Paging method for network energy conservation

Abstract

A method for network energy saving paging in a wireless communication network in which, when a small base station (BS) enables DTX functionality, a status is indicated by the small BS to a macro BS and / or an SL UE, or a status of a gNB is sent by the macro BS to a UE waking up to monitor paging messages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless networks, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for paging enhancement for network energy conservation. Background Art

[0002] US 2021368378 A1 discloses a communication technology for combining a 5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G system with IoT technology, and discloses a system therefor. The present disclosure can be applied to smart services based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technologies (e.g., smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected cars, healthcare, digital education, retail business, security and safety-related services, etc.). A method for a user equipment in a first communication system according to the present invention includes the following steps, in which a user equipment in an inactive state: transmits a paging area update request message; checks whether a timer associated with the paging area update has expired; and if a response message to the paging area update request message is not received until the timer expires, transitions to an idle state.

[0003] US 2022110106 A1 discloses an apparatus comprising: a first SIM associated with at least a first network and a second SIM associated with the first network or a second network, wherein the first SIM is configured to operate in an idle mode or an inactive mode of an RRC and the second SIM is configured to temporarily operate in a connected mode of the RRC, or vice versa; means for allocating a radio transceiver of the apparatus for communication between the first SIM and the second SIM in alternating active periods, wherein the first SIM is configured to at least monitor for paging messages during its active period and the second SIM is configured to at least perform beam management operations during its active period; means for monitoring a number of scheduled beam management operations of the second SIM that are skipped during the active period of the radio transceiver allocated for the first SIM; means for determining a threshold for skipped beam management operations based at least on data from the performed beam management operations; and means for adjusting the allocation of the active period of the radio transceiver between the first SIM and the second SIM in response to the number of skipped beam management operations reaching the threshold.

[0004] US 2018324751 A1 discloses a wireless device that can receive a compressed paging message broadcast from a base station and, in response, transmit a connection request. The wireless device can include a paging response indication (e.g., indicating the connection request outcome from a received erroneous or genuine paging request) and a wireless device identifier (e.g., UE ID) in the modified connection request. The base station can identify that the connection request is in response to a paging broadcast by receiving the paging response indication, and can determine whether the connection request is in response to a false paging alert by comparing the received UE ID with a list of uncompressed paging request messages. If a match is found, the base station can transmit a connection establishment request. If no match is found, the base station can transmit a connection rejection message to the wireless device.

[0005] WO 2022011634 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for determining a paging location or a camp-on location. The method includes: determining information about a first location where a UE camps on or receives a paging message, where the information about the first location indicates the location of a bandwidth part (BWP) or a beam; and camping on or receiving a paging message on the corresponding BWP or beam based on the information about the first location.

[0006] US 2020322919 A1 discloses that a wireless communication device may be a UE or a base station. The UE may determine a motion state of the UE indicating a lack of motion, and transmit a request to the BS to perform single-beam paging based on determining that the motion state indicates a lack of motion. The UE may enter an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state and monitor paging from the BS based on a single beam. The BS may receive a request to perform single-beam paging and page the UE using a single beam. The UE in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state may transmit a request to the BS to perform beam scanning paging based on detecting the motion of the UE, and the BS may page the UE using multiple beams.

[0007] US 2021274466 A1 discloses a new radio channel design that incorporates a synchronization signal burst series frame structure, where higher layer channels are mapped to physical channels transmitted during the synchronization signal period, allowing user equipment to select the beam to listen for paging information during this period. A physical common control channel configuration information element can be used to signal the paging configuration as part of the system information. Paging can occur with or without user equipment assistance.

[0008] US 2019306829 A1 discloses that a first RAN may determine beamforming information for a UE served by the first RAN. The first RAN may then transmit paging information for the UE served by the first RAN to a second RAN or a core network, wherein the paging information includes the UE's beamforming information. A core network component (e.g., an AMF) may receive the paging information including the UE's beamforming information and may send a paging request to the second RAN to transmit a paging message to the UE, wherein the paging request is based on the received paging information. The second RAN may receive paging information for the UE from the first RAN or from the core network, wherein the paging information includes the UE's beamforming assistance information. The second RAN may then send a paging message to the UE based on the beamforming assistance information.

