Reduced-Feature Device and Cell Access

Abstract

The reduced-function device may be configured to determine the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication of the cell is applicable to the reduced-function device, and to use at least the presence or absence of the indication when determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments relate to communication systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Communication systems are constantly evolving. Future wireless networks, or network generations, including 5G, 5G Enhanced, 5G Advanced, and beyond, aim to support a wide variety of services, use cases, and industry sectors. Along with the variety of different services and use cases, the functional requirements for different generations of smart devices are diversifying. Reduced-function devices, known as reduced-function user equipment (REDCAP UE) in 5G Enhanced and originally known as new radio-light (NR-light), are also being introduced into communication systems. Reduced-function devices are low-cost, power-efficient smart devices with reduced functionality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The independent claims define the scope, and different embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to an aspect, a reduced-function device is provided, comprising: means for determining the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the device; and means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device using at least the presence or absence of the indication.

[0005] In an embodiment, the means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell is configured to use the at least one cell access permission indication when determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for a device, if the at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to the device.

[0006] In an embodiment, the means for determining the presence or absence of the indication is configured to determine that the indication is present when there is content indicating at least one cell access permission indication applicable to the device.

[0007] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device further comprises means for determining said at least one cell access permission indication of two or more cell access permission indications that is applicable to said device.

[0008] In an embodiment, the means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell is configured to, if the at least one cell access permission instruction is not applicable to the device, use a corresponding access permission instruction for the cell when determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device.

[0009] In an embodiment, the means is configured to determine the absence of an indication that the cell is barred for the device.

[0010] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device further comprises means for determining that the presence of the indication indicates that the at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to the device, and the means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell is configured to use the at least one cell access permission indication.

[0011] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device further comprises means for determining that the absence of the instruction means that the at least one cell access permission instruction is applicable to the device, and the means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell is configured to use the at least one cell access permission instruction.

[0012] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device further comprises means for receiving the at least one cell access permission indication in a broadcast or dedicated signaling.

[0013] In an embodiment, the means for determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device is configured to perform a determination based on the at least one cell access permission instruction when the reduced-function device has a specific function, if the at least one cell access permission instruction is associated with a specific function.

[0014] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device further comprises means for determining the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether the reduced functionality device belongs to the supported devices in the cell, and the means for determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell is configured such that when the reduced functionality device does not belong to the supported devices, the cell is a forbidden cell.

[0015] In an embodiment, the indication indicating whether the reduced functionality device belongs to devices supported in the cell indicates whether at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the device.

[0016] In an embodiment, the at least one cell access permission indication comprises at least one of an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced functionality devices with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced functionality devices with two receiver branches, or an indication of whether the cell is barred for reduced functionality devices operating only in half duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating the permissibility of the reduced functionality devices to perform intra-frequency cell reselection.

[0017] In an embodiment, the reduced functionality device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one processor having the at least one memory and computer program code providing the means.

[0018] According to one aspect, a network device is provided that includes means for transmitting information to a reduced functionality device indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the reduced functionality device.

[0019] In an embodiment, the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the information by inserting an instruction to broadcast or by sending the broadcast without said instruction.

[0020] In an embodiment, the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a support indication indicating whether reduced functionality devices are supported in the cell.

[0021] According to one aspect, a method is provided that includes determining whether at least one cell access permission instruction for a cell is applicable to a reduced-function device, and using at least the presence or absence of the instruction to determine whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device.

[0022] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided having stored thereon instructions for performing the steps of determining the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced functionality device, and using at least the presence or absence of the indication to determine whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device.

[0023] In one embodiment, the computer readable medium is a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0024] According to one aspect, computer program executable instructions are provided that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to determine the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to a reduced functionality device, and determine whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device using at least the presence or absence of the indication.

[0025] Embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary high-level network architecture. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary functions. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following embodiments are presented by way of example only. Although this specification may refer to "one," "one," or "several" embodiments and / or examples in several places, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment or example, or that a particular feature applies only to a single embodiment and / or example. Single features of different embodiments and / or examples may be combined to provide other embodiments and / or examples. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "including" should not be understood to limit the described embodiments to only the recited features; such embodiments may also include features / structures not specifically recited. Also, although terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc. may be used to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be referred to as an element or a second element, and similarly, a second element could be referred to as a first element or an element, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0028] 1 illustrates an exemplary high-level network architecture, illustrating only some details, and more detailed implementations are irrelevant to the description of the examples. The examples are described herein using 5G-Enhanced or Release 17 principles and terminology, but the examples and the terminology used are not limited to said 5G-Enhanced or 5G-Advanced. Those skilled in the art can apply the solutions and examples to other communication systems beyond 5G-Advanced, for example, or to communication systems implementing similar principles and functionality, possibly using different terminology that has a corresponding meaning but uses some terminology other than 5G technology.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a radio access network 101 provides radio access to one or more data networks 103 via a core network 102 .

