Ue measurements in conflicting RAN and CN PTW

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) is configured to decode paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, where the PTW information includes (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and performing a measurement of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, where the measurement of one or more wireless signals is performed during the CN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and in particular to UE measurements in conflicting RAN and CN PTWs. BACKGROUND

[0002] A user equipment (UE) can operate in an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mode. The eDRX mode can encompass various connected modes, such as radio resource control (RRC) connected, RRC inactive, and RRC idle. Each eDRX connected mode features different associated costs and benefits in terms of power optimization, mobility optimization, and latency (among other factors).

[0003] A paging timing window (PTW) is a periodic interval during which a UE can attempt to receive a page. However, it is possible that a radio access network (RAN) PTW is different (e.g., length, periodicity, etc.) from a core network PTW. An unsolved problem in the field of network communications involves how a UE should perform measurements in eDRX RRC inactive and RRC idle when the RAN PTW and the core network PTW are different. SUMMARY

[0004] Some example embodiments relate to an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having processing circuitry configured to: decode, from a signal received from a base station, paging timing window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

[0005] Other example embodiments relate to an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having processing circuitry configured to: decode paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information includes (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information includes (i) a RAN eDRX cycle including one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle including one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

[0006] Still further example embodiments relate to an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having processing circuitry configured to: decode paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information includes (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information includes (i) a RAN eDRX cycle including one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle including one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is longer than the CN PTW duration.

[0007] Additional example embodiments relate to an apparatus of a user equipment (UE) having processing circuitry configured to: decode paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information includes (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information includes (i) a RAN eDRX cycle including one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle including one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is longer than the CN PTW duration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 An example network arrangement is shown in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2 An example UE is shown in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0010] Figure 3 An example base station is shown in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 4A illustrates a first periodic diagram of an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 4B illustrates a second periodic diagram of the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 4A in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0013] FIG. 5A illustrates a third periodic diagram of an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 5B illustrates a fourth periodic diagram of the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 5A in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 6A illustrates a fifth periodic diagram of an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 6B illustrates a sixth periodic diagram of the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 6A, in accordance with various example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Example embodiments can be further understood with reference to the following description and the related drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The example embodiments relate to a user equipment (UE) performing measurements when a radio access network (RAN) paging timing window (PTW) collides with a core network PTW.

[0018] Example embodiments are described with reference to a user equipment (UE). However, references to a UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. Example embodiments can be used with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Thus, a UE described herein is used to represent any electronic component.

[0019] Example embodiments are also described with reference to a 5G New Radio (NR) network. However, it should be understood that example embodiments can also be implemented in other types of networks, including but not limited to LTE networks, future evolutions of cellular protocols (e.g., 6G networks), or any other type of network.

[0020] As described above, a UE can have a RAN PTW and a CN PTW. It remains an open issue in the art to determine when and how to perform network measurements at the UE considering different DRX cycles (associated with the aforementioned eDRX mode) and PTWs. Operations and logic for UE measurements of reference signals (RSs) sent by the network when there are colliding RAN and CN PTWs are disclosed herein. The operations and logic can determine the behavior of the UE depending on various factors, including but not limited to the length of the respective PTWs, the length of the respective eDRX cycles, the periodicity of the eDRX cycles, etc. The operations and logic are described in more detail below.

[0021] Figure 1 An example network arrangement 100 is shown in accordance with various example embodiments. The example network arrangement 100 includes a UE 110. Those skilled in the art will understand that the UE 110 can be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a smart phone, a phablet, an embedded device, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device (including connected vehicles), etc. It should also be understood that a practical network arrangement can include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Thus, only an example of one UE 110 is provided for illustrative purposes.

[0022] The UE 110 can be configured to communicate with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the network with which the UE 110 can wirelessly communicate is a 5G NR Radio Access Network (RAN) 120. However, it should be understood that the UE 110 can also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., a 5G Cloud RAN, a Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN), a legacy cellular network, etc.), and the UE 110 can also communicate with a network through a wired connection. With reference to the example embodiment, the UE 110 can establish a connection with the 5G NR RAN 120. Accordingly, the UE 110 can have a 5G NR chipset to communicate with the NR RAN 120.

