Apparatus and method for paging early indication

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for paging early indication. A first apparatus in a mobile communication system is caused to at least: receive, from a second apparatus, a paging early indication (PEI) configuration, wherein the PEI configuration comprises a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging occasions (POs) to be associated with one PEI; receive, from the second apparatus, a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a PEI message, wherein the PEI message comprises a first indication of whether a paging occasion is to be monitored by the first apparatus; receive, from the second apparatus, a second indication comprising one or more of: information of whether a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first starting bit position or a shifted starting bit position; or information of a shifted starting bit position for the first at least one bit; wherein the first at least one bit comprises the first indication; determine the first at least one bit based on the second indication; and determine whether to monitor a paging occasion based at least in part on the first indication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The example embodiments may relate to user equipment, network nodes, methods, and / or computer programs for use in mobile communication systems. More specifically, the example embodiments relate to early paging indication. Background Technology

[0002] In 5G, paging is a mechanism used by the network to alert a user equipment (UE) to incoming data, messages, or calls when the UE is in RRC idle or inactive mode, and for limited purposes (e.g., emergency indication) when the UE is in RRC connected mode. This process allows the UE to maintain a low-power state, only waking up to monitor relevant information from the network, thus conserving battery life. The paging cycle defines the interval at which the UE checks for paging messages; longer cycles are beneficial for energy saving, while shorter cycles enable faster notifications. Within each cycle, a specific paging frame (PF) is assigned for a potential paging message destined for the UE.

[0003] To further optimize this process, 5G employs UE grouping (a method of organizing UEs into different groups based on their unique identifier (UE ID)). This distribution disperses the paging load, preventing a large number of UEs from being paged in a single moment and thus simultaneously attempting to access the network. Based on the unique identifier, each UE is assigned to a specific group through its assigned paging frequency (PF) and specific paging time (PO). Within these PFs, each group listens for paging messages at its PO, allowing UEs to maintain a low-power consumption mode and only wake up when needed (to monitor paging, and when a UE is paged, in which case the UE ID is listed in the paging record of the paging message).

[0004] Additionally, 5G introduces the concept of Early Paging Indication (PEI), where an early signal informs the UE whether it should monitor an upcoming Page Message (PO), allowing the UE to monitor the next PO only if there is a message, reducing the time they spend actively monitoring messages.

[0005] To achieve overall energy savings (UE energy saving and / or network energy saving (NES)), further improvements to PEI message delivery are still needed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of the present invention is defined by the independent claims. Embodiments and features (if any) described in this specification that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples for understanding the various embodiments of the invention.

[0007] According to a first aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communication system, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second apparatus, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; means for performing a first determination regarding at least one bit based at least in part on the number of bits used in the DCI: whether a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position; means for determining the first at least one bit based on the shifted start bit position if the first determination is that the first at least one bit should be determined based on the shifted start bit position, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication; and means for determining whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0008] In some examples, the number of bits used is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups, and optionally based on the number of tracking reference signal bits.

[0009] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for determining a first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold.

[0010] In some examples, the first device also includes a component for determining the starting bit position of the shift based on the offset value.

[0011] In some examples, the first device further includes: a component for determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of subgroups of user equipment (UE) associated with paging timing; and the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0012] In some examples, the first device also includes a component for receiving offset values ​​from the second device.

[0013] In some examples, the offset value is received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0014] In some examples, the starting bit position of the shift is determined based on the following formula: , in, Paging timing index of the first device (UE); The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device (UE); and =Offset value.

[0015] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for determining the start bit position of the shift based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0016] In some examples, the starting bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device to the order of the incremental valid bits of the DCI.

[0017] In some examples, the first device further includes a second indication component for determining whether the starting bit position for receiving the shift from the second device should be determined based on an offset value or the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0018] In some examples, the first device also includes a component for monitoring the timing of paging when at least one bit is set to "1".

[0019] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0020] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0021] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0022] According to a second aspect, this specification describes a second apparatus in a mobile communication system, the second apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; means for transmitting downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message to the first apparatus, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; and means for transmitting a second indication to the first apparatus based on the number of bits used in the DCI for determining a first at least one bit based on the start position of a shift, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0023] In some examples, the second device further includes a component for sending a third instruction to the first device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0024] In some examples, the second device also includes a component for sending offset values ​​to the second device.

[0025] In some examples, the offset value is sent as part of the PEI configuration.

[0026] In some examples, the second device further includes: a component for determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of subgroups of user equipment (UE) associated with paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0027] In some examples, the second device further includes a component for transmitting a second indication if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is determined based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0028] In some examples, the second device further includes a component for setting at least one first bit to "1" if the first indication indicates that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0029] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0030] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0031] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0032] According to a third aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first device in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the second device including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first device; performing a first determination, at least in part based on the number of bits used in the DCI, regarding whether a first at least bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position; if the first determination is that the first at least bit should be determined based on a shift start bit position, then determining the first at least bit based on the shift start position, wherein the first at least bit includes the first indication; and determining, at least in part based on the first indication, whether a paging opportunity should be monitored.

[0033] In some examples, the number of bits used is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups, and optionally based on the number of tracking reference signal bits.

[0034] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, then determines a first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift.

[0035] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: determining the starting bit position of the shift based on the offset value.

[0036] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0037] In some examples, the first device also performs the function of receiving an offset value from the second device.

[0038] In some examples, the offset value is received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0039] In some examples, the starting bit position of the shift is determined based on the following formula: , in, Paging timing index of the first device (UE); The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device (UE); and =Offset value.

[0040] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: determining the position of the start bit of the shift based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0041] In some examples, the starting bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device to the order of the incremental valid bits of the DCI.

[0042] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: receiving a second instruction from the second device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on the offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0043] In some examples, the first device also performs the following: monitoring the paging timing when at least one bit is set to "1".

[0044] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0045] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0046] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0047] According to a fourth aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a second device in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: sending a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; sending downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first device; and sending a second indication to the first device based on the number of bits used in the DCI for determining a first at least one bit based on the start position of a shift, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0048] In some examples, the second device also performs the following: sending a third instruction to the first device regarding whether the position of the start bit of the shift should be determined based on the offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0049] In some examples, the second device also performs the following: sending an offset value to the second device.

[0050] In some examples, the offset value is sent as part of the PEI configuration.

[0051] In some examples, the second device also performs the following: determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0052] In some examples, the second device also performs the following: if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, a second indication is sent, wherein the second threshold is determined based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0053] In some examples, the second device also performs the following: if the first indication will indicate that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device, then at least one first bit is set to "1".

[0054] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0055] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0056] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0057] According to a fifth aspect, a computer program product including a set of instructions is provided, which, when executed on a device, is configured to cause the device to perform any previously defined method.

[0058] According to a sixth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing a method comprising: receiving a paging early indication (PEI) configuration from a second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the second device including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by a first device; performing a first determination, at least in part based on the number of bits used in the DCI, regarding whether a first at least bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position; if the first determination is that the first at least bit should be determined based on a shift start bit position, then determining the first at least bit based on the shift start position, wherein the first at least bit includes the first indication; and determining, at least in part based on the first indication, whether a paging opportunity should be monitored.

[0059] The program instructions in the sixth aspect can also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in the third aspect.

[0060] According to a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, the method comprising: sending a paging early indication (PEI) configuration to a first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; sending downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging opportunity will be monitored by a second device; and sending a second indication to the first device based on a number of bits used in the DCI for determining a first at least one bit based on a shift start position, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0061] The program instructions in the seventh aspect can also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in the fourth aspect.

