Network energy saving techniques for minimizing paging transmissions

Abstract

Various aspects of this disclosure relate to determining (1002) whether a UE is permitted access to a first cell associated with a first frequency layer, and, in response to the determination that the UE is permitted access to the first cell, receiving (1004) broadcast information including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer. Various aspects of this disclosure may relate to retuning (1006) a receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on a next paging opportunity associated with the second cell, and retuning (1008) a receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity. Various aspects of this disclosure may relate to initiating (1010) a connection to the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, to network energy-saving techniques achieved by minimizing paging transmissions. Background Technology

[0002] A wireless communication system may include one or more network communication devices (which may be referred to as network devices (NEs)) that support wireless communication with one or more user communication devices, which may also be referred to as user equipment (UEs) or other suitable terms. The wireless communication system can support wireless communication with one or more user communication devices by utilizing the resources of the wireless communication system (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, time slots, subframes, frames, etc.) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers, etc.)). Furthermore, the wireless communication system can support wireless communication across various radio access technologies (RATs), including third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and other suitable RATs beyond 5G (e.g., 5G Advanced (5G-A), sixth-generation (6G)). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The article "a" preceding an element is unrestricted and should be understood to refer to "at least one" or "one or more" of these elements. The terms "a," "at least one," "one or more," and "at least one of one or more" are interchangeable. As used herein, including in claims, the use of "or" in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with phrases such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of..." or "one or both of...") indicates an inclusive list, such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C represents A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step described as "based on condition A" could be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on." Furthermore, as used herein, including in claims, "set" can include one or more elements.

[0004] A UE for wireless communication is described. The UE may be configured, capable of, or operable to: determine whether the UE is permitted to access a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; receive broadcast information from the first cell in response to the determination that the UE is permitted to access the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; retune a receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on a next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; retune a receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; and initiate a connection with the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

[0005] A processor for wireless communication is described. The processor may be configured, capable of, or operable to: determine whether a UE is permitted access to a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; receive broadcast information from the first cell in response to the determination that the UE is permitted access to the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; retun a receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on a next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; retun a receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; and initiate a connection with the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

[0006] A method for wireless communication, performed or executable by a UE, is described. The method may include: determining whether the UE is permitted access to a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; receiving broadcast information from the first cell in response to the determination that the UE is permitted access to the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; retuning a receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on a next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; retuning the receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; and initiating a connection with the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

[0007] A base station for wireless communication is described. The UE can be configured, enabled, or operable to: transmit cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; transmit broadcast information on the first cell including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; transmit paging messages to the UE via the second cell; receive paging response messages from the UE via the first cell; and establish a connection with the UE via the first cell.

[0008] A processor for wireless communication is described. The processor may be configured, capable of, or operable to: transmit cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; transmit broadcast information on the first cell including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; transmit a paging message to a UE via the second cell; receive a paging response message from the UE via the first cell; and establish a connection with the UE via the first cell.

[0009] A method for wireless communication, performed or executable by a UE, is described. The method may include transmitting cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; transmitting broadcast information on the first cell including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; transmitting a paging message to the UE via the second cell; receiving a paging response message from the UE via the first cell; and establishing a connection with the UE via the first cell. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 Examples of wireless communication systems according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0011] Figure 2 An example of a protocol stack according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example of cells superimposed on different frequency layers according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 An example of a process for radio frequency (RF) retuning between cells on different frequency layers is illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 5 The illustration shows a main information block (MIB) containing call blocking information according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 6 An example of a paging process using cells on different frequency layers is illustrated according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 Examples of UEs according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0017] Figure 8 Examples of processors according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0018] Figure 9 Examples of NEs according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated.

[0019] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a UE according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 11 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by an NE according to various aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Generally, this disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for cell measurements in network energy-efficient cells. In some embodiments, these methods can be performed using computer-executable code embedded in a computer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the apparatus or system may include a computer-readable medium containing computer-readable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus or system to perform at least a portion of the solutions described below.

[0022] Emissions and energy consumption from various components of the telecommunications system are detrimental to the climate. Synchronization signaling and physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) transmissions are necessary for initial access to the radio access network, but lead to significant network energy consumption. Furthermore, these SS / PBCH transmissions waste energy when no UE is attempting to access the cell.

[0023] Furthermore, the operating costs of telecommunications services are substantial. In the telecommunications sector, several industry-specific factors rooted in addressing rising network costs further impact efficiency efforts. Mobile data services continue to grow, projected to reach 6.4 gigabytes (GB) per user per month in 2019, and are expected to triple over the next five years. Combined with rising spectrum, capital investment, and ongoing radio access network (RAN) maintenance and / or upgrade costs, energy-saving measures in network operations are necessary, not optional.

[0024] Compared to previous generations of mobility, 5G NR offers significant energy efficiency improvements per gigabyte. However, new 5G use cases and the adoption of mmWave will require more sites and antennas. This leads to the prospect of more efficient networks, which, paradoxically, could result in higher emissions without proactive intervention.

[0025] Research on network energy efficiency in NR demonstrates the necessity of energy conservation. Network energy efficiency is crucial for environmental sustainability, reducing environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions), and saving operating costs. As 5G becomes more prevalent across industries and geographic regions, and more advanced services and applications requiring very high data rates (e.g., extended reality (XR) services and applications) are being processed, networks are becoming denser, using more antennas, greater bandwidth, and more frequency bands. The environmental impact of 5G needs to be controlled, and new solutions need to be developed to improve network energy efficiency.

[0026] Energy consumption has become a critical component of operators' operating costs. According to some reports, energy costs for mobile networks account for approximately 23% of operators' total costs. The majority of energy consumption comes from the radio access network, particularly from active antenna units (AAUs), with data centers and fiber optic transmission accounting for an even larger share. The power consumption of radio access can be broken down into two parts: a dynamic portion consumed only when data transmission / reception is in progress, and a static portion consumed even when data transmission / reception is not in progress to maintain the necessary operation of the radio access equipment.

[0027] Although 3GPP has defined UE power consumption models, research and development are needed specifically for base station network power consumption models, key performance indicators (KPIs), evaluation methods, and network power-saving technologies for identifying and studying target deployment scenarios. This research investigates how to leverage potential support / feedback from UEs, potential UE assistance information, and information exchange / coordination at network interfaces to dynamically and / or semi-statically achieve more efficient operation and finer-grained transmission and / or reception adaptation using one or more network power-saving technologies in the time, frequency, spatial, and power domains.

[0028] 3GPP studies not only assess potential network power consumption gains, but also evaluate and balance the impact on network and user performance, for example, by looking at KPIs such as spectrum efficiency, capacity, user-aware throughput (UPT), latency, UE power consumption, complexity, handover performance, call drop rate, initial access performance, and service level agreement (SLA) guarantee-related KPIs.

[0029] The network consumes a significant amount of energy when transmitting the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) (i.e., containing the Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1)). In traditional 5G networks, System Information Blocks (SIBs) other than SIB1 can be provided on demand.

[0030] However, SSB and SIB1 transmissions are useful for cell identification, idle time, and connection mode mobility. The energy consumption from constant paging transmissions may be unnecessary, especially when the paged UE is actually rarely (or not) present in a cell designed to conserve energy.

[0031] To address the network energy consumption issues discussed herein, this disclosure describes UEs and network techniques for achieving network energy savings by minimizing paging transmissions. A simple option is to not transmit SSBs, thereby ensuring that there are no UEs in the cell that are in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle or inactive state, and therefore no paging transmission is required.

[0032] However, this option is suboptimal because it prohibits the UE from performing cell detection and camping, otherwise the UE might not have any cellular coverage. This option is also undesirable if all UEs camp on covered cells, thus increasing the load on the corresponding coverage layer.

[0033] In various embodiments, aspects of this disclosure optimize energy savings in the network by preventing / avoiding paging on a frequency layer (e.g., a first frequency layer). In such embodiments, the UE listens for paging on an associated second frequency layer, where the first and second frequency layers correspond to overlapping cells. In one embodiment, the corresponding UE switches (i.e., retunes the RF receiver chain) to the second frequency layer only to receive paging in a paging timing (PO) and / or paging frame (PF) determined according to broadcast parameters in the first cell. In another embodiment, the corresponding UE remains (i.e., camps) on the second frequency layer (and receives paging on the second frequency layer), but if an RRC connection needs to be established (e.g., due to paging of the UE), the UE quickly retunes to the associated cell on the first frequency layer and initiates a random access procedure (referred to as the "RACH procedure").

[0034] In another technique, the RAN allocates paging opportunities between two overlapping cells. In some embodiments, a ratio-based distribution can be used, whereby a UE in the coverage area of ​​the overlapping cells determines which of the two associated cells it should believe it is camped on and / or on which it should listen for paging. In one embodiment, the distribution is based on the UE identifier (UE_ID). In another embodiment, the distribution is based on a temporary identifier, such as a 5G Service Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier (5G-S-TMSI).

[0035] In another technique, a UE in an RRC idle state (or RRC inactive state) can be configured to notify the cell when it arrives at and leaves the cell. In some embodiments, this notification behavior can be controlled using appropriate indications in the serving cell's SIB1.

[0036] Various aspects of this disclosure are described in the context of wireless communication systems.

[0037] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system 100 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more NEs 102, one or more UEs 104, and a core network (CN) 106. The wireless communication system 100 may support various wireless access technologies. In some implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a 4G network, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network or an Advanced LTE (LTE-A) network. In some other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be an NR network, such as a 5G network, an Advanced 5G (5G-A) network, or a 5G Ultra Wideband (5G-UWB) network.

[0038] In other implementations, the wireless communication system 100 may be a combination of 4G and 5G networks, or other suitable wireless access technologies, including IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20. The wireless communication system 100 may support wireless access technologies other than 5G, such as 6G. Furthermore, the wireless communication system 100 may support technologies such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDMA), or Code Division Multiplexing (CDMA).

[0039] One or more NEs 102 may be distributed throughout a geographic area to form a wireless communication system 100. The one or more NEs 102 described herein may be, include, or may be referred to as a network node, base station, network element, network function, network entity, RAN, NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), or other suitable terms. NEs 102 and UEs 104 may communicate via a communication link, which may be a wireless or wired connection. For example, NEs 102 and UEs 104 may perform wireless communication (e.g., receive signaling, transmit signaling) via a Uu interface.