[0023] The 5G NR RAN 120 can be part of a cellular network that can be deployed by a network operator (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). The RAN 120 can include cells or base stations that are configured to transmit and receive traffic from UEs equipped with the appropriate cellular chipset. In this example, the 5G NR RAN 120 includes a gNB 120A. However, reference to a gNB is provided for illustrative purposes only, any appropriate base station or cell (e.g., Node B, eNode B, HeNB, eNB, gNB, gNode B, macrocell, microcell, small cell, femtocell, etc.) can be deployed. Similarly, the term 5G is provided for illustrative purposes only, any advanced cellular communication system (e.g., 5G, advanced 5G, 6G, etc.) can be deployed.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any relevant processes can be performed for the UE 110 to connect to the 5G NR RAN 120. For example, as described above, the 5G NR RAN 120 can be associated with a particular network operator at which the UE 110 and / or its user has agreement and credential information (e.g., stored on a SIM card). Upon detecting the presence of the 5G NR RAN 120, the UE 110 can transmit the corresponding credential information in order to associate with the 5G NR RAN 120. More specifically, the UE 110 can associate with a particular cell (e.g., gNB 120A).

[0025] The network arrangement 100 also includes a cellular core network 130, the Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network services backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 manages traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140. The IMS 150 can generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to UEs 110 using IP protocols. The IMS 150 can communicate with the cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to the UEs 110. The network services backbone 160 communicates with the Internet 140 and the cellular core network 130, either directly or indirectly. The network services backbone 160 can generally be described as a collection of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a suite of services that can be used to extend functionality of the UEs 110 in communicating with various networks.

[0026] Figure 2 An exemplary UE 110 is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The UE 110 will be described with reference to the network arrangement 100 of Figure 1 The UE 110 can represent any electronic device, and can include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input / output (I / O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. The other components 230 can include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery providing limited power, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting the UE 110 to other electronic devices, a sensor for detecting a condition of the UE 110, etc.

[0027] The processor 205 can be configured to execute a number of engines of the UE 110. For example, the engines can include a PTW engine 235 for performing operations related to determining when and how to perform signal measurements with various combinations of RAN PTW and eDRX cycles.

[0028] The engines described above are exemplary only as applications (e.g., programs) executed by the processor 205. The functionality associated with these engines can also be represented as separate combined components of the UE 110, or can be modular components coupled to the UE 110, such as integrated circuits with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuits can include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. The engines can also be embodied as one application or multiple separate applications. Furthermore, in some UEs, the functionality described with respect to the processor 205 is split between two or more processors, such as a baseband processor and an application processor. The exemplary embodiments can be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0029] The memory arrangement 210 can be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110. The display device 215 can be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, while the I / O device 220 can be a hardware component that enables a user to enter input. The display device 215 and the I / O device 220 can be separate components or can be integrated together, such as a touchscreen. The transceiver 225 can be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with the 5G-NR RAN 120. Thus, the transceiver 225 can operate on various different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of contiguous frequencies).

[0030] The transceiver 225 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals can be encoded with information implementing any of the methods described herein. The processor 205 can be operatively coupled to the transceiver 225 and configured to receive and / or transmit signals from / to the transceiver 225. The processor 205 can be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a base station of a network) for implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0031] Figure 3 An exemplary base station 300 is shown in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. The base station 300 can represent a gNB 120A or any other access node with which a UE 110 can establish a connection and manage network operations.

[0032] The base station 300 can include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, input / output (I / O) devices 315, a transceiver 320, and other components 325. These other components 325 can include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting the base station 300 to other electronic devices and / or a power source, etc.

[0033] The processor 305 can be configured to execute multiple engines of the base station 300. For example, the engines can include a PTW engine 330 for transmitting measurement configurations to the UE 110 for various configurations of PTW and eDRX cycles.

