Mobile device, access network node, and methods thereof

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) determines a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which an access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration. The UE further determines at least one multiplication factor to determine corresponding durations of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to communication systems. This disclosure is particularly, but not exclusively, related to wireless communication systems and devices thereof that operate in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) standards or equivalent or derivative standards (including LTE-Advanced, Next Generation or 5G networks, future generations, and beyond). This disclosure is particularly, but not necessarily, related to discontinuous reception (DRX) and discontinuous transmission (DTX) to reduce energy consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] Recent developments in the 3GPP standard are referred to as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also commonly referred to as "4G." The terms "5G" and "new radio" (NR) refer to a new generation of communication technologies that are expected to support a variety of applications and services. Various details of 5G networks are described, for example, in Non-Patent Document 1. 3GPP plans to support 5G with the so-called 3GPP Next Generation (NextGen) radio access network (RAN) and 3GPP NextGen Core Network.

[0003] In 3GPP standards, a NodeB (or eNB in ​​LTE, gNB in ​​5G) is a Radio Access Network (RAN) node (or simply "access node," "access network node," or "base station") through which communication devices (user equipment or "UE") connect to the core network and communicate with other communication devices or remote servers. For simplicity, this application uses the terms RAN node or base station to refer to such access nodes.

[0004] There is a need for wireless communication networks that are more energy efficient. Reducing the amount of energy required to operate a communication network reduces the environmental impact of operating the system and also reduces operational costs. Furthermore, for battery-powered devices (e.g., UE), reducing power consumption extends the device's battery life.

[0005] One way to achieve a more efficient communications network is to reduce the energy requirements of the radio access network portion of the system. The energy consumption of a radio access network includes both a dynamic portion associated with data transmission and reception and a static portion associated with radio access device operation, even when data transmission and reception is not occurring. The static portion may include, for example, the power required to operate a UE in a mode in which the UE can receive and decode a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmitted from a base station. An energy-saving mode may be configured for one or more devices (e.g., UEs) in the system. For example, a UE may be configured to operate in an energy-saving mode (sometimes referred to as a sleep mode) in which the UE transmits a reduced number of times or in which the UE is configured not to attempt to transmit or receive signals for a specific time period. Such operation is commonly referred to as discontinuous reception (DRX) and discontinuous transmission (DTX). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] NGMN Alliance, "NGMN 5G White Paper V1.0", February 2015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Many proposals have been made regarding UE DTX / DRX operation, with current focus on intermittent operation of one or more base station cells (referred to as "cell DTX / DRX"). In cell DTX / DRX, a cell (RAN node) stops transmitting and receiving during specific periods, and a UE served by the cell needs to know when the RAN node is active (and therefore able to communicate with the UE) and when it is inactive (and therefore unable to communicate with the UE). In addition, cell operation must accommodate use with UEs configured for UE DTX / DRX, so that efficient communication is maintained even when both the base station and the UE are using DTX / DRX techniques to reduce energy consumption. More generally, there is a need for more efficient and reliable methods and apparatus for increasing the energy efficiency of wireless communication systems.

[0008] One of the objectives achieved by the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an apparatus and method that at least partially addresses one or more of the needs and / or problems set forth above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect, there is provided a method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining positions within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by the access network node; determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals; and signaling information to the UE to enable the UE to determine the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals and the cell DTX / DRX setting.

[0010] The cell DTX / DRX configuration typically defines a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE, and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, the cell ON duration being around the positions of the synchronization signals within the frame, and may extend over a period during which the synchronization signals are transmitted by the access network node.

[0011] In some aspects, the plurality of synchronization signals are transmitted periodically in multiple bursts, and the cell OFF duration is set to a gap between adjacent bursts. In this case, the cell DTX / DRX configuration may define one or more cell ON durations in the gap between adjacent bursts. The plurality of synchronization signal bursts may be transmitted periodically, and one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration may be mapped to characteristics of the periodic bursts of the plurality of synchronization signals using predefined mapping data. The mapping data may take the form of a look-up table. The one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration may be pre-configured parameter values ​​or may be configured by a network node.

[0012] The one or more parameters may include one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: i) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; ii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell OFF duration; iii) parameters related to the number of DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; iv) A parameter related to the period of the DTX / DRX cycle.

[0013] The cell DTX / DRX configuration may include a cell DTX / DRX pattern defining the ON duration and the OFF duration, periodicity information indicating a DRX cycle interval in which the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated and / or information indicating the number of times the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated. One cell DTX / DRX pattern may be defined, and the mapping data associates the synchronization signal burst period with the number of DTX / DRX cycles within the synchronization signal burst period.

[0014] The mapping may be a one-to-one mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configurations. Alternatively, the mapping may be a one-to-many mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configurations. If the synchronization signal burst period increases, the mapping data is mapped to more cell DTX / DRX configurations, and if the synchronization signal burst period decreases, the mapping data is mapped to fewer cell DTX / DRX configurations.

[0015] A minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration may be defined, and the mapping data may associate parameters of the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions with one or more multiplication factors that can be used to determine the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration using the minimum granularity. If the mapping data associates the parameters of the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions with multiple multiplication factors, the method may further comprise transmitting signaling information to enable the UE to identify which of the multiple multiplication factors is used to determine the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration.

[0016] According to one aspect, there is also provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, the method comprising: receiving signaling information from the access network node; determining, using the signaling information, positions within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by the access network node; and determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals.

[0017] According to one aspect, there is also provided an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the access network node comprising: means for determining positions within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by the access network node; means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals; and means for signaling information to the UE to enable the UE to determine the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals and the cell DTX / DRX setting.

[0018] According to one aspect, there is also provided a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, the UE comprising: means for receiving signaling information from the access network node; means for using the signaling information to determine positions within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by the access network node; and means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals. The UE is capable of using the cell DTX / DRX information to control its operation.

[0019] According to one aspect, there is also provided a method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining an ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and an OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; determining from the ON duration and / or the OFF duration and a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration at least one multiplication factor usable for determining the ON duration and / or the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; and signaling to the UE information indicative of one or more of the following: i) said minimum particle size; ii) said at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; v) A parameter relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle.

[0020] The minimum granularity may be fixed or signaled to the UE. One or more of the at least one multiplication factor and the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles may be indicated to the UE implicitly and / or explicitly. In one aspect, the at least one multiplication factor is signaled to the UE in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner.

[0021] The method may further comprise signaling resources of uplink and / or downlink signals and / or channels to the UE, wherein one or more parameters related to the determined cell DTX / DRX configuration and not transmitted to the UE depend on the signaled resources, and the signaled resources may be related to a position of the ON duration, a position of the OFF duration, and / or the at least one multiplication factor.

[0022] Further, the access network node may transmit an activation signal indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated, and / or the cell DTX / DRX cycle may be repeated until the access network node transmits a deactivation signal.

[0023] According to one aspect there is also provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, the method comprising receiving signaling information from the access network node indicating one or more of: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) a parameter relating to the number of cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) cycles to be performed; v) a parameter relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; obtaining a minimum granularity of at least one of a cell ON duration and / or a cell OFF duration; determining at least one multiplication factor from the signaling information; and using the minimum granularity and the determined at least one multiplication factor to determine a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node using the signaling information, the cell DTX / DRX configuration defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE.

[0024] The minimum granularity may be fixed and obtained from memory, or the minimum granularity may be variable and the received signaling information indicates the minimum granularity implicitly or explicitly to the UE.

[0025] The received signaling information implicitly or explicitly indicates to the UE one or more of the at least one multiplication factor and the number of the cell DTX / DRX cycles, for example, the at least one multiplication factor is signaled to the UE in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner.

[0026] The method may further comprise receiving second signaling information indicating resources of uplink and / or downlink signals and / or channels to the UE, wherein the UE uses the second signaling information to determine one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration. The UE may be configured to determine a position (timing) of the ON duration, a position of the OFF duration, and / or the at least one multiplication factor based on the resources indicated by the second signaling information.

[0027] Additionally, the UE may receive an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. In some aspects, the UE also determines that the DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node.

[0028] According to an aspect, there is also provided an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the access network node comprising: means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining an ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and an OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; means for determining from the ON duration and / or the OFF duration and a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration at least one multiplication factor usable for determining the ON duration and / or the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; and means for signaling information to the UE indicative of one or more of the following: i) said minimum particle size; ii) said at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; v) A parameter relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle.

[0029] According to one aspect, there is also provided a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, the UE comprising: means for receiving signaling information from the access network node indicative of one or more of: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) a parameter relating to the number of cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) cycles to be performed; v) a parameter relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; means for obtaining a minimum granularity of at least one of a cell ON duration and / or a cell OFF duration; means for determining at least one multiplication factor from the signaling information; and means for using the minimum granularity and the determined at least one multiplication factor to determine a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node using the signaling information, the cell DTX / DRX configuration defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE.

[0030] According to an aspect, there is also provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the method comprising: obtaining a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration defining a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; and receiving information from the access network node indicative of a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, wherein if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside of the cell OFF duration.

[0031] The UE may receive the cell DTX / DRX configuration and parameters via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The method may further comprise receiving an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. The UE may determine a start position of cell DTX / DRX based on the timing of receiving the activation signal or based on other signaling information received from the access network node. The activation signal may indicate whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides any UE DRX configuration. If the activation signal indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override the UE DRX configuration, the UE may control its operation according to one or more of the following: i) if the one or more UE DRX cycles fall entirely within the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the cell DTX / DRX overrides the UE behavior regarding UE DRX; ii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE OFF duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive for the entire OFF duration; iii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE ON duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE stays active only for the duration that the UE ON duration and the cell ON duration overlap; and iv) The UE sends signals to the access network node only during the ON durations of the cell DTX / DRX configuration.

[0033] The method may further comprise determining that the DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node.

[0034] According to an aspect, there is also provided a method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: transmitting to the UE information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, wherein the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration defining a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node, and wherein if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside of the cell OFF duration.

[0035] According to one aspect, there is also provided a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the UE comprising: means for obtaining a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration defining a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; and means for receiving from the access network node information indicative of a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, wherein if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside of the cell OFF duration.

[0036] According to an aspect, there is also provided an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the access network node comprising: means for transmitting, to the UE, information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, wherein the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration defining a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node, and wherein the UE is configured to remain inactive outside of the cell OFF duration if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration.

[0037] According to one aspect, there is also provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the method comprising: obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; receiving an activation signal indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node; and suppressing uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0038] The dynamic UL transmission may include one or more scheduling requests (SRs) requesting UL resources for the UE to transmit UL data.

[0039] In some aspects, throttling uplink transmissions does not include throttling UL transmissions based on pre-configured periodic UL transmission resources.

[0040] The method may further comprise extending the ON duration after the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated to allow ongoing or pending Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmissions or retransmissions before switching to the inactive mode, and no new HARQ transmissions may be initiated during the extended ON duration.

[0041] In some aspects, the ON duration may be extended until the ongoing or pending HARQ transmission is completed or by a predetermined time, and during the extended period of the ON duration, the UE may transmit only HARQ retransmissions.

[0042] The UE may receive a HARQ early termination signal from the access network node before the cell enters an OFF duration, in which case the UE may terminate any HARQ transmissions or retransmissions and flush the transmission buffer for the current transport block (TB) if the UE cannot decode the current TB based on multiple available TBs.

[0043] Alternatively, the method may delay the transmission or retransmission of a pending HARQ until the next Cell ON duration.