[0062] According to an eighth aspect, a first apparatus is provided in a mobile communication system, the first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least: receive a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receive downlink control information (DCI) from the second apparatus including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; perform a first determination, at least in part based on the number of bits used in the DCI, regarding whether a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position; if the first determination is that the first at least one bit should be determined based on a shift start bit position, then determine the first at least one bit based on the shift start position, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication; and determine, at least in part based on the first indication, whether to monitor a paging opportunity.

[0063] According to a ninth aspect, a second apparatus is provided in a mobile communication system, the second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; send downlink control information (DCI) to the first apparatus including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; and send a second indication to the first apparatus based on the number of bits used in the DCI for determining a first at least one bit based on the start position of a shift, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0064] The computer program instructions of the eighth aspect may also perform operations according to any of the foregoing method definitions of the third aspect.

[0065] The computer program instructions of the ninth aspect may also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned methods defined in the fourth aspect.

[0066] According to a tenth aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communication system, the first apparatus comprising: means for receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the second apparatus including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; means for receiving from the second apparatus a second indication including one or more of the following: information that a first at least bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least bit, wherein the first at least bit includes the first indication; means for determining the first at least bit based on the second indication; and means for determining whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0067] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for determining the start bit position of the shift based on an offset value to be applied to the first start bit position.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first device further includes a component for causing the first device to receive an offset value from the second device.

[0069] In some embodiments, the offset value is received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0070] In some embodiments, the offset value is determined by the second means based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0071] In some examples, the second indication also indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the following formula: ,in, Paging timing index of the first device (UE); The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device (UE); and i offset-r19 =Offset value.

[0072] In some examples, the second indication also indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0073] In some examples, the starting bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device to the order of the incremental valid bits of the DCI.

[0074] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for receiving a third instruction from the second device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0075] In some examples, the second indication is based at least in part on the determination of the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0076] In some examples, the second indication specifies that if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than the first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than the second threshold, then the first at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift.

[0077] In some examples, if at least one first bit is set to "1", the instruction also causes the first device to monitor the paging timing.

[0078] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0079] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0080] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0081] According to the eleventh aspect, this specification describes a second apparatus in a mobile communication system, the second apparatus comprising: means for transmitting a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; means for transmitting a PEI message to the first apparatus, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the second apparatus; and means for transmitting a second indication to the first apparatus including one or more of the following: information that a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0082] In some examples, the second device further includes a component for sending a third instruction to the first device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0083] In some examples, the second device also includes a component for sending offset values ​​to the second device.

[0084] In some examples, the offset value is sent as part of the PEI configuration.

[0085] In some examples, the second device further includes: a component for determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of subgroups of user equipment (UE) associated with paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0086] In some examples, the determination of the first at least one bit of the PEI message is based on the determination of a second indication that the position of the start bit of the shift is determined, and also on the determination that the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0087] In some examples, the second device further includes a component for setting at least one first bit to "1" if the first indication indicates that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0088] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0089] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0090] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0091] According to a twelfth aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first device in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the second device including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first device; receiving from the second device a second indication including one or more of the following: information that a first at least bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information on a shift start bit position for the first at least bit, wherein the first at least bit includes the first indication; determining the first at least bit based on the second indication; and determining whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0092] In some examples, the method further includes determining the start bit position of the shift based on the offset value to be applied to the first start bit position.

[0093] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving an offset value from a second device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the offset value is received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0095] In some embodiments, the offset value is determined by the second means based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0096] In some examples, the second indication also indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the following formula: ,in, Paging timing index of the first device (UE); The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device (UE); and i offset-r19 =Offset value.

[0097] In some examples, the second indication also indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0098] In some examples, the starting bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device to the order of the incremental valid bits of the DCI.

[0099] In some examples, the method further includes receiving a third indication from a second device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0100] In some examples, the second indication is based at least in part on the determination of the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0101] In some examples, the second indication specifies that if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than the first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than the second threshold, then the first at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift.

[0102] In some examples, the method also includes: monitoring the paging timing if at least one first bit is set to "1".

[0103] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0104] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0105] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or the trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0106] According to a thirteenth aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a second device in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: sending a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; sending a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging opportunity will be monitored by the second device; and sending a second indication to the first device including one or more of the following: information that a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0107] In some examples, the method further includes sending a third instruction to the first device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on the offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0108] In some examples, the method also includes sending an offset value to a second device.

[0109] In some examples, the offset value is sent as part of the PEI configuration.

[0110] In some examples, the method further includes determining the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0111] In some examples, the determination of the first at least one bit in the transmitted PEI message is based on a second indication that the position of the start bit of the shift is determined, and also on the determination that the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0112] In some examples, the method further includes setting a first at least one bit to "1" if the first indication will indicate that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0113] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0114] In some examples, PEI messages are included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0115] In some examples, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or trace reference signal (TRS) bits.

[0116] According to the fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including a set of instructions configured to, when executed on a device, cause the device to perform any of the methods defined in the twelfth or thirteenth aspect.

[0117] According to a fifteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing a method comprising: receiving a paging early indication (PEI) configuration from a second means, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the second means including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by a first means; receiving from the second means a second indication including one or more of the following: information that a first at least bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information on a shift start bit position for the first at least bit, wherein the first at least bit includes the first indication; determining the first at least bit based on the second indication; and determining whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0118] The program instructions in aspect fifteen can also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in aspect twelf.

[0119] According to a sixteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing a method comprising: sending a paging early indication (PEI) configuration to a first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; sending a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging opportunity will be monitored by a second device; and sending a second indication to the first device including one or more of the following: information that a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0120] The program instructions in the sixteenth aspect can also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in the thirteenth aspect.

[0121] According to a seventeenth aspect, a first apparatus is provided in a mobile communication system, the first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least: receive a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receive downlink control information (DCI) from the second apparatus including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; receive from the second apparatus a second indication including one or more of the following: information that a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information on a shift start bit position for the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication; determine the first at least one bit based on the second indication; and determine whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0122] According to the eighteenth aspect, a second apparatus is provided in a mobile communication system, the second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: send a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to a first apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; send a PEI message to the first apparatus, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the second apparatus; and send a second indication to the first apparatus including one or more of the following: information that a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position, or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication.

[0123] The computer program instructions of aspect seventeen can also perform operations according to any of the foregoing method definitions of aspect twelf.

[0124] The computer program instructions of aspect eighteen can also perform operations according to any of the foregoing method definitions in aspect thirteen.

[0125] According to a nineteenth aspect, this specification describes a first apparatus in a mobile communication system, the first apparatus comprising: means for receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second apparatus, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; means for determining, based on one or more conditions, whether a first at least one bit of the DCI including the first indication will be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position; means for determining, based on the shifted start bit position, the first at least one bit of the DCI if at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied; and means for determining, at least in part, whether to monitor a paging opportunity based on the first indication.

[0126] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI, the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing, the number of used bits in the DCI, and / or the number of free bits in the DCI.

[0127] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if po-NumPerPEI is less than or equal to a first threshold. In some examples, the first threshold is equal to four.

[0128] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups of UEs associated with the paging timing.

[0129] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame is less than or equal to two.

[0130] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) at each paging time. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) at each paging time is less than or equal to four.

[0131] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the product of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame and the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) per paging opportunity. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the product is less than or equal to sixteen.

[0132] In some examples, at least one of one or more conditions is satisfied if the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than or equal to sixteen. In some examples, one or more conditions are satisfied if a second indication indicating the determination of the first at least one bit based on the start bit position of the shift is received from a second device.

