Paging coordination with alternating roles

Abstract

Multiple cooperating wireless devices are disclosed. A first wireless device monitors paging opportunities and, in response to determining that a second wireless device is being paged, sends an alarm signal to the second wireless device. The roles of monitoring paging opportunities and listening for alarm signals can alternatively be exchanged, for example, through polling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various examples involve paging operations for paging wireless devices that can connect to cellular networks. These examples specifically involve paging groups. Background Technology

[0002] There is a need to reduce the power consumption of wireless devices (WDs; also known as user equipment WDs) that can connect to cellular networks while maintaining accessibility to cellular networks. Connectivity means that the WD is configured to communicate with and establish data connections with the cellular network.

[0003] The first strategy used in this field to reduce the power consumption of a WD is discontinuous reception (DRX) operation. When DRX operation is activated, the WD can anticipate that transmissions from the cellular network are restricted to the ON duration of the DRX cycle; therefore, during the OFF duration of the DRX cycle, the WD is able to transition at least some portions of its radio interface to an inactive state. For example, more parts of the analog front-end and / or digital front-end can be turned off. This helps reduce power consumption.

[0004] A second strategy for reducing power consumption is to operate the WD in sleep mode. Sleep mode can be combined with DRX. Sleep mode offers limited connectivity compared to connected mode, but can achieve or even further reduce power consumption. For example, in the context of the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), example implementations of sleep mode include Radio Resource Control (RRC) RRC_Idle mode and RRC_Inactive mode. When operating in sleep mode, the WD does not need to maintain synchronization with the cellular network. No data connection is maintained. Paging can be used when the cellular network intends to transition the WD from sleep mode to connected mode. According to the paging operation, the cellular network transmits one or more paging signals at one or more paging times, typically defined by the WD's paging identifier. If DRX is used, the DRX period can be aligned with the paging time. The WD monitors one or more paging signals at the paging time. In response to receiving one or more paging signals instructing the cellular network to page the WD, the WD attempts to transition to connected mode by establishing a data connection. It has been observed that monitoring paging times can require significant power at the WD. For example, activating the analog front-end (e.g., clock) can require significant power. For example, frequency domain processing might be needed at the WD (Driver's Domain) to perform blind decoding of the logical channel. To mitigate this problem, paging operations can be combined with wake-up signal operations.

[0005] The third strategy for reducing power consumption is Wake-up Signal (WUS) operation. The WUS is sent by the cellular network only before the paging opportunity, when the cellular network is paging the WD. If the WD does not receive the WUS, it does not continue to monitor for paging opportunities. Thus, the WD monitors fewer paging opportunities, thereby reducing power consumption. This is because attempting to receive the WUS typically requires less power at the WD compared to attempting to receive the paging signal. For example, this can be achieved with less complex modulation of the WUS compared to the modulation of the paging signal. Alternatively or additionally, a smaller bandwidth allocated to the WD for WUS transmission can be used to achieve a smaller receive bandpass that helps reduce current consumption. For example, WUS operation has been standardized by the 3GPP New Radio (NR) protocol. Here, the WUS includes a downlink control message (DCI-6) masked by a PS-RNTI (Power Saving RNTI) indicating the group of WDs to be paged by the cellular network during subsequent DRX-on periods. See, for example, 3GPP TS38.304 V16.7.0 (2021-12), Section 7.2. Currently, research projects in 3GPP actively include extended low-power receivers (WUS), see 3GPP TS 38.869. These WUS are designed to further reduce power consumption. Both signal design and receiver architecture are studied with the goal of further reducing WD power consumption. This approach evaluates more aggressive signal designs and architectures, such as, for example, on-keyed signals, and architectures that do not require LO / PLL or have LO / PLL designs, to allow ultra-low power reception. Low-power receiver designs can result in worse sensitivity levels compared to primary peers, and therefore limited coverage.

[0006] WDs equipped with low-power receivers and located in areas where low-power WUS cannot reach the receivers due to their limited coverage may need to fall back to conventional operation of listen-paging or DCI-based WUS. This further limits energy savings from using low-power WUS and low-power receivers. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for other technologies to achieve low-power operation of WD equipped with a low-power receiver.

[0008] The following describes the techniques associated with paging operations for paging WDs. Aspects of cooperative paging are described. Multiple WDs cooperate to facilitate cooperative paging. Therefore, in other words, paging of a WD is facilitated by a paging group formed by multiple WDs cooperating to facilitate cooperative paging.

[0009] A paging group includes a WD (also labeled "Second WD") being paged by the cellular network. The paging group also includes another WD (also labeled "First WD" or "Paging Center WD") that monitors paging opportunities to determine if the Second WD is being paged, and if so, sends an alarm signal. The alarm signal can be received by the Second WD, which can then take one or more actions, such as activating its primary receiver, monitoring for another paging opportunity, or directly connecting to the cellular network.

[0010] Paging center functions can be consistently assigned to a given WD within a paging group. For example, the primary WD managing the paging group can perform paging center functions. Alternatively, different WDs within the paging group can take turns performing paging center functions. Thus, at a first point in time, the first WD within the paging group can be the paging center WD; and at a subsequent second point in time, the second WD within the paging group can be the paging center WD.

[0011] A method for use in a disclosed first pager (WD). The first WD is connectable to a cellular network. The first WD and a second WD are included in a paging group. The second WD may also be connectable to the cellular network. The method includes monitoring paging timing. Monitoring paging timing determines whether the cellular network is paging the second WD. The method further includes generating and sending an alarm signal for the second WD after determining that the cellular network is paging the second WD.

[0012] The first WD, which includes a computing circuit system configured to perform this method, is also disclosed.

[0013] A system comprising a first WD and a second WD is disclosed.

[0014] A system comprising multiple WDs included in a paging group is disclosed.

[0015] A method for use in a disclosed second WD. The second WD is connectable to a cellular network. A paging group includes the second WD and a first WD. The method includes receiving from the first WD an alarm signal instructing the cellular network to paging the second WD.

[0016] A method for use in a node of a cellular network is disclosed. The method includes maintaining a first registry entry for a WD (Driver) capable of connecting to the cellular network. The method also includes maintaining a second registry entry for a paging group including the WD. The method further includes triggering paging of the WD based on the first registry entry and the second registry entry.

[0017] The method may also include maintaining a third registry entry for another WD capable of connecting to a cellular network. The method may also include triggering paging of the other WD based on a second registry entry and based on the third registry entry.

[0018] A node is disclosed that includes a computing circuit system configured to perform the method described above.

[0019] A system comprising such a node and one or more WDs included in a paging group is disclosed.

[0020] A method for use in a first WD is disclosed. The first WD is connected to or can be connected to (i.e., can connect to) a cellular network. The method includes monitoring a paging timing. The paging timing is associated with a paging identifier of the first WD. The method also includes alternating between (i) attempting to receive an alarm signal sent by one or more second WDs after cooperating paging is activated for the first WD and before one or more second WDs; and (ii) monitoring at least one of the paging timing and other paging timings. Monitoring at least one of the paging timing and other paging timings is used to determine whether the cellular network is paging the first WD or one or more second WDs.

[0021] The first WD, which includes a computing circuit system and is configured to perform this method, is also disclosed.

[0022] Systems including a first WD and one or more second WDs have been disclosed.

[0023] A method is disclosed for use in a node of a cellular network or in a WD capable of connecting to a cellular network. The method includes determining timing information. The timing information defines a time slot in which multiple WDs participating in cooperative paging alternate between: monitoring paging timing to determine whether any of the WDs is being paged; and attempting to receive an alarm signal sent by another WD.

[0024] A device comprising a computing circuit system and configured to perform this method is also disclosed. This device may be a node in a cellular network or a WD (Digital Device) capable of connecting to a cellular network.

[0025] A system including this device and this first WD was also disclosed.

[0026] It should be understood that the features mentioned above, as well as those still described below, can be used not only in the indicated combinations, but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates a wireless communication system comprising a WD capable of connecting to a cellular network and a cellular network, wherein the cellular network is configured for direct paging of the WD.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods.

[0029] Figure 3 The diagram schematically illustrates a wireless communication system comprising a WD capable of connecting to a cellular network and the cellular network, wherein the cellular network is configured to page the WD via a paging center WD according to various examples.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart based on various examples of methods used in paging centers (WD).

[0031] Figure 5 This is a flowchart based on various examples of methods used in paging centers (WD).

[0032] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method based on various examples used in a WD that is paged by a cellular network.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods used in nodes of the core network of a cellular network.

[0034] Figure 8 It is a signaling diagram based on various examples.

[0035] Figure 9 It is a signaling diagram based on various examples.

[0036] Figure 10 The WD is illustrated schematically according to various examples.

[0037] Figure 11 The diagram schematically illustrates the control node of the core network of a cellular network according to various examples.

[0038] Figure 12 The base station is illustrated schematically according to various examples.

[0039] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates several operating modes that WD can operate according to various examples.

[0040] Figure 14 The illustration schematically shows multiple WDs that take turns monitoring paging opportunities, according to various examples.

[0041] Figure 15 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods.

[0042] Figure 16 The illustration schematically depicts the time-related behaviors of multiple WDs participating in collaborative paging based on various examples.

[0043] Figure 17It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Some examples of this disclosure typically provide multiple circuits or other electrical devices. All references to circuits and other electrical devices, and the functions they provide, are not intended to limit them to only what is shown and described herein. Although specific designations may be assigned to the various circuits or other electrical devices disclosed, such designations are not intended to limit the scope of the operation of the circuits and other electrical devices. Such circuits and other electrical devices may be combined and / or separated from each other in any manner based on the specific type of desired electrical implementation. It should be appreciated that any circuit or other electrical device disclosed herein may include any number of microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g., flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variations thereof), and software that cooperates with each other to perform the operations disclosed herein. Furthermore, any one or more electrical devices may be configured to execute program code embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium programmed to perform any number of functions as disclosed.

[0045] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described below or by the drawings, which are merely illustrative.

[0046] The accompanying drawings are intended to be schematic and the elements shown are not necessarily to scale. Rather, various elements are shown so that their function and general purpose will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components, or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or described herein may also be achieved through indirect connections or couplings. Coupling between components may also be established via wireless connections. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0047] Various aspects are involved in the communication system. For example, the communication system can be implemented through a WD (Driver) and an access node in a cellular network. For example, the access node can be implemented through a base station (BS) in a cellular network. Downlink (DL) signals can be transmitted by the BS on the radio link and received by the WD. Uplink (UL) signals can be transmitted by the WD and received by the BS.

[0048] The following describes techniques that facilitate WD operation in sleep mode. Sleep mode can limit connectivity, for example, based on when the WD is able to receive data and / or what signals the WD is able to receive. Sleep mode (also referred to as disconnected mode or limited connectivity mode) typically allows the WD to partially or completely shut down one or more components of its wireless interface. When the WD operates in sleep mode, the WD-specific data connection between the cellular NW and the WD is released. By using sleep mode, power consumption at the WD can be reduced.

