Systems and devices for transmitting signals in network and related methods

Abstract

Systems (100), devices (102), apparatuses (104) and methods (300) for transmitting signals in a network are disclosed. The method (300) comprises determining a transmission state of the signal to a user device in a current period, the transmission state comprising a positive transmission and a negative transmission of the signal to the user device; if the transmission state of the signal in the current period is negative, transmitting the signal in a subsequent period through a communication mechanism; and determining a transmission state of the signal in the subsequent period.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus usable for communication in association with, for example, a base station and / or a user equipment (UE) for transmitting a signal in a network. The present disclosure also relates to a method that can be associated with the system and / or the apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a wireless network provides network connectivity to mobile communication devices or user equipments (UEs) (such as smartphones) over a wireless interface. Energy efficiency and energy saving techniques for successfully transmitting a signal to a communication device (or UE) can help a communication network, for example, a telecommunication network based on the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (Fifth Generation) New Radio (NR) standards.

[0003] Current techniques can not address the problem of a mobile device (or UE) detecting a signal from a base station in various different situations and environments in a communication network. This can result in problems such as a missed detection, a false alarm rate analysis, and a frequency error. Therefore, current techniques can not promote energy efficiency and energy saving in an optimal manner.

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more problems associated with conventional techniques for promoting energy efficiency and energy saving when transmitting a signal to a mobile device (or UE). SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for transmitting a signal in a network, the method comprising: determining a transmission status of the signal to a user device in a current period, the transmission status comprising a positive transmission and a negative transmission of the signal to the user device; transmitting the signal in a subsequent period via a communication mechanism if the transmission status of the signal in the current period is negative; and determining a transmission status of the signal in the subsequent period.

[0006] Advantageously, the method described herein can enable a relay user equipment (UE) to wake up a remote UE when the remote UE does not detect a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low power wake-up signal (LPWUS). The remote UE can then monitor for a paging signal from a base station (or gNB) after being woken up.

[0007] In embodiments, the signal can be a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low power wake-up signal (LPWUS).

[0008] In embodiments, the period can be a discontinuous reception (DRX) period.

[0009] In an implementation, the communication mechanism may include transmitting the signal to at least one other user device via device-to-device communication.

[0010] In an implementation, transmitting the signal to at least one other user equipment includes transmission via at least one of the following: relay user equipment (UE), sidelink UE, Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi.

[0011] In the implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include transmitting the signal to at least one neighboring cell or at least one neighboring user device.

[0012] In the implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include transmitting at least one or more identical signals.

[0013] In an implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include: repeatedly transmitting the signal to at least one other user device, and transmitting the signal directly to the user device.

[0014] In an implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include: the at least one other user device determining the transmission status of the signal to the user device in the subsequent period; and the at least one other user device transmitting data related to the transmission status.

[0015] In the implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include: forwarding downlink data to the at least one other user device; having the at least one other user device determine the transmission status of the signal to the first device in the subsequent period; and having the at least one other user device transmit data related to the transmission status.

[0016] In one embodiment, a computer program is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in the first aspect.

[0017] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform the method as described in the first aspect.

[0018] In one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting a signal in a network is provided, comprising: a first module configured to determine the transmission status of the signal to a user device in a current period; a second module configured to process and / or facilitate the method as described in the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining that the signal has been successfully transmitted to the user device.

[0019] In an implementation, the apparatus may correspond to a base station capable of communicating with a device, the device corresponding to a user equipment (UE), and wherein the base station corresponds to a next-generation node B (gNB) configured to transmit the at least one output signal to the UE.

[0020] In one embodiment, a system is provided, comprising: at least one device; and at least one means, wherein the device and the means are coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0021] Advantageously, by using sidelinks to enhance the coverage of WuS or LPWUS, the systems disclosed herein can achieve improved energy efficiency and energy savings in the network. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a system for transmitting signals in a network according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the system including at least one device.

[0024] Figures 1B-1D The embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 1A Example scenarios associated with the system.

[0025] Figure 2 The embodiments shown are based on the present invention. Figure 1A A more detailed schematic diagram of the device.

[0026] Figure 3 The embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 1A The system-related methods.

[0027] Figures 4A-4M The embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the information flow associated with the method. Detailed Implementation

[0028] 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 can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details and is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terms from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to illustrate embodiments thereof, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0029] Furthermore, some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are included 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.

