Replacement radio resource control information element

Abstract

Replacements of radio resource control information elements are disclosed. A method is proposed, comprising: receiving a radio resource control message comprising one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; receiving a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, message comprising radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier for at least one of the one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced with the radio resource control protocol data; and replacing, based on the at least one identifier, the at least one of the one or more radio resource control information elements with the radio resource control protocol data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following example embodiments relate to wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] In wireless communication, signaling latency refers to the time it takes for control messages to travel between network nodes, thus affecting the overall latency and efficiency of the communication system. In time-sensitive applications, it is desirable to reduce overall signaling latency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The scope of protection sought for the various exemplary embodiments is set forth in the claims. The subject matter of the independent claims is provided according to some aspects. Other aspects are defined in the dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments and features (if any) described herein that are not within the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various embodiments.

[0004] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will also become apparent when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of embodiments of the present disclosure by way of example. Attached Figure Description

[0005] In the following description, various exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication network is shown; Figure 2 An example of a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) for transmitting Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol data is shown; Figure 3 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 4 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 5 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 6 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 7 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 8 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 9 The signal flow graph is shown; Figure 10 An example of the device is shown; Figure 11 An example of the device is shown; and Figure 12 An example of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0006] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to embodiments as "a," "an," or "some" in various places in the text, this does not necessarily mean that every reference is made to the same embodiment, or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the words "comprising" and "including" should be understood not to limit the described embodiments to consisting only of those features already mentioned, but such embodiments may also include features not specifically mentioned. Reference numerals in the specification and / or claims are used to illustrate embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, and not to limit the embodiments to these examples.

[0007] Some of the example embodiments described herein can be implemented in wireless communication networks that include radio access networks based on one or more of the following radio access technologies (RATs): Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or any other second-generation (2G) radio access technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS, 3G) based on Basic Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), 5G-Advanced (i.e., 3GPP NR Rel-18 and above), or sixth-generation (6G). Some examples of radio access networks include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRA), or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). The wireless communication network may also include a core network, and some example embodiments may also be applied to the network functions of the core network.

[0008] It should be noted that the embodiments are not limited to the wireless communication network given as an example, but those skilled in the art can also apply the solution to other wireless communication networks or systems with the necessary properties. For example, some example embodiments can also be applied to communication systems based on the IEEE 802.11 standard or communication systems based on the IEEE 802.15 standard. IEEE is an abbreviation for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0009] Figure 1 An example of a simplified wireless communication network is depicted, showing some physical and logical entities. Figure 1 The connections shown can be physical or logical. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that wireless communication networks may also include, in addition to... Figure 1 Other physical and logical entities besides those shown.

[0010] However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not limited to the wireless communication networks given as examples, but those skilled in the art can apply the exemplary embodiments described herein to other wireless communication networks with the necessary properties.

[0011] Figure 1 The example wireless communication network shown includes a radio access network (RAN) and a core network 110.

[0012] Figure 1 User equipment (UE) 100, 102 are shown, which are configured to wirelessly connect to access node 104 of radio access network on one or more communication channels in radio cell.

[0013] Access node 104 may include a computing device configured to control the radio resources of access node 104 and wirelessly connect to one or more UEs 100, 102. Access node 104 may also be referred to as a base station, base transceiver (BTS), access point, cell site, network node, radio access network node, RAN node, or network device.

[0014] Access node 104 may be, for example, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB), a next-generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), or a next-generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), providing a radio cell. Access node 104 may include or be coupled to a transceiver. A connection may be provided from the transceiver of access node 104 to an antenna element that establishes a bidirectional radio link to one or more UEs 100, 102. The antenna element may include an antenna or antenna element, or multiple antennas or antenna elements.

[0015] The radio connection (e.g., a radio link) from UE 100, 102 to access node 104 may be referred to as an uplink (UL) or reverse link, while the radio connection (e.g., a radio link) from access node 104 to UE 100, 102 may be referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link. UE 100 may also communicate directly with another UE 102 via a radio connection commonly referred to as a side link (SL), and vice versa. It should be understood that access node 104, or its functionality, may be implemented using any node, host, server, access point, or other entity suitable for providing such functionality.

[0016] A radio access network may include more than one access node 104, in which case the access nodes may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links. These links between access nodes may be used to send and / or receive control plane signaling, and also to route data from one access node to another.

[0017] Access node 104 can also connect to core network (CN) 110. Core network 110 may include an evolved packet core (EPC) network and / or a 5th generation core network (5GC). EPC may include network entities such as a serving gateway (S-GW for routing and forwarding data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW) for providing connectivity to external packet data networks for the UE, and / or a mobility management entity (MME). 5GC may include one or more network functions such as at least one of the following: user plane function (UPF), access and mobility management function (AMF), location management function (LMF), and / or session management function (SMF).

[0018] The core network 110 can also communicate with or utilize services provided by one or more external networks 113, such as the public switched telephone network or the Internet. For example, in a 5G wireless communication network, the UPF of the core network 110 can be configured to communicate with an external data network via the N6 interface. In an LTE wireless communication network, the P-GW of the core network 110 can be configured to communicate with an external data network.

[0019] It should also be understood that, compared to LTE or 5G, the functional distribution between core network operations and access node operations may differ in future wireless communication networks, or may not even exist.

[0020] The illustrated UEs 100 and 102 represent a type of device to which resources on the air interface can be allocated and assigned. UEs 100 and 102 may also be referred to as wireless communication devices, subscriber units, mobile stations, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, terminal equipment, or user equipment, etc. UEs 100 and 102 may be computing devices operating with or without a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of computing devices: mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices, computing devices including wireless modems (e.g., alarm or measuring devices), laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebooks, multimedia devices, redcap devices, wearable devices with radio components (e.g., watches, headphones, or glasses), sensors including wireless modems, or computing devices including wireless modems integrated into vehicles.

[0021] It should be understood that UEs 100 and 102 can also be almost exclusively uplink-only devices, examples of which could be cameras or camcorders that load images or video clips onto the network. UEs 100 and 102 can also be devices capable of operating in Internet of Things (IoT) networks, which are scenarios where objects can be provided with the ability to transmit data over the network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.

[0022] Wireless communication networks can also support the use of cloud services. For example, at least a portion of the core network operation can be performed as a cloud service (this is in...). Figure 1 (Depicted by "cloud" 114). UEs 100 and 102 can also utilize cloud 114. In some applications, computations for a given UE can be performed in cloud 114 or in another UE.

[0023] Wireless communication networks can also include a central control entity, such as a Network Management System (NMS). An NMS is a centralized software and hardware suite used to monitor, control, and manage network infrastructure. The NMS is responsible for various tasks, such as fault management, configuration management, security management, performance management, and billing management. The NMS enables network operators to effectively manage and optimize network resources, thereby ensuring that the network provides high performance, reliability, and security.

[0024] 5G enables the use of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas in access node 104 and / or UEs 100, 102, and far more base stations or access nodes than LTE networks (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that operate in conjunction with smaller stations and employ various radio technologies depending on service requirements, use cases, and / or available spectrum. 5G wireless communication networks can support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different data sharing methods, and various forms of machine-type applications such as (massive) machine-type communication (mMTC), including vehicle safety, various sensors, and real-time control.

[0025] In 5G wireless communication networks, access nodes and / or UEs can have multiple radio interfaces, such as sub-6 GHz, centimeter wave (cmWave), and millimeter wave (mmWave), and can also be integrated with traditional radio access technologies such as LTE. Integration with LTE can be implemented, for example, in a system where macro coverage can be provided by LTE, and 5G radio interface access can be aggregated to LTE from small cells. In other words, 5G wireless communication networks can support inter-RAT interoperability (such as interoperability between LTE and 5G) and inter-RI interoperability (inter-radio interface interoperability, such as sub-6 GHz, cmWave, and mmWave).

[0026] 5G wireless communication networks can also apply network slicing, where multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) can be created within the same physical infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0027] 5G (or New Radio, NR) wireless communication networks can support multiple tiers, where multi-access edge computing (MEC) servers can be placed between the core network 110 and the access node 104. It should be understood that MEC can also be applied to LTE wireless communication networks.

[0028] The 5G wireless communication network (“5G network”) may also include non-terrestrial communication networks, such as satellite communication networks, to enhance or supplement the coverage of the 5G radio access network. For example, satellite communication can support data transmission between the 5G radio access network and the core network 110, thereby enabling broader network coverage. Possible use cases may include providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications and future rail, sea, or air communications. Satellite communication may utilize geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems or low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, such as large constellations (i.e., systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Alternatively, the satellite may be aerial equipment, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or high-altitude platform systems (HAPS). A given satellite 106 may provide communication services on Earth via one or more satellite beams. One or more satellite beams create one or more cells over a given service area defined by the field of view of satellite 106.