[0049] The technology that facilitates DRX operation will be described. As a general rule, WD uses DRX operation, which involves alternately switching at least a portion of its wireless interface between an active and inactive state. When in an inactive state, the wireless interface may not be suitable for receiving data. By using DRX operation, power consumption at WD can be reduced.

[0050] As shown in the example, DRX operation is combined with sleep mode. To facilitate this, paging operation is employed. A cellular NW can, for example, attempt to contact / page a WD by sending one or more paging signals at a paging time. When the WD detects that it is being paged, it can transition from disconnected mode to connected mode. The transition from disconnected mode to connected mode may involve a random access (RACH) procedure.

[0051] Next, combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 This section discusses the details of this paging operation in the reference implementation.

[0052] Figure 1 Aspects of a communication system 100 according to a reference implementation are schematically illustrated. WD 121 is configured to communicate with a cellular network 130. WD 121 can connect to the cellular network 130. The cellular network 130 includes a radio access network 138. The radio access network 138 includes multiple base stations, one of which—base station 139—is located in… Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. Radio access network 138 is connected to core network 131, which includes multiple nodes such as mobility control node 132. Mobility control node 132 can provide paging trigger messages to radio access network 138, thereby triggering radio access network 138 to send a paging signal at the paging timing of WD 121. WD 121 monitors the paging timing. Combined with... Figure 2 The various aspects of WD 121 regarding monitoring paging timing are described.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the method based on the reference implementation. Figure 2 The activity on the WD associated with paging operations in the reference implementation is shown. For example, Figure 2 The activity of WD 121 when operating in sleep mode is shown. Figure 2 This illustrates a paging operation that combines DRX and WUS operations.

[0054] In block 5005, WD deactivates its receiver circuitry. For example, both the primary receiver and the low-power receiver can be switched to an inactive state. This occurs between two subsequent paging events. By switching its receiver circuitry to an inactive state, power consumption is reduced.

[0055] Box 5010 is used to determine whether the paging timing associated with its paging identifier (e.g., 3GPP Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity TMSI or 3GPP Radio Network Temporary Identity RNTI) is imminent. If so, the low-power receiver is switched to an active state at box 5015.

[0056] In box 5016, the signal level is checked, such as the signal-to-noise ratio in the band assigned to the wake-up signal. Other examples of measuring the signal level are the low-power reference or low-power WUS received signal power and the low-power reference or low-power WUS received signal quality. If the signal is strong enough, the WD attempts to receive the wake-up signal using a low-power receiver in box 5020. This may include time-domain processing to match the received signal to the wake-up signal reference signal shape. If the wake-up signal is not received at box 5025, the method continues at box 5005, i.e., the low-power receiver is switched to an inactive state.

[0057] Otherwise, if a wake-up signal is received, the WD can determine that it may be being paged. Wake-up signals typically do not definitively resolve whether any particular WD is being paged. This is because wake-up signals, due to their simple construction, cannot carry a unique paging identifier. Therefore, to determine whether it is being paged, the WD switches its primary receiver to active status at box 5030. A synchronization signal is then received at box 5035 to establish synchronization with the cellular network.

[0058] If it is determined at box 5016 that the signal is not strong enough, then boxes 5030 and 3035 are also executed. This could be a situation at the cell edge, where wake-up signal operation is not feasible due to low signal levels.

[0059] Then, in boxes 5040 and 5045, the WD attempts to receive a paging signal. More specifically, in box 5040, the WD attempts to receive a paging indicator, for example, by blind decoding of the control channel. For example, the WD may attempt to receive paging downlink control information (DCI) on a physical control channel such as the 3GPP Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Box 5040 may include blind decoding. If no paging indicator is received, the method begins in box 5005.

[0060] Otherwise, if a paging indicator is received, the paging indicator includes the time-frequency resources for subsequent paging messages that the WD attempts to receive at block 5045. For example, a Layer 3 paging message can be received. Paging messages can be received on a physical downlink shared channel such as the 3GPP Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0061] The paging message includes one or more paging identifiers from one or more WDs. In block 5050, based on the paging message, the WD can determine whether it is being paged. If the WD determines that it is not being paged, then in block 5005, the WD switches its receiver circuitry to an inactive state; otherwise, in block 5055, a connection is established, for example, by performing a RACH procedure.

[0062] Various technologies are based on the following findings: Figure 2 The reference paging operation at the WD is relatively power-intensive. For example, the WD may need to switch the primary receiver to active state every time a WUS is received, even if the WD is not ultimately being paged. Moreover, for cell edge scenarios—as discussed in conjunction with box 5016—WUS operation is not feasible. Thus, power-intensive boxes 5040 and 5045 are performed.

[0063] Energy consumption can be quantified as follows: Assuming the DRX cycle has time periods... The DRX cycle is periodically related to the paging timing (box 5010). Within each DRX cycle, WD monitors the paging timing to attempt to receive one or more paging signals. Indicates in The energy consumption associated with this during the second. Therefore, in During each DRX cycle, the net energy consumption per WD is: (1) In order to reduce the reference energy consumption according to equation (1), the following modifications are made: Figure 2 The paging operation shown.

[0064] According to various examples, conventional paging operations are modified by using groups of WDs that coordinate paging operations. A paging group, or group of WDs, is a collection of WDs participating in cooperative paging as disclosed herein. The group can therefore be referred to as a paging coordination group or simply a paging group. With the help of a paging group, WDs are aggregated such that the first WD in the group reads a paging message for the second WD in the group. After detecting that the cellular network is paging the second WD, the first WD sends an alarm signal to the second WD in the group. The alarm signal notifies the second WD that the cellular network is paging the second WD. Therefore, the alarm signal can also be referred to as a "paging alarm signal". The second WD can then take appropriate action, such as monitoring its paging timing or directly performing a RACH procedure. This technique enables further reduction of power consumption at the second WD. The second WD can monitor paging timing more sparsely. Attempting to receive an alarm signal can be associated with lower power consumption. The alarm signal is a low-complexity signal with a simple modulation and coding scheme, such as on / off keying, binary frequency shift keying, Manchester coding.

[0065] Figure 3 Various aspects of the communication system 100 are illustrated. The communication system 100 is configured according to various publicly available examples. The communication system 100 includes a paging group 120. Specifically, WD 121 is a part of the paging group 120. The paging group 120 also includes WDs 122, 123, and 129.

[0066] WD 129 serves as the paging center for the remaining WD 121, 122, and 123 of paging group 120. Therefore, it will be referred to as paging center WD 129 below.

[0067] Different considerations can be envisioned for determining which particular WD 129 should act as the paging center. For example, WD 129 could be chosen as the paging center because it offers the best coverage among all WD 121, 122, 123, and 129 WD 129. WD 129 could also be chosen because it has the largest battery capacity and / or highest state of charge among all WD 121, 122, 123, and 129 WD 129. The paging center WD 129 could be determined based on timing information (as will be discussed later). Figure 15 (Explanation); This timing information is distributed among the WDs in the paging group to monitor activities (i.e., the energy-consuming task of monitoring paging timing on behalf of other WDs in the paging group). The paging center WD129 can be selected by the WDs of paging group 120. The paging center WD 129 can be predefined in a fixed manner.

[0068] Next, to illustrate the paging operation using paging group 120, the scenario of cellular network 130 paging WD 121 is discussed. Mobility control node 132 provides paging trigger to RAN 138. BS 139 then sends one or more paging signals, such as paging indicator and paging message (see [link to documentation]). Figure 2 (Boxes 5040 and 5045). One or more paging signals instruct cellular network 130 to page WD 121. One or more paging signals are received by paging center WD 129. Paging center WD 129 monitors the paging timing. WD 121 does not monitor the paging timing. Paging center WD 129 decodes one or more paging signals and determines that cellular network 130 has paged WD 121. Since WD 121 is part of its paging group 120, paging center WD 129 sends an alarm signal to WD 121. The alarm signal may instruct the cellular network to page WD 121. The alarm signal wakes up WD 121. Upon receiving WD 121, WD 121 may, for example, attempt to connect to cellular network 100 by performing a RACH procedure (see...). Figure 2 (Box 5055).

[0069] As understood from the above, WD 121 does not need to monitor paging timing (at least until an alarm signal is received). This means that the cellular network does not expect wireless device 121 to attempt to receive a paging signal during a paging timing. WD 121 may instead attempt to receive an alarm signal, for example, according to a specific DRX cycle. Attempting to receive an alarm signal may be more appropriate than attempting to receive a paging signal (e.g., as in...). Figure 2 In the case of (the situation), it has lower power consumption.

[0070] Figure 4 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 4 The actions and method steps used in the WD associated with paging operations are shown. Figure 4 In this context, the WD executing this method acts as a paging center WD that is included (i.e., belongs to) one or more other WDs in the same paging group as the paging center WD. Execution Figure 4 The method of WD can be labeled "paging watchdog" because other WDs offload the burden of monitoring paging timing to the paging watchdog WD. For example, Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 The activities of the communication system 100 of WD 129.

[0071] In execution Figure 4In this method, the paging center WD can typically operate in either sleep or connected mode. If the paging center WD operates in sleep mode, it can determine not only whether the cellular network is paging one or more other WDs within the same paging group, but also whether it itself is being paged by the cellular network. Conversely, if the paging center WD operates in connected mode, a data connection is established between the paging center WD and the cellular network, and the paging center WD does not anticipate being paged by the cellular network. Nevertheless, the paging center WD can monitor the paging timing of one or more other WDs within the paging group.

[0072] In optional block 5105, the paging center WD deactivates its receiver circuitry. For example, both the primary receiver and the low-power receiver can be switched to an inactive state. This occurs between two subsequent paging events. By switching its receiver circuitry to an inactive state, power consumption can be reduced.

[0073] Box 5105 corresponds to DRX operation. DRX operation is typically optional. Therefore, box 5105 is typically optional. In some examples, the paging center WD may not deactivate its receiver circuitry. In some examples, the paging center WD may not employ DRX. For example, a low-power receiver or even the primary receiver may operate continuously in an active state. For example, the paging center WD may simultaneously monitor multiple DRX modes or groups.

[0074] Box 5110 is used to determine whether a paging opportunity to be monitored is imminent. A paging opportunity can be one of the paging opportunities summarized in Table 1 below.

[0075]

[0076] Table 1: Examples of paging timings to be monitored by the paging center (WD). Combinations are also possible. Pre-configured mappings can exist to determine the timing of paging events based on the paging identifier.

[0077] For example, as shown in Example 1 of Table 1, a paging center (WD) can be configured to monitor its own paging opportunities. These paging opportunities are associated with a network-level paging identifier uniquely assigned to the WD. The network-level paging identifier is valid throughout the cellular network, or at least in extended areas of the cellular network. The validity of the network-level paging identifier is not limited to paging groups. Examples include the 3GPP IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), which is valid across multiple or even all cellular networks. It is used to identify individual users and is stored in the SIM card. Another example is the TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity): this is a temporary identifier assigned to the WD by the cellular network. It is used in place of the IMSI to ensure user privacy. Yet another example is the LMSI (Local Mobile Subscriber Identity). These will be the same paging opportunities that the WD monitors according to the reference implementation of paging operations, for example, as previously combined Figure 2 The above discussion pertains to this scenario. In this case, the cellular network can send a paging signal instructing it to page another WD in the paging group at a paging time associated with the paging identifier of the paging center WD. The cellular network can alternatively or additionally send a paging signal instructing it to page the paging center WD (assuming the paging center WD is also operating in sleep mode).