[0133] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for applying an offset value to a first start bit position to determine the start bit position of the shift if one or more conditions in the conditions are met.

[0134] In some examples, the first device also includes a component for receiving offset values ​​from the second device.

[0135] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for calculating the offset value based at least in part on the number of used bits in the DCI and / or the number of free bits in the DCI.

[0136] In some examples, the first device calculates the offset value based on information included in the System Information Block (SIB), which includes one or more of the following: Physical Control Channel Configuration (PCCH-Config) information elements, the number of subgroups for each paging opportunity, the number of subgroups identified by each User Equipment (UE), and / or a Tracking Reference Signal Availability Indication.

[0137] In some examples, the first device also includes a component for calculating the number of bits used based on the following equation: k = ns ( subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 + subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 ) + ( indBitID +1) in k = number of bits used ns=PCCH-Config information element; subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 = the number of subgroups for each paging event; subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 = the number of subgroups for each User Equipment (UE) identifier; and indBitID = Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) availability indicator.

[0138] In some examples, the offset value is equal to k+1.

[0139] In some examples, the first device further includes a component for determining the start bit position of the shift based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0140] In some examples, the start bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incrementing paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device in the order of the incrementing valid bits of the DCI. In some examples, the start bit position for the shift is determined based on the following formula: ,in maxDCI-2-7-Size-r17 = the total number of bits in DCI; UE paging timing index; The number of subgroups for each PO; and =UE's subgroup index.

[0141] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment and the second device is a base station (gNB) and / or a network node.

[0142] In some examples, the determination of whether to monitor the paging timing is based on a first indication.

[0143] According to a twentieth aspect, this specification describes a method performed at a first device in a mobile communication system, comprising: receiving a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first device; determining whether a first at least one bit of the DCI including the first indication will be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position of one or more conditions; determining the first at least one bit of the DCI based on the shifted start bit position; and determining whether to monitor a paging opportunity based at least in part on the first indication.

[0144] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI, the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing, the number of used bits in the DCI, and / or the number of free bits in the DCI.

[0145] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if po-NumPerPEI is less than or equal to a first threshold. In some examples, the first threshold is equal to four.

[0146] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups of UEs associated with the paging timing.

[0147] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame is less than or equal to two.

[0148] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) at each paging time. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) at each paging time is less than or equal to four.

[0149] In some examples, at least one of the conditions is based on the product of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame and the sum of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) per paging opportunity. In some examples, at least one of the conditions is satisfied if the product is less than or equal to sixteen.

[0150] In some examples, at least one of one or more conditions is satisfied if the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than or equal to sixteen. In some examples, one or more conditions are satisfied if a second indication indicating the determination of the first at least one bit based on the start bit position of the shift is received from a second device.

[0151] In some examples, the method further includes applying an offset value to a first start bit position to determine the start bit position of the shift if one or more conditions are met.

[0152] In some examples, the method also includes receiving an offset value from a second device.

[0153] In some examples, the method further includes calculating the offset value based at least in part on the number of used bits in the DCI and / or the number of free bits in the DCI.

[0154] In some examples, the first device calculates the offset value based on information included in the System Information Block (SIB), which includes one or more of the following: Physical Control Channel Configuration (PCCH-Config) information elements, the number of subgroups for each paging opportunity, the number of subgroups identified by each User Equipment (UE), and / or a tracking reference signal availability indication.

[0155] In some examples, the method also includes calculating the number of bits used based on the following equation: k = ns ( subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 + subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 ) + ( indBitID +1) in k = number of bits used ns=PCCH-Config information element; subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 = the number of subgroups for each paging event; subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 = the number of subgroups for each User Equipment (UE) identifier; and indBitID = Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) availability indicator.

[0156] In some examples, the offset value is equal to k+1.

[0157] In some examples, the method also includes: determining the starting bit position of the shift based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0158] In some examples, the start bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incrementing paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device in the order of the incrementing valid bits of the DCI. In some examples, the start bit position for the shift is determined based on the following equation: ,in maxDCI-2-7-Size-r17 = the total number of bits in DCI; UE paging timing index; The number of subgroups for each PO; and =UE's subgroup index.

[0159] In some examples, the first device is a user equipment and the second device is a base station (gNB) and / or a network node.

[0160] In some examples, the determination of whether to monitor the paging timing is based on a first indication.

[0161] According to the twenty-first aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including a set of instructions configured to cause a device to perform any of the methods defined in the twenty-first aspect.

[0162] According to a twenty-second aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing a method, the method comprising: receiving a paging early indication (PEI) configuration from a second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receiving downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by a first device; determining, based on one or more conditions, whether a first at least one bit of the DCI including the first indication will be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position; determining the first at least one bit of the PEI message based on the shifted start bit position; and determining, at least in part, whether a paging opportunity will be monitored based on the first indication.

[0163] The program instructions in aspect 22 may also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in aspect 20.

[0164] According to a twenty-third aspect, a first apparatus is provided in a mobile communication system, the first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least: receive a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration from a second apparatus, wherein the PEI configuration includes a number (po-NumPerPEI) of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI; receive downlink control information (DCI) from the second apparatus including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether a paging opportunity will be monitored by the first apparatus; determine, based on one or more conditions, whether a first at least one bit of the DCI including the first indication will be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position; determine, if at least one of the one or more conditions is satisfied, the first at least one bit of the DCI based on the shifted start bit position; and determine, at least in part, whether to monitor a paging opportunity based on the first indication.

[0165] The computer program instructions in aspect 23 may also perform operations according to any of the aforementioned method definitions in aspect 20. Attached Figure Description

[0166] Example embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0167] Figures 1 to 2 This is a block diagram of a system according to an example embodiment;

[0168] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the algorithm according to the example embodiment;

[0169] Figure 5 It is a message stream sequence according to an example embodiment;

[0170] Figure 6 This is an example message based on an example embodiment;

[0171] Figures 7 to 9 This is a flowchart of the algorithm according to the example embodiment;

[0172] Figure 10 These are schematic diagrams of systems that can be used to implement one or more example embodiments in the example embodiments; and

[0173] Figure 11 A tangible medium for storing computer-readable code is shown, which, when run by a computer, can perform methods according to the example embodiments described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0174] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of an example system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0175] System 10 illustrates a first device (such as user equipment (UE1) 11) and a second device (such as a base station or network node (gNB) 12). System 10 may include multiple UEs, such as another UE (UE2) 13.

[0176] As mentioned earlier, in 5G, paging is a mechanism by which the network alerts the User Equipment (UE) to incoming data, messages, or calls when the device is, for example, in RRC idle or inactive mode. This process allows the UE to remain in a low-power state, waking up only when relevant information from the network is available, thus conserving battery life. Early Paging Indication (PEI) is an early signal that informs the UE whether to monitor messages in an upcoming Page Item (PO), allowing the UE to monitor the next PO only if relevant messages are available, reducing the time they spend actively monitoring messages.

[0177] A gNB (such as the second device 12) can send a PEI to a subgroup of UEs (e.g., a subgroup including UE1 and UE2), where two UEs in a particular subgroup can monitor the paging if the subgroup to which the UE belongs is paging as indicated by the associated bits in the PEI. However, a paging indication in the PEI may only apply to the first of several UEs in the subgroup (e.g., the first device 11). However, if the paging indication in the PEI is sent to all UEs in the subgroup (e.g., all UEs assigned to the same subgroup and reading the paging indication from the same bits in the PEI), then (several) UEs other than the first device 11 can exit a low-power state to monitor the paging opportunity, even if the paging indication may not apply to them. Therefore, this can cause false paging alarms for UEs other than the first device 11. It is still necessary to reduce the false paging alarm rate.