[0029] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that Figure 1 The access node 104 depicted is merely an example of a portion of a radio access network, and in practice, a radio access network may include multiple access nodes 104, UEs 100 and 102 may access multiple radio cells, and the radio access network may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay access nodes or other entities. At least one of the access nodes may be a home eNodeB or a home gNodeB. A home gNodeB or home eNodeB is a type of access node that can be used to provide indoor coverage in homes, offices, or other indoor environments.

[0030] In addition, multiple different types of radio cells and multiple radio cells can be provided within the geographical area of ​​the radio access network. Radio cells can be macrocells (or umbrella cells), which can be large cells with diameters of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as microcells, femtocells, or picocells. Figure 1Access node 104 can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio network can be implemented as a multi-layered access network comprising several types of radio cells. In a multi-layered access network, one access node can provide one or more radio cells of a particular type, thus multiple access nodes may be required to provide such a multi-layered access network.

[0031] To meet the need for improved performance in radio access networks, the concept of "plug-and-play" access nodes can be introduced. Besides home eNodeBs or home gNodeBs, radio access networks capable of using "plug-and-play" access nodes can include home node B gateways (HNB-GW). Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). The HNB-GW can be installed in the operator's radio access network and can aggregate traffic from a large number of home eNodeBs or home gNodeBs back to the operator's core network 110.

[0032] 6G wireless communication networks are expected to employ flexible decentralized and / or distributed computing systems and architectures, along with ubiquitous computing, where local spectrum licensing, spectrum sharing, infrastructure sharing, and intelligent automated management are achieved through mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence, short packet communication, and blockchain technologies. Key features of 6G may include intelligent connectivity management and control capabilities, programmability, integrated sensing and communication, reduced energy footprint, trusted infrastructure, scalability, and affordability. Beyond these, 6G also targets new use cases that encompass integrating location and sensing capabilities into the system definition to unify the user experience across the physical and digital worlds.

[0033] In one embodiment, access node 104 may include: a radio unit (RU) comprising a radio transceiver (TRX), i.e., a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx); one or more distributed units (DUs) 105, which may be used for so-called Layer 1 (L1) processing and real-time Layer 2 (L2) processing; and a central unit (CU) 108 (also called a centralized unit), which may be used for non-real-time L2 and Layer 3 (L3) processing. CU 108 may be connected to one or more DUs 105, for example, via an F1 interface. This embodiment of access node 104 enables the centralization of CUs relative to cell sites and DUs, while DUs may be more distributed and may even remain at the cell site. CUs and DUs together may also be referred to as baseband or baseband unit (BBU). CUs and DUs may also be included in a radio access point (RAP).

[0034] CU 108 may be a logical node hosting the Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and / or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocols for the NR protocol stack of access node 104. CU 108 may include a control plane (CU-CP), which may be a logical node hosting the control plane portions of the RRC and PDCP protocols for the NR protocol stack of access node 104. CU 108 may also include a user plane (CU-UP), which may be a logical node hosting the user plane portions of the PDCP and SDAP protocols for the CU of access node 104.

[0035] DU 105 may be a logical node hosting the Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and / or Physical (PHY) layers of the NR protocol stack for Access Node 104. DU 105 may include a Control Plane (DU-CP), which may be a logical node handling control plane functions, including managing signaling and control messages between the network and UEs 100 and 102. DU 105 may also include a User Plane (DU-UP), which may be a logical node handling user plane functions related to the actual data transmission between the network and UEs 100 and 102. The operation of DU 105 may be controlled at least partially by CU 108. It should also be understood that the functional distribution between DU 105 and CU 108 may vary depending on the implementation.

[0036] However, the aforementioned split RAN architecture (e.g., with DU, CU-CP, and CU-UP separations) can lead to additional signaling overhead and latency for RRC procedures. To address these issues, it may be desirable to add more security to the MAC layer or a portion thereof (e.g., in 6G). This will open up new possibilities for resolving the problems caused by the split RAN architecture.

[0037] The RRC protocol (e.g., as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331) is responsible for delivering configuration options for UEs 100 and 102. In some cases, configuration options can be changed via MAC control element (CE) based signaling (e.g., as specified in 3GPP TS 38.321).

[0038] In the current 5G RAN architecture, if a DU-UP identifier needs to change the UE configuration (e.g., to change the beam management configuration), it must be processed via RRC. Initially, the DU-UP can send an indication to the DU-CP to indicate that a change in the UE configuration is required. The DU-CP can then send a request to the CU-CP to modify the RRC configuration of UE 100. Upon receiving this request, the CU-CP can send a request to UE 100 to make the change via DU 105. UE 100 can respond to the CU-CP via DU 105 when the change is completed, and the CU-CP then notifies DU 105 that the configuration change was successful.

[0039] When there is a long F1 interface between DU 105 and CU 108, the entire process can take a long time, causing additional central processing unit (CPU) usage in access node 104, and also making the success rate of desired configuration changes lower compared to scenarios where this can be completed more quickly.

[0040] Some example embodiments provide a method for delivering updates to one or more RRC information elements via MAC layer signaling using one or more predefined identifiers (e.g., referred to as RRC context identifiers or MAC identifiers) that may be included in the RRC module definition. An RRC module may contain one or more RRC information elements. The definition of a particular RRC information element is included in the RRC specification (e.g., 3GPP TS 38.331). Compared to RRC signaling, MAC layer signaling can provide faster configuration updates, thereby reducing overall signaling latency. As an example, configuration updates can be provided in one millisecond or less using MAC layer signaling, while RRC signaling may take 10 milliseconds or longer (because RRC signaling includes some additional signaling steps compared to MAC layer signaling). This can be beneficial, for example, for time-sensitive applications.

[0041] Furthermore, some example implementations can be based on a single RRC instance, thus eliminating the need to separately define which specific RRC parameters should be moved to the MAC layer and which specific RRC parameters should be retained at the RRC layer. In other words, any RRC parameter defined in the RRC specification can be configured to be delivered via MAC layer signaling.

[0042] In some example embodiments, a new Information Element (IE) may be added to the MAC CE for transmitting RRC content (e.g., RRC protocol data). The RRC content may have a specific IE or identifier (RRC context identifier) ​​that identifies the hierarchy, as well as the decoding of the bits added to the MAC CE.

[0043] MAC CE is a type of control information exchanged between UEs 100 and 102 and access node 104. MAC CE can be used to deliver various control commands and status reports, such as buffer status reports, delay status reports, and power headroom reports, which helps manage and optimize network resources and performance.

[0044] Security is enhanced even without MAC CE security if the allocation of the RRC context identifier is handled by the RRC layer. In MAC CE, the included data can be quite arbitrary, making decoding difficult without knowing the actual decoding technique used to encode the data. Therefore, the decoding can be determined simply by opening a secure RRC message.

[0045] In some cases, a MAC CE can include multiple RRC IEs and RRC context identifiers in any order, where the RRC IEs are identified by the RRC context identifiers, making it more secure and flexible. When multiple smaller IEs exist in an arbitrary order, interpreting the IEs becomes even more difficult without knowing the exact mapping from the IE to the RRC specification.

[0046] Figure 2 An example of a MAC CE 200 for transmitting RRC protocol data is shown. For example, a MAC CE may include at least three octets 211, 212, and 213. An octet is a unit of digital information consisting of eight bits. In this document, the terms "octet" and "byte" are used interchangeably.

[0047] The first octet 211 may include an indication 201 that indicates the type of MAC CE 200, namely, that MAC CE 200 is used to transmit RRC protocol data 203 (e.g., one or more RRC information elements).

[0048] The second octet 212 may include one or more RRC context identifiers 202 associated with the RRC protocol data 203. In other words, one or more RRC context identifiers identify one or more RRC information elements involved in the RRC protocol data 203. For example, each RRC context identifier may be included in a separate octet, in which case the length of each RRC context identifier may be one octet (eight bits). Each RRC context identifier may be represented, for example, by a numeric (integer) value or any other suitable format. Note that the length of a given RRC context identifier may also be different from eight bits (e.g., depending on the maximum number of RRC context identifiers required).

[0049] The third octet 213 may include RRC protocol data 203. Therefore, one or more RRC context identifiers 202 may be included in a different octet 212 compared to the octet 213 which includes the associated RRC protocol data 203. The MAC CE 200 may also include one or more additional octets 214 for carrying additional information.

[0050] RRC information elements can include RRC protocol data, as specified in 3GPP specifications, such as 3GPP TS 38.331 for 5G NR. In other words, an RRC information element is a piece of RRC data used within the RRC protocol to manage the establishment, maintenance, and / or release of radio connections between the UE and the cellular network. RRC information elements help configure various parameters used for communication, such as frequency information, power control settings, and / or measurement configurations.

[0051] RRC protocol data 203 refers to the information exchanged between UE 100, 102 and access node 104 (e.g., gNB) within the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol. For example, RRC protocol data may be one or more RRC IEs or a portion of an RRC IE. RRC protocol data 203 may include control information for configuring UE 100. RRC protocol data 203 may be used for, for example, at least one of the following: managing connection establishment and release, broadcasting system information, processing radio bearer management, managing mobility procedures (e.g., handover), and / or processing paging notifications. RRC protocol data 203 may use RRC decoding from the RRC specification, such as Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ASN.1).

