NETWORK NODE, USER EQUIPMENT, AND METHODS THEREIN FOR COMMUNICATION OF AVAILABILITY INFORMATION FOR REFERENCE SIGNALS - Patent application

Abstract

An embodiment includes a method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a tracking reference signal (TRS) in a wireless network. The exemplary method includes receiving system information from a network node including a configuration for the tracking reference signal, the configuration identifying a plurality of occasions during which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, the system information further identifying at least a first windowing during which availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled. The exemplary method further includes receiving the availability information during at least the first windowing and determining whether the tracking reference signal is available based on the received availability information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to communicating availability information for reference signals to enable reducing energy consumption of wireless devices operating in a disconnected state within a wireless network. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the fifth generation of cellular systems ("5G"), also called New Radio (NR), is being standardized within the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). NR is being developed for maximum flexibility to support a variety of different use cases. These include enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), machine-based communications (MTC), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), sidelink device-to-device (D2D) and several other use cases. Although this disclosure is primarily directed to 5G / NR, the following description of fourth generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology is provided to introduce various terms, concepts, architectures, etc. that are also used in 5G / NR.

[0003] LTE, also known as Enhanced UTRAN (E-UTRAN), is an umbrella term for radio access technologies developed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and first standardized in Release 8 (Rel-8) and Release 9 (Rel-9). LTE targets various licensed frequency bands and is accompanied by improvements to non-radio aspects, commonly referred to as System Architecture Evolution (SAE), including the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network. LTE continues to evolve with subsequent releases.

[0004] A general example architecture of a network with LTE and SAE is shown in Figure 1. E-UTRAN 100 includes one or more evolved node Bs (eNBs), such as eNBs 105, 110, and 115, and one or more user equipment (UE), such as UE 120. "User equipment" or "UE" as used within the 3GPP standards means any wireless communication device (e.g., a smartphone or computing device) capable of communicating with 3GPP standards-compliant network equipment, including E-UTRAN as well as UTRAN and / or GERAN, as third generation ("3G") and second generation ("2G") 3GPP RANs are commonly known.

[0005] As specified by 3GPP, E-UTRAN 100 is responsible for all radio related functions in the network including radio bearer control, radio admission control, radio mobility control, scheduling, and dynamic allocation of resources to UEs in the uplink and downlink, as well as security of communications with the UEs. These functions reside in eNBs, such as eNBs 105, 110, and 115. Each of the eNBs can serve a geographic coverage area that includes one more cell, including cells 106, 111, and 115, which are served by eNBs 105, 110, and 115, respectively.

[0006] The eNBs in the E-UTRAN communicate with each other via an X2 interface, as shown in FIG. 1. The eNBs also serve as the E-UTRAN interface to the EPC 130, and in particular the S1 interface to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and Serving Gateway (SGW), collectively shown in FIG. 1 as MME / S-GW 134 and 138. In general, the MME / S-GW handles both the overall control of the UE and the data flow between the UE and the rest of the EPC. More specifically, the MME handles the signaling (e.g., control plane) protocols between the UE and the EPC, known as the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocols. The S-GW handles all Internet Protocol (IP) data packets (e.g., data or user plane) between the UE and the EPC and serves as a local mobility anchor for data bearers as the UE moves between eNBs, such as eNBs 105, 110, and 115.

[0007] The EPC 130 may also include a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 131, which manages user-related information and subscriber-related information. The HSS 131 may also provide support functions in mobility management, call and session setup, user authentication and access authorization. The functionality of the HSS 131 may relate to legacy Home Location Register (HLR) functions and Authentication Center (AuC) functions or operations. The HSS 131 may also communicate with the MMEs 134 and 138 via their respective S6a interfaces.

[0008] In some embodiments, the HSS 131 can communicate with a User Data Repository (UDR), labeled EPC-UDR 135 in FIG. 1, via a Ud interface. The EPC-UDR 135 can store user credentials after they are encrypted by AuC algorithms. These algorithms are not standardized (i.e., vendor-specific) so that the encrypted credentials stored in the EPC-UDR 135 are not accessible by any vendor other than the vendor of the HSS 131.

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary control plane (CP) protocol stack between a UE, an eNB, and an MME. The exemplary protocol stack includes a physical (PHY) layer between the UE and the eNB, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and a radio resource control (RRC) layer. The PHY layer is concerned with how and what characteristics are used to transfer data on transport channels on the LTE air interface. The MAC layer provides data transfer services on logical channels, maps logical channels to PHY transport channels, and reallocates PHY resources to support these services. The RLC layer provides error detection and / or correction, concatenation, segmentation, reassembly, and reordering of data transferred to or from higher layers. The PDCP layer provides encryption / decryption and integrity protection for both the CP and user plane (UP), as well as other UP functions such as header compression. The exemplary protocol stack also includes Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling between the UE and the MME.

[0010] The RRC layer controls the communication between the UE and the eNB in ​​the radio interface as well as the mobility of the UE between cells in the E-UTRAN. After the UE is powered on, the UE will be in the RRC_IDLE state until an RRC connection with the network is established, at which time the UE will transition to the RRC_CONNECTED state (e.g., where data transfer may occur). The UE returns to RRC_IDLE after the connection with the network is released. In the RRC_IDLE state, the UE does not belong to any cell, there is no RRC context established for the UE (e.g., in the E-UTRAN), and the UE is not UL synchronized with the network. A UE in the RRC_IDLE state is still known in the EPC and has an allocated IP address.

[0011] Furthermore, in the RRC_IDLE state, the UE's radio is active in a discontinuous reception (DRX) schedule configured by higher layers. During the DRX active period (also called "DRX ON duration"), an RRC_IDLE UE receives system information (SI) broadcasted by the serving cell, performs measurements on neighboring cells to support cell reselection, and monitors a paging channel for paging from the EPC via the eNB serving the cell on which the UE is camped.

[0012] To move from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE needs to perform a Random Access (RA) procedure. In RRC_CONNECTED state, the serving cell for the UE is known and an RRC context is established for the UE in the serving eNB so that the UE and the eNB can communicate. For example, a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) (UE identity used for signaling between the UE and the network) is configured for the UE in RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0013] The multiple access scheme for the LTE PHY is based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) with Cyclic Prefix (CP) in the downlink and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) with Cyclic Prefix in the uplink. To support transmission in paired and unpaired spectrum, the LTE PHY supports both Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) (including both full-duplex and half-duplex operation) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD). FIG. 3 shows an exemplary radio frame structure for LTE FDD downlink (DL) operation. The radio frame has a fixed duration of 10 milliseconds (ms) and consists of 20 slots, labeled 0 through 19, each with a fixed duration of 0.5 ms. A 1-ms subframe comprises two consecutive slots, where subframe i consists of slot 2i and slot 2i+1. Each exemplary downlink slot has N DL symb It consists of N OFDM symbols. DL symb Each of the OFDM symbols is sc It consists of N OFDM subcarriers. DL symb An example value of N may be 7 (for normal CP) or 6 (for extended length CP) for a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz. sc The value of is configurable based on the available channel bandwidth.

[0014] An exemplary LTE FDD UL radio frame may be configured in a manner similar to the exemplary FDD DL radio frame shown in Figure 3. Using terminology consistent with the DL description above, each UL slot may include N UL symb It consists of N OFDM symbols. UL symb Each of the OFDM symbols is sc It consists of OFDM subcarriers.

[0015] The combination of a particular subcarrier and a particular symbol time is known as a Resource Element (RE). Each RE is used to transmit a particular number of bits depending on the type of modulation and / or bit mapping constellation used for that RE. For example, some REs may carry 2 bits using QPSK modulation, while other REs may carry 4 bits using 16-QAM, or 6 bits using 64-QAM. Radio resources in LTE PHY are also defined in terms of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs). A PRB is a block that is divided into 16 subcarriers and a PRB block. The ... DL symb symbols) over N RB sc number of subcarriers, where N RB sc is typically either 12 (for a 15-kHz SCS) or 24 (for a 7.5-kHz SCS).

[0016] In general, an LTE physical channel corresponds to a set of REs that carry information originating from higher layers. DL physical channels provided by the LTE PHY include a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), a Physical Multicast Channel (PMCH), a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a Relay Physical Downlink Control Channel (R-PDCCH), a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), a Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH), and a Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel (PHICH). In addition, the LTE PHY DL includes a Demodulation Reference Signal (DM-RS), a Channel State Information RS (CSI-RS), a synchronization signal, etc.

[0017] The PDSCH is used for unicast DL data transmission and also carries random access responses, certain system information blocks (SIBs), and paging information. The PBCH carries basic system information required by the UE to access the network. The PDCCH is used to carry DL control information (DCI) including scheduling information for DL ​​messages on the PDSCH, grants for UL transmissions on the PUSCH, and channel quality feedback (e.g., CSI) for UL channels. The PHICH carries HARQ feedback (e.g., ACK / NAK) for UL transmissions by the UE.

[0018] The UL physical channels provided by the LTE PHY include the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). In addition, the LTE PHY uplink includes various reference signals, including Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RS) transmitted to aid the eNB in ​​receiving the associated PUCCH or PUSCH, and Sounding Reference Signals (SRS), which are not associated with any uplink channel.

[0019] The PUSCH is the UL counterpart to the PDSCH, used by the UE to transmit UL control information (UCI), including HARQ feedback for eNB DL transmissions, channel quality feedback (e.g., CSI) for DL ​​channels, Scheduling Requests (SR), etc. The PRACH is used for random access preamble transmission.

[0020] 5G / NR technology shares many similarities with fourth generation LTE. For example, NR uses cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) in the DL and both CP-OFDM and DFT-spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) in the UL. As another example, in the time domain, NR DL and NR UL physical resources are organized into equal-sized, 1 ms subframes. The subframes are further divided into multiple slots of equal duration, with each slot containing multiple OFDM-based symbols. As another example, the NR RRC layer includes the RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED states, but adds an additional state known as RRC_INACTIVE, which has some properties similar to the "suspended" condition used in LTE.

[0021] In addition to providing coverage via cells, as in LTE, NR networks also provide coverage via “beams”. Generally, a DL “beam” is a coverage area of ​​the network’s transmitted RSs that can be measured or monitored by a UE. Such RSs can include any of the following, alone or in combination: Synchronization Signal / PBCH Blocks (SSBs), Channel State Information RSs (CSI-RSs), Tertiary RSs (or any other synchronization signals), Positioning RSs (PRSs), Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RSs), Phase Tracking RSs (PTRSs), etc. Generally, SSBs are available to all UEs regardless of their RRC state, while other RSs (e.g., CSI-RSs, DM-RSs, PTRSs) are associated with a particular UE that has a network connection, i.e., is in RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0022] In LTE networks, Cell Reference Signals (CRS) are transmitted by the network every 1 ms subframe and are available to all UEs regardless of their RRC state. NR SSBs are available to all UEs but are transmitted much less frequently than the LTE CRS, by default every 20 ms, e.g., every 5-160 ms. Such infrequent transmissions can create various challenges, problems and / or difficulties for NR UEs operating in a non-connected state, i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. Summary of the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide distinct improvements in communications between user equipment (UE) and network nodes in wireless communication networks, including by facilitating solutions to overcome the example problems summarized above and described in more detail below.

[0024] Embodiments include a method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a tracking reference signal (TRS) in a wireless network. Such method includes receiving, from a network node in the wireless network, a configuration for a tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node, the configuration specifying a number of occasions on which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, i.e., occasions on which the tracking reference signal is transmitted if the network node chooses to transmit. The method further includes receiving, from the network node, an indication of whether the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is currently available, and determining, based on the indication, whether to reacquire system information specifying the availability of the tracking reference signal during a disconnected state.

[0025] Another exemplary method according to some of the embodiments described in detail below includes receiving system information from a network node including a configuration for a tracking reference signal, the configuration identifying a plurality of occasions during which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, the system information further identifying at least a first windowing during which availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled. The exemplary method further includes receiving the availability information during at least the first windowing and determining whether the tracking reference signal is available based on the received availability information.

[0026] Other embodiments detailed herein are directed to a network node, e.g., a base station, configured to provide availability information for a tracking reference signal. In an exemplary method according to some of these embodiments, the network node transmits system information including a configuration for a tracking reference signal, the configuration identifying a number of occasions during which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, the system information further identifying at least a first windowing during which the availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled. The exemplary method further includes signaling the availability information during at least the first windowing.

[0027] Several variations of the above method are also disclosed, and corresponding devices and systems are also described.

[0028] These and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in light of the drawings briefly described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a high-level block diagram of an example architecture of a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Enhanced UTRAN (E-UTRAN) and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network as standardized by 3GPP. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example control plane (CP) protocol layer of an over-the-air (Uu) interface between a user equipment (UE) and an E-UTRAN. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram of an example downlink LTE radio frame structure used for frequency division duplex (FDD) operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example frequency domain configuration for 5G / New Radio (NR) user equipment (UE). [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an example time-frequency resource grid for an NR slot. [Figure 6A] A diagram showing various exemplary NR slot configurations. [Figure 6B] A diagram showing various exemplary NR slot configurations. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 illustrates various example ASN.1 data structures for message fields and / or information elements (IEs) used to provide CSI-RS resource set configuration to an NR UE. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 illustrates various example ASN.1 data structures for message fields and / or information elements (IEs) used to provide CSI-RS resource set configuration to an NR UE. [Figure 7C] FIG. 11 illustrates various example ASN.1 data structures for message fields and / or information elements (IEs) used to provide CSI-RS resource set configuration to an NR UE. [Figure 7D] FIG. 11 illustrates various example ASN.1 data structures for message fields and / or information elements (IEs) used to provide CSI-RS resource set configuration to an NR UE. [Figure 7E] FIG. 11 illustrates various example ASN.1 data structures for message fields and / or information elements (IEs) used to provide CSI-RS resource set configuration to an NR UE. [Figure 8]FIG. 14 illustrates an example ASN.1 data structure for a CSI-RS-ResourceConfig-Mobility IE, which enables an NR network to configure a UE for CSI-RS-based radio resource management (RRM) measurements. [Figure 9] 1 is an example timeline illustrating UE detection of a connected RS during non-connected state operation, in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a timeline illustrating an example transmission of a TRS for an SSB and a UE paging occasion (PO), in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is an example timeline illustrating a technique for network indication of the presence or absence of a connected RS during UE non-connected state operation, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12A] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an example method for a UE (e.g., a wireless device, an MTC device, an NB-IoT device, etc.) in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an example method for a UE (e.g., a wireless device, an MTC device, an NB-IoT device, etc.) in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an example method for a network node (e.g., a base station, eNB, gNB, etc.) in a wireless network, in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method in a UE. [Figure 14B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method in a network node. [Figure 15A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of TRS configuration and availability / unavailability signaling within a SI. [Figure 15B] A diagram of TRS configuration in SI and availability / unavailability signaling in L1. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a high-level diagram of an example 5G network architecture, in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example wireless device or UE in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example network node in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example network configured to provide over-the-top (OTT) data services between a host computer and a UE, in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, other embodiments are within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to only the embodiments described herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0031] In general, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and / or suggested by the context of use. All references to elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc., should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to any other embodiment, as appropriate. Similarly, any advantage of any of the embodiments can be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present specification will become apparent from the following description.

