Method, device, and system for paging resource selection and system information transmission / acquisition in wireless network

Abstract

To provide a method, device, and system for paging resource selection and system information transmission / acquisition in a wireless network.SOLUTION: This disclosure relates generally to adaptive and dynamic paging resource selection and system information (SI) acquisition in a wireless communication network. A method performed by a first network element in the network includes: receiving a first message from a second network element of the network; deriving a user equipment (UE) specific paging resource configuration associated with UE based on the first message; and selecting a paging wireless resource based on the UE specific paging resource configuration and based on a wireless resource specific paging configuration pre-defined in the first network element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure is directed generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods, systems, and devices for adaptive paging resource allocation and system information (SI) acquisition. [Background technology]

[0002] A paging mechanism may be used to inform wireless devices of the need for communication. Efficient allocation of paging radio resources is important to reduce power consumption in these devices during the paging process. The ability of wireless devices to reliably and immediately obtain system information updates with minimal power consumption is another important factor to ensure optimal network performance, especially for low-power wireless terminals such as Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Machine Type Communication (MTC), and Enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) devices. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and devices for paging resource selection and SI acquisition in wireless communication networks.

[0004] In some implementations, a method of paging using adaptively allocated paging resources implemented by a first network element in a network is disclosed. The method may include receiving a first message from a second network element of the network, deriving a user equipment (UE)-specific paging resource configuration associated with a UE based on the first message, selecting a paging radio resource based on the UE-specific paging resource configuration and based on a radio resource-specific paging configuration predefined in the first network element, and transmitting a paging message to the UE via the selected paging radio resource.

[0005] In another implementation, a method of transmitting system information implemented by a first network element in a network is disclosed, which may include: transmitting a first message to a UE in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message comprising an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; and transmitting the updated SI to the UE within the second predefined SI acquisition period.

[0006] In another implementation, a method of acquiring system information implemented by a UE in a network is disclosed, the method including: receiving a first message transmitted from a first network element in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message comprising an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; and receiving an updated SI transmitted from the first network element within the second predefined SI acquisition period.

[0007] A network element and / or a UE is further disclosed. The network element and / or the UE includes a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read computer code from the memory to implement the above method. A computer-readable medium is further disclosed. The computer-readable medium includes instructions or a computer program that, when executed by a wireless terminal, causes the wireless terminal to perform the above method.

