Apparatus, method and computer program product for communication

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product for communication. Example embodiments provide an apparatus comprising components for receiving, at a user equipment from a network, an indication to operate in an inactive state; receiving a criterion related to an inactive state; and in response to the criteria being satisfied, performing one or more actions.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with international application number PCT / EP2020 / 084275, international application date of December 2, 2020, entered the Chinese national phase on July 15, 2022, Chinese national application number 202080093478.7, and invention title "Apparatus, Method and Computer Program for Communication". Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to a method, apparatus, system, and computer program, and specifically, but not exclusively, to RRCINACTIVE mode optimization. Background Technology

[0003] A communication system can be viewed as a facility that enables a communication session between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided via a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication session can include, for example, data communication used to carry communications such as voice, video, email, text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calling, data communication or multimedia services, and access to data network systems such as the Internet.

[0004] In wireless communication systems, at least a portion of a communication session between at least two stations occurs via a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and various wireless local area networks (WLANs). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0005] Users can access the communication system through appropriate communication equipment or terminals. A user's communication equipment may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication equipment is equipped with appropriate signal receiving and transmitting means for enabling communication, such as access to a communication network or direct communication with other users. The communication equipment can access carriers provided by a site (e.g., a base station in a cell) and transmit and / or receive communication on those carriers.

[0006] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that defines what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how they should be implemented. Communication protocols and / or parameters used for connectivity are also usually defined. One example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G Radio). Other examples of communication systems are the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the Invention

[0007] In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: receiving, at a user equipment, an instruction to operate in an inactive state from a network; receiving criteria associated with the inactive state; and performing one or more actions in response to the criteria being met.

[0008] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0009] This component can be used to receive guidelines along with instructions for operation in an inactive state, or to receive guidelines in system information.

[0010] This criterion can be pre-configured.

[0011] This component can be used to: determine information related to an inactive state; and wherein the component for performing one or more actions includes a component for providing the information to the network.

[0012] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0013] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0014] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0015] Components used to perform one or more actions may include components for operating in an idle state.

[0016] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0017] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0018] In a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising components for: sending an instruction from a network to a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and sending a criterion associated with the inactive state, wherein the criterion is configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criterion is satisfied.

[0019] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0020] This component can be used to send the indication of the guideline along with an indication of operation in an inactive state, or to send the indication of the guideline in system information.

[0021] This component can be used to receive information about inactivity from user equipment at the network.

[0022] Information related to the inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission is expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0023] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0024] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0025] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0026] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0027] In a third aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving, at a user equipment, an indication from a network to operate in an inactive state; receiving criteria associated with the inactive state; and, in response to the criteria being met, performing one or more actions.

[0028] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0029] The method may include: receiving a guideline instruction along with an instruction to operate in an inactive state, or receiving a guideline instruction in system information.

[0030] This criterion can be pre-configured.

[0031] The method may include: determining information related to an inactive state; and wherein performing one or more actions includes providing the information to the network.

[0032] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0033] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0034] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0035] Performing one or more actions may include operating in an idle state.

[0036] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0037] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: sending an indication from a network to a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and sending a criterion associated with the inactive state, wherein the criterion is configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criterion is satisfied.

[0039] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0040] The method may include: sending the indication of the criterion along with an indication of operation in an inactive state, or sending the indication of the criterion in system information.

[0041] The method may include receiving information about inactivity from a user equipment at the network.

[0042] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0043] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0044] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0045] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0046] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0047] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least: receive, at a user equipment, an instruction to operate in an inactive state from a network; receive criteria associated with the inactive state; and, in response to the criteria being satisfied, perform one or more actions.

[0048] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0049] The device can be triggered to receive a criterion instruction along with an indication of operation in an inactive state, or to receive a criterion instruction in system information.

[0050] This criterion can be pre-configured.

[0051] The device can be caused to: determine information relating to an inactive state; and wherein the device is caused to perform one or more actions, including the device being caused to provide the information to the network.

[0052] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0053] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0054] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0055] The device being caused to perform one or more actions may include the device being caused to operate in an idle state.

