Systems and apparatus suitable for energy conservation in network and related methods

Abstract

Systems (100), apparatuses (102) and methods (300) suitable for energy conservation in a network are disclosed. The method (300) comprises: an input step (302) comprising receiving at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value and at least one count limit; and a processing step (304) comprising at least one of: determining whether a current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value; if the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value, starting a timer based on the at least one timer value; determining a count value based on a plurality of signals within the at least one timer value; and upon expiration of the timer, determining whether the count value is within the at least one count limit; wherein the radio is enabled if the count value is greater than the at least one count limit, and the radio is disabled if the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit.

Description

Suitable systems, equipment, and related methods for energy saving in networks Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to one or both of systems and apparatus suitable for energy saving in connection with, for example, user equipment (UE) used for communication in a network. This disclosure further relates to a method that can be associated with said systems and / or said apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, energy efficiency and energy savings are helpful or desirable in communication networks. An example of a communication network would be a telecommunications network based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (Fifth Generation) New Radio (NR) standard.

[0003] Conventional communication techniques, such as Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mechanisms and Wake-up Signals (WUS), are typically used to help promote energy efficiency and energy savings. This disclosure contemplates that conventional techniques (e.g., DRX and / or WUS) may not optimally promote efficiency and energy savings.

[0004] This disclosure envisions that it would be helpful to address (or at least alleviate) one or more problems associated with conventional technologies used to promote energy efficiency and energy savings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided, the method comprising: an input step, the input step comprising receiving at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit; and a processing step (304), the processing step comprising at least one of: determining whether a current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value; if the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value, starting a timer based on the at least one timer value; determining a count value based on a plurality of signal values ​​within the at least one timer value; and when the timer expires, determining whether the count value is within the at least one count limit; wherein if the count value is greater than the at least one count limit, radio is enabled, and if the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit, radio is disabled.

[0006] Advantageously, the methods described herein can provide enhanced energy savings because the user equipment (UE) does not need to frequently switch between the primary radio (MR) and the low-power wake-up receiver (LPWUR). Fail-safe buffering is also provided when the LPWUS reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ) threshold is crossed, even when the UE is outside the coverage area of ​​the low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS).

[0007] In an implementation, the at least one signal offset value corresponds to at least one value that can be associated with the Low Power Wake-Up Signal (LPWUS) Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

[0008] In an implementation scheme, the processing steps further include: discarding the timer if the count value is greater than the at least one count limit.

[0009] In an implementation scheme, the processing steps further include monitoring the LPWUS signal if the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit.

[0010] In one implementation, the processing steps further include stopping the timer when the count value exceeds the maximum counter limit.

[0011] In an implementation, at least one base station is configured to: predetermine a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit; and transmit the mapping table indicating the mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit.

[0012] In the implementation scheme, transmitting the mapping table includes transmitting it via system information message broadcasting.

[0013] In the implementation scheme, the at least one base station corresponds to at least one next-generation node B (gNB).

[0014] In the implementation scheme, the user equipment (UE) is configured to perform the input step and the processing step, and wherein the mapping table can be transmitted from the gNB to the UE.

[0015] In the implementation scheme, the mapping table, which indicates the mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit, is received by the UE from the gNB via at least one of the following: a system information block (SIB) or a UE-specific message.

[0016] In one embodiment, a computer program (not shown) is provided, which may include instructions that, when executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform the input step, the processing step, and / or the output step as discussed with reference to the method. For example, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the computer program may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the input step and / or the processing step.

[0017] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium storing data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform at least one of the input step and the processing step of the method according to the first aspect.

[0018] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit; a second module configured to perform processing and / or facilitate the processing steps of the method according to the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for enabling radio when the count value is greater than the at least one count limit and disabling radio when the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit.

[0019] In an implementation, the equipment may correspond to a user equipment (UE) that can communicate with means corresponding to a base station. The base station may, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) that can be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., input signals) to the UE.

[0020] In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes one or more pieces of equipment and one or more devices. The equipment and devices may be coupled, for example, via wired and / or wireless coupling.

[0021] Advantageously, the system allows UEs (or user equipment) temporarily outside LPWUS coverage to have additional energy savings by utilizing a timer before MR is activated. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0023] Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure suitable for energy saving in a network, the system including at least one device.