[0008] Other aspects and alternatives of the above embodiments and their implementations are described in more detail in the following drawings, description, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) 1. A method for paging using adaptively allocated paging resources, the method being performed by a first network element in a network, the method comprising: receiving a first message from a second network element of the network; Deriving a user equipment (UE) specific paging resource configuration associated with the UE based on the first message; selecting a paging radio resource based on the UE specific paging resource configuration and based on a radio resource specific paging configuration predefined in the first network element; transmitting a paging message to the UE via the selected paging radio resource; A method comprising: (Item 2) The UE specific paging resource configuration comprises the following parameters associated with the UE: Service Area Extension Level (CEL), CEL-based paging indication, CEL-based paging deactivation indication, The maximum number of iterations on the NPDCCH common search space for paging (Rmaxpaging); Rmax paging based paging indication, Rmax paging based paging deactivation indication, DRX cycle-based paging radio resource selection capability; WUS Supporting Information, paging probability information, Paging enhanced discontinuous reception (eDRX) information, Radio Access Network (RAN) paging cycle; UE-specific discontinuous reception (DRX), or Core network assistance information for the UE in an RRC inactive state Item 1, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 3) The paging radio resource includes: Paging carrier, Paging Narrowband, Paging Physical Resource Block (PRB), Paging Bandwidth Portion (BWP), Paging control resource set (CORESET), At paging time (PO), or GWUS Resources The method according to item 1, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 4) The radio resource specific paging configuration comprises: A carrier-specific paging configuration configured for each paging carrier; a narrowband-specific paging configuration configured for each paging narrowband; A paging PRB-specific paging configuration configured for each paging physical resource block (PRB); a BWP-specific paging configuration configured per Paging Bandwidth Part (BWP), or CORESET-specific paging configuration configured for each paging control resource set (CORESET) Item 1, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 5) 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message is triggered to be sent to the first network element by a UE-specific S1AP or NGAP connection establishment procedure in the second network element. (Item 6) When the UE-specific paging resource configuration comprises paging eDRX information and does not comprise a paging time window (PTW), the method further comprises: Obtaining a paging eDRX cycle according to the paging eDRX information; and determining that a DRX cycle (T) associated with the UE is the shortest of the paging eDRX cycle and a RAN paging cycle; and causing the UE to: 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RAN paging cycle is predefined in the network. (Item 7) The paging message is S1AP paging message, NGAP paging messages, XnAP paging messages, F1AP paging message, or RAN-based paging messages Item 1, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 8) When the UE is in an RRC idle state and the paging message comprises a paging eDRX cycle information element (IE) and no paging time window (PTW), the method comprises: obtaining a paging eDRX cycle according to the paging eDRX cycle IE; and determining that a DRX cycle (T) associated with the UE is the paging eDRX cycle; 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising causing the UE to perform the following. (Item 9) 2. The method of claim 1, wherein before transmitting the paging message to the UE via the paging radio resource, the method further includes transmitting a second message to the UE comprising the UE-specific paging resource configuration. (Item 10) 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second message comprises an RRC connection release message, the second message triggering the UE to enter an RRC inactive state. (Item 11) 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message comprises a UE-specific paging resource configuration associated with the UE. (Item 12) Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the second network element comprises a core network node in the network, the core network node comprising at least one of a mobility management entity (MME) or an access and mobility management function (AMF), and the second network element sends the first message to the first network element in response to establishing an S1AP or NGAP connection for the UE. (Item 13) The first message is the following message: INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST, UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUEST, HANDOVER REQUEST, or PATH SWITCH REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE Item 13. The method of item 12, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 14) Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the first message comprises a paging message. (Item 15) 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first message is sent by the second network element to the first network element in response to a core network node in the network sending the UE-specific paging resource configuration to the second network element. (Item 16) Item 16. The method of item 15, wherein the first network element comprises a first base station, the second network element comprises a second base station, and the UE is served by the first network element. (Item 17) The second network element, 5G NR gNB, 4G LTE eNB, or Enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) NodeB 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising at least one of the following: (Item 18) Item 15. The method according to item 14, wherein the first network element comprises a distributed unit of a base station in the network and the second network element comprises a central unit of the base station. (Item 19) 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first network element comprises a gNB-DU and the second network element comprises a gNB-CU. (Item 20) Item 15. The method of item 14, wherein the first network element comprises a base station, and the second network element comprises at least one of an MME or an AMF. (Item 21) the second network element comprises the UE; The first message comprises: CEL priority, CEL-based paging resource selection capability; Rmax Paging Priority, or Rmax paging-based paging resource selection capability 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: (Item 22) The first message comprises: UL MAC CE, RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete, RRCConnectionReestablishmentComplete, RRCConnectionResumeComplete, RRCConnectionSetupComplete, RRCEarlyDataRequest, UEAssistanceInformation, UECapabilityInformation, or UEPagingInformationRequest 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising a paging information request including at least one of: (Item 23) After deriving the UE specific paging resource configuration, the method further comprises: and sending a paging information update request to a third network element in the network to trigger the third network element to update the UE specific paging configuration, the paging information update request comprising: CEL, Rmax paging, A CEL-based paging deactivation indication, or Rmax paging based paging deactivation indication 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: (Item 24) 24. The method of claim 23, wherein when the paging information update request does not include a CEL parameter, the paging information update request indicates an instruction to deactivate CEL-based paging. (Item 25) 24. The method of claim 23, wherein when the paging information update request does not include an Rmax paging parameter, the paging information update request indicates an instruction to deactivate Rmax paging-based paging. (Item 26) The paging information update request: RRC INACTIVE TRANSITION REPORT, or Paging Information Configuration Update Message 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising at least one of the following: (Item 27) 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first network element comprises a base station, and the third network element comprises at least one of an MME or an AMF. (Item 28) Item 1, wherein the network comprises at least one of a 5G communication network, a 4G communication network, or a 3G communication network. (Item 29) 1. A method for transmitting system information, the method being performed by a first network element in a network, the method comprising: transmitting a first message to a UE in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message comprising an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; transmitting the updated SI to the UE within the second predetermined SI acquisition period; A method comprising: (Item 30) 30. The method of claim 29, wherein when the UE is in an RRC inactive state, a duration of the first or second predetermined SI acquisition period is longer than a BCCH modification period, shorter than an eDRX acquisition period, and equal to a maximum value within a RAN paging cycle value range or a maximum value within a DRX cycle (T) value range for the UE. (Item 31) Item 31. The method of item 30, wherein the BCCH modification period, the eDRX acquisition period, the RAN paging cycle value range, and the DRX cycle (T) value range are predefined in the network. (Item 32) 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first message further comprises at least one of a BCCH SI modification indicator or an eDRX SI modification indicator, the BCCH SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next BCCH modification period, and the eDRX SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next eDRX acquisition period. (Item 33) 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first message comprises at least one of a paging message or downlink control information (DCI). (Item 34) Before transmitting the first message to the UE, the method further comprises: Negotiating eDRX parameters with the UE and a second network element through NAS messages; sending a second message comprising RAN paging DRX parameters to the UE to configure the RAN paging DRX parameters on the UE; The RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. an idle mode paging eDRX cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period, or The UE is configured with idle mode paging eDRX information and the RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. triggering the UE to monitor the first message to detect the SI update indicator carried in the first message if at least one of Further comprising: 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the eDRX parameters comprise the idle mode paging eDRX cycle, the RAN paging DRX parameters comprise a RAN paging cycle, and the BCCH modification period is predefined in the network. (Item 35) 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the second message comprises an RRC connection release message, and the second message is sent to the UE to trigger the UE to enter an RRC inactive state. (Item 36) Item 35. The method of item 34, wherein the second network element comprises a core network node in the network, the core network node comprising at least one of an MME or an AMF. (Item 37) The first network element comprises: eNB, gNB, or eMTC NodeB 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising at least one of the following: (Item 38) 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the network comprises at least one of a 5G communication network, a 4G communication network, or a 3G communication network. (Item 39) 1. A method for obtaining system information, the method being performed by a UE in a network, the method comprising: receiving a first message transmitted from a first network element in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message comprising an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; receiving the updated SI transmitted from the first network element within the second predetermined SI acquisition period; A method comprising: (Item 40) 40. The method of claim 39, wherein when the UE is in an RRC inactive state, a duration of the first or second predetermined SI acquisition period is longer than a BCCH modification period, shorter than an eDRX acquisition period, and equal to a maximum value within a RAN paging cycle value range or a maximum value within a DRX cycle (T) value range for the UE. (Item 41) Item 41. The method of item 40, wherein the BCCH modification period, the eDRX acquisition period, the RAN paging cycle value range, and the DRX cycle (T) value range are predefined in the network. (Item 42) 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first message further comprises at least one of a BCCH SI modification indicator or an eDRX SI modification indicator, the BCCH SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next BCCH modification period, and the eDRX SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next eDRX acquisition period. (Item 43) 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first message comprises at least one of a paging message or downlink control information (DCI). (Item 44) Prior to receiving the first message transmitted from the first network element, the method further comprises: Negotiating eDRX parameters with a second network element via a NAS message; receiving a second message comprising RAN paging DRX parameters transmitted from the first network element; configuring the RAN paging DRX parameters on the UE; and monitoring the first message to detect the SI update indicator carried in the first message if at least one of the following applies: a RAN-pagingCycle is longer than a BCCH modification period; an idle mode paging eDRX cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period; or the UE is configured with idle mode paging eDRX information and a RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period; Further comprising: 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the eDRX parameters comprise the idle mode paging eDRX cycle, the RAN paging DRX parameters comprise a RAN paging cycle, and the BCCH modification period is predefined in the network. (Item 45) 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the second message comprises an RRC connection release message, and receiving the second message triggers the UE to enter an RRC inactive state. (Item 46) Item 45. The method of item 44, wherein the second network element comprises a core network node in the network, the core network node comprising at least one of an MME or an AMF. (Item 47) The first network element comprises: eNB, gNB, or eMTC NodeB 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising at least one of the following: (Item 48) 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the network comprises at least one of a 5G communication network, a 4G communication network, or a 3G communication network. (Item 49) 29. A first network element according to any one of claims 1-28, comprising a processor configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-28. (Item 50) 39. A first network element according to any one of claims 29-38, comprising a processor configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 29-38. (Item 51) 50. The UE of any one of claims 39-48, comprising a processor configured to implement the method of any one of claims 39-48. (Item 52) 50. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable program medium having computer code stored thereon, the computer code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a method according to any one of claims 1-48. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network.

[0010] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates various exemplary time periods for obtaining system information (SI).

[0011] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows an example message flow for sending a UE-specific paging resource configuration using an S1 Application Protocol (S1AP) or NG Application Protocol (NGAP) message.

[0012] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example message flow for sending a paging information update request and a UE-specific paging resource configuration using a paging message.

[0013] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an example message flow for transmitting a UE-specific paging resource configuration using an XnAP message.

[0014] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example message flow for sending a UE-specific paging resource configuration using an F1AP message.

[0015] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an example message flow for sending a system information update.

[0016] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows another example message flow for sending a system information update.

[0017] [Figure 9]FIG. 9 shows an example message flow illustrating that the UE-specific paging resource configuration is used only in the cell last used for RAN paging.

