Improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment - Patents.com

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and system for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment is disclosed. The apparatus (200) includes a transceiver (225) for receiving a PDCCH skip indication for a group of a search space set via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and a processor (205) for ceasing monitoring the PDCCH for the group of the search space set after at least an application delay has elapsed in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of the search space set.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 137,565, filed January 14, 2021, to Hyejung Jung et al., entitled “ENHANCED DISCONTINUOUS RECEPTION (DRX) AND POWER SAVING PDCCH FOR UE POWER SAVING.”

[0002] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically, to improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. [Background technology]

[0003] In some wireless communication systems, a wake-up indication is applicable to the entire discontinuous reception ("DRX") cycle. Thus, when a delay-sensitive application is initiated for a user equipment ("UE"), the UE may have to be reconfigured from a long DRX cycle value to a short DRX cycle value to properly handle low latency traffic. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Procedures for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment are disclosed, which may be implemented by an apparatus, a system, a method, and / or a computer program product.

[0005] In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a transceiver that receives a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search spaces via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity. In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a processor that, in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed.

[0006] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search space sets via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity. In one embodiment, the first method includes ceasing monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping the PDCCH for the group of search space sets.

[0007] In one embodiment, the second apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and a processor that stops transmitting a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing to transmit the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed.

[0009] A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described above will now be given with reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, with the understanding that these drawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore should not be considered limiting in scope, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wireless communication system for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a user equipment device that may be used for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a network device that may be used for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of another method for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 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, the embodiments may be in the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

[0012] For example, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented as hardware circuitry, including custom very large scale integrated ("VLSI") circuits or off-the-shelf semiconductors such as gate arrays, 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, etc. As another example, the disclosed embodiments may include one or more physical or logical blocks of executable code, which may be organized, for example, as objects, procedures, or functions.

[0013] Furthermore, the embodiments may be in the form of a program product embodied in one or more computer-readable storage devices that store machine-readable code, computer-readable code, and / or program code, hereafter referred to as code. The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory, and / or non-transmittable. The storage devices may not embody signals. In some embodiments, the storage devices only utilize signals to access the code.

[0014] Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device that stores the code. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic, micro-mechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0015] More specific examples of storage devices (a non-exhaustive list) include 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 disk 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 conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0016] Code to perform operations for the embodiments may be any number of lines and written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Python, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language, and / or machine languages ​​such as assembly language. The code may run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user computer through any type of network, including a local area network ("LAN"), wireless LAN ("WLAN"), or wide area network ("WAN"), or a connection may be made to an external computer (e.g., through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider ("ISP").

[0017] 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 given, 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 the embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0018] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar expressions mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances throughout this specification of the phrases "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and similar expressions may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment and mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless expressly indicated otherwise. The terms "including," "comprising," and "having," and variations thereof, mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly indicated otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more," unless expressly indicated otherwise.

[0019] As used herein, a list using the conjunction "and / or" includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, a list of A, B and / or C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B and C. As used herein, a list using the term "one or more of" includes any single item in the list or a combination of items in the list. For example, one or more of A, B, and C includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B and C. As used herein, a list using the term "one of" includes only one of any single item in the list. For example, "one of A, B, and C" includes only A, only B, or only C, but does not include a combination of A, B, and C. As used herein, "a member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C" includes only one of A, B, or C, and does not include combinations of A, B, and C. As used herein, "a member selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C, and combinations thereof" includes only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of B and C, a combination of A and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0020] Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flow chart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatus, systems, and program products according to the embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the schematic flow chart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the schematic flow chart illustrations and / or schematic block diagrams, may be implemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a 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, produce means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flow chart illustrations and / or block diagrams.

[0021] Code capable of instructing a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to function in a particular manner may also be stored in a storage device, such that the instructions stored in the storage device produce an article of manufacture that includes instructions that implement the functions / acts defined in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams.

[0022] The code may also be loaded into a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device such that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, whereby the code executing on the computer or other programmable apparatus provides a process for implementing the functions / acts defined in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams.

[0023] The flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatus, 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 contains one or more executable instructions of code for implementing the specified logical function(s).

[0024] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur in an order other than that noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be devised that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect, or portions thereof, to one or more blocks of the illustrated figures.

[0025] Various arrow types and line types may be utilized in the flowchart diagrams and / or block diagrams, but it is understood that they do not limit the scope of the corresponding embodiment. Indeed, some arrows or other connections may be used to illustrate only a logical view of the illustrated embodiment. For example, the arrows may indicate waiting or monitoring periods of unspecified time between recited steps of the illustrated embodiment. It should 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, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or actions, or a combination of dedicated hardware and code.

[0026] The description of an element in each drawing may refer to the element in the preceding drawing. Like numbers refer to like elements in all drawings, including alternative embodiments of like elements.

[0027] In general, the present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. In some embodiments, the methods may be performed using computer code embodied in a computer readable medium. In some embodiments, the apparatus or system may include a computer readable medium containing computer readable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the apparatus or system to perform at least a portion of the methods described below.

[0028] According to the Rel-17 Work Item Description ("WID") for UE power saving Enhancements (RP-193239), the following objectives are defined: i. Study and specify improved power saving techniques for connected mode UE that, if agreed, will have minimal impact on system performance; 1. If agreed, study and specify extensions to the Rel-16 DCI-based power saving adaptation during DRX active time for active BWP, including reduced Physical Downlink Control Channel ("PDCCH") monitoring when C-DRX is configured. a. Note: Power saving strategies available in Rel-15 and Rel-16 should be supported by the UE and included in the evaluation. RAN1 shall require RAN2 to verify that the power saving strategies available in Rel-15 and Rel-16 are appropriately utilized.

[0029] During the RAN1 #103-e meeting, RAN1 reached the following agreement on the adaptation of improved DCI based power saving during DRX active time: i. Specify at least one of the following options for Rel-17 dynamic PDCCH adaptation for Active Time: 1. Option 1: Search space set group switching, including for example explicit and implicit search space set group switching. 2. Option 2: Skip PDCCH for a certain time length / DRX cycle. ii. Candidate downlink control information ("DCI") formats for dynamic PDCCH adaptation include DCI formats 1_1 (including scheduled and non-scheduled DCI), 0_1, 1_2, 0_2, 2_0, 2_6. iii. Note - Companies are encouraged to perform an analysis of the impact to specifications, power savings benefits, and system impact (e.g., packet latency, system overhead).

[0030] In Rel-16 new radio ("NR"), the wake-up indication is applicable to the entire DRX cycle. Therefore, when a delay-sensitive application is started for the UE, the UE may have to be reconfigured from a long DRX cycle value to a short DRX cycle value to properly handle low-latency traffic.

[0031] In the proposed method, the UE may be configured with a relatively large DRX cycle value (e.g., 300ms, 1000ms) for power saving. For sporadic low-latency traffic with various characteristics, the network entity can adaptively adjust the UE's PDCCH monitoring behavior without RRC reconfiguration of the DRX configuration by indicating to the UE in a normal monitoring opportunity (1) not to wake up but to perform further monitoring of the power-saving PDCCH in additional monitoring opportunities configured in the subsequent DRX cycles, or (2) not to wake up for one to several DRX cycles.

[0032] In this disclosure, an improved DRX and power-saving PDCCH operation is proposed that can flexibly adapt to various traffic conditions and provide power-saving benefits even for sporadic low-latency traffic.

[0033] In one embodiment, a UE in a C-DRX operation determines a first set of monitoring opportunities and a second set of monitoring opportunities for a power-saving PDCCH, and the UE may be instructed via a detected power-saving PDCCH in a monitoring opportunity of the first set of monitoring opportunities not to wake up to monitor the PDCCH during a subsequent DRX cycle, but to monitor another power-saving PDCCH in at least one monitoring opportunity of the second set of monitoring opportunities in the subsequent DRX cycle.

[0034] In another embodiment, the UE receives a PDCCH skip indication for each group of search space sets via a DCI format with or without scheduling information, and the time at which the UE starts skipping the PDCCH is determined based on whether there is at least one active search space set and whether there is a potential retransmission.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system 100 supporting improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 includes at least one remote unit 105, a radio access network ("RAN") 120, and a mobile core network 140. The RAN 120 and the mobile core network 140 form a mobile communication network. The RAN 120 may consist of a base unit 110 with which the remote unit 105 communicates using a wireless communication link 115. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a particular number of remote units 105, base units 110, wireless communication links 115, RAN 120, and mobile core network 140, one skilled in the art will recognize that any number of remote units 105, base units 110, wireless communication links 115, RAN 120, and mobile core network 140 may be included in the wireless communication system 100.

[0036] In one implementation, the RAN 120 complies with a 5G system defined in the 3GPP specifications. In another implementation, the RAN 120 complies with an LTE system defined in the 3GPP specifications. More generally, however, the wireless communications system 100 may implement any other open or proprietary communications network, such as WiMAX, among other networks. This disclosure is not limited to the implementation of any particular wireless communications system architecture or protocol.

