Method for enhanced rach and sr procedures

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for enabling a user equipment, UE, having a low power wake-up signal receiver, LP-WUR, to reduce its energy consumption during a random-access and / or a scheduling request procedure, respectively.

Description

Method for enhanced RACH and SR proceduresTechnical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communication systems and relates more specifically to methods and devices for saving energy on a user equipment, UE, side of the wireless communication system.Background

[0002] 5G systems are designed and developed targeting for both mobile telephony and vertical use cases. Besides latency, reliability, and availability, UE energy efficiency is also critical to 5G. Currently, 5G devices may have to be recharged per week or day, depending on individual’s usage time. In general, 5G devices consume tens of milliwatts in RRC idle / inactive state and hundreds of milliwatts in RRC connected state. Designs to prolong battery life is a necessity for improving energy efficiency as well as for better user experience.

[0003] Energy efficiency is even more critical for UEs without a continuous energy source, e.g., UEs using small rechargeable and single coin cell batteries. Among vertical use cases, sensors and actuators are deployed extensively for monitoring, measuring, charging, etc. Generally, their batteries are not rechargeable and expected to last at least few years as described in TR 38.875. Wearables include smart watches, rings, eHealth related devices, and medical monitoring devices. With typical battery capacity, it is challenging to sustain up to 1-2 weeks as required.

[0004] The power consumption depends on the configured length of wake-up periods, e.g., paging cycle. To meet the battery life requirements above, eDRX cycle with large value is expected to be used, resulting in high latency, which is not suitable for such services with requirements of both long battery life and low latency. For example, in fire detection and extinguishment use case, fire shutters shall be closed and fire sprinklers shall be turned on by the actuators within 1 to 2 seconds from the time the fire is detected by sensors, long eDRX cycle cannot meet the delay requirements. eDRX is apparently not suitable for latency-critical use cases. Thus, the intention is to study ultra-low power mechanism that can support low latency in Rel-18, e.g. lower than eDRX latency.

[0005] Currently, UEs need to periodically wake up once per DRX cycle, which dominates the power consumption in periods with no signaling or data traffic. If UEs are able to wake up only when they are triggered, e.g., paging, power consumption could be dramatically reduced. This can be achieved by using a wake-up signal to trigger the main radio and a separate receiver which has the ability to monitor wake-up signal with ultra-low powerconsumption. Main radio works for data transmission and reception, which can be turned off or set to deep sleep unless it is turned on.

[0006] The power consumption for monitoring wake-up signal depends on the wake-up signal design and the hardware module of the wake-up receiver used for signal detecting and processing.

[0007] The study should primarily target low-power WUS / WUR for power-sensitive, small form-factor devices including loT use cases (such as industrial sensors, controllers) and wearables. Other use cases are not precluded, e.g., XR / smart glasses, smart phones.

[0008] To reduce energy consumption, discontinuous reception, DRX, has been introduced in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) wireless communication systems. Basically, in DRX, the UE periodically goes to sleep for an asleep duration during which a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, is not monitored before waking up for an awake duration to monitor the PDCCH for possible downlink control data. The amount of energy that can be saved depends on how long and how often the UE remains asleep. Of course, the longer the UE remains asleep, the greater the amount of energy saved.

[0009] To enhance energy savings without sacrificing latency in 5G or New Radio (NR) wireless communication systems, 3GPP is willing to define a new architecture for UEs (see e.g., the technical report TR 38.869).

[0010] Basically, current UEs need to periodically wake up once per DRX cycle, which dominates the energy consumption in periods with no signaling or data traffic. If UEs were able to wake up only when they are triggered, e.g., paging, energy consumption could be dramatically reduced. As investigated by 3GPP, this is achieved by providing the UE with both a main radio, MR, unit, and a low power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR.

[0011] Basically, the MR unit corresponds to the 5G NR wireless communication unit, and the LP-WUR corresponds to a wireless communication unit that is used to monitor a wakeup signal with low power consumption. Once the wake-up signal is detected, the LP-WUR can trigger the MR unit which can transition from a low power state to an active state.

[0012] The active state corresponds to a state in which the MR unit can exchange data with a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system. The low power state corresponds to any state in which the MR unit cannot exchange data with the RAN.

[0013] By “low power” state, we mean that the mean power consumption of the MR unit in the low power state is lower than (and preferably significantly lower than, e.g., ten times or even a hundred times lower than) the mean power consumption of the MR unit in the active state.

[0014] By “low power” wake-up receiver, we mean that the LP-WUR is used for receiving a wake-up signal while the MR unit is in a low power state. Of course, the monitoring of thewake-up signal should be done with a low power consumption, and the mean power consumption of the LP-WUR should therefore be lower than (and preferably significantly lower than, e.g., ten times or even a hundred times lower than) the mean power consumption of the MR unit when it is in the active state.

[0015] However, there is a need for further reducing energy consumption in specific procedures.

[0016] When performing a random-access and / or scheduling request procedure, a UE applies a network-provided ON / OFF pattern for further reducing energy consumption. If low and high priority UE types will use the same ON / OFF patterns, there is a high risk for contention and thus increased UE power consumption. Hence, a single ON / OFF pattern is not suitable for all UE types or network conditions.

[0017] The network-configured ON / OFF patterns indicate when to activate and deactivate the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WUS by the LP-WUR, respectively.

[0018] UEs in RRCJNACTIVE may temporarily measure LP-WuS reference signal below threshold, e.g., due to temporary blockage or poor receive conditions. As a consequence, the UE will activate its main radio (MR) unnecessarily (or too early) and waste energy.

[0019] The random-access procedure enables a UE to establish a communication with the RAN. For that purpose, a random-access channel, RACH, is configured which enables the UE to try and notify the RAN that it wants to establish a communication. Typically, in 5G or New Radio (NR) wireless communication systems, the UE sends a first message (a.k.a. msg1 message) via the RACH which includes a predetermined random-access preamble. The RAN may then respond to the random-access preamble with a random-access response, RAR (a.k.a. msg2 message) which includes an initial uplink grant, during a RAR window. If the RAR is successfully received, the UE then sends another message (a.k.a. msg3 message) by using the initial uplink grant via a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. The RAN may then respond to this msg3 message with a contention resolution message (a.k.a. msg4 message) during a contention resolution timer window.Summary

[0020] The present disclosure aims at improving the situation. In particular, the present disclosure aims at addressing at least some of the limitations of the prior art discussed above. In particular, the present disclosure aims at proposing a solution for reducing the duration during which the MR unit needs to remain in the active state within a DL response period used to transmit a DL response to an uplink request transmitted during a randomaccess or scheduling request procedure, respectively. For example, the DL response period corresponds to the RAR time window, the contention resolution timer value, or to schedulingrequest prohibit timer value discussed above. Furthermore a single ON / OFF pattern is not suitable for all UE types and network conditions. If low and high priority UE types will use the same pattern, there is a high risk for contention and thus increased UE power consumption.

