometimes operate in an energy saving (ES) mode. For example, if the second device 120 is a network device, the second device 120 may sometimes operate in a network energy saving (NES) mode. In the ES mode, some of its hardware components may be turned off or kept in a sleep state to obtain energy reduction. Therefore, the ability of the second device 120 to provide services to other devices (e.g., including the first device 110) may be temporarily reduced until the ES mode is exited. If the second device 120 exits the ES mode and returns to a normal performance level, energy consumption is required.

[0039] The ES mode can be implemented using any suitable means. For example, infrequent synchronization signal block (SSB) transmissions (e.g., an SSB period of 160ms) can be used for empty or low load conditions in 5G non-independent (NSA) deployments. As another example, micro-discontinuous transmission (DTX) in symbols that do not carry data or signaling can be used, which includes turning off the power amplifier on a per OFDM symbol basis. In another example, other components of the second device 120 can be turned off based on the network architecture and capabilities. For example, transmitting antennas such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO) muting and baseband circuits can be turned off. In yet another example, the ES mode can be implemented by means of cell shut-down, which allows one or more cells to be shut down (e.g., at a given frequency layer), and thus most of the hardware components of the corresponding radio unit and / or RAN site to be shut down.

[0040] The second device 120 operates in one of a non-ES mode and at least one ES mode. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may operate in one of an ES mode and a non-ES mode. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may operate in one of a non-ES mode and a plurality of ES modes. Examples of ES modes may include, but are not limited to, a dormant cell, a dormant base station (e.g., a dormant gNB), a cell with fewer or no SSB transmissions (which is also referred to as a non-SSB cell), a cell with fewer system information blocks (SIBs) or no SIB1 transmissions (which is also referred to as a non-SIB1 cell), a cell with a relaxed SSB periodicity or multiple levels with different SSB periodicities, a cell with one or more dormant beams, and the like.

[0041] In some example embodiments, different ES modes may have different levels of energy saving and may therefore be referred to as different levels of ES modes. Therefore, switching from a higher level ES mode to a non-ES mode requires more energy consumption than switching from a lower level ES mode to a non-ES mode. For example, in an ES mode of a dormant cell or a dormant gNB, the cell or gNB is deactivated. Whereas in an ES mode with relaxed SSB periodicity or one or more dormant beams, certain hardware components have been turned on (although possibly in a reduced manner). The energy consumption for switching from an ES mode of a dormant cell or a dormant gNB to a non-ES mode is higher than the energy consumption for switching from an ES mode with relaxed SSB periodicity or one or more dormant beams to a non-ES mode.

[0042] It should be understood that the above examples of ES modes are given for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection. In the example embodiments of the present disclosure, there may be any suitable type and number of ES modes. The ES mode of the second device 120 may also be referred to as an inactive state or a sleep state.

[0043] The first device 110 can support the ES mode of the second device 120 and is therefore also referred to as an ES supporting device. In some embodiments, the communication environment 100 may further include a third device 130 of a different type than the first device 110. The third device 130 cannot support the ES mode of the second device 120 and may be referred to as a legacy device.

[0044] Take gNB as an example. Whenever the gNB or one of the network entities under its control (such as a cell, DU, CU) operates in NES mode (such as a sleep state), this requires some hardware components of the gNB to be turned off or kept in sleep mode to obtain network energy reduction. Therefore, the ability of the gNB to provide services to the UE may be temporarily reduced until the NES mode is exited. Therefore, there may be a trade-off between the energy to be saved and the performance to be provided, which may depend on the load level and the type of subscriber. For example, the performance provided during NES mode (e.g., in terms of bit rate, latency, number of UEs served, amount of data served, etc.) may be limited or degraded. For another example, for some UEs, data transmission or initial access may be completely prohibited. In order to achieve increased performance or to return to normal performance levels, the gNB may want to exit NES mode, however, this is at the expense of increased energy consumption.

[0045] Therefore, it is necessary to address how the gNB can control this tradeoff between energy and performance, and especially how to control new service requests from UEs in initial access when the gNB operates in energy-saving mode. In other words, the gNB needs to control whether a UE is allowed to initiate access to the gNB, and which UEs are allowed to initiate access to the gNB.

[0046] In one solution, the gNB can use the Unified Access Control (UAC) framework to configure restrictions on initial access. However, the UAC framework is defined to alleviate network congestion and cannot be used for NES mode. In addition, UAC information is sent in the System Information (SI) and therefore SI modification is required for any changes to access barring. This means that in the UAC framework, the gNB cannot adjust the barring information very dynamically and each adjustment requires SI re-acquisition. In addition, since the NES mode of the gNB may change frequently without upper layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control RRC signaling), the slow update of the barring information may become difficult to manage.