[0030] The radio access network may be a 5G advanced network, a non-terrestrial network, or a non-cellular access network, such as a wireless local area network, that implements the concepts of user devices, reduced functionality user devices, and further reduced functionality user devices.

[0031] In providing radio access, the radio access network 101 includes access devices (ADs) 110 that can provide one or more cells 111. There are a wide variety of access devices, including different types of base stations such as split gNBs, transmission / reception points, network-controlled repeaters, donor nodes in integrated access and backhaul (IAB), fixed IAB nodes, mobile IAB nodes, e.g., mounted on vehicles, and satellites. As mentioned above, an access device can provide one or more cells, possibly with different cell accessibility per cell, although a cell is provided by one access device.

[0032] The core network 102 may be based on a non-standalone core network, such as an LTE-based network, or a standalone access network, such as a 5G core network. However, it should be understood that the core network 102 may use any technology that enables, for example, network services to be delivered between devices and a data network.

[0033] The data network 103 may be any network such as the Internet, an intranet, or a wide area network, and different remote monitoring and / or data collection services for different use cases may be reached via the data network 103.

[0034] 5G-Evolved (Release 17) devices (user equipment or terminal devices) were introduced for use cases and deployment scenarios related to industrial sensors, video surveillance, and wearables that require low device complexity and / or small form factor and / or low power consumption. 5G-Advanced (Release 18) envisions the introduction of further reduced functionality devices 120 (rcDs) that coexist with previous generation reduced functionality devices. A non-limiting list of further reduced functionality devices 120 includes industrial Internet of Things devices, consumer Internet of Things devices, different sensors such as pressure sensors, humidity sensors, thermometers, motion sensors, actuators, accelerometers, surveillance cameras, wearable devices such as smart watches, rings, eHealth-related devices, and small monitors.

[0035] Future generations, e.g., Release 19 or 6G, may introduce further reduced functionality devices. Therefore, it should be understood that, as used herein, the term "further reduced functionality device" refers to a newer reduced functionality device type, and that the terms baseline reduced functionality device or legacy reduced functionality device may be used for the predecessor reduced functionality device type. For example, a reduced functionality device defined in 5G-Evolved or Release 17 is defined from a legacy reduced functionality device to a further reduced functionality device envisioned in 5G-Advanced or Release 18.

[0036] A radio network, e.g., radio access network 101, may control access of reduced functionality devices to a cell by cell access permission indications. A non-limiting list of cell access permission indications for legacy reduced functionality devices includes an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced functionality devices with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced functionality devices with two receiver branches, or an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced functionality devices operating only in half duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating the permission of reduced functionality devices performing intra-frequency cell reselection.

[0037] In the following non-limiting examples, different exemplary functions of the further reduced functionality device relating to determining whether a cell is a forbidden cell are illustrated using, for example, "device" as a synonym for the further reduced functionality device.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2 , the device determines whether an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication of a cell is applicable to the device (block 201). For example, the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the device may be determined based on an explicitly signaled optionality bit or field indicating whether the indication is present. In other words, for example, the indication may be an optionally present or optionally signaled information element, but when it is present / signaled, the indication may be a BOOLEAN type IE (information element) or a CHOICE type IE. In one implementation, the indication may be an indication indicating devices supported in the cell. For example, the indication may indicate support for additional reduced functionality devices. However, it should be understood that in this implementation, although the indication indicates support for devices in the cell, there may be at least one additional indication indicating whether the device is authorized to access the cell. Furthermore, in another implementation, the indication indicating devices supported in the cell is an additional indication to the indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the device. Additionally, there may be implementations that do not implement an indication of the devices supported within a cell.

[0039] Additionally, the device determines whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device using at least the presence or absence of the indication (block 202). For example, when the indication is present, if applicable and received, one or more cell access permission indications may be used to determine whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device, as described in more detail below. When the cell access permission indication is associated with a specific function, a reduced-functionality device may use the cell access permission indication when the reduced-functionality device has the specific function.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, the device determines that an indication exists indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the device (block 301).