[0078] Alternatively or additionally, as shown in Example 2 of Table 1, the paging center (WD) can be configured to monitor paging opportunities associated with a group identifier of a paging group. The group identifier may not be assigned to any WD and may be reserved for the paging group. The group identifier can uniquely identify a group across the cellular network; that is, different paging groups have different group identifiers. In this case, the cellular network can send a paging signal instructing it to page another WD in the paging group at the paging opportunity associated with the paging identifier of the paging group.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, as shown in Example 3 of Table 1, a paging center (WD) can be configured to monitor one or more paging events associated with network-level paging identifiers of one or more other WDs in a paging group. For example, refer to Figure 3 The communication system 100 shown includes a paging center WD 129 that can be configured to monitor paging opportunities associated with paging identifiers of each WD 121, 122, 123 portion of paging group 120. In this configuration, the cellular network can transmit a paging signal instructing it to paging another WD in the paging group at a paging opportunity associated with the paging identifier of another WD.

[0080] If a paging opportunity is imminent, in box 5115, the low-power receiver can be switched to an active state, and in box 5120, the WD uses the low-power receiver to attempt to receive a wake-up signal. This may include time-domain processing to match the received signal to the shape of a wake-up signal reference signal.

[0081] WUS can indicate the network-level paging identifier of a paging center (WD). The wake-up signal can uniquely identify a paging center (WD). In other cases, the paging signal may not uniquely identify a paging center (WD). WUS can be shared among a larger number of WDs.

[0082] If no wake-up signal is received at block 5125 (or if a WUS not directed to the paging center WD is received), the method continues at block 5105, i.e., the low-power receiver switches to an inactive state. Otherwise, the method begins at block 5130 after a WUS is received.

[0083] As a general rule, the WUS operation is optional. The paging center (WD) may or may not use WUS when paging. For example, without the WUS operation, boxes 5115, 5120, and 5125 can be skipped. The method can begin directly at box 5130.

[0084] In optional box 5130, the paging center (WD) switches its primary receiver to active status. A synchronization signal is then received in optional box 5135 to establish synchronization with the cellular network. Boxes 5130 and 5135 are performed only when using DRX operation.

[0085] The paging center (WD) then begins monitoring for paging opportunities. Monitoring for paging opportunities includes attempting to receive a paging indicator at block 5140. At block 5140, the paging center (WD) attempts to receive the paging indicator, for example, by blind decoding of the control channel. For example, the paging center (WD) may attempt to receive the paging DCI on a physical control channel such as the 3GPP PDCCH. Block 5140 may include blind decoding. If no paging indicator is received, the method begins at block 5105.

[0086] Otherwise, if a paging indicator is received, then in box 5145, the paging indicator includes the time-frequency resources for subsequent paging messages that the paging center (WD) is attempting to receive. Monitoring paging timing also includes box 5145. For example, a Layer 3 paging message can be received. Paging messages can be received on a physical downlink shared channel such as the 3GPP Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH).

[0087] The paging message includes one or more paging identifiers for one or more WDs. In box 5150, based on the paging message, the paging center WD can determine whether one or more WDs in the paging group are being paged. If yes, in box 5155, the paging center WD generates and sends an alarm signal. The WD monitors the channel continuously (i.e., continuously receiving operations) or based on a predefined duty cycle pattern in response to potential alarm signals.

[0088] Table 2 lists some options for the paging identifiers included in the paging signal that instructs the cellular network to paging a given WD.

[0089]

[0090] Table 2: Some options for paging identifiers included in paging signals (e.g., paging messages).

[0091] For example, a cellular network can send a paging message carrying the paging identifier of the paging center WD according to Table 2: Example 1. Here, the paging message may also carry a flag indicating that the cellular network intends to page one or more of the remaining WDs in the paging group. The paging center WD can accordingly understand that even though it receives a paging message indicating its own paging identifier, the cellular network is actually attempting to page one or more other WDs. This can be combined with the scenarios in Examples 1 or 2 of Table 1. In this case, the paging center WD may not need to know that a particular one or more other WDs are being paged by the cellular network. The paging center WD may send an alarm signal that does not uniquely identify the paging WD. Alternatively, in a variant of Table 2: Example 1, a paging message carrying the paging identifier of the paging center WD may also be received at the paging time associated with the paging identifier of a given WD being paged (see Table 1: Example 3). Thus, the paging center WD can know that the cellular network is attempting to page a particular WD.

[0092] In the case of Example 2 in Table 2, the paging message may carry a paging group identifier. This case can be combined with any of the variants associated with Table 1.

[0093] Finally, it is also possible for the paging message to carry the paging identifier of the given WD being paged, see Table 2, Example 3. Again, this can be combined with any of the examples discussed in Table 1.

[0094] Generating an alarm signal means that the alarm signal is typically different from any paging signal received during paging monitoring. The alarm signal is newly constructed at the paging center (WD). Generating an alarm signal differs from relaying a paging signal at a repeater. An alarm signal can be generated based on configuration information previously obtained from the cellular network and / or the WD to be alarmed. For example, an alarm signal can be generated based on the paging identifier of the WD to be alarmed. For example, the bit sequence to be encoded by the alarm signal can be determined based on the paging identifier. This task can be performed at the paging center (WD). The WD can use its low-power receiver based on a predefined duty cycle scheme to listen for / monitor potential alarm signals.

[0095] If the paging center WD is operating in sleep mode, it may optionally execute box 5160; here, the paging center WD may determine whether it is being paged; if yes, in box 5165, a connection establishment, such as a RACH procedure, may be performed.

[0096] Next, we will discuss the details related to alarm signals. The various options for alarm signals are shown in Table 3.

[0097]

[0098] Table 3: Alarm Signal Options. Sometimes, the paging center (WD) may not know which specific WD in the paging group the cellular network is paging. Specifically, in this case, Example 2 in Table 3 may be preferred.

[0099] As shown in Table 3: Example 1, an alarm signal can uniquely identify each WD being paged by the cellular network.

[0100] To uniquely identify a given WD within a paging group being paged, an alarm signal can carry the network-level paging identification information (NPI) of that WD. If more than one WD is being paged, multiple alarm signals can be generated and (e.g., subsequently) transmitted, each carrying a corresponding single NPI from the associated NPI information. The alarm signal can carry the 3GPP TMSI of the paged WD. A single alarm signal can also carry multiple NPIs. As a general rule, the NPI information uniquely identifying each WD can be relatively long. However, relatively low transmit power can be used to transmit the alarm signal, thereby limiting interference between long alarm signals and other signals.

[0101] Nevertheless, there may be situations where it is desirable to limit the information content carried by the alarm signal. In such cases, it might be preferable for the alarm signal to uniquely identify each WD being paged by the cellular network by carrying group-level paging identification information. In other words, the alarm signal can uniquely identify the paged WD at the group level (avoiding ambiguity only within the paging group) rather than at the network level (i.e., avoiding ambiguity across the entire cellular network). Here, different paging groups within the cellular network can reuse the same group-level paging identifier for different WDs.

[0102] Group-level paging identifiers can be assigned when a WD joins a paging group. Group-level paging identifiers can also be assigned by the master WD of the paging group. Alternatively, they can be allocated by the cellular network (e.g., a mobility control node at the core network). For example, group-level paging identifiers can be maintained in a registry key at the mobility control node at the core network.

[0103] Alarm signals can be associated with paging groups. Alarm signals can also be dedicated to paging groups.

[0104] Different paging groups can use different alarm signals. Different paging groups can use alarm signals allocated to orthogonal time-frequency resources. That is, alarm signals can be sent in time-frequency resources reserved for a specific paging group. Different paging groups can be associated with different paging group identifiers, and alarm signals can carry the paging group identifier.

[0105] To provide a concrete example, the alarm signal can carry a paging group identifier, thereby uniquely associating the alarm signal with a given paging group; and it can also carry the group-level paging identifier of the WD being paged by the cellular network.

[0106] As shown in Table 3: Example 2, alarm signals can not uniquely identify each WD being paged by the cellular network. Specifically, alarm signals can even not uniquely identify the paged WD within a paging group. For example, alarm signals may not be distinguishable between different WDs at all. In this case, all WDs that receive alarm signals within the group (as mentioned above, alarm signals can be group-specific) can be woken up and their paging timing monitored to determine if they are being paged by the cellular network. Even so, this situation may have benefits in terms of energy consumption, as relatively small paging groups can be formed to avoid frequent wake-ups.

[0107] On the other hand, an alarm signal that uniquely identifies a specific WD being paged by the cellular network (see Table 3: Example 2) allows the WD to immediately begin attempting to establish a connection with the cellular network upon receiving the alarm signal, for example, by directly initiating the RACH process. The paged WD is notified accordingly by means of the alarm signal; the paged WD does not need to monitor the timing of its paging. This reduces power consumption at the WD.

[0108] Next, various options for implementing alarm signals are disclosed. As a general rule, alarm signals can be signals that can be received relatively simply with low complexity, i.e., signals that can be received without significant power consumption at the receiving node. Alarm signals can have relatively simple modulation and coding schemes. Alarm signals can have simpler modulation compared to paging signals (such as paging indicators or paging messages). Alarm signals can typically be transmitted using relatively low transmit power; specifically, paging groups consist of co-located WDs.

[0109] Alarm signals can be received through time-domain processing (e.g., at a low-power receiver). Time-domain processing may include one or more of the following: filtering using a time-domain filter (e.g., a finite impulse response or infinite impulse response filter); or direct demodulation of amplitude, phase, or frequency modulated signals in the time domain.

[0110] Alarm signals can be on / off keying (OOK) modulated signals that use the presence or absence of a carrier signal to convey information. In OOK, "1" represents the presence of the carrier, and "0" represents its absence.

[0111] For example, an alarm signal can be a WUS. A WUS can have lower complexity than a paging signal.

[0112] The alarm signal can be a dedicated WUS sent solely by the paging center (WD). Alternatively, the alarm signal can mimic a network-originating wake-up signal used by the cellular network to wake up other WDs. For example, an alarm signal can be sent at a time-frequency offset prior to a specific paging event associated with the WD's network-level paging identifier. Thus, the cellular network can delegate wake-up signal transmission to the paging center (WD). The BS may not need to send a WUS; instead, the WUS is sent by the paging center (WD).

[0113] For example, alarm signals can be transmitted on time-frequency resources allocated by the cellular network to the paging center (WD). Network-allocated resources can be used. This helps limit interference.

[0114] Alarm signals can be transmitted in unlicensed frequency bands. Unlicensed frequency bands refer to portions of the radio frequency spectrum where individual users are permitted to operate radio frequency equipment without obtaining specific licenses from national regulatory agencies and / or without the need for a central dispatch agency. For example, a listen-before-talk process can be used to transmit alarm signals in unlicensed frequency bands.