[0024] Figures 1B to 1E illustrate example scenarios associated with the system of Figure 1A according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the equipment of Figure 1A, illustrating in further detail an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a method associated with the system of Figure 1A according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0027] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate schematic diagrams of example scenarios related to the method of Figure 3, based on embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The detailed description set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details and is intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Specifically, although the embodiments described herein may be exemplified in this disclosure using terminology from 3GPP 5G NR, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0029] In addition, some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, other embodiments are also included within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

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

[0031] In some implementations, the non-limiting terms User Equipment (UE) or Wireless Device or User Equipment may be used, and the term may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are target devices, device-to-device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, PDAs, PADs, tablet computers, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop mounted devices (LME), USB dongles, UE class M1, UE class M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

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

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

[0034] Furthermore, the features, structures, or characteristics described in the implementation scheme can be combined in any suitable manner. Numerous specific details, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selection, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., are provided in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the implementation scheme. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the implementation scheme can be practiced without one or more of the specific details in the description, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the implementation scheme. Throughout the specification, references to “an implementation scheme,” “implementation scheme,” or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation scheme is included in at least one implementation scheme. Therefore, unless expressly specified otherwise, the phrases “in one implementation scheme,” “in an implementation scheme,” and similar language appearing throughout the specification may, but not necessarily all, refer to the same implementation scheme, but rather mean “one or more, but not all, implementation schemes.” Unless expressly specified otherwise, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including, but not limited to,” “including.” Unless expressly specified otherwise, an enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive. Unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also mean “one or more.”

[0035] According to embodiments of this disclosure, this disclosure generally envisions promoting, for example (e.g., in association with 3GPP standards / specifications, etc.) network and / or user equipment (UE) efficiency (e.g., energy / power efficiency).

[0036] Specifically, this disclosure envisions the possibility of optimizing the Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS) in conjunction with 3GPP Release 18 (and later) standards. A WuS (Wake-up Signal) mechanism can be introduced to improve the energy efficiency of the UE (User Equipment). The UE will remain in sleep mode and turn off its primary radio until a WuS signal is detected at the secondary radio (WuS receiver). Once the WuS receiver detects the WuS signal, the primary radio is triggered to turn on. The LPWUS receiver can be a low-complexity and low-power component of the UE, while the primary radio can be a high-power component of the UE. The primary radio is turned off as much as possible (in sleep mode) to reduce energy consumption at the UE.

[0037] This disclosure envisions introducing Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) wireless communication systems to reduce power consumption. In eDRX, the UE periodically enters sleep mode and remains asleep for a duration during which the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is not monitored. The UE then wakes up and remains awake for a duration to monitor the PDCCH to obtain possible downlink data. The amount of energy saved depends on how long and how frequently the UE remains asleep. The longer the UE remains asleep, the more energy is saved. However, increasing the sleep duration leads to increased latency, which may be unsuitable for latency-critical use cases.

[0038] This disclosure also envisions that current UEs may need to wake up periodically once per eDRX cycle, which dominates power consumption during periods without signaling or data traffic. Power consumption could be significantly reduced if the UE could only wake up when triggered (e.g., during paging). This can be achieved by providing the UE with both a main radio (MR) unit and a low-power wake-up receiver (LPWUR). The MR unit may correspond to a 5G NR wireless communication unit, and the LPWUR may correspond to a wireless communication unit for monitoring wake-up signals with low power. Once a wake-up signal is detected, the LPWUR can trigger the MR unit, which can then transition from a low-power state to an active state.

[0039] This disclosure further envisions that an active state can correspond to any state in which the MR unit can exchange data with the radio access network (RAN) of the wireless communication system without being triggered by an LPWUR. Therefore, a woken-up MR unit is in an active state. Furthermore, an MR unit that is in a dormant state but periodically woken up (e.g., eDRX) without being triggered by an LPWUR is also in an active state. A low-power state can correspond to a state in which the MR unit cannot exchange data with the RAN without being triggered by an LPWUR. For example, a low-power state corresponds to the MR unit always being in a dormant state. However, since the MR unit does not need to be periodically woken up in a low-power state, the MR unit can be in a deeper dormant state than in the current UE and can even be turned off, because the LPWUR can be used to turn on the MR unit. A “low-power” state can indicate that the average power consumption of the MR unit in a low-power state is lower (and preferably significantly lower, for example, ten times or even a hundred times lower) than the average power consumption of the MR unit in an active state.

[0040] This disclosure envisions a "low-power" wake-up receiver that instructs the LPWUR to receive a wake-up signal when the MR unit is in a low-power state. Of course, monitoring of the wake-up signal can be performed with low power consumption, and therefore, the average power consumption of the LPWUR should be lower than (and preferably significantly lower, for example, ten times or even a hundred times lower) the average power consumption of the MR unit when it is awake.