[0032] Additionally, the following terminology is used throughout the descriptions set forth below: Wireless Node: As used herein, a "wireless node" may be a "wireless access node" or a "wireless device." Radio Access Node: As used herein, a "radio access node" (or equivalently, a "radio network node", "radio access network node", or "RAN node") may be any node in a radio access network (RAN) of a cellular communications network that operates to transmit and / or receive signals wirelessly. Some examples of radio access nodes include, but are not limited to, base stations (e.g., a new radio (NR) base station (gNB) in a 3GPP fifth generation (5G) NR network, or an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in a 3GPP LTE network), base station distributed components (e.g., CU and DU), high power or macro base stations, low power base stations (e.g., a micro base station, a pico base station, a femto base station, or a home base station, etc.), an integrated radio access backhaul (IAB) node, a transmission point, a remote radio unit (RRU or RRH), and a relay node. Core Network Node: As used herein, a "core network node" is any type of node in a core network. Some examples of core network nodes include, for example, a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (SGW), a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (AMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF), etc. Wireless Device: As used herein, a "wireless device" (or "WD" for short) is any type of device that can access (i.e., be served by) a cellular communications network by communicating wirelessly with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Wireless communication can involve the transmission and / or reception of wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information in the air. Unless otherwise noted, the term "wireless device" is used interchangeably herein with "user equipment" (or "UE" for short). Some examples of wireless devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, cellular phones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, game consoles or gaming devices, music storage devices, playback devices, wearable devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablets, laptops, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), mobile type communications (MTC) devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, vehicle mounted wireless terminal devices, and the like. Network Node: As used herein, a "network node" is any node that is part of either a radio access network (e.g., radio access node or equivalent designation as described above) or a core network (e.g., core network node as described above) of a cellular communications network. Functionally, a network node is equipment for enabling, configuring, arranging, and / or enabling direct or indirect communication with wireless devices and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the cellular communications network, enabling and / or providing wireless access to wireless devices, and / or performing other functions (e.g., management) in the cellular communications network.

[0033] It should be noted that the description herein focuses on 3GPP cellular communication systems, and thus 3GPP terminology or terminology similar to 3GPP terminology is often used. However, the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP systems. Furthermore, although the term "cell" is used herein, it should be understood that (particularly for 5G NR) a beam may be used instead of a cell, and thus the concepts described herein apply equally to both cells and beams.

[0034] As briefly described above, the CRS is transmitted by the LTE network every 1 ms subframe and is available to all UEs in a cell regardless of the RRC state. The SSBs transmitted by the NR network are available to all UEs, but are transmitted much less frequently than the LTE CRS, with a default of every 20 ms, e.g., every 5-160 ms. Such infrequent transmissions can create various challenges, problems and / or difficulties for NR UEs operating in a non-connected state, i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. This is discussed in more detail below after the following discussion of the NR air interface.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example frequency domain configuration for an NR UE. In Rel-15 NR, a UE may be configured with up to four carrier bandwidth parts (BWPs) in the DL, with a single DL BWP active at a given time. A UE may be configured with up to four BWPs in the UL, with a single UL BWP active at a given time. If a UE is configured with auxiliary UL, the UE may be configured with up to four additional BWPs in the auxiliary UL, with a single auxiliary UL BWP active at a given time.

[0036] Common RBs (CRBs) are numbered from 0 to the end of the system bandwidth. Each BWP configured for a UE has a common reference, CRB 0, such that a particular configured BWP may start at a CRB greater than zero. In this manner, a UE may be configured with a narrow BWP (e.g., 10 MHz) and a wide BWP (e.g., 100 MHz) each starting at a particular CRB, but only one BWP may be active for the UE at a given point in time.

[0037] Within the BWP, the RB is defined as a number ranging from 0 to The SCS is numbered from 1 to 7170, where i is the index of a particular BWP for the carrier. Similar to LTE, each NR resource element (RE) corresponds to one OFDM subcarrier in one OFDM symbol interval. NR supports various SCS values ​​Δf = (15 × 2 μ ) kHz, where μ ∈ (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) is called a "numerology". The numerology μ = 0 (i.e., Δf = 15 kHz) gives the basic (or reference) SCS that is also used in LTE. The symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, and slot duration are inversely related to the SCS or numerology. For example, for Δf = 15 kHz, there is one (1-ms) slot per subframe, for Δf = 30 kHz, there are two 0.5 ms slots per subframe, etc. In addition, the maximum carrier bandwidth is 2 μ *Directly related to numerology according to 50MHz.

[0038] Table 1 below summarizes the supported NR numerologies and associated parameters. Different DL and UL numerologies can be configured by the network. TIFF2024515245000003.tif43170

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example time-frequency resource grid for an NR slot. As shown in Figure 5, a resource block (RB) consists of a group of 12 consecutive OFDM subcarriers for the duration of a 14-symbol slot. As in LTE, a resource element (RE) consists of one subcarrier in one slot. An NR slot may contain 14 OFDM symbols for the normal cyclic prefix (e.g., as shown in Figure 3) and 12 symbols for the extended cyclic prefix.

[0040] FIG. 6A shows an example NR slot configuration with 14 symbols, where the slot and symbol durations are T s and T symb In addition, NR includes Type B scheduling, also known as "minislots". These are shorter than a slot, typically ranging from one symbol to one less than the number of symbols in the slot (e.g., 13 or 11), and can start at any symbol of the slot. Minislots may be used when the transmission duration of a slot is too long and / or the next slot start (slot alignment) occurs too late. Applications of minislots include unlicensed spectrum and latency-critical transmissions (e.g., URLLC). However, minislots are not service specific and may also be used for eMBB or other services.

[0041] Figure 6B shows another example NR slot structure that includes 14 symbols. In this configuration, the PDCCH is restricted to a region called the Control Resource Set (CORESET) that contains a specific number of symbols and a specific number of subcarriers. In the example structure shown in Figure 6B, the first two symbols contain the PDCCH, and each of the remaining 12 symbols contains a Physical Data Channel (PDCH), either a PDSCH or a PUSCH. However, the first two slots can also carry a PDSCH or other information if necessary, depending on the specific CORESET setting (discussed below).

[0042] The CORESET includes multiple RBs (i.e., multiples of 12 REs) in the frequency domain and one to three OFDM symbols in the time domain, as further specified in 3GPP TS38.211 §7.3.2.2. The CORESET is functionally similar to the control region in an LTE subframe. However, in NR, each REG consists of all 12 REs of one OFDM symbol in an RB, whereas an LTE REG includes only four REs. As in LTE, the time domain size of the CORESET may be indicated by the PCFICH. In LTE, the frequency bandwidth of the control region is fixed (i.e., fixed to the total system bandwidth), whereas in NR, the frequency bandwidth of the CORESET is variable. The CORESET resources may be indicated to the UE by RRC signaling.

[0043] The smallest unit used to define the CORESET is the REG, which spans one PRB in frequency and one OFDM symbol in time. In addition to the PDCCH, each REG contains a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) to aid in estimating the wireless channel on which the REG is transmitted. When transmitting the PDCCH, a precoder may be used to apply weights at the transmit antenna based on some knowledge of the wireless channel prior to transmission. If the precoders used at the transmitter for the REGs are not different, it is possible to improve the channel estimation performance at the UE by estimating the channel over multiple REGs that are close in time and frequency. To aid the UE's channel estimation, multiple REGs may be grouped together to form a REG bundle, and the REG bundle size for the CORESET (i.e., 2, 3, or 5 REGs) may be indicated to the UE. The UE may assume that any precoder used for the transmission of the PDCCH is the same across all REGs in the REG bundle.

[0044] An NR control channel element (CCE) consists of six REGs. These REGs can be either contiguous or distributed in frequency. When the REGs are distributed in frequency, the CORESET is said to use an interleaved mapping of REGs to CCEs, and when the REGs are contiguous in frequency, a non-interleaved mapping is said to be used. Interleaving can provide frequency diversity. Not using interleaving is beneficial for cases where channel knowledge allows the use of a precoder in a particular part of the spectrum to improve the SINR at the receiver.

[0045] Similar to LTE, NR data scheduling may be implemented dynamically, e.g., on a slot-by-slot basis. In each slot, a base station (e.g., gNB) transmits downlink control information (DCI) on the PDCCH indicating which UEs are scheduled to receive data in that slot and which RBs carry that data. The UE first detects and decodes the DCI, and if the DCI includes DL scheduling information for the UE, the UE receives the corresponding PDSCH based on the DL scheduling information. DCI formats 1_0 and 1_1 are used to convey PDSCH scheduling.

[0046] Similarly, the DCI on the PDCCH may include an UL grant indicating which UEs are scheduled to transmit data on the PUCCH in that slot as well as which RBs carry that data. The UE first detects and decodes the DCI, and if the DCI includes an uplink grant for the UE, the UE transmits the corresponding PUSCH on the resources indicated by the UL grant. DCI formats 0_0 and 0_1 are used to convey UL grants for the PUSCH, while the other DCI formats (2_0, 2_1, 2_2, and 2_3) are used for other purposes, including transmitting slot format information, reserved resources, transmit power control information, etc.

[0047] In NR Rel-15, DCI formats 0_0 / 1_0 are called "fallback DCI formats" and DCI formats 0_1 / 1_1 are called "non-fallback DCI formats". Fallback DCI supports resource allocation type 1, where the DCI size depends on the size of the active BWP. Thus, DCI formats 0_1 / 1_1 are targeted to scheduling single TB transmissions with limited flexibility. On the other hand, non-fallback DCI formats can provide flexible TB scheduling with multi-layer transmissions.

[0048] The DCI includes a payload that is complemented with a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the payload data. Since the DCI is transmitted on a PDCCH that is received by multiple UEs, the identifier of the targeted UE needs to be included. In NR, this is done by scrambling the CRC with a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) assigned to the UE. Most commonly, the Cell RNTI (C-RNTI) assigned to the targeted UE by the serving cell is used for this purpose.

[0049] The DCI payload is coded with a CRC scrambled with the identifier and transmitted on the PDCCH. Given a previously set search space, each UE attempts to detect the PDCCH addressed to that search space according to multiple hypotheses (also called "candidates") in a process known as "blind decoding". The PDCCH candidates span 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs, the number of CCEs being called the aggregation level (AL) of the PDCCH candidate. If more than one CCE is used, the information in the first CCE is repeated in the other CCEs. By varying the AL, the PDCCH can be made somewhat robust for a certain payload size. In other words, PDCCH link adaptation can be implemented by adjusting the AL. Depending on the AL, the PDCCH candidates can be located at different time-frequency locations in the CORESET.

[0050] When the UE decodes the DCI, it descrambles the CRC with the RNTI assigned to the UE and / or associated with a particular PDCCH search space. In case of a match, the UE considers the detected DCI as addressed to the UE and follows the instructions (e.g., scheduling information) in the DCI.

[0051] For example, to determine the modulation order, target code rate, and TB size for a scheduled PDSCH transmission, the UE first determines the modulation order (Q m ) and the target code rate (R), the 5-bit modulation coding scheme field (I MCS The UE then reads the redundancy version (RV) field (rv) in the DCI to determine the redundancy version (RV). The UE then reads the redundancy version (RV) field (rv) in the DCI to determine the number of layers (ν) and the total number of allocated PRBs before rate matching (n PRB Based on this information together with the PDSCH, the UE determines the transport block size (TBS) for the PDSCH according to the procedure specified in 3GPP TS 38.214 (v15.0.0), clause 5.1.3.2.

[0052] The DCI may also include information regarding various timing offsets (e.g., in slots or subframes) between the PDCCH and the PDSCH, PUSCH, HARQ, and / or CSI-RS. For example, offset K0 represents the number of slots between the UE's PDCCH reception of a PDSCH scheduling DCI (e.g., format 1_0 or 1_1) and a subsequent PDSCH transmission. Similarly, offset K1 represents the number of slots between this PDSCH transmission and the UE's acknowledging HARQ ACK / NACK transmission on the PUSCH. Additionally, offset K3 represents the number of slots between this acknowledging ACK / NACK and a corresponding retransmission of the data on the PDSCH. Additionally, offset K2 represents the number of slots between the UE's PDCCH reception of a PUSCH grant DCI (e.g., format 0_0 or 0_1) and a subsequent PUSCH transmission. Each of these offsets may take on a value of zero or a positive integer.

[0053] K0 is part of the PDSCH time domain resource allocation (TDRA). Also included within the PDSCH TDRA is a slot length index value (SLIV) that identifies a particular combination of starting symbol (S) and length (L) of the resource allocation. In general, S can be any symbol 0-13, and L can be any number of symbol times starting with S until the end of the slot (i.e., symbol 13). The SLIV can be used as an index into a table of (S,L) combinations. Similarly, K2 is part of the PUSCH TDRA, which also includes the corresponding SLIV.

[0054] An NR UE can also be configured by the network with one or more NZP (non-zero power) CSI-RS resource set configurations via higher layer (e.g., RRC) information elements (IEs) NZP-CSI-RS-Resource, NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet, and CSI-ResourceConfig. Exemplary ASN.1 data structures representing these IEs are shown in Figures 7A-7C, respectively.

[0055] In addition, Figures 7D-7E show example ASN.1 data structures representing the CSI-ResourcePeriodicityAndOffset and CSI-RS-ResourceMapping fields included in the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource IE shown in Figure 7A. The CSI-ResourcePeriodicityAndOffset field is used to configure the periodicity and corresponding offset for periodic and semi-persistent CSI resources and for periodic and semi-persistent CSI reporting on the PUCCH. Both the periodicity and offset are given in number of slots. For example, the periodicity value slot 4 corresponds to 4 slots, slot 5 corresponds to 5 slots, etc. The CSI-RS-ResourceMapping field is used to configure the resource element mapping of the CSI-RS resources in the time and frequency domain.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows an example ASN.1 data structure for an RRC CSI-RS-ResourceConfig-Mobility IE, which enables an NR network to configure a UE for CSI-RS-based radio resource management (RRM) measurements.

[0057] In addition, Tables 2-6 below further define various fields that are included within each of the ASN.1 data structures shown in Figures 7A-7C, 7E, and 8. These fields are described in more detail in the discussion following the tables. TIFF2024515245000004.tif185170TIFF2024515245000005.tif153170TIFF2024515245000006.tif98170 TIFF2024515245000007.tif179170TIFF2024515245000008.tif255165TIFF2024515245000009.tif153170

[0058] Each NZP CSI-RS resource set consists of K >= 1 NZP CSI-RS resources. The following parameters NZP-CSI-RS-Resource, CSI-ResourceConfig, and NZP-CSI-RS-ResoceSet are included in the RRC IE for each CSI-RS resource configuration. ·nzp-CSI-RS-ResourceId determines the CSI-RS resource configuration identification information. periodicityAndOffset specifies the CSI-RS periodicity and slot offset for periodic / semi-persistent CSI-RS. All CSI-RS resources in a set are configured with the same periodicity, and the slot offsets can be the same or different for different CSI-RS resources. · resourceMapping specifies the number of ports, CDM type, and OFDM symbol and subcarrier occupancy of CSI-RS resources in a given slot in 3GPP TS38.211, clause 7.4.1.5. · nrofPorts in resourceMapping specifies the number of CSI-RS ports, and the allowed values ​​are given in 3GPP TS38.211, clause 7.4.1.5. · density in resourceMapping specifies the CSI-RS frequency density for each CSI-RS port per PRB, and the CSI-RS PRB offset in case of density value 1 / 2, with the tolerances given in 3GPP TS38.211, clause 7.4.1.5. At density 1 / 2, the odd / even PRB allocations indicated in density are with respect to a common resource block grid. · The cdm-Type in resourceMapping specifies the CDM value and pattern, the allowed values ​​are given in 3GPP TS38.211, clause 7.4.1.5. · powerControlOffset: The expected ratio of PDSCH EPRE to NZP CSI-RS EPRE when the UE derives CSI feedback and takes values ​​in the range [-8, 15] dB with 1 dB step size. · powerControlOffsetSS: The expected ratio of NZP CSI-RS EPRE to SS / PBCH block EPRE. ·scramblingID is 10 bits long and specifies the scrambling ID of the CSI-RS. · The BWP-Id in the CSI-ResourceConfig specifies in which bandwidth portion the configured CSI-RS is located. · repetition in NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet is associated to a CSI-RS resource set and specifies whether the UE can assume that the CSI-RS resources in the NZP CSI-RS resource set are transmitted with the same downlink spatial domain transmission filter and not as described in clause 5.1.6.1.2 and can only be set if the higher layer parameter reportQuantity associated to all reporting configurations linked to the CSI-RS resource set is set to 'cri-RSRP', 'cri-SINR' or 'none'. ·qcl-InfoPeriodicCSI-RS contains a reference to a QCL source RS and a TCI state indicating the QCL type. If a TCL state is configured with a reference to an RS with a "QCL-TypeD" association, that RS may be an SS / PBCH block in the same or a different CC / DL BWP, or a CSI-RS resource configured as periodic in the same or a different CC / DL BWP. · The trs-Info in an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet is associated to a CSI-RS resource set, for which the UE may assume that antenna ports with the same port index of the configured NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet are the same as described in clause 5.1.6.1.1 and may be set if a reporting configuration is not configured or if the high layer parameter reportQuantity associated to all reporting configurations linked to the CSI-RS resource set is set to 'none'.