[0037] In one embodiment, the remote unit 105 may include computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants ("PDAs"), tablet computers, smartphones, smart televisions (e.g., televisions connected to the Internet), smart appliances (e.g., home appliances connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles, security systems (including security cameras), in-vehicle computers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, modems), etc. In some embodiments, the remote unit 105 includes wearable devices such as smart watches, fitness bands, optical head mounted displays, etc. Additionally, the remote unit 105 may be referred to as a UE, subscriber unit, mobile, mobile station, user, terminal, mobile terminal, fixed terminal, subscriber station, user terminal, wireless transmit / receive unit ("WTRU"), device, or other terminology used in the art.

[0038] The remote units 105 may communicate directly with one or more of the base units 110 in the RAN 120 via uplink ("UL") and downlink ("DL") communication signals. Additionally, the UL and DL communication signals may be carried over a wireless communication link 115, where the RAN 120 is an intermediate network that provides the remote units 105 with access to the mobile core network 140.

[0039] In some embodiments, the remote unit 105 communicates with the application server 151 via a network connection with the mobile core network 140. For example, an application 107 (e.g., a web browser, a media client, a telephony / VoIP application) of the remote unit 105 may cause the remote unit 105 to establish a PDU session (or other data connection) with the mobile core network 140 via the RAN 120. The mobile core network 140 then uses the PDU session to relay traffic between the remote unit 105 and the application server 151 in the packet data network 150. The remote unit 105 may establish one or more PDU sessions (or other data connections) with the mobile core network 140. Thus, the remote unit 105 may simultaneously have at least one PDU session for communicating with the packet data network 150 and at least one PDU session for communicating with another data network (not shown).

[0040] The base units 110 may be distributed across a geographic region. In some embodiments, the base units 110 may also be referred to as access terminals, access points, bases, base stations, Node-Bs, eNBs, gNBs, Home Node-Bs, relay nodes, RAN nodes, or any other terminology used in the art. The base units 110 are generally part of a radio access network (RAN), such as a RAN 120, which may include one or more controllers communicatively coupled to one or more corresponding base units 110. These and other elements of a radio access network are not shown, but are generally familiar to those skilled in the art. The base units 110 connect to a mobile core network 140 via the RAN 120.

[0041] The base unit 110 may serve several remote units 105 in a serving area, e.g., a cell or a cell sector, via a wireless communication link 115. The base unit 110 may directly communicate with one or more of the remote units 105 via communication signals. In general, the base unit 110 transmits DL communication signals to serve the remote units 105 in the time, frequency, and / or spatial domains. Furthermore, the DL communication signals may be carried via the wireless communication link 115. The wireless communication link 115 may be any suitable carrier in a licensed or unlicensed radio spectrum. The wireless communication link 115 facilitates communication between one or more of the remote units 105 and / or one or more of the base units 110. It should be noted that the base unit 110 and the remote units 105 may communicate via an unlicensed radio spectrum.

[0042] In one embodiment, the mobile core network 140 is a 5G core ("5GC") or evolved packet core ("EPC"), which may be coupled to a packet data network 150, such as the Internet and private data networks, among other data networks. The remote units 105 may have a contract or other account with the mobile core networks 140. Each mobile core network 140 belongs to a single public land mobile network ("PLMN"). This disclosure is not limited to any particular wireless communications system architecture or protocol implementation.

[0043] The mobile core network 140 includes several network functions ("NFs"). As shown, the mobile core network 140 includes multiple user plane functions ("UPFs") 141. The mobile core network 140 also includes multiple control plane functions, including, but not limited to, an access and mobility management function ("AMF") 143 that serves the RAN 120, a session management function ("SMF") 145, an authentication server function ("AUSF") 147, and a unified data management function ("UDM") 149. In some embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may also include a policy control function ("PCF"), a network repository function ("NRF") (used by various NFs to discover and communicate with each other via APIs), or other NFs defined for the 5GC.

[0044] In various embodiments, the mobile core network 140 supports different types of mobile data connections and different types of network slices, each mobile data connection utilizing a particular network slice. Here, a "network slice" refers to a portion of the mobile core network 140 optimized for a certain traffic type or communication service. The set of network slices that the remote unit 105 is authorized to use is specified by the NSSAI, while the network instance may be specified by the S-NSSAI. In some embodiments, the various network slices may include separate instances of network functions, such as the SMF 145 and the UPF 141. In some embodiments, different network slices may share some common network functions, such as the AMF 143. For ease of illustration, different network slices are not shown in FIG. 1, but they are also supported.

[0045] 1, one skilled in the art will recognize that any number and type of network functions may be included in the mobile core network 140. Moreover, if the mobile core network 140 is an EPC, the illustrated network functions may be replaced with appropriate EPC entities, such as an MME, an S-GW, a P-GW, an HSS, etc. In some embodiments, the mobile core network 140 may include an AAA server.

[0046] In various embodiments, the remote units 105 may communicate directly with each other (e.g., device-to-device communication) using sidelink ("SL") communication signals 117. V2X is an example of SL communication, where V2X transmissions may occur on V2X resources. The remote units 105 may be given different V2X communication resources for different V2X modes. Mode 1 corresponds to a V2X communication mode scheduled by an NR network. Mode 2 corresponds to a V2X communication mode scheduled by an LTE network.

[0047] 1 illustrates components of a 5G RAN and a 5G core network, the described embodiments apply to other types of communication networks and RATs, including IEEE 802.11 variants, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE variants, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Sigfoxx, etc. For example, in a LTE variant involving an EPC, the AMF 141 may map to the MME, the SMF may map to the control plane portion of the PGW and / or the MME, the UPF may map to the SGW and user plane portion of the PGW, the UDM / UDR may map to the HSS, etc.

[0048] In the following description, the term "gNB" is used for a base station, but can be replaced by any other radio access node, e.g., RAN node, eNB, BS, gNB, AP, NR, etc. Furthermore, the operation is primarily described in the context of 5G NR.

[0049] In Rel-16 NR, a UE that is in radio resource control ("RRC") connected mode and configured with one or more DRX configurations (e.g., via the RRC IE "DRX-Config" and additionally "DRX-ConfigSecondaryGroup") may also be configured with a bandwidth portion ("BWP") that includes configuration information for a power-saving PDCCH (i.e., DCI format 2_6). If the BWP that includes configuration information for a power-saving PDCCH is the active BWP for the UE, the UE monitors the power-saving PDCCH. One or more monitoring opportunities for the power-saving PDCCH may be configured within a slot or multiple slots prior to the start of the DRX ON time period (e.g., outside of the "active time" during which the UE performs PDCCH monitoring).

[0050] The UE starts monitoring the power-saving PDCCH with a cyclic redundancy check ("CRC") scrambled by the power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI") at a configured power-saving offset value (e.g., denoted as PS_offset) before the start of the DRX ON time length until the end of the configured monitoring range. The monitoring range is determined based on the search space configuration of the power-saving PDCCH (e.g., based on the parameters "monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset", "duration", and "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot"), which is smaller than the configured power-saving offset value (e.g., PS_offset) to provide the UE with enough time to prepare for PDCCH monitoring at the beginning of the DRX ON time length. If the UE is within the DRX active time between the power-saving PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the UE starts the drx-onDurationTimer at the beginning of the next DRX cycle.

[0051] With regard to PDCCH monitoring indication (e.g., from 3GPP TS 38.213) and SCell dormant / non-dormant behavior, in one embodiment, a UE configured with DRX mode operation may be provided with the following for detection of DCI format 2_6 in PDCCH reception on a PCell or SpCell: PS-RNTI for DCI format 2_6 with i.ps-RNTI ii. The number of search space sets with dci-Format2-6 for monitoring the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 in the active DL BWP of the PCell or SpCell with common search space as described in subclause 10.1. Payload size for DCI format 2_6 according to iii.sizeDCI_2-6 iv.psPositionDCI2-6: Position of the wake-up indication bit in DCI format 2_6 however 1. A value of '0' for the wake-up indication bit, when reported to upper layers, indicates not to start the drx-onDurationTimer for the next long DRX cycle. 2. A value of '1' in the wake-up indication bit, when reported to upper layers, indicates to start the drx-onDurationTimer for the next long DRX cycle. When the UE is given the number of groups of configured SCells by v.dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime, the bitmap, 1. The bitmap position is immediately after the wake-up instruction bit position. 2. The bitmap size is equal to the number of groups of configured SCells, and each bit in the bitmap corresponds to one group of configured SCells from that number of groups of configured SCells. 3. A value of '0' of a bit in the bitmap indicates an active DL BWP for the UE provided by the dormantBWP-Id for each activated SCell in the corresponding group of configured SCells. 4. A value of "1" in the bitmap bit indicates the following: a. If the current active DL BWP is a dormant DL BWP, the active DL BWP for the UE for each activated SCell in the corresponding group of configured SCells provided by firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id b. If the currently active DL BWP is not a dormant DL BWP, the currently active DL BWP for the UE for each activated SCell in the corresponding group of configured SCells vi. An offset by ps-Offset indicating the time, where the UE starts monitoring the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 according to the number of search space sets, before the slot that drx-onDurationTimer starts on the PCell or SpCell. 1. For each search space set, the PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the first T s This is the PDCCH monitoring opportunity in this slot, or if duration is not given, T s = 1 slot, the first T s Starts with the first of the slots and ends before the start of drx-onDurationTimer

[0052] In PDCCH monitoring opportunities associated with the same length DRX cycle, in one embodiment, the UE does not expect to detect more than one DCI format 2_6 when the wake-up indication bit value for the UE is different or when the value of the bitmap for the UE is different.