[0115] For example, alarm signals can be transmitted on a device-to-device wireless channel. This device-to-device wireless channel can also be designated as a sidelink wireless channel. Pre-configured sidelink resources, allocated by the cellular network to the paging center (WD) for communication on the sidelink wireless channel, can be utilized.

[0116] Another wireless access technology can be used to send alarm signals. For example, a first wireless access technology (such as 3GPP 5G or 6G) can be used to receive paging signals. Alternatively, a second wireless access technology (such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) can be used to send alarm signals.

[0117] As understood from the above, in order to properly monitor paging timing to determine whether the cellular network should page the WD in the paging group, and in order to generate and send alarm signals, the paging center WD may require specific configuration information. As a general rule, this configuration information can be provided to the paging center WD when joining a paging group. The configuration information can be provided by the cellular network or another WD in the paging group. Alternatively, the paging group may be established by the paging center WD (e.g., acting as the master node of the paging group), in which case the configuration information can be determined by the paging center WD itself. As a general rule, a paging group can be established in response to user requests received from users of one or more WDs. The following will combine... Figure 5 Discuss the details of this paging group setup and configuration.

[0118] Figure 5 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 5 This illustrates the registration and configuration phases before a WD acts as a paging center WD, which is included in one or more other WDs within the same paging group as the paging center WD. For example, Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 The activities of the communication system 100 of WD 129. Figure 5 The method can be found in Figure 4 Before that method.

[0119] In box 5205, the WD provides the cellular network with an indication of its ability to participate in paging groups. Capabilities may include one or more of the following: (i) the WD's ability to act as a paging center WD; (ii) the WD's ability to monitor paging opportunities on behalf of one or more other UEs; (iii) the WD's ability to generate and send alarm signals; and (iv) the WD's ability to receive alarm signals.

[0120] In box 5210, a paging group is being established. For example, WD can create a new paging group or join a pre-existing paging group. Box 5210 can be executed after the ability to become part of a paging group is indicated in box 5205.

[0121] Establishing a paging group can be implemented as a subscription. That is, it is possible for a cellular network or one or more WDs to advertise a paging group, and for the WD to subsequently subscribe to it.

[0122] A paging group can be established by either the paging group's WD or another WD. A paging group can be an aggregation of cooperating WDs initiated by one WD. For example, WDs forming parts of a subsequently established paging group can determine that they are co-located, i.e., located nearby and having similar mobility patterns. An example would be a paging group formed by a smartphone and multiple wearable devices associated with the same user. Another example is a paging group formed by WDs co-located within the same vehicle.

[0123] As a general rule, box 5210 may accordingly include providing a request to the cellular network and / or one or more other WDs (e.g., the primary WD of the paging group) that are part of the paging group to establish or participate in the paging group. Box 5210 may include obtaining a request from another WD in the cellular network or the paging group to establish or participate in the paging group.

[0124] In box 5215, obtain the configuration information for the paging group and the operation of the paging center WD.

[0125] Box 5215 may include obtaining the group identifier of the paging group. The group identifier can be used to generate group-specific alarm signals (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 4 (Box 5155). Group identifiers can be used to determine whether the cellular network pagees WDs included in the paging group (see [link]). Figure 4 (Box 5145); The group identifier can be included in the paging message received from the cellular network.

[0126] Box 5215 may include an indication to obtain network-level paging identifiers of one or more other WDs included in the paging group. This information may be obtained, for example, from a cellular network and / or from other WDs. Such network-level paging identifiers of one or more other WDs included in the paging group can be used to generate device-specific alarm signals (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4(See Box 5155). The network-level paging identifier of one or more other WDs included in the paging group can also be used to determine whether the cellular network is paging such other WDs; the network-level paging identifier can be included in the paging message received from the cellular network (see Box 5155). Figure 4 (Box 5145).

[0127] Box 5215 may include an indication to obtain the group-level paging identifier of one or more other WDs included in the paging group. This information may be obtained, for example, from a cellular network and / or from other WDs. This group-level paging identifier of one or more other WDs included in the paging group can be used to generate device-specific alarm signals (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4 (See Box 5155). This group-level paging identifier for one or more other WDs included in the paging group can also be used to determine whether the cellular network is paging such other WDs; the group-level paging identifier can be included in the paging message received from the cellular network (see Box 5155). Figure 4 (Box 5145).

[0128] The configuration information obtained at box 5215 enables the WD to act as a paging center WD. The configuration information obtained at box 5215 also enables the WD to monitor one or more paging events to determine whether the cellular network is paging one or more other WDs included in the paging group. The configuration information at box 5215 further enables the WD to generate and send alarm signals when it determines that the cellular network has paging one or more other WDs included in the paging group.

[0129] In box 5215, configurations for generating and / or sending alarm signals can be obtained.

[0130] This configuration may indicate at least one of the following: timing for sending alarm signals, time-frequency resources for sending alarm signals, time offset relative to the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second WD, frequency offset relative to the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second WD, the network-level paging identification information of the second WD, the sequence design of the alarm signals, or the modulation scheme of the alarm signals.

[0131] In box 5220, determine whether you want to initiate paging center operations. If you want to initiate paging center operations, you can execute... Figure 4 This method can be based on the registration and configuration previously performed in boxes 5210 and 5215.

[0132] Figure 6 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 6 The activity on the WD associated with paging operations is shown. Figure 6In this process, WD attempts to receive alarm signals sent by paging centers WD included in the same paging group. Therefore, Figure 6 Can be with Figure 4 The methods are internally related. For example, Figure 5 It can be shown Figure 3 The activities of the communication system 100 of WD 121.

[0133] implement Figure 6 The method described above involves the WD operating in sleep mode. That is, no data connection is established between the WD and the cellular network. Therefore, when downlink data is scheduled to be transmitted to the WD (other triggering criteria are also conceivable), the cellular network attempts to page the WD. This is to trigger a reconnection attempt between the WD and the cellular network.

[0134] In box 5305, the WD provides the cellular network with an indication of its ability to participate in paging groups. The capability indicates at least that the WD is capable of receiving alarm signals. The capability may additionally include one or more of the following: (i) the WD's ability to act as a paging center WD; (ii) the WD's ability to monitor paging opportunities on behalf of one or more other UEs; and (iii) the WD's ability to send alarm signals.

[0135] In box 5310, a paging group is established. Box 5310 corresponds to box 5210. Similar techniques as explained in conjunction with box 5210 also apply to box 5310.

[0136] In box 5315, WD obtains the configuration information required to attempt to receive alarm signals. Similar configuration information as discussed previously in conjunction with box 5215 can be obtained.

[0137] In box 5320, determine whether paging operation based on alarm signals has started. If not, conventional operations continue, for example, as combined with... Figure 2 This means that WD will monitor paging opportunities associated with its network-level paging identifier. Otherwise, WD can suspend monitoring paging opportunities assigned to its own network-level paging identifier (at least until an alarm signal is received).

[0138] In box 5325, WD deactivates its receiver circuitry, for example, as a low-power receiver and primary receiver. In optional box 5330, timing information provided, for example, as part of the configuration in box 5315, determines whether an alarm signal is expected. This corresponds to DRX operation. Boxes 5325 and 5330 are optional; these boxes 5325 and 5330 are only executed when DRX is employed. DRX operation is generally optional. WD can alternatively continuously attempt to receive (i.e., monitor) alarm signals, for example, using a low-power receiver.

[0139] As a general rule, in the disclosure of this application, continuous attempts to receive alarm signals may mean that the corresponding receiver circuitry (i.e., the low-power receiver) is always on. Continuous attempts to receive alarm signals differ from DRX operation, where the receiver circuitry of the low-power receiver intermittently transitions to an inactive state; that is, a duty cycle is used for attempting to receive alarm signals, with a phase where the WD is not listening for alarm signals. As a general rule, when continuously attempting to receive alarm signals, the WD's power consumption tends to be higher because the low-power receiver operates continuously in an active state, which is associated with higher power consumption than the inactive state used for DRX operation. On the other hand, when continuously attempting to receive alarm signals, there is no need to know or consider the specific timing of transmitting the alarm signal. This is because the WD is always listening for alarm signals without interruption.

[0140] Continuous attempts to receive alarm signals may mean there is no interruption or a continuous process. DRX operation can involve repeatedly listening in a continuous manner during an on period that is interrupted by a off period.

[0141] WD attempts to receive an alarm signal at box 5335. At box 5340, it determines whether an alarm signal has been received. If an alarm signal has been received from the paging center WD of the paging group, the method begins at box 5345.

[0142] In box 5345, one or more follow-up actions are taken. For example, the primary receiver may transition from an inactive state to an active state. For example, the WD may perform a RACH procedure to attempt to establish a connection with the cellular network. The WD may also attempt to establish a sidelink connection with another WD (e.g., a WD that has sent an alarm signal). The WD may also attempt to receive a paging indicator and paging message at a subsequent paging time associated with its network-level paging identifier.

[0143] Specifically, if the alarm signal explicitly identifies the WD (see Table 3), the WD can directly attempt to establish a connection with the cellular network. This can be based, for example, on the WD's network-level paging identifier. It can also be based on the WD's group-level paging identifier. The alarm signal can be sent if time-frequency resources are uniquely allocated to the WD. On the other hand, if the alarm signal does not explicitly identify the WD, the WD can preferably begin monitoring its paging timing to determine whether the cellular network is indeed paging the WD.

[0144] In another example, instead of connecting to the cellular network, the WD can also attempt to connect to a paging center WD that has sent an alarm signal. For example, a multi-hop connection can be established. A sidelink connection can be established.

[0145] In box 3545, in response to receiving an alarm signal, the WD can initiate backscattering for connection to a cellular network or a first WD.

[0146] The above describes the scenario where the WD attempts to receive an alarm signal. As previously explained, in some cases, the alarm signal can mimic a conventional wake-up signal typically transmitted by a cellular network. In this scenario, the handover from (i) the cellular network transmitting the WUS to (ii) the paging center WD transmitting an alarm signal simulating that WUS can be completely transparent to the WD. In this case, the decision made at box 5320 is not required.

[0147] Figure 7 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 7 The activity at the mobility control node associated with paging operations is shown. For example, Figure 7 This can be performed by the mobility control node in the core network of the cellular network. For example, Figure 7 The method can be derived from Figure 3 The mobility control node 132 depicted in the diagram is executed.

[0148] In box 5405, a first WD maintenance registry entry is registered at the cellular network. In box 5410, a second WD maintenance registry entry is registered at the cellular network. The registry entries maintained at boxes 5405 and 5410 may include the WD's network-level paging identifier. These entries can indicate whether the corresponding WD is currently operating in connected or sleep mode.

[0149] Then, at box 5415, it is determined whether a paging group has been established. If a paging group has been established, at box 5420, a registry entry for the paging group is maintained. This can take various forms. For example, a pointer to the paging group (e.g., indicating a paging group identifier) ​​can be included in each registry entry maintained at boxes 5405 and 5410. New registry entries can also be created that include pointers to the registry entries maintained at boxes 5405 and 5410. For example, a registry entry can be created that includes a paging group identifier and a pointer to a network-level paging identifier associated with each of a first WD and a second WD, both of which are included in the paging group.