[0047] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a scheme for access control of an energy-saving mode is provided. In the scheme, a first device is configured with at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one ES mode of a second device. The prohibition configuration is valid or active for the ES mode of the second device. If the first device is instructed that the second device operates in a specific ES mode, the first device performs an operation associated with access to the second device based on the specific prohibition configuration corresponding to the specific ES mode.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the ES mode of the second device changes, the first device is implicitly triggered to apply the prohibition configuration corresponding to the given ES mode to access the second device. This means that the access of the first device to the second device depends on the actual ES mode of the second device.

[0049] In this way, the second device (e.g., gNB) can flexibly control the access of other devices (e.g., UE) based on the current ES mode of the second device. In addition, changing the prohibition configuration can be implemented without updating the SIB, which is required by the UAC framework, and therefore can be implemented without requiring the first device to re-acquire SI when changing the ES mode.

[0050] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 2 , which shows a signaling diagram 200 for access control according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the signaling diagram 200 involves a first device 110 and a second device 120. For discussion purposes, reference is made to Figure 1 To describe the signaling diagram 200. Figure 2 One first device 110 is shown in FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that there may be multiple first devices that perform operations similar to those described below with respect to the first device 110 .

[0052] The second device 120 sends 205 to the first device 110 at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one ES mode of the second device 120. Each ES mode may have one or more corresponding inhibition configurations. Alternatively, more than one inhibition configuration may correspond to the same ES mode. In other words, the first device 120 is configured with different inhibition configurations for each ES mode. In this way, flexibility can be achieved to indicate specific inhibition for ES modes compared to inhibition for congestion. In the following, an inhibition configuration corresponding to an ES mode of the second device 120 or configured for energy saving purposes is also referred to as an "ES inhibition configuration" or "ES inhibition information".

[0053] In some example embodiments, at least one ES barring configuration may include a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the ES mode of the second device 120. For example, each ES mode may have a corresponding set of access barring parameters. A set of access barring parameters for different ES modes may be different or the same. Hereinafter, the access barring parameters may also be referred to as access barring information.

[0054] When the second device 120 operates in a specific ES mode, a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the specific ES mode is used to control access requests from the first device 110. The access barring parameters corresponding to the ES mode may include a barring indicator for the ES mode, which indicates whether access attempts to the second device 120 are allowed when the second device 120 operates in the ES mode. Alternatively or additionally, the access barring parameters corresponding to the ES mode may include a barring factor for the ES mode, which indicates the probability that the access request from the first device 110 can be allowed when the second device 120 operates in the ES mode.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the access prohibition parameter may include a prohibition time for the ES mode, which defines the minimum time interval before another access attempt can be performed after the access attempt is prohibited when the second device 120 operates in the ES mode. Alternatively or additionally, the access prohibition parameter may include an indication of a prohibition timer for the ES mode. When an access attempt by the first device 110 is prohibited, an instance of the prohibition time may be started. The prohibition timer may include, but is not limited to, T390 and T302. In addition, in some example embodiments, the prohibition timer may be configured to depend on the access category (AC) of the first device 110. For example, the prohibition timer may depend on whether the first device 110 is configured with a delay tolerant service.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, at least one ES barring configuration may include a cell barring indication corresponding to an ES mode of second device 120. When second device 120 operates in the ES mode, the cell barring indication indicates whether a cell served by second device 120 is barred for the first device. In other words, when second device 120 operates in the ES mode, the cell barring indication is used to control whether first device 110 can camp on a cell served by second device 120.

[0057] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may additionally send a prohibition configuration corresponding to the non-ES mode of the second device 120 to the first device 110, which is also referred to as a non-ES prohibition configuration. The non-ES prohibition configuration may be sent as part of at least one ES prohibition configuration or separately from at least one ES prohibition configuration. The non-ES prohibition configuration may include a set of access prohibition parameters for the non-ES mode. Similar to the ES prohibition information, a set of access prohibition parameters for the non-ES mode may include a prohibition indicator for the non-ES mode, a prohibition factor for the non-ES mode, a prohibition time for the non-ES mode, or a prohibition timer for the non-ES mode. Alternatively or additionally, when the second device 120 operates in the non-ES mode, the non-ES prohibition configuration may include a cell prohibition indication of whether the cell is prohibited.