[0053] In one embodiment, the UE does not monitor the PDCCH to detect DCI format 2_6 during the active time.

[0054] If the UE reports a requirement of X slots for an active DL BWP prior to the start of the slot in which the UE starts drx-onDurationTimer, then in one embodiment the UE is not required to monitor the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 for X slots, where X corresponds to the subcarrier spacing ("SCS") requirement for an active DL BWP in Table 1.

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] If the UE is given a search space set to monitor the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 in the active DL BWP of the PCell or SpCell, and the UE detects DCI format 2_6, in one embodiment, the physical layer of the UE reports the value of the wake-up indication bit of the UE to higher layers for the next long DRX cycle.

[0057] If a UE is given a search space set to monitor the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 in an active DL BWP of a PCell or SpCell and the UE does not detect DCI format 2_6, in one embodiment, the physical layer of the UE does not report the value of the wake-up indication bit to higher layers for the next long DRX cycle.

[0058] When the UE is given a search space set for scanning the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 in the active DL BWP of the PCell or SpCell, the UE shall: i. It is not required to monitor the PDCCH for detection of DCI format 2_6 during all corresponding PDCCH monitoring opportunities that are outside of the active time before the next long DRX cycle, or ii. There is no PDCCH monitoring opportunity for DCI format 2_6 detection outside the active time of the next long DRX cycle.

[0059] The UE physical layer reports the wake-up indication bit value of 1 to higher layers for the next long DRX cycle.

[0060] Regarding search space group switching, in one embodiment, the UE may be provided with a group index for each Type3-PDCCH CSS set or USS set for PDCCH monitoring in the serving cell through searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16. If the UE is not provided with searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 for a search space set, the following procedure cannot be applied to PDCCH monitoring according to the search space set.

[0061] If the UE is given a searchSpaceSwitchingGroupList-r16 indicating one or more groups of serving cells, in one embodiment, the following procedures apply to all serving cells in each group. Otherwise, the following procedures apply only to serving cells for which the UE is given a searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16.

[0062] When the UE is given searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16, in one embodiment, the UE resets PDCCH monitoring according to the search space set with group index 0, if provided by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16.

[0063] The UE determines that the number of symbols is P switch may be given by searchSpaceSwitchingDelay-r16, where P switch The minimum values ​​of x are given in Table 2 for UE processing capability 1 and UE processing capability 2 and SCS configuration μ. UE processing capability 1 for SCS configuration μ applies unless the UE indicates support for UE processing capability 2.

[0064] [Table 2]

[0065] In one embodiment, the UE may be given a timer value by searchSpaceSwitchingTimer-r16 for the serving cell for which the UE is given searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16, or for the set of serving cells given by searchSpaceSwitchingGroupList-r16 if given. The UE decrements the timer value by 1 after each slot based on a reference SCS configuration, which is the smallest SCS configuration μ among all configured DL BWPs in the serving cell or set of serving cells. The UE maintains the reference SCS configuration during the timer decrement procedure.

[0066] In one embodiment, when the UE is provided with the location of the search space set group switch flag field for the serving cell in DCI format 2_0 by SearchSpaceSwitchTrigger-r16, and i. If the UE detects DCI format 2_0 and the value of the search space set group switching flag field in DCI format 2_0 is 0, the UE shall switch Start monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index 0 on the serving cell in the first slot after the symbol, and stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index 1. ii. If the UE detects DCI format 2_0 and the value of the search space set group switching flag field in DCI format 2_0 is 1, the UE shall determine whether the search space set group switching flag field is greater than the last symbol of the PDCCH in DCI format 2_0 by at least switchStart monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index equal to 1 and stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index equal to 0 on the serving cell at the first slot after the symbol, and the UE sets a timer value to a value given by searchSpaceSwitchingTimer-r16; and / or iii. When the UE monitors the PDCCH on the serving cell according to the search space set with group index equal to 1, the UE shall monitor the PDCCH for at least P switch At the beginning of the first slot after the symbol, start monitoring the PDCCH on the serving cell according to the search space set with group index 0, and stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index 1.

[0067] If the UE is not given a SearchSpaceSwitchTrigger-r16 for the serving cell, and i. When the UE detects a DCI format by monitoring a PDCCH according to a search space set with a group index of 0, the UE shall switch Start monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index equal to 1 and stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index equal to 0 on the serving cell at the first slot after the symbol, and if the UE detects a DCI format by monitoring the PDCCH in any of the search space sets, set a timer value to a value given by searchSpaceSwitchingTimer-r16; and / or ii. If the UE monitors the PDCCH on the serving cell according to a search space set with group index equal to 1, the UE shall determine whether the PDCCH count is at least P from the slot in which the timer expires or, if the UE is given a search space set to monitor the PDCCH for detecting DCI format 2_0, from the last symbol of the remaining channel occupancy time for the serving cell indicated by DCI format 2_0. switch At the beginning of the first slot after the symbol, start monitoring the PDCCH on the serving cell according to the search space set with group index 0, and stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the search space set with group index 1.

[0068] In one embodiment, the UE determines the slot and symbol in the slot in which to start or stop PDCCH monitoring according to a search space set for a serving cell for which the UE is given searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16, or according to a search space set for a set of serving cells if searchSpaceSwitchingGroupList-r16 is given, based on the smallest SCS configuration μ among all configured DL BWPs in the serving cell or set of serving cells and in which, if any, the UE receives a PDCCH and detects a corresponding DCI format 2_0 that triggers starting or stopping PDCCH monitoring according to the search space set.

[0069] In one embodiment, DCI format 2_0 (e.g., from 3GPP TS 38.212) is used to signal slot format, channel occupation time ("COT") length, available resource block ("RB") sets, and search space set group switching.

[0070] The following information may be transmitted by DCI format 2_0 with CRC scrambled by the slot format indication ("SFI")-RNTI: i. When the upper layer parameter slotFormatCombToAddModList is configured 1. Slot format indicator 1, Slot format indicator 2, ..., Slot format indicator N ii. When the upper layer parameter availableRB-SetsToAddModList-r16 is configured 1. Available RB set indicator 1, Available RB set indicator 2, ..., Available RB set indicator N1 iii. When the upper layer parameter co-DurationsPerCellToAddModList-r16 is configured 1. COT Time Length Indicator 1, COT Time Length Indicator 2, ..., COT Time Length Indicator N2 iv. When the upper layer parameter searchSpaceSwitchTriggerToAddModList-r16 is configured 1. Search space set group switching flag 1, search space set group switching flag 2, ..., search space set group switching flag M

[0071] The size of DCI format 2_0 may be configurable by higher layers up to 128 bits.

[0072] In one embodiment, DCI format 2_6 (eg, from 3GPP TS 38.212) is used to signal power saving information outside the DRX active time for one or more UEs.

[0073] In one embodiment, the following information is transmitted by DCI format 2_6 with CRC scrambled by the PS-RNTI: a. Block number 1, block number 2, ..., block number N Here, the starting location of the block is determined by the parameter ps-PositionDCI-2-6 provided by higher layers for the UE to be configured with the block.

[0074] In one embodiment, when the UE is configured with higher layer parameters ps-RNTI and dci-Format2-6, one block is configured for the UE by higher layers and the following fields are defined for that block: i. Wake-up indication - 1 bit ii.SCell Dormancy Indication - a 0 bit if the higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime is not configured, otherwise a bitmap of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 bits determined according to the higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime, where each bit corresponds to one of the SCell groups configured by the higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime, and where the most significant bit ("MSB") to least significant bit ("LSB") of the bitmap corresponds to the first to last configured SCell group.

[0075] The size of DCI format 2_6 may be indicated by the upper layer parameter sizeDCI-2-6.

[0076] With regard to DRX (e.g., from 3GPP TS 38.321), a medium access control ("MAC") entity may be configured by RRC with a DRX function that controls the UE's PDCCH monitoring activity for the MAC entity's Cell ("C")-RNTI, Cancellation Indication ("CI")-RNTI, Configured Scheduling ("CS")-RNTI, Interrupt ("INT")-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, Semi-Persistent ("SP") Channel State Information ("CSI")-RNTI, Transmit Power Control ("TPC") Physical Uplink Control Channel ("PUCCH")-RNTI, TPC Physical Uplink Shared Channel ("PUSCH")-RNTI, TPC Sounding Reference Signal ("SRS")-RNTI, and Availability Indication ("AI")-RNTI. Using DRX operation, the MAC entity shall also monitor the PDCCH in accordance with the requirements found in other sections of this specification. When in RRC_CONNECTED state, if DRX is configured, for all activated serving cells the MAC entity may monitor the PDCCH discontinuously using the DRX operation specified in this clause, otherwise the MAC entity shall monitor the PDCCH. i. NOTE 1: If sidelink resource allocation mode 1 is configured by RRC, the DRX function is not configured.