[0021] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit, configured to exchange data with a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, and a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR, configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform a random-access procedure by transmitting an uplink, UL, request to the RAN, and by receiving a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises an inactive subperiod followed by an active subperiod and the method comprises, during the DL response period: performing wake-up signal monitoring by the LP-WUR during the inactive subperiod, with the MR unit in a low power state, in response to detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod: triggering a transition of the M R unit to the active state and performing DL response monitoring during the active subperiod.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect can further comprise one or more of the following optional features, considered either alone or in any technically possible combination.

[0023] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, in response to not detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod, the MR unit is maintained in the low power state during the active subperiod.

[0024] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, in response to not detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod, the LP-WUR does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during the active period.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect comprises receiving a DL response period configuration defining the inactive subperiod and the active subperiod within the DL response period as well as additional time offset value(s) to be applied before start of subperiods.

[0026] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the DL response period configuration is received in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the DL response period configuration is received in a radio resource control, RRC, messagetransmitted by the RAN.

[0027] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the DL response period comprises a plurality of active subperiods and / or the DL response period comprises a plurality of inactive subperiods.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method according to the first aspect comprises receiving from the RAN an indication of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod and / or whether an additional time offset value(s) shall be applied before start of subperiods.

[0029] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect, the indication is received in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the indication is received in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN.

[0030] In some embodiments of the method according to the first aspect: the UL request corresponds to a msg1 message of the random-access procedure, and the DL response period corresponds to a RAR window, and / or the UL request corresponds to a msg3 message of the random-access procedure, and the DL response period corresponds to a contention resolution timer window.

[0031] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a wireless device comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to carry out a method according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0032] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a user equipment, UE, comprising a wireless device according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a base station, BS, of a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, wherein the BS is configured to exchange data with a wireless device, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit and a low power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR, wherein the LP-WUR is configured to detect a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS, wherein the BS is configured to perform a random access procedure by monitoring an uplink, UL, channel for receiving an UL, request from the wireless device and, in response to detecting an UL request from the wireless device, by transmitting a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises at least on inactive subperiod and at least one active subperiod, and wherein the BS is configured to transmit the DL response to the wireless device only in the at least one active subperiod of the DL response period.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect can further comprise one or more of the following optional features, considered either alone or in any technically possible combination.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect comprises, in response to determining that the DL response is to be transmitted in an active subperiod which follows an inactive subperiod of the DL response period: transmitting a wake-up signal to the wireless device in said inactive subperiod.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect comprises transmitting a DL response period configuration to the wireless device, wherein the DL response period configuration defines the at least one inactive subperiod and the at least one active subperiod within the DL response period as well as additional time offset value(s) to be applied before start of subperiods.

[0037] In some embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect, the DL response period configuration is transmitted in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the DL response period configuration is transmitted in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted to the wireless device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method according to the fourth aspect comprises transmitting to the wireless device an indication of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod and / or whether an additional time offset value(s) shall be applied before start of subperiods.

[0039] In some embodiments of the method according to the fourth aspect, the indication is transmitted in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the indication is transmitted in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN.

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a base station, BS, comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to carry out a method according to any one of the embodiments of the fourth aspect.

[0041] According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system comprising at least one base station according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure and at least one user equipment according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0042] According to a seventh aspect, the present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to carry out a method for exchanging data according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The computer program product can use any programming language, and can be in the form of source code, object code, or in any intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiledform, or in any other desirable form.

[0043] According to an eighth aspect, the present disclosure relates to a (non-transitory) computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to carry out a method for transmitting control messages according to any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.Brief description of figures

[0044] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given as an example that is in no way limiting, and made in reference to the figures which show:Figure 1 : UE RRC States,Figure 2: SR procedure incl. period of sr-ProhibitTimer during which PDCCH is monitored for UL grant,Figure 3: a schematic representation of SR monitoring time window (incl. time period of sr-ProhibitTimer as well as overlayed ON / OFF patterns) Figure 4: UE behaviour, Figure 5: BS behaviour,

[0045] In these figures, references identical from one figure to another designate identical or analogous elements. For reasons of clarity, the elements shown are not to scale, unless explicitly stated otherwise.Detailed description

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 isimplied 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.

[0049] 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 UE (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 (eNB), gNodeB (gNB), 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.

[0050] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless 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.

[0051] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / g NodeB 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.

[0052] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0053] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0054] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code, computer readable code, and / or program code, referred hereafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non- transitory, and / or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals for accessing code

[0055] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0056] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage device would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0057] Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including anobject- oriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, or the like, and / or machine languages such as assembly languages. The code may execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’s computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user’s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user’s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (“LAN”), wireless LAN (“WLAN”), or a wide area network (“WAN”), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”)).

[0058] 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.

[0059] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general-purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams

[0060] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0061] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the code which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0062] The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0063] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0064] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

[0065] The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements of proceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures, including alternate embodiments of like elements.

[0066] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to the figures, 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. For instance, although 3GPP terminology, from e.g., 5G NR, may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] The disclosure is related to wireless communication system, which may be for example a 5G NR wireless communication system. More specifically, it represents a RAN of the wireless communication system, which is used exchange data with UEs via radio signals. For example, the RAN may send data to the UEs (downlink, DL), for instance data received from a core network (CN). The RAN may also receive data from the UEs (uplink, UL), which data may be forwarded to the CN.

[0068] In the examples illustrated, the RAN comprises one base station, BS. Of course, the RAN may comprise more than one BS to increase the coverage of the wireless communication system. Each of these BSs may be referred to as NB, eNodeB (or eNB), gNodeB (or gNB, in the case of a 5G NR wireless communication system), an access point or the like, depending on the wireless communication standard(s) implemented.

[0069] The UEs are located in a coverage of the BS. The coverage of the BS corresponds for example to the area in which UEs can decode a PDCCH transmitted by the BS.

[0070] An example of a wireless device suitable for implementing any method, discussed in the present disclosure, performed at a UE corresponds to an apparatus that provides wireless connectivity with the RAN of the wireless communication system, and that can be used to exchange data with said RAN. Such a wireless device may be included in a UE. The UE may for instance be a cellular phone, a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, or the like. The UE may also be an Internet of Things (loT) equipment, like a wireless camera, a smart sensor, a smart meter, smart glasses, a vehicle (manned or unmanned), a global positioning system device, etc., or any other equipment that may run applications that need to exchange data with remote recipients, via the wireless device.