[0018] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example message flow illustrating that the UE-specific paging resource configuration is used only in the cell last used for core network paging. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The following description and drawings describe in detail certain illustrative implementations of the present disclosure, which show some exemplary ways in which various principles of the present disclosure may be implemented. However, the illustrated examples are not exhaustive of the many possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present disclosure will be described in the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

[0020] Certain features are described using the example of a NB-IoT / eMTC wireless communication protocol. However, the applicability of the disclosed techniques is not limited to only the NB-IoT / eMTC wireless communication protocol, and thus the disclosed implementations are applicable to any wireless standard. Headings are used in this disclosure only to improve readability and do not limit the scope of the disclosed embodiments and techniques in each section to only that section. (Wireless communication network)

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network 100 including a core network 110 and a radio access network (RAN) 120. The core network 110 further includes at least one mobility management entity (MME) 112 and / or at least one access and mobility management function (AMF) 114. Other functions that may be included in the core network 110 are not illustrated in FIG. 1. The RAN 120 further includes multiple base stations, e.g., base stations (BS) 122 and 124. The base stations may include at least one evolved NodeB (eNB) 122 for 4G LTE, or next generation NodeB (gNB) 124 for 5G new radio (NR), or any other type of signal transmission / reception device, such as a UMTS NodeB. The exemplary eNB 122 communicates with the MME 112 via an S1 interface. Both the eNB 122 and the gNB 124 may connect to the AMF 114 via an Ng interface.

[0022] The gNB 124 may further include a central unit (CU) 126 and at least one distributed unit (DU) 128. The CU and DU may be co-located in the same location or they may be split into different locations. The CU 126 and the DU 128 may be connected via an F1 interface. Alternatively, for an eNB capable of connecting to a 5G network, it may also be split into a CU and at least one DU, and may be referred to as a ng-eNB-CU and a ng-eNB-DU, respectively. The ng-eNB-CU and the ng-eNB-DU may be connected via a W1 interface.

[0023] The wireless communication network 100 may also include at least one user equipment (UE) 130. The UE 130 may be implemented as a mobile or fixed communication device capable of accessing the wireless communication network 100. The UE 130 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, a wearable device, an IoT / NB-IoT device, an MTC / eMTC device, a distributed remote sensor device, a road service device, and a desktop computer. The UE 130 may communicate with a base station through an over-the-air (OTA) wireless communication interface and resources. As shown in FIG. 1, the OTA interface may include multiple ratio carriers 132 and 134. Furthermore, the wireless carrier may be an anchor carrier or a non-anchor carrier.

[0024] The wireless communication network 100 may be implemented, for example, as a 2G, 3G, 4G / LTE, or 5G cellular communication network. Correspondingly, the base stations 122 and 124 may be implemented as 2G base stations, 3G NodeBs, LTE eNBs, or 5G NR gNBs (although for illustrative purposes, the base station 122 will be labeled as an eNB and the base station 124 will be labeled as a gNB).

[0025] Although the following description focuses on a cellular wireless communication system, as shown in Figure 1, the basic principles are applicable to other types of wireless communication systems that support wireless devices. These other wireless systems may include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and WiMax networks. (Paging Radio Resource Selection)

[0026] In the wireless communication network 100, UEs may be found and / or woken up by the core network 110 using a paging mechanism that utilizes paging radio resources. The paging radio resources include at least one of a paging carrier, a paging narrowband, a paging physical resource block (PRB), a paging bandwidth portion (BWP), or a paging control resource set (CORESET). Each of the paging radio resources has its corresponding configuration, which is referred to as a radio resource specific paging configuration. The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of a carrier-specific paging configuration configured per paging carrier, a narrowband-specific paging configuration configured per paging narrowband, a paging PRB-specific paging configuration configured per paging physical resource block (PRB), a BWP-specific paging configuration configured per paging bandwidth portion (BWP), or a CORESET-specific paging configuration configured per paging control resource set (CORESET). In this disclosure, the term “radio resource specific paging configuration” may be used to refer to any radio resource specific paging configuration in any wireless communication environment, including eMTC, NB-IoT, and NR.

[0027] In the wireless communication network 100, UEs, particularly eMTC, NB-IoT devices, are deployed in different areas under different levels of cellular service areas. For example, UEs may be deployed in an office building, a warehouse, a grocery store, or an underground parking lot. These locations may also have different cellular signal qualities. Service area extension may be introduced, and different service area conditions may correspond to different service area extension levels (CELs). Different UEs may be in different service area extension levels (CELs), and UEs in different service area extension levels may be configured with different maximum iterations on the NPDCCH common search space (CSS) for paging (e.g., Rmax paging). CELs and Rmax paging are considered as part of the UE-specific paging resource configuration. In some implementations, the UE-specific paging resource configuration further includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle configured for the UE.

[0028] With the introduction of CEL and Rmax paging, paging resources such as paging carriers and paging narrowbands may be associated with UE-specific paging resource configurations. For example, carrier 1 may be associated with a lower CEL, and carrier 2 may be associated with a higher CEL. Or carrier 3 may be associated with a lower Rmax paging, and carrier 4 may be associated with a higher Rmax paging. Thus, radio resources may be flexibly and dynamically assigned and scheduled in consideration of the UE-specific paging resource configurations of the UE. For example, for a UE under poor coverage, which may be indicated by a higher CEL, a radio resource configured with a stronger transmission power, such as a stronger downlink (DL) transmission power, may be selected. In addition, a radio resource configured with a larger Rmax paging may be selected for a UE configured with a larger PDCCH repetition number (Rmax paging).

[0029] It should be understood that the above scheme for selecting a paging radio resource based on a UE-specific paging resource configuration requires negotiation and coordination between the UE, the base station, and the core network. The negotiation may be further based on the radio resource-specific paging configuration. The negotiation allows these network elements to have a consistent view on radio resource selection. The negotiation may be achieved by various types of signaling or messages. For example, when the UE is in a radio resource control idle (RRC_IDLE) state, the UE and / or the BS may select an optimal paging radio resource including a paging carrier or a paging narrowband to reduce or minimize UE power consumption without compromising reliable signal transmission. For example, the UE, the base station, and the core network may negotiate / renegotiate a CEL, Rmax paging, or DRX cycle-based carrier selection capability for the UE, and the core network may transmit the negotiated CEL, Rmax paging, or DRX cycle-based carrier selection capability to the base station in a message such as an S1AP / NGAP message. In the follow-on procedure, the base station may select a paging radio resource, such as a paging carrier or a paging narrowband based on the CEL or Rmax paging, and a radio resource-specific paging configuration. The base station may broadcast the radio resource-specific paging configuration to the UE via a system information block (SIB).

[0030] However, for a UE in a radio resource control inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state, the base station may not be able to obtain UE-specific paging resource configurations such as CEL, Rmax paging, and DRX cycle-based carrier selection capabilities, etc. Thus, the base station may not be able to perform radio resource selection based on the UE-specific paging resource configurations.

[0031] Furthermore, for CEL or Rmax paging negotiation using access stratus (AS) signaling, the updated CEL or Rmax paging is transmitted to the core network by a UE-specific S1AP or NGAP release message. However, when the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE-specific S1AP or NGAP release message is not available, and therefore the CEL or Rmax paging may not be updated in the core network and / or base station.