[0178] The Early Paging Indication (PEI) message includes an early signal that informs UEs whether they should monitor for paging in an upcoming Page of Point (PO), allowing UEs to monitor the next PO and reducing the time they spend actively monitoring messages. This early indication further enhances power efficiency by using subgroups for each PO. For example, UEs belonging to a PO can be divided into four subgroups to further reduce the false paging alarm rate (i.e., a UE detects a paging downlink control information (DCI) but does not find its UE ID in the paging log).

[0179] As discussed in 3GPP Release 19, the Adaptive Paging Enhancement aims to reduce the number of distributed paging transmissions by tightly grouping paging opportunities from different UEs together in a timely manner. Clustering allows for longer cell sleep periods between paging transmissions and enables the network to allocate fewer distributed random access opportunities for UE responses (see below). Figure 2 (Discussed). Additionally, it allows the network to focus reference signal transmissions near these cluster paging times, ensuring the UE is ready to receive paging.

[0180] This involves extending the paging frequency (PF) interval, creating a larger interval between paging frames compared to traditional intervals. Each extended paging frame can accommodate more point of interest (POs), maintaining overall paging capacity. The maximum PF interval can be up to 32 radio frames (previously 16 radio frames). This doubling of the PF interval may require doubling the number of POs per PF as well (e.g., from up to 4 POs per PF to up to 8 POs per PF). Importantly, cluster paging timing may not affect paging latency because the cluster only modifies the distribution of POs within the existing paging cycle for the UE (version 19 UE), keeping the cycle duration unchanged. This approach allows legacy UEs (e.g., earlier versions) to continue operating under the original paging scheme, ensuring backward compatibility and preventing the need for "version 19 UE only" cells.

[0181] Version 19 of RP-234065 WID Objective: Time-Domain Paging Adaptation for Enhanced Network Energy Efficiency

[0182] The example implementation targets at least version 19 WID as specified in RP-234065. The work project includes the following objectives regarding paging adaptation in the time domain for network power saving:

[0183] RAN2 version 19 protocol

[0184] The following is the protocol for version 19 paging adaptation:

[0185] The following discussions and agreements were held in RAN2 #128 (November 2024) (based on the RAN2 #128 meeting report):

[0186] Key paging parameters

[0187] In TS 38.331, key parameters such as paging frame (PF) periodicity, paging timing (PO) for each PF, and early paging indication (PEI) configuration are defined as follows:

[0188] Currently, PEI can handle up to 4 POs per PF (and since the maximum value of po-NumPerPEI-r17 is 8, there are a total of 8 POs for 2 PFs). With the R19 RAN2 protocol increasing the number of POs per PF from 4 to 8, existing PEI configurations will need to be updated to support more than 4 POs per PF.

[0189] Paging and its parameters in 3GPP specifications

[0190] In version 38 304 V15.3.0, paging is interpreted as follows:

[0191] UE power saving and sub-packet mechanisms in 3GPP TS 38.331

[0192] In 3GPP TS 38.300, UE power savings for paging monitoring are explained in Chapter 9.2.5, covering CN-controlled sub-packets and UE ID-based sub-packets.

[0193] Monitoring early paging instructions

[0194] PEI DCI format 2_7 is defined in 38.212 and 38.213.

[0195] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a system according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 20.

[0196] Timeline 21 illustrates the conventional method, where the paging frame interval (e.g., between PF1 and PF2) is equal to 16 radio frames (ms). Currently, PEI can be configured to address up to 8 POs in 2 PFs or 4 POs in 1 PF. Furthermore, the number of PEI subgroups per PO is a maximum of 8. Additionally, according to TS 38.331, the maximum DCI size is 43 bits. Increasing the size to address 8 POs in 1 PF is undesirable, as this would then be undecodingable by a conventional UE.

[0197] Network Energy Saving (NES) scenarios assume low paging load. This implies that PFs may be sparse, and therefore addressing two consecutive PFs using a single PEI will result in a large PEI-PF time interval, which is detrimental to UE energy consumption. The reason is that a UE monitoring the PO associated with the second PF with the PEI will have to monitor the PEI sent before the first PF, and then wait for the full PF interval before it has to monitor its own PO.

[0198] Timeline 22 illustrates the extended paging frame interval, where the PF interval can be increased to at least 32 radio frames, while the number of POs per PF can be increased to at least 8. Therefore, in low-load scenarios, N_PO per PEI can be 4 instead of 8. If K(#subgroups) is not increased from 4 to 8, this leaves idle bits in the PEI DCI. Increasing K from 4 to 8 may not be feasible because it would require UE-specific RRC / NAS reconfiguration to assign new subgroups to the UE, compared to changing the PF interval when paging load changes (as indicated in SIB1).

[0199] Assuming there are 4 Points of Interest (POs) allocated to a traditional Power PF (Ns=4) and each PO has 4 subgroups (K=4), then the number of information bits used in the PEI DCI is 4. 4=16. In addition, if the TRS is configured for the RRC idle / inactive mode UE, TS 38.212 defines up to 6 bits allocated for the TRS availability indication.

[0200] In the example under consideration, this means that a total of 16+6 information bits are used, while there are 43-22=21 unused bits in the DCI. From the perspective of a traditional UE, these bits will be considered reserved (i.e., filled with random data) and will be ignored by the traditional UE.

[0201] UEs assigned to POs greater than 4 (Rev19 UEs) may need to share the same bits in the PEI with legacy UEs (legacy UEs can be assigned up to 4 POs per PF). This increases the false paging alarm rate, which is undesirable. The example embodiments described herein aim to reduce false paging alarms by utilizing some unused bits in the PEI DCI to transmit paging indications to v19 UEs, bits that would otherwise be considered spare / reserved by legacy UEs and sent by the network as padding bits.

[0202] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 30. The operation of algorithm 30 can be performed at a first device (such as user equipment (UE)) of a mobile communication system.

[0203] Algorithm 30 begins with operation 31, where the first device receives an Early Paging Indication (PEI) configuration from a second device (e.g., a base station / gNB). The PEI configuration may include the number of paging opportunities (POs) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). The number of paging opportunities for each PEI will be referred to herein as po-NumPerPEI.

[0204] Next, at operation 32, the first device receives downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second device. The PEI message may include a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0205] At operation 33, the first device performs a first determination regarding whether a first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position or a shifted start bit position. The first at least one bit may include a first indication indicating whether a paging timing will be monitored by the first device. This determination may be based at least in part on the number of bits already used in the DCI.

[0206] In one example, the first start bit position could be the bit position carrying the PEI according to conventional rules. For example, the first start bit position could be determined based on the equation: according to TS 38.213 .

[0207] In some example embodiments, if the number of used information bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, the first device may determine a first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift. It should be noted that this bit should be considered either an information bit or a free bit by a conventional UE. In some examples, the first threshold is based on payloadSizeDCI-2-7. In some examples, the number of free bits is derived based on the number of used bits and payloadSizeDCI-2-7. In some examples, the first threshold and / or the second threshold are included in the PEI configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the first threshold and / or the second threshold are standardized, such as by being specified in a version specification.

[0208] Next, if the first determination is that the first at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift, then operation 34 can be performed. In operation 34, the first device can determine the first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift. Operation 34 may optionally include determining the start bit position of the shift and / or receiving information associated with the start position of the shift from the second device.

[0209] In one example, the first device may receive a second instruction from the second device at optional operation 36 regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit (LSB) of the DCI. Alternatively or additionally, at optional operation 37, the first device may determine the starting bit position of the shift based on certain parameters associated with the PEI (such as po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or the Track Reference Signal (TRS) bit), or based on an offset value of the number of bits used in the DCI, or based on the LSB of the DCI.