[0058] In some example embodiments, in addition to at least one ES barring information, second device 120 may send a barring configuration for congestion, also referred to as a legacy barring configuration, to first device 110. Similar to the ES barring configuration, the legacy barring configuration may include access barring parameters and / or cell barring indications.

[0059] In some example embodiments, at least one ES barring configuration may be determined such that more limited access is configured for a higher level ES mode (e.g., with a dormant cell or dormant gNB) compared to another ES mode at a lower level (e.g., a cell operating with a relaxed SSB periodicity or dormant beam). For example, a lower barring factor and / or a larger barring time may be configured for a higher level ES mode compared to other ES modes at a lower level. For another example, a cell may be barred for a higher level ES mode, but the cell may not be barred for another ES mode at a lower level. In this way, frequent turning on of the second device 120, which requires high energy consumption, may be avoided.

[0060] The above describes example contents of at least one ES barring configuration. The at least one ES barring configuration may be sent in any suitable signaling. In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may broadcast at least a portion of at least one ES barring configuration in an information block. In the example, one or more groups of access barring parameters for the ES mode may be sent in the SIB. For example, the SIB may include an information element "uac-Barringinfo NES" for carrying access barring parameters corresponding to the ES mode. In another example, a cell barring indication corresponding to the ES mode may be sent in a master information block (MIB).

[0061] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may send at least one ES barring configuration in a message dedicated to the first device 110. In such example embodiments, the ES barring configuration may be device-specific, such as UE-specific. For example, at least one ES barring configuration may be sent to the first device 110 in an RRCReject message. In this way, when the first device 110 returns to the cell of the second device 120, the ES barring configuration in the RRCReject message may be applied by the first device 110.

[0062] The first device 110 receives 215 at least one ES barring configuration from the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may also receive a non-ES barring configuration from the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may additionally receive a legacy barring configuration from the second device 120.

[0063] When the second device 120 does not indicate any ES mode or the second device 120 indicates that it operates in a non-ES mode, the first device 110 may perform 222 operations associated with access to the second device 120 based on the barring configuration for the non-ES mode. For purposes of illustration, operations associated with access to the second device 120 are also referred to as access control-related operations. Access control-related operations may include access barring checks for access attempts to the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, access control-related operations may include determining whether a cell of the second device 120 can be camped on.

[0064] When the second device 120 is not operating in the ES mode, the barring configuration used by the first device 110 may be a non-ES barring configuration or a legacy barring configuration. For example, the first device 110 may apply a cell barring indication of a legacy barring configuration to determine whether to camp on a cell of the second device 120. For another example, the first device 110 may apply an access barring parameter of a legacy barring configuration to perform an access barring check for an access attempt to the second device 120.

[0065] Continuing with diagram 200, the second device 120 determines 220 whether it is operating in or entering ES mode. If the second device 120 is operating in or entering the first ES mode, the second device 120 sends 225 to the first device 110 a first mode indication that the second device 120 is operating in the first ES mode.

[0066] The first mode indication and optional other mode indications (collectively or individually referred to as "mode indications") may be sent via any suitable layer. In some example embodiments, the mode indication may be sent via a physical (PHY) layer or a medium access control (MAC) layer. The mode indication may implicitly or explicitly indicate a particular ES mode in which the second device 120 operates, as well as any changes to such an ES mode.

[0067] The first device 110 receives 230 a first mode indication from the second device 120. In response to the first mode indication, the first device 110 may determine a first barring configuration corresponding to the first ES mode from the at least one ES barring configuration. The first device 110 then performs 235 a first access control related operation based on the first barring configuration.

[0068] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may skip applying another prohibition configuration, which is configured for a device that does not support the ES mode of the second device 120. For example, another prohibition information may be traditional prohibition information for a traditional device. For example, the first device 110 will not apply a traditional access prohibition parameter. The third device 130, which is a traditional device, still applies the traditional prohibition configuration. In some example embodiments, skipping the application of another prohibition configuration is defined in the technical specification. In such an example embodiment, no indication from the second device 120 is required. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, skipping the application of another prohibition configuration may be based on receiving at least one ES prohibition configuration.

[0069] In some example embodiments, first device 110 may receive an indication to skip applying another inhibition configuration from second device 120. The indication may be sent by second device 120 together with at least one ES inhibition configuration, for example in a SIB or MIB. In response to the indication, first device 110 may skip applying another inhibition configuration.