[0034] Memory 310 can be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by base station 300. I / O device 315 can be a hardware component or port that enables a user to interact with base station 300. Transceiver 320 can be a hardware component configured to exchange data with UE 110, as well as any other UEs in network arrangement 100. Transceiver 320 can operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of contiguous frequencies). Thus, transceiver 320 can include one or more components (e.g., radio parts) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs.

[0035] Transceiver 320 includes circuitry configured to transmit and / or receive signals (e.g., control signals, data signals). Such signals can be encoded with information implementing any of the methods described herein. Processor 305 can be operatively coupled to transceiver 320 and configured to receive signals from and / or transmit signals to transceiver 320. Processor 305 can be configured to encode and / or decode signals (e.g., signaling from a UE) for implementing any of the methods described herein.

[0036] FIG. 4A illustrates a first periodic diagram 400 that exemplifies an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW, according to various example embodiments. FIG. 4B illustrates a second periodic diagram 410 that exemplifies the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 4A, according to various example embodiments. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B will be described together to introduce the basic concepts related to example embodiments.

[0037] Periodic diagram 400 will be described first. It should be noted that moving from left to right along both FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B corresponds to moving forward in time domain.

[0038] FIG. 4A illustrates a RAN (i.e., inactive mode) eDRX periodicity 406. In addition, FIG. 4A also illustrates a RAN PTW 402 that occurs within RAN eDRX periodicity 406. It should be understood that each RAN eDRX periodicity 406 includes a RAN PTW 402. FIG. 4A also illustrates a core network (CN) (i.e., idle mode) eDRX periodicity 408. A CN PTW 404 occurs within CN eDRX periodicity 404. It should be understood that each CN eDRX periodicity 408 includes a CN PTW 404.

[0039] Turning now to FIG. 4B and periodic illustration 410, it should be appreciated that periodic illustration 410 illustrates one instance of RAN PTW 402 overlapping with CN PTW 404 of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B also illustrates RAN eDRX cycle 412 and CN eDRX cycle 414, respectively, where the bars represent instances in which UE 110 will listen for transmissions from the network during the respective eDRX cycles, e.g., eDRX occasions, as described in greater detail below. As shown in periodic illustration 410, the periodicity of RAN eDRX cycle 412 can be “T,” and the periodicity of CN eDRX cycle can be “3T,” although this is merely exemplary, and other ratios are possible and within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. For example, for every three RAN DRX cycles 412, there is only a single CN eDRX cycle 414.

[0040] RAN eDRX cycle 412 corresponds to a plurality of RAN eDRX occasions, such as RAN eDRX occasion 416. It should be noted that other unmarked RAN eDRX occasions are identical in functionality and periodicity to marked RAN eDRX occasion 416.

[0041] CN eDRX cycle 414 corresponds to a plurality of CN eDRX occasions, such as CN eDRX occasion 418. It should be noted that other unmarked CN eDRX occasions are identical in functionality and periodicity to marked CN eDRX occasion 418.

[0042] Various combinations of PTW window length and eDRX cycle periodicity must be considered to ensure proper UE signal measurements.

[0043] In a first aspect of the exemplary embodiments, UE measurement logic and procedures are disclosed for the case where the RAN PTW length is less than the CN PTW length. More specifically, the first aspect will be broken down into two scenarios: when the RAN RDX occasion overlaps with the CN DRX occasion, and when the RAN DRX occasion does not overlap with the CN DRX occasion. Each scenario has various associated options, and these options will be properly noted as they are described.

[0044] In a first scenario of the first aspect, the RAN eDRX occasion overlaps with the CN eDRX occasion. Returning to FIG. 4B, this can be seen in the case where the RAN eDRX occasion 416 overlaps with the CN eDRX occasion 418 (i.e., the occasions 416 and 418 overlap in time on the x-axis). In the first scenario, the UE 110 should initially perform measurements based on the maximum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW). In the first scenario, this would be the CN PTW. For example, the CN PTW 404 is longer than the RAN PTW 402, and thus the UE 110 would perform measurements during the CN PTW window 404 (i.e., because it is greater than the RAN PTW 402).