[0071] The wireless device comprises one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more processors may include for instance a central processing unit (CPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The one or more memories may include any type of computer readable volatile and non-volatile memories (magnetic hard disk, solid-state disk, optical disk, electronic memory, etc.). The one or more memories may store a computer program product, in the form of a set of program-code instructions to be executed by the one or more processors to implement all or part of the steps of a method for exchanging data, performed at a UE’s side, according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0072] The wireless device can comprise also a main radio, MR, unit. The MR unit corresponds to a main wireless communication unit of the wireless device, used for exchanging data with BSs of the RAN using radio signals. The M R unit may implement one or more wireless communication protocols, and may for instance be a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax, etc. transceiver or the like. In preferred embodiments, the MR unit corresponds to a 5G NR wireless communication unit.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 UE (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.

[0077] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term user equipment (UE) or wireless 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.

[0078] Additionally, terminologies such as base station / g NodeB 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.

[0079] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0080] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration (“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelfsemiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

[0081] Furthermore, embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code, computer readable code, and / or program code, referred hereafter as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non- transitory, and / or non-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals for accessing code.

[0082] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0083] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage device would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc readonly memory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0084] Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number of lines and may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages including an object- oriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language, or the like, and / or machine languages such as assembly languages. The code may execute entirely on the user’s computer, partly on the user’s computer, as a standalone software package, partly on the user’s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user’s computer through any type of network, including a local areanetwork (“LAN”), wireless LAN (“WLAN”), or a wide area network (“WAN”), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”)).

[0085] 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.

[0086] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and / or schematic block diagrams, can be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams

[0087] The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article ofmanufacture including instructions which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0088] The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the code which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams.

[0089] The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods, and program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions of the code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0090] It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.

[0091] Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and / or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

[0092] The following explanation will provide the detailed description of the mechanism about pre-configuring and signaling the specific information about model selection using association between models and index values. AI / ML based techniques are currently applied to many different applications and 3GPP also started to work on its technical investigation to apply to multiple use cases based on the observed potential gains. AI / ML lifecycle can be split into several stages such as data collection / pre-processing, model training, model testing / validation, model deployment / update, model monitoring etc., whereeach stage is equally important to achieve target performance with any specific model(s). In applying AI / ML model for any use case or application, one of the challenging issues is to manage the lifecycle of AI / ML model. It is mainly because the data / model drift occurs during model deployment / inference and it results in performance degradation of AI / ML model. Fundamentally, the dataset statistical changes occur after model is deployed and model inference capability is also impacted with unseen data as input. In a similar aspect, the statistical property of dataset and the relationship between input and output for the trained model can be changed with drift occurrence. In this context, model selection is one of key issues for model performance maintenance as model performance such as inferencing and / or training is dependent on different model execution environment with varying configuration parameters. To handle this issue, collaboration between UE and gNB is highly important to track model performance and re-configure model corresponding to different environments. AI / ML model needs model monitoring after deployment because model performance cannot be maintained continuously due to drift and update feedback is then provided to re-train / update the model or select alternative model. When AI / ML model enabled wireless communication network is deployed, it is then important to consider how to handle AI / ML model in activation with re-configuration for wireless devices under operations such as model training, inference, updating, etc. Therefore, there is a need for specification for signaling methods and gNB-UE behaviors when a set of multiple specific AI / ML models are supported for RAN-based model operation and a new mechanism about gNB-UE behaviors and procedures is necessary to avoid any performance impact on model operation using multiple specific AI / ML models.

[0093] The detailed description set forth below, with reference to the figures, 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. For instance, although 3GPP terminology, from e.g., 5G NR, may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0094] 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. Also, the order of steps of any methods disclosed herein, in particular in thefigures, is provided only for illustration purposes and is not meant to limit the present disclosure which may be applied with the same steps executed in a different order and / or with all or part of the steps executed in parallel or jointly, 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. Also, in a figure, steps represented surrounded by a dashed line are to be considered as optional for the embodiment represented in this figure. 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.

[0095] Figure 1 represents the UE RRC States. In both RRCJDLE and RRCJNACTIVE, UE performs measurements of neighboring cells and can perform re-selection. In RRC_CONNECTED, UE mobility is controlled by the network and handovers can be initiated. In RRCJDLE, UE paging is initiated by the CN. In RRCJNACTIVE, UE paging is initiated by NG-RAN. To page a UE, it's location must be known. In RRCJDLE, this is the Tracking Area (RA). In RRCJNACTIVE, this is the RAN-based Notification Area (RNA) and UE may initiate RNA updates.

[0096] When UE monitors LP-WUS by low-power wake-up receiver (LR), UE’s main receiver (MR) enters sleep mode and does not monitor PDCCH, the sleep mode can be micro / light / deep sleep. Once the UE detects LP-WUS, the UE wakes up MR and startsPDCCH monitoring by MR. If the UE determines to stop the PDCCH monitoring by MR, UE can let MR go to sleep mode and use LR to monitor LP-WLIS to further reduce the power consumption..

[0097] According to current MAC specification, after transmitting the Random Access Preamble (Msg1), the UE monitors the PDCCH for the Random Access Response (RAR) message (Msg2). The response window (ra-ResponseWindow) starts at a determined time interval after the preamble transmission. All UEs apply common value of ra- ResponseWindow that was received through system information message. The value of ra- ResponseWindow is up to 80 slots as mentioned in TS38.331. For example, if gNB configures ra-ResponseWindow sl40 which means gNB can send RAR within 40 slots after receiving random access preamble. Therefore, UE may need to monitor RAR for maximally 40 slots after sending random access preamble. Similarly, the UE starts contention resolution timer after the transmission of msg3. It can be configured with the values between 8 and 64 subframes, i.e. 8 and 64 ms (in RACH-ConfigCommon).

[0098] In the example, the RAN comprises one base station, BS. Of course, the RAN may comprise more than one BS to increase the coverage of the wireless communication system. Each of these BSs may be referred to as NB, eNodeB (or eNB), gNodeB (or gNB, in the case of a 5G NR wireless communication system), an access point or the like, depending on the wireless communication standard(s) implemented.

[0099] Figure 2 shows the SR procedure including period of sr-ProhibitTimer during which PDCCH is monitored by UE for UL grant indication. The SR procedure is used by the UE to request radio resources for a new uplink transmission. The MAC entity may be configured with zero, one, or more SR configurations. Each SR configuration corresponds to one or more logical channels (LCH). Each logical channel may be mapped to zero or one SR configuration, which is configured by RRC.