[0070] The first access control related operation performed at 235 may include determining whether to camp on a cell and / or an access barring check. In some example embodiments, the first barring configuration may include a cell barring indication for the first ES mode, which indicates whether the cell served by the second device 120 is barred when the second device 120 operates in the first ES mode. Therefore, the first device 110 determines whether the cell is barred based on the cell barring indication. If the cell is not barred, the first device 110 can camp on the cell for subsequent access to the second device 120. If the cell is barred, the first device 110 will not camp on the cell.

[0071] In such an example embodiment, a cell barred indication may be given per ES mode. In this way, if some specific NES modes are applied in a cell, a device (e.g., UE) may be prevented from camping on the cell. For example, the gNB may set the legacy indication "cellBarred" to barred, thereby preventing legacy UEs from camping on NES cells, but a UE supporting NES will be allowed to skip applying (ignore) such a "cellBarred" indication, and if some specific NES modes are applied, the UE supporting NES will be allowed to camp on the cell.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, the first barring configuration may include a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first ES mode. As described above, a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first ES mode may include a barring indicator for the first ES mode, a barring factor for the first ES mode, a barring time for the first ES mode, and / or an indication of a barring timer for the first ES mode.

[0073] Based on a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first ES mode, the first device 110 can perform an access barring check for an access attempt to the second device 120. For example, the first device 110 can first determine whether the access attempt is allowed based on the barring indicator. If the access attempt is allowed, the first device 110 can generate a random number between 0 and 1. If the random number is less than the value of the barring factor, the access attempt is allowed. Otherwise, the access attempt is barred. If the access attempt is barred, the first device 110 can wait for a barring time to perform an access barring check for another access attempt to the second device 120.

[0074] In some example embodiments, first device 110 may be configured with an association between a first ES mode and one or more access categories (ACs). For example, first device 110 may receive first information indicating the association from second device 120. First device 110 may then perform an access barring check for access attempts associated with one or more ACs based on a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first ES mode.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the first device 110 may be configured with an association between the first ES mode and one or more access identities (AIs). For example, the first device 110 may receive second information indicating the association from the second device 120. The first device 110 may then perform an access barring check for an access attempt associated with the one or more AIs based on a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first ES mode.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the access barring information for each ES mode of the second device 120 may be beam-specific. Therefore, in order to determine a set of access barring parameters to be applied, the first device 110 may also consider the beam via which the first device 110 and the second device 120 communicate. In this way, different access barring parameters are allowed to be applied to different beams. For example, if the ES mode is different across SSB beams, this allows different access barring parameters to be applied to different SSB beams accordingly. In such an example embodiment, the flexibility of controlling UE access to the network can be further improved.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the access barring information for each ES mode of the second device 120 may be specific to a public land mobile network (PLMN). Therefore, in order to determine a set of access barring parameters to be applied, the first device 110 may also consider the PLMN serving the first device 110. In such an example embodiment, the flexibility of controlling UE access to the network may be further improved.

[0078] Continuing with diagram 200, in some example embodiments, if the second device 120 enters the second ES mode, the second device 120 may send 240 to the first device 110 a second mode indication that the second device 120 operates in the second ES mode. For example, if a switch from the first ES mode to the second ES mode occurs, the second device 120 may indicate the switch to the first device 110.

[0079] The first device 110 may receive 245 a second mode indication from the second device 120. In response to the second mode indication, the first device 110 may determine a second prohibition configuration corresponding to the second ES mode from at least one ES prohibition configuration. The first device 110 may then perform 250 a second access control related operation based on the second prohibition configuration. For example, the first device 110 may apply a cell prohibition indication corresponding to the second ES mode to determine whether to reside on a cell of the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 110 may apply an access prohibition parameter corresponding to the second ES mode to perform an access prohibition check for an access attempt. The second access control related operation is similar to the first access control related operation described with respect to 235, and therefore is not repeated here.

[0080] In some example embodiments, if second device 120 enters a non-ES mode or does not operate in any ES mode, second device 120 may send 255 a third mode indication that second device 110 operates in a non-ES mode to first device 110. For example, if switching from an ES mode to a non-ES mode, second device 120 may indicate the switch to first device 110.

[0081] Thus, the first device 110 may receive 260 a third mode indication from the second device 120. In response to the third mode indication, the first device 110 may determine a third inhibition configuration corresponding to the non-ES mode. The third inhibition configuration may be a non-ES inhibition configuration sent together with at least one ES inhibition configuration. Alternatively, the third inhibition configuration may be a traditional inhibition information for congestion.