[0045] In a first option of the first scenario, the UE 110 performs measurements based on the minimum of (RAN DRX cycle, CN DRX cycle) or the maximum of (RAN eDRX cycle, CN eDRX cycle).

[0046] For example, if the UE 110 is using the minimum of (RAN eDRX cycle, CN eDRX cycle), based on the example configurations shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the UE 110 would perform measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle 412, as it is less than the CN eDRX cycle 414. In general, this option means that the UE 110 is measuring during the CN PTW 404 with the periodicity of the RAN eDRX cycle 412. This represents a more frequent measurement interval than in the case of the maximum of (RAN eDRX cycle, CN eDRX cycle) option discussed above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these different measurement gaps can be left to operator implementation, and each provides advantages and disadvantages with respect to measurement quality and UE 110 power consumption.

[0047] In a second option of the first scenario, the UE 110 performs measurements based on the CN eDRX cycle when the CN eDRX cycle is in the CN PTW. For example, in FIG. 4B, the UE 110 would use the CN eDRX cycle 414 as the measurement periodicity during the time period of the CN PTW 404.

[0048] A third option of the first scenario can apply to scenarios where the UE 110 is operating in inactive mode. As long as the UE 110 is operating in inactive mode, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle 412, regardless of the PTW type (e.g., CN PTW 404 or RAN PTW 402).

[0049] In a fourth option of the first scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements during the RAN PTW 402 using the RAN eDRX cycle 412 periodically 412 and perform measurements during the CN PTW 404 but outside the RAN PTW 402 using the CN eDRX cycle 414. For example, during the time covered by both the RAN PTW 402 and the CN PTW 404, the UE 110 can use the RAN eDRX cycle 412. During the time covered only by the CN PTW 404 but not the RAN PTW 402, the UE 110 will switch to using the CN eDRX cycle 414 (i.e., during time = CN PTW 404 - RAN PTW 402).

[0050] In a fifth option of the first scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements using a paging cycle “T” equal to the minimum of (CN configured DRX cycle, RAN configured DRX cycle, default paging cycle broadcast in system information).

[0051] In another example, the measurements in the first scenario can also be performed by the UE 110 during the minimum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW). In the example FIGs. 4A and 4B, the minimum would be the RAN PTW 402.

[0052] In the first option for when the UE 110 is using the minimum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW), the UE 110 performs measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the RAN eDRX cycle is in the RAN PTW. For example, in FIG. 4B, the UE 110 will use the RAN eDRX cycle 412 as the measurement periodicity during the time period of the RAN PTW 402.

[0053] In the second option for when the UE 110 is using the minimum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW), the UE 110 can perform measurements using a paging cycle “T” equal to the minimum of (CN configured DRX cycle, RAN configured DRX cycle, default paging cycle broadcast in system information).

[0054] In a second scenario of the first aspect, the RAN eDRX occasions do not overlap with the CN eDRX occasions. Additionally, the RAN PTW length is less than the CN PTW length. FIG. 5A illustrates a third periodicity diagram 500 illustrating an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW, in accordance with various example embodiments. FIG. 5B illustrates a fourth periodicity diagram 510 illustrating the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 5A, in accordance with various example embodiments.

[0055] FIGS. 5A and 5B are similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, except that the CN eDRX occasions 518 do not overlap with the RAN eDRX occasions 516 (i.e., the occasions 516 and 518 do not overlap in time on the x-axis). This is in contrast to what is shown in FIG. 4B, where the CN eDRX occasions 418 do align with the RAN eDRX occasions 416. This misalignment can be quantified by a value such as a RAN timing offset 520, which is depicted in FIG. 5B as the time between the RAN eDRX occasion 516 and the CN eDRX occasion 518.

[0056] In the second scenario, the UE 110 should initially perform measurements based on the maximum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW). In the second scenario, this would be the CN PTW. For example, the CN PTW 504 is longer than the RAN PTW 502, and thus the UE 110 would perform measurements during the CN PTW window 504 (i.e., because it is greater than the RAN PTW 502).