[0150] All items in boxes 5405, 5410, and 5420 can be synchronized in terms of the tracking area used for paging. This is under the assumption of WD co-addressing for the same paging group cooperating in paging.

[0151] The registry entries at boxes 5405 and 5410 can specify a timeout timer (maximum delay) between paging signal transmissions until the RRC connection is restored. One or more of these connection establishment timeout timers can be adjusted to correspond to the allowable delay between paging and connection establishment. This takes into account that one or more paging signals may not be received directly by the WD, but rather mediated by the paging center WD.

[0152] Then, in box 5425, it is determined whether the DL data can be used for a WD associated with the paging group (e.g., for the first WD or the second WD) (other paging triggers are conceivable, e.g., update processes). It is also determined whether the corresponding WD is operating in sleep mode without a data connection established. If yes, a paging trigger is initiated.

[0153] Paging is triggered based on registry entries maintained at boxes 5425, 5405, and / or 5410. For example, a paging trigger may indicate a paging group identifier. A paging trigger may indicate the network-level paging identifier of the paging center WD for the paging group. A paging trigger may also indicate the network-level paging identifier of the WD being paged. A paging trigger may include instructions to the BS regarding which paging timing (refer to Table 1) and / or which paging identifier (refer to Table 3).

[0154] Figure 8 It is a signaling diagram. Figure 8 The various aspects of the registration and configuration phases of the paging group 120 are shown. Figure 8 All aspects can be achieved Figure 5 The methods are shown in boxes 5205, 5210 and 5215. Figure 8 All aspects can be achieved Figure 6 The methods are shown in boxes 5305, 5310 and 5315. Figure 8 All aspects can be achieved Figure 7 The method is box 5420.

[0155] In 3005, WD 121 registers with cellular network 130. WD 121 indicates that it can offload its paging to different devices, such as another WD. This can be signaled as a capability. 3005 can also indicate which paging center WD to log in to. 3005 corresponds accordingly to Figure 6 Box 5305.

[0156] At 3010, the paging center WD 129 transmits its capabilities to the cellular network 130 via signaling. 3010 correspondingly corresponds to... Figure 5 Box 5205. This can also be referred to as auxiliary information.

[0157] This can trigger Cellular Network 130 to identify the paging center WD 129 limited group.

[0158] In 3015, this information was provided to the paging center WD 129.

[0159] This group identifier for paging group 120 can be implemented using 5G-GUTI, where TMSI is used to decode the paging identifier information for all WD portions of paging group 120. Authentication of paging group 120 can be performed collaboratively between the paging center WD 129 and the cellular network and its network components, such as Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0160] As previously explained, group identifiers are not required for paging in any variant. An alternative approach would be for the paging center WD 129 to decode the paging indicators for all network-level paging identifiers belonging to paging group 120, including WD 121-123 and 129. Figure 8 As shown, cellular network 130 can provide paging center WD 129 with a list of all WDs 121-123, 129 belonging to paging group 120 (this list is still empty at 3015; however, if, for example, UEs 122, 123 are already part of paging group 120, their paging identifiers can be signaled). For example, the network-level paging identifiers of all WDs included in the paging group can be included in the message transmitted at 3015.

[0161] In 3020, the mobility database is updated using information associated with paging group 120. This enables joint tracking of WD 121, 122, 123, and 129 for paging group 120. The mobility database can be managed by the mobility control node in the core network. Corresponding registry entries can be generated; see [link to registry entry]. Figure 7 The frame is 5420.

[0162] In 3025, this information associated with paging group 120 is provided to the serving BS (BS 132 in this case). This enables BS 132 to generate paging signals (e.g., paging indicators and paging messages) accordingly, for example, based on the group identifier or another identifier and using the appropriate paging timing (see Table 1).

[0163] In 3030, a given WD (e.g., WD 121) registers with paging group 120. This can include a subscription request. It can be triggered by an announcement from WD 129 (e.g., on a sidelink channel).

[0164] exist Figure 8In one scenario, the registration is provided to the cellular network 130 by WD 121. Therefore, subscriptions to paging group 120 can be managed by the cellular network 130 (e.g., mobility control node 131). In other scenarios, registration can be via paging center WD 129.

[0165] As a general rule, adding a WD to a paging group can be triggered by the corresponding WD, another WD in the paging group, or by the cellular network, such as based on the WD's proximity information.

[0166] At 3035, cellular network 130 confirms that WD 121 has been added to paging group 120. The corresponding message transmitted at 3035 instructs WD 121 to monitor alarm signals sent by paging center WD 129, instead of performing regular paging operations (see [link to paging group]). Figure 6 Box 5320, "Yes" path). Alarm signal sequence design and / or alarm signal timing information and / or time-frequency resources can be configured.

[0167] At 3040, cellular network 130 notifies paging center WD 129 that WD 121 has been added to group 120, and mediates paging of WD 121 at paging center WD 129 from now on. At 3040, cellular network 130 provides paging center WD 129 with information about alarm signals expected by WD 121. Cellular network 130 provides paging center WD 129 with information about which paging event to monitor. Cellular network 130 provides information about which paging identifier will be used to signal that WD 121 is being paged. Therefore, 3040 corresponds to... Figure 5 Boxes 5215 and 5220. In other examples, WD 121 may provide this information to the paging center WD 129 on a side link.

[0168] If the paging center WD 129 knows the paging identifiers of all WD 121, 122, and 123 in the group, the alarm signal may include a signature determined based on the paging identifier of the WD being paged.

[0169] In other examples, the paging center WD 129 is not required to know the paging identifier of the group member. Here, the alarm signal can be non-specific to any specific WD, and all WDs can then monitor their paging timing for subsequent paging signals.

[0170] Figure 9 It is a signaling diagram. Figure 9 The various aspects of the execution phase with paging operation are shown. Figure 9 It is possible Figure 8Subsequently, after nodes WD 121, 122, 123, and 129 have been configured to belong to paging group 129, WD 121, 122, and 123 suspend monitoring their own paging events. Instead, WD 121, 122, and 123 attempt to receive alarm signals sent by paging center WD 129, for example, continuously, periodically, using DRX, predefined times, and / or at predefined time-frequency resources.

[0171] Figure 9 All aspects can be achieved accordingly. Figure 6 The method is described in boxes 5325 to 5345. Figure 9 All aspects can be achieved accordingly. Figure 4 The method.

[0172] At 3105, the paging center WD 129 (here using DRX, however this DRX is usually optional; DRX off period of the DRX cycle is shown at 3199) switches its receiver to active state (see [link]). Figure 4 (in box 5115) and monitor paging timing at 3110.

[0173] 3110 may optionally include attempting to receive WUS (see...) Figure 4 Box 5120; only when WUS operation is enabled.

[0174] 3110 may include a paging center WD 129 synchronized to BS 132 (see WD 129). Figure 4 (Box 5135).

[0175] Monitoring paging timing includes attempting to receive paging indicators and paging messages (see [link]). Figure 4 (See boxes 5140 and 5145). This paging can instruct the cellular network to paging center WD 129 and / or one or more of the remaining WD 121, 122, and 123 in the paging group.

[0176] In 3110, no paging signal was detected for any of WD 121, 122, 123, or 129 included in paging group 120. (This is in conjunction with...) Figure 5As discussed, this can be achieved at any stage of the paging process, such as at the WUS reception (corresponding to box 5025; i.e., paging center WD 129 does not detect WUS (if used)), at the paging indicator decoding (corresponding to box 5041; i.e., paging center WD 129 does not detect any paging indicator), or at the paging message decoding (corresponding to box 5050; e.g., paging center WD 129 does not detect any paging message instructing cellular network 130 to paging center WD 129 itself or one or more of the other WDs 121, 122, 123 of paging group 120).

[0177] In 3115, payload data arrives at WD 121 from the data network. DL payload data is merely one triggering standard used to trigger paging.

[0178] At 3120, core network 131 provides paging triggers to BS 132. This is because BS 132 is registered as a serving BS for paging group 120 to which WD 121 belongs. Paging triggers may indicate a specific paging identifier to be used (see Table 2) and / or may indicate a specific paging timing to be used (see Table 1).

[0179] Core network 131 (e.g., mobility control node 132) determines that WD 121 is part of paging group 120. This can be indicated in the paging trigger provided at 3105.

[0180] BS 132 then sends a paging indicator 505 at 3135 and a paging message 510 at 3140. These paging signals instruct cellular network 130 to page WD 121 (or at least, they instruct cellular network 130 to attempt to page one of the WDs in paging group 120 other than paging center WD 129).

[0181] The paging center WD 129 wakes up at 3125 (e.g., triggered by a WUS sent by BS 132; WUS operation is optional, as described above) and monitors the paging timing at 3130. It receives paging signals 505, 510 and determines that WD 121 is being paged (or at least, one of the WDs in the paging group other than itself is being paged). For example, paging message 510 may include the paging identifier of WD 121. Paging message 510 may also include the group identifier of paging group 120. Some examples of the information contained in paging message 510 and / or paging indicator 505 have been disclosed above in conjunction with Table 2.

[0182] To wake up WD 121, paging center WD 129 then generates and sends alarm signal 590 at 3145 (see [link]). Figure 4(See box 5155). Alarm signal 590 can be a 3GPP signal or a proprietary signal carried by other types of access technologies or special low-power receiver designs. WD 121 periodically or continuously monitors potential alarm signals. WD 121 may or may not operate using DRX.

[0183] The WD 121 then detects the alarm signal and, in 3150, takes one or more actions (see [link]). Figure 6 (Box 5345) is used to prepare for data communication. RACH procedures and RRC connection restoration can be performed. In the case where the wake-up receiver is proprietary, it exists in the 3GPP stack to support wake-up and satisfy timing signals and requests between paging messages and data transmission.

[0184] At 3155, data queued at 3115 can be transmitted.

[0185] This technology allows for further reduction in power consumption at the WD 121. The WD 121 does not require monitoring of paging timing.

[0186] For example, in the reference scenario, the WD is located at the cell edge. The signal transmitted from the BS has a relatively low signal-to-noise ratio. This also applies to the wake-up signal. There may be situations where the WD's low-power receiver cannot receive the wake-up signal. As a result, it is necessary to revert to paging operations based solely on the paging signal, leading to higher power consumption for the WD. Even in this cell edge scenario, the use of the paging center WD allows the low-power receiver to be used to detect the wake-up signal. Thus, power consumption can be reduced compared to the reference scenario.

[0187] Figure 10 The diagram schematically illustrates various aspects related to WD, specifically relating to the WD 121 for illustrative purposes. Other WDs (such as the WD 122, 123, and 129) can be configured similarly. The WD 121 includes a processor 1021 and a memory 1025. The WD 121 also includes a wireless interface 1022 for accessing wireless channels. The processor 1021 can control the wireless interface 1022 to transmit signals, receive signals, monitor paging timing, etc. Figure 10 As shown, the wireless interface 1022 may include, but is not mandatory, multiple receiver circuitry systems, in this case a primary receiver 2029 and a low-power receiver 1028. The processor 1021 may load program code from the memory 1025 and execute the program code to perform techniques as disclosed herein, such as, in combination with… Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The method discussed is as follows. The processor 1012 and memory 1025 respectively implement the computing circuit system.