[0077] In one embodiment, the RRC controls the DRX operation by configuring the following parameters: i.drx-onDurationTimer: Duration at the beginning of the DRX cycle ii.drx-SlotOffset: Delay before starting drx-onDurationTimer iii.drx-InactivityTimer: The length of time after a PDCCH opportunity where the PDCCH indicates a new UL or DL ​​transmission for the MAC entity. iv.drx-RetransmissionTimerDL (per DL HARQ process excluding broadcast process): Maximum time period for which a DL retransmission must be received v.drx-RetransmisstionTimerUL (per UL HARQ process): The maximum time period until a grant for UL retransmission is received. vi.drx-LongCycleStartOffset: drx-StartOffset that defines the subframe in which the long DRX cycle and the short DRX cycle start vii.drx-ShortCycle (optional): Short DRX cycle viii.drx-ShortCycleTimer (optional): the length of time that the UE should follow the short DRX cycle ix.drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL (per DL HARQ process excluding broadcast process): The minimum length of time before a DL allocation for HARQ retransmission is expected by the MAC entity. x.drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL (per UL HARQ process): the minimum length of time before a UL HARQ retransmission grant is expected by the MAC entity. xi.ps-Wakeup (optional): Configuration to start the associated drx-onDurationTimer when DCP is monitored but not detected. xii.ps-TransmitOtherPeriodicCSI (Optional): Configuration for reporting non-L1-RSRP periodic CSI on PUCCH for the length of time indicated by drx-onDurationTimer when DCP is configured but the associated drx-onDurationTimer is not started xiii.ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP (Optional): Configuration for transmitting periodic CSI that is L1-RSRP on PUCCH for the length of time indicated by drx-onDurationTimer when DCP is configured but the associated drx-onDurationTimer is not started.

[0078] In one embodiment, the serving cells of a MAC entity may be configured by RRC in two DRX groups with separate DRX parameters. When RRC does not configure a secondary DRX group, there is only one DRX group and all serving cells belong to that one DRX group. When two DRX groups are configured, each serving cell is uniquely assigned to one of the two groups. The DRX parameters configured separately for each DRX group are drx-onDurationTimer, drx-InactivityTimer. The DRX parameters common to the DRX groups are drx-SlotOffset, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, drx-RetransmissionTimerUL, drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle (optional), drx-ShortCycleTimer (optional), drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL, and drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL.

[0079] When the DRX cycle is configured, in one embodiment, the active time for a serving cell in a DRX group is: The time that the drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer configured for the i.DRX group has been running, or ii. The time that the drx-RetransmissionTimerDL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL is running in any serving cell in the DRX group, or iii. The time that the ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or msgB-ResponseWindow has run, or iv. The time during which a scheduling request is transmitted on the PUCCH and is outstanding; or v. A PDCCH indicating that no new transmission addressed to the C-RNTI of the MAC entity has been received after successful reception of a random access response to a random access preamble that was not selected by the MAC entity among the contention-based random access preambles. Includes.

[0080] In a first embodiment of the proposed approach, an improved DRX operation using an improved US power-saving DCI is discussed. In one embodiment, a UE in a connected mode DRX (C-DRX) operation determines a first set of monitoring opportunities and a second set of monitoring opportunities for a power-saving PDCCH. Furthermore, the UE may be instructed via a power-saving PDCCH detected in a monitoring opportunity of the first set of monitoring opportunities not to wake up to monitor the PDCCH during a subsequent (e.g., next) DRX cycle (e.g., the UE does not start the DRX ON time length by not starting the "drx-onDurationTimer"), but to monitor another power-saving PDCCH in at least one monitoring opportunity of the second set of monitoring opportunities that is in the subsequent DRX cycle.

[0081] In one embodiment, the UE receives configuration information for a power-saving PDCCH (e.g., a DCI format in which the CRC is scrambled using the PS-RNTI) including at least one search space set and an associated control resource set ("CORESET"), where the at least one search space set includes information for a plurality of monitoring opportunities comprising a plurality of normal monitoring opportunities (e.g., a first set of monitoring opportunities) and a plurality of additional monitoring opportunities (e.g., a second set of monitoring opportunities) for the power-saving PDCCH.

[0082] In one example, a first search space set of the at least one search space set includes information of a plurality of monitoring opportunities comprising a plurality of normal monitoring opportunities (e.g., a first set of monitoring opportunities), and a second search space set of the at least one search space set includes information of a plurality of additional monitoring opportunities for a power-saving PDCCH (e.g., a second set of monitoring opportunities). The plurality of normal monitoring opportunities comprises monitoring opportunities present in a time interval of each DRX cycle, the start time of the time interval being determined by a first time offset (indicated via a parameter ps-Offset) prior to the beginning of the slot in which the subsequent DRX cycle starts, and the end time of the time interval being determined by a second time offset prior to the beginning of the slot in which the subsequent DRX cycle starts. The second time offset is determined by a required minimum time gap value X in a slot prior to the UE starting drx-onDurationTimer, which the UE may report as part of the capability information (if not reported, X is considered to be 0). The plurality of additional monitoring opportunities comprises monitoring opportunities not included in the time interval of each DRX cycle (defined above).

[0083] In one embodiment, the UE performs monitoring of the power-saving PDCCH at multiple normal monitoring occasions; i. Wake up for Y1 subsequent DRX cycles (e.g., Y1 is selected from a first set of configured values, e.g., {1, 2, 4, 8}) 1. The UE skips monitoring the power-saving PDCCH during normal monitoring opportunities in the following (Y1-1) consecutive DRX cycles. ii. Not waking up for Y2 DRX cycles (e.g., Y2 is selected from a second set of configured values, e.g., {1, 2, 3, 4}) 1. The UE skips monitoring the power-saving PDCCH during normal monitoring opportunities in the following (Y2-1) consecutive DRX cycles. iii. not waking up in the subsequent DRX cycle, but monitoring the power-saving PDCCH at one or more additional monitoring opportunities within the subsequent DRX cycle; Detect a DCI format of the power saving PDCCH that includes an indication selected from:

[0084] Upon receiving an instruction in a normal monitoring opportunity for the power-saving PDCCH to not wake up in a subsequent DRX cycle, but to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on one or more additional monitoring opportunities in the subsequent DRX cycle, in one embodiment, the UE does not wake up completely for PDCCH monitoring (e.g., monitor the PDCCH for DL ​​assignments, UL grants, uplink power control commands, slot format indications, DL preemption, and / or UL revocation) or start the drx-onDurationTimer at the beginning of the subsequent DRX cycle, but goes back to sleep and later wakes up partially to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on one or more additional monitoring opportunities. In one embodiment, the UE performs monitoring of the power-saving PDCCH on one or more additional monitoring opportunities of the DRX cycle, e.g., i. Waking up and starting drx-onDurationTimer2 during the DRX cycle (drx-onDurationTimer2 is used for ON time duration that can start any time within the DRX cycle) (UE is in DRX active time, active time includes the time when drx-onDurationTimer2 is running (in addition to the conditions defined in TS 38.321 (V16.3.0))); ii. waking up and starting the drx-onDurationTimer during the DRX cycle (the length of time of the drx-onDurationTimer is reduced (from a configured initial value) by an offset, which may be the time corresponding between the slot at which the UE starts the drx-onDurationTimer and X slots after the slot at which the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH, where X is the required minimum time gap (in slots) between receiving the wake-up indication and starting the PDCCH monitoring. In another example, the offset may correspond to the time between when the UE starts the drx-onDurationTimer and the first length of time (as described below) delayed from the end of the additional monitoring opportunity at which the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH); iii. Waking up and starting the drx-InactivityTimer during a DRX cycle; iv. Waking up and starting a timer, e.g., ps-WakeupTimer, during a DRX cycle (the UE is in DRX active time, which includes the time that ps-WakeupTimer is running. The length of the ps-WakeupTimer is based on the length of the drx-onDurationTimer and when (e.g., in which slot) the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH. In one example, the length of the timer is set to the initial value of drx-onDurationTimer less an offset. The offset is set to the UE's The offset may be a time corresponding to between when the UE starts the drx-onDurationTimer and X slots after the slot at which the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH, where X is the required minimum time gap (in slots) between receiving the wake-up indication and starting PDCCH monitoring. In another example, the offset may correspond to the time between when the UE starts the drx-onDurationTimer and a first time length (as described below) delayed from the end of the additional monitoring opportunity at which the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH), v. Not waking up, but continuing to monitor the power-saving PDCCH for any remaining additional monitoring opportunities within the DRX cycle. and detecting a DCI format of the power saving PDCCH that includes an indication selected from one or more of:

[0085] In another example, the instructions may include: i. Wake up for Y1 DRX cycles including that DRX cycle (e.g., Y1 is selected from a first set of configured values, e.g., {1, 2, 4, 8}) 1. The UE starts drx-onDurationTimer2 (or ps-WakeupTimer or drx-onDurationTimer with a shorter time length) for the DRX cycle, stops monitoring the power-saving PDCCH on the remaining additional monitoring opportunities in the DRX cycle, and skips monitoring the power-saving PDCCH on the normal monitoring opportunities in the following (Y1-1) consecutive DRX cycles. ii. Not waking up for Y2 DRX cycles (e.g., Y2 is selected from a second set of configured values, e.g., {1,2,3,4}) 1. The UE stops monitoring the power-saving PDCCH in the remaining additional monitoring opportunities in the DRX cycle and skips monitoring the power-saving PDCCH in the normal monitoring opportunities in the following (Y2-1) consecutive DRX cycles. iii. Not waking up, but continuing to monitor the power-saving PDCCH for any remaining additional monitoring opportunities within the DRX cycle. is selected from.