[0100] The purpose for this mapping between SR configuration and LCH is to make the network somehow aware of which traffic type is requesting uplink resources. By creating a mapping between LCH and SR configuration, the network is aware of the LCH that triggers the SR.

[0101] For example, each specific logical channel can be configured with a different SR configuration, so that when an SR is received, the network is aware of the LCH.

[0102] When the prohibit timer (sr-ProhibitTimer) is active, no further SR is initiated, sr- prohibitTimer is per SR configuration and its value is up to 128ms. (Ref. TS38.331 6.3.2 SchedulingRequestConfig).

[0103] If gNB configures sr-ProhibitTimer 32ms which means gNB can allocate uplink resources within 32ms after receiving the SR. UE may need to monitor PDCCH formaximally 32ms after sending the SR.

[0104] In the example not illustrated two UEs are represented. The UEs are located in a coverage of the BS. The coverage of the BS corresponds for example to the area in which UEs can decode a PDCCH transmitted by the BS.

[0105] One implementation is represented as an example of a wireless device suitable for implementing any method, discussed in the present disclosure, performed at a UE Basically, the wireless device corresponds to an apparatus that provides wireless connectivity with the RAN of the wireless communication system, and that can be used to exchange data with said RAN.

[0106] Such a wireless device may be included in a UE. The UE may for instance be a cellular phone, a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, or the like. The UE may also be an Internet of Things (loT) equipment, like a wireless camera, a smart sensor, a smart meter, smart glasses, a vehicle (manned or unmanned), a global positioning system device, etc., or any other equipment that may run applications that need to exchange data with remote recipients, via the wireless device 25.

[0107] The wireless device comprises one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more processors may include for instance a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The one or more memories may include any type of computer readable volatile and non-volatile memories (magnetic hard disk, solid-state disk, optical disk, electronic memory, etc.). The one or more memories may store a computer program product, in the form of a set of program-code instructions to be executed by the one or more processors to implement all or part of the steps of a method for exchanging data, performed at a UE’s side, according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0108] The wireless device comprises also a main radio, MR, unit, and a low power wakeup signal receiver, LP-WUR.

[0109] As discussed above, the MR unit corresponds to a main wireless communication unit of the wireless device, used for exchanging data with BSs of the RAN using radio signals. The MR unit may implement one or more wireless communication protocols, and may for instance be a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax, etc. transceiver or the like. In preferred embodiments, the MR unit corresponds to a 5G NR wireless communication unit.

[0110] The LP-WUR corresponds to a secondary wireless communication unit of the wireless device, that is used to monitor a wake-up signal, transmitted by BSs of the RAN, with low power consumption. The wake-up signal may take any form enabling it to be detected with low power consumption. Non-limitative examples for the wake-up signal and the LP-WUR are provided in the technical report TR 38.869. It should be noted that, in someexamples, the wake-up signal can even be a specific 5G NR signal, for instance using a low-level modulation and coding scheme, MCS, in which case the LP-WLIR can consist in the components of a 5G NR wireless communication unit strictly required to be able to detect such a specific 5G NR signal.

[0111] As discussed above, the purpose of the LP-WLIR is mainly to monitor and detect a (DL) wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN of the wireless communication system. As such, the LP-WLIR may be only unidirectional, i.e., with only receiving capabilities (DL) and no transmitting capabilities (UL). However, in some examples, the LP-WLIR may also have transmitting capabilities, such that it can also transmit (UL) data to the RAN.

[0112] The wireless device is adapted to be operated in at least two operating modes which include a normal operating mode and a low power operating mode: in the normal operating mode, the MR unit is in an active state, in the low power operating mode, the MR unit is in a low power state and the LP- WUR is configured to trigger a transition to the normal operating mode in response to detecting a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN, if configured, applying an additional time offset before starting to monitor DL signals from BS.

[0113] As discussed above, the active state corresponds to any state in which the MR unit can exchange data with the RAN without being triggered by the LP-WUR.

[0114] The low power state corresponds to a state in which the MR unit cannot exchange data with the RAN without being triggered by the LP-WUR. For example, the low power state corresponds to the MR unit being always asleep. However, since the MR unit does not have to wake-up periodically in the low power state, thanks to the LP-WUR, the MR unit may be ultra-deeply asleep and may even be turned off since the LP-WUR can be used to turn the MR unit on. Also, it should be noted that it is possible to consider different low power states for the MR unit, having different respective mean power consumptions. For example, it is possible to consider a very low power state, having the lowest mean power consumption, and one or more intermediate low power states having a mean power consumption greater than the mean power consumption of the very low power state. For example, the very low power state may correspond to the MR unit being turned off, and an intermediate low power state may correspond to the MR unit being asleep without being turned off.

[0115] It should be noted that, in some examples, the LP-WUR may also be configured to trigger the MR unit when other conditions are verified. For example, the LP-WUR may be configured to trigger the MR unit if a predetermined timer has expired without detecting a wake-up signal. Such a timer may be used to ensure that the wireless device can return to the active state when e.g., the wireless device has moved out of the coverage of the wakeup signal. Of course, the duration of this timer should be sufficiently high to ensure that theMR unit can remain in a low power state over sufficiently long periods.

[0116] The BS comprises one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more processors may include for instance a CPU, a DSP, an FPGA, an ASIC, etc. The one or more memories may include any type of computer readable volatile and non-volatile memories (magnetic hard disk, solid-state disk, optical disk, electronic memory, etc.). The one or more memories may store a computer program product, in the form of a set of program-code instructions to be executed by the one or more processors to implement all or part of the steps of a method for exchanging data, performed at the RAN’s side, according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0117] As illustrated by figure 3, the main approach is represented. The network, e.g., gNB, determines a mapping between a type value or a unique identifier, which is related to wireless device as well as network characteristics, and random access and / or scheduling request configurations. Wireless device characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, device type and capabilities, data traffic pattern and / or history. Network characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, network type and capabilities, device mobility and data traffic pattern and / or history, radio cell load(s) as well as level of contention, e.g., number of failed access attempts or failed scheduling requests in a predefined time interval.

[0118] Based on the determined mapping, the network, e.g., gNB, provides random access and / or a scheduling request procedure configurations, including, at least, one or a plurality of indications for activating and deactivating the monitoring of DL signals by UE’s MR and / or LP-WUR during random access and / or scheduling request procedure-related DL response periods, e.g., RAR monitoring window, contention resolution monitoring window, scheduling request probit time window.