[0044] According to one aspect, there is also provided a method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and transmitting an activation signal to the UE indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node to cause the UE to inhibit UL transmissions, including dynamic uplink (UL) transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0045] According to one aspect, there is also provided a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the UE comprising: means for obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; means for receiving an activation signal indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node; and means for suppressing uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0046] According to one aspect, there is also provided an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), the access network node comprising: means for obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and means for transmitting an activation signal to the UE indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node to cause the UE to suppress UL transmissions, including dynamic uplink (UL) transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0047] According to one aspect, computer-executable instructions for causing a programmable computing device to perform any of the above methods are also provided, and these instructions may be provided on a signal or tangible computer-readable medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0048] According to the above-described aspects, an apparatus, method, and program can be provided that contributes to at least partially resolving one or more of the needs and / or problems described above. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] Several embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings: [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a mobile ("cellular" or "wireless") communications system; [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a typical frame structure used in the communication system of Figure 1; [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows SSB transmission; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an SS burst set containing multiple SSB transmissions. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows how the SSBs in the SS burst set are mapped to multiple beams transmitted from the base station; [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a DRX cycle or pattern; [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A illustrates an SS burst transmission and a first exemplary cell DTX / DRX pattern that may be determined from the SS burst configuration; [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B illustrates SS burst transmission and a second exemplary cell DTX / DRX pattern that may be determined from the SS burst configuration; [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station in the first proposal; [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing the operation of the UE in the first proposal; [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station in the second proposal; [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a flowchart showing the operation of the UE in the second proposal; [Figure 10]Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the UE in the third proposal; [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a UE when processing a HARQ transmission; [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a base station in processing HARQ transmissions; [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing the main components of a UE in the communication system of FIG. 1; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram showing the main components of a base station in the communication system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The embodiments described below may be used individually, or two or more embodiments may be appropriately combined with each other. These embodiments may have different novel features. Therefore, these embodiments may contribute to achieving different objectives or solving different problems, and may contribute to obtaining different advantages.

[0051] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0052] overview A representative communication system will now be outlined by way of example with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile (cellular or wireless) communication system 1 to which several embodiments are applicable.

[0053] In system 1, user equipment (UE) 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 (e.g., mobile phones and / or other mobile or fixed devices) can communicate with one another via radio access network (RAN) nodes 5 that operate according to one or more compatible radio access technologies (RATs). In the illustrated example, the RAN nodes 5 include NR / 5G base stations or gNBs 5 that operate one or more associated cells 9. Communications via the base stations 5 are typically routed through a core network 7 (e.g., a 5G core network or evolved packet core network (EPC)).

[0054] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, while Figure 5 shows three UEs 3 and one base station 5 for illustrative purposes, the system will typically include multiple other base stations 5 and multiple UEs 3 when implemented.

[0055] Each base station 5 controls one or more associated cells 9, either directly or indirectly via one or more other nodes (such as home base stations, relays, remote radio heads, distributed units, and / or the like). It will be appreciated that the base stations 5 may be configured to support 4G, 5G, 6G, and / or other 3GPP or non-3GPP communication protocols.

[0056] The UEs 3 and their serving base stations 5 are connected via a suitable air interface (such as, for example, the so-called Uu interface), and neighboring base stations 5 are connected to each other via a suitable inter-base station interface (such as, for example, the so-called X2 interface, Xn interface, etc.).

[0057] The core network 7 includes multiple logical nodes (or functions) for supporting communications in the communication system 1. In this example, the core network 7 includes a control plane function (CPF) 10 and one or more user plane functions (UPF) 11. The CPF 10 includes one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 10-1, one or more session management functions (SMF), and multiple other functions 10-n.

[0058] The base station 5 is connected to multiple core network nodes via appropriate interfaces (or reference points), such as the N2 reference point between the base station 5 and the AMF 10-1 for communication of control signaling, and the N3 reference point between the base station 5 and each UPF 11 for communication of user data. Multiple UEs 3 are each connected to the AMF 10-1 by a logical non-access stratum (NAS) connection via the N1 reference point (equivalent to the S1 reference point in LTE). It will be appreciated that N1 communications are transparently routed via the base station 5.

[0059] The one or more UPFs 11 are connected to an external data network 20 (eg, an IP network such as the Internet) via the N6 reference point for the communication of user data.

[0060] The AMF 10-1 performs mobility management related functions, maintains non-NAS signaling connections with each UE 3, and manages UE registrations. The AMF 10-1 is also responsible for managing paging. The SMF 10-2 provides session management functions (which were part of the MME functions in LTE) and also integrates some control plane functions (which were provided by the Serving Gateway and Packet Data Network Gateway in LTE). The SMF 10-2 also assigns an IP address to each UE 3.

[0061] A base station 5 of the communication system 1 is configured to operate at least one cell 9 on an associated TDD carrier operated in unpaired spectrum. The base station 5 may also operate at least one cell 9 on an associated FDD carrier operated in paired spectrum.

[0062] The base station 5 is configured to transmit control information and user data via multiple downlink (DL) physical channels, and the UE 3 is configured to receive them. The multiple DL physical channels correspond to resource elements (REs) that carry information originating from higher layers. The multiple physical channels may include, for example, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The PDSCH carries data that shares the capacity of the PDSCH on a time and frequency basis. The PDSCH can carry various data, such as user data, UE-specific higher layer control messages mapped from higher channels, system information blocks (SIBs), paging, etc. The PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI) to support various functions, such as scheduling downlink transmissions on the PDSCH and scheduling uplink data transmissions on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PBCH provides the UE 3 with a Master Information Block (MIB), which in conjunction with the PDCCH also supports time and frequency synchronization to aid in cell acquisition, selection, and reselection.

[0063] The base station 5 also transmits multiple DL physical signals that do not carry data, such as reference signals (RS) and synchronization signals (SS). Reference signals (also called pilot signals) are signals with predefined special waveforms known to both the UE 3 and the base station 5. Reference signals may include, for example, cell-specific reference signals, UE-specific reference signals (UE-RS), downlink demodulation signals (DMRS), and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

[0064] The UE 3 may receive synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), and the UE 3 may assume that the reception opportunities for the PBCH, primary synchronization signal (PSS), and secondary synchronization signal (SSS) are consecutive symbols, forming an SS / PBCH block. The base station 5 may transmit multiple synchronization signal (SS) blocks corresponding to different DL beams. The total number of SS blocks may be limited to a duration of, for example, 5 ms as one SS burst. The periodicity of SSB transmissions may be indicated to the UE using any appropriate signaling (e.g., for each serving cell using ssb-periodicityServingCell). The value of the SSB periodicity may be, for example, 20 ms or greater. For initial cell selection, the UE 3 may be configured to assume that SS bursts occur with a periodicity of two frames. The UE 3 may further be provided with an indication of which SSBs are transmitted within the 5 ms duration (e.g., using ssb-PositionsInBurst).

[0065] Similarly, the UE 3 is configured to transmit control information and user data over multiple uplink (UL) physical channels corresponding to REs carrying information originating from higher layers, and multiple UL physical signals corresponding to REs not carrying information originating from higher layers, and the base station 5 is configured to receive these. The physical channels may include, for example, a PUSCH, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and / or a physical random-access channel (PRACH). The UL physical signals may include, for example, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for UL control / data signals and / or a sounding reference signal (SRS) used for UL channel measurement.

[0066] Frame structure Figure 2 shows a typical frame structure used in communication system 1. Base stations 5 and UEs 3 of communication system 1 communicate with each other using resources that are organized in the time domain into frames, in this case 10 milliseconds long. Each frame comprises 10 equally sized subframes of 1 millisecond length. Each subframe is divided into one or more slots, each comprising 14 (or possibly 12) equal length orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, communication system 1 supports multiple different numerologies (subcarrier spacing (SCS), slot lengths, and resulting OFDM symbol lengths). Specifically, each numerology is identified by a parameter μ, where μ=0 represents 15 kHz (corresponding to the LTE SCS). Currently, the SCS for other values ​​of μ are effectively powers of 2 from μ=0 (i.e., SCS=15 x 2).μ The relationship between the parameter μ and SCS (Δf) is shown in Table 1: [Table 1]

[0068] System Information and SIB Transmissions in the cell 9 of the base station 5 may include one or more broadcast transmissions and one or more unicast transmissions for reception by the UEs 3. System information (SI) transmitted in the cell may include a "minimum SI (MSI)" and an "other SI (OSI)." OSI may be broadcast in response to a request from a UE 3 in a radio resource control (RRC) idle or RRC inactive state. OSI may also be requested from a UE 3 in an RRC connected state, for example via one or more dedicated RRC transmissions.

[0069] The SI may include information to enable (e.g., configure) the UE 3 to complete a cell selection, may include information to enable the UE 3 to complete a cell reselection procedure, or may include information to enable the UE 3 to receive one or more paging messages transmitted in the cell. The SI may be broadcast using a Master Information Block (MIB) and one or more System Information Blocks (SIBs).

[0070] The MSI includes the MIB and System Information Block 1 (SIB1). The MIB includes information used by the UE 3 to receive SIB1, such as the subcarrier spacing of SIB1. The MIB provides information corresponding to the control resource set (CORESET) and search space. SIB1 may be referred to as the "remaining MSI (RMSI)." SIB1 may be transmitted in a dedicated RRC message, and other SIBs (e.g., SIB2 to SIB9) may be transmitted using one or more other appropriate RRC transmissions. The MIB and SIB1 may provide the UE 3 with scheduling information for receiving and decoding other SIBs, such as SIB2 to SIB9, and may provide information used by the UE 3 to receive one or more paging messages. The OSI may include, for example, SIB2 to SIB9 transmitted using the DL-SCH as SI messages. A mapping of SIB2 to SIB9 to corresponding SI messages may be provided to the UE 3 by the base station 5. The MIB and SIBs 1 to 9 are described in more detail, for example, in 3GPP TS 38.331. For example, SIB2 provides information about intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-system cell reselection, SIB3 provides cell-specific information about intra-frequency cell reselection, and SIB4 provides information about inter-frequency cell reselection. SIB5 provides information about inter-system cell reselection for 4G (LTE). SIB6 and SIB7 provide information about the earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS). SIB8 provides information for commercial mobile alert service (CMAS) notifications, such as providing warning text messages to UE3. SIB9 contains information about coordinated universal time (UTC), GPS time (e.g., for global positioning system (GPS) initialization), and local time.

[0071] The SIBs may be broadcast periodically (e.g., according to a predetermined periodic pattern) or may be provided “on-demand,” e.g., in response to a request from UE 3. For example, MIBs may be transmitted at an 80-ms periodicity and repeated within the 80 ms, while SIB1 may be transmitted at a 160-ms periodicity and with a variable transmission repetition period (e.g., 20 ms) within the 160 ms. SIB1 may be used to indicate to UE 3 which SIBs are transmitted periodically and which are available on-demand in response to a request from UE 3. UE 3 may be configured to request on-demand SIBs using MSG1 (random access preamble, RA), which may be referred to as an MSG1-based on-demand SI request, or may be configured to request on-demand SIBs using MSG3 (RRC connection request), which may be referred to as an MSG3-based on-demand SI request. A physical broadcast channel (PBCH) may be used to broadcast the MIBs.

[0072] SS burst set transmission Base station 5 typically transmits the PBCH together with synchronization signals (SS) (e.g., primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) in an SS / PBCH block (SSB). Figure 3 shows an example SSB used in NR (although other SSB configurations are also possible). The SSB comprises four consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols that are mapped to the PSS, SSS, and PBCH associated with the demodulation reference signal (DM-RS). In the frequency domain, the SS / PBCH block comprises 240 consecutive subcarriers (20 resource blocks (RBs)). The PSS occupies the first OFDM symbol and spans 127 subcarriers. The SSS is located in the third OFDM symbol and spans 127 subcarriers. There are eight unused subcarriers below the SSS and nine unused subcarriers above the SSS. The PBCH occupies all two OFDM symbols (the second and fourth) across 240 subcarriers and the third OFDM symbol across 48 subcarriers below and above the SSS. This results in the PBCH occupying 576 subcarriers across three OFDM symbols. This SSB is transmitted periodically with a period of 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms. A longer period is beneficial for network energy performance, while a shorter period allows for faster cell search for the UE. The base station 5 typically defines the SSB periodicity to be used via the ssb-PeriodicityServingCell information element (IE). The default period is 20 ms.

[0073] NR base station 5 can perform beamforming, which allows the base station to operate multiple directional antennas within cell 9, improving the SNR for individual UEs served by cell 9 and therefore traffic throughput for those UEs. To enable beam sweeping of PSS / SSS and PBCH, multiple SS burst sets are defined. Each SSB burst contains a set of SSBs, with each SSB transmitted on its own beam. The SSBs within a burst set are transmitted using time division multiplexing. Each SS burst is limited to the first or second half of a radio frame (within a 5 ms window for NR). Therefore, the maximum number of beams that base station 5 can transmit within cell 9 is defined by the maximum number of SSBs that can be defined within one SS burst. In NR, the maximum number of SSBs within a burst is defined to depend on the carrier frequency band, as defined in Table 2 below: [Table 2]

[0074] Within a 5 ms half-frame, the starting OFDM symbol index of a candidate SSB within an SS burst set depends on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) and carrier frequency / band, as defined in Table 3: [Table 3]

[0075] An example of the timing of candidate SSBs in the SS burst set 110 is shown in Figure 4 for the case where SCS = 15 kHz and the carrier frequency is between 3 GHz and 6 GHz. In this case, the maximum number of SSBs in the burst set (L max ) is 8, and the SSB start symbol indices are 2, 8, 16, 22, 30, 36, 44, and 50. In Figure 4, the period of the SS burst is set to the default 20 ms.