[0056] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0057] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least: send an instruction from a network to a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and send a criterion associated with the inactive state, wherein the criterion is configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criterion is satisfied.

[0059] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0060] The device may be prompted to send the indication of the criterion along with an indication of operation in an inactive state, or to send the indication of the criterion in system information.

[0061] The device can be triggered to receive information related to inactivity from user equipment at the network.

[0062] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0063] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0064] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0065] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0066] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, the medium including program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the following operations: receiving an instruction at a user equipment to operate in an inactive state from a network; receiving criteria associated with the inactive state; and performing one or more actions in response to the criteria being satisfied.

[0068] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0069] The device can be triggered to receive instructions along with instructions to operate in an inactive state, or to receive instructions in system information.

[0070] This criterion can be pre-configured.

[0071] The device can be invoked to determine information related to the inactive state. The device can also be invoked to provide this information to the network.

[0072] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0073] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0074] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0075] The device being caused to perform one or more actions may include the device being caused to operate in an idle state.

[0076] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0077] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0078] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, the medium including program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the following operations: sending an instruction from a network to a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and sending a criterion associated with the inactive state, wherein the criterion is configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criterion is satisfied.

[0079] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, and data transmission mode.

[0080] The device may be prompted to send the indication of the criterion along with an indication of operation in an inactive state, or to send the indication of the criterion in system information.

[0081] The device can be triggered to receive information related to inactivity from user equipment at the network.

[0082] Information relating to an inactive state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive, the duration for which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been inactive for a given amount of time, an indication that a timer has expired, and the data transmission mode.

[0083] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

[0084] Data transmission can be downlink user data or uplink user data.

[0085] This guideline can include messages from the network.

[0086] This message may include a paging message or a connection establishment message.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to a third or fourth aspect.

[0088] Many different embodiments have been described above. It should be understood that other embodiments can be provided by combining any two or more of the above embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0089] The embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0090] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example communication system including a base station and multiple communication devices is shown;

[0091] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device is shown;

[0092] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example control device is shown;

[0093] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0094] Figure 5 The signaling flow according to an example embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0095] Before explaining the examples in detail, refer to Figures 1 to 3 A brief explanation of some general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices is provided to aid in understanding the technologies underlying the examples described.

[0096] In such Figure 1 In the illustrated wireless communication system 100, communication devices (e.g., user equipment (UE)) 102, 104, 105 are provided with wireless access via at least one base station or similar wireless transmitting and / or receiving node or point. The base station is typically controlled by at least one suitable control device to enable operation and management of mobile communication devices communicating with it. The control device may be located in the radio access network (RAN) (e.g., wireless communication system 100) or core network (CN) (not shown), and may be implemented as a central device or its functions may be distributed across several devices. The control device may be part of the base station and / or provided by a separate entity such as a radio network controller. Figure 1 In the diagram, control units 108 and 109 are shown controlling corresponding macro base stations 106 and 107. The base station control units can be interconnected with other control entities. The control units typically include memory capacity and at least one data processor. Control units and functions can be distributed among multiple control units. In some systems, the control units may be additionally or alternatively located within the radio network controller.

[0097] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, base stations 106 and 107 are shown connected to a wider communication network 113 via gateway 112. Additional gateway functionality may be provided to connect to another network.

[0098] Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may also connect to network 113, for example, via a separate gateway function and / or via the controller of a macro station. Base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be pico-level or femto-level base stations, etc. In this example, base stations 116 and 118 are connected via gateway 111, while base station 120 is connected via control device 108. In some embodiments, smaller base stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 116, 118, and 120 may be part of a second network (e.g., a wireless network, a wireless local area network (WLAN)) and may be access points (APs), WLAN access points (APs).

[0099] Communication devices 102, 104, and 105 can access the communication system based on various access technologies, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or Wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples include Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) and its various schemes (such as Interleaved Frequency Division Multiple Access (IFDMA), Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)), Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA), etc.