[0041] When an indication is present, in the illustrated example, at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to the device (indicated as applicable), and the device uses the at least one cell access permission indication when determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device (block 302). When there are two or more cell access permission indications, all of them may be indicated by the applicable indication, or the indication may comprise additional content indicating which cell access permission indication is applicable. In one embodiment, when at least one of the cell access permission indications is not applicable to the device, the corresponding access permission indication may be applicable. In such a case, the device may use the corresponding access permission indication, if received, when determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device. When the applicable cell access permission indication is associated with a specific capability, the reduced-capability device may use the cell access permission indication when the reduced-capability device has the specific capability. The specific capability may relate, for example, to several receivers (e.g., 1RX or 2RX), or receiver branches / antennas (e.g., 1RX or 2RX), or the ability to operate in half-duplex or full-duplex for frequency division duplexing.

[0042] The indication indicates that all cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-capability device are also applicable to the device, and therefore, when a cell access permission indication for the legacy reduced-capability device is broadcast, there is no need to use wireless network resources, e.g., system information signaling resources, to transmit a corresponding set of cell access permission indications for further reduced-capability devices. The indication indicates that none of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-capability device are applicable, thereby indicating that at least one cell access permission indication for the further reduced-capability device is applicable, and the device may receive one or more cell access permission indications for the further reduced-capability device, e.g., in broadcast or dedicated signaling. For example, if the indication is a BOOLEAN-type IE, a value of "true" indicates that all of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-capability device are applicable, and a value of "false" indicates that none of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-capability device are applicable, or vice versa. Similarly, if the indication is a CHOICE-type IE, selecting a NULL value may indicate that all of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-capability device are applicable. In some embodiments, selection of a NULL value may indicate that none of the cell access permission indications for legacy reduced functionality devices are applicable. In some further embodiments, the CHOICE IE may include a set of information element (IE) selections and / or other indications that indicate a distinct set of cell access permission indications to be used. Yet a further possibility is that the indication indicates one or more of the cell access permission indications for legacy reduced functionality devices that are applicable to the device, for example, when the indication is an optional field with content that indicates which of the cell access permission indications for legacy reduced functionality devices are applicable.Depending on the implementation, the instructions or content may further indicate, directly or indirectly, that no cell access permission indications for further reduced functionality devices are to be sent, or that one or more cell access permission indications for further reduced functionality devices are to be sent and applicable to the devices.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the device determines that there is no indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the device (block 401).

[0044] In the illustrated example, when no indication is present, at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to the device (denoted as applicable), and the device uses the at least one cell access permission indication when determining whether the cell is a prohibited cell for the device (block 402).

[0045] If there are two or more cell access permission indications, all of them may be indicated by the absence of an applicable indication. In one embodiment, when at least one of the cell access permission indications is not applicable to the device, the corresponding access permission indication may be applicable. In such a case, the device may use the corresponding access permission indication, if received, when determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device. When the applicable cell access permission indication is associated with a specific capability, the reduced-capability device may use the cell access permission indication when the reduced-capability device has the specific capability. The specific capability may relate, for example, to the number of receive bands or the ability to operate in half-duplex or full-duplex for frequency division duplex.

[0046] The absence of an indication indicates that all cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-functionality device are also applicable to the device, and therefore, when a cell access permission indication for the legacy reduced-functionality device is broadcast, there is no need to use wireless network resources, e.g., system information signaling resources, to transmit a corresponding set of cell access permission indications for further reduced-functionality devices. The absence of an indication indicates that none of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-functionality device are applicable, thereby indicating that at least one cell access permission indication for the further reduced-functionality device is applicable, and the device may receive one or more cell access permission indications for the further reduced-functionality device, for example, in broadcast or dedicated signaling. The absence of an indication may indicate that cell access is not permitted for the further reduced-functionality device and / or that cell access is prohibited for the further reduced-functionality device. The absence of an indication also indicates that none of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced-functionality device are applicable, i.e., including an intra-frequency reselection (IFRI) indication, thereby indicating that the device should apply the IFRI provided in the master information block (MIB). The presence of the indication may indicate that the IFRI for the legacy reduced functionality device is applicable to the device, regardless of whether any of the cell access permission indications for the legacy reduced functionality device are applicable.

[0047] As can be seen from the examples of Figures 3 and 4, flexibility is provided to allow separate cell access permission instructions for further reduced functionality devices within a cell while minimizing unnecessary use of network resources to send cell access permission instructions with the same effect.