[0076] The base station 5 typically transmits via SIB1, and possibly via RRC signaling, information about the SSBs to be transmitted in one SS burst set (up to a maximum of L max (It is not necessary to transmit SSB information from the base station 5.) max The timing advance offset information includes the value of n in Table 3, which defines Timing Advance Offset information indicating which of the SSBs are active, and the period of the SS burst set. The number of active SSBs in an SS burst defines an SSB pattern that is repeated periodically at a rate defined by the period of the SS burst. Figure 5 shows one pattern of SSBs (in this example, SSB #1 through SSB #8) transmitted in SS burst 110, which are mapped to respective beams 120-1 through 120-8 transmitted by base station 5.

[0077] UE DTX / DRX The UE 3 may be configured to operate using a discontinuous reception (DRX) scheme. In the DRX scheme, the UE 3 is configured with a DRX configuration, which includes a DRX pattern and periodicity (DRX cycle) and, optionally, the number of DRX cycles. The DRX pattern defines an "ON duration" during which the UE 3 is configured to receive transmissions, and an "OFF duration" during which the UE 3 is not configured to receive transmissions (e.g., transmissions from the base station 5). During the OFF duration, physical layer processing within the UE 3 may be turned off. This may reduce the energy consumption of the UE 3 during periods when the UE 3 is not configured to receive transmissions.

[0078] The UE 3 is typically provided with a DRX configuration by or via the base station 5. The DRX configuration provided to the UE 3 (e.g., using a DRX configuration information element (IE) included in a transmission from the base station 5 to the UE 3) may include an indication of the time (OFF duration) during which the UE 3 is configured not to receive and decode downlink transmissions, and an indication of the time (ON duration) during which the UE 3 is configured to receive downlink transmissions (e.g., multicast or unicast transmissions from the base station 5), as described above. The DRX configuration may also include a time offset (e.g., to synchronize or offset DRX patterns), which is useful for controlling the relative timing of multiple DRX configurations of different UEs 3. The DRX configuration may also include an indication of the period during which the UE remains configured to receive transmissions after reception of the PDCCH.

[0079] The ON duration is also called the “DRX active time”, and the OFF duration is also called the “sleep period” or “DRX inactive time”. An example of a DRX pattern where the ON duration is t1 and the OFF duration is t2, and which is repeated according to the DRX cycle, is shown in Figure 6.

[0080] DRX may be configured for each UE 3 by the network (e.g., via any suitable signaling from the base station 5). For example, the timing and / or duration of the ON duration in a DRX cycle may be different for different UEs 3. During the OFF duration, the UE 3 may be configured not to monitor the PDCCH but may initiate uplink transmissions based on configured resources (e.g., using a PUSCH, a random access channel (RACH), a scheduling request (SR), or a configured grant PUSCH (CG-PUSCH)). During the OFF duration, the system may be configured to not transmit / receive between the UE 3 and the base station 5 in the corresponding cell. In this case, the base station 5 may still be configured to reduce or limit transmission / reception within the cell during the OFF duration of the DRX cycle. For example, the base station 5 may be configured to transmit only a subset of periodic signals or channels, such as common channels / signals normally transmitted in the cell or UE-specific channels / signals.

[0081] DRX may be used when UE 3 is in RRC idle mode or when UE 3 is in RRC connected mode. For example, DRX may be used to control monitoring of paging messages transmitted by base station 5 when UE 3 is in RRC idle mode. This may prevent UE 3 from monitoring all PDCCH transmission opportunities and reduce UE 3's energy usage. Similarly, DRX (referred to as C-DRX) may be used to reduce UE 3's energy usage when UE 3 is in RRC connected state, such as by configuring periods during which UE 3 does not need to monitor the PDCCH.

[0082] Within a C-DRX cycle, if the UE 3 is in the RRC connected state, the UE 3 periodically monitors the PDCCH during the ON duration and does not monitor the PDCCH outside the ON duration (i.e., the DRX inactive period). This effectively reduces the power consumption of the UE 3. Currently, during the C-DRX inactive time, the UE 3 is allowed to initiate uplink transmission based on the configured resources (e.g., using the PUCCH, Random Access Channel (RACH), Scheduling Request (SR), or Configured Grant PUSCH (CG-PUSCH)).

[0083] The DRX configuration may also include a long DRX cycle in which the interval between multiple ON durations is relatively long (t2 in FIG. 6 is relatively long) and a short DRX cycle in which the interval between multiple ON durations is relatively short (t2 in FIG. 6 is relatively short). The long DRX cycle improves system energy efficiency (because the overall percentage of UE 3 in the ON state is smaller), but may cause communication delays because the base station 5 cannot communicate with the UE 3 via downlink transmission while the UE 3 is in the sleep state (DRX inactive state). If the UE 3 is configured to use DRX after an inactive period after data transfer, the UE 3 may be initially configured to use the short DRX cycle setting and further configured to operate using the long DRX cycle setting after a certain period of time (defined by a short DRX cycle timer). The short DRX setting and the long DRX setting may be instructed to the UE 3 (or may be preconfigured in the UE 3) using, for example, any appropriate signaling from the base station 5.

[0084] Although DRX has been described above in terms of discontinuous reception performed by the UE 3, a DTX pattern may similarly be defined to control discontinuous transmission of data by the UE 3. If defined, the UE DTX pattern will typically overlap with the UE DRX pattern, so that when the UE 3 is not receiving data, it will typically not transmit data either.

[0085] Cell DTX / DRX Cell DTX / DRX may operate in substantially the same manner as UE DTX / DRX, ceasing base station transmission and reception during durations when the base station 5 is inactive or asleep (OFF duration) and resuming transmission and reception with the UE 3 during durations when the base station 5 is active (ON duration). The cell DTX / DRX configuration may be defined by a number of parameters such as period (DRX cycle), start slot / offset, ON duration (t1), OFF duration (t2), number of cycles, etc.

[0086] When a base station 5 (cell) and multiple UEs 3 simultaneously operate in DTX / DRX mode, it is appropriate to coordinate between them to avoid inefficient communication (so that the UEs 3 do not attempt to transmit data to or receive data from the base station 5 when the base station 5 is in an inactive state). For example, as described above, if the UEs are operating in C-DRX mode, the UEs 3 can transmit signals to the base station 5 even if they are in DRX inactive mode. Therefore, for efficient communication between the base station 5 and the UEs 3, the base station 5 should notify the UEs 3 of its cell DTX / DRX configuration so that the UEs 3 can change their operation. The base station 5 could explicitly signal multiple parameters required to define the cell DTX / DRX configuration, but this would be inefficient in terms of signaling overhead, especially when using dedicated signaling (per UE).

[0087] Here we will discuss some suggestions and options that can help address some of the issues mentioned above.

[0088] Suggestion 1 The cell DRX / DRX configuration is defined around the SSB transmission location. The cell DTX / DRX configuration can be configured similarly to the UE C-DRX, such as the OFF duration following base station activation, the possibility of one or more short DTX / DRX cycles within a long DTX / DRX cycle, etc. Additional information defining the DTX / DRX configuration may be provided to define, for example, the configuration of UL / DL signal or channel resources. For example, one DTX / DRX configuration may use a PUCCH that allows the UE 3 to send a wake-up signal (WUS) to the base station 5, while another configuration may use a special / new signal to wake up the base station 5. As another example, one DTX / DRX configuration may allow the UE 3 to transmit on pre-configured UL resources (such as SR, CG-PUSCH), while another configuration may prohibit the UE 3 from transmitting on pre-configured resources.

[0089] In this proposal, the base station 5 is on or active for transmitting data to or receiving data from the UE 3 around multiple bursts 110 of SSB transmission. Communication between the UE 3 and the base station 5 can be configured to begin immediately before, immediately after, or at the same instance as the SSB transmission. One or more base station OFF durations are configured within the gap between two consecutive SS bursts. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 7A, which shows SS bursts 110 within the first half of every other 10-millisecond radio frame. As can be seen from FIG. 7A, the SSB transmissions 110 do not span the entire bandwidth defined for NR. As shown in FIG. 3, each SSB transmission requires only 20 RBs, whereas in NR, each OFDM symbol can span up to 275 RBs in the frequency domain, leaving many other RBs for data communication with the UE 3.

[0090] Figure 7A also illustrates one cell DTX / DRX configuration 150-1 that may be defined in accordance with the present proposal over a 10 millisecond radio frame. As shown, the ON duration begins in the same slot as the SS burst and ends in the last slot containing the SS burst, while the OFF duration extends until the next SS burst, where the DTX / DRX cycle begins again. Figure 7B illustrates another cell DTX / DRX configuration 150-2 that may be defined in accordance with the present proposal, this time with an additional ON duration configured in the gap between adjacent SS bursts 110. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various different cell DTX / DRX configurations 150 may be defined, and some or all of the parameters defining the different cell DTX / DRX configurations 150 may be pre-configured in the base station 5 and UE 3 and may be mapped to characteristics of current SSB transmissions (e.g., SS burst transmission periodicity, SSB pattern in each SS burst, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the parameters defining the cell DTX / DRX configuration 150 may be configured by the network (e.g., by the base station 5) and mapped to characteristics of the current SSB transmission (e.g., SS burst transmission periodicity, the pattern of SSBs within each SS burst, etc.). For example, an increase in the periodicity between SS bursts may map to more cell DTX / DRX configurations 150 (e.g., with different periodicities), while a decrease in the periodicity of SS bursts may map to a fewer number of associated cell DTX / DRX configurations 150. A number of alternative ways of mapping between one or more SSB transmission parameters and cell DTX / DRX patterns 150 are described below.

[0091] Option 1 As one option, a cell DTX / DRX pattern is preconfigured in both the base station 5 and the UE 3. The number of cell DTX / DRX cycles within an SSB transmission period is then either a) implicitly determined by the base station 5 and the UE 3, e.g., from the SSB transmission period and / or SSB pattern (i.e., how many SSBs are transmitted in each SS burst), or b) explicitly specified by the network (e.g., base station 5). Of course, the variable DTX / DRX parameter does not have to be the number of cycles within an SSB transmission period, and other DTX / DRX variables may be defined by the network. In response to one or more particular DTX / DRX variables that are not preconfigured, this(these) is(are) indicated by the network (e.g., base station 5) either by explicit signaling indicating the one or more particular DTX / DRX variables, or by linking one or more values ​​of the one or more DTX / DRX variables to values ​​of other system variables defined by the network (e.g., subcarrier spacing and / or carrier frequency, and / or SSB transmission periodicity, and / or SSB pattern used in the cell). A combination of both explicit and implicit signaling to the UE 3 may also be used to define one or more values ​​of one or more DTX / DRX variables.

[0092] Option 2 As another option for determining the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the base station 5 and UE 3 may store a one-to-one mapping (e.g., a look-up table) that maps one or more SSB transmission parameters to the cell DTX / DRX configuration. In this way, if the network changes the SSB transmission configuration, the UE 3 is signaled with details of the new SSB configuration, and the UE 3 (and base station 5) can map the new SSB configuration to a new cell DTX / DRX configuration. Thus, if the SSB configuration is changed to increase the periodicity of SSB transmissions (or decrease the number of SSBs transmitted in each SS burst), the UE 3 and base station 5 can map this to a new cell DTX / DRX configuration that provides additional DTX / DRX cycles or increases the ON duration of the cell DTX / DRX cycle. Alternatively, if the SSB configuration is changed to decrease the periodicity of SSB transmissions (or increase the number of SSBs transmitted in each SS burst), the UE 3 and base station 5 can map this to a new cell DTX / DRX configuration that decreases the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles or decreases the ON duration of each cell DTX / DRX cycle. As a slight variation of this option, depending on what DTX / DRX parameters are pre-configured in the base station 5 and UE 3, and on the DTX / DRX parameter values ​​defined by the mapping, some cell DTX / DRX parameters may still need to be indicated by the base station 5 to the UE 3 in an implicit, explicit, or both implicit and explicit manner.