[0041] Therefore, this disclosure envisions reducing power consumption by placing the MR unit in a low-power state (e.g., off). The MR unit does not need to be periodically woken up and can be woken up only when triggered by the LPWUR. Because the LPWUR can continuously or at least frequently monitor the wake-up signal, the LPWUR can wake up the MR unit at any time, thereby reducing latency compared to, for example, eDRX.

[0042] This disclosure generally envisions that LPWUS can be monitored and received by separate or integrated receivers (e.g., Low Power Wake-up Receiver (LPWUR)). The coverage of LPWUS is envisioned to be less than the coverage of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Furthermore, an offset value can be defined or set in relation to the LPWUS value, which may be associated with or include one or both of the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) (i.e., referred to as the "LPWUS RSRP value" and / or "LPWUS RSRP") and the Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) (i.e., referred to as the "LPWUS RSRQ value" and / or "LPWUS RSRQ").

[0043] This disclosure envisions that, according to embodiments of this disclosure, it may be helpful to consider some form of dynamic / adaptive / progressive configuration / deterministic strategy for power / energy consumption efficiency and energy saving at the UE (or user equipment).

[0044] Therefore, this disclosure envisions the possibility of methods to improve energy savings at the UE under conditions of temporary poor coverage. Specifically, this disclosure envisions a gNB-configurable mapping table that includes LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset values ​​for the UE and a counter to determine when the primary radio is enabled.

[0045] Energy savings can be improved by using the above method because the UE may not need to frequently switch between MR and LPWUR. Furthermore, a failsafe buffer can be provided for situations where the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ threshold is crossed when the UE is actually outside LPWUS coverage. Therefore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to promote power and energy consumption efficiency.

[0046] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1A, a system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, system 100 may be suitable, for example, for energy saving and promoting energy / power efficiency in a network.

[0048] As shown, according to embodiments of this disclosure, system 100 may include one or more devices 102, at least one apparatus 104, and optionally a communication network 106.

[0049] Equipment 102 may be coupled to device 104. Specifically, according to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may be coupled to device 104, for example, via communication network 106.

[0050] In one embodiment, device 102 may be coupled to communication network 106, and device 104 may be coupled to communication network 106. Coupling may be achieved through one or both wired and wireless coupling. According to embodiments of this disclosure, device 102 may generally be configured to communicate with device 104 via communication network 106.

[0051] According to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may be associated with / correspond to / include one or more user equipments (UEs), which may carry one or more computers. For example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, equipment 102 may correspond to a UE carrying at least one computer (e.g., according to embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device / module with computing capabilities, such as an electronic mobile device that can be carried in a vehicle or an electronic module that can be installed in a vehicle), which may be configured to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control. For example, dynamic / adaptive / progressive control may be based on, for example, a plurality of LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset values. In a more specific example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, in one embodiment, equipment 102 may include one or more processors (not shown) that may be configured to (e.g., based on a plurality of LPWUS RSRP offset values ​​and / or LPWUS RSRQ offset values) perform one or more processing tasks associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control. In one embodiment, device 102 may be configured, for example, to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signals by generating one or more output signals. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the input signals may be transmitted from device 104 and received by device 102, for example. As a possible option, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the output signals may be transmitted from device 102, for example. According to embodiments of this disclosure, device 102 will be discussed in further detail later with reference to FIG2.

[0052] Device 104 may be associated with / correspond to at least one base station (e.g., at least one gNB). Furthermore, device 104 may be configured, for example, to carry / associate with / include one or more computers (e.g., electronic devices / modules with computing capabilities), which may be configured, for example, to perform one or more processing tasks associated with the base station. According to embodiments of this disclosure, device 104 may be configured to generate one or more input signals that can be transmitted to equipment 102. This will be discussed in further detail later in the context of an example scenario, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0053] Communication network 106 may correspond, for example, to an Internet communication network, a cellular communication network, a wired communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication network, a wireless communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication via communication network 106 (e.g., between equipment 102 and / or between equipment 102 and device 104) may be conducted via one or both of wired and wireless communication.