[0210] At point 35, the first device determines whether to monitor the paging timing based at least in part on the first indication.

[0211] As previously indicated, the first device may be a user equipment (UE), and the second device may be a base station (gNB) or a network node.

[0212] In one example embodiment, the number of bits used is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups, and optionally based on the number of tracking reference signal bits.

[0213] In one example embodiment, the PEI message is included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0214] In one example embodiment, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used, including one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) bits. For example, the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups of the UE associated with the paging timing, and also on the total number of bits used for legacy information, including the TRS availability indicator bits.

[0215] For example, the start bit position of the shift can be included in the free bits of the DCI. For example, Rel-19 UEs are addressed using certain bits in DCI format 2_7 (i.e., the DCI used for PEI indication), and conventional UEs treat them as “spare” / “reserved” bits.

[0216] In one example, consider the reference. Figure 2In the example scenario described in timeline 22, if the PF interval is increased to at least 32 radio frames and the number of POs per PF is increased to at least 8, then po-NumPerPEI can be 4 in a low-load scenario. This leaves idle bits in the PEI DCI. Assuming 4 POs are allocated to a traditional PF (Ns=4) and each PO has 4 subgroups (K=4), then the bits used in the PEI DCI are 4. 4 = 16. Furthermore, TS 38.212 defines that up to 6 bits are allocated for the TRS availability indication. In the example considered, this means a total of 16 + 6 bits are used, while there are 43 - 22 = 21 unused bits in the DCI, which would be considered reserved (i.e., filled with random data) from the perspective of conventional UE PoV and would be ignored by the conventional UE. Thus, in operation 33, the first determination can indicate that if po-NumPerPEI is greater than 4 (e.g., greater than 8 according to conventional methods), then at least one bit should be determined based on a first start position, such that UE monitoring is consistent with having the same... The same bits as traditional UEs, i.e., based on TS 38.213. Alternatively, in operation 33, if If it is 4 or less, then the first determination can indicate that at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift. Thus, for example, if each PF is configured with 8 or more POs, those reserved bits in the DCI will be used for version 19 UE (and later).

[0217] If po-NumPerPEI is greater than 4 (i.e., 8 according to the current specification), then rel-19 UEs have the same... Traditional UEs monitor the same bits, i.e., based on TS 38.213. .

[0218] In one example embodiment, the first device determines the starting bit position of the shift based on the offset value.

[0219] For example, the offset value may be determined by the first device based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; and / or the number of bits allocated for Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) availability. Alternatively or additionally, the first device receives the offset value from the second device. In one example, the offset value may be received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0220] In one example, the first device determines the starting bit position of the shift based on the following formula: , in, The paging timing index of the first device (UE) (e.g., based on the equation in 38.213); The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device (UE); and =Offset value.

[0221] In an alternative example embodiment, the first device determines the start bit position of the shift based on the least significant bit (LSB) of the DCI (e.g., bit 43, i.e., the opposite start position compared to a conventional UE starting at MSB / bit 0). In this case, an explicit offset needs to be signaled. For example, the start bit position for the shift of the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device in the order of the incremental significant bits of the DCI. The UE can assume that the first subgroup i_SG=0 of the first version 19 PO is at the LSB (i.e., bit 43) of the DCI. LSB+1 (i.e., bit 42) can then be used for the second subgroup of the first PO, and so on. If the number of subgroups is 1, then LSB+1 will be mapped to the second PO. The equations applied can be: The starting bit position of the shift = ,

[0222] In one example embodiment, the first device receives (e.g., operation 36) a second instruction from the second device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on the offset value or based on the least significant bit (LSB) of the DCI.

[0223] In one example embodiment, if at least one first bit is set to "1", the first device monitors the paging timing.

[0224] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 40. The operation of algorithm 40 can be performed at a second device (such as a base station (gNB)) in a mobile communication system.

[0225] Algorithm 40 begins with operation 41, in which the second device sends a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to the first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI).

[0226] Next, at operation 42, the second device sends downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0227] Next, at operation 43, based on the number of used bits in the DCI, the second device sends a second indication to the first device for determining a first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift. The first at least one bit includes the first indication. In one example, if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, the second device sends a second indication for configuring the first device to determine the first at least one bit based on the start position of the shift. The second threshold may be determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0228] In one example, at optional operation 44, the second device may send a third instruction to the first device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on the offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0229] In one example, at another optional operation 45, the second device can send an offset value to the second device. For example, the offset value is sent as part of the PEI configuration.

[0230] In one example, the second device may determine the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; and the number of bits allocated for tracking the availability of the reference signal.

[0231] In one example, if the first indication would indicate that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device, then the second device sets at least one first bit to "1".

[0232] Figure 5 The message flow 50 is indicated generally by reference numeral 50 according to an example embodiment. Message flow 50 illustrates communication between UE 51 (e.g., a first device) and gNB 52 (e.g., a second device).

[0233] gNB 52 sends message 53 to UE 51 including PEI configuration, wherein the PEI configuration includes po-NumPerPEI. In some examples, the PEI configuration may also include an offset value (as described above), and / or an indication of whether the offset value should be applied, in order to determine a first at least one bit, which includes a first indication of whether the paging timing will be monitored.

[0234] In a first scenario (e.g., Rel-19 UE) where the number of used bits in the DCI including the PEI message is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, operations 54 and 56 can be performed, and PEI 55 can be sent to UE 51 by gNB 52. For example, the first scenario applies if po-NumPerPEI is less than or equal to 4.

[0235] At operation 54, UE 51 can determine that po-NumPerPEI is less than or equal to 4, and can then consider the starting bit position of the shift (e.g., apply an offset value and / or consider the LSB of the DCI) to determine the first at least one bit that will be monitored for PEI.

[0236] gNB 52 can send PEI 55 to UE 51, where PEI 55 may include information in idle bits (e.g., used for Rel19 UEs). In other words, the paging indication is included in one of the idle bits of the DCI that includes the PEI (rather than the used bits according to conventional rules). The associated idle bit of the DCI that includes the paging indication is equivalent to the start position of the shift as determined by UE 51 at operation 54.

[0237] At operation 56, UE 51 can determine whether to monitor paging opportunities based on the value of the idle bit (in the start bit position of the shift). For example, if the value is "1", UE 51 monitors paging opportunities.

[0238] In a second scenario (e.g., a conventional UE) where the number of used bits in the DCI including the PEI message is greater than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is less than a second threshold, operations 57 and 59 can be performed, and PEI 58 can be sent to UE 51 by gNB 52. For example, the second scenario applies if po-NumPerPEI is greater than 4.

[0239] At operation 57, UE 51 can determine that po-NumPerPEI is greater than 4, and can then consider the first start bit position (e.g., according to conventional rules) (e.g., without applying an offset value and without considering the LSB of the DCI) to determine that at least one bit will be monitored for the PEI. gNB 52 can send PEI 58 (with a format according to conventional rules) to UE 51, and UE 51 can determine whether to monitor the paging timing based on the value of the first start bit position (in the conventional part of the PEI) at operation 59.