[0100] Examples of wireless communication systems are those standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest 3GPP-based development is often referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE) of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Technology. The various development phases of the 3GPP specification are called releases. The latest development of LTE is often referred to as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). LTE (LTE-A) employs a radio mobility architecture called Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a core network called Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Base stations in such systems are called evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane packet data aggregation / radio link control / media access control / physical layer protocols (PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane radio resource control (RRC) protocol termination. Other examples of radio access systems include those provided by base stations based on technologies such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Base stations can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area. Core network elements include the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW), and Packet Gateway (P-GW).

[0101] An example of a suitable communication system is the 5G or NR concept. The network architecture in NR can be similar to that of advanced LTE. Base stations in an NR system can be called next-generation node Bs (gNBs). Changes in network architecture can depend on the need to support various radio technologies and more granular QoS support, as well as some on-demand requirements, such as Quality of Service (QoS) levels supporting the user's Quality of Experience (QoE). Furthermore, network-aware services and applications, and service and application-aware networks, can bring changes to the architecture. These relate to information-centric networks (ICNs) and user-centric content delivery networks (UC-CDNs). NR can use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, far more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller base stations, and may also employ various radio technologies to achieve better coverage and higher data rates.

[0102] Future networks can leverage Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions as "building blocks" or entities that can be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) can include one or more virtual machines that use standard or general-purpose servers instead of custom hardware to run computer program code. Cloud computing or data storage can also be used. In radio communications, this can mean that node operations are performed at least partially in servers, hosts, or nodes operatively coupled to a remote radio head. Node operations can also be distributed across multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the division of labor between core network operations and base station operations may differ from, or even not exist, in LTE.

[0103] An example 5G core network (CN) includes functional entities. The CN connects to the UE via the radio access network (RAN). The user plane function (UPF) (whose role is referred to as the PDU session anchor (PSA)) is responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the data network (DN) and the tunnel established via 5G toward the UE to exchange services with the DN. Frames may include one or more packet data units (PDUs) associated with the UE and provide user data to the UE back and forth.

[0104] The UPF is controlled by the Session Management Function (SMF), which receives policies from the Policy Control Function (PCF). The CN may also include Access and Mobility Functions (AMF).

[0105] Now refer to Figure 2 A more detailed description of possible mobile communication devices, Figure 2A schematic partial cross-sectional view of communication device 200 is shown. Such communication devices are generally referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminals. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include mobile stations (MS) or mobile devices, such as mobile phones or so-called "smartphones," computers equipped with wireless interface cards or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., USB dongles), personal data assistants (PDAs) or tablets equipped with wireless communication capabilities, VoIP phones, portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop installed devices (LME), smart devices, wireless client devices (CPE), or any combination of the above. For example, mobile communication devices can provide data communication for transmitting communications such as voice, email, text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, a variety of services can be supplied and provided to users via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calling, data communication or multimedia services, or simply access to data communication network systems such as the Internet. Broadcast or multicast data may also be provided to users. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms, and other information.

[0106] Mobile devices typically include at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202, and other possible components 203 for use in the software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks designed to be performed, including control of access and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage, and other related control devices may be located on suitable circuit boards and / or chipsets. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 204. Users can control the operation of the mobile device using a suitable user interface, such as a keypad 205, voice commands, a touchscreen or keyboard, or combinations thereof. A display 208, a speaker, and a microphone may also be provided. Furthermore, mobile communication devices may include suitable connectors (wired or wireless) for connecting to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (e.g., hands-free devices).

[0107] Mobile device 200 can receive signals via an air interface or radio interface 207 through appropriate means for receiving, and can transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 2 In this diagram, the transceiver device is schematically designated by box 206. The transceiver device 206 may be provided, for example, via a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be located inside or outside the mobile device.

[0108] Figure 3 An example of a control device 300 for a communication system is shown, which is coupled to and / or used to control access systems such as RAN nodes, eNBs or gNBs, relay nodes, or core network nodes such as MMEs, S-GWs, or P-GWs, or core network functions such as AMFs / SMFs, or servers or hosts. The method can be implemented in a single control device or across more than one control device. The control device can be integrated with or external to nodes or modules of the core network or RAN. In some embodiments, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other embodiments, the control device can be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station can have such a control device as well as a control device disposed within the radio network controller. The control device 300 can be arranged to provide control over communications within the service area of ​​the system. The control device 300 includes at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303, and an input / output interface 304. Through this interface, the control device can be coupled to the base station's receiver and transmitter. The receiver and / or transmitter can be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head end.