[0086] In one embodiment, if the UE receives an indication to wake up on an additional monitoring opportunity within a DRX cycle, the UE wakes up and starts monitoring the PDCCH (e.g., starts drx-onDurationTimer2 (or ps-WakeupTimer or drx-onDurationTimer with a shorter time length) during the DRX cycle) a first time length after the end of the additional monitoring opportunity where the UE detects the DCI format of the power-saving PDCCH. The first time length is based on a required minimum time gap between receiving the wake-up indication and starting the PDCCH monitoring, may be determined by the UE based on a reported minimum time gap, or may be configured by a network entity. The value of drx-onDurationTimer2 may be set to be the same as the value of drx-onDurationTimer, or may be set to be different.

[0087] In one embodiment, if the UE receives an instruction to not further monitor the power-saving PDCCH without waking up during additional monitoring opportunities within the DRX cycle, the UE does not monitor the power-saving PDCCH during the remaining additional monitoring opportunities within the DRX cycle and monitors the power-saving PDCCH during normal monitoring opportunities of the DRX cycle.

[0088] In one embodiment, if the UE receives an instruction not to further monitor the power-saving PDCCH without waking up at an additional monitoring opportunity within the DRX cycle, the UE does not start drx-onDurationTimer2 (or ps-WakeupTimer or drx-onDurationTimer for a shorter period of time) during the DRX cycle, but continues to monitor the power-saving PDCCH at the next additional monitoring opportunity within the DRX cycle.

[0089] In one embodiment, the UE may be configured with a DRX cycle with a relatively large DRX cycle value for power saving (e.g., 300ms, 600ms, 1000ms). When a delay-sensitive application is started for the UE and there are no imminent packets in the buffer that need to be delivered to the UE, the network entity may indicate to the UE in a normal monitoring opportunity not to wake up, but to perform additional monitoring of the power-saving PDCCH in an additional monitoring opportunity configured in the next DRX cycle. By monitoring the PDCCH-based power-saving channel in an additional monitoring opportunity configured in the entire next DRX cycle, the UE does not miss any delay-sensitive packets while being in a "sleep" state most of the time in the next DRX cycle when there is no data to transmit or receive.

[0090] In one example, the UE is instructed via a 2-bit DCI bit field to wake up, to not wake up for a first number of subsequent DRX cycles, to not wake up for a second number of subsequent DRX cycles, and to not wake up for additional monitoring of the power-saving PDCCH in the next DRX cycle.

[0091] In another example, DCI format 2_6z is used to signal improved power saving information outside the DRX active time for one or more UEs.

[0092] The following information is transmitted by DCI format 2_6z, in which the CRC is scrambled by the PS-RNTI: i. Block number 1, Block number 2, ... Block number N, where the starting location of the blocks is determined by the parameter ps-PositionDCI-2-6z provided by higher layers for the UE to be configured with that block.

[0093] When the UE is configured with higher layer parameters ps-RNTI and dci-Format2-6z, one block is configured for the UE by higher layers and the following fields are defined for that block: i. Wake-up indication - 2 bits. 00: wake up, 01: don't wake up for Y1 DRX cycles, 10: don't wake up for Y2 DRX cycles, 11: don't wake up but continue monitoring for additional monitoring opportunities in the next DRX cycle. ii.SCell Dormancy Indication - 0 bit if higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime is not configured, otherwise a bitmap of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 bits determined according to the higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime, each bit corresponding to one of the SCell groups configured by the higher layer parameter dormancyGroupOutsideActiveTime, with the MSB to LSB of the bitmap corresponding to the first to last configured SCell group.

[0094] In one embodiment, the size of DCI format 2_6z is indicated by higher layer parameter sizeDCI-2-6z.

[0095] In another example, the network entity may configure the UE's set for the power-saving PDCCH at the normal monitoring occasions of the UE to be different from the UE's set for the power-saving PDCCH at the additional monitoring occasions of the UE. Thus, the UE receives separate configurations of the power-saving PDCCH, one for the normal monitoring occasions and the other for the additional monitoring occasions. For example, the PS-RNTI, the number of search space sets by dci-Format2-6z, the payload size of the DCI format 2_6 by sizeDCI_2-6z, and / or the starting location of the DCI format 2_6z by psPositionDCI-2-6z may be separately configured for monitoring the power-saving PDCCH at the additional monitoring occasions. The UE may further receive a separate configuration of ps-Wakeup, i.e., a configuration for starting the associated drx-onDurationTimer2 (or the ps-WakeupTimer or drx-onDurationTimer with a shorter time length) when the power-saving PDCCH is monitored but not detected at the additional monitoring occasions.

[0096] In a second embodiment of the proposed approach, the UE receives a PDCCH skip indication (e.g., whether to stop / skip PDCCH monitoring or whether to resume PDCCH monitoring) for each search space set or each group of search space sets via a DCI format together with scheduling information (e.g., DL allocation, UL grant, DL SPS activation / release, type 2 configuration grant ("CG")-PUSCH activation / release) or via a DCI format without scheduling information.

[0097] In one embodiment, if the PDCCH skip indication indicates PDCCH skipping for a UE-specific search space set, and if there is at least one active UE-specific search space set that does not contain the indicated search space set (e.g., at least one UE-specific search space set for which the PDCCH is not skipped), the UE stops monitoring the PDCCH for the indicated search space set starting from an application delay after the end of the PDCCH reception containing the indication (or the end of the monitoring occasion in which the indication is received). The application delay may be configured by higher layers and / or may be dynamically indicated in the DCI using the PDCCH skip indication by the network entity.

[0098] In one embodiment, if the PDCCH skip indication indicates PDCCH skipping for a UE-specific search space set, and if there are no active UE-specific search space sets that do not contain the indicated search space set (e.g., PDCCH skipping is or has been applied for all configured UE-specific search space sets), the UE may switch monitoring of the PDCCH for the indicated search space set to a. not earlier than the application delay after the end of the PDCCH reception containing that indication (or the end of a monitoring opportunity during which that indication is received); b. If the drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerDL or the drx-RetransmissionTimerDL is running, when the drx-RetransmissionTimerDL expires, for the DL DCI format of the search space set, c. If the drx-HARQ-RTT-TimerUL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL is running, when the drx-RetransmissionTimerUL expires, for the UL DCI format of the search space set, d. If the drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer is running, stop the drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer.

[0099] In one example, if a UE is given a search space set for monitoring a PDCCH for detection of DCI format 0_1 ​​and DCI format 1_1, and if one or both of DCI format 0_1 ​​and DCI format 1_1 include a PDCCH skip indication field, a. The PDCCH skip indication field is a bitmap with a size equal to the number of configured search space sets (or the number of groups of configured search space sets) given by searchSpaceGroupList; b. Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to one configured search space set (or one group of configured search space sets) from that number of configured search space sets (or that number of groups of configured search space sets). c. A value of “1” for a bit in the bitmap indicates skipping of a PDCCH for the corresponding search space set (or a corresponding group of search space sets); d. A value of "0" for a bit in a bitmap i. if PDCCH skipping has not been activated for the corresponding search space set (or for the corresponding group of search space sets), continue monitoring the PDCCH for the corresponding search space set (or for the corresponding group of search space sets); ii. If PDCCH skipping is activated for the corresponding search space set (or the corresponding group of search space sets), resume monitoring the PDCCH for the corresponding search space set (or the corresponding group of search space sets).

[0100] According to a third embodiment, the UE may choose to adapt (e.g., reduce) the number of transmit Tx (or receive Rx) antennas / antenna ports and / or the number of maximum multiple-input multiple-output ("MIMO") layers for active BWP. This may be for power saving (e.g., turning off antennas), for lowering overall transmit power to address thermal issues, and / or due to UE implementation constraints such as form factor constraints, antenna placement, antenna correlation, antenna coupling, etc. For example, the UE may choose to operate with a single Tx antenna port transmission, e.g., when the foldable device is closed, and with support for uplink MIMO (e.g., codebook or non-codebook) transmission (more than one Tx antenna port simultaneous transmission) when the foldable device is open.