[0240] In some example embodiments, if If it is 4 or less (i.e., PEI only addresses one traditional PF), then (version 19) the UE determines the start bit position to be monitored in DCI format 2_7 as follows: The start bit position is determined by adding an offset to the traditional equation. Defined as: , in, UE paging timing index (based on the equation in 38.213); The number of subgroups for each PO; = Subgroup index of UE

[0241] For example, the offset value can allow the number of bits occupied by traditional signaling (#PO, #subgroup, #TRS availability indicator bits) in the DCI to be taken into account, ensuring that the R19 UE uses only reserved bits in the DCI. In one example, the offset value can be explicitly signaled by the base station, for example, as part of the PEI configuration. Alternatively or additionally, the offset value can be implicitly calculated by the UE based on the number of bits occupied by traditional signaling (#PO, #subgroup, #TRS bits). In yet another example, the offset value can be hardcoded in the 3GPP specification, for example, taking into account a fixed number of POs, subgroups, and TRS bits in the PEI.

[0242] In one example, the base station (network node) can signal whether the UE should apply an offset value. For instance, if the UE is configured not to apply an offset value, then (version 19) the UE can be configured to determine the start position of the shift based on a mapping of bits from the least significant bit (LSB - bit 43) (i.e., the opposite start position compared to a conventional UE that starts from the most significant bit (MSB) - bit 0). In this case, the explicit offset does not need to be signaled.

[0243] In another example, the UE can proactively apply an offset based on satisfied conditions (e.g., the number of #POs assigned to traditional and rel.19+ UEs, the number of subgroups, and the number of free bits in the DCI). The UE can determine the specific bit in the PEI to be monitored based on its own POs. In one embodiment, the first 4 POs / PFs of the rel.19 UE are mapped to traditional bits in the DCI—using a traditional equation—while the remaining POs (at least 4) are mapped to free bits in the DCI (by applying...). (Parameters). Alternatively or additionally, all POs of the version 19 UE are mapped to idle bits. The following options can be considered: Option 1 - map some POs / PFs of the version 19 UE to traditional bits and map the remaining POs of the version 19 UE to idle bits; Option 2 - map all POs of the version 19 UE to idle bits, and this mapping can then be hardcoded according to standard specifications. If more than one option is adopted, the network (base station) can indicate (e.g., in the PEI configuration) which option should be applied by the UE. It should be understood that both the UE and the gNB should know (e.g., synchronize) which bits should be monitored by the UE in the PEI. Any discrepancies between the UE's configuration and the gNB's information on the relevant bits to be monitored can result in paging failures or erroneous paging alarms. In one example, different (version 19) UEs can be configured with a different number of subgroups for each PO to perform mapping.

[0244] Figure 6 This is an example message according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 60. Message 60 is an illustration of a PEI message in the DCI2_7 format. For example, bits 1-4 are associated with four subgroups associated with the first PO (PO #0), bits 5-8 with four subgroups associated with the second PO (PO #1), bits 9-12 with four subgroups associated with the third PO (PO #2), and bits 13-16 with four subgroups associated with the fourth PO (PO #3). Furthermore, one or more bits in bits 17-22 may optionally be associated with a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS). This allows the DCI to have at least 19 free bits (43 bits in total). Therefore, bits 23-43 can be considered as free bits monitored by the UE (version 19) in the PEI.

[0245] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 70. The operation of algorithm 70 can be performed at a first device (such as user equipment (UE)) of a mobile communication system.

[0246] The algorithm may begin at operation 71 (e.g., similar to operation 31), where the first device may receive a paging early indication (PEI) configuration from the second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI).

[0247] Next, at operation 72 (e.g., similar to operation 32), the first device can receive downlink control information (DCI) from the second device, including a PEI message, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0248] At operation 73, the first device may receive a second indication from the second device. The second indication may include one or more of the following: information that the first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position (e.g., the bit position carrying the PEI according to conventional rules) or a shift start bit position (e.g., the bit position from the free bit of the DCI); or information regarding the shift start bit position of the first at least one bit. As previously described, the first at least one bit includes a first indication of whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0249] In one example, the second indication is based at least in part on the determination of the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0250] In one example, if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, then the second indication indicates that at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift.

[0251] At operation 74, the first device may determine at least one bit based on the second indication. At operation 75, the first device may determine whether to monitor the paging timing based at least in part on the first indication.

[0252] In one example embodiment, the first device may determine the start bit position of the shift based on an offset value that will be applied to the first start bit position.

[0253] In one example, the offset value can be received from the second device (e.g., as part of the PEI configuration). The offset value can be determined by the second device based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or the number of bits allocated for the availability of the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0254] In one example embodiment, the second indication also indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined (e.g., by the first device) based on the following formula: , in, UE paging timing index (based on the equation in 38.213); The number of subgroups for each PO; = Subgroup index of UE

[0255] In another example embodiment, the second indication further indicates that the start bit position of the shift will be determined based on the least significant bit of the DCI. For example, the start bit position of the shift for the first device is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first device and / or the subgroup index of the first device to the order of the incremental significant bits of the DCI.

[0256] In one example embodiment, the first device may receive a third instruction from the second device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0257] In one example, if at least one bit is set to "1", the first device can monitor the paging timing.

[0258] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 80. The operation of algorithm 80 can be performed at a second device (such as a base station (gNB)) in a mobile communication system.

[0259] Algorithm 80 begins with operation 81, in which the first device sends a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to the first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI).

[0260] Next, at operation 82, the second device sends downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0261] At operation 83, the second device sends a second instruction to the first device. The second instruction may include one or more of the following: information that the first at least one bit should be determined based on a first start bit position (e.g., the bit position carrying the PEI according to conventional rules) or the start bit position of a shift (e.g., the bit position of a free bit from the DCI); or information regarding the start bit position of a shift for the first at least one bit. For example, the first at least one bit includes the first instruction. For example, the second device may indicate to the first device (UE) whether a shift should be applied to monitor the PO, or whether the first bit position according to conventional rules should be monitored for that PO. Alternatively or additionally, the second device may simply inform the first device of the relevant bit, i.e., the start bit position of the shift (e.g., assuming conventional rules should not apply).

[0262] In one example embodiment, at optional operation 84, the second device may send a third indication to the first device regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI. As described above, there can be at least two ways to determine the starting bit position of the shift, including calculating or determining an offset value, or mapping the LSBs of the DCI.

[0263] In one example embodiment, at optional operation 85, the second device may send an offset value to the first device (e.g., as part of the PEI configuration) (e.g., in a scenario where the start bit position of the shift will be determined based on the offset value).

[0264] In one example embodiment, the second device may determine the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; and the number of bits allocated for the availability of the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS).

[0265] In one example embodiment, if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of spare bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, the second device may indicate in a second indication that at least one bit of the PEI message will be determined based on the start bit position of the shift. For example, the second threshold may be determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0266] In an example embodiment, if the first indication indicates that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device, the second device may set the first at least one bit to "1", and / or if the first indication indicates that the paging timing does not need to be monitored by the first device, the first at least one bit may be set to "0".

[0267] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of an algorithm according to an example embodiment, generally indicated by reference numeral 90. The operation of algorithm 90 can be performed at a first device (such as user equipment (UE)) of a mobile communication system.

[0268] Algorithm 90 begins with operation 91 (e.g., similar to operation 31), where the first device receives an Early Paging Indication (PEI) configuration from a second device (e.g., a base station / gNB). The PEI configuration may include the number of paging opportunities (POs) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI).

[0269] Next, at operation 92 (e.g., similar to operation 32), the first device receives downlink control information (DCI) including a PEI message from the second device. The PEI message may include a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0270] At operation 93, the first device determines, based on one or more conditions, whether the first at least one bit of the DCI, including the first indication, will be determined based on a first start bit position or a shift start bit position. In one example, the first start bit position may be the bit position carrying the PEI according to conventional rules. In one example, the determination of whether the conditions are met can be performed at the UE without input from the gNB (e.g., the UE autonomously decides whether to consider the shift start bit position).