[0188] Low-power receivers can be configured to perform incoherent demodulation based on incoherent modulation schemes such as on-off keying (OOK) or frequency shift keying (FSK). Low-power receivers can be configured to perform time-domain processing. Low-power receivers may not be able to perform frequency-domain processing.

[0189] Low-power receivers can have an architecture as disclosed in Chapter 7.1.1 of 3GPP TR 38.869 V1.0.0 (2023-09).

[0190] When a time-domain receiver is configured to receive an OOK modulated signal, it first captures the OOK signal from the channel input. This captured signal may undergo front-end processing (such as amplification and filtering) to eliminate out-of-band noise. A key component of the OOK receiver is a threshold detector. The detector checks the amplitude of the received signal against a predefined threshold. If the signal amplitude is above the threshold, a carrier is considered to be present, meaning "1". If it is below the threshold, it is considered to have no carrier, meaning "0".

[0191] The primary receiver 1029 can be configured to perform Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) demodulation. This can include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or typical frequency domain processing. The primary receiver 1029 can be configured to pick up the transmitted OFDM signal, which comprises multiple orthogonal subcarriers carrying data simultaneously. The received signal is first processed by the front end, including amplification, down-conversion, and filtering. Synchronization processing is employed to detect and correct any timing and frequency offsets. Once synchronized, a cyclic prefix added at the transmitter to mitigate inter-symbol interference is removed. The signal is then subjected to a Fast Fourier Transform to convert it from the time domain to the frequency domain. Equalization is performed on each subcarrier to compensate for frequency-selective fading introduced by the channel. Techniques such as Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QA) or Phase Shift Keying (PPS) are typically used to demodulate the data symbols on each subcarrier. Error correction decoding, such as using Turbo codes or low-density parity-check codes, is applied to correct errors that occurred during transmission. Bits from all subcarriers are then serially concatenated to recreate the original bitstream. The reconstructed bitstream is then passed to subsequent layers (e.g., network layers) for further processing and information extraction.

[0192] As a general rule, WD as disclosed herein can be a smartphone, a smart device such as a smartwatch or smart glasses, a cellular phone, an IoT device, etc.

[0193] Figure 11 This schematically illustrates the connection with cellular network 130 (see...) Figure 1 This relates to various aspects of the mobility control nodes (such as mobility control node 132) in the core network 131. Other control nodes in the core network can be configured similarly. In addition to other control nodes in the core network, data plane nodes in the core network can also be configured as shown in the figure.

[0194] Control node 132 includes processor 1091 and memory 1095. Processor 1091 can load program code from memory 1095 and execute the program code to perform techniques as disclosed herein, such as, in combination with Figure 7 The processor 1091 can provide messages to other nodes, such as those in a wireless access network, via communication interface 1092; the processor 1091 can also obtain messages from other nodes.

[0195] Figure 12 The diagram schematically illustrates aspects related to a base station (specifically, base station 139). A similar configuration can be achieved at the base station. Base station 139 includes a processor 1011 and a memory 1015. Base station 139 also includes a communication interface 1012 for accessing a wireless channel. Processor 1011 can load program code from memory 1015 and execute the program code. This enables processor 1011 to perform techniques disclosed herein, such as retrieving trigger messages from the core network and sending one or more paging signals based on the trigger messages.

[0196] Figure 13 The diagram schematically illustrates various aspects of the connection between a WD, such as WD 121, and cellular network 101. Similar aspects apply to each of the other WDs, such as WD 122, 123, and 129. Figure 13 In the example, the connection between WD 121 and cellular network 100 is defined relative to specific connection modes 281-283.

[0197] In dormant mode 281, WD 121 is completely disconnected from network 101. Therefore, network 100 will not know the location of WD 121. UL data and / or DL ​​data transmission may not be possible. Higher-level data connections will not be established.

[0198] After initializing the connection with cellular network 101, WD 121 transitions to connected mode 283. In connected mode 283, one or more higher-layer data connections are established, such as bearers for data communication. End-to-end data connections, including one or more gateway nodes of core network 131, may already be established within the data plane of cellular network 101. In connected mode 283, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses can be assigned to WD 121. In connected mode 283, UL data and / or DL ​​data can be transmitted. Cellular network 101 can determine the location of WD 121.

[0199] In sleep mode 282, data communication between WD 121 and cellular network 101 is restricted. For example, in sleep mode 282, cellular network 101 does not maintain valid location or routing information for WD 102. Cellular network 101 does not know the specific service BS where WD 121 is located. Nevertheless, in sleep mode 282, some environmental information about WD 121 can be accessed by cellular network 101. For example, the location of WD 121 may be known at the tracking area granularity or not at all. Cellular network 101 can determine whether WD 121 is part of a paging group. Paging of WD 121 within the tracking area can then be performed, for example, using a paging-escalation strategy that progressively increases the number of cells WD 121 is paging. This can facilitate the connection of WD 121 to network 101, for example, by establishing appropriate bearers and / or assigning IP addresses to WD 121. This corresponds to transitioning to connection mode 283.

[0200] In summary, the above information has been disclosed, which allows the WD to offload paging timing monitoring to the paging center WD. The WD in the paging center WD is part of the paging group.

[0201] As a general rule, in some situations, a paging center (WD) may be permanently assigned the function of monitoring one or more paging events of one or more other WDs included in a paging group. However, in other situations, different WDs included in a paging group may also take turns monitoring one or more paging events. For example, a polling scheme may be used. This is in... Figure 14 As shown in the image.

[0202] Figure 14 The diagram schematically illustrates how paging groups 120, with WDs 121, 122, 123, and 129 alternately used as paging center WDs. This operation can then reduce energy consumption, for example, when compared to the reference energy consumption in Equation 1.

[0203] The UE alternately monitors paging opportunities. WD Monitor one or more paging opportunities in the following time slots: During all other time slots, WD It does not monitor paging timing. Instead, it uses a low-power receiver to attempt to receive alarm signals.

[0204] In other words, a given WD monitors the paging opportunities associated with its paging identifier until paging cooperation is activated (this is according to the reference energy consumption scenario in Equation 1). That is, it can be determined whether a paging group has been activated. For example, paging cooperation can be activated by another WD participating in the paging cooperation or by a node in the cellular network. If paging cooperation is not activated, no alarm signal as disclosed herein is expected. Cooperative paging involves a first WD operating as a paging center and one or more second WDs attempting to receive paging signals sent by the paging center. After cooperative paging is activated, the WD changes its behavior. It then alternates between (i) attempting to receive alarm signals and (ii) monitoring one or more paging opportunities (see Table 1). This WD behavior is as follows: Figure 15 As shown in the image.

[0205] Figure 15 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 15 The actions and method steps used in the WD associated with paging operations are shown. Figure 15 In this process, the WD performing the method alternately acts as (i) a paging center WD of one or more other WDs included in the same paging group as the paging center WD; and (ii) a WD that attempts to receive an alarm signal from another WD in the paging group and then acts as the paging center WD.

[0206] In optional box 5805, the WD obtains timing information indicating a timing schedule for alternating between (i) monitoring paging opportunities and (ii) attempting to receive alarm signals. Thus, there exists a first duration for the WD to monitor paging opportunities and a second duration for the WD to attempt to receive alarm signals; any first duration is adjacent to one or both second durations. For example, the timing information can be obtained from a cellular network, such as from a mobility control node (see...). Figure 1 and Figure 3 Mobility control node 132) obtains timing information. The timing information may also be obtained from another WD participating in paging cooperation.

[0207] Then, in box 5810, it is determined whether paging cooperation is being activated. That is, it can be determined whether a paging group has been activated. For example, paging cooperation can be activated by another WD participating in paging cooperation or by a node in the cellular network. For example, as previously combined Figure 2 If paging cooperation is not activated (“No” path), the regular paging operation begins. The WD then monitors its paging timing (i.e., associated with its paging identifier) ​​to determine whether the cellular network attempts to page the WD. At this time, the WD does not attempt to receive an activation signal.

[0208] After co-paging is activated, the method begins at box 5815. Box 5815 is a decision point used to alternate between monitoring paging timing at box 5820 on the one hand and attempting to receive alarm signals at box 5825 on the other.

[0209] Specifically, in box 5815, a WD can determine whether it is currently in a first type of time slot, in which it is assigned to monitor one or more paging opportunities (see Table 1) to determine whether the cellular network is paging the WD and / or one or more other WDs participating in paging cooperation; or it can determine whether it is currently in a second type of time slot that does not require monitoring paging opportunities but is attempting to receive alarm signals.

[0210] When executing box 5820, WD can execute. Figure 4 The method.

[0211] When executing box 5825, WD can execute. Figure 6 The method (from box 5320 forward). Figure 16 The results are shown on all WDs 121, 122, 123, and 129 participating in paging group 120.

[0212] Figure 16 The aspects related to timing information 670 are illustrated. Timing information 670 defines multiple time slots 671, 672, 673, and 674. In time slot 671, WD 129 performs the functions of a paging center. Therefore, in time slot 671, WD 129 executes block 5820. In time slot 671, WD 129 monitors paging timings (see Table 1) to determine whether the cellular network attempts to paging WD 129 and / or any of the other WD 121, 122, and 123. When WD 129 determines, based on this monitoring of one or more paging timings, that the cellular network is attempting to paging one of the other WD 121, 122, and 123, it sends an alarm signal. The other WD 121, 122, and 123 (time slot 671) attempt to receive the alarm signal via execution block 5825.

[0213] Figure 16 This demonstrates how to alternate roles in WD 121, 122, 123, and 129 by switching between execution boxes 5820 and 5825.

[0214] Figure 16Paging timing 680 (hollow circle) is shown, and paging timing 681 (solid circle) is further shown. For example, it is possible that paging timing 680 is associated with network-level paging identifiers of WD 121 and 122, and paging timing 681 is associated with network-level paging identifiers of WD 123 and 129. When operating in the modes according to Examples 1 and 3 (combined) of Table 1, each WD 123, 129 (when executing box 5820) will be required to monitor all paging timings 680, 681. On the other hand, in the case according to Table 1: Example 1 (only), the cellular network is notified regarding timing information 670 to aggregate all paging calls to the paging timing of the WD currently performing the paging center function; the cellular network then sends a paging call for any one of WDs 121, 122, 123, and 129 in paging timing 681 during time slot 671, in paging timing 680 during time slot 672, in paging timing 680 during time slot 673, and in paging timing 681 during time slot 674. Finally, it is also possible to limit the paging group ( Figure 16 The dedicated paging timing associated with the paging identifier (not shown in the table) makes it necessary only for specific WDs 121, 122, 123, 122 acting as paging centers (execution box 5820) to monitor the paging timing associated with the paging identifier of the paging group (see Table 1: Example 2).