[0030] Generally, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art, unless a different meaning is expressly given and / or implied in the context of their use. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to elements, devices, components, apparatuses, steps, etc., should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of an element, device, component, apparatus, or step, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless it is expressly stated that a step follows or precedes another step, and / or it is implied that a step must follow or precede another step. Where appropriate, any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment. Similarly, any advantage of any embodiment may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the appended embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description.

[0031] In some implementations, the non-restrictive terms User Equipment (UE) or Wireless Device or User Equipment may be used, and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating 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, tablets, mobile terminals, smartphones, devices embedded in laptops (LEEs), external laptop equipment (LMEs), USB dongles, M1 category UEs, M2 category UEs, ProSe UEs, V2V UEs, V2X UEs, etc.

[0032] In some implementations, the more general term "network node" may be used and can correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with user equipment (directly or through another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, network nodes belonging to MCG or SCG, base stations (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node control relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transport point, transport node, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network nodes (e.g., mobile switching center (MSC), mobility management entity (MME), etc.), operations and maintenance (O&M), operations support system (OSS), self-optimizing network (SON), location nodes (e.g., evolved servicing mobile location center (E-SMLC)), minimized-driven test (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0033] Furthermore, terms such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-restrictive, and in particular do not imply any hierarchical relationship between them; generally, "gNodeB" can be considered device 1, and "UE" can be considered device 2, and the two devices communicate with each other through a radio channel. And in the following text, the transmitter or receiver can be either a gNodeB (gNB) or a UE.

[0034] This disclosure envisions an example of power consumption activity of a user equipment (UE) in Radio Resource Control (RRC)_CONNECTED mode as monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). In this mode, the UE needs to perform blind detection within its configured control resource set (CORESET) to identify whether downlink control information (DCI) is being sent to the UE on the PDCCH. On the other hand, the UE may not be scheduled during most PDCCH monitoring events, and therefore UE monitoring may waste energy.

[0035] This disclosure considers Discontinuous Reception (DRX) as a means to reduce power consumption. In DRX mode, the UE can start an inactivity timer after successfully decoding the PDCCH. After the inactivity timer expires, the UE can enter sleep mode according to a specific pattern of sleep and onduration (i.e., DRX cycle). By using this DRX technique, the network can transmit the DCI that schedules the UE to perform downlink transmissions only during the onduration of the DRX cycle. Therefore, the UE only needs to monitor the PDCCH during these wake-up durations and can sleep between ondurations in consecutive DRX cycles to save power. Even though DRX can reduce power consumption, it can also require the UE to wake up frequently, especially when the length of the DRX cycle is relatively short. Furthermore, when the onduration is relatively long relative to the duration of the DRX cycle, the UE may waste a significant amount of power.

[0036] This disclosure envisions techniques to reduce unnecessary PDCCH monitoring opportunities during the onDuration of a DRX cycle, which helps reduce power consumption. For example, introducing a wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) can be considered one effective solution to improve UE power consumption. When using WuS (or LPWUS), if the network expects to send a DCI (Distributed Control Information) to the UE to schedule downlink transmissions, it can send WuS (or LPWUS) to the UE before the start of the next onDuration of the DRX cycle. When WuS (or LPWUS) is implemented, the default behavior of the UE is to wake up and monitor the PDCCH only during the next onDuration of the DRX cycle if WuS (or LPWUS) is detected. If no WuS (or LPWUS) is detected, the UE remains in sleep mode during the next onDuration. WuS (or LPWUS) itself can be sent by the network when there is data in the buffer to be transmitted to the UE. By allowing the UE to perform PDCCH monitoring only when there is transmission on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), UE power consumption can be significantly reduced. In addition, compared to normal PDCCH monitoring, WuS (or LPWUS) monitoring can be set to be more energy-efficient, and thus can further improve the UE's energy efficiency.

[0037] This disclosure envisions that even when the network sends a WuS (or LPWUS) to wake the UE in the next OnDuration, the UE may not always successfully detect or decode the WuS (or LPWUS) at the WuS detection time. In this case, the UE remains in a sleep state and may miss the scheduled PDCCH from the network during the OnDuration. Therefore, the UE may fail to receive data transmissions scheduled on the PDSCH. The “missed” WuS (or LPWUS) may increase latency and reduce throughput. When the UE repeatedly misses PDSCH transmissions from the network and fails to provide the expected acknowledgment (ACK) or negative acknowledgment (NACK) feedback, a radio link failure (RLF) can be declared, which may lead to service loss and interruption. Therefore, the UE may need to re-establish the connection, which may consume a significant amount of power. Thus, the potential energy-saving effect may be greatly diminished due to the “missed” WuS (or LPWUS) detection.