[0052] An example of an RRC information element is CellGroupConfig, which can be used to configure parameters for a cell group (e.g., including primary and secondary cells in carrier aggregation scenarios). The CellGroupConfig information element can include RRC protocol data such as spCellConfig, rlc-BearerToAddModList, rlc-BearerToReleaseList, and / or mac-CellGroupConfig. spCellConfig is the configuration for a specific cell, which is the primary cell in the cell group. rlc-bearerToAddModList is a list of Radio Link Control (RLC) bearers to be added or modified. rlc-BearerToReleaseList is a list of RLC bearers to be released. mac-CellGroupConfig includes MAC layer configuration for the cell group. However, it should be noted that various other RRC information elements and multiple RRC protocol data are also defined in the specification.

[0053] When access node 104 (e.g., gNB) configures RRC configuration for UE 100, 102, access node 104 can provide RRC context identifiers for RRC information elements that may change later.

[0054] Alternatively, the RRC information element is optional in the RRC configuration, allowing the RRC configuration to include an empty structure for the RRC IE and only the RRC context identifier as a placeholder. This will indicate to the UE that this part of the RRC configuration will be delivered later via MAC CE.

[0055] This feature also allows CU 108 in the split RAN architecture to perform advanced RRC configuration and separately instructs DU 105 to fill in the required details later via MAC CE. In this way, CU 108 can avoid requesting detailed configuration from DU 105 before creating the final RRC message for UE 100, 102.

[0056] However, it should be noted that some example embodiments are not limited to the split RAN architecture, and some example embodiments can also be applied to an integrated base station architecture without CU-DU splitting (e.g., an integrated gNB architecture).

[0057] An integrated base station refers to a base station implemented as a single, unified network node without the functional splitting seen in a split RAN architecture. In other words, in an integrated architecture, all functions (including control and user plane processing) are handled within a single integrated unit, rather than distributed across separate units (such as CUs and DUs in a split architecture). In an integrated base station architecture, the proposed approach splits functions only between protocol layers (such as RRC and MAC), not between physical or logical nodes. Using an integrated base station architecture, some example embodiments also enable faster configuration changes via MAC layer signaling (compared to RRC signaling).

[0058] However, the following description uses the principles and terminology of 5G radio access technology to describe some example embodiments, without limiting the example embodiments to 5G radio access technology. For example, some example embodiments can be applied to 6G and higher.

[0059] Figure 3 A signal flow diagram is shown according to an example embodiment for an integrated base station architecture.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 The document discloses user equipment 100 and network equipment 104. User equipment 100 can refer to... Figure 1 UE 100, and network device 104 can be designated Figure 1The access node 104. For example, network device 104 may be an integrated base station (e.g., gNB). Network device 104 may also be referred to herein as the first network element.

[0061] exist Figure 3 The document provides methods A1 and B1 for transmitting RRC protocol data via MAC CE.

[0062] Method A1 can be performed by device 1000, such as user equipment (i.e., UE) 100 or a device (e.g., chipset) included in user equipment 100. According to the first aspect, method A1 includes at least the following.

[0063] refer to Figure 3 At 303, user equipment 100 receives a radio resource control message from network equipment 104, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0064] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, radio resource control configuration messages or radio resource control reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) messages.

[0065] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0066] At point 305, user equipment 100 receives a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message from network device 104. This message includes radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, which refers to at least one radio resource control information element among one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced (or updated or changed) with the radio resource control protocol data. The MAC CE message may be received after the radio resource control message has been received. Figure 2 An example of a MAC CE message is shown below.

[0067] At 306, user equipment 100 replaces (or updates or changes) at least one radio resource control information element with radio resource control protocol data based on at least one identifier.

[0068] According to the second aspect, the method A1 of the first aspect is provided, further comprising: sending a message to network device 104 including at least one identifier for at least one radio resource control information element to be replaced (or updated or changed), wherein a MAC CE message is received based on the sending of said message. For example, the message sent to network device 104 may refer to an RRC reconfiguration complete message (indicating acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration message) or any other uplink message. The message may be sent after the RRC message is received and before the MAC CE message is received.

[0069] Method B1 can be performed by device 1100, such as network device 104 or a device (e.g., a chipset) included in network device 104. According to the third aspect, method B1 includes at least the following.

[0070] refer to Figure 3 At point 301, network device 104 may assign (or assign) one or more identifiers for one or more radio resource control information elements. Alternatively, one or more identifiers may be predefined (e.g., fixed in the 3GPP specification).

[0071] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0072] At 302, network device 104 generates a radio resource control message, which includes one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0073] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, radio resource control configuration messages or radio resource control reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) messages.

[0074] At point 303, network device 104 sends a radio resource control message to user equipment 100.

[0075] At 304, network device 104 generates a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message, which includes Radio Resource Control Protocol data and at least one identifier for at least one Radio Resource Control Information Element to be replaced (or updated or changed) with the Radio Resource Control Protocol data.

[0076] At point 305, network device 104 sends a MAC CE message to user equipment 100.

[0077] According to the fourth aspect, method B1 of the third aspect is provided, further comprising: receiving a message from user equipment 100, the message including at least one identifier for at least one radio resource control information element to be replaced (or updated or changed), wherein a MAC CE message is generated and / or transmitted based on the received message. For example, the message received from user equipment 100 may refer to an RRC reconfiguration completion message (indicating acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration message) or any other uplink message. The message may be received after the transmission of the RRC message and before the transmission of the MAC CE message.

[0078] According to the fifth aspect, method A1 or method B1 of any of the foregoing aspects is provided, wherein the radio resource control message includes empty placeholders for one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0079] According to the sixth aspect, a method A1 or method B1 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided, wherein the radio resource control message includes one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0080] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, which includes one or more components for performing at least one of the first, second, fifth or sixth aspects of the method A1.

[0081] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, which includes one or more components for performing at least one of the third to sixth aspects of the method B1.

[0082] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, including at least one processor 1010 and at least one memory 1020 storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor 1010, cause the apparatus 1000 to perform at least one of the methods A1 of the first, second, fifth, or sixth aspects.

[0083] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, including at least one processor 1110 and at least one memory 1120 storing instructions 1122, wherein when executed by the at least one processor 1110, the instructions 1122 cause the apparatus 1100 to perform at least one of the methods B1 of the third to sixth aspects.

[0084] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by device 1000, cause device 1000 to perform at least one of the first, second, fifth, or sixth aspects of the method A1.

[0085] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by the device 1100, cause the device 1100 to perform at least one of the third to sixth aspects of the method B1.

[0086] Figure 4 A signal flow diagram is shown according to an example embodiment of a RAN architecture for splitting.

[0087] refer to Figure 4 The document discloses user equipment 100, first network element 108, and second network element 105. User equipment 100 can refer to... Figure 1 UE 100. The first network element 108 can refer to Figure 1 The CU 108. The second network element 105 can refer to Figure 1 DU 105.

[0088] exist Figure 4 The document provides methods A2, B2, and C2 for transmitting RRC protocol data via MAC CE.

[0089] Method A2 can be performed by device 1000, such as user equipment (i.e., UE) 100 or a device (e.g., chipset) included in user equipment 100. According to the first aspect, method A2 includes at least the following.

[0090] refer to Figure 4 At 404, user equipment 100 receives a radio resource control message from a first network element 108 (e.g., via a second network element 105), the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0091] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, radio resource control configuration messages or radio resource control reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) messages.

[0092] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0093] At 406, user equipment 100 receives a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message from second network element 105. This MAC CE message includes radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, which refers to at least one radio resource control information element among one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced (or updated or changed) with the radio resource control protocol data. The radio resource control protocol data may include one or more updated radio resource control information elements. The MAC CE message can be received after the radio resource control message has been received. The MAC CE message may also be referred to as an in-band signaling message or a Layer 2 message. Figure 2 An example of a MAC CE message is shown below.

[0094] At 407, user equipment 100 replaces (or updates or changes) at least one radio resource control information element with radio resource control protocol data based on at least one identifier.

[0095] According to the second aspect, method A2 of the first aspect is provided, further comprising: sending a message to a first network element 108 or to a second network element 105, the message including at least one identifier for at least one radio resource control information element to be replaced (or updated or changed), wherein a MAC CE message is received based on the message being sent. For example, the message may refer to an RRC reconfiguration completion message (indicating acknowledgment of the RRC reconfiguration message) or any other uplink message. The message may be sent after the RRC message is received and before the MAC CE message is received.

[0096] Method B2 can be performed by device 1200 of the first network element 108 (e.g., CU). In other words, device 1200 can be the first network element 108 or a device (e.g., chipset) included in the first network element 108. According to the third aspect, method B2 includes at least the following.