[0009] US 2022046582 A1 discloses improving the power consumption performance of user equipment in a wireless network with the goal of reducing paging. The disclosed method and system apply an indication signal for idle / inactive mode UE. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an indication signal for paging reception is introduced for idle / inactive mode UE. In another embodiment, the UE group can be divided into multiple paging subgroups of UEs with a common paging occasion, and each paging subgroup is assigned a paging subgroup ID. The paging subgroup ID can be incorporated into the indication signal to reduce paging reception. The indication signal can indicate whether a paging DCI for the UE exists or the paging subgroup identity of one or more UEs.

[0010] Paging can be described as the UE waking up according to the paging cycle, the UE checking the paging message at specific times (PO and PF), and the impact of identifying the cell when the energy saving function is enabled.

[0011] Paging process in NR

[0012] In mobile networks, when a device does not have any data transmission in progress, it enters the idle state to conserve the battery. If the device receives new data, the network detects idle devices by sending so-called "paging" messages, and the device responds accordingly.

[0013] The process, aptly called the paging process, works because even in idle state, the device continues to monitor for paging messages at certain device-specific times. The device is able to conserve battery because at other times, it can apply what is called "discontinuous reception," or DRX, which means the device turns off its receiver.

[0014] The paging process is controlled by the core network and exists in all generations of mobile networks (2G, 3G, 4G and 5G). One of the new things in 5G is that for devices in a special state (called the inactive state), this paging process can also be controlled to a certain extent by the radio access network.

[0015] The device-specific times at which a device turns on its receiver and checks for paging messages are determined by so-called paging frames (PFs) and paging occasions (POs). A PF is a radio frame that can contain one or more POs for a group of devices. A PO is a specific moment in time when the network can transmit a paging message for a subset of devices corresponding to the same PF.

[0016] When paging occurs, the paging message carries the identifier of the paging device (called the paging identifier). Therefore, only devices whose identifier matches the paging identifier will respond to the network.

[0017] In summary, the prior art fails to provide a solution for how to obtain a good user experience in terms of data rate and latency when the energy saving function is enabled in a cell.

[0018] Due to power-saving features, there is a mismatch between the time the UE wakes up to monitor paging messages and the time the gNB wakes up. When the UE wakes up, some cells may be off. This causes the UE to monitor paging messages unnecessarily, which can lead to increased power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0019] A solution to this problem is provided by a paging method for network energy saving in a wireless communication network, wherein when a small base station (BS) enables the DTX function, the small BS indicates the status to the macro BS and / or SL UE, or the macro BS sends the status of the gNB to the UE that wakes up to monitor the paging message.

[0020] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized in that L1 / L2 signaling is used to carry information about the small BS status.

[0021] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized in that, based on the indication from the SLUE and / or the macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip the paging message at a specific time of the time period which can also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling.

[0022] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized in that, for L1 signaling, 1 bit is used for signaling transmission.

[0023] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized in that, for L2 signaling, the LCID is used in the MAC CE.

[0024] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the method is characterized in that, based on such indication from the SLUE and / or the macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip paging messages at a specific time of a time period which can also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a device for network energy-saving paging in a wireless communication network, which is deployed in a wireless network node. The device includes a processor coupled to a memory, which includes computer program instructions stored thereon, and the processor is configured by the instructions to execute the method described in the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a wireless network node, comprising an apparatus according to the second aspect, the apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory comprising computer program instructions stored thereon, the processor being configured by the instructions to perform the method according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, which includes the wireless network node according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0028] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect and / or instructions according to the first aspect when the program is executed by a processor.

[0029] According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions stored thereon, the computer program instructions being used to implement the paging method for network energy saving in a wireless communication network according to the first aspect.

[0030] UEs in RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE states receive information about whether the current cell has power saving (discontinuous transmission) enabled. The UE receives this information from the macro base station (BS) or sidelink (SL) UE. When a small BS has DTX enabled, it indicates this status to the macro BS and / or SL UE. The SL UE or macro BS transmits the gNB status to UEs that wake up to monitor for paging messages. Layer 1 (L1) / layer 2 (L2) signaling is used to carry information about the small BS status. For example, Layer 1 signaling uses one bit for this purpose.