[0082] Then, the first device 110 may perform 265 a third access control related operation based on the third barring configuration. For example, the first device 110 may apply the cell barring indication of the third barring configuration to determine whether to camp on the cell of the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 110 may apply the access barring parameters of the third barring configuration to perform an access barring check for an access attempt to the second device 120.

[0083] Through the above discussion, the access of the ES supporting device (such as NES supporting UE) to the second device (such as gNB) can be dynamically controlled. In addition, this dynamic control does not involve the update of SIB, thereby achieving flexible control.

[0084] In addition to the first device 110 supporting the ES mode of the second device 120, the second device 120 may process the configuration of the third device 130 that does not support the ES mode. In some example embodiments, if the second device 120 operates in the ES mode for requiring access barring, the second device 120 may adjust the legacy barring configuration to enable access barring for the third device 130 (which is a legacy device).

[0085] Alternatively, in some example embodiments, if the second device 120 operates in an ES mode for requiring access barring, the second device 120 may configure the traditional cell barring indication "cellBarred" to be barred to prevent the third device 130 from camping on the cell. In contrast, the first device 110 (which may interpret the access barring configuration for the ES mode) ignores the traditional cell barring indication "cellBarred". Instead, the first device 110 may apply the access barring configuration corresponding to the ES mode (if configured).

[0086] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example method 300 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, Figure 1 The method 300 is described from the perspective of the first device 110.

[0087] At block 310, the first device 110 receives from the second device 120 at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device 120. At block 320, the first device 110 receives from the second device 120 a first mode indication that the second device 120 operates in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode. At block 330, the first device 110 performs a first operation associated with access to the second device 120 based on a first inhibition configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode of the at least one inhibition configuration.

[0088] In some example embodiments, method 300 also includes: receiving from second device 120 a second mode indication that second device 120 operates in a second energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode, the second energy saving mode being different from the first energy saving mode; and performing a second operation associated with access to second device 120 based on a second prohibition configuration in at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to the second energy saving mode.

[0089] In some example embodiments, method 300 further includes receiving from second device 120 a third mode indication that second device 120 operates in a non-energy saving mode; and performing a third operation associated with access to second device 120 based on a third prohibition configuration corresponding to the non-energy saving mode.

[0090] In some example embodiments, the first barring configuration includes a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode, and performing the first operation includes performing an access barring check on an access attempt to the second device based on the set of access barring parameters.

[0091] In some example embodiments, performing the access barring check includes receiving first information from the second device 120 indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and the access identity, and performing the access barring check for an access attempt associated with the access identity based on a set of access barring parameters.

[0092] In some example embodiments, performing the access barring check includes: receiving second information from the second device 120, the second information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and the access category; and performing the access barring check for an access attempt associated with the access category based on a set of access barring parameters.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the set of access barring parameters includes at least one of: a barring indicator for the first energy saving mode, a barring factor for the first energy saving mode, a barring time for the first energy saving mode, or an indication of a barring timer for the first energy saving mode.

[0094] In some example embodiments, method 300 further includes determining a set of access barring parameters from at least one barring configuration based on the first energy saving mode and at least one of: a beam via which the first device and the second device communicate, or a public land mobile network serving the first device 110.

[0095] In some example embodiments, the first prohibition configuration includes a cell prohibition indication of whether a cell served by the second device 120 is prohibited from being used in the first energy saving mode, and performing the first operation includes: determining whether the cell is prohibited from being used in the first energy saving mode based on the cell prohibition indication; and based on determining that the cell is not prohibited from being used in the first energy saving mode, staying on the cell for subsequent access to the second device 120.

[0096] In some example embodiments, receiving at least one inhibition configuration comprises at least one of: receiving at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block broadcast by the second device 120, or receiving at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in a message from the second device 120 that is dedicated to the first device 110.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the method 300 further comprises skipping applying another inhibition configuration configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of the second device 120. For example, a legacy inhibition configuration for legacy UEs may be skipped by the first device 110.

[0098] In some example embodiments, skipping applying another inhibition configuration is based on receiving at least one inhibition configuration.

[0099] In some example embodiments, method 300 further includes: receiving an indication from second device 120 to skip applying another prohibition configuration, the other prohibition configuration being configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of second device 120; and based on receiving the indication, skipping applying the other prohibition configuration.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second device 120 comprises a network device.

[0101] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example method 400 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, Figure 1 Method 400 is described from an angle of the second device 120120.