[0040] NE 102 can provide a geographic coverage area, and NE 102 can support the services of one or more UE 104s within that geographic coverage area. For example, NE 102 and UE 104 can support wireless communication of signals associated with services (e.g., voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasting, etc.) based on one or more radio access technologies. In some implementations, NE 102 can be mobile, for example, a satellite associated with a non-terrestrial network (NTN). In some implementations, different geographic coverage areas associated with the same or different radio access technologies can overlap, but different geographic coverage areas can be associated with different NE 102s.

[0041] One or more UEs 104 may be distributed throughout the geographic area of ​​the wireless communication system 100. UE 104 may include or be referred to as a remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, remote device, subscriber device, transmitter device, receiver device, or some other suitable term. In some implementations, among other examples, UE 104 may be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client, etc. Additionally or alternatively, UE 104 may be referred to as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, etc.

[0042] UE 104 can support direct wireless communication with other UE 104s via a communication link. For example, UE 104 can support direct wireless communication with another UE 104 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link. In some implementations, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) deployments, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) deployments, or cellular V2X deployments, the communication link may be referred to as a sidechain. For example, UE 104 can support direct wireless communication with another UE 104 via a PC5 interface.

[0043] NE 102 can support communication with CN 106, or with another NE 102, or both. For example, NE 102 can interface with other NE 102 or CN 106 via one or more backhaul links (e.g., S1, N2, N3, or network interfaces). In some implementations, NE 102 can communicate directly with each other. In some other implementations, NE 102 can communicate indirectly with each other (e.g., via CN 106). In some implementations, one or more NE 102 may include sub-components, such as access network entities, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). The ANC can communicate with one or more UE 104s via one or more other access network transport entities (which may be referred to as radio headends, intelligent radio headends, or transmit-receive points (TRPs)).

[0044] CN 106 can support user authentication, access authorization, tracking, connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. CN 106 can be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), which may include control plane entities that manage access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management functions (AMF)) and user plane entities that route packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). In some implementations, the control plane entities may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions, such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management (e.g., data bearers, signaling bearers, etc.) for one or more UEs 104 served by one or more NEs 102 associated with CN 106.

[0045] CN 106 can communicate with a packet data network via one or more backhaul links (e.g., via S1, N2, N3, or another network interface). The packet data network may include an application server. In some implementations, one or more UEs 104 can communicate with the application server. UE 104 can establish a session with CN 106 via NE 102 (e.g., a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, a PDN connection, etc.). CN 106 can use the established session (e.g., an established PDU session) to route services (e.g., control information, data, etc.) between UE 104 and the application server. A PDU session can be an example of a logical connection between UE 104 and CN 106 (e.g., one or more network functions of CN 106).

[0046] In the wireless communication system 100, NE 102 and UE 104 can use the resources of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., time resources (e.g., symbols, time slots, subframes, frames, etc.) or frequency resources (e.g., subcarriers, carriers)) to perform various operations (e.g., wireless communication). In some implementations, NE 102 and UE 104 can support different resource structures. For example, NE 102 and UE 104 can support different frame structures. In some implementations, such as in 4G, NE 102 and UE 104 can support a single frame structure. In some other implementations, such as in 5G and other suitable radio access technologies, NE 102 and UE 104 can support various frame structures (i.e., multiple frame structures). NE 102 and UE 104 can support various frame structures based on one or more parameter sets.

[0047] The wireless communication system 100 may support one or more parameter sets, and the parameter sets may include subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefixes. The first parameter set (e.g., μ=0) can be associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15kHz) and the normal cyclic prefix. In some implementations, the first parameter set (e.g., ) associated with the first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15kHz) is... μ =0) can utilize one time slot per subframe. The second parameter set (e.g., μ =1) can be associated with the second subcarrier spacing (e.g., 30kHz) and the normal cyclic prefix. The third parameter set (e.g., μ =2) can be associated with the third subcarrier spacing (e.g., 60 kHz) and a normal cyclic prefix or an extended cyclic prefix. The fourth parameter set (e.g., μ =3) can be associated with the fourth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 120 kHz) and the normal cyclic prefix. The fifth parameter set (e.g., μ =4) can be associated with the fifth subcarrier spacing (e.g., 240 kHz) and the normal cyclic prefix.

[0048] The time intervals of resources (e.g., communication resources) can be organized according to frames (also called radio frames). Each frame can have a duration, for example, 10 milliseconds (ms). In some implementations, each frame can include multiple subframes. For example, each frame can include 10 subframes, and each subframe can have a duration, for example, 1 ms. In some implementations, each frame can have the same duration. In some implementations, each subframe of a frame can have the same duration.

[0049] Alternatively or concurrently, the time intervals of resources (e.g., communication resources) can be organized according to time slots. For example, a subframe may include a certain number (e.g., quantity) of time slots. The number of time slots in each subframe may also depend on one or more parameter sets supported in the wireless communication system 100. For example, a first parameter set, a second parameter set, a third parameter set, a fourth parameter set, and a fifth parameter set (i.e., ...) associated with corresponding subcarrier intervals of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz. μ =0、 μ =1、 μ =2、 μ =3、 μ =4) can utilize one time slot per subframe, two time slots per subframe, four time slots per subframe, eight time slots per subframe, and 16 time slots per subframe, respectively.

[0050] Each time slot may include a certain number (e.g., quantity) of symbols (e.g., Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols). In some implementations, the number (e.g., quantity) of time slots in a subframe may depend on the parameter set. For a normal cyclic prefix, a time slot may include 14 symbols. For an extended cyclic prefix (e.g., for a 60kHz subcarrier spacing), a time slot may include 12 symbols. The relationship between the number of symbols per time slot, the number of time slots per subframe, and the number of time slots per frame for both normal and extended cyclic prefixes may depend on the parameter set. It should be understood that for a first parameter set (e.g., quantity) associated with a first subcarrier spacing (e.g., 15kHz), μ The reference of =0 can be used interchangeably between subframes and time slots.

[0051] In the wireless communication system 100, the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum can be divided into various categories, frequency bands, frequency channels, etc., based on frequency or wavelength. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can support one or more operating frequency bands, such as frequency range names FR1 (410MHz-7.125GHz), FR2 (24.25GHz-52.6GHz), FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz-114.25GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz-71GHz), and FR5 (114.25GHz-300GHz). In some implementations, NE 102 and UE 104 can perform wireless communication on one or more operating frequency bands. In some implementations, FR1 can be used by NE 102 and UE 104, along with other devices or apparatuses, for cellular communication services (e.g., control information, data). In some implementations, FR2 can be used by NE 102 and UE 104, along with other devices or apparatuses, for short-range, high data rate capabilities.

[0052] FR1 can be associated with one or more parameter sets (e.g., at least three parameter sets). For example, FR1 can be associated with the following: the first parameter set (e.g., μ =0), which includes a 15kHz subcarrier spacing; the second parameter set (e.g., μ =1), which includes a 30kHz subcarrier spacing; the third parameter set (e.g., μ =2), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 60 kHz. FR2 can be associated with one or more parameter sets (e.g., at least two parameter sets). For example, FR2 can be associated with the following: a third parameter set (e.g., μ =2), which includes a 60kHz subcarrier spacing; the fourth parameter set (e.g., μ =3), which includes a subcarrier spacing of 120kHz.

[0053] Wireless communication in unlicensed spectrum (also known as “shared spectrum”) offers several significant cost advantages compared to licensed spectrum, allowing communication to avoid overriding operator-licensed spectrum and instead use unlicensed spectrum in accordance with local regulations in a particular region. From the perspective of 3GPP technology, unlicensed operation can be performed on the Uu interface (called NR-U) or on a side link port (e.g., SL-U).

[0054] For initial access, UE 104 detects candidate cells and performs downlink (DL) synchronization. For example, a gNB (e.g., an embodiment of NE 102) can transmit SS / PBCH transmissions, referred to as synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). The synchronization signal is a predefined data sequence known to UE 104 (or can be derived using information already stored at UE 104) and is located at a predefined time position relative to frame / subframe boundaries, etc. UE 104 searches for SSBs and uses them to obtain DL timing information (e.g., symbol timing) for DL ​​synchronization. UE 104 can also decode system information (SI) based on the SSBs. Note that for beam-based communication, each DL beam can be associated with a corresponding SSB.

[0055] After performing DL synchronization and acquiring basic SIs (such as MIB and SIB1), UE 104 can perform uplink (UL) synchronization and resource requests. The PRACH preamble is transmitted during a random access channel (RACH) timing (i.e., a predetermined set of time-frequency resources available for receiving the PRACH preamble). Note that for beam-based communication, UE 104 can select a specific DL beam and transmit the PRACH preamble on the corresponding UL beam. In such an embodiment, a mapping may exist between SSBs and RACH timings to allow the network to determine which beam UE 104 has selected.

[0056] Regarding random access, 3GPP wireless communication networks support two types of RACH procedures: A) a 4-step random access (RA) type initiated by transmitting RACH message 1 (Msg1) and a 2-step RA type utilizing RACH message A (MsgA). Both types of RACH procedures support contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA).

[0057] When initiating a RACH procedure, UE 104 selects the RA type based on network configuration, for example. In one example, when CFRA resources are not configured, UE 104 uses a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) threshold to select between a 2-step RA type and a 4-step RA type. In another example, when CFRA resources for a 4-step RA type are configured, UE 104 performs random access with the 4-step RA type. In yet another example, when CFRA resources for a 2-step RA type are configured, UE 104 performs random access with the 2-step RA type.

[0058] Note that for the Bandwidth Part (BWP), the network does not configure CFRA resources for both 4-step and 2-step RA types simultaneously. Furthermore, CFRA with the 2-step RA type is only supported for handover.

[0059] The 4-step RA type Msg1 includes a preamble transmitted over PRACH. After Msg1 transmission, UE 104 listens for responses from the network within the configuration window. For CFRA, a dedicated preamble for Msg1 transmission is assigned by the network, and UE 104 terminates the random access procedure upon receiving a Random Access Response (RAR) from the network. For CBRA, upon receiving a RAR, UE 104 uses the UL grant scheduled in the RAR to transmit RACH message 3 (Msg3) and listens for contention resolution. If contention resolution fails after (multiple) Msg3 (re)transmissions, UE 104 returns to Msg1 transmission.