[0038] This disclosure also envisions that when data is transmitted from the network (or base station) to the UE, the UE may need to wake up twice: once for monitoring the WuS (or LPWUS) monitoring opportunity, and a second time during the next OnDuration of the DRX cycle. When WuS (or LPWUS) is not implemented, the UE may only need to wake up once, during the OnDuration of the DRX cycle. When there is frequent data transmission from the network to the UE, the energy-saving gain of using WuS (or LPWUS) can be significantly reduced, and in some cases may even increase power consumption. Furthermore, the UE may not be able to return to deep sleep during the gap between the WuS (or LPWUS) monitoring opportunity and the OnDuration. The UE may need to remain awake or return to a shallower sleep state, which may consume more power than deep sleep.

[0039] This disclosure envisions introducing a wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) mechanism to improve the energy efficiency of user equipment (UE). The UE can be in sleep mode and have its primary radio off until a WuS (or LPWUS) signal is detected at the secondary radio (WuS receiver). Upon detection of the WuS (or LPWUS) signal by the WuS receiver, the primary radio may be triggered to turn on.

[0040] This disclosure envisions the WuS receiver as a low-complexity and low-power component of the UE, while the main radio is a high-power component in the UE. The main radio can be shut down as much as possible (in sleep mode) to reduce the UE's power consumption.

[0041] This disclosure envisions the possibility that the UE may be unable to detect a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) at the edge of the cell (or base station) coverage area. This disclosure also envisions that if no WuS (or LPWUS) is detected at the UE, the UE may remain in a sleep state. Therefore, the gNB may not exchange data with the UE until a WuS (or LPWUS) is successfully detected at the UE.

[0042] This disclosure envisions that, in order to provide low power consumption and energy-saving gains, the sensitivity of a low-power wake-up receiver may be lower than that of the main radio, and coverage loss should be investigated. For example, coverage estimation, false alarm and missed detection rate analysis, and the effects of SIR, frequency error, etc., can be studied for low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) designs with different bandwidths / durations.

[0043] This disclosure envisions that if a WuS (or LPWUS) signal cannot be sent to a UE (e.g., due to poor coverage), the base station (or gNB) can send the WuS (or LPWUS) via device-to-device (D2D) communication through another device (or UE) in the next DRX cycle. The other UE (using device-to-device communication) can then activate a remote UE that has not detected the WuS (or LPWUS). Once the remote UE is activated, it can monitor for paging signals from the base station (or gNB). This increases the likelihood of successfully detecting the WuS (or LPWUS).

[0044] According to the above-described manner, an embodiment of the present invention can provide a method for transmitting signals to a user device. Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, energy saving and energy efficiency can be maximized in the network.

[0045] The above will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0046] refer to Figure 1A The diagram illustrates a system 100 for transmitting signals in a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system 100 may be adapted, for example, to promote energy and improve power efficiency.

[0047] As shown in the figure, according to an embodiment of the present invention, system 100 may include one or more devices 102, at least one apparatus 104, and an optional communication network 106.

[0048] Device 102 can be coupled to device 104. Specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention, device 102 can be coupled to device 104, for example, via communication network 106.

[0049] In one embodiment, device 102 may be coupled to communication network 106, and device 104 may be coupled to communication network 106. Coupling may be performed via one or both wired and wireless coupling. According to an embodiment of the invention, device 102 may typically be configured to communicate with device 104 via communication network 106.

[0050] According to embodiments of the present invention, device 102 may be associated with or correspond to, or include, one or more user equipments (UEs) that can carry one or more computers. For example, according to embodiments of the present invention, device 102 may correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g., an electronic device or module with computing capabilities, such as an electronic mobile device that can be carried in a vehicle or an electronic module that can be installed in a vehicle), said at least one computer may be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the UE.

[0051] In an embodiment, device 102 may be configured, for example, to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signals in a manner that generates one or more output signals. According to an embodiment of the invention, the input signals may, for example, be transmitted from device 104 and received by device 102.

[0052] Device 104 may be associated with / correspond to, for example, at least one base station, which may be a next-generation Node B (gNB). Furthermore, device 104 may be configured, for example, to carry / associate with / include one or more computers (e.g., electronic devices / modules with computing capabilities), which may be configured, for example, to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the base station. According to embodiments of the invention, device 104 may be configured to receive one or more input signals that may be transmitted from device 102. For example, device 104 may be used to perform one or more processing tasks associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control of the input signals in a manner that generates at least one output signal. This will be discussed in more detail later in the context of an example scenario according to embodiments of the invention.