[0032] During the paging process, the DRX cycle (T) is used to determine when the UE needs to wake up to detect potential paging messages. The determination of the DRX cycle (denoted by T) depends on the enhanced discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle for paging, the UE-specific DRX, and the RAN paging cycle. In some scenarios, wake-up signal (WUS) assistance information (as described in further detail below) is further required for group wake-up signal (GWUS) resource selection. When the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state and needs to select a target base station, for example as a result of cell reselection, the target base station may not know these parameters. For the case of NB-CU and NB-DU splitting, the NB-DU may not know these parameters.

[0033] The following description discloses in detail implementations and embodiments for selecting paging resources for a UE in RRC_INACTIVE state based on a UE-specific paging resource configuration. (Get system information)

[0034] UE power consumption is an important factor to consider when designing a wireless communication system. Referring to FIG. 1, when there is no active communication session between the UE 130 and the base station, then the UE 130 remains in an idle or inactive state, such as an RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state. The UE 130 continues to monitor paging signals while limiting its usage of radio resources during the idle state to reduce power consumption. For example, the UE 130 may monitor paging signals by using techniques including, but not limited to, DRX or eDRX. In addition, a wake-up signal (WUS) may be introduced as an extension to existing paging technology to further reduce power consumption by reducing hardware resource usage when monitoring paging information and achieve long battery life in mobile devices. The wake-up mechanism in paging monitoring is particularly beneficial for low-power devices such as NB-IoT (Internet of Things) and eMTC (extended machine type communication) devices.

[0035] In DRX, resource monitoring and communication activity are managed in a cycle called a DRX cycle. In particular, in wireless communication systems such as LTE and 5G, radio signals are transmitted in radio frames. At the system level, radio frames are sequentially identified, and each radio frame is numbered with a system frame number (SFN) that recycles, for example, from 0 to 1023. In DRX mode, the UE may enter a sleeping mode to reduce battery consumption. The UE periodically monitors paging occasions (POs). A PO includes a set of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasions and may include multiple time slots (e.g., subframes or OFDM symbols) in which paging DCIs may be transmitted. The purpose of the periodic monitoring on the PO is to check whether there is a paging message for the UE and to obtain system information updates so that the UE may be able to synchronize with the network. If there is no paging message for a particular UE, the UE may return to sleep and wake up to monitor the PO in the next cycle. This cycle is called a paging cycle or a DRX cycle. The length of a paging cycle is given by the number of radio frames in each cycle and may be configurable to different lengths in a wireless communication system. FIG.

[0036] In eDRX, the UE can set and adjust the time it remains in a low-power sleep mode before waking up to monitor any radio signals. The eDRX mechanism enables the UE (especially an NB-IoT or eMTC device) to further reduce battery consumption. As another extension, the WUS mechanism utilizes low-power consumption hardware circuits, which operate at the physical layer, which can help save battery life.

[0037] In wireless communication systems, system information (SI) may change from time to time, and the network needs to inform the UE of the SI change. System information may be transmitted with the same content a certain number of times within a modification period (such as a BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel) modification period or an eDRX acquisition period). The modification period boundary is determined by the SFN mod m = 0, where m is the number of radio frames comprising the modification period. For example, m = modificationPeriodCoeff × defaultPagingCycle, where modificationPeriodCoeff and defaultPagingCycle may be predefined by the network and further broadcast to the UE via a system information block (SIB). The modification period boundaries may also be defined by using a hyper system frame number (H-SFN). SI updating is a two-step process described below.

[0038] Step 1: The network (e.g., a base station) first notifies the UE of an SI change in a first modification period using a paging message or downlink control information (DCI). This period may also be referred to as a change notification period. In some implementations, this SI change notification may be repeated several times within the change notification period. The first modification period may be either a BCCH modification period or an eDRX acquisition period.

[0039] Step 2: In the next modification period, the network transmits the updated SI to the UE, which may also be referred to as an updated information period.

[0040] 2, where it is assumed that there is an SI change during the first BCCH modification period 210, the base station sends a paging message or DCI to the UE as notification that there is an SI change during this period 210. In the next BCCH modification period 212, the base station sends updated SI information to the UE, and this period 212 is considered to be an updated information period.

[0041] On the UE side, the UE monitors the SI change indication based on the BCCH modification period or eDRX acquisition period (e.g., represented by the number of hyperframes=maximum of paging eDRX cycles). For example, the base station transmits a paging message or DCI, which carries an SI change indicator to the UE. For each type of modification period, there may be a corresponding SI change indicator (e.g., a BCCH SI change indicator to indicate that an SI update is in the next BCCH modification period, or an eDRX SI change indicator to indicate that an SI update is in the next eDRX acquisition period). Thus, based on the SI change indicator, the UE may select a corresponding period to obtain updated SI information. In some implementations, the BCCH SI change indicator and the eDRX SI change indicator may be transmitted together in a paging message or DCI. In this case, the UE may select to obtain updated SI information in the next BCCH modification period and / or the next eDRX acquisition period.

[0042] In FIG. 2 , an SI change during a first eDRX acquisition period 230 is included as an example, whereby the base station sends a paging message or DCI carrying an eDRX SI change indicator, which instructs the UE to acquire updated SI information in the next eDRX acquisition period 232.

[0043] When the UE is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the maximum possible DRX cycle may be longer than the BCCH modification period. As shown in FIG. 2, the DRX cycle 202 is longer than the BCCH modification period 210. This may cause desynchronization because the BCCH SI change indicator transmitted at 210 may be missed by the UE if the UE happens to be in a sleeping mode in the DRX cycle when the SI change notification is transmitted. As further shown in FIG. 2, the eDRX SI change indicator may also be transmitted via a paging message or DCI within the eDRX acquisition period 230. Since the eDRX acquisition period 230 is longer than the maximum DRX cycle and the SI change notification may be transmitted multiple times within the eDRX acquisition period 230, the UE will be able to detect the SI notification and obtain the updated SI information within the next eDRX acquisition period 232. However, since the eDRX acquisition period is long, the waiting time until the next eDRX acquisition period to obtain the updated SI information may be too long, leading to a long delay in the SI update. As an example, for an eMTC device, the eDRX acquisition period may be as long as 256 hyperframes (approximately 43 minutes).

[0044] In the present disclosure, a new SI acquisition period and a corresponding mechanism for adapting the new SI acquisition period to a wireless communication system are implemented. The new SI acquisition period is referred to as a short eDRX acquisition period. The short eDRX acquisition period may be predefined to be longer than the BCCH modification period but shorter than the eDRX acquisition period. Further details are described in the related embodiments below. In such a manner, a balance is achieved so that the UE does not miss the SI update notification and is able to catch the SI update more immediately than an implementation using the eDRX acquisition period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] Various specific example embodiments are described for implementing adaptive and dynamic paging radio resource selection when the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state. A mechanism for delivering a UE-specific paging resource configuration is also disclosed.

[0046] Various specific example embodiments for performing system information (SI) acquisition for a UE in the RRC_INACTIVE state are further described.