[0054] As previously mentioned, apparatus 102 may, for example, be configured to receive at least one input signal and perform at least one processing task associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control on the input signal in a manner that generates at least one output signal (e.g., based on multiple LPWUS RSRP offset values ​​and / or LPWUS RSRQ offset values). Furthermore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, apparatus 104 may, for example, be configured to generate (and transmit) input signals to apparatus 102. This will be discussed below in the context of the example scenarios with reference to Figures 1B through 1D, according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0055] Figures 1B through 1E illustrate example scenarios associated with the system of Figure 1A according to embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, Figures 1B and 1C illustrate examples of different embodiments of wake-up signal (WuS) transmission. The example embodiment of Figure 1B may be a WuS transmission framework of a wireless communication network (e.g., IEEE 802.11ba). In this embodiment, a wake-up mode (WUP) may be transmitted to one or more user devices or user equipments (UEs), which may be, for example, Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Each user device (or IoT device) may communicate with a server or base station (e.g., gNB) via Wi-Fi and may include a wake-up receiver (WuRx) or a low-power wake-up receiver (LPWUR) that can be turned on. According to embodiments of the present invention, IoT devices (or UEs or user devices) that receive WUP may turn on their main radio, while IoT devices (or UEs or user devices) that do not receive WUP may turn off their main radio.

[0056] In implementation, WuRx can be a front-end device with low-power active or passive means for triggering the radio frequency (RF) and baseband processors of a user equipment (UE) receiver. In example embodiments, in addition to a new radio (NR) receiver, the wake-up receiver (WuRx) can also be a low-complexity and low-cost device. According to embodiments of the invention, the wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) can be a waveform detected by the wake-up receiver (WuRx) such that the wake-up signal (WuS) or low-power wake-up signal (LPWUS) can operate in the same or different frequency bands of the NR operating band.

[0057] The example implementation of Figure 1C can be a WuS transmission framework for another wireless communication network (e.g., 3GPP). In this implementation, a low-power wake-up transmitter (WuTx) can communicate with a user equipment or UE (e.g., an IoT device) and transmit WuS to the user equipment (or UE)'s WuRx. The WuTx can be installed in a server or base station (e.g., a gNB), or it can be installed in another user equipment or UE (e.g., an IoT device).

[0058] One possibility for addressing energy / power efficiency issues is to utilize a separate or integrated receiver (i.e., a Low Power Wake-up Receiver, LPWUR), which can be introduced to monitor Low Power Wake-up Signals (LPWUS). The Master Radio (MR) can correspond to a conventional communication device (i.e., a New Radio, NR device), where operations associated with states such as RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE / CONNECTED (i.e., Radio Resource Control idle / inactive / connected states) can be performed. When no data / signals are being transmitted, the UE can disable the MR or maintain it in a deep sleep state while utilizing a separate LPWUR to monitor LPWUS for possible data / signal communications, thus promoting power savings. Furthermore, regardless, a UE accessing the network may be required to remain in at least one RRC state; however, with the LPWUR, the MR can potentially be disabled. Notably, in such an LPWUS mode, the UE monitors LPWUS (or LP synchronization signal, and if possible, reference signal) even without actions associated with RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE (e.g., paging / PEI reception, SSB / SI reception).

[0059] This disclosure envisions that energy / power savings (i.e., those facilitated by LPWUS) may be limited depending on whether the UE can detect RSRP / RSRQ within a defined / set threshold or offset value. Therefore, this disclosure envisions that energy / power efficiency may not be optimally / efficiently promoted due to such limitations. Specifically, this disclosure envisions that, according to embodiments of this disclosure, one or more LPWUS signals may be detected even when LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ is outside a set / defined threshold or offset value. Furthermore, if it is determined that the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ count value exceeds a predetermined counting limit, the UE may, for example, be configured to enable MR.

[0060] This disclosure envisions that, according to embodiments of this disclosure, and as will be discussed in further detail in the context of an example scenario associated with system 100 according to embodiments of this disclosure, it may be helpful to consider some form of dynamic / adaptive / incremental configuration / determination strategy for auxiliary power / energy consumption efficiency. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the dynamic / adaptive / incremental control configuration / determination strategy may, for example, be associated with dynamic / adaptive / incremental control based on multiple LPWUS offset values.

[0061] Referring to Figures 1D and 1E, in the example scenario, according to embodiments of this disclosure, system 100 may be adapted to facilitate dynamic / adaptive / progressive control. In a more specific example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, system 100 may be adapted to facilitate dynamic / adaptive / progressive control based on multiple LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset values ​​in a manner that promotes energy / power efficiency. Furthermore, equipment 102 (hereinafter referred to as UE in the context of this example scenario) may be carried in / by a vehicle. Furthermore, device 104 (hereinafter referred to as "gNB" in the context of this example scenario) may be coupled to the UE (e.g., via communication network 106). Furthermore, in the example scenario, multiple UEs (e.g., UE1 and UE2) may be coupled to the gNB. The UEs may be located, for example, in various locations / areas within network 106. According to embodiments of this disclosure, locations / areas may include, for example, LPWUS areas and PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) areas. Furthermore, the boundary between the LPWUS region and the PDCCH region can be considered or can represent an RSRP / RSRQ threshold (e.g., this can indicate the aforementioned threshold, which can be defined or set in relation to LPWUS RSRP).