[0053] The input signal can be associated with the transmission status of the signal to the user equipment (or UE) in the current cycle. Specifically, the transmission status can include positive and negative transmission of the signal to the user equipment (or UE). Positive transmission (or positive status) indicates that the signal has been successfully transmitted to the user equipment, while negative transmission (or negative status) indicates that the signal has not been successfully transmitted to the user equipment. As a possible option, according to an embodiment of the invention, the output signal can be transmitted, for example, from device 104. The output signal can correspond to a control signal used to determine whether a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) has been successfully transmitted to the user equipment (or UE). According to an embodiment of the invention, reference will be made later. Figure 2 The apparatus 102 and device 104 will be discussed in more detail.

[0054] Communication network 106 may correspond to, for example, an Internet communication network, a cellular communication network, a wired communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication network, or a wireless communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication via communication network 106 (e.g., between devices 102 and / or between devices 102 and apparatus 104) may be conducted through one or both of wired and wireless communication.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the invention, device 104 may, for example, be configured to generate (and transmit) an output signal to device 102. Therefore, device 104 can generate a control signal for determining that a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) has been successfully transmitted to device 102. The following will describe an embodiment of the invention, with reference to... Figure 1B-1D This will be discussed in the context of the example scenario.

[0056] Figures 1B-1D The embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 1A Example scenarios associated with the system. Specifically, Figure 1B An example of a wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) transmission is illustrated. As shown, the low-power wake-up receiver (WuRx) can be a front-end device with low-power active or passive means for triggering the radio frequency (RF) and baseband processor of a user equipment (UE) receiver. In exemplary embodiments, in addition to a novel radio (NR) receiver, the wake-up receiver can also be a low-complexity and low-cost device. According to embodiments of the invention, the wake-up signal or low-power wake-up signal can be a waveform detected by the wake-up receiver, enabling the wake-up signal or low-power wake-up signal to operate in the same or different frequency bands of the NR operating band.

[0057] In the implementation, discontinuous reception (DRX) allows the UE (or user equipment) to reduce its power consumption by activating a sleep mode for specific time periods, while decoding the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) only during brief active periods. Wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) detection may include a wake-up receiver (WRx), which can be a standalone receiver or a submodule within a main receiver. During each wake-up cycle (w-cycle), the WRx monitors a designated set of subcarriers for a short period to determine if a wake-up signal has been received. The network then instructs the UE to decode the PDCCH using WuS or LPWUS.

[0058] Figure 1C An example is shown where a user equipment (UE) successfully detects a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS). Figure 1D An example is shown where the UE (or user equipment) fails to successfully detect WuS (or LPWUS). According to an embodiment of the invention, the UE (or user equipment) receives WuS (or LPWUS) and downlink (DL) from the gNB (or base station) and, in response, sends an acknowledgment (ACK) to the gNB (or base station). Figure 1C The above process is illustrated in two discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles. On the other hand, as... Figure 1D As shown, if the detection of WuS (or LPWUS) fails, the UE may not send an ACK to the gNB (or base station). In this case, the UE may remain in sleep mode.

[0059] In this implementation, the power consumption and potential energy-saving gains of the UE (or user equipment) can include the lowest power consumption device that can be used as a benchmark, wherein the power consumption of the low-power upwave receiver (LPWuR) can be 0. According to this implementation, this approach can advantageously extend the battery life of the UE (or user equipment), thereby achieving performance advantages by extending battery life across the entire lifespan of the enhanced UE (or user equipment).

[0060] In another implementation, the sensitivity of the LP-WuR can be lower than that of the main radio to provide low power consumption and energy-saving gains. Coverage loss can be overcome by performing coverage estimation, missed detection and false alarm rate analysis on low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) designs with different bandwidths / durations, and by analyzing the effects of SIR, frequency error, etc.

[0061] In another implementation, network impacts may include overhead, such as a portion of the time slots used for WuS or LPWUS, which may affect network energy efficiency. Latency can also be analyzed to understand whether the UE should still monitor PO and the time spent on LPWUS after wake-up. Mobility analysis may include whether the primary receiver needs to perform cell search after the primary receiver is turned on.