[0031] For example, L2 signaling: Use a new LCID in the MAC CE. Based on this indication from the SL UE and / or macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip paging messages at a specific time, which can also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling. Beneficially, the UE can save power by skipping monitoring for paging messages.

[0032] Summarize

[0033] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system comprising a radio network node and a radio network node as described above.According to an embodiment, the steps of the method described above are determined by computer program instructions.

[0034] Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a computer program stored on an information medium, the program being suitable for being implemented in a user equipment and / or a radio network node or more generally in a computer, the program comprising instructions configured to implement the steps of the method for updating discontinuous reception in a wireless device and / or the method for configuring discontinuous reception in a wireless device that have just been described.

[0035] The program may use any programming language and may be in the form of source code, object code, or a code intermediate between source code and object code, such as a partially compiled form, or any other desired form.

[0036] Another aspect envisages a computer-readable information medium comprising computer program instructions for implementing the steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0037] The information medium may be any entity or device capable of storing a program. For example, the medium may include a storage device such as a ROM (e.g., a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM), a flash memory, or any magnetic recording device (e.g., a hard disk drive). Furthermore, the information medium may be a transmissible medium, such as an electrical signal or an optical signal, that can be transmitted by radio or other means via an electrical or optical cable.

[0038] Alternatively, the information medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embodied, the circuit being adapted to carry out or to be used for carrying out the method in question.

[0039] The advantages of the apparatus, the user equipment, the network node, the wireless system, the computer program and the information medium are the same as presented with respect to the corresponding method according to any of the above-described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become more apparent on reading the following description, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 : Examples showing the main ideas.

[0042] Figure 2 A UE flow chart is shown.

[0043] Figure 3 The gNB process is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate the embodiments herein, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0045] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate the embodiments herein, this should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0046] Some embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are also within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0047] Generally, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or a different meaning is implied from the context of its use. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to one / a kind / this element, device, part, mode, step, etc. should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of an element, device, part, mode, step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as being after or before another step and / or it is implied that a step must be after or before another step. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applicable to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applicable to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Based on the following description, other purposes, features and advantages of the attached embodiments will become apparent.

[0048] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" may be used, which may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with a UE (directly or via another node) and / or communicates with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to an MCG or SCG, a base station (BS), a multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node (such as an MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB), a network controller, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a relay, a donor node controlled relay, a base transceiver station (BTS), an access point (AP), a transmission point, a transmission node, an RRU, an RRH, a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a core network node (such as a mobile switching center (MSC), a mobility management entity (MME), etc.), operations and maintenance (O&M), an operations support system (OSS), a self-optimizing network (SON), a positioning node (such as an evolved serving mobile positioning center (E-SMLC)), minimization of drive tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0049] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device that communicates with a network node and / or another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, PADs, tablet computers, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted equipment (LMEs), USB dongles, M1 category UEs, M2 category UEs, ProSe UEs, V2V UEs, V2X UEs, and the like.

[0050] Furthermore, terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-restrictive and, in particular, do not imply a hierarchical relationship between the two. In general, a "gNodeB" can be considered device 1 and a "UE" can be considered device 2, with the two devices communicating with each other over a radio channel. In the following, a transmitter or receiver can be either a gNodeB (gNB) or a UE.

[0051] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Thus, the embodiments may take the form of entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects.

[0052] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as hardware circuits comprising custom very large scale integrated ("VLSI") circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors (e.g., logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components). The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, and the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code, which blocks may be organized, for example, as objects, procedures, or functions.

[0053] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices storing machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code (hereinafter referred to as code). The storage device may be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-transmissive. The storage device may not embody signals. In certain embodiments, the storage device utilizes only signals to access the code.

[0054] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be a storage device that stores code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0055] More specific examples of storage devices (a non-exhaustive list) would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, random access memory ("RAM"), read-only memory ("ROM"), erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM" or flash memory), a portable compact disk read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0056] The code for performing the operations of the embodiment can be any number of lines and can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language, and / or machine languages ​​such as assembly language. The code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network ("LAN"), a wireless LAN ("WLAN"), or a wide area network ("WAN"), or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet Service Provider ("ISP")).