[0093] Option 3 As another option for determining the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the UE 3 and the base station 5 may be pre-configured with a one-to-many mapping between one or more SSB transmission parameters and cell DTX / DRX configurations. Which of multiple DTX / DRX configurations is used for a given SSB transmission configuration is individually indicated by the network (e.g., by the base station 5). For example, if there are four possible cell DTX / DRX configurations for a given SSB configuration, the base station 5 may transmit two signaling bits identifying which of the four cell DTX / DRX patterns is to be used. Alternatively, the base station 5 may indicate one or more values ​​of multiple DTX / DRX parameter values ​​required to define the DTX / DRX configuration, with the transmitted parameter values ​​defining which of the four possible cell DTX / DRX configurations to use. The values ​​of different parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration may be indicated implicitly, explicitly, or via a combination of implicit and explicit mechanisms.

[0094] Option 4 As another option for determining the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the UE 3 and base station 5 may be pre-configured with a fixed "minimum granularity" of ON / OFF period (or the minimum granularity may be changed by the network from time to time). The minimum granularity may be defined in symbols, slots, subframes, frames or time (e.g. in milliseconds). Then, a multiplication factor (N ≡ ≡ ≡ representing ON and OFF durations, respectively) is applied. on and N off) can be used to determine the actual duration of the ON / OFF periods. The multiplication factor may be determined implicitly (e.g., from the SS burst period) or may be explicitly set by the network (e.g., by base station 5) in a semi-static or dynamic manner. The number of DTX / DRX cycles within an SSB transmission period may be implicitly determined from the values ​​of other signaled variables (such as from the SSB transmission period or SSB pattern, or from other variables), for example using a look-up table, or may be determined from explicit signaling from the network. Other DTX / DRX parameters may also be indicated implicitly, explicitly, or via a combination of explicit and explicit signaling.

[0095] An example of this fourth option will now be given to explain in more detail how the cell DTX / DRX configuration can be determined in UE3.

[0096] 1) The network (e.g., base station 5) broadcasts (e.g., in system information) the minimum granularity of the cell ON / OFF period. In this example, the base station broadcasts that the minimum granularity is 1 slot (= 1 ms).

[0097] 2) The network (e.g., base station 5) also broadcasts (or multicasts) a mapping of one or more multiplication factors used to determine the actual ON / OFF durations per cell DTX / DRX cycle. For example, base station 5 may broadcast (or multicast) N multiplication factors for SS burst transmission periods of 5 ms, 10 ms, and 20 ms, respectively. on The coefficients {1,2}, {1,2,4}, and {1,2,4,8} are broadcast, and N is used for the SS burst transmission periods of 5 ms, 10 ms, and 20 ms, respectively. off Broadcast the coefficients {1,2}, {2,3,4}, {2,6,8,12}. The specific N on and N offは, can be determined from the current SS burst period and dedicated cell activation signaling, or from other signals. Thus, for example, if the current SS burst transmission period is 20 ms and the cell DTX / DRX activation signaling carries indexes 2 and 3, this will signal the UE to on = 4 and N off = 12 (note that the index starts at zero, corresponding to the first possible value). Of course, if there is only one multiplication factor for each SS burst period or for each possible pattern of SSB transmissions within a burst, then the SS burst transmission period or the pattern of SSB transmissions within each burst is sufficient to implicitly specify the multiplication factor.

[0098] 3) The UE 3 then applies the determined multiplication factor to the smallest granularity to determine the actual ON / OFF duration. Thus, in this example, N on = 4, N off = 12 and the minimum granularity is set to 1 slot, UE3 determines that the ON duration per DTX / DRX cycle is 4 slots and the OFF duration is 12 slots.

[0099] 4) The starting slot of the first ON duration may be separately signaled by the network (e.g., base station 5) or may be implicitly determined, for example, using the starting slot / offset of the SS burst transmission.

[0100] 5) The number of DTX / DRX cycles per SS burst period may also be signaled separately by the network (e.g., by base station 5), or may be implicitly determined from the SS burst period and the ON / OFF period per cycle. For example, if the SS burst period is 20 ms and N on = 4 ms, N off = 12 ms, there is only one DTX / DRX cycle between two adjacent SS bursts.

[0101] Instead of relying on the network (e.g., base station 5) broadcasting a mapping of multiplication factors to SS burst transmission periods, the network can explicitly indicate one or more multiplication factors in a semi-static or dynamic manner. For example, base station 5 can explicitly indicate N in RRC signaling, DTX / DRX activation signaling, or other existing or new L1 / L2 signaling. on = 4 and N off = 12. The signalling indicating the multiplication factor can be UE specific, cell specific or group-wide (i.e. common to a group of UEs served by the base station cell 9).

[0102] Of course, other methods of signaling the cell DTX / DRX configuration to the UE may also be used, and these methods do not necessarily rely on a mapping or association between SS burst transmission parameters and cell DTX / DRX parameters.

[0103] The general operations of the base station 5 and the UE 3 in Proposal 1 can be summarized by the flowcharts shown in Figures 8A and 8B, respectively. For the base station 5, the process (shown in Figure 8A) includes step s1, which determines the position of a synchronization signal to be transmitted by the base station 5 within one frame. In step s3, the base station 5 determines a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting based on the position of the synchronization signal, and in step s5, the base station signals information to the UE for the UE to determine the position of the synchronization signal and the cell DTX / DRX setting.

[0104] For UE3, the process (shown in FIG. 8B) includes step s11 of receiving signaling information from base station 5; step s13 of using the signaling information to determine the position (timing) of a synchronization signal transmitted by the base station within one frame; and step s15 of determining the cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) setting of base station 5 based on the position of the synchronization signal.

[0105] Suggestion 2 In this proposal, similar to option 4 of proposal 1, a minimum granularity of cell DTX / DRX ON / OFF duration is used, but no mapping on SS burst transmission parameters is performed. In this proposal, the minimum granularity of cell DTX / DRX ON / OFF duration is pre-configured in the base station 5 and UE 3, or configured by the network (e.g., base station 5) on an ad-hoc basis. The specific multiplication factor used to determine the actual ON / OFF duration per DTX / DRX cycle can be implicitly determined from other variables defined for the cell, or explicitly signaled semi-statically or dynamically by the network (e.g., base station 5). For example, the actual OFF duration in one cycle (and therefore the multiplication factor N off ) may be determined based on the ON duration and the location of other configured channels / signals. The number of DTX / DRX cycles may also be determined implicitly or explicitly. The implicit determination of parameters may be based on pre-configured rules in the UE 3 and in the base station 5. Other parameters related to cell DTX / DRX configuration may also be indicated via implicit, explicit, or a combination of implicit and explicit mechanisms.

[0106] An example implementation of this second proposal will now be presented, explaining in more detail how the cell DTX / DRX configuration is indicated to the UE 3.

[0107] 1) The network (e.g., base station 5) broadcasts (e.g., in system information) the minimum granularity of the cell ON / OFF period. In this example, base station 5 broadcasts that the minimum granularity is 1 slot (= 1 ms).

[0108] 2) Resources for uplink (UL) and / or downlink (DL) signals or channels (such as the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), configured grants on the physical uplink shared channel (CG-PUSCH), and base station wake-up signals (WUS)) are configured for the UE 3 by the network (e.g., base station 5) and indicated to the UE 3 in a cell-specific or UE-specific manner. For example, the periodic PUCCH resources for the UE 3 to transmit scheduling requests (SRs) are configured by the base station 5 in a UE-specific manner, and the WUS may be configured in a cell-specific or UE group-specific manner.

[0109] 3) The network (e.g., base station 5) also transmits a signal indicating the multiplication factor used to determine the actual ON / OFF duration per cell DTX / DRX cycle. The network may transmit this indication from time to time in a semi-static or dynamic manner. Thus, for example, N on = 4, N off If = 12, this indication can be broadcast in a cell-specific manner (such as in System Information (SI)), indicated in a group-specific manner (such as using L1 / L2 signaling), or configured specifically in the UE (e.g., using RRC signaling or Downlink Control Information (DCI)).

[0110] 4) The UE 3 then applies the determined multiplication factor to the smallest granularity to determine the actual ON / OFF duration. Thus, in this example, N on = 4, N off = 12 and the minimum granularity is set to 1 slot, UE3 determines that the ON duration per DTX / DRX cycle is 4 slots and the OFF duration is 12 slots.

[0111] 5) The start slot of the first ON duration may also be separately signaled by the network (e.g., base station 5) or may be implicitly determined by the UE, e.g., using the location of UL / DL resources configured for the UE.

[0112] 6) The number of DTX / DRX cycles for which cell DTX / DRX is activated can be indicated to the UE 3, for example, via activation signaling, or the DTX / DRX ON / OFF pattern can simply be repeated until the network (e.g., base station 5) sends DTX / DRX deactivation signaling to the UE 3.

[0113] Instead of the network (e.g., base station 5) explicitly sending the multiplication factor to UE 3, UE 3 can implicitly determine the multiplication factor, and thus the ON / OFF duration, based on other signal / channel configurations and other rules that may be specified / configured to define the UE behavior when cell DTX / DRX is configured. For example, if UE 3 is allowed to transmit on the configured CG-PUSCH resource with a period of 10 ms when cell DTX / DRX is active, and N is specified in the activation signaling sent from base station 5 to UE 3, on = 4, UE3 can determine that the DTX / DRX ON duration is 4 slots (= 4 ms), and therefore, assuming that the start of the DTX / DRX cycle coincides with the start of the CG-PUSCH, the OFF duration needs to be 6 slots (equivalent to 6 ms = 10 ms - 4 ms) to allow UE3 to transmit on the configured CG-PUSCH resource.

[0114] The general operation of the base station 5 and the UE 3 in Proposal 2 can be summarized by the flowcharts shown in Figures 9A and 9B, respectively. For the base station 5, the process (shown in Figure 9A) includes: a step s21 of determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the base station 5, where the cell DTX / DRX configuration defines an ON duration during which the base station 5 is active and configured to communicate with the UE, and an OFF duration during which the base station 5 is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; a step s23 of determining, from the ON duration and / or OFF duration and a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or OFF duration, at least one multiplication factor that can be used to determine the ON duration and / or OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration from a minimum granularity; and a step s25 of signaling to the UE information indicative of one or more of the following: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) a parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, and v) Parameters related to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle.

[0115] For UE 3, the process (shown in FIG. 9B) includes a step s31 of receiving signaling information from base station 5 indicating one or more of the following: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) a parameter relating to the number of cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) cycles to be performed; v) parameters related to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; Step s33 of obtaining a minimum granularity of at least one of the cell ON duration and / or cell OFF duration (which may be pre-programmed in the UE or signaled by the base station 5); step s35 of determining at least one multiplication factor from the signaling information; and step s37 of using the minimum granularity and the determined at least one multiplication factor to determine a cell DTX / DRX setting of the base station 5 using the signaling information, where the cell DTX / DRX setting defines an ON duration during which the base station 5 is active and configured to communicate with the UE, and an OFF duration during which the base station 5 is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE.

[0116] Cell DTX / DRX activation and UE behavior As mentioned above, it is important to consider the interaction between the operation of a UE operating in legacy connected mode C-DRX and the operation of the cell DTX / DRX. Others have proposed that the cell DTX / DRX override the UE operation in UE DRX. In other words, the UE DRX ON and OFF durations would be aligned with the cell DTX / DRX ON and OFF durations. However, this may be power inefficient for UEs3 that could have longer UE DRX OFF durations due to their specific traffic characteristics.

[0117] Suggestion 3 Therefore, we propose that cell DTX / DRX is configured independently of UE DRX, and that a UE with an inactive duration longer than the cell inactive duration (OFF duration) still remains in an inactive state even when the cell transitions to an active state and is no longer in an inactive or OFF state. The network (e.g., base station 5) can send signaling to UE 3 to indicate the cell DTX / DRX configuration / parameters via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof. Cell DTX / DRX activation is then enabled by L1 / L2 signaling. This activation signaling can also configure some parameters of the activated cell DTX / DRX configuration in an implicit or explicit manner. For example, there may be a pre-configured relationship between the reception of the activation signaling and the starting slot / offset of the cell DTX / DRX. This relationship may be that the DTX / DRX cycle starts in the same slot in which the activation signaling was received, or in a specific later slot (e.g., the next slot) that is defined based on the slot in which the activation signaling was received. Alternatively, the starting slot / offset of the cell DTX / DRX can be explicitly indicated by the base station 5 to the UE 3 in the activation signaling. Another option is that whether the cell DTX / DRX cycle starts in the same slot / frame in which the activation signaling was received by the UE 3 or in a different slot / frame is predefined to the UE 3, and the offset (in symbols) from the slot boundary (in which the cell DTX / DRX cycle is configured to start) is explicitly indicated by the activation signaling.

