System and apparatus for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network and a method in association thereto

Abstract

System (100), apparatus (102), device (104) and a method (300) for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network are disclosed. The method (300) includes an input step (302) which comprises receiving at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold; and a processing step (304) which comprises at least one of: determining if current parameters of the user device exceed the threshold; and determining whether to enable or disable signal monitoring in a subsequent cycle based on the determination of the current parameters exceeding the threshold.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL MONITORING WHEN PERFORMING MEASUREMENTS IN A NETWORK AND A METHOD IN ASSOCIATION THERETOField Of Invention

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to one or both of a system and an apparatus for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network and in association with, for example, a base station and / or a User Equipment (UE), usable for communication. The present disclosure further relates a method which can be associated with the system and / or the apparatus.Background of Invention

[0002] Generally, wireless networks provide network connectivity through radio interfaces to mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE), such as smart phones. Energy efficiency and power saving techniques for signal monitoring (e.g. a wakeup signal WuS) when performing measurements by a communication device (or UE) can be helpful in communication networks, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G (fifth generation) New Radio (NR) standard-based telecommunications network.

[0003] Current techniques may not address the issue of monitoring a signal (e.g. a wakeup signal WuS) by a mobile or user device (or UE) when performing measurements, for example a Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement. Thus, the current techniques may not facilitate energy efficiency and power saving in an optimal manner.

[0004] The present disclosure contemplates that it would be helpful to address or at least mitigate one or more issues in relation to conventional techniques for facilitating energy efficiency and power saving when monitoring a signal (e.g. a wakeup signal WuS) when performing measurements by a mobile device (or UE).Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network, the method comprising: an input step which comprises receiving at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold; and a processing step which comprises at least one of: determining if current parameters of the user device exceed the threshold; and determining whether to enable or disable signal monitoring in a subsequent cycle based on the determination of the current parameters exceeding the threshold

[0006] Advantageously, the method as described herein can enable a low power user equipment (UE) to reduce signal (e.g. a wakeup signal WuS) monitoring power consumption, reduce the delay in performing measurements and also reduce signaling overhead at the base station (or gNB).

[0007] In an embodiment, the method includes determining a plurality of predetermined mobility parameters defining a threshold.

[0008] In an embodiment, the method includes communicating the plurality of predetermined mobility parameters via a system information message.

[0009] In an embodiment, the method includes performing measurements in the subsequent cycle if signal monitoring is disabled.

[0010] In an embodiment, the signal is a Wake-up Signal (WuS) or a Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS).

[0011] In an embodiment, the cycle is a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

[0012] In an embodiment, the measurements comprises radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0013] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out at least one of the input step and the processing step according to the method of the first aspect.

[0014] In an embodiment, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out at least one of the input step and the processing step according to the method of the first aspect.

[0015] In an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network comprising: a first module configured to receive at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold; a second module configured to at least one of process and facilitate the processing step according to the method of the first aspect to generate at least one output signal; and a third module configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for signal monitoring when performing measurements in the network.

[0016] In an embodiment, the apparatus may correspond to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

[0017] In an embodiment, there is provided a system comprising: at least one apparatus(es); and at least one device(s), wherein the apparatus(es) and thedevice(s) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

[0018] Advantageously, the system as disclosed herein can improve energy efficiency and power saving in a network by enabling or disabling the monitoring of the signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) in a cycle (e.g. a DRX or a LPWUS cycle) when the UE (or user device) performs regular measurements (e.g. Radio Resource Management measurements).Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram illustrating a system for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network which can include at least one apparatus, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 B to 1 E show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the device of Fig. 1A in further detail, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows a method in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of the inventionDetailed Description

[0025] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to annexed drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In particular, although terminology from 3GPP 5G NR may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0026] In addition, some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0027] Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and / or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0028] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term User Equipment (UE) or wireless device or user device may be used and may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device-to-device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, PAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, UE category Ml, UE category M2, ProSe UE, V2V UE, V2X UE, etc.

[0029] In some embodiments, a more general term “network node” may be used and may correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node, which communicates with a User Equipment (directly or via another node) and / or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, ENB, a network node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Optimized Network (SON), positioning node (e.g. Evolved- Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC)), Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0030] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / gNodeB and UE should be considered non-limiting and do in particular not imply a certain hierarchical relation between the two; in general, “gNodeB” could be considered as device 1 and “UE” could be considered as device 2 and these two devices communicate with each other over some radio channel. And in the following the transmitter or receiver could be either gNodeB (gNB), or UE.