[0097] refer to Figure 4 At 402, the first network element 108 receives a message from the second network element 105, the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0098] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0099] At 403, a first network element (e.g., CU) 108 generates a radio resource control message, which includes one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0100] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, radio resource control configuration messages or radio resource control reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) messages.

[0101] At position 404, the first network element 108 sends a radio resource control message to the user equipment 100.

[0102] According to the fourth aspect, the method B2 of the third aspect is provided, further comprising: sending one or more radio resource control information elements to the second network element 105, the one or more radio resource control elements being provided by the second network element 105 to the user equipment 110 via a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) message (or therein).

[0103] According to the fifth aspect, method B2 of the fourth aspect is provided, wherein at least one radio resource control information element is transmitted in one or more transparent bit strings.

[0104] According to the sixth aspect, method A2 or method B2 of any of the preceding aspects is provided, wherein the radio resource control message includes empty placeholders for one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0105] An empty placeholder indicates that a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message includes space reserved for one or more future RRC information elements, but that space is currently empty. In other words, a RRC message includes a designated point where specific control information can be inserted, but that point is empty at this time (i.e., an empty placeholder does not contain any actual control information, but control information can be added to the empty placeholder later).

[0106] According to the seventh aspect, method A2 or method B2 of any one of the first to third aspects is provided, wherein the radio resource control message includes one or more radio resource control information elements. In other words, in this case, the one or more radio resource control information elements in the radio resource control message include actual control information (and not just empty placeholders).

[0107] Method C2 can be performed by device 1100 of the second network element 105 (e.g., DU). In other words, device 1100 can be the second network element 105 or a device (e.g., chipset) included in the second network element 105. According to the eighth aspect, method C2 includes at least the following.

[0108] refer to Figure 4 At 401, the second network element 105 assigns (or assigns) one or more identifiers to one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0109] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0110] At 402, the second network element 105 sends a message to the first network element 108, the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0111] At 405, the second network element 105 generates a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message, which includes Radio Resource Control Protocol data and at least one identifier for at least one Radio Resource Control Information Element to be replaced (or updated or changed) with Radio Resource Control Protocol data.

[0112] At position 406, the second network element 105 sends a MAC CE message to the user equipment 100.

[0113] According to the ninth aspect, the method C2 of the eighth aspect is provided, further comprising: detecting the need to replace (or update or change) at least one radio resource control information element, wherein the MAC CE message is generated based on (or in response to) the detection.

[0114] According to the tenth aspect, the method C2 of the eighth or ninth aspect is provided, further comprising: receiving one or more radio resource control information elements from the first network element 108, the one or more radio resource control information elements being provided by the device 1100 (second network element 105) to the user equipment 100 via a MAC CE message, wherein the radio resource control protocol data in the MAC CE message includes one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0115] According to the eleventh aspect, any of the aforementioned aspects of method A2, B2 or C2 is provided, wherein the first network element 108 is the central unit controlling the distributed unit, and wherein the second network element 105 is the distributed unit.

[0116] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, which includes one or more components for performing at least one of the first, second, sixth, seventh or eleventh aspects of the method A2.

[0117] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1200 is provided, including one or more components for performing at least one of the third to seventh or eleventh aspects of the method B2.

[0118] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, which includes one or more components for performing at least one of the methods C2 of the eighth to eleventh aspects.

[0119] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, including at least one processor 1010 and at least one memory 1020 storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor 1010, cause the apparatus 1000 to perform at least one of the first, second, sixth, seventh or eleventh aspects of method A2.

[0120] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1200 is provided, including at least one processor 1210 and at least one memory 1220 storing instructions 1222, wherein when executed by at least one processor 1210, the instructions 1222 cause the apparatus 1200 to perform at least one of the methods B2 of the third to the seventh or eleventh aspects.

[0121] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, including at least one processor 1110 and at least one memory 1120 storing instructions 1122, wherein when executed by the at least one processor 1110, the instructions 1122 cause the apparatus 1100 to perform at least the method C2 of any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects.

[0122] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by device 1000, cause device 1000 to perform at least one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, or the eleventh aspect of method A2.

[0123] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by the device 1200, cause the device 1200 to perform at least one of the third to seventh or eleventh aspects of the method B2.

[0124] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by the device 1100, cause the device 1100 to perform at least any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects of the method C2.

[0125] In a split RAN architecture, when DU 105 assigns RRC parameters to the RRC module(s) or IE(s) it is responsible for allocating, DU 105 may include one or more RRC context identifiers for those RRC IEs that may later be changed via MAC layer signaling. Alternatively, DU 105 may include RRC IEs with empty placeholders, which may also be identified by RRC context identifiers. CU 108 may include the RRC module(s) or IE(s) created by DU 105 in the RRC message when the RRC message is created, and deliver the RRC message to UE 100 via DU 105. Optionally, CU 108 may include RRC context identifiers for RRC IEs that are expected to be later updated by DU 105 via MAC CE-based signaling.

[0126] When a request to change the RRC parameters associated with these IEs is triggered in DU 105, DU 105 can update the new parameter values ​​in the RRCIE. DU 105 may include an RRC context identifier to identify the created RRC module or RRC IE to be delivered via the DU user plane (DU-UP). DU-UP can then attach the RRC IE to the MAC CE for delivery to UE100. The RRC IE component can act as a Service Data Unit (SDU) to the MAC layer, and at UE100, this portion can be identified by the added RRC context identifier. The MAC layer at UE100 can forward this information to the RRC layer. The RRC layer at UE100 can use the original RRC configuration to identify the associated RRC IE for further modification. Therefore, upon receipt, UE100 replaces (or updates or changes) the requested portion of the RRC configuration with the parameter configuration included in the received RRC module or RRC IE delivered via the MAC CE.

[0127] Figure 5 A signal flow diagram is shown according to an example embodiment of a RAN architecture for splitting.

[0128] refer to Figure 5 The document discloses user equipment 100, CU 108, and DU 105. In this document, CU 108 may also be referred to as a first network element 108, and DU 105 may also be referred to as a second network element 105. CU 108 may include a user plane (CU-UP) 108-1 and a control plane (CU-CP) 108-2. DU 105 may include a user plane (DU-UP) 105-1 and a control plane (DU-CP) 105-2.

[0129] refer to Figure 5At point 501, the control plane 108-2 of CU 108 sends a first F1 message to the control plane 105-2 of DU 105, such as a UE context modification request (or UE context setting) for user equipment 100. The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 receives the first F1 message.

[0130] A UE context modification request is a process in a mobile network that can be used to modify context information associated with a specific user equipment. A UE context modification request can be initiated to update RRC parameters, such as the radio resource configuration of user equipment 100, supported services, mobility information, and / or security context.

[0131] At 502, the control plane 105-2 of DU 105 assigns one or more RRC parameters to User Equipment 100. The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 also assigns (or designates) one or more identifiers (RRC context identifiers) to one or more RRC information elements that can later be changed via MAC layer signaling. Each of the one or more identifiers (e.g., an RRC context identifier) ​​identifies or indicates a particular RRC information element (i.e., one identifier may exist for each of the one or more RRC information elements). In other words, the RRC context identifier may point to (or provide a mapping to) a portion of the RRC specification (e.g., 3GPP TS 38.331). These identifiers help to uniquely identify and manage control information within the network, thereby ensuring that the correct configuration and parameters are applied to the appropriate information elements.

[0132] The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 sends a second F1 message (e.g., a UE context modification response in response to a UE context modification request) to the control plane 108-2 of CU 108, wherein the second F1 message includes one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements. The second F2 message may also include one or more RRC information elements, or empty placeholders for one or more RRC information elements. The control plane 108-2 of CU 108 receives the second F1 message.

[0133] At 503, based on the second F1 message, the control plane 108-2 of CU 108 generates a radio resource control message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) including one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements and sends it to user equipment 100 (e.g., via DU 105). User equipment 100 receives the radio resource control message.

[0134] Based on the Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, User Equipment 100 knows which of one or more identifiers corresponds to which of one or more RRC information elements. In other words, based on the RRC messages, User Equipment 100 can determine the mapping between one or more identifiers and one or more RRC information elements.

[0135] At point 504, user equipment 100 (e.g., via DU 105) sends an uplink message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) to control plane 108-2 of CU 108 to acknowledge the radio resource control message. Control plane 108-2 of CU 108 receives the uplink message.

[0136] The RRC reconfiguration complete message is used to confirm the successful application of new or modified RRC parameters included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0137] Optionally, the uplink message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) may include at least one identifier for at least one radio resource control information element (e.g., for its own configuration) that the user equipment 100 requests to be replaced (or updated or changed).

[0138] At 505, DU 105 (e.g., DU-CP 105-2) detects the need to replace (or update or change) at least one of one or more RRC information elements. If the uplink message includes at least one identifier, the detection can be based on the uplink message. In other words, the need to change the RRC parameters is triggered in DU 105. DU 105 can determine from one or more identifiers at least one identifier corresponding to at least one RRC information element to be replaced (or updated or changed).