[0118] The activation signaling may also indicate to the UE 3 whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides the UE's C-DRX. If not, the network (e.g., base station 5) may also indicate to the UE whether the start slot / offset of the UE's C-DRX cycle should be aligned with the start of the cell DTX / DRX cycle. UEs 3 that do not have a legacy C-DRX configuration may simply consider the activation and deactivation periods of the cell DTX / DRX configuration to control reception and transmission of signals and channels according to the cell DTX / DRX configuration.

[0119] If the activation signaling sent from base station 5 to UE 3 indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override UE C-DRX, the behavior of the UE with legacy C-DRX configuration may be adapted as follows: 1) Cell DTX / DRX overrides UE operation in UE C-DRX if one or more C-DRX cycles are completely contained within the inactive (OFF) period of cell DTX / DRX. 2) The behavior of UEs with legacy C-DRX configuration is not expected to change if one or more C_DRX cycles are completely contained within the cell DTX / DRX active (ON) period. 3) If the UE's C-DRX cycle overlaps with the cell DTX / DRX cycle such that the UE's inactive (OFF) duration overlaps with the cell DTX / DRX active (ON) duration and inactive duration, then UE3 will remain inactive (OFF) for the entire UE's inactive duration. 4) If the UE's C-DRX period overlaps with the cell's DTX / DRX period such that the UE's active (ON) duration overlaps with the cell's DTX / DRX active and inactive durations, then UE3 will only stay active (ON) during the overlap between the UE's active (ON) duration and the cell's active (ON) duration. 5) UE3 is only allowed to transmit during the active period (ON) of the cell DRX configuration.

[0120] The general operation of the UE 3 in Proposal 3 can be summarized by the flowchart shown in Figure 10. As shown, the process includes step s41 of obtaining a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, which defines a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the base station 5 and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the base station 5; step s43 of receiving from the base station 5 information indicating the cell DTX / DRX configuration of the base station 5, which defines a cell ON duration during which the base station 5 is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the base station 5 is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, then in step s45 the UE is configured to remain inactive outside the cell OFF duration.

[0121] Data transmission on active to inactive transitions When the base station 5 transitions from a cell DTX / DRX active state to a cell DTX / DRX inactive state, this affects how the base station 5 and the UE handle Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmissions. For the first HARQ transmission, from an uplink perspective, the alignment between the UE UL transmission stop and the base station 5 stopping data reception (due to its DRX configuration) needs to be considered. Therefore, it is important that the UE's DTX configuration effectively fully overlaps with the cell's DRX configuration at the base station 5. This can be achieved by configuring the UE 3 to suppress or stop UL transmissions to the base station when the UE receives cell DRX activation signaling. Furthermore, while it is possible for the UE 3 to wake up the base station (by requesting resources for uplink transmission), in a preferred deployment, the UE is configured to suppress or not perform such dynamic UL transmissions to the base station 5, allowing the base station 5 to continue in network energy saving (NES) mode after cell DRX activation. However, if the base station 5 configures periodic resources for UE-side UL transmissions (e.g., CG-PUSCH based UL transmissions), and those resources are configured at times when the base station 5 is intended to be in its DRX inactive state, the base station 5 may be triggered to temporarily return to the DRX active state at those times, so that UL transmissions from the UE 3 are received using those pre-configured and activated CG resources.

[0122] Regarding HARQ (re)transmissions, the following options are possible for handling ongoing or pending (re)transmissions:

[0123] Option 1: One option is to extend the active period of the cell. In this case, if the cell DTX / DRX configuration indicates that the base station 5 should enter the inactive (OFF) state, but there are ongoing or pending HARQ (re)transmissions, the base station 5 and / or UE are configured with a short transition period to complete HARQ retransmissions before switching to the inactive (OFF) state. During this transition period, no new HARQ transmissions are initiated by the base station 5 or UE 3.

[0124] Option 2: Another option is similar to option 1 above, but configures a timer in both the base station 5 and the UE 3 (which may count up to or down from a pre-configured value) that starts running when the cell DTX / DRX configuration indicates that the base station 5 should enter an inactive (OFF) state. While this timer is running, the base station 5 and / or the UE 3 can continue HARQ (re)transmissions before transitioning to an inactive (OFF) state. While the timer is running, new HARQ transmissions are avoided and the UE 3 is only allowed HARQ retransmissions.

[0125] Option 3: Another option for ongoing or pending HARQ (re)transmissions is to support early termination before switching the base station 5 to an inactive (OFF) state. The base station 5 (or UE) can use a DCI (or UCI) to indicate to the UE 3 (or base station 5) that an ongoing HARQ (re)transmission has been terminated. The UE flushes its buffers if it cannot decode a transport block (TB) based on the available TBs. The base station 5 and / or UE 3 can also instruct the RLC or PDCP entities to stop data transmission and drop any necessary retransmissions, meaning that the RLC or PDCP entities do not initiate retransmissions in response to receiving a retransmission request from the peer protocol entity.

[0126] Option 4: For any pending HARQ (re)transmissions on UL or DL, delay execution of the (re)transmission until the next cell DTX / DRX active period.

[0127] Option 5: The base station 5 may disable cell DTX / DRX to accommodate pending or ongoing HARQ (re)transmissions.

[0128] The general operation of the UE 3 and base station 5 in handling HARQ transmissions can be summarized by the flowcharts shown in Figures 11A and 11B, respectively. For the UE 3, the process (shown in Figure 11A) includes: obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the base station 5, which defines a cell ON duration during which the base station 5 is active and configured to communicate with the UE, and a cell OFF duration during which the base station 5 is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; receiving an activation signal indicative of activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration in the base station 5; and suppressing uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0129] In the case of a base station, the process (shown in FIG. 11B) includes: a step s61 of obtaining information indicating a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the base station 5, which defines a cell ON duration during which the base station 5 is active and configured to communicate with the UE, and a cell OFF duration during which the base station 5 is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and a step s63 of transmitting an activation signal to the UE, indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the base station, to cause the UE to suppress uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration.

[0130] User Equipment FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram showing the main components of the UE 3 shown in FIG.

[0131] As shown, the UE 3 includes transceiver circuitry 310 operable to transmit signals to and receive signals from a base station 5 via one or more antennas 330 (e.g., comprised of one or more antenna elements). The UE 3 includes a controller 370 that controls the operation of the UE 3. The controller 370 is associated with a memory 390 and coupled to the transceiver circuitry 310. Although not necessary for its operation, the UE 3 will of course include all of the usual functionality of an existing UE 3 (e.g., including a user interface 350, such as a touchscreen / keypad / microphone / speaker, allowing for direct user control and interaction), which may be provided by any one or any combination of hardware, software, and firmware, as appropriate. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 390 and / or downloaded, for example, via a telecommunications network or from a removable data storage device (RMD).

[0132] Controller 370, in this example, is configured to control the overall operation of UE 3 through a plurality of program or software instructions stored in memory 390. As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 410 and a communications control module 430.

[0133] The communications control module 430 is operable to control communications between the UE 3 and its one or more serving base stations 5 (as well as other communications devices connected to the base stations 5, such as further UEs and / or core network nodes). The communications control module 430 is configured for overall processing of uplink communications over associated uplink channels (e.g., over the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Random Access Channel (RACH), and / or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)), including both dynamic and semi-static signaling (e.g., SRS). The communications control module 430 is also configured for overall processing of reception of downlink communications over associated downlink channels (e.g., over the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)), including both dynamic and semi-static signaling (e.g., CSI-RS). The communication control module 430 is responsible for, for example, determining where to monitor downlink control information (e.g., the location of the CSS / USS, CORESET, and associated PDCCH candidates to monitor); determining the resources (including interleaved resources and resources subject to frequency hopping) to be used by the UE 3 for transmitting / receiving UL / DL communications; managing frequency hopping at the UE side; determining how slots / symbols are configured (e.g., for UL, DL, or SBFD communications, or the like); determining which one or more bandwidth parts are configured for the UE; determining how uplink transmissions should be encoded; appropriately applying SBFD-specific communication configurations, etc. The communication control module 430 is configured to control communications according to any of the above suggestions and options to determine a cell DTX / DRX configuration 450, and handles the interaction between the cell DTX / DRX configuration 450 and any legacy UE DRX configuration 470 using the SS burst configuration 480 configured in the UE 3 and any multiple timers 490 used to control the UE DRX operation.

[0134] base station FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the main components of a base station 5 of the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the base station 5 includes a transceiver circuit 510 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from communication devices (such as UE 3) via one or more antennas 530 (e.g., single or multiple panel antenna arrays / massive antennas), and a core network interface 550 (e.g., including N2, N3, or other reference points / interfaces) for transmitting and receiving signals to and from network nodes in the core network 7. Although not shown, the base station 5 may also be connected to other base stations via appropriate interfaces (e.g., so-called "Xn" interfaces in NR). The base station 5 includes a controller 570 that controls the operation of the base station 5. The controller 570 is associated with a memory 590. Software may be pre-installed in the memory 590 and / or downloaded, for example, via the communication network 1 or from a removable data storage device (RMD). The controller 570 is configured to control the overall operation of the base station 5 via program instructions or software instructions stored in the memory 590, in this example.

[0135] As shown, these software instructions include, among other things, an operating system 610 and a communications control module 630 .

[0136] The communications control module 630 is operable to control communications between the base station 5 and the UEs 3 and other network entities connected to the base station 5. The communications control module 630 is configured to provide overall control of the reception and decoding of uplink communications over associated uplink channels (e.g., via a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), a Random Access Channel (RACH), and / or a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)), including both dynamic and semi-static signaling (e.g., SRS). The communications control module 630 is also configured to provide overall control of the transmission of downlink communications over associated downlink channels (e.g., via a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)), including dynamic and semi-static signaling (e.g., CSI-RS). The communications control module 630 is responsible for managing full-duplex (e.g., SBFD) communications, including separating UL and DL communications over different physical antenna elements, as necessary. The communications control module 630 is responsible for, for example, determining where the UE 3 should monitor downlink control information (e.g., the CSS / USS, CORESET, and the location of the associated PDCCH candidates to monitor); determining resources (including interleaved resources and resources subject to frequency hopping) to schedule for the UE transmission / reception for UL / DL communications; managing frequency hopping at the base station; configuring slots / symbols appropriately (e.g., for UL, DL, or SBFD communications); configuring one or more bandwidth portions for the UE 3; providing associated configuration signaling to the UE 3, etc. The communications control module 630 is configured to control communications according to any of the above suggestions and options, to signal information to the UE 3 to enable the UE 3 to determine the cell DTX / DRX configuration, as well as to use the SS burst configuration 680 and any timers 690 used to control cell DTX / DRX operation.

[0137] Modifications and Alternatives As can be understood by those skilled in the art, many modifications and alternatives can be made to the above embodiments while benefiting from the technical solutions or contributions embodied therein.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the base station sent various signaling from which the UE 3 could determine the cell DTX / DRX configuration. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the base station 5 must determine the signaled values ​​so that the UE can determine the relevant cell DTX / DRX parameter values ​​using inverse calculations performed by the UE. If the cell DTX / DRX configuration is not defined by the base station 5 but by another network node, the base station 5 may have to determine its own cell DTX / DRX configuration in the same way as the UE 3.

[0139] For example, while terminology specific to a cellular communication generation (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, etc.) may be used to refer to a particular communication entity for clarity, it will be understood that technical features described for any entity are not limited to devices of that particular communication generation. Technical features may be implemented in functionally equivalent communication entities regardless of the terminology used to refer to them.

[0140] In the above description, the UE and base station are described for ease of understanding as having a number of separate functional components or modules. While these modules may be provided in this manner in certain use cases, such as when an existing system is modified to implement one or more of the technical solutions and contributions described above, in other use cases, such as systems designed from the beginning with innovative features in mind, these modules may be incorporated into an overall operating system or code and therefore may not be identifiable as separate entities.

[0141] In the above embodiments, a number of software modules have been described. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, these software modules may be provided in compiled or uncompiled form, or may be provided as signals over a computer network or on a recording medium. Furthermore, the functions performed by some or all of these software modules may be implemented using one or more dedicated hardware circuits. However, the use of software modules is preferred because it facilitates updates to update the functionality of the base station or UE.