[0060] The two-step RA type MsgA includes a preamble on the PRACH and a payload on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). After the MsgA transmission, UE 104 listens for a response from the network within the configuration window. For CFRA, a dedicated preamble and PUSCH resources are configured for the MsgA transmission, and UE 104 terminates the random access procedure upon receiving a network response. For CBRA, if contention resolution is successful upon receiving a network response, UE 104 terminates the random access procedure; however, if a backoff indication is received in RACH message B (MsgB), UE 104 performs the Msg3 transmission using the UL grant scheduled in the backoff indication and listens for contention resolution. If contention resolution fails after (multiple) Msg3 (re)transmissions, UE 104 returns to the MsgA transmission.

[0061] If a random access procedure of type 2 RA is not completed after multiple MsgA transmissions, UE 104 can be configured to switch to CBRA of type 4 RA.

[0062] In 3GPP NR, a gNB can transmit up to 64 SSBs and up to 64 corresponding copies of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) for SIB1 delivery in high-frequency bands (e.g., 28 GHz). Even under very low traffic load conditions, this can lead to significant network energy consumption. According to 3GPP Technical Report (TR) 38.864 (v18.1.0), to conserve network energy, on-demand SSB and / or SIB1 (SSB / SIB1) transmission and cells without SSB / SIB1 transmission are considered. When a cell does not transmit SSB / SIB1, in order for UE 104 to access the cell, UE 104 should obtain the SI of that cell from other relevant carriers / cells and synchronize from other relevant carriers or cells. When a cell is in a long-term inactive state, UE 104 served by that cell can trigger SSB / SIB1 transmission by transmitting a request to that cell.

[0063] Figure 2 An example of a protocol stack 200 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. Although Figure 2 The diagram shows UE 206, RAN node 208, and 5GC 210 (e.g., including at least AMF), but these represent a group of UEs 104 interacting with NE 102 (e.g., a base station) and CN 106. As shown, protocol stack 200 includes user plane protocol stack 202 and control plane protocol stack 204. User plane protocol stack 202 includes a physical (PHY) layer 212, a media access control (MAC) sublayer 214, a radio link control (RLC) sublayer 216, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) sublayer 218, and a serving data adaptation protocol (SDAP) sublayer 220. Control plane protocol stack 204 includes PHY layer 212, MAC sublayer 214, RLC sublayer 216, and PDCP sublayer 218. Control plane protocol stack 204 also includes an RRC layer 222 and a NAS layer 224.

[0064] The Access Layer (AS) layer 226 (also referred to as the "AS protocol stack") of the user plane protocol stack 202 consists of at least SDAP, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers, and a physical layer. The AS layer 228 of the control plane protocol stack 204 consists of at least RRC, PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers, and a physical layer. Layer 1 (L1) includes the PHY layer 212. Layer 2 (L2) is split into the SDAP sublayer 220, the PDCP sublayer 218, the RLC sublayer 216, and the MAC sublayer 214. Layer 3 (L3) includes the RRC layer 222 and the NAS layer 224 for the control plane, and includes, for example, the Internet Protocol (IP) layer and / or the PDU layer (not shown) for the user plane. L1 and L2 are referred to as "lower layers," while L3 and above (e.g., transport layer, application layer) are referred to as "higher layers" or "upper layers."

[0065] PHY layer 212 provides a transport channel to MAC sublayer 214. PHY layer 212 can perform beam fault detection procedures using energy detection thresholds, as described herein. In some embodiments, PHY layer 212 can transmit an indication of a beam fault to the MAC entity at MAC sublayer 214. MAC sublayer 214 provides a logical channel to RLC sublayer 216. RLC sublayer 216 provides an RLC channel to PDCP sublayer 218. PDCP sublayer 218 provides radio bearers to SDAP sublayer 220 and / or RRC layer 222. SDAP sublayer 220 provides QoS flows to the core network (e.g., 5GC). RRC layer 222 provides the addition, modification, and release of carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity. RRC layer 222 also manages the establishment, configuration, maintenance, and release of signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs).

[0066] NAS layer 224 is located between UE 206 and the AMF in 5GC 210. NAS messages are transparently transmitted through the RAN. NAS layer 224 is used to manage the establishment of communication sessions and to maintain continuous communication with UE 206 when UE 206 moves between different cells in the RAN. In contrast, AS layers 226 and 228 are located between UE 206 and the RAN (i.e., RAN node 208) and carry information through the radio portion of the network. Although Figure 2 It is not shown in the figure, but the IP layer exists above the NAS layer 224, the transport layer exists above the IP layer, and the application layer exists above the transport layer.

[0067] MAC sublayer 214 is the lowest sublayer in the L2 architecture of the NR protocol stack. It is connected to the PHY layer 212 below via the transport channel and to the RLC sublayer 216 above via the logical channel. Therefore, MAC sublayer 214 performs multiplexing and demultiplexing between the logical channel and the transport channel: the transport-side MAC sublayer 214 constructs a MAC PDU (also known as a transport block (TB)) from the MAC Service Data Unit (SDU) received through the logical channel, and the receiver-side MAC sublayer 214 recovers the MAC SDU from the MAC PDU received through the transport channel.

[0068] MAC sublayer 214 provides data transmission services to RLC sublayer 216 through logical channels. These logical channels can be control logical channels carrying control data (e.g., RRC signaling) or service logical channels carrying user plane data. Conversely, data from MAC sublayer 214 is exchanged with PHY layer 212 through transport channels classified as UL or DL. Data is multiplexed into transport channels according to its over-the-air transmission mode.

[0069] PHY layer 212 is responsible for the actual transmission of data and control information via the air interface; that is, PHY layer 212 carries all information from the MAC transport channel through the air interface on the transmission side. Some of the important functions performed by PHY layer 212 include coding and modulation, link adaptation (e.g., adaptive modulation and coding (AMC)), power control, cell search and random access (for initial synchronization and handover purposes), and other measurements by RRC layer 222 (within 3GPP systems (i.e., NR and / or LTE systems) and between systems). PHY layer 212 performs transmission based on transmission parameters such as modulation scheme, coding rate (i.e., modulation and coding scheme (MCS)), number of physical resource blocks (PRBs), etc.

[0070] In some embodiments, protocol stack 200 may be an NR protocol stack used in a 5G NR system. Note that the LTE protocol stack includes a similar structure to protocol stack 200, except that the LTE protocol stack lacks the SDAP sublayer 220 in AS layer 226, EPC replaces 5GC 210, and NAS layer 224 is located between UE 206 and the MME in EPC. It should also be noted that this disclosure distinguishes between protocol layers (such as PHY layer 212, MAC sublayer 214, RLC sublayer 216, PDCP sublayer 218, SDAP sublayer 220, RRC layer 222, and NAS layer 224 described above) and transport layers (also referred to as "MIMO layers" or "data streams") in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication.

[0071] Regarding RRC states, 3GPP defines three different RRC states / modes for 5G NR: RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_CONNECTED. Initially, upon power-up, the UE is in the idle mode corresponding to the RRC_IDLE state. Before performing data transmission (including making phone calls), the UE must establish a connection with the network, which is done via the initial access procedure using the RRC connection establishment process. After the RRC connection is established, the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state. The RRC connection may be suspended due to inactivity, in which case the UE transitions to the RRC_INACTIVE state. The RRC connection is released via the RRC release procedure, and the UE transitions to the RRC_IDLE state.

[0072] Paging allows the network to reach UEs in the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states via paging messages, and to notify UEs in the RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_CONNECTED states of SI changes and Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) and / or Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) indications via short messages. Both paging messages and short messages are addressed using the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) on the PDCCH, but the former is transmitted on the Paging Control Channel (PCCH) (e.g., the DL logical channel), while the latter is transmitted directly on the PDCCH.

[0073] When in RRC_IDLE, the UE listens to the paging channel for CN-initiated paging. When in RRC_INACTIVE (without an ongoing Small Data Transmission (SDT) procedure), the UE listens to the paging channel for both RAN-initiated and CN-initiated paging. However, the UE does not need to continuously listen to the paging channel. Discontinuous Paging Reception (DRX) is defined, where a UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE only needs to listen to the paging channel during one paging opportunity (PO) in each DRX cycle. The paging DRX cycle is configured by the network.

[0074] For paging initiated by the CN, a default period is broadcast in the SI. For paging initiated by the CN, a UE-specific period can be configured via NAS signaling. For paging initiated by the RAN, a UE-specific period is configured via RRC signaling. The UE uses the shortest period among the applicable DRX periods; that is, a UE in RRC_IDLE uses the shortest period among the first two periods mentioned above, while a UE in RRC_INACTIVE uses the shortest period among the three periods.

[0075] The Page Points (POs) for UEs used for both CN-initiated and RAN-initiated paging are based on the same UE ID, causing PO overlap between the two. The number of different POs in a DRX cycle is configurable via SI, and the network can assign a UE to those POs based on the UE ID.

[0076] When in RRC_CONNECTED and when in RRC_INACTIVE during an ongoing SDT procedure, the UE listens for paging channels on any POs signaled in the SI for Common Warning System (PWS) notifications and SI change indications. In bandwidth-adaptive cases, the UE in RRC_CONNECTED only listens for paging channels on active BWPs with configured common search spaces.

[0077] For operations with shared spectrum channel access, the UE can be configured to listen for an additional number of PDCCH listening opportunities in its PO for paging. However, when the UE detects a PDCCH transmission within the PO of a UE addressed using P-RNTI, the UE does not need to listen for subsequent PDCCH listening opportunities within that PO.

[0078] Regarding the determination of paging timing in the UE, the UE can use DRX in the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states to reduce power consumption. The UE listens for one PO in each DRX cycle. A PO is a set of PDCCH listening opportunities and can consist of multiple time slots (e.g., subframes or OFDM symbols) in which paging downlink control information (DCI) can be transmitted. A paging frame (PF) is a radio frame and can contain one or more POs, or the start point of a PO.

[0079] In multi-beam operation, the UE assumes that the same paging message and the same short message are repeated in all transmission beams, and therefore the selection of the (multiple) beams used for receiving the paging message and short message depends on the UE implementation. For RAN-initiated paging and CN-initiated paging, the paging message is the same.

[0080] When the UE receives a paging message from the RAN, it initiates an RRC connection recovery procedure. If the UE receives a paging message from the CN while in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE moves to RRC_IDLE and notifies the NAS.