[0139] The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 can transmit a replacement (or update) for at least one RRC information element, along with the associated identifier, to the user plane 105-1 of DU 105.

[0140] At point 506, based on this detection, the user plane 105-1 of DU 105 generates a (downlink) MAC CE message and sends it to user equipment 100. This (downlink) MAC CE message includes RRC protocol data and at least one identifier, which refers to at least one RRC information element among one or more RRC information elements to be replaced (or updated or changed) with the RRC protocol data. For example, the RRC protocol data may include RRC configuration information to be applied at user equipment 100. The at least one identifier may be included in one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements. User equipment 100 receives the MAC CE.

[0141] Note that step 506 can be performed in either the downlink or uplink direction. For example, UE 100 can generate a MACCE message and send it to user plane 105-1 of DU 105 in the uplink (see, for example, [link to MACCE message]). Figures 7 to 9 The uplink MAC CE message may include RRC protocol data and at least one identifier, which refers to at least one RRC information element among one or more RRC information elements to be replaced (or updated or changed) with RRC protocol data. For example, user equipment 100 may modify the RRC content to deliver a capability update for user equipment 100 (e.g., related to overheating) in the uplink MAC CE.

[0142] At point 507, based on at least one identifier included in the (downlink) MAC CE message, user equipment 100 replaces (or updates or changes) at least one RRC information element with RRC protocol data. In other words, after identifying the mapping between RRC protocol data and at least one RRC information element based on at least one identifier, user equipment 100 replaces the requested portion of the RRC configuration with the received RRC protocol data. That is, user equipment 100 can identify at least one RRC information element mapped to at least one identifier included in the MAC CE message and replace or update it with the RRC protocol data included in the MAC CE message.

[0143] Figure 6 A signal flow diagram is shown according to an example embodiment of a split RAN architecture, where CU 108 creates an initial RRC message and instructs DU 105 on the RRC information elements(s) that DU 105 needs to populate.

[0144] refer to Figure 6The document discloses user equipment 100, CU 108, and DU 105. In this document, CU 108 may also be referred to as a first network element 108, and DU 105 may also be referred to as a second network element 105. CU 108 may include a user plane (CU-UP) 108-1 and a control plane (CU-CP) 108-2. DU 105 may include a user plane (DU-UP) 105-1 and a control plane (DU-CP) 105-2.

[0145] refer to Figure 6 At 601, the control plane 108-2 of CU 108 sends a first F1 message to the control plane 105-2 of DU 105, such as a UE context modification request (or UE context setting) for user equipment 100. The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 receives the first F1 message.

[0146] A UE context modification request is a process in a mobile network that can be used to modify context information associated with a specific user equipment. A UE context modification request can be initiated to update RRC parameters, such as the radio resource configuration of user equipment 100, supported services, mobility information, and / or security context.

[0147] At 602, the control plane 105-2 of DU 105 assigns one or more RRC parameters to the user equipment 100. The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 also assigns (or assigns) one or more identifiers (RRC context identifiers) to one or more RRC information elements that can later be changed via MAC layer signaling. Each of the one or more identifiers identifies or indicates a certain RRC information element (i.e., there is one identifier for each of the one or more RRC information elements).

[0148] The control plane 105-2 of DU 105 sends a second F1 message (e.g., a UE context modification response in response to a UE context modification request) to the control plane 108-2 of CU 108, wherein the second F1 message includes one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements. The second F1 message may also include one or more RRC information elements, or empty placeholders for one or more RRC information elements. The control plane 108-2 of CU 108 receives the second F1 message.

[0149] At 603, based on the second F1 message, the control plane 108-2 of CU 108 generates a radio resource control message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) including one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements, and sends it to user equipment 100 (e.g., via DU 105). User equipment 100 receives the radio resource control message.

[0150] At 604, User Equipment 100 (e.g., via DU 105) sends an uplink message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration complete message) to Control Plane 108-2 of CU 108 to acknowledge the Radio Resource Control message. Control Plane 108-2 of CU 108 receives the uplink message.

[0151] The RRC reconfiguration complete message is used to confirm the successful application of new or modified RRC parameters included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0152] Optionally, the uplink message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration complete message) may include at least one identifier for at least one radio resource control information element that the user equipment 100 requests to be replaced (or updated or changed).

[0153] At 605, the control plane 108-2 of CU 108 sends one or more transparent bit strings to the control plane 105-2 of DU 105. The transparent bit strings include at least one updated RRC information element to be provided by DU 105 to user equipment 105 via a MAC CE message (i.e., at least one updated RRC IE may be transparent to the MAC layer).

[0154] One or more transparent bit strings refer to sequences of bits (bit strings) that are not altered or interpreted by intermediate nodes in the network (e.g., by DU 105). These bit strings are "transparent" because they travel through the network (e.g., via DU 105) to user equipment 100 without being altered, thus ensuring that the information remains intact and arrives exactly at its intended destination. Since the exact arrangement of the information within the MAC CE is unknown, any external entity (intruder) will find it difficult to interpret the data without knowing the actual decoding technology used. Therefore, the transmitted data acts as a transparent bit string.

[0155] In the RRC message, CU 108 may have reserved a blank placeholder for at least one RRC information element, and CU 108 can transmit at least one updated RRC information element (including actual control information) to DU 105 so that DU 105 can fill the blank placeholder via MAC layer signaling. DU 105's control plane 105-2 receives at least one updated RRC information element. At least one updated RRC information element can be transmitted to DU 105, for example, via the F1 Application Protocol (F1AP) in an F1AP RRC reconfiguration message.

[0156] At 606, the control plane 105-2 of DU 105 sends at least one updated RRC information element to the user plane 105-1 of DU 105. In other words, based on the received at least one updated RRC information element, the control plane 105-2 of DU 105 defines one or more new RRC parameter values ​​to the user plane 105-1 of DU 105.

[0157] At 607, the user plane 105-1 of DU 105 generates and sends a (downlink) MAC CE message to user equipment 100. This message includes RRC protocol data and at least one identifier for at least one RRC information element (or a placeholder for at least one RRC information element) to be replaced (or updated or changed) with the RRC protocol data. In this case, the RRC protocol data includes (or is included in) at least one updated RRC information element that has been requested to be populated by DU 105. At least one identifier may be included in one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements. User equipment 100 receives the MAC CE.

[0158] At 608, based on at least one identifier included in the MAC CE message, user equipment 100 replaces (or updates or changes) at least one RRC information element (or an empty placeholder for at least one RRC information element) with RRC protocol data. In other words, after identifying the mapping between RRC protocol data and at least one RRC information element based on at least one identifier, user equipment 100 replaces or updates the requested portion of the RRC configuration with the received RRC protocol data.

[0159] Figure 7 A signal flow diagram according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0160] refer to Figure 7 The document discloses user equipment 100 and network equipment 104. User equipment 100 can refer to... Figure 1 UE 100, and network device 104 can be designated Figure 1The access node 104 or DU 105. For example, network device 104 can be an integrated base station (e.g., gNB) or DU. Network device 104 may also be referred to as a network element herein.

[0161] exist Figure 7 The document provides methods A3 and B3 for transmitting RRC protocol data via uplink MAC CE.

[0162] Method A3 can be performed by device 1000, such as user equipment (i.e., UE) 100 or a device (e.g., chipset) included in user equipment 100. According to the first aspect, method A3 includes at least the following.

[0163] refer to Figure 7 At 701, user equipment 100 generates an uplink media access control (MAC) control element (CE) message, which includes radio resource control data (e.g., RRC protocol data) and one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements related to the radio resource control data. Figure 2 An example of a MAC CE message is shown below.

[0164] In other words, one or more identifiers can be used to link radio resource control data to one or more information elements. These identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0165] At point 702, user equipment 100 sends an uplink MAC CE message to network device 104.

[0166] According to the second aspect, the method A3 of the first aspect is provided, further comprising: receiving a radio resource control message from network device 104, the radio resource control message including a set of identifiers (RRC context identifiers) associated with a set of radio resource control information elements permitted to be transmitted in an uplink MAC CE message. The identifier set may include at least one or more identifiers, and the radio resource control information element set may include at least one or more radio resource control information elements. An uplink MAC CE message may be generated based on the radio resource control message.

[0167] According to the third aspect, the method A3 of the first aspect is provided, further comprising: assigning one or more identifiers to one or more radio resource control information elements, wherein uplink MAC CE messages may be generated based on the assignment.

[0168] According to the fourth aspect, method A3 of the third aspect is provided, further comprising: sending a radio resource control message to a network device, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements. The radio resource control message may be sent before sending an uplink MAC CE message.