[0142] Each controller may comprise any suitable form of processing circuitry, including, but not limited to, one or more hardware-implemented computer processors, microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), arithmetic logic units (ALUs), input / output (IO) circuitry, internal memory / cache (program and / or data), processing registers, communication buses (e.g., control buses, data buses and / or address buses), direct memory access (DMA) facilities, hardware or software-implemented counters, pointers and / or timers, and / or other various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail herein.

[0143] A base station may include a "distributed" base station having a central unit (CU) and one or more individual distributed units (DUs).

[0144] User Equipment ("UE," "mobile station," "mobile device," or "wireless device") in this disclosure is an entity connected to a network via a wireless interface.

[0145] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to dedicated communication devices, but is applicable to any device with communication capabilities, as described in the following paragraphs.

[0146] The terms "User Equipment" or "UE" (as this term is used by 3GPP), "mobile station," "mobile device," and "wireless device" are generally intended to be synonymous with each other and include standalone mobile stations such as terminals, cell phones, smartphones, tablets, cellular IoT devices, IoT devices, and machines. It will be understood that the terms "mobile station" and "mobile device" also encompass devices that remain stationary for extended periods of time.

[0147] The UE may be, for example, equipment or machinery for production or manufacturing and / or energy-related machinery (e.g., equipment or machinery such as boilers; engines; turbines; solar panels; wind turbines; hydroelectric generators; thermal generators; nuclear generators; batteries; nuclear systems and / or related equipment; heavy electrical equipment; pumps including vacuum pumps; compressors; fans; blowers; hydraulic equipment; pneumatic equipment; metalworking machinery; manipulators; robots and / or application systems thereof; tools; molds or dies; rolls; material handling equipment; textile machinery; sewing machines; printing and / or related machinery; paper converting machinery; chemical machinery; mining and / or construction machinery and / or related facilities; machinery and / or implements for agriculture, forestry and / or fisheries; safety and / or environmental protection equipment; tractors; precision bearings; chains; gears; power transmission equipment; lubrication equipment; valves; pipe fittings; and / or application systems for any of the foregoing equipment or machinery, etc.).

[0148] The UE may be, for example, a transportation equipment item (e.g., transportation equipment such as railcars; automobiles; motorcycles; bicycles; trains; buses; carts; rickshaws; ships and other watercraft; aircraft; rockets; satellites; drones; balloons, etc.). The UE may be, for example, an information and communications equipment item (e.g., information and communications equipment such as electronic computers and related equipment; communications and related equipment; electronic components, etc.).

[0149] The UE may be, for example, a refrigerator, a refrigerator application product, a goods and / or service industry equipment item, a vending machine, an automated service machine, an office machine, a consumer electronic device and an appliance (e.g., consumer appliances such as audio equipment; video equipment; speakers; radios; televisions; microwave ovens; rice cookers; coffee machines; dishwashers; washing machines; dryers; electronic fans or related appliances; vacuum cleaners, etc.).

[0150] The UE may be, for example, an electrical application system or device (eg, an electrical power application system or device such as an x-ray system; a particle accelerator; a radioisotope device; a sonic device; an electromagnetic application device; an electrical power application device, etc.).

[0151] The UE may be, for example, an electronic lamp, a lighting fixture, a measuring instrument, an analyzer, a tester, or a surveying or sensing device (e.g., a surveying or sensing device such as a smoke detector; a motion alarm sensor; a radio frequency tag; etc.), a wristwatch or watch, an inspection device, an optical device, a medical device and / or system, a weapon, a cutlery item, a hand tool, etc.

[0152] A UE may be, for example, a wireless-equipped personal digital assistant or related equipment, such as a wireless card or module designed to be attached to or inserted into another electronic device (e.g., a personal computer, an electrical measuring instrument), etc.

[0153] The UE may be part of a device or system that uses various wired and / or wireless communication technologies to provide the applications, services, and solutions described below with respect to the "Internet of Things" (IoT).

[0154] Internet of Things devices (or "Things") may be equipped with appropriate electronics, software, sensors, network connections, etc. that enable these devices to collect and exchange data with each other and other communicating devices. IoT devices may comprise automated machinery that follows software instructions stored in internal memory. IoT devices may operate without the need for human supervision or interaction. IoT devices may also remain stationary and / or inactive for extended periods of time. IoT devices may be implemented as part of (generally) stationary equipment. IoT devices may also be incorporated into non-stationary equipment (e.g., vehicles) or attached to animals or people to be monitored / tracked.

[0155] It will be appreciated that IoT technology can be implemented on any communication device that can connect to a communication network to send / receive data, whether such communication device is controlled by human input or software instructions stored in memory.

[0156] IoT devices are sometimes referred to as Machine-Type Communication (MTC) devices or Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication devices. A UE may support one or more IoT or MTC applications. Some examples of MTC applications are listed in the table below. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to illustrate some examples of machine-type communication applications. [Table 4]

[0157] The applications, services, and solutions may be Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services, emergency wireless communication systems, Private Branch eXchange (PBX) systems, PHS / digital cordless telecommunications systems, Point of sale (POS) systems, advertising call systems, Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS), Vehicle to Everything (V2X) systems, train radio systems, location-related services, disaster / emergency wireless communication services, community services, video streaming services, femtocell application services, Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, billing services, wireless on-demand services, roaming services, activity monitoring services, telecommunications carrier / communication network selection services, function restriction services, Proof of Concept (PoC) services, personal information management services, ad hoc networks / Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) services, and the like.

[0158] Furthermore, the above-mentioned UE categories are merely examples of application of the concepts and exemplary embodiments described herein, and it should be understood that these concepts and embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned UEs and may be modified in various ways.

[0159] Various other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail here.

[0160] While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to several embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Furthermore, each embodiment may be appropriately combined with at least one of the other embodiments.