[0081] The PF and PO used for paging are determined by the following formula:

[0082] The PF's system frame number (SFN) is determined by the following formula: (SFN+PF_offset) mod T=(T div N) (UE_ID mod N)

[0083] The index (i_s) indicating the index of the PO is determined by the following formula: i_s = floor (UE_ID / N) mod Ns

[0084] PDCCH listening timing for paging is based on pagingSearchSpace and firstPDCCH- Monitoring OccasionOfPO and nrofPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO (If configured) to determine (e.g., as specified in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.331). When for pagingSearchSpace Configuration, available SearchSpaceId When =0, the PDCCH listening timing for paging is the same as the PDCCH listening timing for Residual Minimal System Information (RMSI).

[0085] When pagingSearchSpace Configuration SearchSpaceId When i_s = 0, Ns is either 1 or 2. For Ns = 1, there is only one PO in the PF starting from the first PDCCH listening time used for paging. For Ns = 2, the PO is in the first half-frame (i_s = 0) or the second half-frame (i_s = 1) of the PF.

[0086] When pagingSearchSpace Configured with all digits except 0 SearchSpaceId At that time, the UE listens to the (i_s+1)th PO. PO is 'S A set of X' consecutive PDCCH listening opportunities, where 'S' is based on SIB1 In ssb- PositionsInBurst The actual number of transmitted SSBs is determined, and X is... nrofPDCCH- MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO (If configured), otherwise equal to 1. The [x]th digit in the PO used for paging. The S+K]PDCCH listening timing corresponds to the Kth transmission SSB, where x=0, 1, ..., X-1, and K=1, 2, ..., S.

[0087] PDCCH listening timing for paging that does not overlap with UL symbols (according to) tdd-UL-DL- ConfigurationCommon And (the determined) numbering starts from zero, beginning with the first PDCCH listening time used for paging in the PF. When firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO When it exists, the starting PDCCH listening time number of the (i_s+1)th PO is firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO The (i_s+1)th value of the parameter; otherwise, it equals i_s. S X. If X>1, then when the UE detects a PDCCH transmission of a P-RNTI addressed to its PO, the UE does not need to listen for subsequent PDCCH listening opportunities of that PO.

[0088] Note that a PO associated with a PF can begin within or after the PF. Additionally, the PDCCH listening timing of a PO can span multiple radio frames. paging-SearchSpace Configured with all digits except 0 SearchSpaceId At that time, the PDCCH listening time of the PO can span multiple time periods in the paging search space.

[0089] The parameter T represents the UE's DRX period and is used in the calculation of PF and i_s mentioned above.

[0090] If the UE is not operating in eDRX, then T is determined by the shortest of (multiple) UE-specific DRX values ​​(if configured by RRC and / or upper layers, or provided in PC5-RRC signaling as in the case of an L2 UE-to-network (U2N) relay UE) and the default DRX value broadcast in SI. In RRC_IDLE state, if the UE-specific DRX is not configured by the upper layer, the default value is applied.

[0091] In the RRC_IDLE state, if the UE operates in eDRX and eDRX is configured by the upper layer, i.e., T eDRX,CN If T eDRX,CN If the length is no longer than 1024 radio frames, then T=T eDRX,CN Otherwise, during the paging time window (PTW) configured by the CN, T is determined by the shortest of the UE-specific DRX value (if configured by the upper layer) and the default DRX value broadcast in the SI.

[0092] In the RRC_INACTIVE state, if the UE is operating in eDRX and eDRX is configured by RRC (i.e., T...), eDRX,RAN ) and / or configured by the upper layer (i.e., T) eDRX,CN If T eDRX,CN and the T used eDRX,RAN If neither of them exceeds 1024 radio frames, then T = min{T} eDRX,RAN , T eDRX,CN However, if T eDRX,CN No longer than 1024 radio frames and T eDRX,RAN If not configured or used, T is determined by the UE-specific DRX value configured by RRC and T eDRX,CN The shortest one is used to determine the winner.

[0093] If T eDRX,CN Longer than 1024 radio frames, and if T eDRX,RANIf not configured or used, during CN-configured PTW, the value of T is determined by the shortest of (multiple) UE-specific DRX values ​​(if configured by RRC and / or upper layers) and the default DRX value broadcast in SI. Outside of CN-configured PTW, the value of T is determined by the UE-specific DRX value configured by RRC. Otherwise, if the T used... eDRX,RAN If the number of radio frames is not longer than 1024, then during the PTW configured by the CN, T is determined by the UE-specific DRX value (if configured by the upper layer) and T. eDRX,RAN And the shortest of the default DRX values ​​broadcast in SI. Outside of the PTW configured in CN, T is determined by T. eDRX,RAN Sure.

[0094] The parameter N represents the total number of paging frames in T and is used in the calculation of PF and i_s mentioned above. The parameter Ns represents the number of paging opportunities for PF and is also used in the calculation of PF and i_s mentioned above.

[0095] The parameter PF_offset represents the offset used to determine PF and is used in the calculation of PF and i_s mentioned above. The parameter UE_ID is used in the calculation of PF and i_s mentioned above. If the UE is operating in eDRX, then UE_ID = 5G-S-TMSI mod 4096. Otherwise, UE_ID = 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024.

[0096] parameter Ns , nAndPagingFrameOffset , nrofPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionPerSSB-InPO And the default DRX cycle length is SIB1 The signal is sent from the middle. The values ​​of N and PF_offset are from the parameters defined in TS 38.331. nAndPagingFrameOffset The parameters are derived from this. firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO exist SIB1 The signal is sent to notify the user for use in situations where... initialDownlinkBWP Paging is performed in the configured BWP. For those not paging by... initialDownlinkBWP Paging in DL BWP outside of the configured BWP, parameters first-PDCCH- Monitoring OccasionOfPO Send a signal notification in the corresponding BWP configuration.

[0097] If the UE does not have a 5G-S-TMSI, for example when the UE has not yet registered on the network, the UE should use the default identifier UE_ID=0 in the above PF and i_s formulas.

[0098] 5G-S-TMSI is a 48-bit bit string (as defined in 3GPP TS 23.501, for example). In the above formula, 5G-S-TMSI should be interpreted as a binary number, where the leftmost bit represents the most significant bit.

[0099] In the RRC_INACTIVE state, if the UE supports inactiveStatePO-Determination And the network broadcast value is "true". ranPagingInIdlePO If the condition is met, the UE will use the same `i_s` as the `RRC_IDLE` state. Otherwise, the UE will determine `i_s` based on the parameters and formulas described above.

[0100] In the RRC_INACTIVE state, if the eDRX value configured by the upper layer is no longer than 1024 radio frames, the UE should use the same i_s as in the RRC_IDLE state.

[0101] In the RRC_INACTIVE state, if the eDRX value configured by the upper layer is longer than 1024 radio frames, the UE will use the same i_s as in the RRC_IDLE state during the CN-configured PTW. Outside of the CN-configured PTW, the UE should use i_s in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0102] Regarding paging optimization for UEs in CM_IDLE (referring to the UE's Connection Management (CM) state), upon UE context release, the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) node can provide the AMF with a list of recommended cells and NG-RAN nodes as supplementary information for subsequent paging. The AMF can also provide paging attempt information consisting of the paging attempt count and the expected number of paging attempts, and may include the next paging area range. If the paging attempt information is included in the paging message, each paged NG-RAN node receives the same information during the paging attempt. The paging attempt count should increment by 1 with each new paging attempt. The next paging area range (if it exists) indicates whether the AMF plans to modify the currently selected paging area in the next paging attempt. If the UE has already changed its state to CM_CONNECTED, the paging attempt count is reset.

[0103] Regarding paging optimization for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE (referring to the UE's Connection Management (CM) state), during RAN paging, the serving NG-RAN node provides RAN paging area information. The serving NG-RAN node can also provide RAN paging attempt information. Each paged NG-RAN node receives the same RAN paging attempt information during a paging attempt, containing the following: paging attempt count, expected number of paging attempts, and next paging area range. The paging attempt count should be incremented by 1 with each new paging attempt. The next paging area range (if it exists) indicates whether the serving NG-RAN node plans to modify the currently selected RAN paging area in the next paging attempt. If the UE leaves the RRC_INACTIVE state, the paging attempt count is reset.

[0104] Regarding UE power saving for paging listening, UE groups listening to the same PO can be further divided into multiple subgroups to reduce UE power consumption due to false paging alarms. Using subgroups, if a UE's subgroup is paging as indicated by the associated Early Paging Indication (PEI), the UE should listen to the PDCCH in its PO to receive the paging. If the UE cannot find its subgroup ID with a PEI configuration in the cell, or if the UE cannot listen to the associated PEI timing corresponding to its PO, it should listen to the paging in its PO.

[0105] These subgroups have the following characteristics: A) They are formed based on either CN-controlled subgroups or UE ID-based subgroups; B) If a CN-controlled subgroup ID is not provided from the AMF, then a UE ID-based subgroup is used if both the UE and the network support it; C) The RRC state (RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state) does not affect which subgroup the UE belongs to; D) Subgroup support in the cell is broadcast in the SI as one of the following: 1) Only CN-controlled subgroups are supported, 2) Only UE ID-based subgroups are supported, or 3) Both CN-controlled and UE ID-based subgroups are supported; E) The total number of subgroups allowed in the cell is up to 8, and represents the sum of CN-controlled and UE ID-based subgroups configured by the network; F) If the cell supports CN-controlled subgroups, the UE configured with a CN-controlled subgroup ID applies the CN-controlled subgroup ID; otherwise, if the cell only supports UE ID-based subgroups, it derives a UE ID-based subgroup ID.

[0106] Regarding the PEI, this indication includes a special wake-up signal that the UE listens for before the PO. The PEI indicates to the UE whether a paging message is present in the PO. If the PEI is present, the UE continues with the relevant SSB measurements and paging message reception in the PO.

[0107] The PEI associated with a subgroup has the following characteristics: A) If the UE supports PEI, it should at least support the UEID-based subgrouping method; B) PEI listening can be restricted via SI to the last used cell (i.e., the cell in which the UE most recently received...). RRCRelease (a) without indicating that the last used cell of the PEI should not be updated); C) UEs with PEI capability will store their last used cell information; D) gNBs that support the PEI last used cell listening function provide the UE's last used cell information to the AMF in the Next Generation Application Protocol (NG-AP) UE Context Release Complete Message for UEs with PEI capability; E) UEs that expect Multicast Broadcast System (MBS) group notifications will ignore the PEI and will listen for paging in their PO.