[0169] According to the fifth aspect, method A3 of the first aspect is provided, where one or more identifiers are predefined (e.g., fixed in the 3GPP specification). In this case, it is not necessary to send any RRC messages defining one or more identifiers between user equipment 100 and network device 104, and user equipment 100 can directly send RRC data in the uplink MAC CE message using one or more predefined identifiers (also known to network device 104). Additional MAC security can be added to the uplink MAC CE message to encrypt or protect the RRC data (i.e., so as not to reveal what RRC information is carried in the MAC CE).

[0170] According to the sixth aspect, a method A3 of any of the foregoing aspects is provided, wherein the apparatus 1000 is a chipset or user equipment, and wherein the network device 104 is a distributed unit or an integrated base station.

[0171] Method B3 can be performed by apparatus 1100, such as network device 104 or apparatus (e.g., chipset) included in network device 104 (e.g., integrated base station or DU). According to the seventh aspect, method B3 includes at least the following.

[0172] refer to Figure 7 At 702, network device 104 receives an uplink media access control (MAC) control element (CE) message from user equipment 100. The MAC CE message includes radio resource control data (e.g., RRC protocol data) and one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements, which are associated with the radio resource control data.

[0173] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as one or more Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or one or more Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0174] At 703, network device 104 maps radio resource control data to one or more radio resource control information elements based on one or more identifiers.

[0175] At 704, network device 104 determines one or more actions to be performed based on the mapping.

[0176] According to the eighth aspect, the method B3 of the seventh aspect is provided, further comprising: determining, based on a mapping, that radio resource control data includes an indication that measurement information is available at user equipment 100, wherein one or more actions include sending a request for the measurement information to user equipment 100. Network device 104 may receive the measurement information from user equipment 100 in response to the request. The measurement information may include one or more radio measurement results (e.g., one or more Layer 3 measurement results) measured by user equipment 100.

[0177] According to the ninth aspect, the method B3 of the seventh or eighth aspect is provided, further comprising: determining, based on the mapping, radio resource control data including requests for one or more measurement gaps, wherein one or more actions include: generating a configuration for one or more measurement gaps; and sending the configuration to user equipment 100.

[0178] According to the tenth aspect, the method B3 according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects is provided, wherein one or more actions include: updating one or more radio resource control information elements using radio resource control data included in the uplink MAC CE message.

[0179] According to the eleventh aspect, the method B3 according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects is provided, further comprising: generating a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements permitted to be transmitted in an uplink MAC CE message; and sending the radio resource control message to the user equipment 100, wherein the uplink MAC CE message is generated based on the radio resource control message.

[0180] According to the twelfth aspect, the method B3 according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects is provided, further comprising: receiving a radio resource control message from the user equipment 100, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements, wherein the mapping is based on the radio resource control message.

[0181] According to the thirteenth aspect, the method B3 according to any one of the seventh to twelfth aspects is provided, wherein the network device 104 is a distributed unit or an integrated base station.

[0182] According to the fourteenth aspect, method A3 or method B3 of any of the foregoing aspects is provided, wherein the radio resource control data includes layer 3 measurement information.

[0183] Layer 3 measurement information refers to measurement data collected and managed by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer. For example, Layer 3 measurement information may include one or more values ​​for at least one of the following measurement parameters: Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR).

[0184] According to the fifteenth aspect, method A3 or method B3 of any of the preceding aspects is provided, wherein the uplink MAC CE message further includes one or more transparent non-access stratum containers.

[0185] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, including one or more components for performing at least one of the first to sixth aspects or the fourteenth to fifteenth aspects of the method A3.

[0186] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, which includes one or more components for performing at least one of the seventh to fifteenth aspects of the method B3.

[0187] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1000 is provided, including at least one processor 1010 and at least one memory 1020 storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor 1010, cause the apparatus 1000 to perform at least one of the first to sixth aspects or the fourteenth to fifteenth aspects of method A3.

[0188] According to another aspect, an apparatus 1100 is provided, including at least one processor 1110 and at least one memory 1120 storing instructions 1122, wherein when executed by the at least one processor 1110, the instructions 1122 cause the apparatus 1100 to perform at least the method B3 of any one of the seventh to fifteenth aspects.

[0189] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by the device 1000, cause the device 1000 to perform at least one of the first to sixth aspects or the fourteenth to fifteenth aspects of the method A3.

[0190] According to another aspect, a computer program or computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) is provided, which includes program instructions that, when executed by the device 1100, cause the device 1100 to perform at least one of the seventh to fifteenth aspects of the method B3.

[0191] Figure 8 A signal flow diagram according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0192] refer to Figure 8 The document discloses user equipment 100 and network equipment 104. User equipment 100 can refer to... Figure 1 UE 100, and network device 104 can be designated Figure 1 The access node 104 or DU 105. For example, network device 104 can be an integrated base station (e.g., gNB) or DU. Network device 104 may also be referred to as a network element herein.

[0193] refer to Figure 8 At point 801, network device 104 can allocate (or assign) a set of identifiers for the set of radio resource control information elements (e.g., there may be an identifier associated with each RRC IE in the RRC IE set). Alternatively, the set of identifiers may be predefined (e.g., fixed in the specification).

[0194] The identifier can also be referred to as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifier or a Media Access Control (MAC) identifier.

[0195] For example, the RRC information element set may include RRCIEs used in uplink radio resource control messages, such as the RRCReconfigurationComplete message or the RRCResumeComplete message.

[0196] At 802, network device 104 generates a radio resource control message, which includes a set of identifiers associated with a set of radio resource control information elements.

[0197] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, radio resource control configuration messages or radio resource control reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) messages.

[0198] At point 803, network device 104 sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to user equipment 100. User equipment 100 receives the RRC message. In other words, network device 104 indicates which RRC information elements can be transmitted by user equipment 100 via MAC in the uplink, and user equipment 100 can then transmit some or all of these information elements via MAC in the uplink. In this way, network device 104 can control which RRC IEs can be transmitted via MAC in the uplink and which RRC IEs cannot be transmitted via MAC in the uplink.

[0199] For example, a radio resource control message may include a measurement configuration for user equipment 100, wherein the measurement configuration may include one or more identifiers that identify one or more measurement information elements that network device 104 can receive via MAC. Based on the measurement configuration, user equipment 100 may begin transmitting L3 measurements associated with one or more measurement information elements via MAC.

[0200] At 804, based on the received Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, User Equipment 100 generates an Uplink MAC CE message. This message includes RRC data and one or more identifiers associated with one or more RRC information elements related to the RRC data. In other words, User Equipment 100 generates an Uplink MAC CE message that includes some or all of the identifiers included in the RRC message (i.e., in this case, User Equipment 100 can only transmit those identifiers or RRC IEs that Network Equipment 104 allows to transmit in the Uplink MAC CE).

[0201] One or more identifiers may be included in a set of identifiers (or a portion thereof) included in a radio resource control message. One or more radio resource control information elements may be included in a set of radio resource control information elements (or a portion thereof) associated with the set of identifiers.

[0202] At point 805, user equipment 100 sends an uplink MAC CE message to network device 104. Network device 104 receives the uplink MAC CE message.

[0203] In other words, user equipment 100 can use the identifier defined by network device 104 to send one or more individual RRC IEs in the uplink MAC CE allocated for the transmission of RRC information. The uplink MAC CE can be used to transmit one or more (new) RRC information elements (i.e., information for which there was no previous storage at network device 104), or to transmit updates to one or more RRC information elements stored at network device 104 (e.g., updating L3 measurement results previously sent to network device 104).

[0204] Uplink MAC CE messages can also include one or more transparent non-access stratum (NAS) containers (where they fit within the MAC CE). In this way, uplink MAC CE can be used as a replacement for uplink radio resource control messages such as RRCReconfigurationComplete messages. For example, uplink MAC CE messages can also be used to acknowledge radio resource control messages received from network device 104, in which case it would be unnecessary to send a separate RRCReconfigurationComplete message (thus reducing signaling overhead).

[0205] At 806, network device 104 maps radio resource control data to one or more radio resource control information elements based on one or more identifiers. This mapping can be performed to determine what kind of information is included in the uplink MAC CE.

[0206] At point 807, network device 104 determines one or more actions to be performed based on the mapping. (See above for reference.) Figure 7 This describes some examples of one or more actions.

[0207] The action depends on the information received in the uplink MAC CE. For example, if the uplink MAC CE indicates the availability of measurement results, network device 104 can request user equipment 100 to provide the measurement results. In this case, the uplink MAC CE may include a new RRC information element, rather than an update to a previously sent RRC information element.

[0208] As another example, if the uplink MAC CE includes a request to provide a measurement gap, network device 104 can send the relevant configuration to user equipment 100. In this case, the uplink MAC CE may include a new RRC information element, rather than an update to a previously sent RRC information element.