[0109] In NR, there exists a UE RRC INACTIVE state. The UE RRC INACTIVE state can improve latency during transition to RRC CONNECTED and / or support small data transmissions without requiring the UE to transition to RRC CONNECTED. When the UE is in the RRC INACTIVE state, in contrast to the RRC IDLE state, the network must at least store the UE AS context, maintain CN / RAN connectivity, and enable UE mobility based on cell reselection. The Access Stratum (AS) context includes at least one or more parameters related to the AS security procedures between the UE and the network, one or more parameters related to establishing and operating signaling bearers between the UE and the network, one or more parameters for identifying the UE in the network, one or more parameters related to the UE's location and / or movement within the network, and one or more parameters regarding the transmission and / or reception of user data and / or signaling data, where data transmission and / or reception are in progress, pending, or have been completed.

[0110] To enable network support for RRC INACTIVE, a significant increase in memory usage at the network level may be required. Currently, the network may not be able to support the potential number of devices available for transition to RRC INACTIVE. When the limit for the number of INACTIVE UEs is reached, the network must release some UEs or directly transition UEs in RRC CONNECTED to RRC IDLE. Determining how long an individual UE remains in INACTIVE and / or CONNECTED state without requiring any connection (i.e., without any DL / UL user data transmission) may also be challenging for the network. The network comprises one or more nodes, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, one or more nodes represent the network's memory. When the number of nodes in the network reaches its limit for the number of INACTIVE UEs, the node can also release some UEs, as described above for the network. The behavior described for the network can also be applied to the nodes of the network.

[0111] Maintaining the UE in RRC ACTIVE state may be beneficial, as it consumes less power compared to the higher connectivity potential of the RRC INACTIVE state. To enable the network to determine whether the UE should enter RRC INACTIVE or RRC IDLE state, it would be helpful to understand whether the UE expects any data to arrive soon.

[0112] Currently, options for UEs to send a preference for switching from RRC CONNECTED to RRC INACTIVE or RRC IDLE in UE auxiliary information have been discussed. This option may only address the issue in certain situations. If all or many UEs within a cell prefer RRC INACTIVE, then controlling this situation is beneficial.

[0113] Periodic RNA (RAN-level notification area) updates are an alternative option. In this option, if a UE triggers a periodic RNA update, the network can release RRC INACTIVE UEs to RRC IDLE. However, as mentioned above, the network may still have too many UEs in RRC INACTIVE state.

[0114] This method aims to simplify the network's ability to select which UEs should be in RRC INACTIVE. The following allows the network to make controlled decisions about which UEs should transition from RRC INACTIVE or potentially from RRC CONNECTED to RRC IDLE based on information from the UEs about the time they spend in RRC INACTIVE.

[0115] Figure 4A flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0116] In the first step S1, the method includes: receiving an indication from the network at the user equipment to operate in an inactive state.

[0117] In the second step S2, the method includes: receiving criteria associated with the inactive state.

[0118] In the third step S3, the method includes: in response to the criterion being met, performing one or more actions.

[0119] The guidelines can be received together with instructions for operating in an inactive state or in system information (SI).

[0120] The criteria may include at least one of the following: timer expiration, timer reaching a threshold, time during which the user equipment has been inactive, time during which the user equipment has been inactive without data transmission, and data transmission mode.

[0121] The timer value indication can be provided to the network in the same message as the indication for operating in an inactive state (i.e., changing the UE state). Alternatively or additionally, the timer value can be configured individually; for example, the timer value can be cell-specific and indicated in the system information. Data transmission mode can include, for example, data rate, data volume, and / or the next transmission timing.

[0122] Alternatively or additionally, criteria may include messages from the network. These messages may be paging messages or connection establishment messages (e.g., RRC messages such as RRC recovery messages).

[0123] This method may include determining information about an inactive state for the network. One or more actions may include providing this information to the network. One or more actions may include operating in an idle state.