[0047] (Embodiment 1) Please refer to Figure 3 for an example procedure for delivering a UE-specific paging resource configuration. In this procedure, the core network (MME / AMF) sends the UE-specific paging resource configuration to the base station. The base station selects a paging radio resource based on the UE-specific paging resource configuration when the UE-specific S1AP / NGAP connection is being established. Details will be described below.

[0048] Step 301: A base station sends a radio resource specific paging configuration to a UE by a system information block (SIB). The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0049] · CEL;

[0050] · Rmax paging; A radio resource specific DRX cycle for paging; or

[0051] · Number of paging occasions (PO) per radio resource specific DRX cycle (e.g. nB).

[0052] For example, with respect to a particular paging radio resource, such as a wireless carrier (alternatively referred to as a carrier for brevity), the carrier's radio resource specific paging configuration may include CEL or Rmax paging supported by the carrier. The carrier may be an anchor carrier or a non-anchor carrier.

[0053] Step 302: The core network sends a message to the base station when the UE-specific S1AP / NGAP connection is being established. The message carries the UE-specific paging resource configuration, for example, by embedding the UE-specific paging resource configuration in one or more information elements (IEs) of the message. In some implementations, the message may be one of the following:

[0054] · Initial context setup request;

[0055] · UE Context Modification Request; a handover request; or

[0056] - Route switch request response. The UE specific paging resource configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0057] · CEL;

[0058] · Rmax paging; DRX cycle based paging radio resource selection capability; or

[0059] Paging eDRX information.

[0060] Upon receiving the message, the base station stores the UE-specific paging resource configuration, and an S1AP / NGAP connection is established. A communication session is established for the UE for data transmission.

[0061] Step 303: The base station triggers the UE to enter the RRC_INACTIVE state by sending an RRC Connection Release message to the UE. In some implementations, the base station includes the UE-specific paging resource configuration as received in step 302 in the message to ensure that the UE has a synchronized view on the UE-specific paging resource configuration while in the RRC_INACTIVE state. The UE-specific paging resource configuration includes at least one of the following: CEL; or

[0062] -Rmax paging.

[0063] In some other implementations, the base station may choose not to include a UE-specific paging resource configuration in the RRC connection release message, in which case the UE uses the previously configured CEL and Rmax paging while in the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0064] After the UE processes the RRC Connection Release message, the UE transitions to the RCC_INACTIVE state.

[0065] Step 304: The base station selects a paging radio resource and sends a paging message to the UE using the selected paging radio resource (such as a specific paging carrier or a specific paging narrowband). The base station makes the selection based on the radio resource-specific paging configuration as sent in the SIB in step 301 and based on the UE-specific paging resource configuration. In particular, if the UE-specific paging resource configuration is included in step 303, the CEL or Rmax paging carried in step 303 is used, otherwise the previously configured CEL or Rmax paging is used.

[0066] On the UE side, the UE needs to determine its DRX cycle, which is also referred to as paging DRX cycle (T). If the UE-specific paging resource configuration in step 302 includes paging eDRX information but does not include a paging time window (PTW), the DRX cycle (T) of the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state is determined by the shortest one of the paging eDRX cycle (from the paging eDRX information) and the RAN paging cycle. For example, the RAN paging cycle may be transmitted to the UE via a SIB in step 301.

[0067] Furthermore, if a paging message is initiated from the core network, such as via S1AP PAGING or NGAP PAGING, and the paging message includes a Paging eDRX Cycle IE but does not include a PTW, the UE's DRX cycle (T) is determined by the Paging eDRX Cycle as carried in the Paging eDRX Cycle IE. As previously described, the paging radio resource includes at least one of:

[0068] · Paging carrier;

[0069] · Narrowband paging;

[0070] · Paging Physical Resource Block (PRB); Paging Bandwidth Portion (BWP); or

[0071] Paging Control Resource Set (CORESET). The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of:

[0072] · Carrier-specific paging configurations configured for each paging carrier;

[0073] · Narrowband-specific paging configurations configured for each paging narrowband;

[0074] · Paging PRB-specific paging configuration configured per paging physical resource block (PRB); · BWP-specific paging configurations configured per Paging Bandwidth Part (BWP); or

[0075] · CORESET-specific paging configuration configured for each paging control resource set (CORESET).

[0076] (Embodiment 2) Please refer to Figure 4 for another example procedure for updating UE-specific paging resource configuration. In this procedure, the UE sends a Paging Information Request message to the base station to request the base station to estimate UE-specific CEL or Rmax paging. After estimation, the base station forwards the updated UE-specific paging resource configuration (e.g., CEL or Rmax paging) to the core network (MME / AMF) via an S1AP / NGAP Update message. Details will be described below. Step 401: A base station sends a radio resource specific paging configuration to a UE via an SIB. The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0077] · CEL;

[0078] · Rmax paging; A radio resource specific DRX cycle for paging; or

[0079] · Number of paging occasions (PO) per radio resource specific DRX cycle (e.g. nB).

[0080] For example, with respect to a particular paging radio resource such as a carrier, the radio resource specific paging configuration of the carrier may include CEL or Rmax paging supported by the carrier. Step 402: The UE sends a paging information request to the base station while in a data transmission state. The paging information request includes at least one of the following information:

[0081] ·CEL priority;

[0082] ·CEL-based paging resource selection capability; Rmax paging priority; or

[0083] ·Rmax paging based paging resource selection capability. The paging information request can be sent by at least one of the following messages:

[0084] ·UL MAC CE;

[0085] ·RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete;

[0086] ·RRCConnectionReestablishmentComplete;

[0087] ·RRCConnectionResumeComplete;

[0088] ·RRCConnectionSetupComplete;

[0089] · RRCEarlyDataRequest;

[0090] ·UEAssistanceInformation; UECapabilityInformation; or

[0091] New UL RRC messages (e.g. UEPagingInformationRequest).

[0092] The UE sends a paging information request message to the base station, for example, when the UE's radio signal condition reaches a threshold. The paging information request message triggers the base station to estimate or configure / reconfigure paging resources. The paging resources include at least one of the following:

[0093] · CEL;

[0094] · Rmax paging; A CEL-based paging deactivation indication; or

[0095] · Rmax paging based paging deactivation indication.

[0096] Step 403: Based on the paging information request message from the UE, the base station estimates a CEL or Rmax paging for the UE in a data transmission state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED state, RRC_INACTIVE state, pre-configured uplink resource (PUR) transmission procedure, early data transmission (EDT) procedure, NR small data transmission procedure).

[0097] Step 404: The base station sends a paging information update request to the core network in a UE-specific S1AP or NGAP message to update the UE-specific paging configuration. The UE-specific S1AP or NGAP message includes at least one of the following messages: RRC INACTIVE TRANSITION REPORT; or

[0098] New UE-specific S1AP or NGAP messages (e.g. Paging Information Configuration Update messages). The paging information update request includes at least one of the following information:

[0099] · CEL;

[0100] · Rmax paging; A CEL-based paging deactivation indication; or

[0101] · Rmax paging based paging deactivation indication.