[0209] As another example, the uplink MAC CE may include information to be stored, such as at least one of the following: measurement results (e.g., L3 measurement results), one or more candidate cells for conditional handover, or one or more candidate cells for L1 / L2 triggered mobility (LTM). In this case, network device 104 may store the information from the uplink MAC CE into one or more information elements identified by one or more identifiers. For example, network device 104 may initially only have empty placeholders for one or more information elements associated with one or more identifiers. Upon receiving the uplink MAC CE, network device 104 can update one or more information elements by filling the empty placeholders with information provided in the uplink MAC CE.

[0210] Figure 9 A signal flow diagram according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0211] refer to Figure 9 The document discloses user equipment 100 and network equipment 104. User equipment 100 can refer to... Figure 1 UE 100, and network device 104 can be designated Figure 1 The access node 104 or DU 105. For example, network device 104 can be an integrated base station (e.g., gNB) or DU. Network device 104 may also be referred to as a network element herein.

[0212] refer to Figure 9 At point 901, user equipment 100 may assign (or assign) one or more identifiers for one or more radio resource control information elements. Alternatively, one or more identifiers may be predefined (e.g., fixed in the 3GPP specification).

[0213] One or more identifiers may also be referred to as Radio Resource Control (RRC) context identifiers or Media Access Control (MAC) identifiers.

[0214] At 902, network device 104 generates a radio resource control message, which includes one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0215] Radio resource control messages can be, for example, RRCReconfigurationComplete or RRCResumeComplete messages that include one or more identifiers.

[0216] At 903, User Equipment 100 sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to Network Equipment 104. Network Equipment 104 receives the RRC message. In this way, User Equipment 100 can indicate which RRC IE(s) it may transmit via MAC in the uplink. User Equipment 100 can then use the indicated RRC context identifier to transmit the corresponding RRC IE at the MAC layer.

[0217] For example, in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, User Equipment 100 may send one or more L3 measurement results and one or more identifiers associated with the corresponding information element. User Equipment 100 may then send an update to the one or more L3 measurement results along with the one or more identifiers via a MAC, and Network Equipment 104 may map the update to the corresponding information element based on the one or more identifiers provided via the MAC (which are the same as those in the RRC message).

[0218] At position 904, User Equipment 100 generates an uplink MAC CE message, which includes radio resource control data and one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements related to the radio resource control data. User Equipment 100 can generate an uplink MAC CE based on this allocation.

[0219] At position 905, user equipment 100 sends an uplink MAC CE message to network device 104. Network device 104 receives the uplink MAC CE message.

[0220] At 906, network device 104 maps radio resource control data to one or more radio resource control information elements based on one or more identifiers.

[0221] At position 907, network device 104 determines one or more actions to be performed based on the mapping. (See above reference.) Figure 7 and Figure 8 This describes some examples of one or more actions.

[0222] The above is made with the help of Figures 3 to 9 The described functions and information exchanges (messages) are not in absolute chronological order; some of them may be executed simultaneously or in an order different from that described. Other functions may also be executed between or within them, and other information and / or other rules may be sent. Some features or one or more messages may also be omitted or replaced by another feature or message.

[0223] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0224] Figure 10 An example of an apparatus 1000 is shown, comprising components for performing one or more of the above-described example embodiments (e.g., methods A1 and / or A2 and / or A3). For example, apparatus 1000 may be an apparatus such as, or included in, or incorporated into user equipment 100, 102.

[0225] Apparatus 1000 may include circuitry or chipsets suitable for implementing one or more of the example embodiments described above. For example, apparatus 1000 may include at least one processor 1010. At least one processor 1010 interprets instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) and processes data. At least one processor 1010 may include one or more programmable processors. At least one processor 1010 may include programmable hardware with embedded firmware and may alternatively or additionally include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0226] At least one processor 1010 is coupled to at least one memory 1020. The at least one processor is configured to read data from and write data to the at least one memory 1020. The at least one memory 1020 may include one or more memory cells. Memory cells may be volatile or non-volatile. It should be noted that one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present, or alternatively, one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present. Volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Non-volatile memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage, or magnetic storage. Generally, memory may be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" refers to a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM). At least one memory 1020 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by at least one processor 1010 to perform one or more of the example embodiments described above. For example, non-volatile memory stores computer-readable instructions, and at least one processor 1010 uses volatile memory to execute instructions for temporary storage of data and / or instructions. Computer-readable instructions may refer to computer program code.

[0227] Computer-readable instructions may have been pre-stored in at least one memory 1020, or alternatively or additionally, they may be received by the device via an electromagnetic carrier signal and / or copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product. Execution of the computer-readable instructions by at least one processor 1010 causes the device 1000 to perform one or more of the methods and / or blocks described above. That is, at least one processor and at least one memory storing the instructions can provide components for providing or causing the execution of any of the methods and / or blocks described above.

[0228] In the context of this document, "memory" or "computer-readable medium" can mean any non-transitory medium or component that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transmits instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0229] The device 1000 may also include or be connected to the input unit 1030. The input unit 1030 may include one or more interfaces for receiving input. The one or more interfaces may include at least one of the following: one or more temperature, motion and / or orientation sensors, one or more cameras, one or more accelerometers, one or more microphones, one or more buttons and / or one or more touch detection units. In addition, the input unit 1030 may include interfaces to which external devices can be connected.

[0230] The device 1000 may also include an output unit 1040. The output unit may include or be connected to one or more displays capable of rendering visual content, such as a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and / or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) display. The output unit 1040 may also include one or more audio outputs. The one or more audio outputs may be, for example, speakers.

[0231] Device 1000 also includes a connection unit 1050. Connection unit 1050 enables wireless connectivity to one or more external devices. Connection unit 1050 includes at least one transmitter and at least one receiver that can be integrated into or connected to device 1000. The at least one transmitter includes at least one transmitting antenna, and the at least one receiver includes at least one receiving antenna. Connection unit 1050 may include an integrated circuit or a set of integrated circuits providing wireless communication capabilities to device 1000. Alternatively, the wireless connection may be a hardwired application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Connection unit 1050 may also provide components for performing at least some of the blocks or functions of one or more of the above example embodiments. Connection unit 1050 may include one or more components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as: a power amplifier, a digital front-end (DFE), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a frequency converter, a (de)modulator, and / or encoder / decoder circuitry.

[0232] It should be noted that device 1000 may also include Figure 10 Various components are not shown. These components can be hardware components and / or software components.

[0233] Figure 11 An example of an apparatus 1100 is shown, comprising components for performing one or more of the above-described example embodiments (e.g., methods B1 and / or C2 and / or B3). For example, apparatus 1100 may be an apparatus such as that which includes or is included in network device 104 or a second network element (e.g., an integrated base station or DU 105).

[0234] Apparatus 1100 may include, for example, circuitry or chipsets suitable for implementing one or more of the example embodiments described above. Apparatus 1100 may be an electronic device including one or more electronic circuits. Apparatus 1100 may include communication control circuitry 1110 (such as at least one processor) and at least one memory 1120 storing instructions 1122, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause apparatus 1100 to perform one or more of the example embodiments described above. Such instructions 1122 may, for example, include computer program code (software). At least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions may provide components for providing or causing execution of any of the methods and / or blocks described above.

[0235] A processor is coupled to memory 1120. The processor is configured to read data from memory 1120 and write data to memory 1120. Memory 1120 may include one or more memory cells. Memory cells may be volatile or non-volatile. It should be noted that one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present, or alternatively, one or more cells of non-volatile memory, or alternatively, one or more cells of volatile memory. Volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Non-volatile memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage, or magnetic storage. Generally, memory may be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). Memory 1120 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by the processor. For example, non-volatile memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor uses volatile memory to execute instructions for temporary storage of data and / or instructions.

[0236] The computer-readable instructions may have been pre-stored in memory 1120, or alternatively or additionally, they may be received by the device via an electromagnetic carrier signal and / or copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product. Execution of the computer-readable instructions causes the device 1100 to perform one or more of the functions described above.

[0237] The memory 1120 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. The memory may include a configuration database for storing configuration data, such as a current list of neighboring cells, and in some example embodiments, a structure storing frames used in detected neighboring cells.

[0238] The device 1100 may also include or be connected to a communication interface 1130, such as a radio unit, which includes hardware and / or software for implementing a communication connection with one or more wireless communication devices according to one or more communication protocols. The communication interface 1130 includes at least one transmitter (Tx) and at least one receiver (Rx) that can be integrated into or connected to the device 1100. The communication interface 1130 may provide components for performing some blocks and / or functions (e.g., transmitting and receiving) of the one or more example embodiments described above. The communication interface 1130 may include one or more components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as: a power amplifier, a digital front end (DFE), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a frequency converter, a (de)modulator, and / or encoder / decoder circuitry.

[0239] Communication interface 1130 provides the device with radio communication capabilities for communication in a wireless communication network. The communication interface may, for example, provide a radio interface to one or more UEs 100, 102. The device 1100 may also include or connect to another interface (e.g., a radio, cable, or fiber optic interface) toward CU 108 or core network 110 (such as a network coordinator device or AMF) and / or to other access nodes of the wireless communication network.