[0031] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0032] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility of a WuS (Wake-up Signal) or a Low Power Wake-up Signal LPWUS) mechanism that may be introduced to improve energy efficiency of the UE (User Equipment). In an embodiment, the UE (or user device) can state in sleep mode and switches off the main radio, until a WuS (or LPWUS) signal is detected at the secondary radio (or WuS receiver). The main radio may be triggered to switch on after the WuS receiver detects a WuS (or LPWUS) signal.

[0033] The present disclosure also contemplates that the WuS receiver can be a low complex and low power consuming component of a UE, while the main radio can bea high energy consuming component of the UE. The main radio of the UE may be switched off (sleep mode) as much as possible to reduce the energy consumption at the UE. In an embodiment, when the WuS is not detected at the UE, the UE will continue to be in a sleep state. Accordingly, the base station (or gNB) may not be able to perform a data exchange with the UE, until a successful WuS detection at the UE.

[0034] The present disclosure further contemplates that in the case of a high mobility scenario, the UE (or user device) may need to wake-up in every discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, which may greatly defeat the purpose of low power wake-up signal (LPWUS). The present disclosure thus contemplates that a LPWUS mechanism can be implemented at the UE so as to provide low power consumption and power saving gains. On the other hand, there may be excess power consumption and delay due to a wake-up signal mechanism in which the UE (or user device) may need to wake-up regularly.

[0035] In the above manner, a method can be provided on signal (e.g. WuS or LPWuS) monitoring by a user device (or UE) when performing measurements, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the user device (or UE) can skip or disable monitoring of the signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) while it is performing regular or frequent Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. Power saving and energy consumption efficiency can therefore possibly be facilitated in the network, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] The foregoing will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 hereinafter.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 1A, a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy and improve power efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] As shown, the system 100 can include one or more apparatuses 102, at least one device 104 and, optionally, a communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] The apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the device(s) 104. Specifically, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be coupled to the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0040] In one embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can be coupled to the communication network 106 and the device(s) 104 can be coupled to the communication network 106. Coupling can be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. The apparatus(es) 102 can, in general, be configured to communicate with the device(s) 104 via the communication network 106, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be associated with or correspond to or include one or more user equipment (UE) which can carry one or more computers, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, an apparatus 102 can correspond to a UE or a user device carrying at least one computer (e.g. an electronic device or module having computing capabilities such as an electronic mobile device which can be carried into a vehicle or an electronic module which can be installed in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention) which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the UE, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] In an embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, be configured to receive one or more input signals and perform at least one processing task based on the input signal(s) in a manner to generate one or more output signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 and received by the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus(es) 102 can, for example, perform one or more processing tasks in association with dynamic / adaptive / gradual control on the input signal(s) in a mannerso as to generate at least one output signal. This will be discussed later in further detail in the context of an example scenario, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be associated with / correspond to at least one base station, where the at least one base station can be a Next Generation Node B (gNB). Moreover, the device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to carry / be associated with / include one or more computers (e.g., an electronic device / module having computing capabilities) which can, for example, be configured to perform one or more processing tasks in association with the base station.

[0044] The input signal can be associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, whereby the mobility status includes a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold. As a possible option, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The output signal may correspond to a control signal for signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) monitoring by the user device (or UE). The apparatus(es) 102 and device(s) 104 will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0045] The communication network 106 can, for example, correspond to an Internet communication network, a cellular-based communication network, a wired-based communication network, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based communication network, a wireless-based communication network, or any combination thereof. Communication (e.g., between the apparatuses 102 and / or between the apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104) via the communication network 106 can be by manner of one or both of wired communication and wireless communication.

[0046] The device(s) 104 can, for example, be configured to generate (and communicate) the output signal(s) to the apparatus(es) 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus(es) 102may be configured to generate (and communicate) the output signal(s) to other apparatus(es) 102. Accordingly, the device(s) 104 or apparatus(es) 102 can generate a control signal for signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) monitoring when performing measurements (e.g. Radio Resource Management RRM measurements) by the user device (or UE). This will be discussed, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in the context of example scenarios with reference to Fig. 1 B to Fig. 1 E, hereinafter.