[0057] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details (e.g., examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc.) are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that at least one embodiment includes the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the phrases "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment, but rather to "one or more, but not all, embodiments." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to." The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive unless expressly specified otherwise.The terms "a" and "an" and "the" also mean "one or more" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0058] Various aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flow charts and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to the embodiments. It should be understood that each block of the schematic flow charts and / or schematic block diagrams, as well as combinations of blocks in the schematic flow charts and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. The code can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, such that instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create means for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flow charts and / or block diagrams.

[0059] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to operate in a specific manner so that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0060] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the code executed on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides a process for implementing the functions / actions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0061] The flowcharts and / or blocks in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of devices, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0062] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may not occur in the order indicated in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially in parallel, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order depending on the functions involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks or portions thereof in the illustrated figures.

[0063] Although various arrow types and line types may be used in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, it should be understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. In fact, some arrows or other connectors may be used only to indicate the logical flow of the depicted embodiments. For example, arrows can indicate waiting or monitoring periods of unspecified duration between the enumerated steps of the depicted embodiments. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts and the combination of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system or a combination of dedicated hardware and code that performs the specified function or action.

[0064] The description of an element in each figure may refer to an element in a subsequent figure. In all figures, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, including alternative embodiments of the same elements.

[0065] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. For example, although 3GPP terminology from, for example, 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate the embodiments herein, this should not be viewed as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0066] This disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, which may be, for example, a 5G NR wireless communication system. More specifically, it refers to the radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system, which is used to exchange data with user equipment (UEs) via radio signals. For example, the RAN may send data (downlink DL), such as data received from a core network (CN), to the UE. The RAN may also receive data (uplink UL) from the UE, which may be forwarded to the CN.

[0067] In the illustrated example, the RAN includes one base station (BS). Of course, the RAN may include more than one BS to increase the coverage of the wireless communication system. Depending on the implemented wireless communication standard(s), each of these BSs may be referred to as a NB, eNodeB (or eNB), gNodeB (or, in the case of a 5G NR wireless communication system, a gNB), access point, etc.

[0068] The UE is located within the coverage of the BS. For example, the coverage of the BS corresponds to an area in which the UE can decode the PDCCH transmitted by the BS.

[0069] An example of a wireless device suitable for implementing any of the methods discussed in this disclosure performed at a UE corresponds to an apparatus that provides a wireless connection to a wireless communication system's radio access network (RAN) and can be used to exchange data with the RAN. Such a wireless device can be included in a UE. For example, a UE can be a cellular phone, a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, etc. A UE can also be an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a wireless camera, a smart sensor, a smart meter, smart glasses, a vehicle (manned or unmanned), a Global Positioning System device, etc., or any other device that can run an application that requires exchanging data with a remote recipient via a wireless device.

[0070] The wireless device includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more processors may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The one or more memories may include any type of computer-readable volatile and non-volatile memory (magnetic hard disk, solid-state drive, optical disk, electronic memory, etc.). The one or more memories may store a computer program product in the form of a set of program code instructions, which are executed by the one or more processors to implement all or part of the steps of the method for exchanging data performed on the UE side according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0071] The wireless device may also include a main radio (MR) unit. The MR unit corresponds to the wireless device's main wireless communication unit and is used to exchange data with a base station of the RAN using radio signals. The MR unit can implement one or more wireless communication protocols and can be, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax, or other transceiver. In a preferred embodiment, the MR unit corresponds to a 5G NR wireless communication unit.

[0072] Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) radio technology standard developed by 3GPP for cellular devices and services. The specification was frozen in 3GPP Release 13 (LTE Advanced Pro) in June 2016. Other 3GPP IoT technologies include eMTC (enhanced Machine Type Communications) and EC-GSM-IoT. NB-IoT focuses specifically on indoor coverage, low cost, long battery life, and high connection density. NB-IoT uses a subset of the LTE standard but limits the bandwidth to a single narrowband of 200 kHz. It utilizes OFDM modulation for downlink communications and SC-FDMA for uplink communications. NB-IoT operates without duty cycle restrictions in licensed spectrum, making it ideal for IoT applications that require more frequent communications.