[0101] In one embodiment, the UE may indicate to the network a change in the current configuration / capability of the number of Tx (or Rx) antennas / antenna ports and / or the number of maximum MIMO layers, for example based on the device's operating state, and may indicate a preferred number of Tx (or Rx) antennas / antenna ports and / or the number of maximum MIMO layers for active BWP. In one example, the preferred configuration (e.g., once granted by the network) remains in effect until the preferred configuration is next updated. In one example, the preferred number of Tx (or Rx) antennas / antenna ports and / or the number of maximum MIMO layers may not be greater than the most recent RRC configuration associated with the number of Tx (or Rx) antennas / antenna ports and / or the number of maximum MIMO layers.

[0102] 2 illustrates a user equipment device 200 that may be used for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the user equipment device 200 is used to implement one or more of the strategies described above. The user equipment device 200 may be an embodiment of the remote unit 105 and / or the UE 205, described above. Additionally, the user equipment device 200 may include a processor 205, a memory 210, an input device 215, an output device 220, and a transceiver 225.

[0103] In some embodiments, input device 215 and output device 220 are combined into a single device, such as a touch screen. In some embodiments, user equipment device 200 may not include input device 215 and / or output device 220. In various embodiments, user equipment device 200 may include one or more of processor 205, memory 210, and transceiver 225, and may not include input device 215 and / or output device 220.

[0104] As shown, the transceiver 225 includes at least one transmitter 230 and at least one receiver 235. In some embodiments, the transceiver 225 communicates with one or more cells (or wireless coverage areas) supported by one or more base units 121. In various embodiments, the transceiver 225 is operable in an unlicensed spectrum. Moreover, the transceiver 225 may include multiple UE panels supporting one or more beams. In addition, the transceiver 225 may support at least one network interface 240 and / or application interface 245. The application interface 245 may support one or more APIs. The network interface 240 may support 3GPP reference points such as Uu, N1, PC5, etc. Other network interfaces 240 may be supported as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0105] In one embodiment, the processor 205 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, the processor 205 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, central processing unit ("CPU"), graphics processing unit ("GPU"), auxiliary processing unit, field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, the processor 205 executes instructions stored in the memory 210 to perform the methods and routines described herein. The processor 205 is communicatively coupled to the memory 210, the input device 215, the output device 220, and the transceiver 225. In some embodiments, the processor 205 may include an application processor (also known as a "main processor") that manages application areas and operating system ("OS") functions, and a baseband processor (also known as a "baseband radio processor") that manages radio functions.

[0106] In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 receives a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search space sets via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity. In one embodiment, the processor 205, in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed.

[0107] In one embodiment, the processor 205 is further configured to stop monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after an applicable delay has elapsed since the last PDCCH reception comprising a PDCCH skip indication.

[0108] In one embodiment, the processor 205 is further configured to stop monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after an applicable delay has elapsed from the end of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity in which the PDCCH skip indication is received.

[0109] In one embodiment, the processor 205 further stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets according to a timer in response to a PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping the PDCCH for the group of search space sets and there being no active UE-specific search space sets that do not have the group of search space sets.

[0110] In one embodiment, the processor 205 is further configured to, for a downlink DCI of the group of the search space set, stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of the search space set upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising a downlink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0111] In one embodiment, the processor 205 is further configured to, for an uplink DCI of the group of the search space set, stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of the search space set upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising an uplink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0112] In one embodiment, the processor 205 further determines a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, detects a first power-saving PDCCH on a first PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, determines whether to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the detected first power-saving PDCCH, and detects a second power-saving PDCCH on a second PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities in response to determining to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on the at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0113] In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 further receives a PDCCH skip indication by starting monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets in response to detecting the second power-saving PDCCH.

[0114] In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 further receives first configuration information associated with a first type of power-saving PDCCH and receives second configuration information associated with a second type of power-saving PDCCH, the first type of power-saving PDCCH being monitored at a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and the second type of power-saving PDCCH being monitored at a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0115] In one embodiment, the first configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a first power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a first at least one search space set, a first payload size of a first type of power-saving PDCCH, a first starting location of the assigned block in the DCI, and a time offset, and the second configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a second power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a second at least one search space set, a second payload size of a second type of power-saving PDCCH, and a second starting location of the assigned block in the DCI.

[0116] In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 further receives a power-saving PDCCH of a second type based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0117] In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 further receives discontinuous reception ("DRX") configurations, the DRX configurations comprising a set of DRX ON length timer values ​​and a set of configurations, each configuration indicating whether to start an associated DRX ON length timer based on the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​when a corresponding power-saving PDCCH is monitored but not detected.

[0118] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions and a second DRX ON length timer value associated with a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0119] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions, and the processor 205 further determines a second DRX ON length timer value based on the first DRX ON length timer value.

[0120] In one embodiment, the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a first DRX cycle, the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a second DRX cycle, and the first DRX cycle precedes the second DRX cycle.

[0121] In one embodiment, the processor 205 further determines, based on the detected second power-saving PDCCH, whether to start a DRX ON length timer associated with the second DRX cycle.

[0122] In one embodiment, memory 210 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 210 includes volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 210 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), synchronous dynamic RAM ("SDRAM"), and / or static RAM ("SRAM"). In some embodiments, memory 210 includes non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 210 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, memory 210 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0123] In some embodiments, memory 210 stores data related to improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. For example, memory 210 may store various parameters, panel / beam configurations, resource allocations, policies, etc., as described above. In some embodiments, memory 210 also stores program code and associated data, such as an operating system or other controller algorithms operating on user equipment device 200.

[0124] In one embodiment, the input device 215 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, buttons, a keyboard, a stylus, a microphone, etc. In some embodiments, the input device 215 may be integrated with the output device 220, for example as a touch screen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device 215 includes a touch screen, so that text may be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen and / or by handwriting on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the input device 215 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0125] In one embodiment, output device 220 is designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, output device 220 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, output device 220 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, a projector, or a similar display device capable of outputting images, text, and the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, output device 220 may include a wearable display that is separate from, but communicatively coupled to, other portions of user equipment device 200, such as a smart watch, smart glasses, a head-up display, and the like. Additionally, output device 220 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a tablet computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, and the like.

[0126] In some embodiments, output device 220 includes one or more speakers for producing sound. For example, output device 220 may produce an auditory alert or notification (e.g., a beep or chime). In some embodiments, output device 220 includes one or more haptic devices for producing vibration, movement, or other tactile feedback. In some embodiments, all or a portion of output device 220 may be integrated with input device 215. For example, input device 215 and output device 220 may form a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, output device 220 may be located near input device 215.

[0127] The transceiver 225 communicates with one or more network functions of a mobile communications network via one or more access networks. The transceiver 225 operates under the control of the processor 205 to transmit messages, data, and other signals and to receive messages, data, and other signals. For example, the processor 205 may selectively activate the transceiver 225 (or portions thereof) at particular times to transmit and receive messages.

[0128] The transceiver 225 includes at least one transmitter 230 and at least one receiver 235. The one or more transmitters 230 may be used to provide UL communication signals to the base unit 121, such as UL transmissions as described herein. Similarly, the one or more receivers 235 may be used to receive DL communication signals from the base unit 121, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 230 and one receiver 235 are shown, the user equipment device 200 may have any suitable number of transmitters 230 and receivers 235. Furthermore, the transmitters 230 and receivers 235 may be any suitable type of transmitter and receiver. In one embodiment, the transceiver 225 includes a first transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network over a licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network over an unlicensed radio spectrum.

[0129] In some embodiments, a first transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network via a licensed radio spectrum and a second transmitter / receiver pair used to communicate with a mobile communications network via an unlicensed radio spectrum may be combined into a single transceiver unit, e.g., a single chip that performs functions for use with both the licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum. In some embodiments, the first transmitter / receiver pair and the second transmitter / receiver pair may share one or more hardware components. For example, some transceivers 225, transmitters 230, and receivers 235 may be implemented as physically separate components that access shared hardware and / or software resources, such as, for example, network interface 240.

[0130] In various embodiments, one or more transmitters 230 and / or one or more receivers 235 may be implemented and / or integrated into a single hardware component, such as a multi-transceiver chip, a system-on-chip, an ASIC, or other type of hardware component. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters 230 and / or one or more receivers 235 may be implemented and / or integrated into a multi-chip module. In some embodiments, other components, such as a network interface 240 or other hardware components / circuits, may be integrated into a single chip with any number of transmitters 230 and / or receivers 235. In such embodiments, the transmitters 230 and receivers 235 may be logically configured as a transceiver 225 using one or more common control signals or as modular transmitters 230 and receivers 235 implemented in the same hardware chip or multi-chip module.