[0062] The above-described aspects of system 100 of the present invention can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the following devices 102 and apparatus 104 of the present invention. Similarly, all the following aspects of devices 102 and apparatus 104 of the present invention can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the above-described system 100 of the present invention.

[0063] The following will refer to Figure 2 The aforementioned device 104 or base station will be discussed in more detail.

[0064] refer to Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the invention, a schematic diagram of the apparatus 104 is shown in more detail in the context of an exemplary implementation 200.

[0065] In exemplary implementation 200, device 104 may correspond to electronic module 200a. According to an embodiment of the invention, in one example, electronic module 200a may correspond to a base station or cell. In another example, according to an embodiment of the invention, electronic module 200a may correspond to an electronic device that can be installed in a base station or cell.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the invention, it is envisioned that the electronic module 200a is capable of performing one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control.

[0067] Electronic module 200a may include, for example, a housing 200b. Furthermore, electronic module 200a may, for example, carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206.

[0068] In an implementation scheme, electronic module 200a may house the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206. In a specific example, according to an embodiment of the present invention, electronic module 200a may house the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206.

[0069] In this regard, it is understood that, in the implementation, the shape and size of the housing 200b may be customized to carry any one or any combination thereof of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206.

[0070] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204, and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206. The coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206 can be performed, for example, by one or both of wired and wireless coupling. According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module.

[0071] In one example, the first module 202 may correspond to a hardware-based receiver that can be configured to receive one or more input signals. According to embodiments of the invention, input signals can, for example, be transmitted from device 102 (or user equipment or UE).

[0072] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second module 204 may correspond, for example, to a hardware-based processor that can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., to generate one or more output signals), as will be referred to later. Figure 3 To be discussed in more detail.

[0073] The third module 206 may correspond to a hardware-based transmitter configured to transmit one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. According to embodiments of the invention, the output signals may, for example, include one or more instruction / command / control signals associated with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / determination strategy to improve efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency). For example, the output signal may be a control signal for determining successful transmission of a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) to a user equipment (or UE).

[0074] This disclosure envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the second module 204 can be modules based on integrated software and hardware (e.g., electronic components that can carry software programs or algorithms associated with receiving and processing functions, or electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and processing functions). This disclosure also envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be modules based on integrated software and hardware (e.g., electronic components that can carry software programs or algorithms associated with receiving and transmitting functions, or electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and transmitting functions). This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 can be integrated hardware modules capable of performing receiving and transmitting functions (e.g., hardware-based transceivers).

[0075] According to embodiments of the invention, device 102 (or UE) may also be configured to process input signals in a manner that promotes efficiency (e.g., power efficiency or energy efficiency), as will be referred to later. Figure 3 Further details are discussed below. In one specific example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the output signal may include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / deterministic strategy, thereby promoting efficiency, such as power efficiency or energy efficiency. For example, the output signal may be a control signal for determining successful transmission of a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) to a user equipment (or UE).

[0076] In the alternative implementation plan, Figure 2 The schematic diagram illustrates the device 102 in an exemplary implementation 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Specifically, the exemplary implementation 200 and its modules 200a, 200b, 202, 204, and 206 described above can correspond to device 102, such as a user equipment (UE) or user device. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, electronic module 200a, having a housing 200b, a first module 202, a second module 204, and a third module 206, can correspond to a mobile device (or UE) that can be carried by a user into a vehicle, for example. In another example, according to an embodiment of the invention, electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device that can be installed / placed in a vehicle. In this respect, electronic module 200a can be considered as being carried by a vehicle (e.g., carried by a user into a vehicle or installed / placed in a vehicle). In an example, according to an embodiment of the invention, first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver that can be configured to receive one or more input signals, which can be transmitted, for example, from device 104 (or a base station or gNB).

[0078] The aforementioned aspects of the device 102 and apparatus 104 of the present invention can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the following processing / communication method of the present invention. Similarly, all the following aspects of the method of the present invention can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the aforementioned device 102 and apparatus 104 of the present invention. It should be understood that these notes similarly apply to the system 100 of this disclosure discussed above.

[0079] refer to Figure 3 The present invention illustrates a method 300 (or communication method) for transmitting signals (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) in association with system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] According to embodiments of the present invention, method 300 can be applied, for example, to promote energy efficiency, network optimization, and energy conservation.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, method 300 may include any one or any combination thereof of input step 302, processing step 304 and output step 306.