[0047] Fig. 1 B to 1 E show example scenarios in association with the system of Fig. 1A, according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, Fig. 1 B shows an example of Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS) Working Mechanism whereby a Low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WuR) can be a front-end device with low power active or passive device to trigger the radio frequency (RF) and baseband processors of UE receiver. In an example embodiment, the wakeup receiver may also be a low-complexity and low-cost device in addition to the New Radio (NR) receiver and the Wakeup Signal (WuS) or low power wake-up signal (LPWUS) may be a waveform detected by the wakeup receiver such that it could be operated at the same or a different frequency band of the NR operation band.

[0048] Fig. 1 C shows an example of a WuS transmission framework for another wireless communication network, for example 3GPP. In this embodiment, a low- power wake-up transmitter (WuTx) may be in communication with a user device or UE and sends the WuS to the wake-up receiver (WuRx) of the user device (or UE). The WuTx may be installed in a server or a base station (e.g. gNB) or may also be installed in another user device or UE (e.g. an Internet-of-Things loT device).

[0049] Fig. 1 D shows an example of Monitoring Paging for every LPWUS. As shown in the Figure, a LPWUS is transmitted from the gNB (or base station) to the UE (or user device) together with a downlink (DL) in every LPWUS cycle. Alternatively, a WuS and a DL may be received by the UE (or user device) from the gNB (or base station) in every discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle.

[0050] In an embodiment, Radio Resource Management (RRM) can be management of radio resources and transmission characteristics such as modulation scheme, transmit power, beamforming, user allocation, data rates, handover criteria, and error coding scheme. RRM can also be a system level management of co-channel interference, radio resources, and other radio transmission characteristics in wireless communication systems. The main objective of RRM can be to utilize the limited radio frequency (RF) spectrum resources and radio network infrastructure as efficiently as possible. In this manner, several strategies and algorithms may be used to control parameters such as transmit power, user allocation, beamforming, data rates, handover criteria, modulation scheme, error coding scheme, etc.

[0051] In an implementation, dynamic RRM schemes may adaptively adjust the radio network parameters to the traffic load, user positions, user mobility, quality of service requirements, base station density, etc. Dynamic RRM schemes may be designed mainly to minimize expensive manual cell planning and implement stricter frequency reuse patterns to improve system spectral efficiency. Efficient dynamic RRM schemes may increase the system spectral efficiency by an order of magnitude, which often is considerably more than what is possible by introducing advanced channel coding and source coding schemes.

[0052] In an embodiment, a UE (or user device) may consume a lot of power for RRM measurements. In particular, a UE (or user device) may need to power up before the DRX ON period to track the channel in preparation for the RRM measurement. Some of the RRM measurements may not be necessary but yet consumes a lot of UE power, for example, low mobility UEs do not have to measure as frequent as high mobility UEs. The network (or gNB or base station) can provide the signalling to assist a UE to reduce the power consumption on unnecessary RRM measurements. Additional UE assistance, for example the UE status information, may also be useful for the network to enable the UE power consumption reduction on RRM measurements.

[0053] Fig. 1 E shows an example of Monitoring Paging and RRM measurement for every LPWuS in a high-mobility scenario. The present disclosure contemplates there may be challenges when using LP-WuS in a Mobility Scenario. For example, there can be requirements to perform regular RRM measurement to handle UE mobility for an idle or an inactive UE. Serving cell measurement may typically be required to be performed at least once every DRX cycle (or LPWUS cycle). The frequency of neighbor cell measurement can be relaxed for stationary UEs and / or for UEs not at the cell edge with RRM relaxation features. If the same RRM measurement requirements are kept for LPWUS, the main radio may need to wake up at least once every DRX cycle. This may defeat the purpose of LPWUS, as the main radio cannot be kept in ’’off” mode for a long time. The present disclosure contemplates that LPWUS can have an impact on RRM measurement in order to achieve meaningful power saving gain and different options can be used to attain such a result. For example, relaxing RRM measurement requirements even though there is a limit on how much relaxation can be done. In another example, certain basic RRM measurement functionality can be supported by LP-WuR in order to minimize the wake-up of main radio.

[0054] In an embodiment, a UE wake-up signal to monitor paging can be a power saving mechanism and a UE-group wake-up signal can reduce false alarm rate. In another embodiment, relaxed radio resource monitoring can lead to extended low power sleep mode while targeting low power small form factor devices may not be restricted to specific RRC state (for e.g. Idle mode, Connected mode).

[0055] The above-described aspect(s) of the system 100 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described apparatus 102of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above-described system 100 of the invention.