[0057] In a first option of the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on always using the minimum (or optionally, the maximum) of (RAN DRX cycle, CN DRX cycle), with a timing offset of the DRX duration following the RAN DRX cycle configuration. For example, if the maximum of the RAN eDRX cycle 512 and the CN eDRX cycle 514 is used, the UE 110 can use the larger CN eDRX cycle 514 periodicity for measurements. An offset for measurements is necessary because the RAN eDRX occasions 516 and the CN eDRX occasions 518 are not aligned. Thus, the UE 110 would use a timing offset based on the RAN eDRX cycle 512 (e.g., the RAN timing offset 520) to perform measurements.

[0058] In a second option of the second scenario, the UE 110 performs measurements based on the CN eDRX cycle when the CN eDRX cycle is in the CN PTW. For example, in FIG. 5B, the UE 110 would use the CN eDRX cycle 514 as the measurement periodicity during the time period of the CN PTW 504.

[0059] A third option of the first scenario can apply to scenarios where the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode. As long as the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle 512, regardless of the PTW type (e.g., the CN PTW 504 or the RAN PTW 502).

[0060] In a fourth option of the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements during the RAN PTW 502 periodically using the RAN eDRX cycle 512 and perform measurements during the CN PTW 504 but outside the RAN PTW 502 using the CN eDRX cycle 514. For example, during the time covered by both the RAN PTW 502 and the CN PTW 504, the UE 110 can use the RAN eDRX cycle 512. During the time covered only by the CN PTW 404 but not the RAN PTW 502, the UE 110 will transition to using the CN eDRX cycle 514 (i.e., during time = CN PTW 504 - RAN PTW 502).

[0061] In a fifth option of the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements using a paging cycle “T” equal to the minimum of (CN configured DRX cycle, RAN configured DRX cycle, default paging cycle broadcasted in system information).

[0062] In a second aspect of the example embodiments, UE measurement logic and procedures are disclosed herein for the case where the RAN PTW length is greater than the CN PTW length. More specifically, the UE will base its measurements during the maximum or minimum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW), with two scenarios further describing the second aspect.

[0063] FIG. 6A illustrates a fifth periodic diagram 600 illustrating an idle eDRX mode with a core network PTW and an inactive eDRX mode with a RAN PTW, according to various example embodiments. FIG. 6B illustrates a sixth periodic diagram 610 illustrating the core network PTW and the RAN PTW of FIG. 6A, according to various example embodiments. FIGS. 6A and 6B are similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B, respectively, except that the RAN PTW 602 is now longer than the CN PTW 604, the inactive eDRX / RAN eDRX periodicity 606 is now longer than the idle eDRX / CN eDRX periodicity 608, and the CN eDRX cycle 614 is now shorter than the RAN eDRX cycle 612. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the CN eDRX cycle 614 and the RAN eDRX cycle 612 need not change length to accommodate the RAN PTW 602 being longer than the CN PTW 604. In other words, the eDRX cycles 614 and 612 are independent of the lengths of the PTWs 604 and 602. Additionally, FIG. 6B illustrates that the RAN eDRX occasions do not align with the CN eDRX occasions 618. This timing difference can be described with a RAN timing offset 620.

[0064] In a first scenario, the UE 110 performs measurements during the maximum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW). In a second aspect of the example embodiment (as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B), this would be the RAN PTW 602.

[0065] A first option for the first scenario can apply to scenarios in which the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode. As long as the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle 612 regardless of the PTW type (e.g., CN PTW 604 or RAN PTW 602).

[0066] In a second option for the first scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements using a paging cycle “T” equal to the minimum (CN-configured DRX cycle, RAN-configured DRX cycle, default paging cycle broadcast in system information).