[0082] In one embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302 and a processing step 304. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include one or both of processing step 304, input step 302, and output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304. In yet another additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include any one or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306 (i.e., input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306).

[0083] Regarding input step 302, one or more input signals may be received. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the input signal may be transmitted from device 102 and received by device 104.

[0084] Input step 302 may include receiving at least one input signal associated with the transmission status of a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) to a user equipment (or UE). Specifically, the transmission status may include positive and negative transmission of the signal to the user equipment. Positive transmission (or positive status) indicates that the signal has been successfully transmitted to the user equipment, while negative transmission (or negative status) indicates that the signal has not been successfully transmitted to the user equipment. In an embodiment, the input signal may be generated by device 102 and transmitted from device 102 to device 104 to proceed to processing step 304.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present invention, with respect to processing step 304, at least one processing task may be performed in association with the received input signal in a manner that generates one or more output signals.

[0086] Processing step 304 may include at least one of the following: determining the transmission status of a signal to a user equipment in the current cycle, the transmission status including positive and negative transmission of the signal to the user equipment; and if the transmission status of the signal in the current cycle is negative, transmitting the signal in a subsequent cycle via a communication mechanism. Positive transmission (or positive status) may indicate that the signal has been successfully transmitted to the user equipment, while negative transmission (or negative status) may indicate that the signal has not been successfully transmitted to the user equipment. The signal may be a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS), and the cycle may be a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

[0087] In the implementation, the communication mechanism may include transmitting signals to at least one other user equipment via device-to-device communication, wherein transmitting signals to at least one other user equipment may include at least one of the following: relay user equipment (UE), sidelink UE, Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi.

[0088] In the implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may further include transmitting signals to at least one neighboring cell or at least one neighboring user equipment (or UE), and transmitting at least one or more identical signals. The communication mechanism may also include repeatedly transmitting signals to at least one other user equipment, and transmitting the signals directly to a user equipment.

[0089] In the implementation scheme, the communication mechanism may include at least one other user device determining the transmission status of a signal to a user device in a subsequent cycle; and at least one other user device transmitting data related to the transmission status. The communication mechanism may also include forwarding downlink data to at least one other user device; at least one other user device determining the transmission status of a signal to a first device in a subsequent cycle; and at least one other user device transmitting data related to the transmission status.

[0090] Regarding output step 306, according to an embodiment of the invention, the output signal may be communicated as an option. For example, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 104. In a more specific example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 104 to one or both of at least devices 102.

[0091] This disclosure also envisions a computer program (not shown) that may include instructions, when executed by a computer (not shown), causing the computer to perform the input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0092] This disclosure also envisions a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) storing data representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform the input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer-readable storage medium may store data representing computer-executable software, the software including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0093] Furthermore, in view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally envisions an apparatus 104 for transmitting signals in a network, which may include a first module 202, a second module 204, and / or a third module 206.

[0094] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signals can be associated, for example, with the transmission status of signals (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) to a user equipment (or UE).

[0095] The second module 204 can be configured to process and / or facilitate the processing of the input signal according to the method 300 described above, in order to generate one or more output signals.

[0096] The third module 206 can be configured to transmit one or more output signals. For example, the output signals may correspond to one or more control signals used to determine that a signal (e.g., WuS or LPWUS) has been successfully transmitted to the user equipment (or UE).

[0097] In this implementation, device 102 may correspond to a user equipment (UE), which may communicate with device 104 corresponding to a base station. For example, the base station may correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB), which may be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., output signals) to the UE.

[0098] In view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 that may include one or more devices 102 and one or more apparatuses 104. Devices 102 and apparatuses 104 may be coupled, for example, via wired and / or wireless coupling.

[0099] It should be understood that the above embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner (for example, one or more embodiments discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0100] Those skilled in the art should also understand that variations and combinations of the above embodiments (not substitutions or replacements) can be combined to form further embodiments.

[0101] In one example, the possibility of transmitting an output signal from device 104 is discussed. It is understood that the output signal does not necessarily need to be transmitted from device 104. Specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the possibility that the output signal does not necessarily need to communicate externally to device 104 is envisioned. More specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the output signal may correspond, for example, to internal commands / instructions for adaptively controlling the operational configuration of device 102 (e.g., communicating only within device 102).

[0102] Figures 4A-4M The illustrations show various embodiments of the invention. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the information flow associated with the method.