[0131] 3 illustrates a network device 300 that may be used for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the network device 300 may be an implementation of a RAN node, such as a base unit 121, a RAN node 210, or a gNB, as described above. Additionally, the basic network device 300 may include a processor 305, a memory 310, an input device 315, an output device 320, and a transceiver 325.

[0132] In some embodiments, the input device 315 and the output device 320 are combined into a single device, such as a touch screen. In some embodiments, the network device 300 may not include any input device 315 and / or output device 320. In various embodiments, the network device 300 may include one or more of the processor 305, the memory 310, and the transceiver 325, and may not include the input device 315 and / or the output device 320.

[0133] As shown, the transceiver 325 includes at least one transmitter 330 and at least one receiver 335, where the transceiver 325 communicates with one or more remote units 105. In addition, the transceiver 325 may support at least one network interface 340 and / or an application interface 345. The application interface 345 may support one or more. The network interface 340 may support 3GPP reference points, such as Uu, N1, N2, and N3. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other network interfaces 340 may be supported.

[0134] In one embodiment, the processor 305 may include any known controller capable of executing computer-readable instructions and / or performing logical operations. For example, the processor 305 may be a microcontroller, microprocessor, CPU, GPU, auxiliary processing unit, FPGA, or similar programmable controller. In some embodiments, the processor 305 executes instructions stored in the memory 310 to perform the methods and routines described herein. The processor 305 is communicatively coupled to the memory 310, the input device 315, the output device 320, and the transceiver 325. In some embodiments, the processor 805 may include an application processor (also known as a "main processor") that manages application areas and operating system ("OS") functions, and a baseband processor (also known as a "baseband radio processor") that manages radio functions.

[0135] In various embodiments, the network apparatus 300 is a RAN node (e.g., a gNB) including a processor 305 and a transceiver 325. In one embodiment, the transceiver 325 transmits a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and the processor 305, in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, stops transmitting the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least the lapse of an application delay.

[0136] In one embodiment, memory 310 is a computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, memory 310 includes volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 310 may include RAM, including dynamic RAM ("DRAM"), synchronous dynamic RAM ("SDRAM"), and / or static RAM ("SRAM"). In some embodiments, memory 310 includes non-volatile computer storage media. For example, memory 310 may include a hard disk drive, flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computer storage device. In some embodiments, memory 310 includes both volatile and non-volatile computer storage media.

[0137] In some embodiments, memory 310 stores data related to improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. For example, memory 310 may store parameters, configurations, resource allocations, policies, etc., as described above. In some embodiments, memory 310 also stores program code and associated data, such as operating systems or other controller algorithms operating on network device 300.

[0138] In one embodiment, the input device 315 may include any known computer input device, including a touch panel, buttons, a keyboard, a stylus, a microphone, etc. In some embodiments, the input device 315 may be integrated with the output device 320, for example as a touch screen or similar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device 315 includes a touch screen, so that text may be entered using a virtual keyboard displayed on the touch screen and / or by handwriting on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the input device 315 includes two or more different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

[0139] In one embodiment, the output device 320 is designed to output visual, auditory, and / or tactile signals. In some embodiments, the output device 320 includes an electronically controllable display or display device capable of outputting visual data to a user. For example, the output device 320 may include, but is not limited to, an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, a projector, or a similar display device capable of outputting images, text, and the like to a user. As another non-limiting example, the output device 320 may include a wearable display separate from, but communicatively coupled to, other portions of the network device 300, such as a smart watch, smart glasses, a head-up display, and the like. Additionally, the output device 320 may be a component of a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a television, a tablet computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, a vehicle dashboard, and the like.

[0140] In some embodiments, the output device 320 includes one or more speakers for producing sound. For example, the output device 320 may produce an auditory alert or notification (e.g., a beep or chime). In some embodiments, the output device 320 includes one or more haptic devices for producing vibration, movement, or other tactile feedback. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the output device 320 may be integrated with the input device 315. For example, the input device 315 and the output device 320 may form a touchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments, the output device 320 may be located near the input device 315.

[0141] The transceiver 325 includes at least one transmitter 330 and at least one receiver 335. The one or more transmitters 330 may be used to communicate with a UE, as described herein. Similarly, the one or more receivers 335 may be used to communicate with a network function in an NPN, PLMN, and / or RAN, as described herein. Although only one transmitter 330 and one receiver 335 are shown, the network device 300 may have any suitable number of transmitters 330 and receivers 335. Additionally, the transmitters 330 and receivers 335 may be any suitable type of transmitter and receiver.

[0142] 4 is a flow chart diagram of a method 400 for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. Method 400 may be performed by a UE as described herein, e.g., a remote unit 105, a UE 205, and / or a user equipment device 200. In some embodiments, method 400 may be performed by a processor executing program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0143] In one embodiment, method 400 includes receiving (405) a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search space sets via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and ceasing (410) monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping the PDCCH for the group of search space sets. Method 400 then ends.

[0144] 5 is a flow chart diagram of a method 500 for improved discontinuous reception and power savings for user equipment. Method 500 may be performed by a network device as described herein, e.g., a RAN node, a gNB, and / or a network equipment device 300. In some embodiments, method 500 may be performed by a processor executing program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0145] The method 500 includes transmitting (505) a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing (510) transmission of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed. The method 500 ends.

[0146] Disclosed herein is a first apparatus for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment. The first apparatus may include a UE as described herein, e.g., a remote unit 105, a UE 205, and / or a user equipment device 200. In some embodiments, the first apparatus includes a processor that executes program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, a coprocessor, an FPGA, etc.

[0147] In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a transceiver that receives a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search space sets via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity. In one embodiment, the first apparatus includes a processor that, in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed.

[0148] In one embodiment, the processor further stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after an applicable delay has elapsed since the last PDCCH reception comprising a PDCCH skip indication.

[0149] In one embodiment, the processor further ceases monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after an applicable delay has elapsed from the end of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity in which the PDCCH skip indication is received.

[0150] In one embodiment, the processor further stops monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets according to a timer in response to a PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets and there being no active UE-specific search space sets that do not have the group of search space sets.

[0151] In one embodiment, the processor further comprises, for a downlink DCI of the group of the search space set, ceasing to monitor a PDCCH for the group of the search space set upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising a downlink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0152] In one embodiment, the processor further comprises, for an uplink DCI of the group of the search space set, ceasing to monitor a PDCCH for the group of the search space set upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising an uplink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0153] In one embodiment, the processor further determines a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, detects a first power-saving PDCCH on a first PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, determines whether to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the detected first power-saving PDCCH, and detects a second power-saving PDCCH on a second PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities in response to determining to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on the at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0154] In one embodiment, the transceiver further receives a PDCCH skip indication by commencing monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets in response to detecting the second power-saving PDCCH.

[0155] In one embodiment, the transceiver further receives first configuration information associated with a first type of power-saving PDCCH and receives second configuration information associated with a second type of power-saving PDCCH, the first type of power-saving PDCCH being monitored at a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and the second type of power-saving PDCCH being monitored at a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0156] In one embodiment, the first configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a first power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a first at least one search space set, a first payload size of a first type of power-saving PDCCH, a first starting location of the assigned block in the DCI, and the time offset and the second configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a second power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a second at least one search space set, a second payload size of a second type of power-saving PDCCH, and a second starting location of the assigned block in the DCI.

[0157] In one embodiment, the transceiver further receives a power-saving PDCCH of a second type of power-saving PDCCH based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0158] In one embodiment, the transceiver further receives discontinuous reception ("DRX") configurations, the DRX configurations comprising a set of DRX ON length timer values ​​and a set of configurations, each configuration indicating whether to start an associated DRX ON length timer based on the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​when a corresponding power-saving PDCCH is monitored but not detected.

[0159] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions and a second DRX ON length timer value associated with a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0160] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions, and the processor further determines a second DRX ON length timer value based on the first DRX ON length timer value.

[0161] In one embodiment, the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a first DRX cycle, the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a second DRX cycle, and the first DRX cycle precedes the second DRX cycle.

[0162] In one embodiment, the processor further determines whether to start a DRX ON time length timer associated with the second DRX cycle based on the detected second power-saving PDCCH.

[0163] A first method for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment is disclosed herein. The first method may be performed by a UE as described herein, e.g., a remote unit 105, a UE 205, and / or a user equipment device 200. In some embodiments, the first method may be performed by a processor executing program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0164] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a PDCCH skip indication for the group of search space sets via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity. In one embodiment, the first method includes ceasing monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping the PDCCH for the group of search space sets.

[0165] In one embodiment, the first method includes ceasing to monitor the PDCCH for a group of search space sets after an applied delay has elapsed since the last PDCCH reception comprising a PDCCH skip indication.

[0166] In one embodiment, the first method includes ceasing to monitor the PDCCH for a group of search space sets after an application delay has elapsed from the end of a PDCCH monitoring opportunity in which a PDCCH skip indication is received.