[0108] Regarding CN-controlled subgroups, the AMF is responsible for assigning subgroup IDs to the UE. The total number of CN-controlled subgroups can be up to eight, for example, configured by Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM). It is assumed that CN-controlled subgroups support homogeneity within the RAN-based notification area.

[0109] In the example procedure for CN-controlled sub-packets, the UE indicates its support for CN-controlled sub-packets via NAS signaling. If the UE supports CN-controlled sub-packets, the AMF determines the UE's sub-packet ID allocation. The AMF transmits the sub-packet ID to the UE via NAS signaling.

[0110] Additionally, the AMF notifies the gNB of the CN allocation subgroup ID for paging UEs in the RRC_IDLE / RRC_INACTIVE state. When a paging message for a UE is received from the CN or generated by the gNB, the gNB determines the UE's PO and associated PEI timing. Before the UE is paged in the PO, the gNB transmits the associated PEI and indicates the corresponding CN control subgroup of the UE to be paged in the PEI.

[0111] Regarding UE ID-based subgroups, the gNB and UE can determine the subgroup ID based on the UE ID and the total number of subgroups used for UE ID-based subgroups in the cell. The total number of subgroups used for UE ID-based subgroups is determined by the gNB for each cell and can be different in different cells.

[0112] In the example procedure for using UE ID-based sub-packets, the gNB determines the total number of sub-packets in the cell for UE ID-based sub-packets. The gNB broadcasts the total number of sub-packets in the cell for UE ID-based sub-packets, and the UE determines the sub-packets in its cell.

[0113] When a paging message for a UE with PEI capability is received from the CN at the gNB or generated by the gNB, the gNB determines the UE's PO and the associated PEI timing. Before the UE is paged in the PO, the gNB transmits the associated PEI and indicates the corresponding subgroup derived based on the UE ID of the UE being paged in the PEI.

[0114] Figure 3 An exemplary RAN deployment 300 is depicted, comprising two overlapping cells operating at different frequency layers according to aspects of this disclosure. The RAN deployment 300 includes a first cell 302 operating at a first frequency layer (e.g., corresponding to frequency f0) and a second cell 304 operating at a second frequency layer (e.g., corresponding to frequency f1). A frequency layer (also referred to as an RF channel) is a carrier frequency in which a cell is expected to transmit a synchronization signal. The cell may also transmit SI.

[0115] Ideally, a frequency layer (e.g., f0) could be used solely for service offloading, and therefore no RRC-idle UEs could camp there—this is already possible today, for example, with SSB-free transport in a cell (visible only as a SCell to RRC-connected UEs). This would ensure that the cell is invisible (i.e., detectable) to RRC-idle / inactive UEs. However, this is suboptimal because it prohibits cell detection and camping for UEs that might otherwise have no cellular coverage. It is also undesirable if all UEs camped on covered cells, thus increasing the load on the corresponding coverage layer.

[0116] This paper discloses techniques for achieving network energy savings by minimizing paging transmissions without stopping SSB, and / or MIB, and / or SI transmissions, thereby avoiding adverse impacts on user experience due to longer call setup times or delays in SI change notifications.

[0117] According to various aspects of the first solution, the first cell on the first frequency layer (i.e., f0) can be allowed to camp, and therefore SSB and SI will need to be transmitted. However, some power can be saved by eliminating the need for paging transmission on the first cell. Instead, paging can be transmitted in an associated second cell on a second (i.e., a different) frequency layer (i.e., f1). In another example, the two cells can be on the same frequency without affecting the paging-related optimizations disclosed herein.

[0118] Figure 4 A process 400 for RF retuning between two cells on two different frequencies is described according to various aspects of this disclosure. The process 400 can be performed by an RF receiver 402 of a UE (such as UE 104 and / or UE 206), wherein the RF receiver 402 is tuned to a second cell 304 to receive paging only.

[0119] The UE calculates its Page Request (PO) based on the paging parameters broadcast in the first cell, but listens for paging in the second cell. To achieve this, the UE RF receiver 402 tunes (from the first cell 302) to the second cell 304 before the PO in the second cell 304 (e.g., POx 406 or POx+1 408). If the UE's paging is received, the UE RF receiver 402 tunes back to the first cell 302 and transmits a paging response message after initiating a connection (e.g., after initiating RRC connection establishment).

[0120] In some embodiments, the paging parameters broadcast in the first cell 302 for receiving paging on the second cell 304 may be specific to the second cell 304, in which case they may be broadcast separately by the first cell 302 (e.g., in SIB1 or another SIB) or may be cell parameter values ​​as used by the first cell 302. Explicit indication of the paging parameters may be used to guide the UE to obtain the paging parameters of the second cell 304 broadcast in the first cell 302 itself.

[0121] Alternatively, the indication in the first cell 302 can be used to notify the UE that the UE needs to listen for paging on the associated second cell 304, and that the parameters of the paging should be obtained from broadcast information associated with the second cell. In some embodiments, details of the second cell 304 (e.g., frequency, frequency band, cell identifier (such as physical channel identifier), etc.) can be provided by the first cell 302 (e.g., broadcast in SI). In some embodiments, the presence of this information can implicitly signal to the UE that it needs to listen for and receive paging in the second cell 304. Furthermore, the presence of this information can implicitly signal to the UE that the first cell 302 may not transmit any paging.

[0122] Some specific exceptions can be implemented as described above. For example, SI modification-related paging and / or paging can be transmitted by the first cell 302 itself to RRC inactive UEs, but CN paging (e.g., for mobile termination (MT) calls) can only be listened to on the second cell 304. Such behavior (i.e., exceptions) can be specified or pre-configured. Alternatively, such behavior can be dynamically configured using broadcast signaling to notify specific UEs which paging types (e.g., RAN paging or CN paging) or paging purposes (e.g., SI modification or mobile termination) to listen to and in which cell.

[0123] Because a legacy UE may not understand the aforementioned new broadcast signaling and therefore may not act accordingly, in some implementations, the first cell 302 may prohibit a legacy UE from camping on that cell. In other embodiments, the first cell 302 prohibits the UE by including prohibition information in the MIB of the first cell 302 (i.e., using...). cellBarred Information elements (IE) are used to disable traditional UEs.

[0124] Figure 5 An exemplary abstract syntax symbol (ASN.1) representation of a MIB 500 containing call prohibition information according to various aspects of this disclosure is depicted. To prevent conventional UEs from camping on network-efficient cells that minimize paging transmissions, the network-efficient cell can broadcast information with... cellBarred The MIB 500 of IE 502 has a value indicating that network energy-saving cells are disabled.

[0125] In 3GPP systems, when a cell is "banned," it indicates that certain UEs have access restrictions. As an example, a specific cell may be reserved for premium users or emergency services, where all other UEs are "banned" from using that particular cell. As another example, for load balancing and / or quality of service reasons, access to certain cells may be temporarily blocked for any UE that does not yet have a connection to that cell. Therefore, when a cell is "banned," a UE is not allowed to connect to that cell and will not camp on it; instead, the UE will perform cell selection (or reselection) to find another available and not banned cell.

[0126] For energy-efficient communities with networks, when the community cellBarred When IE 502 is set to 'Disabled', UEs capable of the aforementioned enhancements (i.e., new non-traditional UEs) will need to know whether the cell is also actually disabled for them. For this purpose, SIB1 of the first cell 302 may include a new disabling IE, such as a "Disable Enhanced Paging" IE.

[0127] In one embodiment, when broadcast, the new IE will indicate whether the cell is also prohibited from performing the aforementioned enhancements on new UEs (i.e., non-traditional UEs). Similarly, when not broadcast, new UEs capable of performing the aforementioned enhancements can camp on the first cell 302 and listen for paging accordingly, as described herein.

[0128] Alternatively, a Boolean flag or enumeration value can be included in SIB1 to signal whether a new UE is prohibited. For example, a Boolean flag '1' or an enumeration value 'TRUE' can indicate that a new UE capable of performing the aforementioned paging enhancements (i.e., a non-traditional UE) is not prohibited, while a Boolean flag '0' or an enumeration value 'FALSE' can indicate that the new UE is not prohibited. In other embodiments, different Boolean flags or enumeration values ​​can be used to indicate whether a new UE is prohibited from camping on and accessing the first cell 302.

[0129] In another implementation, the network may use a reserved value in a paging configuration field (PCCH-Config) field (e.g., for the default paging loop). Upon receiving a paging configuration field with a reserved value, a legacy UE (which does not understand reserved fields) sets it to an ununderstood value and thus ignores the paging configuration and will not listen for paging in cell 302.

[0130] The above implementation might require too much and frequent RF retuning by the UE. Therefore, in an alternative implementation, the UE camps on the second cell 304 on frequency layer f1 and receives paging there, but to establish an RRC connection, it will reselect to the associated first cell 302 on frequency layer f0. This keeps RF retuning to a minimum. To achieve this, network advertisements (e.g., by broadcasting SIB1, System Information Block Type 4 (SIB4), or New System Information Block (SIB) of the first cell 302) are used only for RRC connection establishment purposes, and the second cell 304 (e.g., associated with frequency layer f1) should be used for camping. Note that the above prohibition mechanism can be implemented to avoid impacting legacy UEs.

[0131] In some implementations, the UE considers only the radio quality of the cell on f0 (i.e., the frequency layer where the UE establishes the RRC connection) for idle mode mobility decisions (e.g., cell selection and cell reselection). After the UE selects a cell on f0, it listens for paging on the associated cell on f1.

[0132] Alternatively, the UE may consider the radio quality of cells on f1 (i.e., the frequency layer on which the UE listens for paging) only for idle mode mobility decisions (e.g., cell selection and cell reselection). After receiving a paging request, the UE reselects to a cell on the associated frequency layer (f0) and establishes an RRC connection there.

[0133] In some embodiments, for the comparison between the first cell 302 and the second cell 304, absolute radio quality values ​​(e.g., RSRP and / or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ)) and / or cell reselection priority or frequency priority may be ignored. In such embodiments, the UE does not need to first perform a reselection to the first cell 302 in order to establish an RRC connection.