[0059] All CSI-RS resources in a set are configured with the same density and the same nrofPorts, except for the NZP CSI-RS resource used for interference measurements. Furthermore, the UE shall configure all CSI-RS resources in a resource set with the same starting RB and number of RBs, and the same cdm-type.

[0060] As specified in 3GPP TS 38.211, clause 7.4.1.5, the bandwidth of the CSI-RS resources in the BWP and the initial common resource block (CRB) index are determined based on the RRC-configuration parameters nrofRBs and startingRB, respectively, in the CSI-FrequencyOccupation IE set by the RRC parameter freqBand in the CSI-RS-ResourceMapping IE. Both nrofRBs and startingRB are configured as integer multiples of 4 RBs, and the reference point for startingRB is CRB0 on ​​the common resource block grid. TIFF2024515245000010.tif5170, the UE shall TIFF2024515245000011.tif5170 or N initial RB =startingRB. TIFF2024515245000012.tif6170, the UE determines that the bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource is Assume the file is TIFF2024515245000013.tif6170. Alternatively, the UE is TIFF2024515245000014.tif6170. In all cases, the UE Predicted to be TIFF2024515245000015.tif6170.

[0061] A UE in RRC_CONNECTED state receives from the network (e.g., via RRC) a UE specific configuration of NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet including the parameter trs-Info as described in the parameter list above. For a configured NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet with the RRC parameter trs-Info set to "true", the UE shall assume that antenna ports with the same port index of the configured NZP CSI-RS resources in the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet are the same.

[0062] In Frequency Range 1 (FR1, e.g., sub-6 GHz), the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS Sets, where an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet consists of four periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots with two periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in each slot. If the two consecutive slots are not indicated as DL slots by tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon or tdd-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated, the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS Sets, where an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet consists of two periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in one slot.

[0063] In frequency range 2 (FR2, e.g., above 6 GHz), the UE may be configured with one or more NZP CSI-RS Sets, where an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet corresponds to an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet consisting of two periodic CSI-RS resources in one slot, or four periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots with two periodic NZP CSI-RS resources in each slot.

[0064] In addition, a UE configured with an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet including parameter trs-Info may have CSI-RS resources configured as periodic, where all CSI-RS resources in the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet are configured with the same periodicity, bandwidth and subcarrier location. As a second option, a UE configured with an NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet including parameter trs-Info may be configured with periodic CSI-RS resources in one set and aperiodic CSI-RS resources in a second set, where the aperiodic CSI-RS resources and the periodic CSI-RS resources have the same bandwidth (at the same RB location) and the aperiodic CSI-RS are "QCL-Type-A" and "QCL-Type-D" (if applicable) relative to the periodic CSI-RS resources.

[0065] In this second option, in FR2, the UE predicts that the scheduling offset between the last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the triggering DCI and the first symbol of the aperiodic CSI-RS resource is not smaller than the UE reported ThresholdSched-Offset. The UE shall predict that the periodic CSI-RS resource set and the aperiodic CSI-RS resource set are configured with the same number of CSI-RS resources and with the same number of CSI-RS resources in a slot. For an aperiodic CSI-RS resource set, when triggered, and if the associated periodic CSI-RS resource set is configured with four periodic CSI-RS resources having two consecutive slots with two periodic CSI-RS resources in each slot, the high layer parameter aperiodicTriggeringOffset indicates the triggering offset relative to the first slot for the first two CSI-RS resources in the set.

[0066] In addition, it is expected that the UE is not configured with any of the following: A CSI-ReportConfig linked to a CSI-ResourceConfig containing the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet configured in trs-Info and to a CSI-ReportConfig configured with the higher layer parameter timeRestrictionForChannelMeasurements set to "configured". · A CSI-ReportConfig with the high layer parameter reportQuantity set to other than 'none' for the aperiodic NZP CSI-RS resource set configured in trs-Info. · CSI-ReportConfig for the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource set configured in trs-Info. · NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet configured with both trs-Info and repetition.

[0067] In addition, according to 3GPP TS 38.211, clause 7.4.1.5.3, each CSI-RS resource is configured by a higher layer parameter NZP-CSI-RS-Resource with the following constraints: The time domain location of two CSI-RS resources in a slot, or of four CSI-RS resources in two consecutive slots (which is the same across two consecutive slots), as specified by the higher layer parameter CSI-RS-resourceMapping, is given by: l∈{4,8}, l∈{5,9}, or l∈{6,10} for FR1 and FR2, or For FR2, l∈{0,4}, l∈{1,5}, l∈{2,6}, l∈{3,7}, l∈{7,11}, l∈{8,12} or l∈{9,13}. A single port CSI-RS resource with density ρ=3 as given by 3GPP TS38.211, Table 7.4.1.5.3-1, and parameter density configured by CSI-RS-ResourceMapping. The bandwidth of the CSI-RS resources, as given by the parameter freqBand configured by CSI-RS-ResourceMapping, is a minimum of 52 and TIFF2024515245000016.tif7170RB, or For operation with shared spectrum channel access, the freqBand set by CSI-RS-ResourceMapping is a minimum of 48 and TIFF2024515245000018.tif7170RB, or Equivalent to TIFF2024515245000019.tif7170RB. If the bandwidth of the CSI-RS resource is greater than 52RB, the UE μ It is not expected that this will be set with a periodicity of x10 slots. The periodicity and slot offset for the periodic NZP CSI-RS resource, as given by the parameter periodicityAndOffset configured by the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource, is 2 μ X p One of the slots, X p = 10, 20, 40, or 80, and μ is the numerology for BWP. The same powerControlOffset and powerControlOffsetSS given by the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource value across all resources.

[0068] In idle mode, the UE receives information about paging configuration via higher layer signaling (such as system information signaling). In each I-DRX cycle (or DRX cycle in idle mode), the UE starts processing (e.g., wake-up operation) before its paging occasion, for example, to receive one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) for functions such as AGC, time-frequency synchronization, etc. In the paging occasion, the UE attempts to decode the paging DCI (e.g., DCI 1-0 with CRC scrambled by P-RNTI), and if the paging DCI is detected, the UE can also decode the paging PDSCH allocated by the paging DCI to identify whether it is paged (e.g., whether the paging message contains the UE's 5G-S-TMSI). The paging DCI includes the MCS, resource allocation, TB scaling field, redundancy version (RV), etc., associated with the scheduled PDSCH. The paging DCI can also be used to indicate SI changes, in which case the UE may not need to decode the corresponding PDSCH.

[0069] The content of the paging DCI format is shown below, where the following information is transmitted by DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by the P-RNTI: Short message indicator according to Table 7.3.1.2.1-1 – 2 bits. Short messages according to clause 6.5 of [9, TS38.331] - 8 bits. If only scheduling information for paging is carried, this bit field is reserved. Frequency domain resource allocation TIFF2024515245000020.tif7170 bits. If only short messages are carried, this bit field is reserved. · TIFF2024515245000021.tif5170 is the size of CORESET 0. · Time Domain Resource Allocation - 4 bits as specified in clause 5.1.2.1 of [6, TS38.214]. If only short messages are carried, this bit field is reserved. VRB-to-PRB mapping - 1 bit per Table 7.3.1.2.2-5. This bit field is reserved if only short messages are carried. Modulation and coding scheme - 5 bits, as specified in clause 5.1.3 of [6, TS38.214], using table 5.1.3.1-1. If only short messages are carried, this bit field is reserved. · TB Scaling - 2 bits, as specified in clause 5.1.3.2 of [6, TS38.214]. If only short messages are carried, this bit field is reserved. Reserved bits - 8 bits for operation within a cell with shared spectrum channel access, or 6 bits.

[0070] In NR, a UE in RRC_CONNECTED state is equipped with periodic, semi-periodic, and / or aperiodic CSI-RS / TRS, also referred to as "tracking reference signals" (TRS) or "tracking CSI RS". The UE uses these RS to measure channel quality and / or to adjust the UE's time and frequency synchronization with its serving network node (e.g., gNB). When a particular UE transitions to an unconnected state (i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE), the network may or may not turn off such RS for this particular UE. Nevertheless, an unconnected UE is unaware of whether RSs in the connected state are available in the unconnected state. Thus, an unconnected UE traditionally relies on SSB measurements for synchronization, receiver automatic gain control (AGC) tuning, and / or cell quality measurements (e.g., for RRM).

[0071] However, as briefly described above, SSBs are transmitted much less frequently than the LTE CRS, by default every 20 ms, e.g., every 5-160 ms. After the UE looks for paging messages from the network within a regularly scheduled paging occasion (PO), the UE prefers to return to deep sleep to reduce energy consumption. However, the UE may need to refrain from entering deep sleep after a PO to wait for the next SSB, which may be a significant amount of time relative to the time spent looking for paging messages. These actions may lead to increased energy consumption, reduced time between battery charges, and / or the inability to utilize the energy stored in the UE for other purposes, such as data services.

[0072] If additional reference signals, such as tracking reference signals (TRS), are provided to an idle / inactive UE, the UE can reduce its wake-up time and further receive sufficient signals (SSB, TRS, etc.) prior to its paging occasion to decode the paging PDSCH, thereby reducing UE power consumption. However, transmitting additional TRS to an idle / inactive UE increases network power consumption. Thus, allowing idle UEs to utilize such TRS only if they are used for connected mode UEs can provide opportunistic UE power savings without increasing network power consumption.

[0073] The current design allows the network to indicate potential TRS / CSI-RS occasions configured via system information signaling for idle / inactive UEs, but it is left to the NW implementation whether TRS / CSI-RS is transmitted within the potential TRS / CSI-RS occasions (or TRS / CSI-RS occasions for brevity).

[0074] Schemes are also contemplated that allow explicit / implicit indication of the availability of TRS / CSI-RS in a TRS / CSI-RS occasion, such as: 1) an indication in the SIB that TRS is always present in the TRS / CSI-RS occasion; or 2) use of L1 signaling, such as a paging DCI, to indicate that TRS / CSI-RS is available in the TRS / CSI-RS occasion; 3) leaving it up to the UE implementation to blindly detect if TRS / CSI-RS is available in the TRS / CSI-RS occasion; or 4) always transmitting TRS / CSI-RS in the TRS / CSI-RS occasion if there is a corresponding paging message (paging PDSCH) in the upcoming PO (paging occasion).

[0075] Two such methods described herein include, for example, a method in which a system information block (SIB) indicates the availability of a TRS with a validity timer, and a method in which the UE is notified of system information (SI) changes via a paging DCI.

[0076] For this latter method, the SIB can be one of the existing SIBs (i.e., as previously specified by 3GPP) or a dedicated SIB, e.g., a SIB specifically specified for this purpose. Within the existing framework, every time a SIB changes, the network has to indicate this change to the UE by sending a short message indicating the SI change, after which all UEs have to reacquire the SIB. This method can also be used for TRS availability signaling updates, but involves high network overhead and power consumption due to potentially frequent SI updates and higher UE power consumption. (Limiting TRS status changes to periodic SI update periods leads to semi-static TRS control by the network, which can have severe network energy efficiency consequences.) For example, there may be Release 15 / 16 UEs that do not support the feature of using TRS in idle mode, but are still affected by this and have to unnecessarily reacquire the SIB every time the network indicates an SI update. Thus, there is a need for a mechanism that allows only UEs using the feature to reacquire the relevant SIB.

[0077] At a high level, two methods may be used to solve this problem. In the first method, the TRS setting in the SIB is associated in addition to a timer duration, after which the UE must reacquire the SIB to understand the availability of the TRS. According to the second method, the UE is informed of the TRS status change in the SI through a paging DCI. This document describes these methods and then discusses in more detail the methods and mechanisms on how TRS availability can be signaled to idle UEs using the SIB and using L1-based mechanisms.

[0078] Accordingly, example embodiments of the present disclosure mitigate, reduce, and / or eliminate these and other example problems, challenges, and / or shortcomings by providing a flexible mechanism for a network node (e.g., gNB) within a wireless network (e.g., NG-RAN) to inform served UEs regarding the presence and / or configuration of non-SSB RS available to the UE in a non-connected state (i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE), in particular non-SSB RS (e.g., CSI-RS, TRS) that are typically only available to UEs in an RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0079] As used herein, a "connected RS" is an RS that is conventionally and / or normally available to a UE only while the UE is in an RRC_CONNECTED state (or a state with similar properties) in which the UE has an active connection with the network. In other words, in conventional operation, a connected RS is not available to a UE while the UE is in an unconnected state (e.g., RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, or a state with similar properties) in which the UE does not have an active connection to the network. Examples of connected RS include CSI-RS, TRS, etc. After the UE is informed of the existence and / or configuration of these connected RSs and enters an unconnected state, the UE can determine the particular time slots in which the connected RS resides and receive the connected RS accordingly.

[0080] These embodiments may provide various exemplary advantages and / or benefits when utilized within a UE and a wireless network. For example, such embodiments may facilitate reducing UE energy consumption while enabling the UE to maintain synchronization and / or AGC during an unconnected state. This may be done by enabling the UE to receive and / or measure connected state RSs in an unconnected state, such that the UE may not have to enter (or remain in) a normal (i.e., non-low power) mode of operation to receive unconnected state RSs (e.g., SSBs) for use for similar purposes. Conversely, if such connected state RSs are not available to an unconnected UE, the UE may need to revert to a non-low power mode of operation to receive unconnected state RSs. Moreover, embodiments may provide such advantages without requiring additional types of RSs than those already transmitted by the network to the UE in the RRC_CONNECTED state (e.g., tracking TRS / CSI-RS).

[0081] At a high level, embodiments may address a variety of aspects, including those listed below. 1. Network provision of configuration information for RSs (e.g., non-SSB) in a connected state to the UE via either a System Information Block (SIB) or dedicated RRC signaling, and corresponding UE monitoring of non-SSB RS presence while in a non-connected state (i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE). 2. Network indicating activation / deactivation of connected state RS in UE non-connected state via DCI based signaling, e.g. via paging DCI. 3. The network providing an indication as to the state in which the UE may assume the presence of non-SSB RS in one or more occasions. The state may be indicated by a flag, where the indicated state may be one or more of static, paging occasion (PO) based, paging DCI based, blind detection based, etc.