[0240] The device 1100 may also include a scheduler 1140 configured to allocate radio resources. The scheduler 1140 may be configured together with the communication control circuitry 1110, or it may be configured separately.

[0241] It should be noted that device 1100 may also include Figure 11 Various components are not shown. These components can be hardware components and / or software components.

[0242] Figure 12 An example of an apparatus 1200 is shown, comprising components for performing one or more of the example embodiments described above (e.g., method B2). For example, apparatus 1200 may be, include, or be incorporated into a first network element (such as central unit 108).

[0243] Apparatus 1200 may include, for example, circuitry or chipsets suitable for implementing one or more of the example embodiments described above. Apparatus 1200 may be an electronic device or computing system including one or more electronic circuits. Apparatus 1200 may include control circuitry 1210 (such as at least one processor) and at least one memory 1220 storing instructions 1222, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause apparatus 1200 to perform one or more of the example embodiments described above. Such instructions 1222 may, for example, include computer program code (software). At least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions may provide components for providing or causing execution of any of the methods and / or blocks described above.

[0244] The processor is coupled to memory 1220. The processor is configured to read data from memory 1220 and write data to memory 1220. Memory 1220 may include one or more memory cells. Memory cells may be volatile or non-volatile. It should be noted that one or more cells of non-volatile memory and one or more cells of volatile memory may be present, or alternatively, one or more cells of non-volatile memory and alternatively, one or more cells of volatile memory may be present. Volatile memory may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Non-volatile memory may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical storage, or magnetic storage. Generally, memory may be referred to as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). Memory 1220 stores computer-readable instructions that are executed by the processor. For example, non-volatile memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor uses volatile memory to execute instructions for temporary storage of data and / or instructions.

[0245] The computer-readable instructions may have been pre-stored in memory 1220, or alternatively or additionally, they may be received by the device via an electromagnetic carrier signal and / or copied from a physical entity such as a computer program product. Execution of the computer-readable instructions causes the device 1200 to perform one or more of the functions described above.

[0246] The memory 1220 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and / or removable memory.

[0247] Device 1200 may also include or be connected to communication interface 1230, which includes hardware and / or software for implementing a communication connection according to one or more communication protocols. Communication interface 1230 may include at least one transmitter (Tx) and at least one receiver (Rx) that can be integrated into or connected to device 1200. Communication interface 1230 may provide components for performing some blocks and / or functions (e.g., transmitting and receiving) of the one or more example embodiments described above. Communication interface 1230 may include one or more components controlled by a corresponding control unit, such as: a power amplifier, a digital front end (DFE), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), a frequency converter, a (de)modulator, and / or encoder / decoder circuitry.

[0248] Communication interface 1230 provides the device with communication capabilities for communication in a wireless communication network. Communication interface 1230 may, for example, provide a radio, cable, or fiber optic interface to distributed unit 105.

[0249] It should be noted that device 1200 may also include Figure 12 Various components are not shown. These components can be hardware components and / or software components.

[0250] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: a) implemented solely by hardware circuitry (e.g., implemented with purely analog and / or digital circuitry); and b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and ii) any part of a hardware processor having software (including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone) to perform various functions); and c) (multiple) hardware circuitry and / or (multiple) processors that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, such as being a (multiple) microprocessor or part of a (multiple) microprocessor, but the software may be absent when operation does not require the software.

[0251] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers only hardware circuitry or processors (or processors), or a portion of hardware circuitry or processors and their accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. For example, where applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit" 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.

[0252] The techniques and methods described herein can be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques can be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the apparatus of the example embodiments can be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or combinations thereof. For firmware or software, implementation can be performed by modules (e.g., processes, functions, etc.) of at least one chipset that perform the functions described herein. Software code can be stored in memory cells and executed by a processor. Memory cells can be implemented within or outside the processor. In the latter case, as is known in the art, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means. Furthermore, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the components of the systems described herein can be rearranged and / or supplemented by additional components to facilitate the achievement of various aspects of the description, etc., and are not limited to the precise configuration illustrated in the given figures.

[0253] Those skilled in the art will understand that, with advancements in technology, the proposed concepts can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Embodiments are not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can vary within the scope of the claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments.

[0254] Furthermore, the various implementations of this disclosure can be described with reference to the following terms, and their features can be combined in any reasonable manner.

[0255] Clause 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) message, the MAC CE message including radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, the at least one identifier being for at least one of the one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced with the radio resource control protocol data; and replace the at least one radio resource control information element with the radio resource control protocol data based on the at least one identifier.

[0256] Clause 2. The apparatus according to Clause 1 is further configured to: transmit a message including the at least one identifier for the at least one radio resource control information element to be replaced, wherein the MAC CE message is received in connection with the transmission of the message.

[0257] Clause 3. The apparatus according to Clause 1 or 2, wherein the radio resource control message is received from a first network element, and wherein the MAC CE message is received from the first network element or from a second network element.

[0258] Clause 4. The apparatus according to Clause 3, wherein the first network element is a central unit for controlling the distributed unit, and wherein the second network element is the distributed unit.

[0259] Clause 5. The apparatus according to Clause 3, wherein the first network element is an integrated base station.

[0260] Clause 6. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a message from a second network element, the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; generate a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more radio resource control information elements; and transmit the radio resource control message to a user equipment.

[0261] Clause 7. The apparatus according to Clause 6 is further configured to: send the one or more radio resource control information elements to the second network element, the one or more radio resource control elements being provided by the second network element to the user equipment via a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE) message.

[0262] Clause 8. The apparatus according to Clause 7, wherein the one or more radio resource control information elements are transmitted in one or more transparent bit strings.

[0263] Clause 9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the radio resource control message includes a placeholder for the one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0264] Clause 10. The apparatus according to any one of Clauses 1 to 6, wherein the radio resource control message includes the one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0265] Clause 11. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: assign one or more identifiers to one or more radio resource control information elements; send a message to a first network element including the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more radio resource control information elements; generate a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message, the MAC CE message including radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, the at least one identifier being for at least one radio resource control information element among the one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced by the radio resource control protocol data; and send the MAC CE message to a user equipment.

[0266] Clause 12. The apparatus according to Clause 11 is further configured to: detect the need to replace the at least one radio resource control information element, wherein the MAC CE message is generated based on the detection.

[0267] Clause 13. The apparatus according to Clause 11 or 12 is further configured to: receive from the first network element the one or more radio resource control information elements, the one or more radio resource control information elements to be provided by the apparatus to the user equipment via the MAC CE message, wherein the radio resource control protocol data in the MAC CE message includes the one or more radio resource control information elements.

[0268] Clause 14. A method for communication, comprising: receiving a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; receiving a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) message, the MAC CE message including radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, the at least one identifier being for at least one of the one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced with the radio resource control protocol data; and replacing the at least one radio resource control information element with the radio resource control protocol data based on the at least one identifier.

[0269] Clause 15. A method for communication, comprising: receiving a message from a second network element, the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; generating a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more radio resource control information elements; and sending the radio resource control message to a user equipment.

[0270] Clause 16. A method for communication, comprising: assigning one or more identifiers to one or more radio resource control information elements; sending a message to a first network element, the message including the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more radio resource control information elements; generating a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message, the MAC CE message including radio resource control protocol data and at least one identifier, the at least one identifier being for at least one radio resource control information element among the one or more radio resource control information elements to be replaced by the radio resource control protocol data; and sending the MAC CE message to a user equipment.

[0271] Clause 17. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of Clauses 14 to 16.

[0272] Clause 18. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon as described in Clause 17.

[0273] Clause 19. The computer-readable medium as described in Clause 18, wherein the computer-readable medium is a non-transient computer-readable medium.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; Receive a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message, the MAC CE message including Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRP) data and at least one identifier, the at least one identifier referring to at least one of the one or more RRP information elements to be replaced with the RRP data; and Based on the at least one identifier, the at least one radio resource control information element is replaced with the radio resource control protocol data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 is further configured such that: Send a message including at least one identifier for the at least one radio resource control information element to be replaced. The MAC CE message mentioned above is received based on the sending of the message.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio resource control message is received from the first network element, and The MAC CE message is received from the first network element or from the second network element.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, The first network element is the central unit that controls the distributed units, and The second network element is the distributed unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first network element is an integrated base station.

6. An apparatus for communication, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Receive a message from a second network element, the message including one or more identifiers associated with one or more radio resource control information elements; Generate a radio resource control message, the radio resource control message including the one or more identifiers associated with the one or more radio resource control information elements; and Send the radio resource control message to the user equipment.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 is further configured such that: The second network element sends one or more radio resource control information elements, which are provided to the user equipment by the second network element via a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) message.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more radio resource control information elements are transmitted in one or more transparent bit strings.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, wherein the radio resource control message includes a placeholder for the one or more radio resource control information elements.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 6, wherein the radio resource control message includes the one or more radio resource control information elements.

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