[0134] In some implementations, when camping on the second cell 304, the UE camps on the second cell 304 only if the second cell 304 is the best radio cell on its associated frequency layer (e.g., corresponding to frequency f1), or the first cell 302 is the best radio cell on its associated frequency layer (e.g., corresponding to frequency f0), or both, such that the radio quality of the first cell 302 may (or can) be better than that of the second cell 304. However, the UE does not compare the radio quality of the first cell 302 with that of the second cell 304.

[0135] Furthermore, when a camping (cell selection or cell reselection) decision must be made between two associated cells, the cell reselection priority or frequency priority received in a broadcast or dedicated message (e.g., in an RRC connection release message) may not be used; that is, the two frequencies are considered to have the same priority, regardless of their actual priority.

[0136] Figure 6 A process 600 for paging using cells on different frequency layers is described according to various aspects of this disclosure. Process 600 can be performed by a UE 602 (e.g., an implementation of UE 104 and / or UE 206) and a base station 604 (e.g., an implementation of NE 102, RAN node 208, and / or gNB) including a first cell 606 and a second cell 608. Here, the first cell 606 is associated with a first frequency layer, and the second cell 608 is associated with a second frequency layer.

[0137] At step 1, base station 604 broadcasts at least MIB and SIB1 via first cell 606 (see signaling 610). In various embodiments, MIB includes cell prohibition information, while SIB1 includes cell access information, i.e., indicating whether a particular UE is allowed to access and / or camp on first cell 606.

[0138] At step 2, UE 602 determines whether it is allowed to access the first cell (see box 612). As described above, UE 602 may check the cell access information (i.e., included in SIB1) to determine whether it is exempt from the cell ban indicated in MIB.

[0139] At step 3, upon determining that UE 602 is permitted to access the first cell 606, UE 602 receives (i.e., from the first cell 606) additional broadcast information (see signaling 614). Here, the broadcast information includes an indication of the second cell 608 (i.e., associated with the second frequency layer).

[0140] At step 4, UE 602 determines the next PO and PF associated with the second cell 608 (see box 616). In some embodiments, the additional broadcast information also includes a set of paging parameters used by UE 602 to determine the next PO and PF of the second cell 608.

[0141] At step 5, UE 602 tunes its RF receiver from the first frequency layer to the second frequency layer (see box 618). Here, the tuning timing is based on the next PO associated with the second cell 608 (i.e., UE 602 tunes its RF receiver before the start of the next PO).

[0142] At step 6, base station 604 transmits a paging message via second cell 608, and UE 602 receives the paging message via second cell 608 (see signaling 620). Here, the paging message is transmitted during the previously determined next PO period. In the depicted embodiment, it is assumed that the paging message is intended for UE 602, and UE 602 recognizes that it is being paged by base station 604.

[0143] At step 7, in response to receiving a paging message, UE 602 retunes the RF receiver back to the first frequency layer (see box 622). Here, the timing of the retuning is based on the end of the next PO associated with the second cell 608.

[0144] In step 8, UE 602 initiates an RRC connection establishment procedure to establish an RRC connection with base station 604 via first cell 606 (see signaling 624).

[0145] At step 9, UE 602 transmits a paging response via the first cell 606 (see signaling 626). In some embodiments, UE 602 transmits the paging response after initiating the RRC connection establishment procedure.

[0146] According to various aspects of the second solution, paging timings can be distributed across two or more overlapping cells. In some embodiments, the distribution of paging timings can be based on UE identifiers, such as a UE_ID calculated according to 5G-S-TMSI (e.g., 5G-S-TMSI modulo 4096 or 1024, as described above). In such an embodiment, after calculating its UE_ID, a UE in the coverage area of ​​the overlapping cells will determine which cell will listen for paging timings.

[0147] For example, for an even distribution, UEs with 'odd' UE_IDs (i.e., UE_IDs ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) will camp on the first cell, while UEs with 'even' UE_IDs will camp on the second cell. In other words, UEs with UE_ID modulo 2 = 1 will camp on the first cell, while different UEs with UE_ID modulo 2 = 0 will camp on the second cell.

[0148] In different examples, other ratios can be used instead of a 50% distribution. Therefore, for a 20% distribution, each fifth UE_ID (e.g., a UE_ID ending in 0 or 6) will camp on the first cell, and the remaining UE_IDs will camp on the second cell.

[0149] In one implementation of the above example, the corresponding UE camped on the first cell can listen to the first cell to receive a paging request. In another embodiment of the above example, the corresponding UE camped on the first cell can retune to the second cell to listen for paging opportunities, as described in the first solution. Similarly, the corresponding UE camped on the second cell can listen to the second cell to receive a paging request.

[0150] In some implementations, paging timing allocation can be directly based on 5G-S-TMSI (i.e., independent of the result of UE_ID calculated based on 5G-S-TMSI). In such implementations, the cell where the UE camps and / or receives PO / PF is determined first, and then the UE proceeds to calculate the PO / PF of the resulting cell.

[0151] Alternatively, camping (cell selection or reselection) is unaffected by the paging timing distribution (e.g., UE camping behavior still depends purely on radio quality, as in the conventional case). Instead, the UE_ID calculation described above is used only for paging reception. Therefore, a UE camped on the first cell may need to receive paging on the "fifth" cell, for example, if its 5G-S-TMSI modulus 5 = 0 for the 20% distribution example described above. The parameters required for this determination are broadcast in the cell, i.e., 'x' and 'y' are calculated in 5G-S-TMSI modulus 'y' = 'x'.

[0152] In some embodiments, legacy UEs may still be allowed to camp on energy-efficient cells. For legacy UEs, when paging is required, the CN (e.g., AMF) instructs (multiple) gNBs, or based on the gNB's knowledge of its capabilities for RRC-inactive UEs, the gNB performs paging in one of the following ways:

[0153] First, similar to the traditional method, after receiving the paging request message from the AMF in the upcoming next paging opportunity (PO+PF) determined according to conventional calculations. Second, skip a proportional number of paging opportunities, for example, in the case of 50%, every other PO, and paging in the next PO that is not skipped.

[0154] As described above, traditional UEs can be disabled, and broadcast instructions can be provided to control the access of new UEs (capable of implementing the distributed paging mechanism disclosed above).

[0155] To implement this second solution, the UE can be pre-configured with an energy-efficient cell identifier and rules for determining where to camp and / or where to receive PO / PF. In an alternative implementation, the network can configure rules for the UE to determine where to camp and / or where to receive PO / PF. For example, a specific cell can indicate where to camp and / or where to receive PO / PF, such as broadcasting in an SI (e.g., SIB1, SIB4, or a new SIB). In this later example, a specific cell can indicate rules for determining where to camp and / or for PO / PF reception for both the specific cell and adjacent and / or overlapping cells.

[0156] In different implementations, paging load balancing is based on subgroup IDs, as previously described. In one example, the first four subgroups (0 to 3) will listen for paging in the first cell, and the last four subgroups (4 to 7) will listen for paging in the second cell. This may also affect the UE's cell camping / reselection decisions.

[0157] Figure 7 An example of a UE 700 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. UE 700 may include a processor 702, a memory 704, a controller 706, and a transceiver 708. The processor 702, memory 704, controller 706, or transceiver 708, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of parts for performing various aspects of this disclosure described herein. These components may be coupled via one or more interfaces (e.g., operational ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground).

[0158] Processor 702, memory 704, controller 706, or transceiver 708, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., a circuit system). The hardware may include a processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof, configured or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in this disclosure.

[0159] Processor 702 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, central processing unit (CPU), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof). In some implementations, processor 702 may be configured to operate memory 704. In some other implementations, memory 704 may be integrated into processor 702. Processor 702 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 704 to cause UE 700 to perform various functions of this disclosure.

[0160] Memory 704 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. Memory 704 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed by processor 702, cause UE 700 to perform the various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 704 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media include both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0161] In some implementations, processor 702 and memory 704 coupled to processor 702 can be configured such that UE 700 performs various functions described herein (e.g., operations, signaling) (e.g., instructions stored in memory 704 are executed by processor 702). In some implementations, processor 702 may include multiple processors, and memory 704 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled to one or more of the multiple memories, which may be configured individually or collectively to perform the various functions of UE 700 disclosed herein (e.g., operations, signaling).

[0162] A processor 702 coupled to memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause UE 700 to determine whether UE 700 is permitted to access a first cell associated with a first frequency layer. In some embodiments, to determine whether UE 700 is permitted to access the first cell, processor 702 coupled to memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause UE 700 to: 1) receive from the first cell a MIB including cell prohibition information indicating access restrictions; 2) receive from the first cell a SIB1 including cell access information indicating whether UE 700 is permitted to camp on the first cell; and 3) determine, at least in part, that UE 700 is permitted to access the first cell based on the cell access information. In other words, the cell access information (i.e., transmitted within SIB1) may indicate an exception to the cell prohibition information. In some embodiments, determining whether UE 700 is permitted to access the first cell is further based on UE capability information.

[0163] The processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to receive broadcast information from the first cell in response to a determination that the UE 700 is allowed access to the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer. In some implementations, in order to receive the broadcast information, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to receive SIB1, SIB4, or another (e.g., new) SIB including the broadcast information.

[0164] The processor 702, coupled to the memory 704, can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause the UE 700 to retune the receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on the next paging timing associated with the second cell. The processor 702, coupled to the memory 704, can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause the UE 700 to receive paging messages on the second cell.

[0165] The processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to retune the receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity. The processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to initiate a connection to the first cell at least in part based on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

[0166] In some embodiments, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to transmit a paging response on the first cell in response to initiating a connection with the first cell. In some embodiments, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to determine, based on broadcast information, that there is no paging on the first cell.

[0167] In some implementations, broadcast signaling also includes a paging parameter set. In such an implementation, a processor 702 coupled to memory 704 can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause UE 700 to determine the next paging timing and paging frame associated with the second cell based on the paging parameter set.

[0168] In some implementations, the broadcast message also includes a second indication that the paging parameter set associated with the first cell can be used to receive paging on the second cell. In other implementations, the paging parameter set includes separate parameter sets associated with the first and second cells. In such implementations, the broadcast message may also include a second indication for obtaining the parameter set associated with the second cell.

[0169] In some implementations, the broadcast information also indicates that the first cell is dedicated to RRC connection establishment. In such an implementation, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause the UE 700 to be configured to camp on the second cell in response to determining that the first cell is dedicated to RRC connection establishment.