[0124] An inactive state can be an RRC INACTIVE state. An indication to operate in an inactive state can be an RRC release message.

[0125] This method allows the network to track the time a UE spends in RRC INACTIVE without any data transmission, as well as other behaviors. Such information may not be obtainable or certain from the network's perspective, but it can be obtained in several different ways, which will be described here.

[0126] In the example embodiment, when the UE state changes to RRC INACTIVE, the UE starts a timer. The timer value is based on the indication of the timer value.

[0127] The UE can determine information related to its inactivity state by tracking behavior when it is in the RRC INACTIVE state. This behavior may include, for example, how long the UE has been in an inactive state or in the RRC INACTIVE state without transmitting data. Information related to the inactivity state may include at least one of the following: an indication of whether data transmission was expected, the duration the UE has been inactive, the duration the UE has been inactive without transmitting data, an indication of whether the UE has been inactive for a given amount of time, data transmission patterns, requests to remain inactive, statistics of previous inactivity periods, and an indication that a timer has expired.

[0128] Data transmission can be downlink or uplink user data, i.e., not control data such as RRC or NAS signaling.

[0129] The UE can indicate whether data transmission is expected, for example, based on an application or service running on the UE. The UE can also indicate to the network when data transmission is expected, the data transmission mode, the expected data volume, and / or the expected data rate.

[0130] Data transmission can be associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session. User data transmission can be, for example, via a data radio bearer (DRB) or using a logical channel or PDU session. The network can be configured to consider only data from a subset (e.g., configured PDU sessions and / or DRBs).

[0131] In an example embodiment, the criteria include a message from the network. This message may be a paging message.

[0132] For example, the "INACTIVE Polling" information element can be added to a paging message, or alternatively, to a system information message, wherein this information element instructs one or more UEs to provide the network with determined information related to the INACTIVE state. The "Inactive State Information Polling" information element can be added to a paging message or system information message, wherein this information element instructs one or more UEs to provide the network with determined information related to the inactive state.

[0133] When the network or a node of the network approaches the limit of inactive UEs (as opposed to when the network is far from the limit), polling of inactive state information can be enabled in the network or by a node of the network to limit the number of messages to be transmitted.

[0134] This method may include providing the network with information about the inactive state when the criteria are met.

[0135] Criteria may include messages containing polling information elements, or there may be additional criteria (which may be called polling criteria), such as the expiration of a timer. UEs that meet the polling criteria will respond to paging in the INACTIVE state.

[0136] Polling criteria can be timer expiration or whether the timer has reached a threshold. Polling criteria can include at least one of the following: the current time when the UE is RRC INACTIVE without data transmission, timer expiration, the configured criteria being met (e.g., a time threshold), and the UE's expected data transmission mode. Data transmission mode can include, for example, data rate, data volume, and / or the next transmission timing. When a UE is configured to transition to RRC INACTIVE, the network can configure the polling criteria that the UE should respond to by providing indications of information related to the inactive state.

[0137] The UE can indicate information related to the inactivity state in MSG 1, 3, 5, or any other message (e.g., as an information element in a message for a communication protocol such as PHY, MAC, or RRC). For example, information about the UE responding to "polling inactivity state information" can be added to MSG 3. This could be a dedicated establishment cause value, for example. Alternatively, such information can be added to MSG 5 (RRCResumeComplete). This option may require more signaling overhead but carries more information.

[0138] In an alternative example embodiment, the network may query the UE during the connection establishment phase or during RRC connection. That is, the message may be a connection establishment message. The UE may be requested to provide information related to its inactive state during the connection establishment phase (i.e., using MSG1, MSG3, or MSG5).

[0139] In an alternative example embodiment, the receiving criteria may include the UE being configured with criteria for triggering the provision of INACTIVE information to the network. For example, the criteria may be at least one of the following: a timer expires; if the timer has reached a threshold; and a time threshold for inactivity without data transmission. When the criteria are met, the UE provides INACTIVE behavior information to the network.

[0140] When the timer expires, the UE can automatically enter the RRC IDLE state.

[0141] The network can be notified when a timer expires, either during the next connection request or connection recovery process, for example, due to the expiration of a periodic RNA update timer.