[0103] Figure 4A An exemplary implementation is shown in which signals (e.g., wake-up signal WuS or low-power wake-up signal LPWUS) are transmitted via a sidelink user equipment (UE), relay UE, or gNB in ​​subsequent discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles. For example, if signals (e.g., WuS or LPCUS) cannot be transmitted to the UE (e.g., due to poor coverage), the base station (e.g., gNB) uses alternative methods to transmit WuS or LPWUS to the UE, such as transmitting multiple repeated signals (e.g., WuS or LPCUS) in the next DRX cycle and / or transmitting signals (e.g., WuS or LPCUS) via other devices through device-to-device communication in the next DRX cycle.

[0104] Figure 4B and Figure 4CA first embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4B In the exemplary scenario shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (or WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4C In the exemplary scenario shown, in step 1, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) during the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives the ACK from the UE, the process ends. Alternatively, if no ACK is received from the UE, in step 2, a signal (WuS or LPWUS) is transmitted via D2D communication to another device in the next DRX cycle. The WuS or LPWUS signal can be transmitted via any alternative mechanism, such as device-to-device communication (e.g., relay UE, sidelink UE, Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi).

[0105] Figure 4D and Figure 4E A second embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4D In the exemplary scenario shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4E In the exemplary scenario shown, in step 3, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) in the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives an ACK from the UE, the process ends. On the other hand, if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, in step 4, the signal (WuS or LPWUS) is transmitted via a neighboring cell or in the next DRX cycle. In the implementation, it can be understood that if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, the signal (WuS or LPWUS) can be transmitted via a neighboring user equipment (or UE) in the next DRX cycle.

[0106] Figure 4F and Figure 4G A third embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4F In the exemplary scenario shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4GIn the exemplary scenario shown, in step 5, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) in the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives an ACK from the UE, the process ends. On the other hand, if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, in step 6, the base station (or gNB) sends more than one of the same WuS or LPWUS in the next DRX cycle.

[0107] Figure 4H and Figure 4I A fourth embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4H In the exemplary context shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4I In the exemplary scenario shown, in step 7, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) in the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives an ACK from the UE, the process ends. On the other hand, if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, in step 8, the base station (or gNB) broadcasts / transmits / sends the signal (WuS or LPWUS) 'N' repetitions in the next DRX cycle. The 'N' repetitions may include 'M' repetitions of the signal transmitted via D2D communication through other devices, and 'N-M' repetitions transmitted directly by the gNB (or base station). In this case, M may be the number of WuS or LPWUS (or signals) broadcast / transmitted / sent by the gNB via D2D communication through other devices, such that 'M' can be predefined by the gNB (or base station). For example, if a gNB (or base station) broadcasts / transmits / sends a total of 'N' WuS (or LPWUS), it can broadcast / transmit / send 'M' WuS (or LPWUS) via D2D communication through other devices, where N≥M, and can also broadcast, transmit / send 'N-M' times directly through the gNB (or base station).

[0108] Figure 4J and Figure 4K A fifth embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4J In the exemplary scenario shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4KIn the exemplary scenario shown, in step 9, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) in the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives an ACK from the UE, the process ends. Alternatively, if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, in step 10, the base station (or gNB) broadcasts / transmits / sends a signal (WuS or LPWUS) via D2D communication to other devices in the next DRX cycle. Then, in step 11, the gNB (or base station) detects whether an ACK or negative acknowledgment (NACK) has been received from other devices (other than the user equipment). In step 12, the gNB (or base station) receives an ACK or NACK from the other devices. For example, the gNB (or base station) detects a WuS (or LPWUS) signal, but the gNB (or base station) does not receive an ACK. Other devices may detect an ACK or NACK from a remote UE and send it to the gNB (or base station).

[0109] Figure 4L and Figure 4M A sixth embodiment of the information flow is shown, illustrating an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 4L In the exemplary scenario shown, the remote UE is configured to receive signals (WuS or LPWUS) and data via base station (e.g., gNB) and / or device-to-device (D2D) communication. Figure 4M In the exemplary scenario shown, in step 13, the base station (or gNB) receives an acknowledgment (ACK) from the user equipment (or UE) in the current DRX cycle. If the base station receives the ACK from the UE, the process ends. Alternatively, if no ACK is received from the UE in the current DRX cycle, in step 14, the base station (or gNB) sends a WuS (or LPWUS) via D2D communication through another device (other than the user equipment) in the next DRX cycle. In step 15, the other device forwards downlink (DL) data and receives the ACK from the user equipment. In step 16, the other device sends the ACK to the gNB (or base station). For example, the gNB (or base station) may detect the WuS (or LPWUS) signal but does not receive the ACK at the gNB (or base station). In this case, the ACK may be detected on the other device and sent back to the gNB (or base station).