[0062] In one example, as shown in Figure 1D, UE1, which is closer to the gNB in ​​proximity (compared to UE2), can be considered to be located in the LPWUS area. The LPWUS area can be associated, for example, with LPWUS coverage. In this respect, UE1 can be considered to be within LPWUS coverage. Conversely, UE2 is outside LPWUS coverage. Furthermore, as shown, UE2, which is farther from the gNB in ​​proximity (compared to UE1), can be considered to be outside LPWUS coverage but within the PDCCH area. The PDCCH area can be associated, for example, with PDCCH coverage. In this respect, UE2 can be considered outside LPWUS coverage, while UE1 can be considered within LPWUS coverage.

[0063] Understandably, the coverage area of ​​the LPWUS area can be considered smaller than that of the PDCCH area. In this regard, the LPWUR monitoring LPWUS may not always meet the RSRP / RSRQ thresholds or ranges configured by the network (e.g., gNB) for LPWUS detection, even when it (e.g., the LPWUR carried by UE2) is within the PDCCH coverage area of ​​the serving cell.

[0064] For example, RSRP threshold (and / or RSRQ threshold) values ​​may be defined / set by the network (e.g., gNB) so that the UE can enable MR and disable LPWUR. This disclosure envisions that this may not promote power / energy savings (e.g., relative to the UE) in an optimal / efficient manner. For example, a mobile UE (e.g., UE2) that enables MR while temporarily outside LPWUS coverage but within PDCCH coverage may not be very energy efficient.

[0065] Figure 1E illustrates another example scenario where primary radio activation or deactivation is based on an LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ threshold or offset value. In this case, it's possible that a UE (e.g., UE1) may not be moving or not active within the LPWUS coverage area, and the primary radio is immediately activated. UEs permanently outside the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ threshold or area can take advantage of this, but UEs that are temporarily deactivated and return to LPWUS coverage (e.g., UE2) may not benefit from LPWUS.

[0066] This disclosure envisions that employing technologies or mechanisms to enhance the coverage performance of LPWUS may be beneficial. In particular, when LPWUS coverage is insufficient, the potential benefits and drawbacks of the stated technologies or mechanisms, such as system overhead, increased complexity, and network energy consumption, can be further evaluated to identify potential problems and corresponding solutions. Additionally, in cases where LPWUS channel conditions are insufficient, such as below or outside a predefined threshold or range, a fallback mechanism may be available, in which the primary radio (MR) switches to legacy operation.

[0067] This disclosure further envisions that, according to embodiments of this disclosure, it may be helpful to consider some form of dynamic / adaptive / progressive configuration / determination strategy for auxiliary power / energy consumption efficiency. Specifically, this disclosure envisions the possibility of using LPWUS to perform enhanced energy savings at the UE under temporary poor coverage conditions. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the dynamic / adaptive / progressive control configuration / determination strategy may, for example, be associated with dynamic / adaptive / progressive control based on multiple LPWUS offset values.

[0068] The aforementioned advantageous aspects of system 100 of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the following equipment 102 of this disclosure. Similarly, all the following advantageous aspects of equipment 102 of this disclosure can also be similarly applied to all aspects of the aforementioned system 100 of this disclosure.

[0069] The aforementioned equipment 102 will be discussed in further detail below with reference to Figure 2.

[0070] Referring to Figure 2, the apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] In example implementation 200, equipment 102 may correspond to electronic module 200a. According to embodiments of this disclosure, in one example, electronic module 200a may correspond to a mobile device that can, for example, be carried into a vehicle by a user. According to embodiments of this disclosure, in another example, electronic module 200a may correspond to an electronic device that can be installed / replaced in a vehicle. In this regard, electronic module 200a can be considered as being carried by the vehicle (e.g., carried into the vehicle by a user or installed / replaced in the vehicle).

[0072] According to embodiments of this disclosure, it is envisioned that electronic module 200a may be able to perform one or more processing tasks associated with adaptive / dynamic / progressive control-related processing.

[0073] Electronic module 200a may include, for example, a housing 200b. Furthermore, electronic module 200a may, for example, carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206.

[0074] In one embodiment, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and / or third module 206. In a specific example, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, electronic module 200a may carry first module 202, second module 204, and third module 206.