[0082] Other methods and mechanisms, detailed below, provide means by which the UE may be informed of the availability of TRS / CSI-RS using SIB and L1-based approaches, including: 1. SIB-based availability signaling with validity timer. 2. SIB-based availability signaling to indicate specific short message indications in SI updates. 3. Availability status display within short messages. 4. SIB-based availability signaling using TRS non-detection counter. 5. L1-based availability signaling using windowing.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, the configuration of one or more TRSs may be provided using SI signaling, for example in a SIB. TRS configuration parameters (e.g., scrambling codes, time and frequency domain allocations, TCI state, periodicity, etc.) are communicated through SIB1, SIB2, etc. This can be based either on association of multiple CSI-RS resources or on independent compact TRS configurations within the SI.

[0084] In some embodiments, the network may indicate in the configuration that the TRS is present or absent in the UE disconnected state. In such embodiments, the indication of presence may be a separate flag or may be implicit based on the configuration info included in the SI. The UE may configure its receiver, either explicitly or implicitly, to utilize the TRS if the SI indicates its presence. In this disclosure, the terms "present," "activated," and "available" are used synonymously with respect to the TRS, as are the terms "not present," "deactivated," and "unavailable" are used synonymously.

[0085] In some embodiments, the configuration may include a validity duration that indicates a duration that the UE may assume that the TRS is present (e.g., by configuration) after the UE enters an unconnected state. The validity duration may be applicable to a single TRS configuration, or multiple TRS configurations. Furthermore, in the case of multiple TRS configurations, each may have an associated validity duration that is applicable only to that particular configuration. In a TRS configuration with multiple scrambling codes, each scrambling code may be associated with a validity duration, such as the first and second durations for codes 1 and 2 discussed above. In some embodiments, the validity duration may be indicated as a timer value that the UE may use to start a timer that expires at the end of the validity duration.

[0086] In some embodiments, the network may indicate whether it supports transmission of connected RS in the UE disconnected state by including configuration for such connected RS in SI provided to the UE via broadcast or unicast signaling. For example, if the network does not include such configuration in the broadcast SI for a cell, the UE may interpret this as an indication that the network does not support transmission of connected RS in the UE disconnected state. This indication may be particularly relevant in cases where the network does not proactively inform unconnected UEs of relevant SI changes (e.g., via paging, as is done for SIB1 changes).

[0087] FIG. 9 shows an example timeline illustrating UE detection of connected RS during unconnected state operation, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example timeline, the UE enters an unconnected state and receives SI with a TRS configuration that includes the validity duration of the configuration. In this case, the validity duration is the amount of time after the UE enters the unconnected state. The UE starts a validity duration timer based on the indicated validity duration. During the validity duration, the UE can receive the TRS according to the previously received configuration. Additionally, the UE can avoid receiving other RSs (e.g., unconnected RSs such as SSBs) in order to stay asleep longer and reduce energy consumption.

[0088] After the UE's validity duration timer expires, the UE attempts to detect the TRS within the TRS occasion predicted by the configuration. However, the TRS is stopped and the UE does not detect it. After some time, the UE receives an SI indicating that the connected RS (e.g., TRS) has been activated again. The SI may also indicate that the previous configuration is applicable again, or the SI may provide another configuration applicable to subsequent transmissions of the connected RS (including a new validity duration). The UE may then receive the TRS according to the reactivated configuration or the activated another configuration.

[0089] In some embodiments, after the validity duration expires, the UE may determine the presence or absence of a connected RS via direct detection (e.g., using a correlator receiver). For example, such an embodiment may be beneficial in cases where the network does not transmit SI indicating a restarted configuration or another activated configuration.

[0090] In some embodiments, the network may indicate one or more occasions during which a connected RS is available. For example, the network may indicate timeslots and / or subframes, e.g., using absolute numbers relative to the network time base. As a more specific example, the network may indicate that a TRS is available up to mod(SFN,10)=0, where SFN is the number of subframes associated with the network node's transmission.

[0091] Alternatively, the occasion may be indicated with respect to other events for which the UE can derive timing, e.g., for one or more paging occasions (PO), SSB transmissions, residual minimum system information (RMSI), PRACH occasions, etc. For example, the occasion may be indicated via a parameter Z, which is input to a function known to both the network and the UE. For example, the parameter Z may indicate that a particular occasion includes all SFNs that satisfy the function mod(SFN,Z)=0. Multiple Z values ​​may be provided. For SFNs that do not satisfy the function, the UE may remain asleep or may receive a non-connected mode RS (e.g., SSB) instead of a connected RS.

[0092] In one embodiment, the network may inform the unconnected UE of changes in the TRS settings (e.g., broadcast in the SI) through an SI update mechanism, such as via UE paging. Alternatively, the network may not proactively inform the UE of changes in the TRS settings via the SI update mechanism, and instead may have the UE determine any SI changes based on monitoring relevant SIBs in the broadcast SI. In some embodiments, the network may include an indication in the SI of whether a change in the TRS settings has been indicated via the SI update mechanism.

[0093] If a TRS configuration change triggers the SI update mechanism, the UE monitors the relevant SIB in the broadcast SI and, if found, receives the updated TRS configuration and / or an updated activation / deactivation status of the current TRS configuration. In some embodiments, if the UE has not received an SI update signal (e.g., via paging) for a predefined time, the UE may also read the current SI without receiving an SI update signal.

[0094] In general, if an SI update mechanism is not used, the UE may periodically or from time to time monitor the broadcast SI to determine the up / down status of the current TRS configuration and / or the availability of a new TRS configuration. In some embodiments, the UE may determine whether to monitor the SI for this purpose by comparing the additional energy expended for SI reception with the energy saved by utilizing the TRS, e.g., by monitoring the SI only if the overall energy usage is lower by an amount that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0095] In any event, upon obtaining a revised activation / deactivation status of the current TRS configuration and / or the new TRS configuration, the UE adapts its TRS utilization strategy (e.g., whether to utilize TRS in addition to or instead of SSB, or to use only SSB) to adapt the obtained information. Differently stated, based on the received configuration, the UE can determine one or more time slots in which connected RSs are available, and determine whether to receive connected RSs in these time slots instead of or in addition to receiving non-connected RSs (e.g., SSBs). These decisions can be based on relative energy consumption for various operating options. In other words, the UE can receive available connected RSs during time slots in which reception of connected RSs reduces UE energy consumption, and not receive available connected RSs during time slots in which reception of connected RSs does not reduce UE energy consumption.

[0096] In some embodiments, the network may indicate the availability of TRS / CSI-RS in a subset of all occasions associated with the periodicity of the TRS / CSI-RS. Currently, the TRS / CSI-RS may be transmitted in bursts with a periodicity of 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, or 80 ms. For example, the network may indicate that the TRS is available in X SFNs immediately prior to one or more paging occasions for the UE. The network may include X in the configuration or in other SIs. For example, X=1 or 2 may be sufficient in some cases, such as FR1 operation. In other embodiments, the network may indicate the subset of all occasions associated with the periodicity via a parameter Y, which indicates that the UE can predict RS transmission in an SFN that satisfies SFN modY=x, where x is 0 or may be indicated by the network node.

[0097] Such an indication may enable the network to transmit TRS / CSI-RS only when necessary, but for a large number of UEs, the network may end up transmitting TRS / CSI-RS on most, if not all, possible occasions. Nonetheless, these embodiments enable the network to reduce unnecessary transmissions of TRS / CSI-RS to non-connected UEs without using SI updates to indicate the cessation of certain TRS / CSI-RS transmissions.

[0098] In other embodiments, the network may indicate that TRS / CSI-RS is available Y milliseconds shortly before one or more paging occasions for the UE. FIG. 10 shows a timeline illustrating an example transmission of TRS for SSB and UE paging occasions (POs) according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, X indicates a periodic TRS / CSI-RS indicated over SI, where the UE cannot assume transmission of TRS / CSI-RS. In contrast, the UE can assume the presence of TRS / CSI-RS for Y ms shortly before the UE's next paging occasion. Similarly, the network can indicate TRS / CSI-RS availability for SSB transmissions (also called SMTC occasions).

[0099] In other embodiments, the network may explicitly indicate the occasions on which the TRS / CSI-RS is transmitted. For example, this may be done by not including a periodicity component in the TRS / CSI-RS configuration and / or by directly indicating that the periodicity of the TRS / CSI-RS occasions is based on the periodicity of the paging occasions (e.g., the TRS periodicity is an integer multiple of the paging occasion periodicity). The network may additionally indicate the TRS / CSI-RS occasions via an offset (e.g., in ms, slots, symbol times) relative to the paging occasions. The network may also indicate an offset relative to the SSB occasion (e.g., the most recent SSB occasion before a paging frame). For example, if the network indicates an additional offset, the UE may ignore the periodicity component in the TRS / CSI-RS configuration and use the offset to identify the TRS / CSI-RS occasion. For example, the UE may receive the TRS in conjunction with a particular paging or SSB occasion based on the directly or indirectly derived offset info between the TRS and the respective paging or SSB occasion.

[0100] In general, a UE receiving a TRS (e.g., during a particular occasion or time slot) may include evaluating whether it would be beneficial (e.g., for synchronization) to measure or detect or receive the TRS, and refraining from receiving the TRS if the evaluation indicates a lack of benefit.

[0101] In some embodiments, the network may activate TRS in a cell with a first (shorter) period if connected UEs are present and with a second (longer) period equal to the paging frame interval if no connected mode UEs are present in the cell.

[0102] For other disconnected mode RSs (e.g., RSs other than SSB), the network may further decide to include only configurations related to periodic RSs and exclude configurations for semi-persistent or aperiodic RSs from the SI. Alternatively, configurations related to semi-persistent RSs may also be included in the SI.

[0103] In some embodiments, the network may decide to transmit a TRS to a UE in an unconnected state until one or a certain number of UEs still remain in a connected state. In a related implementation, the network may refrain from transmitting a TRS to a UE in an unconnected state idle if a first number of UEs (e.g., including all) are in an unconnected state. This criterion may be expressed equivalently as a second number of UEs (e.g., including zero) are in a connected state.

[0104] In some embodiments, when the UE is in an unconnected state, the UE receives an SI broadcast in a cell, where the SI includes a configuration for a connected RS. As described above, the configuration information may include a validity duration indicating a duration during which the UE may assume transmission of the connected RS according to the configuration. The indicated validity duration may be relative to a reference time, such as a paging frame, a paging occasion, a SFN, etc. In some embodiments, the configuration may include a reference time. The validity duration may be indicated in units of slots, subframes, frames, milliseconds, etc.

[0105] In some embodiments, the UE may check the TRS configuration in the SI (e.g., broadcast SI). If the TRS configuration is found, the UE may utilize the TRS for non-connected state activity starting with the UE's next PO, continue monitoring for TRS presence based on L1 detection, and not monitor the SI for another TRS configuration information. In some variations, the UE determines the TRS presence from the L1-based detection solution in the next TRS occasion and starts utilizing it from the next PO instance. The UE may perform L1 detection of the TRS in a given resource set, for example, by correlating the received signal at the specified time / frequency (T / F) location with the specified TRS code content. For example, if a TRS with code 1 is found in the L1 detection and the validity duration is indicated to the UE in the SI, the UE gets information that the detected TRS with code 1 exists in a non-connected state for at least the validity duration. The UE may then not perform SI monitoring, but continue utilizing the TRS for the validity duration (e.g., for synchronization / AGC purposes). In another method, if code 2 is detected, the UE gets information that TRS may be stopped either immediately or after a certain time. The UE may continue to utilize TRS for the remaining time, after which the UE resumes monitoring SI for TRS configuration or presence updates, or attempts to detect a TRS with code 1. In another example, if a TRS is detected, for example based on the latest TRS configuration, the UE does not monitor SI, but if not detected, the UE resumes SI monitoring.

[0106] The second one of the PBCH occasions includes an indication that a TRS transmission is not present in one or more subsequent TRS occasions. The UE reads the indication of the absence and then refrains from receiving TRS in the subsequent TRS occasions. The third one of the PBCH occasions includes an indication that a TRS transmission is present in one or more subsequent TRS occasions. The UE reads the indication that the PBCH is present and then receives TRS in one or more of the two subsequent TRS occasions shown in the figure.

[0107] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, after the UE receives one or more TRS configurations through either broadcast SI or unicast (e.g., dedicated RRC) signaling, the network can activate and deactivate a particular TRS configuration via one or more bits in a paging message (e.g., DCI) directed to the UE. For example, DCI format 1-0 with CRC scrambled by the paging RNTI (P-TNTI) can be used to include an indication of activation / deactivation of TRS transmission according to the received configuration. The activation / deactivation indication may be included in the paging DCI transmitted as part of regular network operation and / or in the paging message transmitted in response to a change in the TRS in the broadcast SI.

[0108] As described above, DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by the P-RNTI can be used to convey an activation / deactivation indication for a TRS configuration. As described in more detail in 3GPP TS38.214, DCI format 1_0 contains an 8-bit unconditionally reserved field and several other fields with bits that are occupied under certain conditions and reserved under certain other conditions. One or more of these conditionally or unconditionally reserved fields can be used to carry an activation / deactivation indication for a previously provided TRS configuration.

[0109] Other fields in DCI format 1_0 may contain unused values ​​even if all bits in the field are required to convey the range of values ​​used. For example, the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) indicator may contain 5 bits and indicate a total of 32 values. However, some of these 32 values ​​may be unused, reserved, and / or invalid. Such values ​​may be repurposed to indicate activation / deactivation of TRS configuration. In some cases, TRS activation / deactivation may apply only to UEs with the same PO, or UEs paged within that particular PO, or all UEs.

[0110] In other embodiments, a bit field in the paging DCI or a combination of references to a disabled indicator (e.g., MCS) may indicate activation or deactivation of a particular TRS configuration. For example, if two TRS configurations are provided, a two-bit field may be utilized, with a first bit indicating activation / deactivation of the first configuration and a second bit indicating activation / deactivation of the second configuration. A particular value for each bit may be assigned to an activation or deactivation status as needed or desired.

[0111] In another embodiment, the network can only provide a TRS activation / deactivation indication in a paging DCI or forego sending such an indication only when it is actually paging the UE. For example, the network may send a paging DCI in a PO that activates TRS if at least one UE is paged in that PO, and then the TRS activation is valid until a certain time and / or according to certain conditions (e.g., until the UE is in a certain cell). After activation is disabled, the UE needs to detect whether TRS is present or not, and the network only sends another activation / deactivation indication in a subsequent PO where at least one UE needs to be paged.

[0112] In some embodiments, the network may indicate a specific application delay for which the current activated / deactivated state will remain in. This application delay may be set based on a timer in terms of ms, SSB occasions, SFN, or PO.

[0113] FIG. 11 shows an example timeline illustrating a paging-based technique for network indication of connected RS presence during UE disconnected state operation, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The UE enters an unconnected state (e.g., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE) and receives a TRS configuration from higher layer signaling (e.g., broadcast SI). The TRS configuration can be activated or deactivated by default or by an indication within the configuration itself. During the first paging occasion (PO) for the UE, the UE monitors the PDCCH for paging DCI scrambled by the P-RNTI but does not detect such a paging DCI with an activation / deactivation indication. Until the next PO, the UE proceeds according to the current state of the TRS configuration.