[0102] The CEL-based paging deactivation indication is used to indicate whether CEL-based paging for the UE should be deactivated. The Rmax paging based paging deactivation indication is used to indicate whether Rmax paging based paging for the UE should be deactivated. In some implementations, if CEL is not included in the paging information update request, it implicitly indicates that CEL-based paging should be deactivated for the UE. In some other implementations, if Rmax paging is not included in the paging information update request, it implicitly indicates that Rmax paging based paging should be deactivated for the UE.

[0103] Step 405: The base station sends an RRC connection release message, which triggers the UE to enter an RRC_INACTIVE state. The RRC connection release message may include a UE-specific paging resource configuration. The UE-specific paging resource configuration includes at least one of the following information: CEL; or

[0104] -Rmax paging.

[0105] Step 406: In some implementations, the base station initiates paging transmitted on the selected paging radio resource based on a radio resource specific paging configuration according to the radio resource specific paging configuration transmitted via the SIB in step 401 and further based on a UE specific paging resource configuration according to the UE specific paging resource configuration transmitted by the base station in step 405. If the UE specific paging resource configuration is included in step 405, the UE CEL or Rmax paging included in step 405 is used, otherwise the previously configured CEL or Rmax paging is used. In some other implementations, the core network initiates the paging, in which case step 406 is split into steps 406a and 406b. Step 406a: The core network sends a paging message to the base station. The paging message carries a UE-specific paging resource configuration including at least one of:

[0106] · CEL;

[0107] · CEL-based paging indication; Rmax paging; or

[0108] · Rmax paging based paging indication.

[0109] Step 406b: At the base station side, if the paging message from the core network includes a CEL-based paging indication, the base station selects a paging radio resource based on the CEL and the radio resource specific paging configuration. Similarly, if the paging message from the core network includes an Rmax paging-based paging indication, the base station selects a paging radio resource based on the Rmax paging and the radio resource specific paging configuration. The base station then uses the selected paging radio resource to send the paging message initiated from the core network to the UE. The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0110] · Carrier-specific paging configurations configured for each paging carrier;

[0111] · Narrowband-specific paging configurations configured for each paging narrowband;

[0112] · Paging PRB-specific paging configuration configured per paging physical resource block (PRB); · BWP-specific paging configurations configured per Paging Bandwidth Part (BWP); or

[0113] · CORESET-specific paging configuration configured for each paging control resource set (CORESET).

[0114] (Embodiment 3) Please refer to Figure 5 for an example procedure for delivering a UE-specific paging resource configuration via RAN-initiated paging. In this procedure, a source base station transmits a UE-specific paging resource configuration to a target base station via an X2 or Xn interface. Details are described below.

[0115] The RAN initiated paging procedure is used by a source base station to request paging of a UE at a target base station. The RAN initiated paging message may carry a UE-specific paging resource configuration to help the target base station determine the paging radio resource for paging the UE.

[0116] Step 501: The target base station (base station 2) sends a radio resource specific paging configuration to the UE through a SIB. The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0117] · CEL;

[0118] · Rmax paging; A radio resource specific DRX cycle for paging; or

[0119] · Number of paging occasions (PO) per radio resource specific DRX cycle (e.g. nB).

[0120] In this step, the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0121] Step 502: When the UE-specific S1AP / NGAP connection is established, the source base station (base station 1) receives a UE-specific paging resource configuration from the core network. The source base station sends a RAN initiate paging message to the target base station (base station 2). The RAN initiate paging message includes the UE-specific paging resource configuration. The UE specific paging resource configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0122] · CEL;

[0123] · Rmax paging;

[0124] DRX cycle-based paging radio resource selection capability;

[0125] ·WUS Supporting Information;

[0126] · Paging probability information;

[0127] Paging eDRX information;

[0128] ·RAN paging cycle; UE specific DRX; or

[0129] · Core network assistance information for the UE in RRC INACTIVE state.

[0130] Step 503: The target base station determines a paging radio resource for paging the UE based on the radio resource-specific paging configuration and the UE-specific paging resource configuration. The UE-specific paging resource configuration is received by the target base station in step 502. The paging radio resource includes at least one of:

[0131] · Paging carrier;

[0132] · Narrowband paging;

[0133] · Paging Physical Resource Block (PRB);

[0134] · Paging Bandwidth Part (BWP);

[0135] · Paging control resource set (CORESET); paging time (e.g. paging frame, paging subframe); or

[0136] · GWUS Resources.

[0137] On the UE side, the UE needs to determine the paging DRX cycle (T). If the UE-specific paging resource configuration in step 502 includes paging eDRX information but does not include a paging time window (PTW), the DRX cycle (T) of the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state is determined by the shortest one of the paging eDRX cycle (from the paging eDRX information) and the RAN paging cycle broadcast to the UE via the SIB in step 501.

[0138] Furthermore, if a paging message is triggered by the core network, such as S1AP PAGING or NGAP PAGING, and the paging message includes a Paging eDRX Cycle IE but does not include a PTW, the UE's DRX cycle (T) is determined by the Paging eDRX Cycle as carried in the Paging eDRX Cycle IE.

[0139] (Embodiment 4) See Figure 6 for an example procedure for delivering a UE-specific paging resource configuration from a gNB-CU of a gNB to a gNB-DU of the same gNB. In this procedure, the gNB-CU sends the UE-specific paging resource configuration to the gNB-DU using F1 paging over the F1 interface. Details are described below.

[0140] Step 601: A gNB-CU of a gNB sends a radio resource specific paging configuration to a gNB-DU of the same gNB via a SIB, and the gNB-DU forwards the radio resource specific paging configuration to a UE via a SIB. The radio resource specific paging configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0141] · CEL;

[0142] · Rmax paging; A radio resource specific DRX cycle for paging; or

[0143] · Number of paging occasions (PO) per radio resource specific DRX cycle (e.g. nB).

[0144] The gNB-CU keeps and maintains the radio resource specific paging configuration, and the gNB-CU distributes the radio resource specific paging configuration to the gNB-DU for further broadcast to the UE. In this step, the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0145] Step 602: When the gNB-CU receives a UE-specific paging resource configuration from the core network, the gNB-CU sends the UE-specific paging resource configuration to the gNB-DU in a paging message via the F1 interface. The UE specific paging resource configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0146] · CEL;

[0147] · Rmax paging;

[0148] DRX cycle-based paging radio resource selection capability;

[0149] ·WUS Supporting Information;

[0150] · Paging probability information;

[0151] Paging eDRX information;

[0152] ·RAN paging cycle; UE specific DRX; or

[0153] · Core network assistance information for the UE in RRC INACTIVE state.