[0215] The above-disclosed operations can be formalized as follows: In WD During the extended time slot monitoring paging, the WD decodes the paging channel (attempts to receive the paging indicator) and reads all data for the paging group. The paging message for each UE (e.g., on the PDSCH). If WD WD detected If a pager is requested, it sends an alarm signal; the alarm signal can instruct the cellular network to page the WD, that is, it can be dedicated to WD. This, in turn, awakened WD WD Initiate the RACH procedure. Alternatively, WD Wake up and anticipate subsequent paging opportunities, listen for repeated paging messages (repeated paging from the radio access network until WD). (To make contact). Alternatively, WD n resends the paging message after WUS, expecting WD Listen to this WUS.

[0216] Now we can calculate in The energy consumption of each WD during a time slot. Each WD monitors paging during one time slot. This has associated... Energy consumption. Here, Factors to consider include: WD must be... The system decodes paging for each WD, and not just for itself. If paging for another WD is detected, an alarm signal is sent. This has all... Expected energy consumption per time slot ,in, This is the expected number of paged UEs during each time slot. Each WD also monitors paging in areas where the WD does not. Alarm signals are monitored during each time slot. This has associated energy consumption. , Therefore, all The total energy consumption of each WD in each time slot is (2) Comparing this with the traditional energy consumption according to Equation 1, we can obtain... (3) Next, let's discuss The actual values ​​of the different components. The term can be approximated precisely by 0. This is because low-power receivers consume significantly less power than the primary receiver used. A typical primary receiver can have a power consumption of approximately 20 mW. Low-power receivers can be designed to have much lower power consumption, for example, less than 100 times the power consumption of the primary receiver.

[0217] The output power is higher because the WD must send an alarm signal. However, if the WDs in the paging group are close to each other (e.g., co-located), the output power during transmission may be lower. A transmission at 23 dBm with 50% efficiency is 400 mW, but at 0 dBm with 50% efficiency it is only 2 mW.

[0218] The remaining items First, waking up two UEs using alarm signals arguably does not consume (significantly) more energy than waking up a single WD. This is because a) alarm signals can be transmitted overlappingly, as there exists a unique bit pattern that distinguishes alarm signals, and b) powering up a power amplifier has a fixed cost, for example, so transmitting two alarm signals consecutively will not consume twice the energy of transmitting a single alarm signal. Furthermore, the probability of waking up is quite low, and generally speaking, unless... Especially large (e.g., >100), otherwise set This effectively represents the worst-case scenario. In other words, it means that during each paging period, the WD must always wake up another WD. This results in... .

[0219] Now, and Linear scaling, but only weakly dependent on This is because most of the power is related to the circuit system and FFT operations. Therefore, it is safe to assume... Very close to one.

[0220] Figure 17 It is a flowchart based on various examples of methods. Figure 17 This illustrates the activities that can be performed at the mobility control node associated with paging operations. For example, Figure 17 This can be performed by the mobility control node in the core network of the cellular network. For example, Figure 17 The method can be derived from Figure 3 The depicted mobility control node 132 is executed. Figure 17 The method can also be executed by WD.

[0221] In box 5905, the node determines and distributes timing information, such as timing information 670. Timing information defines time slots. Multiple WDs in the paging group participate in (i) monitoring paging timing, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 15 See box 5820 in the middle, and (ii) attempting to receive alarm signals, see Figure 15 The alternation between boxes 5825 in the middle.

[0222] There are various conceivable options for determining timing information. For example, timing information could be determined such that time slots associated with monitoring paging timings are allocated to the WD using a polling scheme. Figure 16 This scenario is illustrated in the diagram. Here, all WDs share a similar part of the energy consumption task for monitoring paging timing.

[0223] However, this equal allocation of energy-consuming tasks can also deviate from the paging center's function.

[0224] For example, timing information can be determined based on one or more characteristics of the paging group.

[0225] For example, the length of each individual time slot can depend on the size of the device group. For example, the scheme for assigning paging center functionality to different WDs can depend on one or more device types of the WDs included in the paging group.

[0226] For example, some paging groups can be categorized as IoT groups, such as those formed by devices with specific low power consumption. Other paging groups can be categorized as active device groups, such as those including active devices like smartphones or smartwatches. For example, a particular paging group can be categorized as having a hierarchy, i.e., including a master device (e.g., a smartphone) and multiple slave devices (e.g., wearable electronic devices). Different timing information can be determined for different types of paging groups.

[0227] As an alternative to or complement to this feature of paging groups, one or more features of each WD can also be considered. For example, WDs with different features can be treated differently, such as sharing a smaller or larger burden of energy-consuming tasks for monitoring paging timing.

[0228] For example, a time slot associated with a paging center function being performed by a given WD can be shortened; while a time slot associated with a paging center function being performed by another WD (e.g., with a large-capacity battery or a battery with a high state of charge; and / or if it is in a better coverage situation compared to other WDs) can be extended.

[0229] One or more characteristics of a WD that can be considered for determining timing information may include one or more of the following: the device category of the corresponding WD, the master status of the corresponding WD in the paging group associated with the cooperative paging, the battery charging status of the corresponding WD's battery, the battery capacity of the corresponding WD, and / or the coverage level of the corresponding device.

[0230] Summary techniques for implementing WD aggregation and collaboration on paging have been disclosed. The paging center (also known as a paging watchdog, aggregation node, paging hotspot, etc.) reads paging on behalf of multiple WDs and sends alarm signals to those WDs. Group-based paging identifiers with WD aggregation purposes can be used.

[0231] WD can be used to send signals to support paging collaboration capabilities.

[0232] Alarm signals can be 3GPP or non-3GPP signals.

[0233] Paging groups can be network-controlled or WD-controlled. Users and / or cellular networks can add / remove WDs from paging groups.

[0234] In summary, at least the following examples have been disclosed above.

[0235] Example

[0236] Example 1. A method for use in a first wireless device (129) capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the first wireless device (129) and a second wireless device (121) being included in a paging group (120), the method comprising: - Monitor the paging timing (5140, 5135) to determine whether the cellular network (130) paging the second wireless device (121), and - After determining that the cellular network is paging the second wireless device, generate and send (5155) an alarm signal (590) for the second wireless device (121).

[0237] Example 2. Following the method in Example 1, The alarm signal (590) uniquely identifies the second wireless device (121) at least within the paging group (120).

[0238] Example 3. Following the method in Example 1 or 2, The alarm signal (590) carries the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device (121).

[0239] Example 4. Based on the method of any of the examples above, The alarm signal carries the group-level paging identification information of the second wireless device (121).

[0240] Example 5. Following the method in Example 1, Among them, the alarm signal (590) does not uniquely identify the second wireless device (121).

[0241] Example 6. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Among them, the alarm signal is associated with the paging group.

[0242] Example 7. Following the method in Example 6, The alarm signal carries the group identifier of the paging group (120) and / or is transmitted on the time-frequency resources reserved for the paging group.

[0243] Example 8. Using the method from any of Examples 1 to 7 above, The alarm signal (590) triggers a random access procedure performed by the second wireless device (121).

[0244] Example 9. Using the method from any of Examples 1 through 8, Among them, the alarm signal (590) triggers the second wireless device (121) to monitor other paging opportunities.

[0245] Example 10. Based on the method of any of the examples above, The alarm signal (590) is designed to be received by the low-power receiver (1028) of the second wireless device (121). The alarm signal (590) triggers the activation of the main receiver (1029) of the second wireless device (121).

[0246] Example 11. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Among them, the alarm signal (590) is the wake-up signal.

[0247] Example 12. Based on the method of any of the examples above, The alarm signal (590) mimics the network-initiated wake-up signal used by the cellular network (130) to wake up the second wireless device (121).

[0248] Example 13. Based on the method of any of the examples above, The alarm signal (590) can be received by the time domain processing at the second wireless device (121).

[0249] Example 14. Based on the method of any of the examples above, The alarm signal (590) is transmitted on the time-frequency resources allocated by the cellular network (130) to the first wireless device (8129) for transmitting the alarm signal (590).

[0250] Example 15. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, Among them, an alarm signal is sent in the unlicensed frequency band (590).

[0251] Example 16. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Specifically, an alarm signal (590) is sent before or during other paging events associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device.

[0252] Example 17. Following the method of Example 16, Alarm signals (590) are sent with a predefined time offset and / or a predefined frequency offset relative to other paging times or one or more paging signals associated with other paging times.

[0253] Example 18. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Among them, an alarm signal is sent on the device-to-device wireless channel (590).

[0254] Example 19. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, The monitoring of paging timing includes receiving at least one paging signal (505, 510) using a first wireless access technology. Among them, an alarm signal is sent using a second wireless access technology that is different from the first wireless access technology (590).

[0255] Example 20. Based on the method of any of the examples above, - Obtain (5125) the configuration for generating and / or transmitting the alarm signal (590) from the cellular network (130) or the second wireless device (121) or another wireless device (122, 123) included in the paging group (120).

[0256] Example 21. Following the method in Example 20, The configuration indicates at least one of the following: timing for sending alarm signals, time-frequency resources for sending alarm signals, time offset relative to the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device, frequency offset relative to the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device, the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device, the sequence design of the alarm signals, or the modulation scheme of the alarm signals.

[0257] Example 22. Using the method from any of Examples 1 to 21, The paging timing is associated with the network-level paging identifier information of the second wireless device (121).

[0258] Example 23. Using the method from any of Examples 1 to 21, The paging timing is associated with the paging identifier information of the paging group (120).

[0259] Example 24. Using the method from any of Examples 1 to 21, The paging timing is associated with the network-level paging identifier information of the first wireless device (129).

[0260] Example 25. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Provide (5205) an indication to the cellular network (130) or to the second wireless device (121) or to another wireless device (122, 123) included in the paging group (120) that the first wireless device (129) is capable of generating and sending an alarm signal (590).

[0261] Example 26. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Obtain (5125) an indication of at least one of the group identifier associated with paging group 8120, the network-level paging identifier of the second wireless device (121), and the group-level paging identifier of the second wireless device (121).

[0262] Example 27. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Provide (5210) a request to establish or participate in a paging group (120) to at least one of the cellular network (130), the second wireless device (121), and another wireless device (122, 123).

[0263] Example 28. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Obtain (5210) a request from a second wireless device (121) or another wireless device (122, 123) included in the paging group for establishing or participating in the paging group (120).

[0264] Example 29. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, The first wireless device (129) operates in either sleep mode or connection mode when monitoring the paging opportunity.

[0265] Example 30. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Receive (5120) wake-up signal, Among them, the paging timing monitoring (5140, 5145) responds to receiving the wake-up signal.

[0266] Example 31. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Use discontinuous reception operation to monitor paging opportunities.

[0267] Example 32. Based on any of the methods in the examples above, it also includes: - Monitoring paging timing based on timing information to determine whether the cellular network should paging the first wireless device or one or more other wireless devices included in the paging group, the timing information allocating monitoring activity between the first wireless device and one or more other wireless devices.

[0268] Example 33. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Among them, the paging group (120) is an aggregation initiated by cooperating wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129).