[0102] At block 410, the second device 120 sends to the first device 110 at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device 120. At block 420, the second device 120 determines whether the second device 120 is operating in an energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode. If the second device 120 determines that the second device 120 is operating in the first energy saving mode, the method 400 proceeds to block 430. At block 430, the second device 120 sends to the first device 110 a first mode indication that the second device 120 is operating in the first energy saving mode.

[0103] In some exemplary embodiments, method 400 also includes: based on determining that the second device 120 operates in a second energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode, sending a second mode indication to the first device 110 that the second device 120 operates in a second energy saving mode, wherein the second energy saving mode is different from the first energy saving mode.

[0104] In some example embodiments, method 400 further includes: based on determining that second device 120 is operating in the non-energy saving mode, sending a third mode indication to first device 110 that second device 120 is operating in the non-energy saving mode.

[0105] In some example embodiments, a first barring configuration of the at least one barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode includes a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode.

[0106] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further includes sending first information to the first device 110 , the first information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access identity associated with an access attempt by the first device 110 to the second device 120 .

[0107] In some example embodiments, method 400 further includes sending second information to first device 110 , the second information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access category associated with an access attempt by first device 110 to second device 120 .

[0108] In some example embodiments, the set of access barring parameters includes at least one of: a barring indicator for the first energy saving mode, a barring factor for the first energy saving mode, a barring time for the first energy saving mode, or an indication of a barring timer for the first energy saving mode.

[0109] In some example embodiments, a first barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode in the at least one barring configuration includes a cell barring indication of whether a cell served by the second device 120 is barred for the first energy saving mode.

[0110] In some example embodiments, sending at least one inhibition configuration includes at least one of: broadcasting at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block, or sending at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration to the first device 110 in a message dedicated to the first device 110.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the method 400 further comprises sending an indication to the first device 110 to skip applying another inhibition configuration configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of the second device.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second device 120 comprises a network device.

[0113] In some example embodiments, a first device (eg, Figure 1 The first device 110 in the embodiment may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 800. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the first device 110.

[0114] In some example embodiments, a first device includes: a component for receiving from a second device at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device; a component for receiving from the second device a first mode indication that the second device operates in a first energy saving mode of at least one energy saving mode; and a component for performing a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first prohibition configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode of the at least one prohibition configuration.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes: a component for receiving a second mode indication from the second device that the second device operates in a second energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode, the second energy saving mode being different from the first energy saving mode; and a component for performing a second operation associated with access to the second device based on a second prohibition configuration in at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to the second energy saving mode.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes: a component for receiving a third mode indication from the second device that the second device is operating in a non-energy saving mode; and a component for performing a third operation associated with access to the second device based on a third prohibition configuration corresponding to the non-energy saving mode.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first barring configuration includes a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode, and the means for performing the first operation includes means for performing an access barring check on an access attempt to the second device based on the set of access barring parameters.

[0118] In some example embodiments, a component for performing an access barring check includes: a component for receiving first information from a second device, the first information indicating an association between a first energy saving mode and an access identity; and a component for performing an access barring check for an access attempt associated with the access identity based on a set of access barring parameters.

[0119] In some example embodiments, a component for performing an access barring check includes: a component for receiving second information from a second device, the second information indicating an association between a first energy saving mode and an access category; and a component for performing an access barring check for an access attempt associated with the access category based on a set of access barring parameters.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the set of access barring parameters includes at least one of: a barring indicator for the first energy saving mode, a barring factor for the first energy saving mode, a barring time for the first energy saving mode, or an indication of a barring timer for the first energy saving mode.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the first device further comprises: a component for determining a set of access barring parameters from at least one barring configuration based on the first energy saving mode and at least one of: a beam via which the first device and the second device communicate, or a public land mobile network serving the first device.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first inhibition configuration includes a cell inhibition indication of whether a cell served by the second device is inhibited from being used in the first energy saving mode, and the component for performing the first operation includes: a component for determining whether the cell is inhibited from being used in the first energy saving mode based on the cell inhibition indication; and a component for camping on the cell for subsequent access to the second device based on determining that the cell is not inhibited from being used in the first energy saving mode.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the means for receiving at least one inhibition configuration comprises at least one of: means for receiving at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block broadcast by the second device, or means for receiving at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in a message from the second device that is dedicated to the first device.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for skipping applying another inhibition configuration configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of the second device.

[0125] In some example embodiments, skipping applying another inhibition configuration is based on receiving at least one inhibition configuration.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes: a component for receiving an indication from the second device to skip applying another prohibition configuration, the other prohibition configuration being configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of the second device; and a component for skipping applying the other prohibition configuration based on receiving the indication.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing the method 800 or other operations in some example embodiments of the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the execution of the first apparatus.