[0154] Step 603: The gNB-DU determines a paging radio resource for paging the UE based on the radio resource specific paging configuration as in step 601 and based on the UE specific paging resource configuration. The gNB-DU transmits a RAN-based paging message to the UE using the determined paging radio resource. The UE specific paging resource configuration is received by the gNB-DU in step 602. The paging radio resource includes at least one of:

[0155] · Paging carrier;

[0156] · Narrowband paging;

[0157] · Paging Physical Resource Block (PRB);

[0158] · Paging Bandwidth Part (BWP);

[0159] · Paging control resource set (CORESET); paging time (e.g. paging frame, paging subframe); or

[0160] · GWUS Resources.

[0161] On the UE side, the UE needs to determine the paging DRX cycle (T). If the UE-specific paging resource configuration in step 602 includes paging eDRX information but does not include a PTW, the DRX cycle (T) of the UE in RRC_INACTIVE state is determined by the shortest one of the paging eDRX cycle (from the paging eDRX information) and the RAN paging cycle.

[0162] Furthermore, if the paging message in step 602 includes a paging eDRX cycle IE but does not include a PTW, the DRX cycle (T) of the UE in RRC_IDLE state is determined by the paging eDRX cycle as carried in the paging eDRX cycle IE. (Embodiment 5)

[0163] In the previous embodiment, the paging resource selection based on the UE-specific paging resource configuration is performed only when the UE is in the UE's last used cell. The last used cell is the cell where the UE's RRC connection was typically last released (e.g., the UE and eNB / CN nodes (MME / AMF) can keep consistent information about the last used cell based on this release procedure). For example, the cell where the UE recently entered RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state is the cell where the UE was last used under the following conditions: Receipt of RRCEarlyDataComplete; or

[0164] Receiving RRCConnectionRelease without noLastCellUpdate Triggered by one of the following:

[0165] Paging resource selection based on the UE-specific paging resource configuration is not performed when the UE is not in the last used cell, in which case paging will be transmitted on the paging resources without considering the UE-specific paging resource configuration.

[0166] See FIG. 9 for an example.

[0167] Step 901: A last used cell sends its radio resource specific paging configuration to a UE via a system information block (SIB).

[0168] Step 901a: Another cell other than the last used cell sends its radio resource specific paging configuration to the UE via a system information block (SIB).

[0169] Step 902: The last used cell sends a paging message to another cell, where the paging message does not carry a UE-specific paging resource configuration.

[0170] Step 903: The last used cell determines a radio resource paging for paging the UE based on the radio resource-specific paging configuration and the UE-specific paging resource configuration, and sends a RAN-based paging message to the UE using the determined paging radio resource.

[0171] Step 903a: Other cells send RAN-based paging messages to the UE using paging radio resources without considering the UE-specific paging resource configuration.

[0172] For another example, refer to FIG.

[0173] Steps 1001 and 1001a are similar to steps 901 and 901a as shown in FIG. 9, respectively, and detailed description is skipped here.

[0174] Step 1002: The core network sends a paging message to a last used cell of the UE, carrying a UE-specific paging resource configuration.

[0175] Steps 1003 and 1003a are similar to steps 903 and 903a as shown in Figure 9. Again, other cells send core network initiated paging messages to the UE using paging radio resources without considering the UE specific paging resource configuration.

[0176] (Embodiment 6) Refer to FIG. 7 for an example procedure for a base station to instruct a UE in RRC_INACTIVE state to obtain an SI update in the next short eDRX acquisition period.

[0177] Step 701: Upon SI modification, the base station sends a paging message to the UE within a first short eDRX acquisition period. The paging message carries an indicator systemInfoModification-short-eDRX to inform the UE that an SI update is coming in the next short eDRX acquisition period, so that the UE can acquire the SI update. In some implementations, the paging message may also carry a systemInfoModification indicator to inform the UE that an SI update is coming in the next BCCH modification period and / or a systemInfoModification-eDRX indicator to inform the UE that an SI update is coming in the next eDRX acquisition period. In some implementations, each of these indicators may be carried in a bit.

[0178] Alternatively, the base station may use DCI instead of a paging message to serve the same purpose in step 701.

[0179] Step 702: The base station transmits updated SI within the next short eDRX availability period.

[0180] The short eDRX availability period is predefined to be longer than the BCCH modification period (corresponding to the systemInfoModification indicator) and shorter than the eDRX availability period (corresponding to the systemInfoModification-eDRX indicator). Furthermore, the length of the short eDRX availability period is equal to a maximum value in a RAN paging cycle value range or equal to a maximum value in a DRX cycle (T) value range when the UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state. The length of the BCCH modification period and the length of the eDRX availability period are predefined in the wireless communication network. Similarly, the RAN paging cycle value range and the DRX cycle (T) value range are also predefined in the wireless communication network.

[0181] (Embodiment 7) Refer to FIG. 8 for another example procedure for a base station to instruct a UE in RRC_INACTIVE state to obtain SI updates at short eDRX acquisition periods.

[0182] Step 801: The UE and the core network negotiate eDRX parameters through a NAS message. In some implementations, the base station is also involved in the negotiation.

[0183] Step 802: The base station sends an RRC connection release message carrying RAN paging DRX parameters to the UE, triggering the UE to enter an RRC_INACTIVE state. After the UE enters RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE:

[0184] Case 1: The RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. The RAN paging cycle can be obtained by the UE via the SIB;

[0185] Case 2: The idle mode paging eDRX cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. The idle mode paging eDRX cycle can be obtained from the eDRX parameters in step 801;

[0186] Case 3: Idle mode paging eDRX information is configured in the UE and the ran-pagingCycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. The idle mode paging eDRX information may be obtained from the eDRX parameters in step 801. In at least one of the above, monitor a paging message or DCI carrying a systemInfoModification-short-eDRX indicator.

[0187] Step 803: When the SI is changed, the base station sends a paging message to the UE in the first short eDRX acquisition period. The paging message carries an indicator systemInfoModification-short-eDRX to inform the UE that an SI update is coming. Alternatively, the base station may send a DCI instead of the paging message to achieve the same purpose.

[0188] Subsequently, the UE catches the systemInfoModification-short-eDRX indicator and acquires the updated SI information in the next short eDRX acquisition period.

[0189] (Embodiment 8) See FIG. 2 for a UE in RRC_INACTIVE state obtaining SI updates during a short eDRX acquisition period.

[0190] In the short eDRX availability period 220, the UE receives a paging message or DCI carrying a systemInfoModification-short-eDRX indicator.

[0191] In the next short eDRX acquisition period 222, the UE acquires updated system information immediately from the beginning of the short eDRX acquisition period 222. In some implementations, the next short eDRX acquisition period may immediately follow the short eDRX acquisition period 220. Below is an example for an eMTC device:

[0192] The BCCH modification period is the number of radio frames = modificationPeriodCoeff * This can be expressed as a defaultPagingCycle.

[0193] The eDRX availability period may be expressed in number of hyperframes. For example, the boundaries of the eDRX availability period may be determined by the H-SFN value, where H-SFN mod 256 = 0. For eMTC devices, the length of the eDRX availability period may be set to 256 hyperframes, which is the maximum value within the paging eDRX cycle value range.