[0271] Operation 94 can be performed if at least one of one or more conditions is met, wherein the first means can determine the first at least one bit of the DCI based on the position of the start bit of the shift.

[0272] At operation 95, the first device determines whether to monitor the paging timing based at least in part on the first indication.

[0273] In one example embodiment, at least one of the one or more conditions may be based on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI, the number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing, the number of used bits in the DCI, and / or the number of idle bits in the DCI. For example, at least one of the one or more conditions can be satisfied if po-NumPerPEI is less than or equal to a first threshold. In one example, the first threshold is equal to four. Thus, if the PEI-Config-r17 information element po-NumPerPEI If the value is less than or equal to 4, then the condition can be satisfied.

[0274] In another example embodiment, at least one of the conditions is based on the product of po-NumPerPEI and the number of subgroups of the UE associated with the paging timing. For example, the product could be an indication of the number of bits used (e.g., the number of bits used could be determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups, and optionally based on the number of tracking reference signal bits). For example, if the product is smaller than a threshold, at least one of the conditions can be satisfied.

[0275] In one example embodiment, at least one of the conditions is based on the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame. For example, Ns may be included in the Physical (Downlink) Control Channel Configuration Information Element (PCCH-Config Information Element). In one example, if the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame is less than or equal to two (PCCH-Config Information Element...), then... ns If <= 2), then at least one of the conditions is satisfied.

[0276] In one example embodiment, at least one of the one or more conditions is based on the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) for each paging timing. subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 The number of subgroups controlled by the User Equipment ID (UE ID) for each paging opportunity ( subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 The sum of the values ​​of the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) and the number of subgroups controlled by the user equipment identifier (UE ID) for each paging time is less than or equal to four. For example, if the sum of these values ​​is less than or equal to four, then at least one of the conditions is satisfied. Thus, if... subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 and subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 If the sum is less than or equal to 4, then the condition can be satisfied.

[0277] In one example embodiment, at least one of one or more conditions is based on the value of the number of paging opportunities (Ns) per paging frame and the number of subgroups controlled by the core network (CN) per paging opportunity (Ns). subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 The number of subgroups controlled by the User Equipment ID (UE ID) for each paging opportunity. subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 The product of the values ​​of the sums of ns. For example, if the value of the product is less than or equal to sixteen, then at least one of the conditions is satisfied. Thus, if ns If the product of (subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 + subgroupsNumForUEID-r17) is less than or equal to 16, then the condition can be satisfied.

[0278] In one example embodiment, at least one of one or more conditions is satisfied if the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than or equal to sixteen. In some examples, the number of free bits is derived based on the number of bits used and payloadSizeDCI-2-7.

[0279] In some examples, if a second indication, which determines at least one bit based on the start bit position of the shift, is received from a second device, then one or more conditions are met. Thus, instead of the first device determining whether any of the aforementioned conditions are met (e.g., the PEI-Config-r17 information element...),... po-NumPerPEI <=4; PCCH-Config information element ns <=2; subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 and subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 The sum is less than or equal to 4; ns If the product of (subgroupsNumPerPO-r17+subgroupsNumForUEID-r17) is <= 16; and the number of free bits is > 16, then the first device considers at least one condition to be satisfied if the second instruction is received from the second device.

[0280] In one example embodiment, if one or more of the conditions are met, the first device may apply an offset value to a first start bit position to determine the start bit position of the shift. The first device may receive the offset value from the second device. Alternatively or additionally, the first device may (implicitly) calculate the offset value based at least in part on the number of used bits in the DCI and / or the number of free bits in the DCI. For example, the first device may calculate the offset value based on information included in the System Information Block (SIB), including one or more of the following: Physical Control Channel Configuration (PCCH-Config) information elements, the number of subgroups per paging time, the number of subgroups identified by each User Equipment (UE), and / or a Tracking Reference Signal Availability Indicator.

[0281] In one example embodiment, the first device may calculate the number of bits used based on the following equation: k = ns ( subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 + subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 ) + ( indBitID +1) in k = the number of bits used; ns = PCCH-Config information element ns (number of POs per PF); subgroupsNumPerPO-r17 = the number of subgroups controlled by CN for each paging event; subgroupsNumForUEID-r17 = the number of subgroups controlled by the UE_ID of each User Equipment (UE) identifier; and indBitID = Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) Availability Indicator ( SIB17 Information Element indBitID-r17 ( or SIB17-bit indBitID-r18 ).

[0282] In one example, the offset value is equal to k+1.

[0283] In one example embodiment, the first device may determine the start bit position of the shift based on the least significant bit of the DCI. The UE may assume that the first subgroup i_SG of the first version 19 PO is 0 at the LSB (i.e., bit 43) of the DCI. LSB+1 (i.e., bit 42) can then be used for the second subgroup of the first PO, and so on. If the number of subgroups is 1, then LSB+1 will be mapped to the second PO. For example, the start bit position of the shift for the first device is based on the mapping of the first device's incrementing paging timing index and / or the first device's subgroup index in the order of the incrementing significant bits of the DCI. Thus, for example, the start bit position of the shift is determined based on the following: DCI bit position ,in maxDCI-2-7-Size-r17 = the total number of bits in DCI; UE paging timing index (based on the equation in 38.213); The number of subgroups for each PO; and =UE's subgroup index.

[0284] In some examples, if the PEI in the idle bits indicates that the UE does not need to monitor paging, then the UE may not monitor paging. In some examples, the UE monitors paging based on its power consumption measurements, because PDCCH monitoring may consume more power than an RRC idle / inactive UE would consume in sleep / inactive mode. If the PEI in the idle bits indicates that the UE should monitor paging, while the conventional bits do not indicate that the UE should monitor paging, then the UE may still monitor paging.

[0285] Example device

[0286] Figure 10An apparatus according to some example embodiments is illustrated, which may include a user terminal 100. The user equipment may be, for example, a smartphone or other terminal device. The apparatus may be configured to perform the operations described herein, such as those described with reference to any disclosed process. The apparatus includes at least one processor 102 and at least one memory 104 directly or closely connected to the processor. The memory 104 includes at least one random access memory (RAM) and at least one read-only memory (ROM). Computer program code (software) 105 is stored in the ROM. The apparatus may be connected to a transmitter (TX) and a receiver (RX). The apparatus may optionally be connected to a user interface (UI) for instructing means and / or for outputting data. At least one processor 102, together with at least one memory 104 and computer program code 105, is arranged such that the apparatus performs at least one method according to any of the foregoing processes, such as those described above. Figures 3 to 5 , Figures 7 to 9 The flowcharts and message sequences, along with their associated characteristics, are disclosed.

[0287] Figure 11 A non-transitory medium 110 is shown according to some embodiments. The non-transitory medium 150 is a computer-readable storage medium. It may be, for example, a CD, DVD, USB flash drive, Blu-ray disc, etc. The non-transitory medium 150 stores computer program code that causes a device to perform any of the aforementioned processes, as disclosed with respect to the flowcharts and related features.

[0288] The names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on the current standard. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and / or protocols and / or methods may differ, as long as they provide the corresponding functionality. For example, embodiments can be deployed in 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G networks and later generations of 3GPP, and can also be deployed in non-3GPP radio networks (such as WiFi).

[0289] Memory can be volatile or non-volatile. It may include, for example, RAM, SRAM, flash memory, FPGA block RAM, DCD, CD, USB memory stick, and Blu-ray disc.