[0114] During the second PO for the UE, the UE monitors the PDCCH for a paging DCI scrambled by the P-RNTI and detects such a paging DCI including an indication that the TRS configuration has been deactivated. Until the next PO, the UE proceeds according to the deactivation state of the TRS configuration, e.g., by not detecting the transmitted TRS and / or receiving a non-connected RS such as an SSB, if necessary. For example, if the UE is paged every 1.28 seconds, the UE may assume that the TRS will not be present in all TRS occasions until the next PO. Alternatively, the UE may attempt to detect the TRS in these TRS occasions based on the assumption that the TRS may be present even if it is not guaranteed to be present.

[0115] During the third PO for the UE, the UE monitors the PDCCH for a paging DCI scrambled by the P-RNTI and detects such a paging DCI that includes an indication that the TRS configuration is activated. For example, if the UE is paged every 1.28 seconds, the UE may assume that the TRS is present in all TRS occasions until the next PO. Until the next PO, the UE proceeds according to the activation state of the TRS configuration, e.g., by receiving transmitted TRS and / or not receiving non-connected RS such as SSB. For example, during this period, the UE may remain in a sleep state for an extended period, thereby reducing energy consumption.

[0116] In other embodiments, the TRS availability duration after the paging DCI is independent of the PO and can be indicated by higher layer signaling, e.g., as part of the configuration. For example, if the TRS availability duration Y=1.28 seconds, the UE can assume that TRS is present for the next 1.28 seconds. In another embodiment, the TRS availability duration can be indicated by a combination of higher layer signaling and an indication via the paging DCI. For example, the configuration can include TRS availability duration values ​​Y0=[TRS not available], Y1=1.28 seconds, Y2=4.96 seconds, Y3=10.24 seconds. Two bits in the paging DCI can select one of these four values. The availability duration value can also be indicated in units of slots, subframes, or frames.

[0117] In some embodiments, rather than repurposing the reserved fields, DCI format 1_0 may be augmented with an additional field used to convey an activation / deactivation indication for the TRS configuration. For example, the TRS / CSI-RS presence indication (Y) field may be included if the TRS / CSI-RS configuration is included in the broadcast SI and may be omitted if such configuration is not included in the broadcast SI. An exemplary Y field may be two bits long, with four possible values ​​corresponding to the exemplary conditions shown in Table 7 below. TIFF2024515245000022.tif42170

[0118] In some embodiments, the network may decide to activate TRS (or a particular TRS configuration) for UEs in the unconnected state until one or a particular number of UEs still remain in the connected state. In a related implementation, the network may refrain from activating TRS for UEs in the unconnected state idle if a first number of UEs (e.g., including all) are in the unconnected state. This criterion may be expressed equivalently as a second number of UEs (e.g., including zero) are in the connected state.

[0119] According to an embodiment of the third aspect, an unconnected UE may receive configuration information related to a connected RS (e.g., TRS) via System Information (SI) for a cell (e.g., SIBx). The SI may include an indication of conditions under which the UE may assume availability of a connected RS during one or more occasions while the UE is unconnected. The UE determines if the indicated condition is met and then receives the connected RS according to the configuration. Four exemplary conditions are listed below. In such a case, the condition indication may be a two-bit field (or flag) that selects one of the following four conditions: ·Static Occasion Indicates that the TRS / CSI-RS is available in all TRS occasions indicated by the TRS / CSI-RS configuration. PO-based TRS / CSI-RS occasions: TRS / CSI-RS is available within a subset of TRS / CSI-RS occasions indicated by the TRS configuration in the system information. Additional configuration information is included in the system information to indicate the subset of TRS occasions. For example, the UE may assume that TRS / CSI-RS is present within a particular TRS / CSI-RS occasion for a paging occasion. Additional details related to this mode are given in aspects (1-4) above. DCI-based occasions: TRS / CSI-RS is available in a subset of TRS / CSI-RS occasions indicated by the TRS configuration in the system information. Additional configuration information is included in the system information and an indication is included in the DCI (e.g. paging DCI) to indicate the subset of TRS occasions. For example, the UE may assume that it is present in a particular TRS / CSI-RS occasion based on an indication in a detected paging DCI. Potential Occasions – The TRS is potentially available within the TRS occasions indicated by the TRS / CSI-RS configuration, and the UE may check during each occasion by blind detection or other means (as appropriate) to determine if the TRS is present.

[0120] The above-described embodiments may be further illustrated with reference to FIGS. 12-13, which respectively depict an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) performed by a UE and an exemplary method (e.g., procedure) performed by a network node. Differently stated, various features of the operations described below correspond to various embodiments described above. Moreover, the exemplary methods depicted in FIGS. 12-13 may be used in conjunction to provide various exemplary benefits and / or advantages described herein. Although FIGS. 12-13 depict certain blocks in a particular order, the operations of the exemplary methods may be performed in an order different from that depicted and may be combined and / or divided into blocks with different functionality than depicted. Any blocks or operations are indicated by dashed lines.

[0121] In particular, Figure 12 (including Figures 12A-B) illustrates a flow diagram of an example method (e.g., procedure) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, according to various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method may be performed by a UE (e.g., a wireless device, an MTC device, an NB-IoT device, a modem, etc., or components thereof) configured according to other figures described herein.

[0122] An example method may include the operations of block 1220, where the UE may receive from the network node a configuration for the connected RS (as defined elsewhere herein) transmitted by the network node. In some embodiments, the configuration may be received while the UE is in the connected state prior to entering the unconnected state. In some embodiments, the configuration may be received as system information (SI) according to one of: broadcast in a cell of the wireless network, or via a unicast message from the network node. As previously discussed, the configuration indicates occasions on which the connected RS may be transmitted if the network node so chooses. In other words, the configuration indicates potential occasions for the connected RS, subject to a separate determination of whether the connected RS have all actually been transmitted during a given time period including these occasions.

[0123] The example method may also include the operation of block 1240, where the UE, in an unconnected state (as defined elsewhere herein), may determine based on the received configuration that an RS in a connected state is available during one or more first occasions (e.g., timeslots). Note that the first occasions may be some or all of the occasions indicated by the received configuration.

[0124] The example method may also include the operations of block 1250, where the UE may selectively receive a connected state RS during the first occasion while in the unconnected state. In some embodiments, the connected state RS may be a periodic channel state information RS (CSI-RS) or a periodic tracking RS (TRS). The UE need not receive the connected state RS during the entire first occasion, rather, the UE may receive the connected state RS during some portion of each of the first occasions (e.g., one or more symbol times of a timeslot).

[0125] In some embodiments, the select receive operation of block 1250 may include operations of subblocks 1254-1256. In subblock 1254, the UE may determine, for each first occasion, whether reception of the connected state RS during the first occasion reduces UE energy consumption. In subblock 1255, the UE may avoid receiving the connected state RS during the first occasion (i.e., in subblock 1254) for which it is determined that reception of the connected state RS will not reduce UE energy consumption. In subblock 1256, the UE may receive the connected state RS during the first occasion for which it is determined that reception of the connected state RS will reduce UE energy consumption.

[0126] In some embodiments, the example method may also include operations of blocks 1270-1280. In block 1270, the UE may remain in a low power operating mode during one or more second occasions in which an unconnected RS is transmitted by the network node based on receiving the connected RS during the first occasion. In block 1280, based on determining that the connected RS is not available during the first occasion, the UE may receive the unconnected RS in a non-low power operating mode during the second occasion. In such embodiments, the determination result of block 1280 may be an alternative result to the determination result of block 1240.

[0127] In some embodiments, the configuration for the RS of the connected state may include one or more indications of the following: One or more scrambling codes Time and frequency domain resource allocation -Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status Periodicity of RS in connection state Availability of connected RS while the UE is in disconnected state · Reference time for which the RS of the connection is available - Validity duration for settings

[0128] In some embodiments, the configuration may be received via broadcast system information (SI) while the UE is in an unconnected state. In such an embodiment, the reference time may be associated with a paging occasion (PO) for the UE.

[0129] In some embodiments, the availability of a connected RS may be indicated as one of the following for all occasions indicated by the configuration: -Available for all occasions. Subject to UE detection on every occasion, potentially available on every occasion. · Available for a subset of all occasions, the subset being indicated by configuration or by Layer 1 signaling (e.g. paging DCI) from the network node shortly prior to each occasion of the subset.

[0130] In some embodiments, the occasion may be indicated based on (i.e., by configuration) one of the following: an absolute timeslot and / or subframe number; relative to the timing of other signals or channels transmitted or received by the UE; or parameters input into a function from which a particular occasion can be determined.

[0131] In some embodiments, the occasions may be indicated based on a periodicity of the connected RS (e.g., in the received configuration) and a subset of the occasions indicated by the periodicity. In some of these embodiments, the periodicity may be indicated based on paging occasions for the UE, and the subset of occasions may be indicated based on a number of consecutive time slots or a number of milliseconds immediately preceding one of one or more particular paging occasions for the UE, or one or more transmissions of the unconnected RS (e.g., SSB occasions).

[0132] In other embodiments, the occasions may be indicated based on a multiple of the periodicity of one of the paging occasions for the UE or the transmission of a disconnected RS (e.g., an SSB occasion), which may be, for example, an integer multiple.

[0133] In some embodiments, if the configuration indicates potential availability of a connected RS in all occasions, the determination operation of block 1240 may include operations of sub-block 1241, where the UE may detect a connected RS in at least one of the occasions indicated as potentially available.

[0134] In some embodiments, determining that a connected RS is available during one or more first occasions (e.g., in block 1240) may be based on a field in a paging downlink control information (DCI) detected by the UE during the paging occasion.

[0135] In some embodiments, if the configuration includes a validity duration, the example method may also include the operations of block 1295, where after expiration of the validity duration, the UE may receive from the network node another (e.g., updated) configuration for the connected RS transmitted by the network node. This another configuration may be received in the same or different manner as the configuration received in block 1220, such as via broadcast or unicast signaling, as described above.

[0136] In some of these embodiments, the example method may also include operations of blocks 1210, 1225, and 1290. In block 1210, the UE may monitor broadcast system information (SI) for the configuration while in an unconnected state. In block 1225, in response to receiving the configuration via the broadcast SI (e.g., in block 1220), the UE may stop monitoring the broadcast SI (e.g., for another configuration) during the validity duration while receiving RS in the connected state. In block 1290, the UE may resume monitoring SI for the another configuration after expiration of the validity duration.

[0137] In some embodiments, the configuration (e.g., received at block 1220) may include a first and a second scrambling code. In such embodiments, the first scrambling code indicates that the RS in a connected state is available for at least a first duration, and the second scrambling code indicates that the RS in a connected state is available for a second duration that is shorter than the first duration. In various embodiments, the first duration may be one of an amount of time after a current time, an amount of time after the UE enters an unconnected state, or infinity after the UE enters an unconnected state. In some embodiments, the configuration may also include the first duration (and, optionally, the second duration).

[0138] In some embodiments, the example method may also include the operation of block 1230, where the UE may receive an activation signal from a network node indicating whether the configuration has been activated or deactivated. In such embodiments, the determining operation of block 1240 may be further based on the activation signal indicating that the configuration has been activated. In various embodiments, the activation signal may be received by the UE in one or more of the following: - The same message as configured (for example, in block 1220) Connection release message from a network node while in a connected state Layer 1 signaling from network nodes while the UE is in a disconnected state (e.g. paging DCI) SI broadcast within a cell of a wireless network

[0139] In some embodiments, the configuration may be one of multiple connected state RS configurations received by the UE while in a connected state. In some embodiments, the configuration may be initiated by a connection release message (described above), or the connection release message may indicate a selection of a configuration from multiple connected state RS configurations.

[0140] In some embodiments, the selective reception operation of block 1250 may include operations of sub-block 1253, where the UE may receive the unconnected state RS instead of the connected state RS while the UE is in the unconnected state if the wake-up signal (e.g., block 1230) indicates that the configuration has been stopped.

[0141] In some embodiments, the example method may also include operations of block 1260, where the UE may synchronize with the network node in at least one of time and frequency based on receiving the connected RS during the first timeslot.

[0142] 13 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method (e.g., procedure) for transmitting reference signals (RS) to one or more user equipment (UE) in accordance with various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method may be performed by a network node (e.g., a base station, eNB, gNB, etc., or components thereof) serving a cell in a wireless network (e.g., E-UTRAN, NG-RAN), such as a network node configured according to other figures described herein.

[0143] An example method may include the operations of block 1310, where the network node may transmit to one or more UEs configurations for a connected state RS (as defined elsewhere herein) transmitted by the network node. In some embodiments, the configurations may be transmitted while the one or more UEs are in a connected state prior to entering an unconnected state. In some embodiments, the configurations may be transmitted as system information (SI) according to one of: broadcast within a cell of the wireless network, or via respective unicast messages to the one or more UEs.

[0144] The example method may also include the operation of block 1330, where the network node may transmit a connected state RS during one or more first occasions associated with the configuration while the one or more UEs are in an unconnected state (as defined elsewhere herein). In some embodiments, the connected state RS may be a periodic channel state information RS (CSI-RS) or a periodic tracking RS (TRS).

[0145] In some embodiments, the example method may also include the operations of block 1350, where the network node may transmit an unconnected RS during one or more second occasions while the one or more UEs are in the unconnected state. Additionally, transmitting a connected RS during the first occasions (e.g., at block 1330) may facilitate one or more UEs remaining in a low power operating mode and not receiving the unconnected RS during the second occasions.

[0146] In some embodiments, the configuration for the connected RS includes one or more indications of the following: One or more scrambling codes Time and frequency domain resource allocation -Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status Periodicity of RS in connection state Availability of connected RS while one or more UEs are in disconnected state · Reference time for which the RS of the connection is available - Validity duration for settings

[0147] In some embodiments, the configuration may be transmitted via broadcast system information (SI) while one or more UEs are in an unconnected state, In such an embodiment, the reference time may be associated with a paging occasion (PO) for the UE.

[0148] In some embodiments, the availability of a connected RS may be indicated as one of the following for all occasions indicated by the configuration: -Available for all occasions. Subject to UE detection on every occasion, potentially available on every occasion. · Available for a subset of all occasions, the subset being indicated by configuration or by Layer 1 signaling (e.g. paging DCI) from the network node shortly prior to each occasion of the subset.

[0149] In some embodiments, the occasion may be indicated based on (i.e., by configuration) one of the following: an absolute timeslot and / or subframe number; relative to the timing of other signals or channels transmitted or received by the UE; or parameters input into a function from which a particular occasion can be determined.

[0150] In some embodiments, the occasions may be indicated based on a periodicity of a connected RS (e.g., in a configuration) and a subset of the occasions indicated by the periodicity. In some of these embodiments, the periodicity may be indicated based on paging occasions for the UE, and the subset of occasions may be indicated based on a number of consecutive time slots or a number of milliseconds immediately preceding one of one or more particular paging occasions for one or more UEs, or one or more transmissions of a non-connected RS (e.g., SSB occasions).

[0151] In other embodiments, the occasions may be indicated based on a multiple of the periodicity of one of the following: paging occasions for the UE, or transmission of an RS in a disconnected state (e.g., SSB occasions), which may be, for example, an integer multiple.

[0152] In some embodiments, an example method may include the operations of block 1340, where the network node may not transmit a connected RS during at least one of the occasions indicated (e.g., by configuration) as potentially available. In other words, the first occasion on which the network node transmits a connected RS (e.g., in block 1330) may be fewer and / or a subset of the occasions indicated as potentially available.

[0153] In some embodiments, if the configuration includes a validity duration, the example method may also include the operation of block 1360, where after expiration of the validity duration, the network node may transmit to one or more UEs another configuration for the connected RS transmitted by the network node. This another configuration may be transmitted in the same or different manner as the configuration transmitted in block 1310, via broadcast or unicast signaling, as described above.