[0194] The short eDRX availability period may be expressed in number of radio frames or hyperframes. For example, the boundaries of the short eDRX availability period may be determined by the radio frame value where SFN mod 1,024 = 0. In one implementation, the length of the short eDRX availability period may be set to the maximum value within the RAN paging cycle value range, which is 1,024 radio frames or 1 hyperframe.

[0195] In summary, the above disclosure describes a method and system for adaptively allocating paging resources based on a UE-specific paging resource configuration. For a UE with a specific UE-specific paging resource configuration, such as CEL, Rmax paging, or DRX cycle-based paging radio resource selection capability, the base station may select a paging radio resource according to the UE-specific paging resource configuration and further with reference to a radio resource-specific paging configuration. The paging radio resource may include a paging carrier, a paging narrowband, etc.

[0196] This disclosure describes a new acquisition period for system information acquisition, i.e., a short eDRX acquisition period. The length of the short eDRX acquisition period is set to be longer than the BCCH modification period and shorter than the eDRX acquisition period. A new indicator corresponding to the new acquisition period is also introduced, which can be carried in a paging message or DCI to instruct the UE to acquire updated SI information in the next short eDRX acquisition period.

[0197] The above description and the accompanying drawings provide specific exemplary embodiments and implementations. However, the described subject matter may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, it is intended that the covered or claimed subject matter be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiment described herein. A reasonably broad scope for the claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as a method, device, component, system, or non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing computer code. Thus, the embodiments may take the form of, for example, hardware, software, firmware, storage medium, or any combination thereof. For example, the method embodiments described above may be implemented by a component, device, or system including a memory and a processor by executing computer code stored in the memory.

[0198] Throughout this specification and the claims, terms may have subtle meanings that are suggested or implied in context beyond those explicitly stated. Similarly, the phrase "in one embodiment / implementation" as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment / implementation" as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. For example, it is intended that the claimed subject matter include, in whole or in part, a combination of the example embodiments.

[0199] Generally, terminology may be understood, at least in part, from use in context. For example, terms such as "and," "or," or "and / or" as used herein may include various meanings that may depend, at least in part, on the context in which such terms are used. Typically, "or," when used to relate a list such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, used herein in an inclusive sense, and A, B, or C, used herein in an exclusive sense. In addition, the term "one or more" as used herein may be used, at least in part, depending on the context, to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or may be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" may be understood, at least in part, to convey the use of the singular, or to convey the use of the plural, depending, at least in part, on the context. In addition, the term "based on" may be understood not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors, but instead may allow for the existence of additional factors not necessarily specifically described, again, at least in part, depending on the context.

[0200] References to features, advantages, or similar language throughout this specification do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized using the solution should or are included in any single implementation thereof. Rather, language referring to features and advantages is to be understood to mean that the specific features, advantages, or characteristics described in connection with an embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the solution. Thus, discussions of features and advantages and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0201] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the solution may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize in light of the description herein that the solution may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other cases, additional features and advantages may be recognized in an embodiment that may not be present in all embodiments of the solution.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting system information, the method being performed by a first network element in a network, the method comprising: transmitting a first message to a UE in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message including an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; transmitting the updated SI to the UE within the second predetermined SI acquisition period; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the UE is in an RRC inactive state, a duration of the first predetermined SI acquisition period or the second predetermined SI acquisition period is longer than a BCCH modification period and shorter than an eDRX acquisition period and equal to a maximum value within a RAN paging cycle value range or a maximum value within a DRX cycle (T) value range of the UE.

3. The method described in claim 2, wherein the BCCH modification period, and the eDRX acquisition period, and the RAN paging cycle value range, and the DRX cycle (T) value range are pre-defined in the network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message further includes at least one of a BCCH SI modification indicator or an eDRX SI modification indicator, the BCCH SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next BCCH modification period, and the eDRX SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to obtain SI updates from the beginning of a next eDRX acquisition period.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message includes at least one of a paging message or downlink control information (DCI).

6. Before transmitting the first message to the UE, the method further comprising: Negotiating eDRX parameters with the UE and a second network element through a NAS message; sending a second message including the RAN paging DRX parameters to the UE to configure the RAN paging DRX parameters on the UE; The RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period; an idle mode paging eDRX cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period, or The UE is configured with idle mode paging eDRX information and the RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. triggering the UE to monitor the first message to detect the SI update indicator carried in the first message if at least one of Further comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the eDRX parameters include the idle mode paging eDRX cycle, the RAN paging DRX parameters include a RAN paging cycle, and the BCCH modification period is predefined in the network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second message includes an RRC connection release message, and sending the second message to the UE triggers the UE to enter an RRC inactive state.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the second network element includes a core network node in the network, the core network node including at least one of an MME or an AMF.

9. The first network element, eNB, gNB, or eMTC NodeB The method of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the network includes at least one of a 5G communications network, a 4G communications network, or a 3G communications network.

11. A method for obtaining system information, the method being performed by a UE in a network, the method comprising: receiving a first message transmitted from a first network element in the network during a first predefined system information (SI) acquisition period, the first message including an SI update indicator instructing the UE to acquire SI updates from a beginning of a second predefined SI acquisition period following the first predefined SI acquisition period; receiving the updated SI transmitted from the first network element within the second predetermined SI acquisition period; A method comprising:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein when the UE is in an RRC inactive state, a duration of the first predetermined SI acquisition period or the second predetermined SI acquisition period is longer than a BCCH modification period and shorter than an eDRX acquisition period and equal to a maximum value within a RAN paging cycle value range or a maximum value within a DRX cycle (T) value range of the UE.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the BCCH modification period and the eDRX acquisition period and the RAN paging cycle value range and the DRX cycle (T) value range are predefined in the network.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first message further includes at least one of a BCCH SI modification indicator or an eDRX SI modification indicator, the BCCH SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to get SI updates from the beginning of a next BCCH modification period, and the eDRX SI modification indicator being used to instruct the UE to get SI updates from the beginning of a next eDRX acquisition period.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first message includes at least one of a paging message or downlink control information (DCI).

16. Before receiving the first message transmitted from the first network element, the method further comprising: Negotiating eDRX parameters with a second network element through a NAS message; receiving a second message including RAN paging DRX parameters transmitted from the first network element; configuring the RAN paging DRX parameters on the UE; The RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period; an idle mode paging eDRX cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period, or The UE is configured with idle mode paging eDRX information and the RAN paging cycle is longer than the BCCH modification period. monitoring the first message to detect the SI update indicator carried in the first message if at least one of Further comprising:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the eDRX parameters include the idle mode paging eDRX cycle, the RAN paging DRX parameters include a RAN paging cycle, and the BCCH modification period is predefined in the network.

17. A user equipment (UE), comprising a memory for storing computer instructions and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor being configured, when executing the computer instructions, to implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

18. A network element comprising a memory for storing computer instructions and a processor in communication with the memory, the processor being configured to implement a method according to any one of claims 11 to 16 when executing the computer instructions.

19. A non-transitory storage medium for storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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