[0129] In some example embodiments, a second device (eg, Figure 1 The second device 120 in the method 400 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of the method 400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The second device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the second device 120.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: a component for sending at least one prohibited configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device to the first device; a component for determining whether the second device is operating in an energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode; and a component for sending a first mode indication of the second device operating in a first energy saving mode to the first device based on determining that the second device is operating in a first energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode.

[0131] In some exemplary embodiments, the second device further includes: a component for sending a second mode indication of the second device operating in a second energy saving mode to the first device based on determining that the second device operates in a second energy saving mode in at least one energy saving mode, wherein the second energy saving mode is different from the first energy saving mode.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the second device further comprises means for sending a third mode indication that the second device is operating in the non-energy saving mode to the first device based on determining that the second device is operating in the non-energy saving mode.

[0133] In some example embodiments, a first barring configuration of the at least one barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode includes a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending first information to the first apparatus, the first information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access identity associated with an access attempt by the first apparatus to the second apparatus.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending second information to the first apparatus, the second information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access category associated with an access attempt by the first apparatus to the second apparatus.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the set of access barring parameters includes at least one of: a barring indicator for the first energy saving mode, a barring factor for the first energy saving mode, a barring time for the first energy saving mode, or an indication of a barring timer for the first energy saving mode.

[0137] In some example embodiments, a first barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode in the at least one barring configuration includes a cell barring indication of whether a cell served by the second device is barred for the first energy saving mode.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the means for sending at least one inhibition configuration comprises at least one of: means for broadcasting at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block, or means for sending at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration to the first device in a message dedicated to the first device.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication to the first apparatus to skip applying another inhibition configuration configured for a device that does not support at least one energy saving mode of the second device.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing the method 400 or other operations of some example embodiments of the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of the second apparatus.

[0142] Figure 55 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 500 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 500 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 1. As shown in the figure, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520 coupled to the processor 510, and one or more communication modules 540 coupled to the processor 510.

[0143] The communication module 540 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 540 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 540 may include at least one antenna.

[0144] As non-limiting examples, processor 510 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and may include one or more of the following: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 500 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock of a synchronized main processor.

[0145] The memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), optical disk, laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 522 and other volatile memories that will not last for the duration of a power outage.

[0146] Computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions executed by associated processor 510. The instructions of program 530 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Program 530 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 524. Processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 530 into RAM 522.

[0147] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of a program 530, so that the device 500 may execute the Figures 2 to 4 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the program 530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 500 (such as in the memory 520) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 500. The device 500 may load the program 530 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 522 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal), not a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0149] Figure 6 An example of a computer readable medium 600 is shown which may be in the form of a CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. Computer readable medium 600 has program 530 stored thereon.

[0150] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0151] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transient computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in a program module executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any method as described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0152] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented when executed by the processor or controller. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0153] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0154] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0155] In addition, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or performing all of the operations shown to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Unless explicitly stated, certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, unless explicitly stated, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0156] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least perform: receiving, from a second device, at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy conservation mode of the second device; receiving, from the second device, a first mode indication that the second device is operating in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as Based on a first inhibition configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode among the at least one inhibition configuration, a first operation associated with access to the second device is performed.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to perform: receiving from the second device a second mode indication that the second device is operating in a second energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode, the second energy saving mode being different from the first energy saving mode; and Based on a second inhibition configuration corresponding to the second energy saving mode among the at least one inhibition configuration, a second operation associated with access to the second device is performed.

3. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to perform: receiving from the second device a third mode indication that the second device is operating in a non-energy saving mode; and Based on a third prohibition configuration corresponding to the non-energy saving mode, a third operation associated with access to the second device is performed.

4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first barring configuration comprises a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode, and performing the first operation comprises: An access barring check is performed on an access attempt to the second device based on the set of access barring parameters.

5. The first device of claim 4, wherein performing the access barring check comprises: receiving first information from the second device, the first information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access identity; as well as The access barring check is performed for the access attempt associated with the access identity based on the set of access barring parameters.

6. The first device of claim 4, wherein performing the access barring check comprises: receiving second information from the second device, the second information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access category; as well as The access barring check is performed for the access attempt associated with the access category based on the set of access barring parameters.

7. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the set of access barring parameters comprises at least one of the following: a disable indicator for said first energy saving mode, a prohibition factor for said first energy saving mode, a prohibition time for said first energy saving mode, or An indication of a disable timer for said first energy saving mode.