[0170] In some implementations, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable of, or operable to cause the UE 700 to avoid performing cell reselection to the first cell in response to determining that the first cell is dedicated to RRC connection establishment.

[0171] In some implementations, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable of, or operable to cause the UE 700 to camp on the second cell in response to determining that the first cell has the best radio quality associated with the first frequency layer, the second cell has the best radio quality associated with the second frequency layer, or both. Furthermore, when a camping decision (e.g., cell selection or cell reselection) must be made between two associated cells, the cell reselection priority or frequency priority received in a broadcast or dedicated message (e.g., in an RRC connection release message) may be ignored (i.e., not used), meaning that the two frequencies are considered to have the same priority regardless of their actual priority.

[0172] In some embodiments, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable of, or operable to cause the UE 700 to perform cell selection or cell reselection, or both, solely based on a set of radio quality measurements associated with a first frequency layer. In such embodiments, the UE 700 does not consider a second set of radio quality measurements associated with a second frequency layer.

[0173] In other embodiments, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable of, or operable such that the UE 700 performs cell selection or cell reselection, or both, solely based on a set of radio quality measurements associated with the second frequency layer. In such embodiments, the UE 700 does not consider the second set of radio quality measurements associated with the first frequency layer.

[0174] In some implementations, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to: A) determine a UE ID for paging, and B) determine, based on the UE ID, to retun the receiver frequency to a second frequency layer. In some implementations, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to receive conditions for camping on a first cell based on the UE ID. In some implementations, the processor 702 coupled to the memory 704 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the UE 700 to receive conditions for paging reception on a second cell based on the UE ID.

[0175] Controller 706 can manage the input and output signals of UE 700. Controller 706 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into UE 700. In some implementations, controller 706 can utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, WINDOWS®, or other operating systems (OS). In some implementations, controller 706 can be implemented as part of processor 702.

[0176] In some implementations, UE 700 may include at least one transceiver 708. In other implementations, UE 700 may have more than one transceiver 708. Transceiver 708 may represent a wireless transceiver. Transceiver 708 may include one or more receiver chains 710, one or more transmitter chains 712, or a combination thereof.

[0177] Receiver chain 710 can be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) via a wireless medium. For example, receiver chain 710 may include one or more antennas for receiving signals over the air or via a wireless medium. Receiver chain 710 may include at least one amplifier (e.g., a low-noise amplifier (LNA)) configured to amplify the received signal. Receiver chain 710 may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the received signal and acquire transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during signal transmission. Receiver chain 710 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive transmitted data.

[0178] Transmitter chain 712 can be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). Transmitter chain 712 may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal to prepare the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more techniques, such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or digital modulation schemes such as phase shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Transmitter chain 712 may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over a wireless medium. Transmitter chain 712 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0179] Figure 8 An example of a processor 800 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. Processor 800 may be an example of a processor configured to perform various operations according to the examples described herein. Processor 800 may include a controller 802 configured to perform various operations according to the examples described herein. Processor 800 may optionally include at least one memory 804, which may be, for example, an L1 / L2 / L3 cache. Additionally or alternatively, processor 800 may optionally include one or more arithmetic logic units (ALUs) 806. One or more of these components may be electronically communicated or otherwise coupled (e.g., operative ground, communicative ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground) via one or more interfaces (e.g., buses).

[0180] Processor 800 may be a processor chipset and includes a protocol stack (e.g., a software stack) executed by the processor chipset to perform various operations (e.g., receive, acquire, retrieve, transmit, output, forward, store, determine, identify, access, write, read) according to the examples described herein. The processor chipset may include one or more cores, one or more caches (e.g., memory local to the processor chipset or included in the processor chipset (e.g., processor 800)) or other memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase-change memory (PCM), etc.).

[0181] Controller 802 can be configured to manage and coordinate various operations of processor 800 (e.g., signaling, receiving, acquiring, retrieving, transmitting, outputting, forwarding, storing, determining, identifying, accessing, writing, and reading) to enable processor 800 to support various operations of the UE according to the examples described herein. For example, controller 802 can operate as a control unit of processor 800 to generate control signals for managing the operation of various components of processor 800. These control signals include enabling or disabling functional units, selecting data paths, initiating memory accesses, and coordinating operation timing.

[0182] Controller 802 can be configured to fetch (e.g., fetch, retrieve, receive) instructions from memory 804 and determine subsequent instructions(s) to be executed, enabling processor 800 to support various operations according to the examples described herein. Controller 802 can be configured to track the memory addresses of instructions associated with memory 804. Controller 802 can be configured to decode instructions to determine the operations to be performed and the operands involved. For example, controller 802 can be configured to interpret instructions and determine control signals to be output to other components of processor 800, enabling processor 800 to support various operations according to the examples described herein. Additionally or alternatively, controller 802 can be configured to manage data flow within processor 800. Controller 802 can be configured to control data transfers between registers, arithmetic logic unit (ALU), and other functional units of processor 800.

[0183] Memory 804 may include one or more caches (e.g., memory or other memory, such as RAM, ROM, DRAM, SDRAM, SRAM, MRAM, flash memory, etc., local to or included in processor 800). In some implementations, memory 804 may reside within or on the processor chipset (e.g., local to processor 800). In some other implementations, memory 804 may reside outside the processor chipset (e.g., remote from processor 800).

[0184] Memory 804 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed by processor 800, cause processor 800 to perform the various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as system memory or another type of memory. Controller 802 and / or processor 800 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 804 to cause processor 800 to perform various functions. For example, processor 800 and / or controller 802 may be coupled to or connected to memory 804, and processor 800, controller 802, and memory 804 may be configured to perform the various functions described herein. In some examples, processor 800 may include multiple processors, and memory 804 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled to one or more of the multiple memories, which may be configured individually or collectively to perform the various functions described herein.

[0185] One or more ALU 806s can be configured to support a variety of operations as described in the examples herein. In some implementations, one or more ALU 806s may reside within or on a processor chipset (e.g., processor 800). In some other implementations, one or more ALU 806s may reside outside the processor chipset (e.g., processor 800). One or more ALU 806s can perform one or more calculations on data, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, one or more ALU 806s can receive input operands and an opcode that determines the operation to be performed. One or more ALU 806s can be configured with a variety of logic and arithmetic circuitry, including adders, subtractors, shifters, and logic gates, to process and manipulate data according to the operation. Alternatively or additionally, one or more ALU 806s can support logical operations such as AND, OR, XOR, NOR, and NAND, enabling one or more ALU 806s to handle conditional operations, comparisons, and bitwise operations.

[0186] In various implementations, based on the examples disclosed herein, processor 800 may support various functions of the UE (e.g., operation, signaling). For example, controller 802 coupled to memory 804 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause processor 800 to: determine whether the UE is permitted access to a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; receive broadcast information from the first cell in response to the determination that the UE is permitted access to the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; retune the receiver frequency to the second frequency layer based on a next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; retune the receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; and initiate a connection with the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell. Additionally, controller 802 coupled to memory 804 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause processor 800 to perform one or more functions of the UE described herein (e.g., operation, signaling).

[0187] In various implementations, based on the examples disclosed herein, processor 800 may support various functions of the NE (e.g., base station) (e.g., operation, signaling). For example, controller 802 coupled to memory 804 may be configured, capable, or operable such that processor 800 may be configured or operable to support components for: transmitting cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer; transmitting broadcast information on the first cell including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; transmitting paging messages to the UE via the second cell; receiving paging response messages from the UE via the first cell; and establishing a connection with the UE via the first cell. Additionally, controller 802 coupled to memory 804 may be configured, capable, or operable such that processor 800 performs one or more functions of the NE described herein (e.g., operation, signaling).

[0188] Figure 9 An example of an NE 900 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. The NE 900 may include a processor 902, a memory 904, a controller 906, and a transceiver 908. The processor 902, memory 904, controller 906, or transceiver 908, or various combinations thereof, or various components thereof, may be examples of parts for performing various aspects of this disclosure described herein. These components may be coupled via one or more interfaces (e.g., operational ground, communication ground, functional ground, electronic ground, electrical ground).

[0189] Processor 902, memory 904, controller 906, or transceiver 908, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., a circuit system). The hardware may include processors, DSPs, ASICs, or other programmable logic devices, or any combination thereof, configured or otherwise supporting components for performing the functions described in this disclosure.

[0190] Processor 902 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, or any combination thereof). In some implementations, processor 902 may be configured to operate memory 904. In some other implementations, memory 904 may be integrated into processor 902. Processor 902 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 904 to cause NE 900 to perform various functions of this disclosure.

[0191] Memory 904 may include volatile or non-volatile memory. Memory 904 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code, including instructions that, when executed by processor 902, cause NE 900 to perform the various functions described herein. The code may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 904 or another type of memory. Computer-readable media include both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0192] In various implementations, processor 902 and memory 904 coupled to processor 902 can be configured such that NE900 performs various functions described herein (e.g., operations, signaling) (e.g., instructions stored in memory 904 are executed by processor 902). In some implementations, processor 902 may include multiple processors, and memory 904 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled to one or more of the multiple memories, which may be configured individually or collectively to perform the various functions of NE 900 disclosed herein (e.g., operations, signaling).

[0193] A processor 902 coupled to memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause NE 900 to transmit cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer. In some embodiments, in order to transmit the cell prohibition information, processor 902 coupled to memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause NE 900 to: 1) transmit a MIB indicating access restrictions from the first cell; and 2) transmit an SIB1 from the first cell, the SIB1 including cell access information indicating whether the UE is allowed to camp on the first cell. In other words, the cell access information (i.e., transmitted within SIB1) may indicate an exception to the cell prohibition information (e.g., access restrictions).

[0194] The processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to enable the NE 900 to transmit broadcast information on the first cell, including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer. In some implementations, in order to transmit the broadcast information, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to enable the NE 900 to transmit SIB1, SIB4, or another (new) SIB including the broadcast information.

[0195] The processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to enable the NE 900 to transmit a paging message to the UE via a second cell. The processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can also be configured, enabled, or operable to enable the NE 900 to receive a paging response message from the UE via a first cell.

[0196] The processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable such that the NE 900 may be configured to support components for establishing a connection with the UE via the first cell. In some embodiments, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable such that the NE 900 receives a paging response in response to initiating a connection with the UE.