[0119] A new or updated configuration is provided by gNB when it moves UE from RRC CONNECTED to RRC INACTIVE mode. gNB provides the new or updated configuration through dedicated, UE-specific RRC message (e.g., RRC release message). gNB determines corresponding configurations based on UE’s subscription, type, and data traffic history / characteristics as well as cell load or other network-level metrics.

[0120] gNB can provide the mapping (table) between unique type value or identifier and RACH configurations (RAR monitoring window, Contention Resolution monitoring window) incl. the different ON / OFF patterns through system information message and / or dedicated RRC message.

[0121] When RRC INACTIVE UE triggers RACH procedure, it applies the ON / OFF patterns within RAR monitoring and contention resolution monitoring window that correspond to its UE type. gNB can change the ON / OFF pattern based on cell load or other network-levelmetrics. The method is also applicable to other RRC states. The method will reduce contention among UEs and will thus reduce UE power consumption.expires, UE starts “ON period”. During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors RAR from the gNB and UE LP-WUR is in the sleep mode. When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”. During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB. If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitor RAR to the next “ON period”. If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring RAR to the next “ON period”

[0123] UE behavior during “ON-OFF period in Contention Resolution timing window”: When “OFF period” expires, UE starts “ON period”. During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors contention resolution message from the gNB and UE LP-WUR is in the sleep mode. When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”. During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB. If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitor contention resolution message to the next “ON period”. If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring contention resolution message to the next “ON period”.

[0124] gNB configures UE #1 to type #2, UE #2 to type #3, UE #3 to type #1. If UE #2 performs RACH procedure, it will use RACH config. #3 and apply ON / OFF pattern #3 during RAR monitoring window.

[0125] gNB configures SR resources to UE in RRC INACTIVE mode. gNB provides the mapping (table) between UE type and SR resources incl. the different ON / OFF patterns through system information message and / or dedicated RRC message. When RRC INACTIVE UE triggers SR procedure, it applies the ON / OFF patterns for SR response monitoring window that corresponds to its UE type. gNB can change the ON / OFF pattern based on cell load or other network-level metrics. gNB configures UE #1 to type #2, UE #2 to type #3, UE #3 to type #1. For example, if UE #2 performs SR procedure, it will use SR config. #3 and apply ON / OFF pattern #3 during SR response monitoring window.

[0126] UE behavior during “ON-OFF period in SR monitoring window”: When “OFF period” expires, UE starts “ON period”. During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors PDCCH for UL grant from the gNB and UE LP-WUR is in the sleep mode. When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”. During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB. If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitor PDCCH for UL grant to the next “ON period”. If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring PDCCH for UL grant to the next “ON period”.

[0127] One preferred embodiment is characterized by gNB knows UE’s subscription, type, and data traffic history / characteristics and classifies (RRC INACTIVE & CONNECTED) UEs accordingly. For example, sensor type of UEs may be assigned with a larger RAR window or with ON / OFF periods at the end of a larger RAR window. XR-type of UEs will be assigned with a shorter RAR window or with ON / OFF periods at the beginning of a RAR window. gNB determines a mapping of UE types on different ON / OFF periods based on UE’s subscription, type, and data traffic history / characteristics as well as cell load or other metrics. When gNB sends UE to RRC INACTIVE mode, new or updated configurations are provided via RRC release message.

[0128] Another preferred embodiment is characterized by while the UE moves in RRCJNACTIVE, it may leave its original RNA. When detecting a new RNA (e.g., SIB of new gNB), UE performs RNA update procedure. UE receives the updated LP-WUS configuration information from the network during the RNA update procedure (e.g., RNA update procedure response message). While in RRC NACTIVE, the UE may perform RA- SDT or CG-SDT procedure. The network can provide an updated LP-WUS configuration via another RRC release message.

[0129] The process flow of the BS is illustrated by figure 5, whereby the BS comprises also a wireless communication unit, configured to exchange data with UEs using radio signals, and more specifically with MR units of wireless devices included in these UEs. The wireless communication unit may for instance be a 3G, 4G, 5G, NR, WiFi, WiMax, etc. transceiver or the like. In preferred embodiments, the wireless communication unit of the BS corresponds to a 5G NR transceiver.

[0130] The BS comprises also a wake-up signal transmitter, WUT, configured to transmit wake-up signals to UEs having a wireless device which includes a LP-WUR. The WUT is represented as separate from the wireless communication unit. However, the WUT may also be included in the wireless communication unit, e.g., if the wireless communication unit is a 5G NR transceiver and if the wake-up signal is a specific 5G NR signal.

[0131] The purpose of the WUT, if separate from the wireless communication unit, is mainly to transmit a (DL) wake-up signal. As such, the WUT may be only unidirectional, i.e. , with only transmitting capabilities (DL) and no receiving capabilities (UL). However, in some examples, the WUT may also have receiving capabilities, such that it can also receive (UL) data from a LP-WUR of a UE.

[0132] The BS may comprise also a network communication unit, configured to exchange data with other base stations of the RAN and / or with the CN. The network communication unit may support one or more suitable communication protocols, which may be wired (including optical) and / or wireless.

[0133] As discussed above, the present disclosure aims at further reducing the energy consumption of the wireless device when performing a random-access and / or scheduling request procedure.

[0134] As discussed above, during a random-access procedure, the wireless device typically transmits an uplink, UL, request to the RAN and may receive a downlink, DL, response from the RAN during a DL response period.

[0135] For example, the UL request is transmitted by the UE’s MR unit in the active state. However, in other examples, the UL request may be transmitted by the LP-WUR (provided the LP-WUR has transmitting capabilities), in which case the MR unit may be in a low powerstate when the LP-WUR transmits the UL request.

[0136] For example, the UL request may correspond to a random-access preamble transmitted in an UL channel, typically the random-access channel, RACH. In such a case, the DL response corresponds typically to a random-access response, RAR, which may be transmitted via a DL channel, for example the physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, and the DL response period corresponds to the RAR window.

[0137] According to another example, the UE’s UL request may correspond to a msg3 message transmitted in an UL channel, for example in the PUSCH. In such a case, the DL response corresponds typically to a msg4 message, which may be transmitted via a DL channel, for example the physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, and the DL response period corresponds to the SR monitoring window.

[0138] To reduce the need for maintaining the UE’s MR unit in the active state during a DL response period, it is proposed to split the DL response period into a plurality of subperiods which include: one or more inactive subperiods during which the RAN will not transmit a DL response to the wireless device, and one or more active subperiods during which the RAN may transmit a DL response to the wireless device.