8. The first device of claim 4, wherein the first device is further configured to perform: Determining the set of access barring parameters from the at least one barring configuration based on the first energy saving mode and at least one of: beam, the first device and the second device communicate via the beam, or A public land mobile network serving the first device.

9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first barring configuration comprises a cell barring indication of whether a cell served by the second device is barred for the first energy saving mode, and performing the first operation comprises: Based on the cell barring indication, determining whether the cell is barred from being used in the first energy saving mode; Based on determining that the cell is not prohibited for use in the first energy saving mode, camping on the cell for subsequent access to the second device.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein receiving the at least one inhibit configuration comprises at least one of: receiving at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block broadcast by the second device, or At least a portion of the at least one inhibiting configuration is received in a message from the second device that is intended for the first device.

11. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to perform: Applying another inhibition configuration configured for a device that does not support the at least one energy saving mode of the second device is skipped. 12 . The first device of claim 11 , wherein skipping applying the another inhibition configuration is based on receiving the at least one inhibition configuration.

13. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: receiving, from the second device, an indication to skip applying another inhibition configuration, the another inhibition configuration being configured for a device that does not support the at least one energy saving mode of the second device; and Based on receiving the indication, applying the another inhibition configuration is skipped.

14. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

15. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device to at least perform: sending, to the first device, at least one prohibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device; determining whether the second device is operating in an energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as Based on determining that the second device operates in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode, a first mode indication that the second device operates in the first energy saving mode is sent to the first device.

16. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: Based on determining that the second device operates in a second energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode, a second mode indication that the second device operates in the second energy saving mode is sent to the first device, where the second energy saving mode is different from the first energy saving mode.

17. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: Based on determining that the second device operates in a non-energy-saving mode, a third mode indication is sent to the first device that the second device operates in the non-energy-saving mode.

18. The second device according to claim 15, wherein a first barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode among the at least one barring configuration comprises a set of access barring parameters corresponding to the first energy saving mode.

19. The second device according to claim 18, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: First information is sent to the first device, the first information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access identity associated with an access attempt by the first device to the second device.

20. The second device of claim 18, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: Second information is sent to the first device, the second information indicating an association between the first energy saving mode and an access category associated with an access attempt by the first device to the second device.

21. The second device of claim 18, wherein the set of access barring parameters comprises at least one of the following: a disable indicator for said first energy saving mode, a prohibition factor for said first energy saving mode, a prohibition time for said first energy saving mode, or An indication of a disable timer for said first energy saving mode.

22. The second device according to claim 15, wherein a first barring configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode among the at least one barring configuration comprises a cell barring indication of whether a cell served by the second device is barred for the first energy saving mode.

23. The second device of claim 15, wherein sending the at least one inhibit configuration comprises at least one of: broadcasting at least a portion of the at least one inhibition configuration in an information block, or At least a portion of the at least one inhibiting configuration is sent to the first device in a message dedicated to the first device.

24. The second device of claim 15, wherein the second device is further configured to perform: An indication is sent to the first device to skip applying another inhibition configuration configured for devices that do not support the at least one energy saving mode of the second device.

25. The second device of claim 15, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

26. A method comprising: receiving, at a first device, from a second device, at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy conservation mode of the second device; receiving, from the second device, a first mode indication that the second device is operating in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as Based on a first inhibition configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode among the at least one inhibition configuration, a first operation associated with access to the second device is performed.

27. A method comprising: sending, from a second device to a first device, at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device; determining whether the second device is operating in an energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as Based on determining that the second device operates in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode, a first mode indication that the second device operates in the first energy saving mode is sent to the first device.

28. A first device, comprising: means for receiving, from a second device, at least one inhibit configuration corresponding to at least one energy conservation mode of the second device; means for receiving from the second device a first mode indication that the second device is operating in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as means for performing a first operation associated with access to the second device based on a first inhibition configuration of the at least one inhibition configuration corresponding to the first energy saving mode.

29. A second device, comprising: means for sending to the first device at least one inhibit configuration corresponding to at least one energy saving mode of the second device; means for determining whether the second device is operating in an energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode; as well as means for sending to the first device a first mode indication that the second device is operating in a first energy saving mode of the at least one energy saving mode in response to determining that the second device is operating in the first energy saving mode.

30. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, the instructions being configured to cause an apparatus to at least perform the method of claim 26 or the method of claim 27.

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