[0056] The aforementioned apparatus(es) 102 or User Equipment (UE) will be discussed in further detail with reference to Fig. 2 hereinafter.

[0057] Referring to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus 102 is shown in further detail in the context of an example implementation 200, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0058] In the example implementation 200, the apparatus 102 can correspond to an electronic module 200a. The electronic module 200a can, in one example, correspond to a mobile device which can, for example, be carried into the vehicle by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example, the electronic module 200a can correspond to an electronic device which can be installed / mounted in the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this regard, the electronic module 200a can be considered to be carried by the vehicle (e.g., either carried into the vehicle by a user or installed / mounted in the vehicle).

[0059] It is contemplated that the electronic module 200a can be capable of performing one or more processing tasks in association with adaptive / dynamic / gradual control related processing, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] The electronic module 200a can, for example, include a casing 200b. Moreover, the electronic module 200a can, for example, carry any one of a first module 202, a second module 204, a third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0061] In one embodiment, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206. In a specific example, the electronic module 200a can carry a first module 202, a second module 204 and a third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] In this regard, it is appreciable that, in one embodiment, the casing 200b can be shaped and dimensioned to carry any one of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206, or any combination thereof.

[0063] The first module 202 can be coupled to one or both of the second module 204 and the third module 206. The second module 204 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the third module 206. The third module 206 can be coupled to one or both of the first module 202 and the second module 204. In one example, the first module 202 can be coupled to the second module 204 and the second module 204 can be coupled to the third module 206, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Coupling between the first module 202, the second module 204 and / or the third module 206 can, for example, be by manner of one or both of wired coupling and wireless coupling. Each of the first module 202, the second module 204 and the third module 206 can correspond to one or both of a hardware-based module and a software-based module, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] In one example, the first module 202 can correspond to a hardware-based receiver which can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be communicated from the device(s) 104 (or base station e.g., a gNB), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] The second module 204 can, for example, correspond to a hardware-based processor which can be configured to perform one or more processing tasks (e.g., in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals) as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0066] The third module 206 can correspond to a hardware-based transmitter which can be configured to communicate one or more output signals from the electronic module 200a. The output signal(s) can, for example, include one or more instructions / commands / control signals in association with the aforementioned dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency (e.g., power / energy efficiency and / or communication efficiency), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) monitoring when performing measurements (e.g. RRM measurements) by a user device (or UE).

[0067] The present disclosure contemplates the possibility that the first and second modules 202, 204 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example, an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and processing functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and processing. The present disclosure further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated software-hardware based module, for example an electronic part which can carry a software program or algorithm in association with receiving and transmitting functions or an electronic module programmed to perform the functions of receiving and transmitting. The present disclosure yet further contemplates the possibility that the first and third modules 202, 206 can be an integrated hardware module, for example a hardware-based transceiver, capable of performing the functions of receiving and transmitting.

[0068] The apparatus 102 (or user device or UE) can, for example, be further configured to process the input signal(s), as will be discussed later in further detail with reference to Fig. 3, in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals in a manner so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one specific example, the output signal(s) can include one or more control signals to facilitate some form of dynamic / adaptive / gradual control configuration / determination strategy so as to facilitate efficiency, for example power efficiency or energy efficiency, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, the output signal(s) can be a control signal(s) for signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) monitoring when performing measurements (e.g. RRM measurements) by a user device (or UE).

[0069] The above-described aspect(s) of the apparatus 102 of the present invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of a below described processing / communication method of the present invention. Likewise, all below described aspect(s) of the method of the invention can also apply analogously (all) the aspect(s) of above described apparatus 102 of the invention. It is to be appreciated that these remarks apply analogously to the earlier discussed system 100 of the present disclosure.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 3, a method 300 (or a communication method) for signal (e.g. a WuS or LPWUS) monitoring when performing measurements in association with the system 100 is shown, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] The method 300 can, for example, be suitable for facilitating energy efficiency, network optimization and power saving in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0072] The method 300 can include any one of an input step 302, a processing step 304 and an output step 306, or any combination thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] In an embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302 and the processing step 304. In another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet another embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304 and one or both of the input step 302 and the output step 306. In yet a further embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306. In yet a further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include the processing step 304. In yet another further additional embodiment, the processing method 300 can include any one of or any combination of the input step 302, the processing step 304 and the output step 306 (i.e. , the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306).