[0110] Various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above to address at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be covered by the following claims and are not limited to the specific form or arrangement of the described components. In view of the contents of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that many changes and / or modifications can be made, which are also intended to be covered by the following claims.

[0111] abbreviation:

[0112] ACK: Confirmation

[0113] AGC: Automatic Gain Control

[0114] BSR: Buffer Status Report

[0115] BWP: Bandwidth section

[0116] CG: Configuration Authorization

[0117] CS-RNTI: Configuration and Scheduling Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0118] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0119] DRX: Discontinuous Receiver

[0120] GP: Protection Period

[0121] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0122] LPWUS: Low Power Wake-up Signal

[0123] LPWUR: Low Power Wake-up Receiver

[0124] NACK: Negative Acknowledgment

[0125] NDI: New Data Indicator

[0126] NR: New Radio

[0127] OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

[0128] PRB: Physical Resource Block

[0129] PRS: Positioning Reference Signal

[0130] PSBCH: Physical SL Broadcast Channel

[0131] PSCCH: Physical SL Control Channel

[0132] PSFCH: Physical SL Feedback Channel

[0133] PSSCH: Physical SL Shared Channel

[0134] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0135] RB: Resource Block

[0136] RP: Resource Pool

[0137] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0138] SCI: Sidelink Control Information

[0139] SL: Side Link

[0140] SPCI: SL Positioning Control Information

[0141] S-PSS: SL Master Synchronization Signal

[0142] SR: Scheduling Request

[0143] S-SS: SL Synchronization Signal

[0144] S-SSB: SL Synchronization Signal Block

[0145] S-SSS: SL auxiliary synchronization signal

[0146] SL-RNTI: Temporary Identifier for Sidelink Wireless Networks

[0147] TB: Transport Block

[0148] UE: User Equipment

[0149] UL: Uplink

[0150] WID: Work Item Description

[0151] WuS: Wake-up signal

Claims

1. A method (300) for transmitting signals in a network, the method comprising: Determine the transmission status of the signal to the user device in the current cycle, the transmission status including positive transmission and negative transmission of the signal to the user device; If the transmission state of the signal in the current cycle is negative, the signal is transmitted in subsequent cycles via a communication mechanism. as well as Determine the transmission status of the signal in the subsequent cycle.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the signal is a wake-up signal (WuS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS).

3. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the period is a discontinuous reception (DRX) period.

4. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism includes transmitting the signal to at least one other user device via device-to-device communication.

5. The method (300) of claim 3, wherein transmitting the signal to at least one other user equipment comprises transmitting via at least one of: a relay user equipment (UE), a sidelink UE, Bluetooth, and / or Wi-Fi.

6. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism includes transmitting the signal to at least one neighboring cell or at least one neighboring user device.

7. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism comprises transmitting at least one or more identical signals.

8. The method (300) of claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism includes repeatedly transmitting the signal to at least one other user device and transmitting the signal directly to the user device.

9. The method (300) according to claim 4, wherein the communication mechanism comprises: The transmission status of the signal to the user device in the subsequent period is determined by the at least one other user device; as well as Data related to the transmission status is transmitted by the at least one other user device.

10. The method (300) according to claim 4, wherein the communication mechanism comprises: Forward downlink data to the at least one other user device; The transmission status of the signal to the first device in the subsequent period is determined by the at least one other user device; as well as Data related to the transmission status is transmitted by the at least one other user device.

11. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform the method (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. An apparatus (104) for transmitting signals in a network, comprising: The first module (202) is configured to determine the transmission status of the signal to the user device in the current cycle; The second module (204) is configured to process and / or facilitate the method (300) as described in claims 1 to 10 to generate at least one output signal; as well as The third module (206) is configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for determining that the signal has been successfully transmitted to the user device.

14. The apparatus (104) according to claim 13, The device (104) corresponds to a base station capable of communicating with the device (102), and the device (102) corresponds to a user equipment (UE). The base station corresponds to a next-generation node B (gNB) configured to transmit the at least one output signal to the UE.

15. A system (100) comprising: At least one device (104) according to any one of claims 13 and 14; as well as At least one device (102) according to claim 14, The device (102) and the apparatus (104) are coupled via at least one of wired and wireless coupling.

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