[0197] In some implementations, the broadcast information also includes a set of paging parameters for determining the next paging timing and paging frame associated with the second cell. In such an implementation, a processor 902 coupled to memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause NE 900 to transmit the paging message via the second cell based on the paging parameter set.

[0198] In some implementations, the broadcast message also includes a second indication that the paging parameter set associated with the first cell can be used to receive paging on the second cell. In other implementations, the paging parameter set includes separate parameter sets associated with the first and second cells. In such implementations, the broadcast message may also include a second indication for obtaining the parameter set associated with the second cell.

[0199] In some implementations, the broadcast message also indicates that the first cell is dedicated to RRC connection establishment. In some embodiments, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to use the broadcast message to indicate that there is no paging on the first cell.

[0200] In some implementations, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit conditions for camping on the first cell based on the UE ID used for paging (e.g., UE_ID, 5G-S-TMSI, I-RNTI, etc.). In some implementations, in order to transmit conditions for camping on the first cell, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit SIB1, SIB4, or (new) SIB including the conditions.

[0201] In some implementations, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit conditions for camping on the second cell based on the UE ID used for paging (e.g., UE_ID, 5G-S-TMSI, I-RNTI, etc.). In some implementations, in order to transmit conditions for camping on the second cell, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 can be configured, enabled, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit SIB1, SIB4, or (new) SIB including the conditions.

[0202] In some implementations, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit conditions for paging reception on the first cell based on the UE ID used for paging (e.g., UE_ID, 5G-S-TMSI, I-RNTI, etc.). In some implementations, in order to transmit the conditions for paging reception on the first cell, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit SIB1, SIB4, or (new) SIB including the conditions.

[0203] In some implementations, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit conditions for paging reception on the second cell based on the UE ID used for paging (e.g., UE_ID, 5G-S-TMSI, I-RNTI, etc.). In some implementations, in order to transmit the conditions for paging reception on the second cell, the processor 902 coupled to the memory 904 may be configured, capable, or operable to cause the NE 900 to transmit SIB1, SIB4, or (new) SIB including the conditions.

[0204] Controller 906 manages the input and output signals of NE 900. Controller 906 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into NE900. In some implementations, controller 906 can utilize operating systems such as iOS®, Android®, Windows®, or other operating systems. In some implementations, controller 906 can be implemented as part of processor 902.

[0205] In some implementations, the NE 900 may include at least one transceiver 908. In other implementations, the NE 900 may have more than one transceiver 908. The transceiver 908 may represent a wireless transceiver. The transceiver 908 may include one or more receiver chains 910, one or more transmitter chains 912, or a combination thereof.

[0206] Receiver chain 910 can be configured to receive signals (e.g., control information, data, packets) via a wireless medium. For example, receiver chain 910 may include one or more antennas for receiving signals over the air or via a wireless medium. Receiver chain 910 may include at least one amplifier (e.g., an LNA) configured to amplify the received signal. Receiver chain 910 may include at least one demodulator configured to demodulate the received signal and acquire transmitted data by reversing the modulation technique applied during signal transmission. Receiver chain 910 may include at least one decoder for decoding the demodulated signal to receive transmitted data.

[0207] Transmitter chain 912 can be configured to generate and transmit signals (e.g., control information, data, packets). Transmitter chain 912 may include at least one modulator for modulating data onto a carrier signal to prepare the signal for transmission over a wireless medium. The at least one modulator may be configured to support one or more technologies, such as AM, FM, or digital modulation schemes such as PSK or QAM. Transmitter chain 912 may also include at least one power amplifier configured to amplify the modulated signal to an appropriate power level suitable for transmission over a wireless medium. Transmitter chain 912 may also include one or more antennas for transmitting the amplified signal into the air or wireless medium.

[0208] Figure 10 An embodiment of method 1000 according to various aspects of this disclosure is depicted. In various embodiments, the operation of method 1000 may be implemented by a UE as described herein. In some implementations, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions.

[0209] At step 1002, method 1000 may include determining whether the UE is permitted to access a first cell associated with a first frequency layer. The operation of step 1002 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1002 may be derived from references... Figure 7 The UE is used to execute this.

[0210] At step 1004, method 1000 may include receiving broadcast signaling information from the first cell in response to a determination that the UE is allowed access to the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer. The operation of step 1004 may be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1004 may be derived from references... Figure 7 The UE is used to execute this.

[0211] At step 1006, method 1000 may include retuning the receiver frequency to a second frequency layer based on the next paging timing associated with the second cell. The operation of step 1006 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1006 may be derived from references... Figure 7 The UE is used to execute this.

[0212] At step 1008, method 1000 may include retuning the receiver frequency to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging timing. The operation of step 1008 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1008 may be derived from references... Figure 7 The UE is used to execute this.

[0213] At step 1010, method 1000 may include initiating a connection with the first cell based at least in part on receiving a paging message on the second cell. The operation of step 1010 may be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1010 may be derived from references... Figure 7 The UE is used to execute this.

[0214] It should be noted that the method 1000 described in this document describes one possible implementation, and the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are also possible.

[0215] Figure 11 An embodiment of method 1100 according to various aspects of this disclosure is depicted. Operation of method 1100 may be implemented by an RAN as described herein. In some implementations, the RAN may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the RAN to perform the described functions.

[0216] At step 1102, method 1100 may include transmitting cell prohibition information for a first cell associated with a first frequency layer. The operation of step 1102 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1102 may be derived from references... Figure 9 The NE is used to execute this.

[0217] At step 1104, method 1100 may include transmitting broadcast information on the first cell including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer. The operation of step 1104 may be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1104 may be derived from references... Figure 9 The NE is used to execute this.

[0218] At step 1106, method 1100 may include transmitting a paging message to the UE via a second cell. The operation of step 1106 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1106 may be derived from references... Figure 9 The NE is used to execute this.

[0219] At step 1108, method 1100 may include receiving a paging response message from the UE via a first cell. The operation of step 1108 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1108 may be derived from references... Figure 9 The NE is used to execute this.

[0220] At step 1110, method 1100 may include establishing a connection with the UE via a first cell. The operation of step 1110 can be performed according to the examples described herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operation of step 1110 may be derived from references... Figure 9 The NE is used to execute this.

[0221] It should be noted that the method 1100 described herein describes one possible implementation, and the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are also possible.

[0222] The description provided herein is intended to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; as well as At least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured such that the UE: Determine whether the UE is allowed to access the first cell associated with the first frequency layer; In response to the determination that the UE is allowed to access the first cell, broadcast information is received from the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; The receiver frequency is retuned to the second frequency layer based on the next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; The receiver frequency is retuned to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; as well as The connection to the first cell is initiated at least in part based on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, in order to determine whether the UE is allowed to access the first cell, the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to: Receive a master information block (MIB) from the first cell, the MIB including cell prohibition information indicating access restrictions; Receive System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) from the first cell; SIB1 includes cell access information indicating whether the UE is allowed to camp on the first cell; and The UE is allowed to access the first cell, at least in part, based on the cell access information.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: further determines, based on UE capability information, that the UE is allowed to access the first cell.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: in response to initiating the connection with the first cell, transmits a paging response on the first cell.

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: determines, based on the broadcast information, that there is no paging on the first cell.

6. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE performs cell selection or cell reselection, or both, solely based on a set of radio quality measurements associated with the first frequency layer.

7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE performs cell selection or cell reselection, or both, solely based on a set of radio quality measurements associated with the second frequency layer.

8. The UE of claim 1, wherein the broadcast information further includes a paging parameter set, and wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: determines the next paging timing and the paging frame associated with the second cell based on the paging parameter set.

9. The UE according to claim 8, wherein the broadcast information further includes: The set of paging parameters associated with the first cell can be used to receive a second indication of paging on the second cell.

10. The UE according to claim 8, wherein the paging parameter set includes: A separate set of parameters associated with the first cell and the second cell, wherein the broadcast information further includes a second indication for obtaining the set of parameters associated with the second cell.

11. The UE of claim 1, wherein, in order to receive the broadcast information, the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: receives System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1), System Information Block Type 4 (SIB4), or System Information Block (SIB) including the broadcast information.

12. The UE of claim 1, wherein the broadcast information further indicates that the first cell is dedicated to Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment, and wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE camps on the second cell in response to determining that the first cell is dedicated to RRC connection establishment.

13. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the UE: Determine the UE identifier (UE_ID) used for paging, and Based on the UE_ID, it is determined that the receiver frequency should be retuned to the second frequency layer.

14. A processor for wireless communication, comprising: At least one controller, coupled to at least one memory and configured such that the processor: Determine whether the user equipment (UE) is allowed to access the first cell associated with the first frequency layer; In response to the determination that the UE is allowed to access the first cell, broadcast information is received from the first cell, wherein the broadcast information includes an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; The receiver frequency is retuned to the second frequency layer based on the next paging opportunity associated with the second cell; The receiver frequency is retuned to the first frequency layer based on the end of the next paging opportunity; as well as The connection to the first cell is initiated at least in part based on receiving a paging message on the second cell.

15. A base station for wireless communication, comprising: At least one memory; as well as At least one processor, coupled to the at least one memory and configured such that the base station: Transmit cell prohibition information for the first cell associated with the first frequency layer; Broadcast information is transmitted on the first cell, the broadcast information including an indication of a second cell associated with a second frequency layer; The paging message is transmitted to the user equipment (UE) via the second cell; Receive a paging response message from the UE via the first cell; as well as A connection is established with the UE via the first cell.

16. The base station of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station: transmits conditions for camping on the first cell based on a UE identifier (UE_ID) for paging.

17. The base station of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station: transmits conditions for camping on the second cell based on a UE identifier (UE_ID) for paging.

18. The base station of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station: transmits conditions for paging reception on the first cell based on a UE identifier (UE_ID) for paging.

19. The base station of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is configured such that the base station: transmits conditions for paging reception on the second cell based on a UE identifier (UE_ID) for paging.

20. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: Transmit cell prohibition information for the first cell associated with the first frequency layer; Broadcast information is transmitted on the first cell, the broadcast information including: an indication of a second cell associated with the second frequency layer; The paging message is transmitted to the user equipment (UE) via the second cell; Receive paging response message from the UE via the first cell; and A connection is established with the UE via the first cell.

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