[0075] In this regard, it should be understood that, in one embodiment, the shape and size of the housing 200b may be designed to carry any one or any combination of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206.

[0076] The first module 202 may be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 may be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first module 202 may be coupled to the second module 204, and the second module 204 may be coupled to the third module 206. The coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204, and / or the third module 206 may be performed, for example, by one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first module 202, the second module 204, and the third module 206 may correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module.

[0077] In one example, the first module 202 may correspond to a hardware-based receiver that can be configured to receive one or more input signals. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the input signals may be transmitted, for example, from device 104 (e.g., gNB).

[0078] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second module 204 may correspond, for example, to a hardware-based processor that can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., by generating one or more output signals), as will be discussed in further detail later with reference to FIG3.

[0079] The third module 206 may correspond to a hardware-based transmitter that can be configured to transmit one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the output signals may, for example, include / correspond to one or more instruction / command / control signals associated with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / incremental control configuration / determination strategy in order to promote efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency).

[0080] This disclosure envisions the possibility that the first and second modules 202 / 204 could be software-hardware integrated modules (e.g., electronic components carrying software programs / algorithms associated with receiving and processing functions / electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and processing functions). This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first module 202 and the third module 206 could be software-hardware integrated modules (e.g., electronic components carrying software programs / algorithms associated with receiving and transmitting functions / electronic modules programmed to perform receiving and transmitting functions). This disclosure further envisions the possibility that the first and third modules 202 / 206 could be integrated hardware modules capable of performing receiving and transmitting functions (e.g., hardware-based transceivers).

[0081] The aforementioned advantageous aspects of the apparatus 102 of this disclosure are also similarly applicable to all aspects of the processing / communication methods described below. Similarly, all the aforementioned advantageous aspects of the processing / communication methods of this disclosure are also similarly applicable to all aspects of the apparatus 102 described above. It should be understood that these statements also apply similarly to the system 100 discussed earlier in this disclosure.

[0082] Referring to Figure 3, a method (also referred to as a processing method) associated with system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0083] According to embodiments of this disclosure, method 300 may be suitable for / able to promote energy efficiency, for example.

[0084] According to embodiments of this disclosure, processing method 300 may include any one or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306.

[0085] In one embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302. In another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302 and a processing step 304. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In still another embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304 and one or both of input step 302 and output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include an input step 302, a processing step 304, and an output step 306. In yet another embodiment, processing method 300 may include a processing step 304. In yet another additional embodiment, processing method 300 may include any one or any combination of input step 302, processing step 304, and output step 306 (i.e., input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306).

[0086] Regarding input step 302, one or more input signals may be received. For example, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the input signal may be transmitted from device 104 and may be received by equipment 102.

[0087] Input step 302 may include receiving at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit (or counter limit). In one embodiment, the input signal may be generated by and transmitted from device 104 to equipment 102. Alternatively, the input signal may be generated and received by equipment 102 to proceed to processing step 304. For example, the input signal may be generated by a transmitting UE (or user equipment) and received by a receiving UE (or user equipment).

[0088] Regarding processing step 304, according to embodiments of this disclosure, at least one processing task associated with the received input signal can be performed by generating one or more output signals.

[0089] Processing step 304 may include at least one of the following: determining whether the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value; if the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value, starting a timer based on the at least one timer value; determining a count value based on multiple signal values ​​within the at least one timer value; and determining whether the count value is within the at least one count limit when the timer expires. If the count value is greater than the at least one count limit, radio is enabled. Conversely, if the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit, radio is disabled. At least one signal region may correspond to at least one value that can be associated with the Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS) Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ). The count limit (or counter limit) may be the maximum number of times the UE LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ value exceeds a threshold.

[0090] Processing step 304 may further include: discarding the timer if the count value is greater than the at least one count limit; monitoring the LPWUS signal if the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit; and stopping the timer when the count value exceeds the maximum counter limit.

[0091] Processing step 304 may also include: pre-determining the mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit; and transmitting the mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit, wherein transmitting the mapping table includes transmitting it via system information message broadcast.

[0092] At least one base station may correspond to at least one next-generation node B (gNB), and the user equipment (UE) may be configured to perform input step 302 and processing step 304, and the mapping table may be transmitted from the gNB to the UE. The mapping table, indicating the mapping between at least one signal area and at least one timer value, is received by the UE from the gNB via at least one of the following: a system information block (SIB) or a UE-specific message.