[0139] Since no DL response can be received during an inactive subperiod of the DL response period, the MR unit of the wireless device may be put in a low power state during each inactive subperiod of the DL response period, such that the MR unit no longer needs to be in the active state during the whole duration of the DL response period. Also, and as will be discussed below, if the DL response period includes an active subperiod which follows an inactive subperiod, the RAN may use said inactive subperiod to indicate whether said RAN intends to send the DL response during the following active subperiod. For instance, such an indication may be sent as a wake-up signal to be detected by the LEWD R of the wireless device. Hence, if a wake-up signal is detected during an inactive subperiod of the DL response period, the MR unit may transition to the active state for the following active subperiod of the DL response period. In turn, if no wake-up signal is detected during an inactive subperiod, the MR unit may remain in a low power state during the following active subperiod. Also, in some cases, if no wake-up signal is detected by the LP-WUR during an inactive subperiod of the DL response period, then the LP-WUR may also transition to a low-power state (e.g., turned off) for the duration of the following active subperiod of the DL response period, to further reduce energy consumption during the DL response period. In some examples, the LP-WUR may also be placed in a low power state (e.g., turned off) during all active subperiods of the DL response period.

[0140] As discussed above, the DL response period may comprise one or more active subperiods and one or more inactive subperiods, arranged such that the DL response period is composed of an alternation of active subperiod(s) and inactive subperiod(s). In other words, an active subperiod cannot be immediately followed or preceded by another active subperiod, and an inactive subperiod cannot be immediately followed or preceded by another inactive subperiod. Preferably, an inactive subperiod is always followed by an active subperiod, to be able to indicate to the wireless device whether its MR unit needs to be put in the active state for said following active subperiod. Further, the network, e.g., gNB can configure additional time offsets to be applied by the UE before starting to monitor DL response signals, e.g., RAR or CR message, UL grant indication.

[0141] In the context of the random-access procedure, such a splitting of a DL response period may be used for the RAR window and / or for the contention resolution timer window. Of course, using such a splitting for both the RAR window and the contention resolution timer window reduces the energy consumption of the wireless device.

[0142] Figure 3 represents schematically different examples of DL response period monitoring configurations.

[0143] In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the DL response period comprises six subperiods. More specifically, the DL response period starts with a first active subperiod (ON period), followed by an inactive subperiod (OFF period), followed by a second active subperiod, and so forth.

[0144] In some examples, it is possible to consider an identical duration for all inactive subperiods and for all active subperiods. However, it is also possible to consider a duration for the inactive subperiods that is different from the duration of the active subperiods. Also, the inactive subperiods may have all the same duration, or the duration may vary from one inactive subperiod to another. Similarly, the active subperiods may have all the same duration, or the duration may vary from one active subperiod to another.

[0145] Other DL response period monitoring configurations can be considered, for example, comprising additional active subperiods and / or additional inactive subperiods compared to the examples provided in figure 3. Further, the network, e.g., gNB can configure additional time offsets to be applied before the start of active and / or inactive subperiods. The choice of a specific DL response period monitoring configuration corresponds to a specific but non- limitative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] In some examples, the DL response period configuration may be predefined. In other examples, the DL response period configuration may be set by the wireless device, or by the RAN. In the latter case, the DL response period monitoring configuration to be used by the wireless device is, for instance, received by the wireless device in system informationbroadcasted by a BS of the RAN and / or received in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by a BS of the RAN (for example, a RRC reconfiguration or release message). Of course, other control messages can be used by the RAN or the CN to transmit a DL response period monitoring configuration to the wireless device.

[0147] In some cases, the RAN may also transmit to the wireless device, included in the DL response period monitoring configuration, or separately from the DL response period monitoring configuration, an indication of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod. If such an indication (of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod) is transmitted separately from the DL response period configuration, the structure of the DL response period can be dynamically adapted by modifying only the type of subperiod which starts the DL response period, i.e., either an inactive subperiod or an active subperiod. Such an indication may for example be included in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN. Such an indication may for instance consist in a single bit. For example, a value of ‘0’ may be used to indicate that the DL response period starts with an inactive subperiod while a value of ‘1’ may be used to indicate that the DL response period starts with an active subperiod.

[0148] It should be noted that a BS may set the same DL response period monitoring configuration for all the UEs in its coverage, or it can set different DL response period monitoring configurations to all or part of the UEs in its coverage. For example, the BS may set UE-specific DL response period monitoring configurations.

[0149] Figure 3 represents also schematically a non-limitative example of how the wireless device may reduce its energy consumption, by assuming in a non-limitative manner the DL response period monitoring configuration.

[0150] As illustrated in figure 4, the UE or wireless device receives configurations including corresponding ON / OFF patterns. UE applies ON / OFF patterns within RAR monitoring window, Contention Resolution monitoring window and / or SR response monitoring window according, to UE type value.

[0151] Accordingly, the wireless device considers that it might receive a DL response during a subsequent DL response period (e.g., RAR window or contention resolution timer window). Since the DL response period starts with a first active subperiod, the MR unit is in the active state for the duration of the first active subperiod, during which the wireless device may receive a DL response (e.g., via the PDCCH). However, no DL response is received during the first active subperiod.

[0152] Since no DL response is to be received during the first inactive subperiod, the MR unit may be put in a low power state for the duration of the first inactive subperiod. However,the LP-WUR performs wake-up signal monitoring during the first inactive subperiod. If no wake-up signal is detected during the first inactive subperiod, which means that the RAN does not intend to transmit a DL response during the following subperiod, i.e. , the second active subperiod. Accordingly, the MR unit may be kept in a low power state during the second active subperiod. Also, the LP-WLIR does not need to perform wake-up signal monitoring during the second active subperiod. Accordingly, the LP-WLIR may be placed in a low power state during the second active subperiod. For example, the LP-WLIR may be turned off during the second active subperiod. In some examples, the LP-WLIR may also be placed in a low power state (e.g., turned off) during all active subperiods of the DL response period.

[0153] Since no DL response is to be received during the second inactive subperiod, the MR unit may remain in a low power state for the duration of the second inactive subperiod. However, the LP-WUR performs wake-up signal monitoring during the second inactive subperiod. In the example illustrated in figure 3, the LP-WUR detects a wake-up signal at a time T1 within the second inactive subperiod, which means that the RAN may transmit the DL response during the following active subperiod, i.e., the third active subperiod. Accordingly, the LP-WUR transitions the MR unit to the active state for the duration of the third active subperiod, during which the wireless device may receive a DL response to its UL request. The MR unit receives the DL response (e.g., msg2 or msg4 message) at a time T2. If configured by the gNB, the UE’s MR applies an additional time offsets before starting to monitor DL response signals.