[0067] In a third option for the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on always using the minimum (or optionally, the maximum) of (RAN DRX cycle, CN DRX cycle), with a timing offset of the DRX duration following the RAN DRX cycle configuration. For example, if the maximum of the RAN eDRX cycle 612 and the CN eDRX cycle 614 is used, the UE 110 can use the larger RAN eDRX cycle 612 periodicity for measurements. An offset for measurements is necessary because the RAN eDRX occasions 616 and the CN eDRX occasions 618 are not aligned. Thus, the UE 110 will use a timing offset based on the RAN eDRX cycle 612 (e.g., the RAN timing offset 620) to perform measurements.

[0068] In a fourth option for the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements during the CN PTW 604 using the CN eDRX cycle 614 periodicity and perform measurements during the RAN PTW 602 but outside of the CN PTW 604 using the RAN eDRX cycle 612.

[0069] In a second scenario, the UE 110 performs measurements during the minimum of (RAN PTW, CN PTW). In a second aspect of the example embodiment (as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B), this would be the CN PTW 604.

[0070] The first option for the first scenario can apply to scenarios in which the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode. As long as the UE 110 is operating in an inactive mode, the UE 110 can perform measurements based on the RAN eDRX cycle 612, regardless of the PTW type (e.g., CN PTW 604 or RAN PTW 602).

[0071] In the second option for the first scenario, can apply to scenarios in which the UE 110 can perform measurements based on the CN PTW 604, as long as the UE 110 is operating during the CN PTW 604.

[0072] In the third option for the second scenario, the UE 110 can perform measurements using a paging cycle “T” equal to the minimum of (a CN configured DRX cycle, a RAN configured DRX cycle, a default paging cycle broadcast in system information).

[0073] Example In a first embodiment, a method is performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: decoding, from a signal received from a base station, paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and eDRX information; and performing measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the CN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

[0074] In a second embodiment, the method according to the first embodiment, wherein at least one of the one or more RAN eDRX occasions overlaps in time domain with at least one of the one or more CN eDRX occasions.

[0075] In a third embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle.

[0076] In a fourth embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a maximum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle.

[0077] In a fifth embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the CN PTW window, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle.

[0078] In a sixth embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0079] In a seventh embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the RAN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle, and when the UE is operating in the CN PTW and outside the RAN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle.

[0080] In an eighth embodiment, the method according to the second embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a paging cycle of a minimum duration of a CN configured eDRX cycle, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information.

[0081] In a ninth embodiment, the method according to the first embodiment, wherein none of the one or more RAN eDRX occasions overlap in time domain with the one or more CN eDRX occasions, and wherein the RAN eDRX cycle further comprises a RAN eDRX offset.

[0082] In a tenth embodiment, the method according to the ninth embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle and the RAN eDRX offset.

[0083] In an eleventh embodiment, the method according to the ninth embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a maximum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle and the RAN eDRX offset.

[0084] In a twelfth embodiment, the method according to the ninth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the CN PTW window, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle.

[0085] In a thirteenth embodiment, the method according to the ninth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0086] In a fourteenth embodiment, the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the RAN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle, and when the UE is operating in the CN PTW and outside of the RAN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle.

[0087] In a fifteenth embodiment, the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a paging cycle of a CN configured eDRX cycle, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a minimum duration of a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information.

[0088] In a sixteenth embodiment, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the first through fifteenth embodiments.

[0089] In a seventeenth embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: decoding, from a signal received from a base station, paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and eDRX information; and performing measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration, the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration.

[0090] In an eighteenth embodiment, the method of the seventeenth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode and in the RAN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0091] In a nineteenth embodiment, the method of the seventeenth embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a paging cycle of a CN configured eDRX cycle, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a minimum duration of a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information.

[0092] In a twentieth embodiment, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the seventeenth through nineteenth embodiments.

[0093] In a twenty-first embodiment, a method, the method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: decoding paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and eDRX information; and performing measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein when the RAN PTW duration is longer than the CN PTW duration, the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration.

[0094] In a twenty-second embodiment, the method according to the twenty-first embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0095] In a twenty-third embodiment, the method according to the twenty-first embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of a CN configured eDRX cycle, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information.

[0096] In a twenty-fourth embodiment, the method according to the twenty-first embodiment, wherein the RAN eDRX cycle further comprises a RAN eDRX offset, and wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle and the RAN eDRX offset.