[0290] Unless otherwise stated or made clear from the context, declaring two entities different means that they perform different functions. This does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each entity described in this specification may be based on different hardware, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same hardware. This does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each entity described in this specification may be based on different software, or some or all of the entities may be based on the same software. Each entity described in this specification may be represented in the cloud.

[0291] By way of non-limiting example, implementations of any of the foregoing blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods include implementations as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented in the cloud.

[0292] It will be understood that the content described above is what is currently considered to be the preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiment is given by way of example only, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0293] As mentioned above and repeated below, this disclosure also relates to the following exemplary embodiments.

[0294] Example 1. A first device in a mobile communication system, comprising: At least one processor; and At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive early paging indication (PEI) configuration from the second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (PO) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). The device receives downlink control information (DCI) from the second device. The DCI includes a PEI message, which includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device. Receive a second instruction from the second device, the second instruction comprising one or more of the following: The first at least one bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information regarding the start bit position of the shift of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes a first indication; Based on the second instruction, determine at least one bit of the first instruction; and The timing of paging is determined, at least in part, based on the first indication.

[0295] Example 2. The first apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to: determine the start bit position of the shift based on an offset value to be applied to the first start bit position.

[0296] Example 3. The first apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to: receive an offset value from the second apparatus.

[0297] Example 4. The first device according to claim 3, wherein the offset value is received from the second device as part of the PEI configuration.

[0298] Example 5. The first device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the offset value is determined by the second device based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; The number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or The number of bits allocated to track the availability of the reference signal.

[0299] Example 6. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second indication further indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the following formula: ,in: The paging timing index of the first device; The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device; and i offset-r19 =Offset value.

[0300] Example 7. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second indication further indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0301] Example 8. The first apparatus of claim 7, wherein the start bit position for shifting the first apparatus is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first apparatus and / or the subgroup index of the first apparatus in the order of the incremental valid bits of the DCI.

[0302] Example 9. A first apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions further cause the first apparatus to: receive from the second apparatus a third indication regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0303] Example 10. A first device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second instruction is at least in part based on the determination of the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0304] Example 11. A first apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second indication indicates that if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, then at least one first bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift.

[0305] Example 12. A first device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the instructions further cause the first device to: monitor paging timing if a first at least one bit is set to "1".

[0306] Example 13. A second device in a mobile communication system, comprising: At least one processor; and At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Send a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to the first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). Send a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the second device; and Sending a second instruction to the first device, the second instruction comprising one or more of the following: The first at least one bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information regarding the start bit position of a shift of at least one first bit, wherein the at least one first bit includes a first indication.

[0307] Example 14. The second apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions further cause the second apparatus to send a third indication to the first apparatus regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

[0308] Example 15. The second apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the second apparatus to send an offset value to the second apparatus.

[0309] Example 16. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the offset value is transmitted as part of the PEI configuration.

[0310] Example 17. A second device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the instructions further cause the second device to: determine the offset value based at least in part on one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI; The number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or The number of bits allocated to track the availability of the reference signal.

[0311] Example 18. A second apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the determination of the first at least one bit of the PEI message to be transmitted is based on the determination of a second indication that the start bit position of the shift is determined, and also based on the determination that the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is determined based on the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

[0312] Example 19. A second device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the instructions further cause the second device to set a first at least one bit to "1" if the first indication will indicate that the paging timing will be monitored by the first device.

[0313] Example 20. A first device and a second device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is a user equipment (UE) and the second device is a base station (gNB).

[0314] Example 21. The first and second apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the PEI message is included in downlink control information (DCI) format 2_7.

[0315] Example 22. The first and second apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 20, wherein the number of bits used in the DCI is based on the total number of bits used of one or more of the following: po-NumPerPEI-r17, subgroupConfig-r17, and / or Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) bits.

[0316] Example 23. A method performed at a first device of a mobile communication device, the method comprising: Receive early paging indication (PEI) configuration from the second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (PO) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). The device receives downlink control information (DCI) from the second device. The DCI includes a PEI message, which includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device. Receive a second instruction from the second device, the second instruction comprising one or more of the following: The first at least one bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information regarding the start bit position of the shift of the first at least one bit; wherein the first at least one bit includes a first indication; Based on the second instruction, determine at least one bit of the first instruction; and The timing of paging is determined, at least in part, based on the first indication.

[0317] Example 24. A method performed at a second device of a mobile communication device, the method comprising: Send a Paging Early Indication (PEI) configuration to the first device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (POs) to be associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). Send a PEI message to the first device, wherein the PEI message includes a first indication as to whether the paging timing will be monitored by the second device; and Sending a second instruction to the first device, the second instruction comprising one or more of the following: The first at least one bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information on the start bit position for shifting the first at least one bit; wherein the first at least one bit includes a first indication.

Claims

1. A first device, the first device being in a mobile communication system, the first device comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive early paging indication (PEI) configuration from the second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (PO) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). The device receives downlink control information (DCI) from the second device, the DCI including PEI messages, wherein the PEI messages include a first indication of whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device. Receive a second instruction from the second device, the second instruction including one or more of the following: The first at least bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information regarding the start bit position of the shift of the first at least one bit, wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication; Based on the second instruction, determine the first at least one bit; and Whether to monitor the paging timing is determined at least in part based on the first indication.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instruction further causes the first apparatus to: determine the start bit position of the shift based on an offset value to be applied to the first start bit position, and the instruction further causes the first apparatus to: receive the offset value from the second apparatus, wherein the offset value is received from the second apparatus as part of the PEI configuration.

3. The first device according to claim 2, wherein the offset value is determined by the second device based at least in part on one or more of the following: The po-NumPerPEI; The number of user equipment (UE) subgroups associated with the paging timing; or The number of bits allocated to track the availability of the reference signal.

4. The first apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second indication further indicates that the starting bit position of the shift will be determined based on the following formula: ,in: The paging timing index of the first device; The number of subgroups for each paging opportunity; = Subgroup index of the first device; and i offset-r19 =Offset value.

5. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second indication further indicates that: the start bit position of the shift will be determined based on the least significant bit of the DCI, and wherein the start bit position of the shift for the first apparatus is based on a mapping of the incremental paging timing index of the first apparatus and / or the subgroup index of the first apparatus in the order of the incremental significant bits of the DCI.

6. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instruction further causes the first apparatus to: receive from the second apparatus a third indication regarding whether the starting bit position of the shift should be determined based on an offset value or based on the least significant bit of the DCI.

7. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second indication is at least in part based on the determination of the product of poNumPerPEI and the number of subgroups.

8. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second indication indicates that if the number of used bits in the DCI is less than a first threshold and / or the number of free bits in the DCI is greater than a second threshold, then the first at least one bit should be determined based on the start bit position of the shift.

9. The first apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instruction further causes the first apparatus to: monitor the paging timing if the first at least one bit is set to "1".

10. A method performed at a first means of a mobile communication device, the method comprising: Receive early paging indication (PEI) configuration from the second device, wherein the PEI configuration includes the number of paging opportunities (PO) associated with a PEI (po-NumPerPEI). The device receives downlink control information (DCI) from the second device, the DCI including PEI messages, wherein the PEI messages include a first indication of whether the paging timing will be monitored by the first device. Receive a second instruction from the second device, the second instruction including one or more of the following: The first at least bit should be determined based on information that either the position of the first start bit or the position of the start bit of the shift is determined; or Information regarding the start bit position of the shift of the first at least one bit; wherein the first at least one bit includes the first indication; Based on the second instruction, determine the first at least one bit; and Whether to monitor the paging timing is determined at least in part based on the first indication.

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