[0154] In some embodiments, the example method may also include the operations of block 1320, where the network node may transmit an activation signal to one or more UEs indicating whether the configuration has been activated or deactivated. In such embodiments, the connected RS may be transmitted during the first occasion (e.g., at block 1330) based on the activation signal indicating that the configuration has been activated.

[0155] In various embodiments, the wake-up signal may be transmitted by the network node in one or more of the following: - The same message as the setting (for example, in block 1310) A connection release message to a particular one of the UEs while that particular UE is in a connected state Layer 1 signaling from the network node while one or more UEs are in a disconnected state (e.g. paging DCI) SI broadcast within a cell of a wireless network

[0156] In some of these embodiments, the configuration is one of multiple connected state RS configurations transmitted to one or more UEs while the one or more UEs are in a connected state. In some embodiments, the configuration may be initiated by a connection release message (described above), or the connection release message may indicate a selection of a configuration from multiple connected state RS configurations.

[0157] In some of these embodiments, the wake-up signal may be transmitted as a field within paging downlink control information (DCI) during a paging occasion for one or more UEs.

[0158] As briefly noted above, in the previous existing framework, when the TRS / CSI-RS configuration in the SIB changes, the UE receives an SI update message from the NW, after which the UE reacquires the SIB. This can lead to UEs that are not using the feature to reacquire the SIB unnecessarily. To address this and other challenges, several methods and mechanisms are detailed below, whereby only UEs using the feature can be indicated to reacquire the relevant SIB and be aware of the availability of TRS / CSI-RS resources. It should be noted that in the following discussion and elsewhere in this document, the term TRS / CSI-RS may be considered interchangeable with "connected RS", as well as the term "tracking reference signal".

[0159] Five approaches based on the techniques described above are presented below, along with some variations of each. It should be understood that these approaches include, in some cases, detailed examples of the techniques illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, or in other cases, variations thereof. Thus, the method descriptions and variations shown in Figures 12 and 13 should be understood to be generally applicable to the following solutions and techniques. Furthermore, while the following discussion focuses on UE activities and behavior, the corresponding signaling techniques performed by the network are directly implied by these techniques and may be considered to be variations of the method illustrated in Figure 13.

[0160] 14A and 14B respectively show high level methods within the UE and network (NW) for receiving and providing tracking reference signal configuration information via SIB (steps 100 and 200), receiving and providing tracking reference signal availability information via SIB-based or L1-based signaling (steps 110 and 210), and determining or indicating whether to reacquire either tracking reference signal configuration information or tracking reference signal availability information, or both, via various methods (steps 120 and 220). These methods, together with the more detailed methods shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, may be understood to provide a reference value for the detailed techniques described below.

[0161] Thus, in the following we consider a scenario where an idle UE (i.e. a UE in RRC_Idle / Inactive state) is equipped with one or more TRS / CSI-RS resource configurations through an SI, e.g. as part of an existing SIB or a dedicated SIB. The UE additionally implicitly or explicitly indicates the availability of TRS / CSI-RS resources in the provided configuration occasions, i.e. the UE knows whether TRS / CSI-RS is currently being transmitted in one or more occasions.

[0162] An example of an implicit indication could be that if a TRS / CSI-RS configuration is present in the SIB, it also means that it is being transmitted. On the other hand, an explicit indication could be that a particular indication field in the SIB (e.g., isPresent) indicates that one or more TRS / CSI-RS configurations are being transmitted (e.g., if isPresent is set to "true") or are not being transmitted (e.g., if isPresent is set to "false"). An explicit indication could be separate for each TRS / CSI-RS configuration, or a subset of these, or all of them.

[0163] In the existing framework, when the TRS / CSI-RS settings in the SIB change, the UE receives an SI update message from the NW, after which the UE reacquires the SIB. This may lead to UEs that are not using the feature to reacquire the SIB unnecessarily, therefore, the following shows that only UEs using the feature reacquire the relevant SIB, and several methods and mechanisms are disclosed that can be aware of the availability of TRS / CSI-RS resources.

[0164] Approach 1: SIB-based availability signaling with validity timer In some embodiments, the UE indicates the availability of the TRS / CSI-RS in the SIB, i.e., the UE obtains the TRS / CSI-RS configuration from the SIB, and the availability of the TRS / CSI-RS transmission is also indicated in the SIB. Furthermore, the availability signaling is based on a validity timer T v The validity timer may be defined, for example, as an integer multiple of a configured or default paging cycle, or may be defined in milliseconds or seconds. The validity timer may be included as part of the TRS configuration field, in which case the TRS is associated with a validity timer of at least a time T after the availability indication is present in the SI. v Alternatively, a validity timer may be specified as part of the TRS availability field, where the timer value is non-constant and may count down as the actual remaining availability window narrows. The TRS then also remains available for at least a time T after the particular timer value is indicated in the availability field in the SI. v will remain available.

[0165] In one variation, instead of a timer value, an occasion counter is set. This may be thought of as a particular kind of timer value, where "time" is counted in occasions. Based on this counter and based on the occasion setting, the UE knows up to what point in time the NW will provide TRS. For example, the SIB may have set a potential TRS occasion based on a period (e.g., every 40th slot) and a counter set to X. The UE then knows that the TRS will not be available for X times from now (or a reference point). * I know I will be offered 40 slots.

[0166] The start and / or end of the validity timer can also be based on a particular point related to SI message reception / monitoring, e.g., the end of the SI windowing, the start of the SI windowing, or the slot at which the SI message is received. For example, the UE may receive a TRS / CSI-RS configuration from a SIB, which further indicates that the TRS / CSI-RS is available for, e.g., a configured number (e.g., 10) of default paging cycles after the end of the SI windowing (or from the beginning of the current SI windowing). If the validity timer ends in the middle of the SI windowing, the validity timer can either be extended to the end of the SI windowing, decreased to the start of the SI windowing, or can remain as is, or the UE can assume that the validity information applies until the end of the SI windowing, or simply to the slot / subframe / SFN indicated by the validity timer.

[0167] In one example, in such a case, the dedicated SIB for the provision of TRS / CSI-RS to idle UEs is exempt from the periodic SI update mechanism. That is, the NW may not indicate to the UE whether the availability of TRS / CSI-RS has changed. In this way, a UE using the feature to save power can reacquire the availability status by reacquiring the relevant SIB near or after the expiration of the validity timer. Such a UE preferably reads the relevant SIB content in conjunction with the last (most recent) PO monitoring related wakeup occurring before the timer expiration, or alternatively, in conjunction with the first PO monitoring related wakeup occurring after the timer expiration, and performs the preparation procedure completely received without relying on TRS availability for that PO. The option leading to lower UE energy consumption is deduced based on the known timing relationship of TRS, SSS, PO, and SIB transmission.

[0168] The validity timer may be communicated to the UE as part of or together with the provision of the TRS / CSI-RS configuration to the UE in the same SIB, or may otherwise be preconfigured, for example, a default validity timer, e.g., a default paging cycle of 10. Furthermore, the validity timer may be configured for each TRS / CSI-RS configuration separately or on a group basis, or the same validity timer may be applicable to all TRS / CSI-RS configurations.

[0169] An example is shown in FIG. 15A. The example shows system information transmission windowing, where SI-a is system information carrying TRS configuration and SI-b is system information block carrying TRS availability information. In some embodiments, SI-a and SI-b may be the same SIB. The availability information in SI-b may be in the form of a parameter (X) that may be set in units of SI windowing size, or any other reference time unit. In the figure, shown as units of SI windowing, the value of X (=4) in acquired SI-b informs the UE that TRS is available for the corresponding number of SI windowings. For example, if the UE acquires X=4 in SI windowing n, it is known that TRS is available in SI windowings n, n+1, n+2, n+3. Of course, the NW may update the value of X in SI-b transmission in subsequent windowings (e.g., n+1, n+2, etc.). A UE interested in power saving may acquire SI-b as needed, but more frequently than it acquires SI-a.

[0170] While the SI including the TRS configuration information changes much more slowly and can therefore be combined with other parts of the system information (e.g., other IEs), the availability information may change more frequently and can therefore be much more compact in both payload size and transmission schedule (within the SI transmission windowing). In some embodiments, the UE acquires a first system information block with the TRS configuration information (e.g., configuration of the TRS occasion including one or more of time / frequency resources, periodicity and offset, scrambling identifier, etc.). The UE also acquires a system information block with availability signaling associated with the configured TRS, the availability signaling indicating whether the TRS associated with the configured TRS is transmitted or not transmitted in at least one or more TRS occasions. The availability signaling indicated in the first SI windowing can indicate the availability / non-availability of the TRS in a second windowing (TRS availability windowing) with a configured or explicitly indicated duration. For example, the unit of the second windowing may be given by the SI windowing length or a multiple thereof, or a reference paging cycle length (e.g., every 1.28 seconds) or a multiple thereof, another set length of time given in multiples of the SFN, or a system frame number (SFN). The start of the second windowing may be with respect to the start / end of the first SI windowing, or a grid starting with SFN0.

[0171] In one example, the system information block with availability signaling associated with the configured TRS is a second SI block that is different from the first system information block. In some scenarios, the NW may not transmit a second SI block to indicate non-availability. For example, in FIG. 15A, in SI window n+4, the NW transmits SI-b with X set to 0, but may also omit transmission of SI-b in that window, and the UE may assume no SI-b detection due to the absence of availability signaling.

[0172] Approach 2: SIB-based availability signaling change using dedicated short messages In another embodiment, the UE receives a dedicated indication as a short message (transmitted as a paging DCI) indicating that the availability status or the TRS / CSI-RS configuration has changed and therefore the UE must reacquire the relevant SIB to be aware of the most up-to-date availability status. There are currently five reserved bits in the short message that can be used for this purpose. For example, an additional bit field can be used to indicate the TRS / CSI-RS availability / configuration change. The additional bit field can either be configured by higher layer signaling, e.g. as part of the TRS / CSI-RS configuration provision in the SIB, or it can be pre-configured, i.e., if the feature is present in the SIB, the additional bit field is applicable to UEs that use the feature. The advantage of this approach is that UEs that do not use the feature simply ignore the TRS related bits in the short message and do nothing.

[0173] In one example, one bit in the short message is used to inform the UE that one of the TRS / CSI-RS configurations or its availability has changed. An example of such a short message indicator is shown in Table 8 below, where bit #4 indicates new functionality incorporated to support signaling regarding TRS / CSI-RS configuration / availability. TIFF2024515245000023.tif96170

[0174] In another example, the UE can be explicitly told if either the TRS / CSI-RS configuration or TRS / CSI-RS availability has changed. An example of such a short message indicator is shown below (using bits 4 and 5) in Table 9. TIFF2024515245000024.tif112170

[0175] In another example, the UE may further indicate availability status changes of individual TRS / CSI-RS configurations or groups of these separately.

[0176] The dedicated short message in this approach can be transmitted using the existing paging DCI mechanism, i.e., the UE receives the PDCCH scrambled with the P-RNTI in the PO that contains the short message. Alternatively, the UE may receive the short message as part of another DCI, e.g., a paging early indicator preceding the PO.

[0177] Approach 3: Availability status displayed in short messages In some embodiments, the UE receives the dedicated indication as a short message. The short message may directly indicate the TRS availability status, i.e., whenever the availability status changes, the actual status is reflected in a bit field in the short message. An example is shown in Table 10. TIFF2024515245000025.tif32170

[0178] In another method, the validity of the "TRS / CSI-RS availability changed to indicated status" is extended for a period (which may be a timer, counter, etc.) set in the previously obtained TRS / CSI-RS SIB, instead of being extended until the next short message occasion.

[0179] Approach 3 may be combined with approach 2, whereby additional bit positions indicate the need to reacquire TRS related SIBs, configuration info and / or availability info.

[0180] A UE that goes into idle mode operation without receiving a recent short message may first acquire TRS-related info from the SIB, including the TRS availability status, and may use future short messages to trigger the TRS availability status. It may happen that the UE misses a short message that may carry the availability status change info. In some POs, the UE relies on the TRS being available, but if the TRS is not detected, the UE may reacquire the related SIB to realign to the true availability status.

[0181] Approach 4: SIB-based availability signaling using TRS non-detection counter In this embodiment, the NW sets a non-detection counter (e.g., counter_nd) in the TRS / CSI-RS related SIB. From the time the UE receives this SIB (or for a specific reference time, as described in the above aspect), the UE further assumes at every time point that the TRS will be provided by the NW in the next configured occasion, unless the UE does not detect any TRS in the counter_nd subsequent occasions. For example, the counter_nd is assumed to be set to 3 by the NW. This means that at every time point, if the UE does not detect TRS in three back-to-back occasions, the UE shall then assume that TRS is no longer provided by the NW. The UE shall then follow the above aspect (e.g., reacquire SIB, receive short message, etc.) to get an update on the TRS configuration / presence. On the other hand, if the UE does not detect TRS in two subsequent occasions, but detects TRS in a third subsequent occasion, the counter is reset.

[0182] In a related approach, the counter_nd setting is combined with the validity timer / counter described in other embodiments. In such a case, whichever condition is first so satisfied (non-detection or validity expiration) shall be interpreted by the UE as TRS / CSI-RS is not available and configuration / availability information needs to be reacquired by the UE.

[0183] Approach 5: L1-based availability signaling using windowing In this approach, the system information includes TRS configuration information. It also includes configuration information regarding TRS availability signaling. For example, the system information (SI-a) can indicate the TRS availability windowing configuration including the TRS availability windowing start and the TRSA windowing length. The TRS availability windowing start includes information about the start of the TRSA windowing, SI windowing, etc., which can be specified in units of system frame numbers (SFN). The TRSA windowing length indicates the windowing (starting at a particular start point) where the TRS availability / unavailability information remains unchanged or a particular indication (of TRS availability / unavailability) is applicable to the entire windowing. It can be seen that this TRSA windowing can thus be considered as an example of a validity period for the availability / unavailability information. The system information can also indicate a parameter that signals if an actual availability indication is available for a given windowing. For example, this parameter can indicate a type of DCI, such as paging DCI, or paging early indication (PEI), and can further indicate a field within the DCI or PEI. In one example, the field may be indicated by a variable X, and receipt of a DCI at a particular value of X in a given TRSA windowing (e.g., m) indicates its TRS availability for X windowing for TRSA windowing m. For example, if the UE receives a DCI in TRSA windowing m+1 indicating X=4, the UE may assume that the TRS is present in TRSA windowing m, m+1, m+2, m+3, etc. In these examples, then the validity period for the availability information is the TRSA windowing length times the variable X. An example is shown in FIG. 15B. In another example, X may be a bitmap indicating availability / non-availability for the current windowing (m) and some future windowing (e.g., windowing m+1 for a 2-bit bitmap).

[0184] The TRSA windowing settings can be set separately or independently for the PEI and the paging DCI.

[0185] In some embodiments, the UE obtains a first system information block with TRS configuration information (e.g., configuration of TRS occasions including one or more of time / frequency resources, periodicity and offset, scrambling identifier, etc.). The UE also obtains information regarding availability signaling associated with the configured TRS, where the availability signaling indicates whether the TRS associated with the configured TRS is transmitted or not transmitted in at least one or more TRS occasions. The availability signaling indicated in the first windowing (e.g., TRS availability signaling windowing) can indicate the availability / non-availability of the TRS in the second windowing (e.g., TRS availability windowing) with a configured or explicitly indicated duration. For example, the unit of the first and / or second window can be given by the SI windowing length or a multiple thereof, or a reference paging cycle length (e.g., every 1.28 seconds) or a multiple thereof, another configured time length given in multiples of the SFN, or a system frame number (SFN). The start of the second windowing can be relative to the start / end of the first windowing or from SFN0.