[0142] Figure 5The signaling flow of an example embodiment of a paging process is illustrated. In this example, the basic criteria by which the UE should provide the network with information related to the UE's RRC INACTIVE state behavior include the expiration of a timer. In this example embodiment, an inactive state is considered RRC INACTIVE.

[0143] In this example implementation, the UE is in the RRC CONNECTED state in step 1 and receives an RRC release message (i.e., an indication to operate in an inactive state) from a gNB with an INACTIVE configuration in step 2.

[0144] In step 3, the gNB sends the SI along with an inactivity time threshold (e.g., a 24-hour inactivity threshold), at which the UE should report the tracked behavior. Alternatively, the inactivity time threshold may be indicated in an RRC release message or in a dedicated signaling message. In this example embodiment, the components for receiving the criterion include components for receiving an indication of a timer value.

[0145] In step 4, the UE starts a timer with a certain value, such as a 24-hour INACTIVE tracking timer.

[0146] When the network is not approaching the limit of a UE in RRC INACTIVE, paging will be performed as a conventional behavior.

[0147] This step can limit the number of unnecessary responses from the UE to the network.

[0148] However, if, as shown in step 5, the network detects that it is approaching the limit of a UE in RRC INACTIVE, then in step 6 (and in step 10), the network indicates a request for UE behavior information (i.e., information related to the inactive state) via a paging message, for example, shown as INACTIVE polling. In this example embodiment, the criterion also includes a paging message.

[0149] In steps 7 and 11, the UE checks the INACTIVE timer status. In step 7, the UE determines that the timer is still running. In step 8, the UE does not respond to the paging. That is, if the paged UE's INACTIVE timer has not expired, the criterion is not met and the paged UE will not respond with any INACTIVE polling messages. In step 9, the timer expires 24 hours after step 4.

[0150] If the paged UE's INACTIVE timer has expired (as shown in step 9), the criterion is met. In this case, the UE checks the INACTIVE timer in step 11, and the paged UE responds in step 12 by providing information related to the inactive state. In this example, this information is INACTIVE statistics (such as the time the UE has been in INACTIVE, the UE's request to remain in INACTIVE because it expects uplink data soon, and statistics on the number of previous INACTIVE states) to help the network determine the priority of the UE being in the IDLE state.

[0151] In step 13, the gNB sends an RRC release without INACTIVE configuration, and in step 14, the UE enters IDLE.

[0152] An apparatus may include components for: receiving, at a user equipment, an instruction from a network to operate in an inactive state; receiving criteria associated with the inactive state; and performing one or more actions in response to the criteria being met.

[0153] Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may include components for: sending an instruction from the network to the user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and sending criteria associated with the inactive state, wherein the criteria are configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criteria are met.

[0154] An apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least: receive an instruction from a network at a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; receive criteria associated with the inactive state; and, in response to the criteria being met, perform one or more actions.

[0155] Alternatively or additionally, an apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured together with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to at least: send an instruction from a network to a user equipment to operate in an inactive state; and send a criterion associated with the inactive state, wherein the criterion is configured to cause the user equipment to perform one or more actions when the criterion is satisfied.

[0156] It should be understood that the device may include or be coupled to other units or modules, such as radio components or radio heads for transmitting and / or receiving. Although these devices have been described as a single entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0157] It should be noted that while some embodiments have been described for 5G networks, similar principles can be applied to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although some example architectures for wireless networks, technologies, and standards described above are presented as examples of certain embodiments, these embodiments can be applied to any other suitable form of communication system besides those illustrated and described herein.

[0158] It should also be noted that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0159] Generally, various embodiments can be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuitry systems, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented using firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, by way of non-limiting example, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0160] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0161] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation using only analog and / or digital circuit systems), and

[0162] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable):

[0163] (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and

[0164] (ii) Any part of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory that works together to cause a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions.

[0165] (c) Hardware circuitry and / or processors, such as microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but which may be absent when operation does not require the software.