[0074] With regard to the input step 302, one or more input signal(s) can be received. For example, the input signal(s) can be communicated from the device 104 and can be received by the apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In another example embodiment, the input signal(s) may be communicated from a second or different apparatus.

[0075] The input step 302 can include receiving at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, such that the mobility status can include a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold. In an embodiment, the input signal(s) may be generated by the device 104 and / or a second apparatus and transmitted to the apparatus 102 to advance to the processing step 304.

[0076] With regard to the processing step 304, at least a processing task can be performed in association with the received input signal(s) in a manner so as to generate one or more output signals, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0077] The processing step 304 may include at least one of: determining if current parameters of the user device exceed the threshold; and determining whether to enable or disable signal monitoring in a subsequent cycle based on the determination of the current parameters exceeding the threshold. The signal may be a Wake-up Signal (WuS) or a Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS) and the cycle can be a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle. The measurements may include radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0078] The processing step 304 may further include determining a plurality of predetermined mobility parameters defining a threshold and communicating the plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters via a system information message. The processing step 304 may also include performing measurements in the subsequent cycle if signal monitoring is disabled.

[0079] With regards to the output step 306, the output signal(s) can, for example, be communicated, as an option, communicated from the apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In a more specific example, the output signal(s) can optionally be communicated from the device 104 to one or both of at least one apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0080] The present disclosure further contemplates a computer program (not shown) which can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer (not shown), cause the computer to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer program can include instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The present disclosure yet further contemplates a computer readable storage medium (not shown) having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer (not shown), the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out the input step 302, the processing step 304 and / or the output step 306 as discussed with reference to the method 300. For example, the computer readable storage medium can have data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to carry out the input step 302 and / or the processing step 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0082] Further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates an apparatus 102 for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network which can include a first module 202, a second module 204 and / or a third module 206.

[0083] The first module 202 can be configured to receive one or more input signals. The input signal(s) can, for example, be associated with a mobility status of a user device (or UE) in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of predetermined mobility parameters defining a threshold.

[0084] The second module 204 can be configured to process and / or facilitate processing of the input signal(s) according to the method 300 as discussed earlier to generate one or more output signals.

[0085] The third module 206 can be configured to communicate one or more output signals. The output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to one or more control signals for signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) monitoring when performing measurements (e.g. RRM measurements) by the user device (or UE).

[0086] In one embodiment, the apparatus 102 can correspond to a User Equipment (UE) which can communicate with a device 104 corresponding to a base station. The base station can, for example, correspond to a Next generation Node B (gNB) which can be configured to communicate one or more signals (e.g., output signal(s)) to the UE.

[0087] Yet further in view of the foregoing, it is appreciable that the present disclosure generally contemplates a system 100 which can include one or more apparatuses 102 and one or more devices 104. The apparatus(es) 102 and the device(s) 104 can, for example, be capable of being coupled via wired coupling and / or wireless coupling.

[0088] It should be appreciated that the embodiments described above can be combined in any manner as appropriate (e.g., one or more embodiments as discussed in the “Detailed Description” section can be combined with one or more embodiments as described in the “Summary of the Invention” section).

[0089] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that variations and combinations of embodiments described above, not being alternatives or substitutes, may be combined to form yet further embodiments.

[0090] In one example, the possibility of the output signal(s) being communicated from the apparatus(es) 102 was discussed. It is appreciable that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated from the v. Specifically, the possibility that the output signal(s) need not necessarily be communicated outside of the apparatus(es) 102 is contemplated, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the output signal(s) can, for example, correspond to internal command(s) / instruction(s) (e.g., communicated only within an apparatus 102for adaptively controlling operational configuration of the apparatus 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0091] Fig. 4A to Fig. 4C show schematic diagrams illustrating the flow of information in association with the method of Fig. 3, according to various embodiments of the invention.

[0092] Fig. 4A shows an example embodiment of low power wakeup signal (LPWUS) monitoring relaxation based on the user device (UE) mobility condition in various LPWUS cycles. In an alternate embodiment, the UE mobility condition may be in various discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles. In an example embodiment, WuS monitoring may be linked with the RRM measurements and the UE (or user device) may skip monitoring a signal (e.g. WuS or LPWUS) in a frequent RRM measurement scenario if the mobility conditions are satisfied. In particular, the UE skips monitoring the WuS when it performs RRM measurements. The UE may decide whether to monitor the WuS based on the mobility status, which may include a plurality of mobility parameters that is pre-determined by the network (or base station or gNB). The network (or base station or gNB) may communicate these parameters in system information message for the UE (or user device). Examples of such a message include but not limited to BER (Bit Error Rate) or UE battery level. If the mobility condition is satisfied by the UE, the WuS is not monitored by the UE, i.e. the UE may not monitor the next WuS and will be awake (the UE main radio is on) during the DRX cycle to communicate RRM measurements. This may provide the advantage of the UE not monitoring the WuS and increases power saving for the UE. This may also enable the low power UE's to reduce WuS monitoring power consumption and reduce the delay.