[0154] Figure 5 represents a diagram showing steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method for exchanging data, which is implemented by a BS. Figure 4 represents a diagram showing corresponding steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method for exchanging data, which is implemented by a wireless device of a UE.

[0155] It should be noted that figure 3 shows only three inactive subperiods and three active subperiods with equal lengths, respectively, but the corresponding steps can also be repeated, if the DL response period comprises less or more than inactive and / or active subperiods with different lengths, respectively.

[0156] As discussed above, the DL response period comprises one or more inactive subperiods and one or more active subperiods, and the BS is configured to transmit a DL response to an UL request to the wireless device of a UE only in active subperiod(s). In other words, no DL response is transmitted to the wireless device during inactive subperiods of the DL response period.

[0157] As discussed above, the DL response period (e.g., RAR window or contention resolution timer window) is typically triggered by the wireless device transmitting an ULrequest (e.g., random-access preamble I msg1 message or msg3 message) via an UL channel (e.g., RACH or PUSCH).

[0158] In some examples, the method for exchanging data comprises a step of transmitting a DL response period monitoring configuration to the wireless device. As discussed above, the DL response period monitoring configuration may be transmitted, e.g., in system information broadcasted by the BS and / or in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted to the wireless device. As discussed above an indication of whether the DL response period starts by an inactive period or by an active period may also be transmitted to the wireless device. Further, the gNB can configure additional time offsets to be applied by the the UE’s MR before starting to monitor DL response signals.

[0159] As discussed above, figure 4 represents a diagram showing corresponding steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method for exchanging data, which may be implemented by a wireless device, when the BS implements the method for exchanging data illustrated by figure 5.

[0160] The method for exchanging data comprises, during a DL response period, a step of performing wake-signal monitoring during an inactive subperiod, by the LP-WUR (while the MR unit is in a low power state). If no wake-up signal is detected during the current inactive subperiod, no DL response monitoring is performed during the following active subperiod, and the MR unit may be maintained in a low power state for the duration of the following active subperiod (and, in some examples, the LP-WUR does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during the following active subperiod and may be placed in a low power state). In turn, the method for exchanging data comprises a step of triggering a transition of the MR unit to the active state and a step of performing DL response monitoring during the following active subperiod.

[0161] As discussed above, the DL response period (e.g., RAR window or contention resolution timer window) is typically triggered by the wireless device transmitting an UL request (e.g., random-access preamble / msg1 message or msg3 message) via an UL channel (e.g., RACH or PUSCH). The method for exchanging data comprises a step of evaluating whether an UL request is to be transmitted to the RAN. If an UL request is to be transmitted, the method for exchanging data comprises a step of transmitting the UL request, which triggers a DL response period. Otherwise, no DL response period is triggered.

[0162] In some examples, the method for exchanging data comprises a step of receiving a DL response period monitoring configuration from the RAN, to be used during the DL response period(s). As discussed above, the DL response period the UE’s MRconfiguration is, for example, received in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN. As discussed above, the wirelessdevice may also receive from the RAN an indication of whether the DL response period starts by an inactive period or by an active period.

[0163] It is emphasized that the present disclosure is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments. Variants of the above exemplary embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The subject matter of this application is also applicable to other RRC states and it will reduce contention among UEs and will thus reduce UE power consumption.

Claims

Claims1. A method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit, configured to exchange data with a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, and a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WLIR, configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform a random access and / or a scheduling request procedure according to received configuration(s) including, at least, one indication for activating and / or deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WLIS by the LP-WLIR, respectively.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, determines a mapping between a type value or a unique identifier, which is related to wireless device as well as network characteristics, and random access and / or scheduling request configurations.

3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, wherein wireless device characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, device type and capabilities, data traffic pattern and / or history.

4. The method according to claims 1 to 3, wherein network characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, network type and capabilities, device mobility and data traffic pattern and / or history, radio cell load(s) as well as level of contention, e.g., number of failed access attempts or failed scheduling requests in a predefined time interval.

5. The method according to claims 1 to 4, wherein random access and / or scheduling request configurations include, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring of a DL response, e.g., random access response and / or contention resolution response messages, or scheduling request response message, e.g., PDCCH for UL grant, by the MR or the LP-WLIS by the LP-WLIR, respectively.

6. The method according to claims 1 to 5, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, provides the random access and / or scheduling request configurations including, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WUS by the LP-WUR, respectively, through system information message and / or dedicated, e.g., RRC, message.

7. The method according to claims 1 to 6, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, changes or updates the configuration(s) including, at least, one indication foractivating and deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WLIS by the LP-WLIR, respectively, by sending a dedicated, e.g., RRC release, message.

8. The method according to claims 1 to 7, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, can change or update the configuration(s) including, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WLIS by the LP-WLIR, respectively, based on network level analytics and metrics, e.g., radio cell load(s) as well as level of contention, e.g., number of failed access attempts or failed scheduling requests in a predefined time interval.

9. The method according to preceding claims, wherein the wireless device performing a random-access procedure by transmitting an uplink, UL, request to the RAN, and by receiving a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises inactive and active subperiods and the method comprises, during the DL response period: performing wake-up signal monitoring by the LP-WUR during the inactive subperiod, with the MR unit in a low-power state, in response to detecting a wakeup signal during the inactive subperiod: triggering a transition of the MR unit to the active state and, if configured, applying an additional time offset, before starting to perform DL response monitoring during the active subperiod, whereby the UE behavior based on received, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring during RAR monitoring window is further characterized by, o When “OFF period” expires, UE starts “ON period”:■ During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors RAR from the gNB and UE LP- WUR is in the sleep mode. o When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”:■ During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB:• If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitors RAR to the next “ON period”.• If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring RAR to the next “ON period”.

10. A method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit, configured to exchange data with a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, and a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WLIR, configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform a random-access procedure by transmitting an uplink, UL, request to the RAN, and by receiving a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises inactive and active subperiods and the method comprises, during the DL response period: performing wake-up signal monitoring by the LP-WUR (254) during the inactive subperiod, with the MR unit in a low power state, in response to detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod: (S71) triggering a transition of the MR unit to the active state and (S72), if configured, applying an additional time offset, before starting to performing DL response monitoring during the active subperiod, whereby the UE behavior based on received, at least one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring while Contention Resolution timer is running is characterized by, o When “OFF period” expires, UE starts “ON period”:■ During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors contention resolution message from the gNB and UE LP-WUR is in the sleep mode. o When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”:■ During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB:If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitor contention resolution message to the next “ON period”.• If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring contention resolution message to the next “ON period”.