[0167] In one embodiment, the first method includes a step of ceasing monitoring the PDCCH for the group of search space sets according to a timer in response to a PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets and in response to there being no active UE-specific search space set that does not have the group of search space sets.

[0168] In one embodiment, the first method includes, for downlink DCI of the group of search space sets, ceasing to monitor a PDCCH for the group of search space sets upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising a downlink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0169] In one embodiment, the first method includes, for an uplink DCI of the group of the search space set, ceasing to monitor a PDCCH for the group of the search space set upon expiration of a timer, the timer comprising an uplink discontinuous reception retransmission timer.

[0170] In one embodiment, the first method includes the steps of determining a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities; detecting a first power-saving PDCCH on a first PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities; determining whether to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the detected first power-saving PDCCH; and detecting a second power-saving PDCCH on a second PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities in response to determining to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on the at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0171] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a PDCCH skip indication by initiating monitoring of a PDCCH for a group of search space sets in response to detecting a second power-saving PDCCH.

[0172] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving first configuration information related to a first type of power-saving PDCCH and receiving second configuration information related to a second type of power-saving PDCCH, wherein the first type of power-saving PDCCH is monitored at a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and the second type of power-saving PDCCH is monitored at a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0173] In one embodiment, the first configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a first power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a first at least one search space set, a first payload size of a first type of power-saving PDCCH, a first starting location of the assigned block in the DCI, and a time offset, and the second configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a second power-saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a second at least one search space set, a second payload size of a second type of power-saving PDCCH, and a second starting location of the assigned block in the DCI.

[0174] In one embodiment, the first method includes receiving a power-saving PDCCH of a second type of power-saving PDCCH based on the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0175] In one embodiment, a first method includes receiving discontinuous reception ("DRX") configurations, the DRX configurations comprising a set of DRX ON length timer values ​​and a set of configurations, each configuration indicating whether to start an associated DRX ON length timer based on the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​when a corresponding power saved PDCCH is monitored but not detected.

[0176] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions and a second DRX ON length timer value associated with a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0177] In one embodiment, the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions, and the first method includes determining a second DRX ON length timer value based on the first DRX ON length timer value.

[0178] In one embodiment, the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a first DRX cycle, the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity is in a second DRX cycle, and the first DRX cycle precedes the second DRX cycle.

[0179] In one embodiment, the first method includes determining whether to start a DRX ON time length timer associated with a second DRX cycle based on the detected second power-saving PDCCH.

[0180] A second apparatus for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment is disclosed herein. The second apparatus may include a network device as described herein, e.g., a RAN node, a gNB, and / or a network equipment apparatus 300. In some embodiments, the second apparatus may include a processor that executes program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, a coprocessor, an FPGA, etc.

[0181] In one embodiment, the second apparatus includes a transceiver that transmits a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and a processor that stops transmitting a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets.

[0182] A second method for improved discontinuous reception and power saving for user equipment is disclosed herein. The second method may be performed by a network device as described herein, e.g., a RAN node, a gNB, and / or a network equipment device 300. In some embodiments, the second method may be performed by a processor executing program code, e.g., a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, an FPGA, etc.

[0183] In one embodiment, the second method includes transmitting a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for a user equipment ("UE") device via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, and in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of the PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing to transmit the PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed.

[0184] The embodiments may be embodied in other specific forms. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the spirit and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0185] 105 Remote Unit 107 Applications 110 Base Unit 115 UL / DL 117SL 120 Wireless Access Network 140 Mobile Core Network 141 UPF 143 AMF 145 SMF 147 AUSF 149 UDM 150 Packet Data Network 151 Application Server 200 User Equipment Device 205 Processor 210 Memory 215 Input Devices 220 Output Devices 225 Transceiver 230 Transmitter 235 Receiver 240 Network Interface 245 Application Interface 300 Network Equipment 305 Processor 310 Memory 315 Input Devices 320 Output Device 325 Transceiver 330 Transmitter 335 Receiver 340 Network Interface 345 Application Interface

Claims

1. A user equipment ("UE") for wireless communications, comprising: At least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor comprising: receiving a PDCCH skip indication for a group of a search space set via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity; in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing monitoring of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed. and causing the UE to U.E.

2. The at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets when the application delay has elapsed since the last PDCCH reception comprising the PDCCH skip indication. The UE of claim 1.

3. The at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets when the application delay has elapsed since the end of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity at which the PDCCH skip indication is received. The UE of claim 1.

4. the at least one processor: The PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets; There is no active UE-specific search space set that does not comprise the group of search space sets; and configured to cause the UE to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets according to a timer in response to the The UE of claim 1.

5. the at least one processor: for downlink DCI of the group of search space sets, ceasing monitoring PDCCH for the group of search space sets upon expiration of the timer, the timer comprising a downlink discontinuous reception retransmission timer; for uplink DCI of the group of search space sets, ceasing to monitor PDCCH for the group of search space sets upon expiration of the timer, the timer comprising an uplink discontinuous reception retransmission timer; and causing the UE to The UE of claim 4.

6. the at least one processor: determining a first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and a second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities; detecting a first power saving PDCCH at a first PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities; determining whether to monitor a power-saving PDCCH in at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity among the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the detected first power-saving PDCCH; detecting a second power-saving PDCCH on a second PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities in response to determining to monitor the power-saving PDCCH on the at least one PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities; receiving the PDCCH skip indication by starting monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets in response to detecting the second power saving PDCCH; and causing the UE to The UE of claim 1.

7. the at least one processor: receiving information of a first configuration associated with a first type of power-saving PDCCH; receiving information of a second configuration related to a second type of power saving PDCCH; and causing the UE to: The first type of power-saving PDCCH is monitored on the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, and the second type of power-saving PDCCH is monitored on the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring opportunities. The UE of claim 6.

8. the first configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a first power saving-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a first at least one search space set, a first payload size of the first type of power saving PDCCH, a first starting location of an assigned block in a DCI, and a time offset; The second configuration comprises at least one selected from the group including a second power-save-radio network temporary identifier ("PS-RNTI"), a second at least one search space set, a second payload size of the second type of power-save PDCCH, and a second starting location of the assigned block in a DCI. The UE of claim 7.

9. the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to receive a discontinuous reception ("DRX") configuration; the DRX configurations comprising a set of DRX ON length timer values ​​and a set of configurations, each configuration indicating whether to start an associated DRX ON length timer based on the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​when a corresponding power-saving PDCCH is monitored but not detected. The UE of claim 8.

10. The set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions and a second DRX ON length timer value associated with the second plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions. The UE of claim 9.

11. the set of DRX ON length timer values ​​comprises a first DRX ON length timer value associated with the first plurality of PDCCH monitoring occasions, and the at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to determine a second DRX ON length timer value based on the first DRX ON length timer value. The UE of claim 9.

12. 7. The UE of claim 6, wherein the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is within a first DRX cycle, the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity is within a second DRX cycle, and the first DRX cycle is prior to the second DRX cycle.

13. The at least one processor is configured to cause the UE to determine, based on the detected second power-saving PDCCH, whether to start a DRX ON time length timer associated with the second DRX cycle. The UE of claim 12.

14. 1. A method performed by a user equipment ("UE"), comprising: receiving a PDCCH skip indication for a group of a search space set via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity; in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing monitoring of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed. A method comprising:

15. A base station for wireless communications, comprising: At least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor comprising: transmitting, via downlink control information ("DCI") during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity, a PDCCH skip indication for a group of search space sets configured for the user equipment ("UE") device; in response to transmitting the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets, ceasing to transmit a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed. and configured to cause the base station to Base station.

16. A processor for wireless communications, comprising: at least one controller coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one controller comprising: receiving a PDCCH skip indication for a group of a search space set via downlink control information ("DCI") from a network node during a physical downlink control channel ("PDCCH") monitoring opportunity; monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets after at least an application delay has elapsed in response to the PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets; configured to cause the processor to Processor.

17. The at least one controller is configured to cause the processor to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets when the application delay has elapsed since the end of a PDCCH reception comprising the PDCCH skip indication.

17. The processor of claim 16.

18. The at least one controller is configured to cause the processor to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets when the application delay has elapsed since the end of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity at which the PDCCH skip indication is received.

17. The processor of claim 16.

19. The at least one controller: The PDCCH skip indication indicating skipping of a PDCCH for the group of search space sets; There is no active UE-specific search space set that does not comprise the group of search space sets; and causing the processor to stop monitoring a PDCCH for the group of search space sets according to a timer in response to the 17. The processor of claim 16.

20. The at least one controller: for downlink DCI of the group of search space sets, ceasing monitoring PDCCH for the group of search space sets upon expiration of the timer, the timer comprising a downlink discontinuous reception retransmission timer; for uplink DCI of the group of search space sets, ceasing to monitor PDCCH for the group of search space sets upon expiration of the timer, the timer comprising an uplink discontinuous reception retransmission timer; configured to cause the processor to 20. The processor of claim 19.

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