[0093] In the implementation, the gNB can configure a mapping between LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset values ​​and timers, as well as a counter limit for when the UE decides to activate MR, and this mapping can be broadcast via system information messages. The UE can determine the associated timer value (provided by the gNB as a mapping table) based on the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset value. When the UE measures a first LPWUS reference signal below a configured LPWUS threshold, the UE can start the timer, and when the counter reaches its maximum limit, the UE stops the timer. The UE then counts the number of times the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ value is below the threshold. If the count exceeds the counting limit, the timer is discarded and the UE activates the main radio. If the count is below the counting limit, the UE continues to monitor LPWUS. In this way, a UE temporarily outside LPWUS coverage can achieve additional energy savings by utilizing the timer before activating MR. The counting limit (or counter limit) can be the maximum number of times the UE's LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ value is above the threshold.

[0094] In the example implementation shown in Table 1 below, with the UE offset at O1, the UE can set the timer value to T1. The UE can then calculate a count value while the timer is running. If the count value exceeds the counting limit, the UE discards the timer and turns on the main radio. Otherwise, the UE continues to monitor LPWUS. The increase in the count value describes the increase in the difference between the measured LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ value and the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ threshold.

[0095]

[0096] Table 1

[0097] Regarding output step 306, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as an option, an output signal may be transmitted, for example. For example, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 102. In a more specific example, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the output signal may optionally be transmitted from device 102 to one or both of at least one device 104 and another device 102.

[0098] This disclosure further envisions a computer program (not shown) that may include instructions that, when executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer program may include instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0099] This disclosure further envisions a computer-readable storage medium (not shown) storing data representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, perform input step 302, processing step 304, and / or output step 306 as discussed in reference method 300. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the computer-readable storage medium may store data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform input step 302 and / or processing step 304.

[0100] In light of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally envisions an energy-saving device 102 suitable for use in a network, which may include a first module 202, a second module 204, and / or a third module 206.

[0101] The first module 202 may be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signals may be associated, for example, with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal region and at least one timer value.

[0102] The second module 204 may be configured to process the input signal and / or facilitate the processing of the input signal according to the method 300 discussed earlier, to generate one or more output signals.

[0103] The third module 206 can be configured to transmit one or more output signals. The output signals may, for example, correspond to one or more control signals used to: enable radio when the average signal value is not within the at least one signal area, and disable radio when the average signal value is within the at least one signal area.

[0104] In one implementation, equipment 102 may correspond to a user equipment (UE) that can communicate with means 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station may, for example, correspond to a next-generation node B (gNB) that can be configured to transmit one or more signals (e.g., input signals) to the UE.

[0105] Furthermore, in view of the foregoing, it is understood that this disclosure generally envisions a system 100, which may include one or more devices 102 and one or more apparatuses 104. The devices 102 and 104 may be coupled, for example, via wired and / or wireless coupling.

[0106] It should be understood that the embodiments described above can be combined in any way where appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0107] Those skilled in the art should further understand that variations and combinations of the above-described implementation schemes, rather than alternatives or substitutes, can be combined to form further implementation schemes.

[0108] In one example, the possibility of transmitting an output signal from equipment 102 is discussed. It is understood that transmitting an output signal from equipment 102 is not necessarily required. Specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the possibility that it is not necessarily necessary to transmit an output signal outside of equipment 102 is envisioned. More specifically, according to embodiments of the invention, the output signal may, for example, correspond to internal commands / instructions for adaptively controlling the operation configuration of equipment 102 (e.g., transmitted only within equipment 102).

[0109] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate schematic diagrams of example scenarios associated with method 300 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] In the example context shown in Figure 4A, the gNB (or base station) is configured to provide a mapping table indicating the mapping between LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset values, timer values, and counter limits. The gNB (or base station) can then transmit this mapping table to the UE (or user equipment).

[0111] In the example context shown in Figure 4B, the UE (or user equipment) is configured to receive a mapping table and set a timer based on the received LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ offset value. When the LPWUS RSRP / RSRQ value is below a threshold, the UE (or user equipment) may continue counting. When the timer expires, the UE then determines whether the count value during the timer period exceeds the counter limit. If the count value is greater than the counter limit, the UE (or user equipment) discards the timer and turns on the main radio. If the count value is less than or equal to the counter limit, the UE (or user equipment) continues to monitor the LPWUS signal.