11. A method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a wireless device of the wireless communication system, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit, configured to exchange data with a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, and a low-power wake-up receiver, LP-WUR, configured to monitor a wake-up signal transmitted by the RAN and totrigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform a scheduling request procedure by transmitting an uplink, UL, request to the RAN, and by receiving a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises inactive and active subperiods and the method comprises, during the DL response period: performing wake-up signal monitoring by the LP-WUR (254) during the inactive subperiod, with the MR unit in a low power state, in response to detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod: (S71) triggering a transition of the MR unit to the active state and (S72) ), and if configured, applying an additional time offset, before starting to performing DL response monitoring during the active subperiod, whereby the UE behavior based on received, at least one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring while scheduling prohibit timer is running is characterized by, o When “OFF period” expires, UE starts “ON period”:■ During “ON period”, UE-MR monitors PDCCH for UL grant indication from the gNB and UE LP-WUR is in the sleep mode. o When “ON period” expires, UE starts “OFF period”:■ During “OFF period”, UE-MR is in the sleep mode and UE LP-WUR monitors LP-WUS from the gNB:• If UE detects LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE activates MR and, if configured, applies an additional time offset, before starting to monitor PDCCH for UL grant indication to the next “ON period”.• If UE doesn’t detect LP-WUS during “OFF period”, UE-MR skips monitoring PDCCH for UL grant indication to the next “ON period”.

12. The method according to preceding claims, wherein, in response to not detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod, the MR unit is maintained in the low power state during the active subperiod.

13. The method according to preceding claims, wherein, in response to not detecting a wake-up signal during the inactive subperiod, the LP-WUR does not perform wake-up signal monitoring during the active period.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising receiving a DL response period configuration defining the inactive subperiod and the active subperiod within the DL response period as well as additional time offset value(s) to be applied before start of subperiods.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DLresponse period configuration is received in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the DL response period configuration is received in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the DL response period comprises a plurality of active subperiods and / or the DL response period comprises a plurality of inactive subperiods.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising receiving from the RAN an indication of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod and / or whether an additional time offset value(s) shall be applied before start of subperiods.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indication is received in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the indication is received in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the UL request corresponds to a msg1 message of the random-access procedure, and the DL response period corresponds to a random-access response window, and / or the UL request corresponds to a msg3 message of the random-access procedure, and the DL response period corresponds to a contention resolution timer window.

20. A wireless device comprising at least one memory and at least one processor configured to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

21. A user equipment (UE), comprising a wireless device according to claim 20.

22. A base station (BS), comprising a wireless device according to claim 20.

23. A wireless communication system, wherein the base station comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to execute steps of claims 1 to 20, wherein the user equipment (UE) comprises a processor coupled with a memory in which computer program instructions are stored, said instructions being configured to execute the steps of the claims 1 to 20.

24. A method for exchanging data in a wireless communication system, the method being implemented by a base station, BS, e.g., gNB, of a radio access network, RAN, of the wireless communication system, wherein the BS is configured to exchange data with a wireless device, wherein the wireless device comprises a main radio, MR, unit and a low power wake-up receiver, LP-WLIR, wherein the LP-WLIR is configured to detect a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS and to trigger a transition of the MR unit to an active state in response to detecting a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS, wherein the BS is configured to perform a random access procedure by monitoring an uplink, UL, channel for receiving an UL, request from the wireless device and, in response to detecting an UL request from the wireless device, by transmitting a downlink, DL, response to the UL request within a DL response period, wherein the DL response period comprises at least one inactive subperiod and at least one active subperiod, and wherein the BS is configured to transmit the DL response to the wireless device only in the at least one active subperiod of the DL response period, whereby the BS provides UE(s) with config uration(s) including, at least, one indication for activating and / or deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the UE’s MR and / or the LP-WUS by the LP-WUR, respectively.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, determines a mapping between a type value or a unique identifier, which is related to wireless device as well as network characteristics, and random access and / or scheduling request configurations.

26. The method according to claims 22 to 23, wherein wireless device characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, device type and capabilities, data traffic pattern and / or history.

27. The method according to claims 22 to 24, wherein network characteristics may comprise, among others, user and / or device subscription data, network type and capabilities, device mobility and data traffic pattern and / or history, radio cell load(s) as well as level of contention, e.g., number of failed access attempts or failed scheduling requests in a predefined time interval.

28. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, provides the random access and / or scheduling request configurations including, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating the monitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WUS by the LP-WUR, respectively, through system information message and / or dedicated, e.g., RRC, message.

29. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a RAN node, e.g., base station, gNB, provides the random access and / or scheduling request configurations including, at least, one indication for activating and deactivating themonitoring of a DL response by the MR and / or the LP-WLIS by the LP-WLIR, respectively, when moving a UE from RRC CONNECTED to RRC INACTIVE mode, e.g., through providing a UE-specific RRC release message.

30. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 27, gNB provides the mapping table between type value or unique identifier and RACH configuration, whereby RACH configuration comprises at least RAR monitoring window and / or Contention Resolution monitoring window including the different ON / OFF patterns through system information message and / or dedicated RRC message.

31. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to28, gNB can change and / or update the ON / OFF pattern based on network level analytics and metrics, e.g., radio cell load(s) as well as level of contention, e.g., number of failed access attempts or failed scheduling requests in a predefined time interval..

32. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 29, comprising, in response to determining that the DL response is to be transmitted in an active subperiod which follows an inactive subperiod of the DL response period: transmitting a wake-up signal to the wireless device in said inactive subperiod.

33. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 30, comprising (S64) transmitting a DL response period configuration to the wireless device, wherein the DL response period configuration defines the at least one inactive subperiod and the at least one active subperiod within the DL response period as well as additional time offset value(s) to be applied before start of subperiods..

34. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 31 , wherein the DL response period configuration is transmitted in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the DL response period configuration is transmitted in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted to the wireless device.

35. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 32, comprising transmitting to the wireless device an indication of whether the DL response period starts with an active subperiod or with an inactive subperiod and / or whether an additional time offset value(s) shall be applied before start of subperiods.

36. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 33, wherein the indication is transmitted in system information broadcasted by the RAN and / or the indication is transmitted in a radio resource control, RRC, message transmitted by the RAN.

37. A base station, gNB, BS, comprising at least one memory and at least one processor (300) configured to carry out a method according to any one of claims 22 to 34.

38. A wireless communication system comprising at least one base station according to claim 35 and at least one user equipment (20) according to claim 21 .

39. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to carry out a method (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 or a method (60) according to any one of claims 22 to 34.

40. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, configure said at least one processor to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 or a method according to any one of claims 22 to 34.

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