[0166] The definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term in this application (including in any claim). As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit system" also covers implementations of only hardware circuitry or processors (or processors) or portions thereof and their accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit system" also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0167] Embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by computer software executable by a mobile device's data processor (such as in a processor entity), or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets, and / or macros) can be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components that, when the program is run, are configured to perform the embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one piece of software code or a portion thereof.

[0168] Furthermore, it should be noted that any block in the logical flow diagram can represent a program step, or an interconnected logic circuit, block, and function, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks, and functions. Software can be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants, CDs. Physical media are non-transitory media.

[0169] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), FPGAs, gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0170] The embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in a variety of components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is largely a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools can be used to transform logic-level designs into semiconductor circuit designs ready to be etched and shaped on semiconductor substrates.

[0171] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of this disclosure is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments and features described in this specification that are not within the scope of the independent claims (if any) are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0172] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting example. However, various modifications and alterations will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims, given the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications taught in this disclosure will still fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In fact, other embodiments may include combinations of one or more embodiments with any other embodiments discussed above.

Claims

1. A user equipment for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, including computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the user equipment to execute at least the following: At the user equipment, an indication of a criterion for operating in an inactive state is received from the base station, the criterion including a transmission timer; In response to the criterion being met, a small data transfer is performed in the inactive state; During the inactivity state, information related to the inactivity state is determined, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission; and The information is provided to the base station.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the criteria include at least one of the following: a comparison between the transmission timer and a threshold, and a data transmission mode.

3. The user equipment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the criteria are pre-configured.

4. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein the information further includes at least one of the following: the time during which the user equipment has been in the inactive state, the time during which the user equipment has been in the inactive state without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been in the inactive state for a given amount of time, an indication that the timer has expired, and a data transmission mode.

5. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the data transmission is associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

6. The user equipment according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein the data transmission is downlink user data or uplink user data.

7. The user equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the criteria are received via system information or signaling messages.

8. A base station for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, including computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, together with the at least one processor, to cause the base station to perform at least the following: At the base station, an instruction is sent to the user equipment (UE) indicating a criterion for operating in an inactive state, wherein the criterion includes a transmission timer, and the criterion is configured to cause the UE to perform a small data transmission in the inactive state when the criterion is met; and Receive information related to the inactivity state from the user equipment, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission.

9. The base station according to claim 8, wherein the criteria include at least one of the following: a comparison between the transmission timer and a threshold, and a data transmission mode.

10. The base station of claim 8, wherein the information further includes at least one of the following: the time during which the user equipment has been in the inactive state, the time during which the user equipment has been in the inactive state without data transmission, an indication of whether the user equipment has been in the inactive state for a given amount of time, an indication that the timer has expired, and a data transmission mode.

11. The base station of claim 8, wherein the data transmission is associated with at least one data radio bearer, at least one logical channel, or at least one protocol data unit session.

12. The base station according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the criteria are transmitted via system information or signaling messages.

13. A method for communication executed by a user equipment, comprising: At the user equipment, an indication of a criterion for operating in an inactive state is received from the base station, the criterion including a transmission timer; In response to the criterion being met, a small data transfer is performed in the inactive state; During the inactivity state, information related to the inactivity state is determined, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission; and The information is provided to the base station.

14. A method for communication performed by a base station, comprising: At the base station, an instruction is sent to the user equipment (UE) indicating a criterion for operating in an inactive state, wherein the criterion includes a transmission timer, and the criterion is configured to cause the UE to perform a small data transmission in the inactive state when the criterion is met; and Receive information related to the inactivity state from the user equipment, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a user equipment to perform at least the following: At the user equipment, an indication of a criterion for operating in an inactive state is received from the base station, the criterion including a transmission timer; In response to the criterion being met, a small data transfer is performed in the inactive state; During the inactivity state, information related to the inactivity state is determined, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission; and The information is provided to the base station.

16. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a base station to perform at least the following: At the base station, an instruction is sent to the user equipment (UE) indicating a criterion for operating in an inactive state, wherein the criterion includes a transmission timer, and the criterion is configured to cause the UE to perform a small data transmission in the inactive state when the criterion is met; and Receive information related to the inactivity state from the user equipment, wherein the information includes an indication of expected data transmission.

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