[0093] In the example context as shown in Fig. 4B, a gNB (or base station) may be configured to send the plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters to the UE (or user device), which may define a threshold. In the example context as shown in Fig. 4C, the UE (or user device) can be configured to receive the pre-determined mobility parameters from the gNB (or base station) and determine if the threshold is satisfied.If the threshold is satisfied, the UE (or user device) avoids monitoring the WuS in the next cycle. On the other hand, if the threshold is not satisfied, the UE (or user device) continues monitoring the WuS in the next cycle.

[0094] In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the following claims and are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and / or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.Abbreviations:ACK: acknowledgementAGC: automatic gain controlBSR: buffer status reportBWP: bandwidth partCG: configured grantCS-RNTI: configured scheduling radio network temporary identifierDCI: downlink control informationDRX: Discontinuous ReceptionGP: guard periodHARQ: hybrid automatic repeat requestLPWUS: Low Power Wake-up SignalLPWUR: Low Power Wake-up ReceiverNACK: negative acknowledgementNDI: new data indicatorNR: new radioOFDM: orthogonal frequency-division multiplexingPDCCH: physical downlink control channelPRB: physical resource blockPRS: positioning reference signalPSBCH: physical SL broadcast channelPSCCH: physical SL control channelPSFCH: physical SL feedback channelPSSCH: physical SL shared channelRAN: radio access networkRB: resource blockRP: resource poolRRC: radio resource controlSCI: sidelink control informationSL: sidelinkSPCI: SL positioning Control InformationS-PSS: SL primary synchronization signalSR: scheduling requestS-SS: SL synchronization signalsS-SSB: SL synchronization signal blockS-SSS: SL secondary synchronization signal SL-RNTI: sidelink radio network temporary identifierTB: transmission blockUE: user equipmentUL: uplinkWID: work item description WuS: Wake-up Signal

Claims

Claim(s)1. A method (300) for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network, the method comprising: an input step (302) which comprises receiving at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold; and a processing step (304) which comprises at least one of: determining if current parameters of the user device exceed the threshold; and determining whether to enable or disable signal monitoring in a subsequent cycle based on the determination of the current parameters exceeding the threshold.

2. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising determining a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold.

3. The method (300) according to claim 2, further comprising communicating the plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters via a system information message.

4. The method (300) according to claim 1 , further comprising performing measurements in the subsequent cycle if signal monitoring is disabled.

5. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the signal is a Wake-up Signal (WuS) or a Low Power Wake-up Signal (LPWUS).

6. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the cycle is a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

7. The method (300) according to claim 1 , wherein the measurements comprises radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

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

9. A computer readable storage medium having data stored therein representing software executable by a computer, the software including instructions, when executed by the computer, to carry out at least one of the input step (302) and the processing step (304) according to the method (300) of claims 1-7.

10. An apparatus (102) for signal monitoring when performing measurements in a network comprising: a first module (202) configured to receive at least one input signal associated with a mobility status of a user device in a current cycle, the mobility status including a plurality of pre-determined mobility parameters defining a threshold; a second module (204) configured to at least one of process and facilitate the processing step (304) according to the method (300) of claim 1 to claim 7 to generate at least one output signal; and a third module (206) configured to communicate at least one output signal, wherein the output signal corresponds to a control signal for signal monitoring when performing measurements in the network.11 . The apparatus (102) according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus (102) corresponds to a User Equipment (UE) communicable with a device (104) corresponding to a base station, and wherein the base station corresponds to a Next generation Node B (gNB) configured to communicate the at least one input signal to the UE.

12. A system (100) comprising: at least one apparatus (102) according to any of claims 10 and 11 ; and at least one device (104) according to claim 11 , wherein the apparatus (102) and the device (104) are capable of being coupled via at least one of wired coupling and wireless coupling.

Images