[0112] Various embodiments of this disclosure for addressing at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages have been described in the foregoing manner. Such embodiments are intended to be covered by the appended claims and are not limited to the specific form or arrangement of the parts so described, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, given this disclosure, that many changes and / or modifications may be made, which are also intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0113] abbreviation:

[0114] BWP bandwidth portion

[0115] CBG code block group

[0116] CLI Cross-Link Interference

[0117] CP loop prefix

[0118] CPUCSI processing unit

[0119] CQI Channel Quality Indicator

[0120] CRB Public Resource Block

[0121] CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check

[0122] CRICSI-RS resource indicator

[0123] CSI Channel Status Information

[0124] CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0125] CSI-RSRPCSI Reference Signal Received Power

[0126] CSI-RSRQCSI reference signal reception quality

[0127] CSI-SINRCSI signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0128] CW code

[0129] DCI downlink control information

[0130] DL downlink

[0131] DM-RS demodulation reference signal

[0132] DRX discontinuous reception

[0133] EPRE Energy per Resource Element

[0134] IAB-MT Integrated Access and Backhaul - Mobile Terminal

[0135] L1-RSRP Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power

[0136] LI layer indicator

[0137] LP-WUR Low Power Wake-up Receiver

[0138] LP-WUS low-power wake-up signal

[0139] MCS modulation and coding scheme

[0140] MR main receiver

[0141] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0142] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0143] PMI Precoding Matrix Indicator

[0144] PRB Physical Resource Block

[0145] PRG precoded resource block group

[0146] PRS positioning reference signal

[0147] PSS master synchronization signal

[0148] PT-RS phase tracking reference signal

[0149] PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0150] QCL Quasi-co-addressable

[0151] RB resource blocks

[0152] RBG resource block group

[0153] RI ranking indicator

[0154] RIV resource indicator value

[0155] RS reference signal

[0156] RSRP reference signal received power

[0157] RSRQ reference signal reception quality

[0158] SCI sidelink control information

[0159] SLIV start and length indicator values

[0160] SR scheduling request

[0161] SRS detection reference signal

[0162] SS Synchronization Signal

[0163] SS-RSRPSS reference signal received power

[0164] SS-RSRQSS reference signal reception quality

[0165] SSS auxiliary synchronization signal

[0166] SS-SINRSS signal-to-noise and interference ratio

[0167] TB transport block

[0168] TCI Transport Configuration Indicator

[0169] TDM Time Division Multiplexing

[0170] UE User Equipment

[0171] UL uplink

Claims

1. A method (300) comprising: Input step (302), the input step includes receiving at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value and at least one count limit; and processing step (304), the processing step including at least one of the following: determining whether the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value; if the current signal value is within the at least one signal offset value, starting a timer based on the at least one timer value; determining a count value based on multiple signals within the at least one timer value; and determining whether the count value is within the at least one count limit when the timer expires; The radio is enabled when the count value is greater than the at least one count limit, and disabled when the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one signal offset value corresponds to at least one value that can be associated with the low power wake-up signal (LPWUS) reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

3. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the processing step (304) further comprises: If the count value is greater than the at least one count limit, the timer is discarded.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the processing step (304) further comprises: When the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit, the LPWUS signal is monitored.

5. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the processing step (304) further comprises: The timer is stopped when the count value exceeds the maximum counter limit.

6. The method (300) according to claim 1, wherein at least one base station is configured to: predetermine the mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value and at least one count limit; and transmit the mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value and at least one count limit.

7. The method (300) according to claim 6, wherein transmitting the mapping table includes transmitting it via system information message broadcast.

8. The method (300) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one base station corresponds to at least one next-generation node B (gNB).

9. The method (300) of claim 8, wherein the user equipment (UE) is configured to perform the input step (302) and the processing step (304), and wherein the mapping table is transferable from the gNB to the UE.

10. The method (300) of claim 9, wherein the mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value and at least one count limit is received by the UE from the gNB via at least one of: a system information block (SIB) or a UE-specific message.

11. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform at least one of the input step (302) and the processing step (304) of the method (300) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A computer-readable storage medium storing data representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions that, when executed by the computer, are used to perform at least one of the input step (302) and the processing step (304) of the method (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. An apparatus (102) comprising: A first module (202), configured to receive at least one input signal associated with a mapping table indicating a mapping between at least one signal offset value, at least one timer value, and at least one count limit; a second module (204), configured to process and / or facilitate the processing step (304) of the method (300) according to claims 1 to 10 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206), configured to transmit at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for enabling radio when the count value is greater than the at least one count limit and disabling radio when the count value is less than or equal to the at least one count limit.

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

15. A system (100) comprising: At least one piece of equipment (102) according to any one of claims 13 and 14; And at least one device (104) according to claim 14, wherein the equipment (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled by at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

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