[0161] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as, but are not limited to, the following appendices. Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in appendices directed to methods (e.g., methods performed by user equipment) may naturally also be described as appendices directed to devices (e.g., user equipment) or programs. For example, some or all of the elements described in appendices 2 to 16, which are subordinate to appendice 1, may also be described as appendices subordinate to appendice 33, due to the same dependency relationship as appendices 2 to 16. Some or all of the elements described in any appendice may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0162] (Appendix 1) 1. A method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a position within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by said access network node; determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals; and signaling information to the UE to enable the UE to determine the locations of the plurality of synchronization signals and the cell DTX / DRX configuration; A method comprising: (Appendix 2) the cell DTX / DRX configuration defines a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, the cell ON duration being around the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals within the frame; The method described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) the cell ON duration extends over a period during which the plurality of synchronization signals are transmitted by the access network node; The method described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The plurality of synchronization signals are periodically transmitted in a plurality of bursts, and the cell-off duration is set to a gap between adjacent bursts. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3. (Appendix 5) the cell DTX / DRX configuration defines one or more cell ON durations in the gap between adjacent bursts; The method described in Appendix 4. (Appendix 6) the plurality of synchronization signal bursts are transmitted periodically, and one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration are mapped to characteristics of the plurality of synchronization signal periodic bursts using predefined mapping data. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5. (Appendix 7) the mapping data is defined by a lookup table; The method described in Appendix 6. (Appendix 8) the one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration are pre-configured parameter values ​​or configured by a network node; 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7. (Appendix 9) The one or more parameters include one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: i) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; ii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell OFF duration; iii) parameters related to the number of DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; iv) parameters relating to the period of the DTX / DRX cycle; The method according to any one of appendices 6 to 8. (Appendix 10) The cell DTX / DRX configuration includes a cell DTX / DRX pattern that defines the ON duration and the OFF duration, and periodic information indicating a DRX cycle interval in which the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated and / or information indicating the number of times the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated. The method according to any one of appendices 6 to 9. (Appendix 11) one cell DTX / DRX pattern is defined, and the mapping data associates the synchronization signal burst period with the number of DTX / DRX cycles within the synchronization signal burst period; 11. The method described in Appendix 10. (Appendix 12) there is a one-to-one mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configuration; The method according to any one of appendices 6 to 9. (Appendix 13) There is a one-to-many mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configuration. The method according to any one of appendices 6 to 9. (Appendix 14) When the synchronization signal burst period increases, the mapping data is mapped to more cell DTX / DRX settings, and when the synchronization signal burst period decreases, the mapping data is mapped to fewer cell DTX / DRX settings. The method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 15) a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration is defined, and the mapping data associates the plurality of synchronization signal transmission parameters with one or more multiplication factors that can be used to determine the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration using the minimum granularity; The method according to any one of appendices 6 to 9. (Appendix 16) If the mapping data associates the parameters of the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions with a plurality of multiplication factors, the method further comprises transmitting signaling information to enable the UE to identify which of the plurality of multiplication factors is used to determine the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration. The method described in Appendix 15. (Appendix 17) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, comprising: receiving signaling information from said access network node; using said signaling information to determine the location within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by said access network node; and determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node based on the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals; A method comprising: (Appendix 18) the cell DTX / DRX configuration defines a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE, the cell ON duration being around the positions of the plurality of synchronization signals within the frame; The method described in Appendix 17. (Appendix 19) the cell ON duration extends over a period during which the plurality of synchronization signals are received from the access network node; 18. The method described in Appendix 18. (Appendix 20) the plurality of synchronization signals are periodically received in a plurality of bursts, and the cell-off duration is set to a gap between adjacent bursts; 19. The method of claim 18 or 19. (Appendix 21) the cell DTX / DRX configuration defines one or more cell ON durations in the gap between adjacent bursts; 21. The method described in Appendix 20. (Appendix 22) the plurality of synchronization signal bursts are received periodically, and one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration are mapped to characteristics of the periodic bursts of the plurality of synchronization signals using predefined mapping data. 22. The method of claim 20 or 21. (Appendix 23) the mapping data is defined by a lookup table; 23. The method described in Appendix 22. (Appendix 24) the one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration are pre-configured parameter values ​​or configured by a network node; 24. The method according to claim 22 or 23. (Appendix 25) The one or more parameters include one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: i) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; ii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell OFF duration; iii) a parameter regarding the number of DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; and iv) parameters relating to the period of the DTX / DRX cycle; The method according to any one of appendices 22 to 24. (Appendix 26) The cell DTX / DRX configuration includes a cell DTX / DRX pattern that defines the ON duration and the OFF duration, and periodic information indicating a DRX cycle interval in which the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated and / or information indicating the number of times the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated. 26. The method according to any one of appendices 22 to 25. (Appendix 27) one cell DTX / DRX pattern is defined, and the mapping data associates the synchronization signal burst period with the number of DTX / DRX cycles within the synchronization signal burst period; 26. The method described in Appendix 26. (Appendix 28) there is a one-to-one mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configuration; 26. The method according to any one of appendices 22 to 25. (Appendix 29) There is a one-to-many mapping between a plurality of parameters defining the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions and the cell DTX / DRX configuration. 26. The method according to any one of appendices 22 to 25. (Appendix 30) When the synchronization signal burst period increases, the mapping data is mapped to more cell DTX / DRX settings, and when the synchronization signal burst period decreases, the mapping data is mapped to fewer cell DTX / DRX settings. 29. The method described in Appendix 29. (Appendix 31) a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration is defined, and the mapping data associates the plurality of synchronization signal transmission parameters with one or more multiplication coefficients used to determine the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration using the minimum granularity; 26. The method according to any one of appendices 22 to 25. (Appendix 32) If the mapping data associates the parameters of the plurality of synchronization signal transmissions with a plurality of multiplication factors, the method further comprises receiving signaling information from the access network node that enables the UE to identify which of the plurality of multiplication factors is used to determine the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration. 31. The method described in Appendix 31. (Appendix 33) 1. An access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for determining a position within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by said access network node; means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node based on the positions of said plurality of synchronization signals; means for signaling information to the UE so that the UE can determine the locations of the plurality of synchronization signals and the cell DTX / DRX configuration; An access network node comprising: (Appendix 34) A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, comprising: means for receiving signaling information from said access network node; means for determining the position within a frame of a plurality of synchronization signals transmitted by said access network node using said signaling information; means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node based on the positions of said plurality of synchronization signals; UE equipped with. (Appendix 35) 1. A method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining an ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and an OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; determining at least one multiplication factor from the ON duration and / or the OFF duration and a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration that can be used to determine the ON duration and / or the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; and signaling information to the UE indicative of one or more of the following: i) said minimum particle size; ii) said at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; v) parameters relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; A method comprising: (Appendix 36) the minimum granularity is fixed or signaled to the UE; The method described in Appendix 35. (Appendix 37) one or more of the at least one multiplication factor and the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles are implicitly and / or explicitly indicated to the UE; 37. The method of claim 35 or 36. (Appendix 38) the at least one multiplication factor is signaled to the UE in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner. The method described in Appendix 37. (Appendix 39) signaling uplink and / or downlink signal and / or channel resources to the UE; one or more parameters related to the determined cell DTX / DRX configuration and not transmitted to the UE depend on the signaled resources. 39. The method according to any one of appendices 35 to 38. (Appendix 40) the signaled resource is related to a position of the ON duration, a position of the OFF duration, and / or the at least one multiplication factor; 39. The method described in Appendix 39. (Appendix 41) transmitting an activation signal indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. The method according to any one of appendices 35 to 40. (Appendix 42) the cell DTX / DRX cycle repeats until the access network node sends a deactivation signal. 42. The method according to any one of appendices 35 to 41. (Appendix 43) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, comprising: receiving signaling information from the access network node indicating one or more of: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) cycles to be performed; v) parameters relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; obtaining a minimum granularity of at least one of cell ON duration and / or cell OFF duration; determining at least one multiplication factor from the signaling information; and using the minimum granularity and the determined at least one multiplication factor to determine, using the signaling information, a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node that defines a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; A method comprising: (Appendix 44) the minimum granularity is fixed and retrieved from memory, or the minimum granularity is variable and the received signaling information indicates the minimum granularity implicitly or explicitly to the UE. 43. The method described in Appendix 43. (Appendix 45) the received signaling information implicitly or explicitly indicates to the UE one or more of the at least one multiplication factor and the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles. 45. The method according to claim 43 or 44. (Appendix 46) the at least one multiplication factor is signaled to the UE in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner. The method described in Appendix 45. (Appendix 47) receiving second signaling information indicating resources of uplink and / or downlink signals and / or channels to the UE; the UE uses the second signaling information to determine one or more parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration; 47. The method according to any one of appendices 43 to 46. (Appendix 48) The UE is configured to determine a position of the ON duration, a position of the OFF duration, and / or the at least one multiplication coefficient based on the resource indicated by the second signaling information. The method described in Appendix 47. (Appendix 49) receiving an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. 49. The method according to any one of appendices 43 to 48. (Appendix 50) determining that the DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node. 50. The method according to any one of appendices 43 to 49. (Appendix 51) 1. An access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, defining an ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to communicate with said UE and an OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with said UE; means for determining, from the ON duration and / or the OFF duration and a minimum granularity of the ON duration and / or the OFF duration, at least one multiplication factor that can be used to determine the ON duration and / or the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; means for signaling information to the UE indicative of one or more of the following: i) said minimum particle size; ii) said at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed; v) parameters relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; An access network node comprising: (Appendix 52) A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node, comprising: means for receiving signaling information from said access network node indicative of one or more of: i) minimum particle size; ii) at least one multiplication factor; iii) a parameter relating to the start position of the cell ON duration; iv) A parameter relating to the number of cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) cycles to be performed; v) parameters relating to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; means for obtaining a minimum granularity of at least one of a cell ON duration and / or a cell OFF duration; means for determining at least one multiplication factor from said signaling information; means for using the minimum granularity and the determined at least one multiplication factor to determine, using the signaling information, a cell DTX / DRX configuration of the access network node that defines a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and UE equipped with. (Appendix 53) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the method comprising: obtaining a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration that defines a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; and receiving from the access network node information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; Equipped with If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside the cell OFF duration. method. (Appendix 54) receiving cell DTX / DRX configurations and parameters via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof; 53. The method described in Appendix 53. (Appendix 55) receiving an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. 55. The method according to claim 53 or 54. (Appendix 56) the UE determines a cell DTX / DRX start position based on the timing of receiving the activation signal or based on other signaling information received from the access network node; 5. The method described in Appendix 55. (Appendix 57) the activation signal indicates whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides any UE DRX configuration; 57. The method according to claim 55 or 56. (Appendix 58) If the activation signal indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override the UE DRX configuration, the UE controls its operation according to one or more of the following: i) if the one or more UE DRX cycles fall entirely within the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the cell DTX / DRX overrides the UE behavior regarding UE DRX; ii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE OFF duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive for the entire OFF duration; iii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE ON duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE stays active only for the duration that the UE ON duration and the cell ON duration overlap; iv) the UE sends signals to the access network node only during the ON durations of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; 57. The method described in Appendix 57. (Appendix 59) determining that the DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node. 59. The method according to any one of appendices 53 to 58. (Appendix 60) 1. A method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: transmitting to the UE information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; the UE is configured to operate in a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration that defines a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside the cell OFF duration. method. (Appendix 61) transmitting cell DTX / / DRX configurations and parameters via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof; 61. The method of claim 60. (Appendix 62) transmitting an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. 62. The method of claim 60 or 61. (Appendix 63) the start position of cell DTX / DRX is based on the timing of receiving the activation signal or based on other signaling information received from the access network node; 62. The method described in Appendix 62. (Appendix 64) the activation signal indicates whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides any UE DRX configuration; 64. The method according to claim 62 or 63. (Appendix 65) If the activation signal indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override the UE DRX configuration, the access network node expects the UE to control its operation according to one or more of the following: i) if the one or more UE DRX cycles fall entirely within the OFF duration of the cell DTX / DRX configuration, the cell DTX / DRX overrides the UE behavior regarding UE DRX; ii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE OFF duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive for the entire OFF duration; iii) if the UE DRX cycle overlaps with a cell DTX cycle such that the UE ON duration overlaps with the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, the UE stays active only for the duration that the UE ON duration and the cell ON duration overlap; iv) the UE sends signals to the access network node only during the ON durations of the cell DTX / DRX configuration; The method described in Appendix 64. (Appendix 66) repeating the DTX / DRX cycle until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is transmitted by the access network node. 62. The method according to any one of appendices 60 to 61. (Appendix 67) A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, comprising: means for obtaining a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, which defines a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node, and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; means for receiving from the access network node information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; Equipped with If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside the cell OFF duration. UE. (Appendix 68) 1. An access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for transmitting to the UE information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, the cell configuration defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; the UE is configured to operate in a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration that defines a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to communicate with the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to communicate with the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE is configured to remain inactive outside the cell OFF duration. Access network node. (Appendix 69) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, the method comprising: obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; receiving an activation signal indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node; and suppressing uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration; A method comprising: (Appendix 70) The dynamic UL transmission includes one or more scheduling requests (SRs) requesting UL resources for the UE to transmit UL data. 69. The method described in Appendix 69. (Appendix 71) The suppressing of uplink transmissions does not include suppressing UL transmissions based on pre-configured periodic UL transmission resources. 71. The method of claim 69 or 70. (Appendix 72) Extending the ON duration after the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated to allow for ongoing or pending Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmissions or retransmissions before switching to the inactive mode. 72. The method according to any one of appendices 69 to 71. (Appendix 73) No new HARQ transmissions are initiated during the extended ON duration. 72. The method described in Appendix 72. (Appendix 74) The ON duration is extended until the ongoing or pending HARQ transmission is completed or for a predetermined time. 74. The method of claim 72 or 73. (Appendix 75) During the extended period of the ON duration, the UE transmits only HARQ retransmissions. 75. The method according to any one of appendices 72 to 74. (Appendix 76) receiving an HARQ early termination signal from the access network node before the cell enters an OFF duration and terminating an HARQ transmission or retransmission. 72. The method according to any one of appendices 69 to 71. (Appendix 77) and flushing a transmission buffer of a current transport block (TB) when the UE cannot decode the current TB based on multiple available TBs. 76. The method described in Appendix 76. (Appendix 78) and delaying the transmission or retransmission of a pending HARQ until the next Cell ON duration. 72. The method according to any one of appendices 69 to 71. (Appendix 79) 1. A method performed by an access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to communicate with the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with the UE; and sending an activation signal to the UE indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node to cause the UE to suppress UL transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration; A method comprising: (Appendix 80) The dynamic UL transmission includes one or more scheduling requests (SRs) requesting UL resources for the UE to transmit UL data. 79. The method of claim 79. (Appendix 81) and temporarily entering the active mode during an OFF duration to receive UL transmissions on pre-configured periodic UL transmission resources. 71. The method of claim 79 or 80. (Appendix 82) Extending the ON duration after the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated to allow for ongoing or pending Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmissions or retransmissions before switching to the inactive mode. 82. The method according to any one of appendices 79 to 81. (Appendix 83) No new HARQ transmissions are initiated during the extended ON duration. 82. The method described in Appendix 82. (Appendix 84) The ON duration is extended until the ongoing or pending HARQ transmission is completed or for a predetermined time. 84. The method according to claim 82 or 83. (Appendix 85) receiving only HARQ retransmissions during the extended period of the ON duration; 85. The method according to any one of appendices 82 to 84. (Appendix 86) and transmitting an HARQ early termination signal before the access network node enters an OFF duration to terminate the HARQ transmission or retransmission. 82. The method according to any one of appendices 79 to 81. (Appendix 87) and flushing a transmission buffer of a current transport block (TB) when the access network node is unable to decode the current TB based on multiple available TBs. The method described in Appendix 86. (Appendix 88) and delaying the transmission or retransmission of a pending HARQ until the next Cell ON duration. 82. The method according to any one of appendices 79 to 81. (Appendix 89) A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with an access network node of a network, comprising: means for obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to communicate with said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with said UE; means for receiving an activation signal indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node; means for suppressing uplink (UL) transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during said cell OFF duration; UE equipped with. (Appendix 90) 1. An access network node configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for obtaining information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to communicate with said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to communicate with said UE; means for transmitting an activation signal to the UE indicating activation of the cell DTX / DRX configuration at the access network node, so as to cause the UE to suppress UL transmissions, including dynamic UL transmissions, during the cell OFF duration; An access network node comprising:

[0163] (Appendix A1) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which an access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle. (Appendix A2) receiving the at least one multiplication factor in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner; The method described in Appendix A1. (Appendix A3) the at least one multiplication factor is determined by at least one of a parameter relating to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter relating to a period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; The method described in Appendix A1. (Appendix A4) receiving at least one of the parameters related to the start position of the cell ON duration, the parameters related to the number of the cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or the parameters related to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle. The method described in Appendix A3. (Appendix A5) the at least one multiplication factor is determined by a configuration of a signal or channel other than cell DTX / DRX configured to define UE behavior when cell DTX / DRX is configured; The method described in Appendix A1. (Appendix A6) The configuration of signals or channels other than cell DTX / DRX includes information for indicating resources of uplink and / or downlink signals and / or channels to the UE. The method described in Appendix A5. (Appendix A7) receiving the configuration of a signal or channel other than cell DTX / DRX; The method described in Appendix A5 or A6. (Appendix A8) receiving the minimum granularity in system information. The method according to any one of Appendices A1 to A7. (Appendix A9) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: configuring a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) to indicate a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to an access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; receiving from the access network node information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; and If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, remaining inactive outside the cell OFF duration; A method comprising: (Appendix A10) The receiving is performed via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof. The method described in Appendix A9. (Appendix A11) receiving an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated. The method according to appendix A9 or A10. (Appendix A12) determining a start position of cell DTX / DRX based on a timing when the activation signal is received or other information received from the access network node. The method described in Appendix A11. (Appendix A13) the activation signal indicates whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides any UE DRX configuration; The method according to appendix A11 or A12. (Appendix A14) If the activation signal indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override the UE DRX configuration, operating the UE actively for a duration of both the UE ON duration and the cell ON duration, and operating inactively for a duration of either the cell OFF duration or the UE OFF duration. The method described in Appendix A13. (Appendix A15) determining that at least one UE DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node. The method according to any one of Appendices A9 to A14. (Appendix A16) and inhibiting dynamic uplink (UL) transmissions during the cell OFF duration. The method according to any one of Appendices A11 to A14. (Appendix A17) the dynamic UL transmission includes at least one scheduling request (SR) requesting UL resources for the UE to transmit UL data. The method described in Appendix A16. (Appendix A18) The dynamic UL transmission does not include a UL transmission using a pre-configured periodic UL transmission resource. The method according to appendix A16 or A17. (Appendix A19) and extending the cell ON duration at the access network node when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated and the UE has a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission or retransmission in progress or pending. The method according to any one of Appendices A14 to A16. (Appendix A20) No new HARQ transmissions are initiated during the extended Cell ON duration. The method described in Appendix A19. (Appendix A21) The cell ON duration is extended until the ongoing or pending HARQ transmission or retransmission is completed, or for a predetermined time. The method according to appendix A19 or A20. (Appendix A22) and transmitting only HARQ transmissions or retransmissions during the extended cell ON duration. A method according to any one of Appendices A19 to A21. (Appendix A23) receiving a HARQ early termination signal from the access network node before the cell enters the cell OFF duration; and Terminating the HARQ transmission or retransmission; Further provided with The method according to any one of Appendices A16 to A18. (Appendix A24) and flushing a transmission buffer of a current transport block (TB) when the UE cannot decode the current TB based on multiple available TBs. The method described in Appendix A23. (Appendix A25) and delaying any ongoing or pending HARQ transmission or retransmission until the next Cell ON duration. The method according to any one of Appendices A16 to A18. (Appendix A26) 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving information from an access network node for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node; and determining a cell DTX / DRX configuration of said access network node based on said information and timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; A method comprising: (Appendix A27) the information indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; the cell ON duration corresponds to the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal. The method described in Appendix A26. (Appendix A28) the cell ON duration is extended for a duration during which the at least one synchronization signal is transmitted; The method described in Appendix A27. (Appendix A29) the at least one synchronization signal is transmitted periodically in multiple bursts; The cell OFF duration is set to the gap between adjacent bursts. The method described in Appendix A27 or A28. (Appendix A30) the information includes at least one set of parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration; At least a portion of the set is mapped to characteristics of the plurality of bursts. A method according to any one of Appendices A26 to A29. (Appendix A31) the at least some of the sets are mapped to a number of DTX / DRX cycles within a period of the plurality of bursts. The method described in Appendix A30. (Appendix A32) wherein said at least some of said sets include preset values ​​or said at least some of said sets are configured by a network. A method according to appendix A30 or A31. (Appendix A33) the set includes at least one of a parameter related to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter related to a start position of the cell OFF duration, a parameter related to the number of DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter related to a period of the DTX / DRX cycles; The method according to any one of Appendices A30 to A32. (Appendix A34) the information indicates at least one of a cell DTX / DRX pattern defining the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, a period indicating a DRX cycle interval at which the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated, and / or a number of times the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated; A method according to any one of Appendices A27 to A33. (Appendix A35) there is a mapping between at least one parameter defining the transmission of said at least one synchronization signal and said cell DTX / DRX configuration. A method according to any one of Appendices A26 to A34. (Appendix A36) the mapping comprises at least one of a one-to-one mapping or a one-to-many mapping; The method described in Appendix A35. (Appendix A37) if the period of the plurality of bursts increases, the number of cell DTX / DRX configurations that are mapped to the at least one parameter that defines the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal increases; if the period of the plurality of bursts decreases, the number of cell DTX / DRX configurations mapped to the at least one parameter defining the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal decreases. The method described in Appendix A36. (Appendix A38) receiving information indicating a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration; receiving information indicative of at least one multiplication factor; and determining the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration using one of the at least one multiplication factor and the minimum granularity; Further provided with A method according to any one of Appendices A27 to A37. (Appendix A39) If the information indicates multiple multiplication factors, the method further comprises receiving information identifying which of the multiple multiplication factors is used to determine the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration. The method described in Appendix A38. (Appendix A40) 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle; and transmitting to the UE information indicating at least one of the minimum granularity, the at least one multiplication factor, a parameter related to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter related to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter related to a periodicity of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; A method comprising: (Appendix A41) 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: transmitting to a user equipment (UE) information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive outside the cell OFF duration. method. (Appendix A42) 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node based on timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; and transmitting the cell DTX / DRX configuration information to a user equipment (UE); A method comprising: (Appendix A43) A user equipment (UE), 1. A UE comprising: means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which an access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle. (Appendix A44) A user equipment (UE), means for configuring a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to an access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; means for receiving from the access network node information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, defining a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to transmit data to said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to said UE; means for remaining inactive outside the cell OFF duration if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration; UE equipped with. (Appendix A45) A user equipment (UE), means for receiving information from an access network node for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node; means for determining a DTX / DRX configuration of said access network node based on said information and the timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; UE equipped with. (Appendix A46) an access network node, means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle; means for transmitting to the UE information indicating at least one of the minimum granularity, the at least one multiplication factor, a parameter relating to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter relating to a periodicity of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; An access network node comprising: (Appendix A47) an access network node, means for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, indicating a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to transmit data to said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to said UE; the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive outside the cell OFF duration. Access network node. (Appendix A48) an access network node, means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node based on the timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; means for transmitting the cell DTX / DRX configuration information to a user equipment (UE); An access network node comprising:

[0164] This application is based on and claims priority from UK Patent Application No. 2301961.5, filed February 10, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which an access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle.

2. receiving the at least one multiplication factor in a cell-specific, group-specific, or UE-specific manner. The method of claim 1.

3. the at least one multiplication factor is determined by at least one of a parameter relating to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter relating to a period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; The method of claim 1.

4. receiving at least one of the parameters related to the start position of the cell ON duration, the parameters related to the number of the cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or the parameters related to the period of the cell DTX / DRX cycle. The method of claim 3.

5. the at least one multiplication factor is determined by a configuration of a signal or channel other than cell DTX / DRX configured to define UE behavior when cell DTX / DRX is configured; The method of claim 1.

6. The configuration of signals or channels other than cell DTX / DRX includes information for indicating resources of uplink and / or downlink signals and / or channels to the UE. The method of claim 5.

7. receiving the configuration of a signal or channel other than cell DTX / DRX; 7. The method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. receiving the minimum granularity in system information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: configuring a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to an access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; receiving from the access network node information indicating a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node defining a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; and If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, remaining inactive outside the cell OFF duration; A method comprising:

10. The receiving is performed via cell-specific signaling, group-common signaling, UE-specific signaling, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 9.

11. receiving an activation signal from the access network node indicating when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. determining a start position of cell DTX / DRX based on a timing when the activation signal is received or other information received from the access network node. The method of claim 11.

13. the activation signal indicates whether the cell DTX / DRX overrides any UE DRX configuration; 13. The method of claim 11 or 12.

14. If the activation signal indicates that cell DTX / DRX does not override the UE DRX configuration, operating the UE actively for a duration of both the UE ON duration and the cell ON duration, and operating inactively for a duration of either the cell OFF duration or the UE OFF duration. The method of claim 13.

15. determining that at least one UE DTX / DRX cycle is repeated until a cell DTX / DRX deactivation signal is received from the access network node. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

16. and inhibiting dynamic uplink (UL) transmissions during the cell OFF duration. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

17. the dynamic UL transmission includes at least one scheduling request (SR) requesting UL resources for the UE to transmit UL data.

17. The method of claim 16.

18. The dynamic UL transmission does not include a UL transmission using a pre-configured periodic UL transmission resource.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17.

19. and extending the cell ON duration at the access network node when the cell DTX / DRX configuration is activated and the UE has a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission or retransmission in progress or pending. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

20. No new HARQ transmissions are initiated during the extended Cell ON duration.

20. The method of claim 19.

21. The cell ON duration is extended until the ongoing or pending HARQ transmission or retransmission is completed, or for a predetermined time.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20.

22. and transmitting only HARQ transmissions or retransmissions during the extended cell ON duration. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

23. receiving a HARQ early termination signal from the access network node before the cell enters the cell OFF duration; and Terminating the HARQ transmission or retransmission; Further provided with The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

24. and flushing a transmission buffer of a current transport block (TB) when the UE cannot decode the current TB based on multiple available TBs.

24. The method of claim 23.

25. and delaying any ongoing or pending HARQ transmission or retransmission until the next Cell ON duration. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

26. 1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving information from an access network node for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node; and determining a cell DTX / DRX configuration of said access network node based on said information and timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; A method comprising:

27. the information indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; the cell ON duration corresponds to the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal.

27. The method of claim 26.

28. the cell ON duration is extended for a duration during which the at least one synchronization signal is transmitted; 28. The method of claim 27.

29. the at least one synchronization signal is transmitted periodically in multiple bursts; The cell OFF duration is set to the gap between adjacent bursts.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28.

30. the information includes at least one set of parameters related to the cell DTX / DRX configuration; At least a portion of the set is mapped to characteristics of the plurality of bursts.

30. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 29.

31. the at least some of the sets are mapped to a number of DTX / DRX cycles within a period of the plurality of bursts.

31. The method of claim 30.

32. wherein said at least some of said sets include preset values ​​or said at least some of said sets are configured by a network.

32. The method of claim 30 or 31.

33. the set includes at least one of a parameter related to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter related to a start position of the cell OFF duration, a parameter related to the number of DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter related to a period of the DTX / DRX cycles; The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32.

34. the information indicates at least one of a cell DTX / DRX pattern defining the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration, a period indicating a DRX cycle interval at which the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated, and / or a number of times the DTX / DRX pattern is repeated; The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33.

35. there is a mapping between at least one parameter defining the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal and the cell DTX / DRX configuration. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 34.

36. the mapping comprises at least one of a one-to-one mapping or a one-to-many mapping; 36. The method of claim 35.

37. if the period of the plurality of bursts increases, the number of cell DTX / DRX configurations that are mapped to the at least one parameter that defines the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal increases; if the period of the plurality of bursts decreases, the number of cell DTX / DRX configurations mapped to the at least one parameter defining the transmission of the at least one synchronization signal decreases.

37. The method of claim 36.

38. receiving information indicating a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration; receiving information indicative of at least one multiplication factor; and determining the cell ON duration and the cell OFF duration using one of the at least one multiplication factor and the minimum granularity; Further provided with The method according to any one of claims 27 to 37.

39. If the information indicates multiple multiplication factors, the method further comprises receiving information identifying which of the multiple multiplication factors is used to determine the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration.

39. The method of claim 38.

40. 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle; and transmitting to the UE information indicating at least one of the minimum granularity, the at least one multiplication factor, a parameter related to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter related to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter related to a periodicity of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; A method comprising:

41. 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: transmitting to a user equipment (UE) information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE; the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive outside the cell OFF duration. method.

42. 1. A method performed by an access network node, comprising: determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of the access network node based on the timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; and sending the cell DTX / DRX configuration information to a user equipment (UE); A method comprising:

43. A user equipment (UE), 1. A UE comprising: means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which an access network node is active and configured to transmit data to the UE and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle.

44. A user equipment (UE), means for configuring a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to an access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; means for receiving from the access network node information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node defining a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to transmit data to said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to said UE; means for remaining inactive outside the cell OFF duration if the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration; UE equipped with.

45. A user equipment (UE), means for receiving information from an access network node for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node; means for determining a DTX / DRX configuration of said access network node based on said information and the timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; UE equipped with.

46. an access network node, means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration, indicating a cell ON duration during which the access network node is active and configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) and a cell OFF duration during which the access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the UE, based on a minimum granularity of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration and at least one multiplication factor for determining a corresponding duration of the cell ON duration and / or the cell OFF duration per cycle; means for transmitting to the UE information indicating at least one of the minimum granularity, the at least one multiplication factor, a parameter relating to a start position of the cell ON duration, a parameter relating to the number of cell DTX / DRX cycles to be performed, or a parameter relating to a periodicity of the cell DTX / DRX cycle; An access network node comprising:

47. an access network node, means for transmitting to a user equipment (UE) information indicative of a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node, indicating a cell ON duration during which said access network node is active and configured to transmit data to said UE and a cell OFF duration during which said access network node is inactive and configured not to transmit data to said UE; the UE is configured to operate with a UE discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration indicating a UE ON duration during which the UE is active and configured to transmit data to the access network node and a UE OFF duration during which the UE is inactive and configured not to transmit data to the access network node; If the UE OFF duration is longer than the cell OFF duration, the UE remains inactive outside the cell OFF duration. Access network node.

48. an access network node, means for determining a cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception (DTX / DRX) configuration of said access network node based on the timing of transmission of at least one synchronization signal; means for transmitting the cell DTX / DRX configuration information to a user equipment (UE); An access network node comprising:

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