[0186] In one example, the availability signaling indicated within the first windowing may be via one or more of the fields within the DCI, such as a paging PDCCH message (e.g., one or more reserved bits within the DCI), or via a paging early indicator (PEI). In some cases, the first and second windowing may be of the same duration, and the availability signaling information received within the first windowing duration applies to availability / unavailability within one or many second windowings. In some cases, the second windowing may be larger than the first windowing. While various embodiments are described above with respect to methods, techniques, and / or procedures, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that such methods, techniques, and / or procedures may be embodied in various combinations of hardware and software in a variety of systems, communication devices, computing devices, control devices, apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable media, computer program products, and the like.

[0187] FIG. 16 illustrates a high-level diagram of an exemplary 5G network architecture including a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) 1699 and a 5G Core (5GC) 1698. As shown in the figure, the NG-RAN 1699 may include gNBs 1610 (e.g., 1610a, 1610b) and ng-eNBs 1620 (e.g., 1620a, 1620b) interconnected with each other via respective Xn interfaces. The gNBs and ng-eNBs are also connected to the 5GC 1698 via an NG interface, and more specifically, to an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 1630 (e.g., AMF 1630a, 1630b) via respective NG-C interfaces, and to a UPF (User Plane Function) 1640 (e.g., UPF 1640a, 1640b) via respective NG-U interfaces. Additionally, the AMFs 1630a, 1630b may communicate with one or more Policy Control Functions (PCFs, e.g., PCFs 1650a, 1650b) and Network Publishing Functions (NEFs, e.g., NEFs 1660a, 1660b).

[0188] Each of the gNBs 1610 may support an NR air interface including frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), or a combination thereof. In contrast, each of the ng-eNBs 1620 may support an LTE air interface, but unlike a traditional LTE eNB (such as that shown in FIG. 1), may connect to 5GC via an NG interface. Each of the gNBs and ng-eNBs may serve a geographic coverage area that includes one or more cells, including cells 1611a, 1611b and 1621a, 1621b shown as examples in FIG. 16. The gNBs and ng-eNBs may also use various directional beams to provide coverage within their respective cells. Depending on the particular cell in which it is located, the UE 1605 may communicate with the gNB or ng-eNB serving that particular cell via the NR or LTE air interface, respectively.

[0189] The gNB shown in FIG. 16 may include a central (or centralized) unit (CU or gNB-CU) and one or more distributed (or decentralized) units (DU or gNB-DU), which may be viewed as logical nodes. The CU performs various gNB functions such as hosting higher layer protocols, hosting lower layer protocols, and controlling the operation of the DU, which may include various subsets of gNB functions. The CU and DU may each include various circuits necessary to perform their respective functions, including processing circuits, communication interface circuits (e.g., for communication over interfaces such as Xn, NG, radio, etc.), and power circuits. Additionally, the terms “central unit” and “centralized unit” may be used interchangeably, as may the terms “distributed unit” and “decentralized unit.”

[0190] A CU connects to its associated DU on its respective F1 logical interface. The CU and associated DU only appear as gNBs to other gNBs and 5GCs, e.g., the F1 interface is not visible beyond the CU. The CU can host higher layer protocols such as F1 Application Part Protocol (F1-AP), Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP), GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Internet Protocol (IP), and Radio Resource Control (RCC) protocols. In contrast, the DU can host lower layer protocols such as Radio Link Control (RLC), Medium Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer (PHY) protocols.

[0191] However, there may be other variations of protocol distribution between the CU and DU, such as hosting RRC, PDCP, and parts of the RLC protocol in the CU (e.g., automatic retransmission request (ARQ) functionality) while hosting the rest of the RLC protocol in the DU, along with MAC and PHY. In some embodiments, the CU may host RRC and PDCP, where PDCP is assumed to handle both UP and CP traffic. Nevertheless, other exemplary embodiments may utilize other protocol divisions as such, by hosting certain protocols in the CU and certain others in the DU.

[0192] 17 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device or user equipment (UE) 1700 (hereinafter referred to as “UE 1700”) in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, including those described above with reference to other figures. For example, the UE 1700 can be configured by executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium to perform operations corresponding to one or more of the example methods described herein.

[0193] The UE 1700 may include a processor 1710 (also referred to as “processing circuitry”) that may be operatively connected to a program memory 1720 and / or a data memory 1730 via a bus 1770, which may comprise a parallel address and data bus, a serial port, or other methods and / or structures known to those skilled in the art. The program memory 1720 may store software codes, programs, and / or instructions (collectively shown in FIG. 17 as computer program product 1721) that, when executed by the processor 1710, may configure and / or facilitate the UE 1700 to perform various operations, including operations corresponding to various example methods described herein. As part of or in addition to such operations, execution of such instructions may configure UE 1700 to communicate using and / or facilitate UE 1700 to communicate using one or more wired or wireless communications protocols, including one or more wireless communications protocols standardized by 3GPP, 3GPP2, or IEEE, such as those commonly known as 5G / NR, LTE, LTE-A, UMTS, HSPA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 1xRTT, CDMA2000, 802.11 WiFi, HDMI, USB, Firewire, etc., or any other present or future protocols that may be utilized with wireless transceiver 1740, user interface 1750, and / or control interface 1760.

[0194] As another example, the processor 1710 may execute program code stored in the program memory 1720 corresponding to MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC layer protocols standardized by 3GPP (e.g., for NR and / or LTE). As a further example, the processor 1710, in conjunction with the wireless transceiver 1740, may execute program code stored in the program memory 1720 implementing corresponding PHY layer protocols, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA). As another example, the processor 1710, in conjunction with the wireless transceiver 1740, may execute program code stored in the program memory 1720 implementing device-to-device (D2D) communications with other compatible devices and / or UEs.

[0195] The program memory 1720 may also include software code executed by the processor 1710 to control the functionality of the UE 1700, including configuring and controlling various components, such as the wireless transceiver 1740, the user interface 1750, and / or the control interface 1760. The program memory 1720 may also include one or more application programs and / or modules comprising computer-executable instructions embodying any of the example methods described herein. Such software code may be specified or written using any known or future developed programming language, such as, for example, Java, C++, C, Objective C, HTML, XHTML, machine code, and assembler, so long as the desired functionality defined by the implemented method steps is preserved. Additionally or alternatively, the program memory 1720 may comprise an external storage arrangement (not shown) remote from the UE 1700, from which instructions may be downloaded to the program memory 1720 located within or removably coupled to the UE 1700 to enable execution of such instructions.

[0196] The data memory 1730 may include memory areas for the processor 1710 to store variables used in protocols, configuration, control, and other functions of the UE 1700, including operations corresponding to or including any of the example methods described herein. Moreover, the program memory 1720 and / or the data memory 1730 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), volatile memory (e.g., static RAM or dynamic RAM), or a combination thereof. Additionally, the data memory 1730 may include a memory slot into which one or more formats of removable memory cards (e.g., SD cards, memory sticks, compact flash, etc.) may be inserted and removed.

[0197] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the processor 1710 may include multiple individual processors (including, for example, a multi-core processor) each implementing a portion of the functionality described above. In such cases, the multiple individual processors may be commonly connected to the program memory 1720 and the data memory 1730 or may be individually connected to multiple individual program memories and / or data memories. More generally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various protocols and other functions of the UE 1700 may be implemented in many different computer configurations including different combinations of hardware and software, including, but not limited to, application processors, signal processors, general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, fixed and / or programmable digital circuits, analog baseband circuits, radio frequency circuits, software, firmware, and middleware.

[0198] The wireless transceiver 1740 may include radio frequency transmitter and / or receiver functionality that facilitates the UE 1700 to communicate with other devices supporting similar wireless communication standards and / or protocols. In some demonstrative embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that enable the UE 1700 to communicate in accordance with various protocols and / or methodologies proposed for standardization by 3GPP and / or other standards bodies. For example, such functionality may operate in cooperation with the processor 1710 to implement a PHY layer based on OFDM, OFDMA, and / or SC-FDMA techniques, as described herein with respect to other figures.

[0199] In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that can facilitate the UE 1700 to communicate with various LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), and / or NR networks in accordance with standards promulgated by 3GPP. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless transceiver 1740 includes circuitry, firmware, etc. necessary for the UE 1700 to communicate with various NR, NR-U, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-LAA, UMTS, and / or GSM / EDGE networks, also in accordance with 3GPP standards. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 can include circuitry to support D2D communications between the UE 1700 and other compatible devices.

[0200] In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 includes circuitry, firmware, etc. necessary for the UE 1700 to communicate with various CDMA2000 networks in accordance with the 3GPP2 standard. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 may enable communication using wireless technologies operating in unlicensed frequency bands, such as IEEE 802.11 WiFi operating using frequencies in the 2.4 GHz, 5.6 GHz, and / or 60 GHz ranges. In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver 1740 may include a transceiver capable of wired communication, such as by using IEEE 802.3 Ethernet technology. Functionality particular to each of these embodiments may be coupled to and / or controlled by other circuitry in the UE 1700, such as a processor 1710 executing program code stored in a program memory 1720 in conjunction with and / or supported by a data memory 1730.

[0201] The user interface 1750 may take various forms or may not be present in the UE 1700 at all depending on the particular embodiment of the UE 1700. In some embodiments, the user interface 1750 may comprise a microphone, a loudspeaker, a slidable button, a depressible button, a display, a touch screen display, a mechanical or virtual keypad, a mechanical or virtual keyboard, and / or any other user interface features commonly found on a mobile phone. In other embodiments, the UE 1700 may comprise a tablet computing device including a larger touch screen display. In such embodiments, one or more of the mechanical features of the user interface 1750 may be replaced by an equivalent or functionally equivalent virtual user interface feature (e.g., a virtual keypad, virtual buttons, etc.) implemented using a touch screen display, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, the UE 1700 may be a digital computing device, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, workstation, etc., with a mechanical keyboard, which may be integrated, detached, or removable depending on the particular exemplary embodiment. Such a digital computing device may also comprise a touch screen display. Many exemplary embodiments of a UE 1700 having a touch screen display are capable of receiving user input, such as input related to the exemplary methods described herein or otherwise known to those of skill in the art.

[0202] In some embodiments, the UE 1700 may include an orientation sensor, which may be used in a variety of ways depending on the features and capabilities of the UE 1700. For example, the UE 1700 may use the output of the orientation sensor to determine when a user has changed the physical orientation of the UE 1700's touch screen display. An indication signal from the orientation sensor may be available to any application program executing on the UE 1700, such that the application program may automatically change the orientation of the screen display (e.g., from portrait to landscape) when the indication signal indicates an approximately 170 degree change in the device's physical orientation. In this exemplary manner, the application program may maintain the screen display in a user-readable format regardless of the device's physical orientation. Additionally, the output of the orientation sensor may be used with various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0203] The control interface 1760 of the UE 1700 may take a variety of forms, depending on the particular example embodiment of the UE 1700 and the particular interface requirements of other devices with which the UE 1700 is intended to communicate and / or control. For example, the control interface 1760 may be an RS-232 interface, a USB interface, an HDMI interface, a Bluetooth interface, an IEEE ("Firewire") interface, an I / O interface, a USB 2.0 IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11c ... 2 C interface, a PCMCIA interface, etc. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the control interface 1760 may comprise an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet interface, as described above. In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the control interface 1760 may comprise an analog interface circuit including, for example, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and / or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs).

[0204] Those skilled in the art can recognize that the above list of features, interfaces, and radio frequency communication standards are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the UE 1700 can have more functionality than that shown in FIG. 17, including, for example, a video camera and / or a still image camera, a microphone, a media player and / or a recorder, etc. Moreover, the wireless transceiver 1740 can include circuitry necessary to communicate using additional radio frequency communication standards, including Bluetooth, GPS, and / or others. Moreover, the processor 1710 can execute software code stored in the program memory 1720 to control such additional functionality. For example, directional speed and / or position estimates output from the GPS receiver may be available to any application program executing on the UE 1700, including any program code corresponding to and / or embodying any exemplary embodiment (e.g., of the methods) described herein.

[0205] FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary network node 1800 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, including those described above with reference to other figures. For example, the exemplary network node 1800 may be configured by executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium to perform operations corresponding to one or more of the exemplary methods described herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the network node 1800 may comprise a base station, an eNB, a gNB, or one or more components thereof. For example, the network node 1800 may be configured as a central unit (CU) and one or more distributed units (DUs) according to the NR gNB architecture specified by 3GPP. More generally, the functionality of the network node 1800 may be distributed across various physical devices and / or functional units, modules, etc.

[0206] Network node 1800 may include a processor 1810 (also referred to as “processing circuitry”) operably connected to program memory 1820 and data memory 1830 via a bus 1870, which may include a parallel address and data bus, a serial port, or other methods and / or structures known to those skilled in the art.

[0207] The program memory 1820 can store software codes, programs, and / or instructions (collectively shown in FIG. 18 as computer program product 1821) that, when executed by the processor 1810, can configure and / or facilitate the network node 1800 to perform various operations, including operations corresponding to various example methods described herein. As part of and / or in addition to such operations, the program memory 1820 can also include software code executed by the processor 1810 to configure and / or facilitate the network node 1800 to communicate with one or more other UEs or network nodes using other protocols or protocol layers, such as one or more of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC layer protocols standardized for LTE, LTE-A, and / or NR by 3GPP, or any other higher layer (e.g., NAS) protocols utilized with the radio network interface 1840 and / or core network interface 1850. By way of example, the core network interface 1850 may comprise an S1 interface or an NG interface, and the wireless network interface 1840 may comprise a Uu interface, as standardized by 3GPP. The program memory 1820 may also comprise software code that is executed by the processor 1810 to control the functionality of the network node 1800, including configuring and controlling various components, such as the wireless network interface 1840 and the core network interface 1850.

[0208] The data memory 1830 may comprise a memory area for the processor 1810 to store variables used in protocols, configuration, control, and other functions of the network node 1800. The program memory 1820 and the data memory 1830 may comprise non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, hard disk, etc.), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic RAM), network-based (e.g., "cloud") storage, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the processor 1810 may include multiple individual processors (not shown), each implementing a portion of the functionality described above. In such a case, the multiple individual processors may be commonly connected to the program memory 1820 and the data memory 1830, or individually connected to multiple individual program memories and / or data memories. More generally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various protocols and other functions of network node 1800 may be implemented in many different combinations of hardware and software, including, but not limited to, application processors, signal processors, general purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, fixed digital circuitry, programmable digital circuitry, analog baseband circuitry, radio frequency circuitry, software, firmware, and middleware.

[0209] The radio network interface 1840 may comprise transmitters, receivers, signal processors, ASICs, antennas, beamforming units, and other circuitry that enables the network node 1800 to communicate with other devices, such as multiple compatible user equipment (UE), in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the interface 1840 may also enable the network node 1800 to communicate with compatible satellites of a satellite communications network. In some exemplary embodiments, the radio network interface 1840 may comprise various protocols or protocol layers, such as PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and / or RRC layer protocols standardized by 3GPP for LTE, LTE-A, LTE-LAA, NR, NR-U, etc., improvements to those protocols as described herein above, or any other higher layer protocol utilized with the radio network interface 1840. According to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio network interface 1840 may comprise a PHY layer based on OFDM, OFDMA, and / or SC-FDMA technology. In some embodiments, such PHY layer functionality may be provided cooperatively by the wireless network interface 1840 and the processor 1810 (including program code in memory 1820).