[0073] The solution to the cited problem is for mobile aerial nodes to provide reference position, flight path and velocity information, a “node type” indicator (vehicle, aircraft, drone, etc.), node-specific beam pattern data (e.g., angular sector range, sector tilt, granularity).

[0074] To facilitate understanding, some functional blocks are described in text in the figure.

[0075] Figure 1 : Examples showing the main ideas.

[0076] Figure 2 The UE flowchart is shown. The UE receives a cell off indication from a macro BS or SL UE. If the indication is correct, the UE skips the current paging monitoring cycle if the paging monitoring duration overlaps with the cell off period.

[0077] Figure 3 The gNB process is shown. The macro BS receives a cell deactivation instruction from the small BS. If the instruction is correct, the macro BS sends the cell deactivation instruction to the UE.

[0078] In the following disclosure, reference will be made to the user equipment and base station described above.

[0079] Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is a processing mode in user equipment (UE) aimed at reducing power consumption. When using DRX, the UE periodically enters an active state (also known as an active period, downlink monitoring period, or "ON" duration) to receive downlink data and signaling, and then enters a sleep state (also known as an inactive state, inactive period, or "OFF" duration) to stop monitoring downlink data.

[0080] The DRX cycle is repeated periodically, resulting in several on-durations, labeled A1 , A2 , and A3 , separated by periods of inactivity.

[0081] DRX is configured by the base station using RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, such as RRC Connection Reconfiguration or RRC Connection Setup. DRX parameters may include, among others:

[0082] -drx-onDurationTimer (drx-on duration timer): The time the user equipment should remain active after it wakes up (called "active time"). During this period, the user equipment should monitor the physical downlink channel (eg PDCCH).

[0083] -drx-inactivityTimer: This parameter corresponds to the delay that the user equipment should remain in the active state after being scheduled.

[0084] - drx-SlotOffset defines the start of the on-duration relative to the start of the subframe boundary.

[0085] Once configured by the network, the DRX cycle may be repeated until a new DRX configuration is received.Thus, the user equipment may wake up even if there is no data to receive.

[0086] UEs in RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_IDLE states receive information about whether the current cell has power saving (discontinuous transmission) enabled. The UE receives this information from the macro base station (BS) or sidelink (SL) UE. When a small BS has DTX enabled, it indicates this status to the macro BS and / or SL UE. The SL UE or macro BS transmits the gNB status to UEs that wake up to monitor for paging messages. Layer 1 (L1) / layer 2 (L2) signaling is used to carry information about the small BS status. For example, Layer 1 signaling uses one bit for this purpose.

[0087] For example, L2 signaling: using a new LCID in MAC CE.

[0088] Based on such indication from the SL UE and / or macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip paging messages at a specific time for a period of time which may also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling.

Claims

1. A method for paging enhancement for network energy saving in a wireless communication network, wherein: When the small base station (BS) enables the DTX function, the small BS indicates the status to the macro BS and / or SL UE, or the macro BS sends the gNB status to the UE that wakes up to monitor the paging message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein L1 / L2 signaling is used to carry information about the status of the small BS.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Based on the indication from the SL UE and / or the macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip the paging message at a specific time of the period which can also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For L1 signaling, 1 bit is used for signaling transmission.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: For L2 signaling, LCID is used in MAC CE.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Based on the indication from the SL UE and / or the macro BS, the UE will not monitor or skip the paging message at a specific time of the period which can also be indicated in the L1 / L2 signaling.

7. An apparatus for network energy-saving paging in a wireless communication network, the apparatus being deployed in a wireless network node, the apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory comprising computer program instructions stored thereon, the processor being configured by the instructions to execute the method according to claims 1 to 6.

8. A wireless network node comprising an apparatus according to claim 4, the apparatus comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory comprising computer program instructions stored thereon, the processor being configured by the instructions to perform the method according to claims 1 to 6.

9. A wireless communication system comprising the wireless network node according to claim 8.

10. A computer program product comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or the instructions according to claims 1 to 6 when the program is executed by a processor.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions stored thereon, the computer program instructions being configured to implement the method for enhanced paging for network energy saving in a wireless communication network according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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