[0097] In a twenty-fifth embodiment, the method according to the twenty-first embodiment, wherein the RAN eDRX cycle further comprises a RAN eDRX offset, and wherein the measurement scheme is based on a maximum duration of the RAN eDRX cycle or the CN eDRX cycle and the RAN eDRX offset.

[0098] In a twenty-sixth embodiment, the method according to the twenty-first embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the CN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle, and when the UE is operating in the RAN PTW and outside of the CN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0099] In a twenty-seventh embodiment, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the twenty-first through twenty-seventh embodiments.

[0100] In a twenty-eighth embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: decoding paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and eDRX information; and performing measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein when the RAN PTW duration is longer than the CN PTW duration, the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration.

[0101] In a twenty-ninth embodiment, the method of the twenty-eighth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode, the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle.

[0102] In a thirtieth embodiment, the method of the twenty-eighth embodiment, wherein when the UE is operating in the CN PTW, the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle.

[0103] In a thirty-first embodiment, the method of the twenty-eighth embodiment, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of a CN configured eDRX cycle, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information.

[0104] In a thirty-second embodiment, a processor configured to perform any of the methods of the twenty-eighth through thirty-first embodiments.

[0105] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above can be implemented in any suitable software configuration or hardware configuration, or a combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments can include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, and the like. Exemplary embodiments of the above-described methods can be embodied as a program containing lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which when compiled can be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0106] While the present application describes various embodiments each having different features in various combinations, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any feature of one embodiment can be combined with the features of another embodiment in any manner not expressly contradicted by the specification or the functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation of the device or the specified functions of the disclosed embodiments.

[0107] It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled in a way that minimizes risks to the privacy of the users and is used only for authorized purposes.

[0108] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: decode paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the CN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more RAN eDRX occasions overlaps in time domain with at least one of the one or more CN eDRX occasions.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of the CN eDRX cycle or the RAN eDRX cycle.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a maximum duration of the CN eDRX cycle or the RAN eDRX cycle.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a CN PTW window.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a RAN PTW, and the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a CN PTW and outside of the RAN PTW.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a minimum duration of a paging cycle of a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a CN configured eDRX cycle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein none of the one or more RAN eDRX occasions overlap in time domain with the one or more CN eDRX occasions, and wherein the RAN eDRX cycle further comprises a RAN eDRX offset. ​ ​ ​ 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX offset and a minimum duration of the CNeDRX cycle or the RAN eDRX cycle.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX offset and a maximum duration of the CNeDRX cycle or the RAN eDRX cycle.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a CN PTW window.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a RAN PTW, and the measurement scheme is based on the CN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a CN PTW and outside of the RAN PTW.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a paging cycle of a minimum duration of a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a CN configured eDRX cycle.

16. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: decode, from a signal received from a base station, paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information, wherein the PTW information comprises (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information comprises (i) a RAN eDRX cycle comprising one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle comprising one or more CN eDRX occasions; determine a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and perform measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is shorter than the CN PTW duration.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode and in the RAN PTW.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the measurement scheme is based on a paging cycle of a minimum duration of a default paging cycle broadcasted in system information, a RAN configured eDRX cycle, or a CN configured eDRX cycle.

19. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: decoding paging time window (PTW) information and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) information from a signal received from a base station, wherein the PTW information includes (i) a radio access network (RAN) PTW duration and (ii) a core network (CN) PTW duration, and wherein the eDRX information includes (i) a RAN eDRX cycle including one or more RAN eDRX occasions and (ii) a CN eDRX cycle including one or more CN eDRX occasions; determining a measurement scheme based at least on the PTW information and the eDRX information; and performing measurements of one or more wireless signals based on the measurement scheme, wherein the measurements of the one or more wireless signals are performed during the RAN PTW duration when the RAN PTW duration is longer than the CN PTW duration.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the measurement scheme is based on the RAN eDRX cycle when the UE is operating in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode.

Images