[0210] The core network interface 1850 may comprise a transmitter, receiver, and other circuitry that enables the network node 1800 to communicate, in some embodiments, with other equipment in a core network, such as a circuit-switched (CS) core network and / or a packet-switched core (PS) network. In some embodiments, the core network interface 1850 may comprise an S1 interface standardized by 3GPP. In some embodiments, the core network interface 1850 may comprise an NG interface standardized by 3GPP. In some exemplary embodiments, the core network interface 1850 may comprise one or more interfaces to one or more AMFs, SMFs, SGWs, MMEs, SGSNs, GGSNs, and other physical devices that comprise functionality found in GERAN, UTRAN, EPC, 5GC, and CDMA2000 core networks known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, these one or more interfaces may be multiplexed together on a single physical interface. In some embodiments, the lower layers of the core network interface 1850 may comprise one or more of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet Protocol (IP) over Ethernet, SDH over fiber optics, T1 / E1 / PDH over copper, microwave radio, or other wired or wireless transmission technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0211] In some embodiments, the network node 1800 may include hardware and / or software that configures the network node 1800 to communicate with and / or facilitates the network node 1800 to communicate with other network nodes in the RAN, such as other eNBs, gNBs, ng-eNBs, en-gNBs, IAB nodes, etc. Such hardware and / or software may be part of the radio network interface 1840 and / or the core network interface 1850, or may be a separate functional unit (not shown). For example, as standardized by 3GPP, such hardware and / or software may configure the network node 1800 to communicate with and / or facilitate the network node 1800 to communicate with other RAN nodes over an X2 or Xn interface.

[0212] The OA&M interface 1860 may comprise transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry that enables the network node 1800 to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc. for operation, management of other network equipment operatively connected to the network node 1800, and maintenance of the network node 1800. The lower layers of the OA&M interface 1860 may comprise one or more of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Internet Protocol (IP) over Ethernet, SDH over fiber optics, T1 / E1 / PDH over copper, microwave radio, or other wired or wireless transmission technologies known to those skilled in the art. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more of the wireless network interface 1840, the core network interface 1850, and the OA&M interface 1860 may be multiplexed together on a single physical interface, such as the examples listed above.

[0213] 19 is a block diagram of an example communication network configured to provide over-the-top (OTT) data services between a host computer and a user equipment (UE), in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. A UE 1910 can communicate with a radio access network (RAN) 1930 over an air interface 1920, which may be based on the protocols described above, including, for example, LTE, LTE-A, and 5G / NR. For example, the UE 1910 may be set up and / or configured as shown in the other figures described above.

[0214] The RAN 1930 may include one or more terrestrial network nodes (e.g., base stations, eNBs, gNBs, controllers, etc.) capable of operating in licensed spectrum bands, as well as one or more network nodes capable of operating in unlicensed spectrum, such as the 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz bands (e.g., using LAA or NR-U technologies). In such cases, the network nodes comprising the RAN 1930 may operate cooperatively using licensed and unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, the RAN 1930 may include or communicate with one or more satellites comprising a satellite access network.

[0215] The RAN 1930 may further communicate with the core network 1940 according to various protocols and interfaces described above. For example, one or more devices (e.g., base stations, eNBs, gNBs, etc.) comprising the RAN 1930 may communicate with the core network 1940 via the core network interface 1950 described above. In some demonstrative embodiments, the RAN 1930 and the core network 1940 may be set up and / or configured as shown in other figures described above. For example, an eNB comprising the E-UTRAN 1930 may communicate with the EPC core network 1940 via an S1 interface. As another example, a gNB and a ng-eNB comprising the NG-RAN 1930 may communicate with the 5GC core network 1930 via an NG interface.

[0216] The core network 1940 may further communicate with an external packet data network, shown in FIG. 19 as the Internet 1950, according to various protocols and interfaces known to those skilled in the art. Many other devices and / or networks may also connect to and communicate via the Internet 1950, such as an exemplary host computer 1960. In some exemplary embodiments, the host computer 1960 may communicate with the UE 1910 using the Internet 1950, the core network 1940, and the RAN 1930 as intermediaries. The host computer 1960 may be a server (e.g., an application server) owned and / or under the control of the service provider. The host computer 1960 may be operated by the OTT service provider or by another entity on behalf of the service provider.

[0217] For example, the host computer 1960 may provide over-the-top (OTT) packet data services to the UE 1910 using facilities of the core network 1940 and the RAN 1930, and the UE 1910 may be unaware of the routing of outgoing / incoming communications to / from the host computer 1960. Similarly, the host computer 1960 may be unaware of the routing of transmissions from the host computer to the UE, e.g., through the RAN 1930. For example, various OTT services may be provided using the example configuration shown in FIG. 19, including streaming (one-way) audio and / or video from the host computer to the UE, interactive (two-way) audio and / or video between the host computer and the UE, interactive messaging or social communications, interactive virtual or augmented reality, and the like.

[0218] The example network shown in Figure 19 may also include measurement procedures and / or sensors that monitor network performance metrics, including data rates, latency, and other factors that are improved by the example embodiments disclosed herein. The example network may also include functionality for reconfiguring links between endpoints (e.g., between a host computer and a UE) in response to fluctuations in the measurements. Such procedures and functionality are known and implemented, and in the case where the network hides or abstracts the air interface from the OTT service provider, the measurements may be facilitated by proprietary signaling between the UE and the host computer.

[0219] The exemplary embodiments described herein provide a flexible mechanism for a network node (e.g., gNB) in a wireless network (e.g., NG-RAN) to inform a served UE regarding the presence and / or configuration of non-SSB reference signals (RS) available to the UE in an unconnected state (i.e., RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE), particularly non-SSB RS that are traditionally available to the UE only in an RRC_CONNECTED state. Based on receiving such an indication, the UE may maintain synchronization and / or AGC, and in the unconnected state, the UE may remain unaware that it is receiving an RS (e.g., SSB) in the unconnected state based on receiving and / or measuring the RS in the connected state. When used with an NR UE (e.g., UE 1910) and a gNB (e.g., gNB with RAN 1930), the exemplary embodiments described herein may provide various improvements, benefits, and / or advantages with respect to reducing UE energy consumption in the unconnected state. This may increase the use of data services by allowing the UE to allocate a larger portion of its stored energy for data services (e.g., eMBB) in the connected state. As a result, this increases the profit and / or value of such data services to end users and OTT service providers.

[0220] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the present disclosure. Various changes and modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that they can devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures that, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure and thus are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The various exemplary embodiments can be used together and interchangeably with one another, as those skilled in the art will understand.

[0221] The term unit may have its conventional meaning in the field of electronic devices, electrical devices, and / or electronic devices, and may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solid-state devices and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for performing respective tasks, procedures, computations, output, and / or display functions, etc., such as those described herein.

[0222] Any suitable steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may comprise several of these functional units. Such functional units may be implemented with processing circuitry, which may comprise one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic circuits, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols, as well as instructions for executing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause each functional unit to perform a corresponding function according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0223] As described herein, the devices and / or apparatus may be represented by semiconductor chips, chipsets, or (hardware) modules comprising such chips or chipsets, but this does not exclude that the functionality of the device or apparatus may not be executed by hardware but may be executed as a software module, such as a computer program or computer program product including executable software code portions for executing or running on a processor. Furthermore, the functionality of the device or apparatus may be executed by any combination of hardware and software. A device or apparatus may also be considered as an assembly of multiple devices and / or apparatus, whether functionally cooperating with each other or independent. Moreover, the devices and apparatus may be executed in a distributed manner throughout a system, as long as the functionality of the device or apparatus is preserved. Such and similar principles are deemed to be known to those skilled in the art.

[0224] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and related art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined as such in this specification.

[0225] Additionally, certain terms used in this specification and in this disclosure, including the drawings, may be used synonymously in certain instances (e.g., "data" and "information"). It is understood that although these terms (and / or other terms that may be synonymous with one another) may be used synonymously herein, there may be instances where it may not be intended to use such words synonymously. Further, to the extent that prior art knowledge has not been expressly incorporated by reference herein above, it is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0226] Embodiments of the techniques and apparatus described herein also include, but are not limited to, the following listed examples. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node, the configuration specifying a plurality of occasions on which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal; receiving an indication from a network node whether a configured tracking reference signal is currently available; and determining whether to reacquire system information identifying availability of a tracking reference signal in a disconnected state based on the indication. 2. The method of exemplary embodiment 1, wherein the determining includes determining that a validity timer associated with the availability of the tracking reference signal has expired or is about to expire, and in response, determining to reacquire a system information block (SIB) that identifies the availability of the tracking reference signal. 3. The method of exemplary embodiment 2, wherein the SIB specifying the availability of the tracking reference signal is separate from the SIB specifying the configuration for the tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node. 4. Validity timer An integer multiple of the configured or default paging cycle, 4. The method of example embodiment 2 or 3, wherein the time is specified as one of: milliseconds or seconds. 5. The method according to any one of exemplary embodiments 2 to 4, wherein the validity timer is defined as a number of occasions when the tracking reference signal may be transmitted according to the configuration. 6. The method of any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 5, comprising reacquiring a SIB identifying the availability of a tracking reference signal in conjunction with the last monitoring of a paging occasion before expiration of a validity timer or in conjunction with the first monitoring of a paging occasion after expiration of a validity timer. 7. The method of exemplary embodiment 6, comprising selecting whether to reacquire a SIB before or after expiration of a validity timer based on a timing relationship between any two or more of a tracking reference signal, a paging occasion, a transmission of the SIB, and a synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission. 8. The method of any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 7, wherein receiving an indication of whether the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is currently available includes receiving a short message transmitted as a paging downlink control information (DCI), the short message indicating that the UE should reacquire a system information block (SIB) indicating the availability of the tracking reference signal according to the configuration. 9. The method of example embodiment 8, wherein the short message includes a first bit indicating whether the UE should reacquire a system information block (SIB) indicating availability of the tracking reference signal according to the configuration, and further includes a second bit indicating whether the UE should reacquire a SIB specifying the configuration for the tracking reference signal. 10. The method of any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 9, wherein receiving an indication of whether a configured tracking reference signal is currently available includes receiving a short message transmitted as a paging downlink control information (DCI), the short message including at least one bit indicating that a configured tracking reference signal is available. 11. The method of exemplary embodiment 10, further comprising determining, based on the at least one bit, that the tracking reference signal is available for a predetermined time after receipt of the short message. 12. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node, the configuration specifying a plurality of occasions on which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal; monitoring a system information block (SIB) indicating whether a configured tracking reference signal is currently available; determining that a SIB indicating whether a tracking reference signature is currently available is not transmitted within a given window of time; In response, concluding that the configured tracking reference signal is not currently available and receiving one or more reference signals other than the tracking reference signal. 13. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, from a network node, a configuration for a tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node, the configuration specifying a plurality of occasions on which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal; determining that the tracking reference signal is not detected for a predetermined number of consecutive occasions according to a configuration; and in response to said determining, reacquiring system information identifying configuration and / or availability of a tracking reference signal. 14. The method of exemplary embodiment 13, wherein the setting for the tracking reference signal is a predetermined number. 15. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, from a network node, system information including a configuration for a tracking reference signal transmitted by the network node, the configuration identifying a plurality of occasions during which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, the system information further identifying at least one windowing during which availability or non-availability of the tracking reference signal due to the configuration does not change; determining whether the tracking signal is available for at least one windowing process. 16. The method of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein the setting further indicates how and / or when to obtain availability information for at least one window treatment. 17. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: receiving, from a network node, system information including a configuration for a tracking reference signal to be transmitted by the network node, the configuration specifying a plurality of occasions during which the network node may transmit the tracking reference signal, the system information further specifying at least a first windowing during which availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled; receiving availability information during at least a first window; determining whether a tracking reference signal is available based on the availability information. 18. The method of example embodiment 17, wherein the availability information received during a first windowing process indicates availability of a tracking reference signal during a second windowing process that is different from the first windowing process. 19. The method of exemplary embodiment 17 or 18, wherein the availability information received during the first windowed process indicates the availability of a tracking reference signal for each of a plurality of windowed processes. 20. The method according to any one of example embodiments 17 to 19, wherein the availability information is received via a field in a downlink control information (DCI) or via a paging early indicator (PEI). 21. A user equipment (UE) configured to receive a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, comprising: a wireless transceiver circuit configured to communicate with a network node; A user equipment (UE) comprising: a processing circuit operably coupled to a radio transceiver circuit, whereby the processing circuit and the radio transceiver circuit are configured to perform operations corresponding to a method described in any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 20. 22. A user equipment (UE) configured to receive a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, the user equipment (UE) being further configured to perform operations corresponding to the method described in any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 20. 23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions, when executed by processing circuitry of a user equipment (UE), configured to receive a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, and configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to a method described in any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 20. 24. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by processing circuitry of a user equipment (UE), are configured to receive a reference signal (RS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, and configure the UE to perform operations corresponding to a method described in any one of exemplary embodiments 1 to 20.

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving a tracking reference signal (TRS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, the method comprising: receiving system information from the network node including a configuration for a tracking reference signal, the configuration specifying a number of occasions during which the network node may transmit a tracking reference signal, the system information further specifying at least a first windowing during which availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled; receiving availability information during at least the first window; determining whether a tracking reference signal is available based on the received availability information.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the tracking reference signal in response to determining that the tracking reference signal is available.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the availability information received during the first window indicates availability of a tracking reference signal during a second window, different from the first window.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the availability information received during the first window indicates availability of a tracking reference signal for each of a plurality of windows or occasions.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the availability information is received via a field in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) or via a Paging Early Indicator (PEI).

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first windowing defines a validity period for the availability information, the validity period representing a time during which the availability information is applicable.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the availability information received during the first window process includes a parameter indicating the validity period for the availability information, the validity period representing the time for which the availability information is applicable.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the validity period refers to the time when the availability information is received.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the validity period is referenced to a start or an end of the first windowing process.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the validity period is based on a set length of time.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the configured length is indicated by the configuration for a tracking reference signal.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein the validity period is defined as an integer multiple of a default paging cycle.

13. The method of claim 6 , wherein the validity period is a default value.

14. 1. A method, performed by a network node, for providing availability information for a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) transmitted by the network node in a wireless network, comprising: transmitting system information including a configuration for a tracking reference signal, the configuration specifying a number of occasions during which the network node may transmit a tracking reference signal, the system information further specifying at least a first windowing during which availability information for the tracking reference signal according to the configuration is signaled; and signaling the availability information during the at least a first window processing.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the availability information signaled during the first windowing indicates availability of a tracking reference signal during a second windowing, the second windowing being different from the first windowing.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the availability information signaled during the first windowing indicates availability of a tracking reference signal for each of a plurality of windows or occasions.

17. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the availability information is signaled via a field in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) or via a Paging Early Indicator (PEI).

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first windowing defines a validity period for the availability information, the validity period representing a time during which the availability information is applicable.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the availability information received during the first window process includes a parameter indicating the validity period for the availability information, the validity period representing the time period for which the availability information is applicable.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the validity period refers to a time when the availability information is signaled.

21. 14. A User Equipment (UE) configured to receive a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) transmitted by a network node in a wireless network, the User Equipment (UE) being further arranged to perform operations corresponding to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

22. 21. A network node for providing availability information for a tracking reference signal (TRS) transmitted by the network node in a wireless network, the network node being further arranged to perform operations corresponding to the method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

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