[0269] Example 34. Based on the method of any of the examples above, Among them, the paging group (120) is used for paging collaboration among multiple wireless devices.

[0270] Example 35. A method for use in a second wireless device (121) capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the paging group (120) including the second wireless device (121) and a first wireless device (129). The method includes: -Receive (5535) an alarm signal (590) from the first wireless device (129) instructing the cellular network (130) to page the second wireless device (121).

[0271] Example 36. Following the method in Example 35, The alarm signal (590) is received by the low-power receiver (1028) of the second wireless device (121). The methods also include: - In response to receiving an alarm signal (590), activate (5345) the main receiver (1029).

[0272] Example 37. Following the method of Example 35 or 36, it also includes: - Before the second wireless device (121) is included in the paging group (120): monitor the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device (121), and -When the second wireless device is included in the paging group: the monitoring (121) of the paging timing associated with the network-level paging identification information of the second wireless device is suspended at least in part.

[0273] Example 38. The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 37 also includes: - In response to receiving an alarm signal (590), perform (5345) a random access procedure for connecting to the cellular network (130) or the first wireless device (129).

[0274] Example 39. The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 38 also includes: - In response to receiving an alarm signal (590), a backscatter is initiated for connection to the cellular network (130) or the first wireless device (129).

[0275] Example 40. The method according to any one of Examples 35 through 39 also includes: - Attempt to receive alarm signals using either discontinuous or continuous receive operation.

[0276] Example 41. The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 40 also includes: - Attempt to receive an alarm signal based on timing information obtained from at least one of the first wireless device and the cellular network and another wireless device included in the paging group.

[0277] Example 42. The method according to any one of Examples 35 to 40 also includes: - Attempt to receive an alarm signal based on resources indicated by at least one of the first wireless device and the cellular network and another wireless device included in the paging group.

[0278] Example 43. A method for use in a node (132) of a cellular network (130), wherein the method includes: -Maintain (5045) the first registry key for wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129) that can connect to the cellular network (130). -Maintain the second registry key (5425) for paging group (120) including wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), and - Paging of wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129) is triggered based on the first and second registry entries.

[0279] Example 44. Following the method in Example 43

[0280] The paging trigger includes information based on a second registry key that provides the timing for sending one or more paging signals (505, 510).

[0281] Example 45. According to the method of Example 43 or 44, it also includes: - Synchronize updates of the tracking areas stored in the first registry key and the second registry key.

[0282] Example 46. The method according to any one of Examples 43 to 45 also includes: - When the second registry key is created, update the connection establishment timeout timer in the first registry key.

[0283] Example 47. Using the method from any of Examples 43 to 46, Among them, the node is the mobility management node in the core of the cellular network.

[0284] Example 48. A first wireless device capable of connecting to a cellular network, the first wireless device and a second wireless device being included in a paging group, the first wireless device including a computing circuitry system configured to: - Monitor paging timing to determine whether the cellular network is paging a second wireless device, and - After determining that the cellular network is paging the second wireless device, generate and send an alarm signal for the second wireless device.

[0285] Example 49. The first wireless device according to Example 48, wherein the computing circuitry system is configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 1 to 34.

[0286] Example 50. A second wireless device capable of connecting to a cellular network, a paging group including the second wireless device and a first wireless device, the second wireless device including a computing circuitry system configured to: - Receive an alarm signal from the first wireless device that instructs the cellular network to page the second wireless device.

[0287] Example 51. The first wireless device according to Example 50, wherein the computing circuitry system is configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 35 to 42.

[0288] Example 52. A node in a cellular network, the node including a computing circuit system configured to: -Maintain (5045) the first registry key for wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129) that can connect to the cellular network (130). -Maintain the second registry key (5425) for paging group (120) including wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), and - Paging of wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129) is triggered based on the first and second registry entries.

[0289] Example 53. Based on the node of Example 52, wherein the computing circuit system is configured to perform the method of any one of Examples 43 to 47.

[0290] Example 54. A system including a first wireless device of Example 48 or 49, and further including a second wireless device of Example 50 or 51.

[0291] Example 55. A system including a first wireless device of Example 48 or 49, and further including a second wireless device of Example 50 or 51, and further including a node of Example 52 or 53.

[0292] In addition, at least the following other examples have been disclosed (which can be combined with the examples described above to form other examples).

[0293] Example 1. A method for use in a first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the method comprising: - Monitor the paging timing (681, 682) associated with the paging identifiers of the monitoring devices (5040, 5045) and the first wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), and - After activating cooperative paging for the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and for one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), the following are alternated (5815): attempting (5825) to receive an alarm signal (590) sent by one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), and monitoring (5820) at least one of the paging timings (680, 681) and other paging timings (680, 681) to determine whether the cellular network (130) is paging the first wireless device or one or more second wireless devices.

[0294] Example 2. Following the method in Example 1, The first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) continuously attempts to receive an alarm signal between adjacent paging times of at least one of the paging times (680, 681) and other paging times (680, 681).

[0295] Example 3. Based on the method of Example 1 or 2, it also includes: - Obtain (5805) timing information (670) from a cellular network (130) or another wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129), which is used to alternate between attempting to receive an alarm signal and monitoring paging timing and at least one of other paging timings.

[0296] Example 4. A method for use in a node of a cellular network or in a wireless device capable of connecting to a cellular network, the method comprising: - The timing information for a defined time slot is determined, and the multiple wireless devices participating in the collaborative paging alternate between: monitoring the paging timing to determine whether any of the wireless devices is being paged; and attempting to receive an alarm signal sent by another of the wireless devices.

[0297] Example 5. Following the method in Example 4, The time slots for timing information associated with this monitoring of paging timing are allocated to multiple wireless devices using a polling scheme.

[0298] Example 6. Based on method 4 or 5, The determination of the timing information depends on one or more characteristics of the paging group associated with the wireless device.

[0299] Example 7. According to method 6, One or more characteristics of a paging group include at least one of the number of wireless devices included in the paging group and the category of the paging group.

[0300] Example 8. Using the method from any of Examples 4 through 7, In this context, for each of the multiple wireless devices participating in the collaborative paging, the determination of the timing information depends on one or more characteristics of the respective wireless device.

[0301] Example 9. Following the method in Example 8, The characteristics of the corresponding wireless device include at least one of the following: the device category of the corresponding wireless device, the main state of the corresponding wireless device in the paging group associated with cooperative paging, the battery charging state of the corresponding wireless device, the battery capacity of the corresponding wireless device, and the coverage level of the corresponding device.

[0302] Example 10. A first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the wireless device including a computing circuit system configured to: - Monitor the paging timing (681, 682) associated with the paging identifiers of the monitoring devices (5040, 5045) and the first wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), and - After activating cooperative paging for the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and for one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), the following are alternated (5815): attempting (5825) to receive an alarm signal (590) sent by one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129); and monitoring (5820) at least one of the paging timings (680, 681) and other paging timings (680, 681) to determine whether the cellular network (130) is paging the first wireless device or one or more second devices.

[0303] While the invention has been shown and described with respect to specific preferred embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The invention encompasses all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0304] For illustration, the disclosed technology can also be applied to ultra-low power IoT devices, also known as energy-neutral devices, zero-energy devices, or environmental IoT devices. The motivation for this is that the instantaneous power consumption target of ultra-low power IoT devices is in the range of 1 uW to several mW. Therefore, the primary receiver of the environmental IoT can have the same characteristics as a low-power receiver, i.e., a lower sensitivity level than a normal UE. For its communication with the cellular network, the environmental IoT may require assistance from other nodes with greater capabilities. WD 121 (the second WD) can be an environmental IoT device. The first WD is an auxiliary node that monitors any downlink communication of the second WD. Upon determining the presence of downlink communication in the form of paging or data for the second wireless communication device, the first WD generates an alarm signal and sends it to the second wireless device. The alarm signal indicates that the cellular network needs to perform an uplink transmission from the second wireless device, or anticipates downlink data following the reception of the alarm signal. The downlink data is initially also received by the first WD.

Claims

1. A method for use in a first wireless device capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the method comprising: - Monitor the paging timing (681, 682) associated with the paging identifier of the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and the paging event (681, 682). - After activating cooperative paging for the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and for one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), the following are alternated (5815): attempting (5825) to receive an alarm signal (590) sent by the one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129); and monitoring (5820) at least one of the paging timings (680, 681) and other paging timings (680, 681) to determine whether the cellular network (130) is paging the first wireless device or the one or more second wireless devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) continuously attempts to receive the alarm signal between adjacent paging times of at least one of the paging times (680, 681) and the other paging times (680, 681).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: - Obtain (5805) timing information (670) from the cellular network (130) or another wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129), the timing information being used to alternate between attempting to receive the alarm signal and monitoring at least one of the paging timing and the other paging timing.

4. A method used in a node of a cellular network or in a wireless device, the method comprising: - Determine timing information for a defined time slot, and the multiple wireless devices participating in the cooperative paging alternate between the following according to the time slot: monitoring the paging timing to determine whether any of the wireless devices is being paged; as well as - Attempt to receive an alarm signal sent by another of the wireless devices.

5. The method according to claim 4, in, The time slots of the timing information associated with the monitoring of the paging timing are allocated to the plurality of wireless devices using a polling scheme.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, in, The determination of the timing information depends on one or more characteristics of the paging group associated with the wireless device.

7. The method according to claim 6, in, One or more characteristics of the paging group include at least one of the number of wireless devices included in the paging group and the category of the paging group.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, in, For each of the plurality of wireless devices participating in the cooperative paging, the determination of the timing information depends on one or more characteristics of the respective wireless device.

9. The method according to claim 8, in, One or more characteristics of the corresponding wireless device include at least one of the following: the device category of the corresponding wireless device, the main state of the corresponding wireless device in the paging group associated with the cooperative paging, the battery charging state of the corresponding wireless device, the battery capacity of the corresponding wireless device, and the coverage level of the corresponding device.

10. A first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) capable of connecting to a cellular network (130), the wireless device comprising a computing circuitry system configured to: - Monitor the paging timing (681, 682) associated with the paging identifier of the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and the paging event (681, 682). - After activating cooperative paging for the first wireless device (121, 122, 123, 129) and for one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129), the following are alternated (5815): attempting (5825) to receive an alarm signal (590) sent by the one or more second wireless devices (121, 122, 123, 129); and monitoring (5820) at least one of the paging timings (680, 681) and other paging timings (680, 681) to determine whether the cellular network (130) is paging the first wireless device or the one or more second devices.

11. The first wireless device according to claim 10, wherein, The computing circuit system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. An apparatus comprising a computing circuit system, the computing circuit system being configured to: - Timing information for a defined time slot is determined, and multiple wireless devices participating in the cooperative paging alternate between: monitoring the paging timing to determine whether any of the wireless devices is being paged; and attempting to receive an alarm signal sent by another of the wireless devices.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, in, The device is a node in a cellular network or a wireless device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, in, The computing circuit system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 4 to 9.

15. A system comprising a first wireless device according to claim 10 or claim 11, and further comprising means according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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