[0048] It should be appreciated that if no cell access permission indication is indicated as applicable (is not received), the device may determine that the cell is a forbidden cell.

[0049] 5, the device determines that there is no indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the device (block 501). In the illustrated example, when there is no indication, the device determines that the cell is barred for the device (block 502). In other words, the absence of the indication is used in the determination.

[0050] 5 may be performed for additional indications. For example, a device may receive one or more indications indicating devices supported in a cell, but the device may determine in block 501 that the indication is not present because the device does not belong to the devices supported in the cell. In other words, if an indication indicating support for additional reduced devices in the cell is not present, the device may determine that the cell is barred, and if an indication indicating support for additional reduced devices in the cell is present, the device may perform the functionality described with reference to FIG. 3 or FIG. 4.

[0051] The device may perform a determination of the absence or presence of the instructions and / or additional instructions based on information received from the network. Figure 6 shows exemplary network-side functionality.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, a network device, e.g., an access device or a base station, transmits to a reduced-capability device (further reduced-capability device) information indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced-capability device (block 601). The information may be transmitted by inserting a broadcast indication or by transmitting a broadcast without the indication. Examples of the indication are provided above. In some implementations, the network device may be configured to include a support indication in the broadcast indicating whether the reduced-capability device (further reduced-capability device) is supported in the cell. Furthermore, the network device may be configured to broadcast a cell access permission indication for the legacy reduced-capability device, broadcast one or more cell access permission indications for the further reduced-capability device, and / or transmit one or more cell access permission indications for the further reduced-capability device in dedicated signaling.

[0053] 7 shows an example in which the network NW indicates which of the legacy (e.g., related to Release 17 (5G-Evolved) and / or other earlier releases) reduced-capability cell access permission indications for a cell are applicable to further (e.g., related to Release 18 (5G-Advanced) and / or other future releases) reduced-capability devices within the cell. Further, in this example, if one or more of the legacy reduced-capability cell access permission indications are not applicable, at least the corresponding cell access permission indication is provided.

[0054] In the illustrated example of Figure 7, the cell access permission indications are IFRI (an indication indicating permission of a reduced-capability device to select another cell on the same frequency), 1RX (an indication indicating whether the cell is barred for reduced-capability devices with one receiver branch), 2RX (an indication indicating whether the cell is barred for reduced-capability devices with two receiver branches), and HalfDuplexFDD (indicating whether the cell is barred for reduced-capability devices operating only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex). For example, in Release 17, the cell access permission indications referred to in the "Set A" example of Figure 7 may be intraFreqReselectionRedCap-r17, cellBarredRedCap1Rx-r17, cellBarredRedCap2Rx-r17, and halfDuplexRedCapAllowed-r17, respectively. Correspondingly, for example, in Release 18, the cell access permission indications for the further reduced-capability device, referred to in the example of "Set B" in FIG. 7, may be intraFreqReselectionRedCap-r18, cellBarredRedCap1Rx-r18, cellBarredRedCap2Rx-r18, and halfDuplexRedCapAllowed-r18. It should be understood that the NW may provide any number of cell access permission indications, including zero. It should be understood that only a portion of the cell access permission indications defined for the legacy reduced-capability device may be defined separately for the further reduced-capability device, and, for example, another portion may be common to both devices without a dependency on an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the legacy reduced-capability device is applicable to the device. For example, an IFRI defined for the legacy reduced-capability device may be applicable to the further reduced-capability device without a dependency on an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the legacy RedCap device is applicable to the device.In other words, the further reduced-capability device may apply the IFRI defined for the legacy reduced-capability device without determining the absence or presence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for the legacy RedCap device is applicable to the device. It should be understood that only a portion of the cell access permission indication defined for the legacy reduced-capability device may be defined separately for the further reduced-capability device, e.g., another portion may be common to both the legacy device and the further reduced-capability device, with a dependency on the indicating indication only so that the further reduced-capability device may check for the absence or presence of the indication. For example, the IFRI defined for the legacy reduced-capability device may be applicable to the further reduced-capability device when the indication is present in the cell and / or signaled (e.g., through a system information broadcast or dedicated signaling). In another example, the IFRI defined for the legacy reduced-capability device may not be applicable to the further reduced-capability device when the indication is absent and / or not signaled in the cell. In this case, the further reduced-capability device may apply the IFRI provided in the Master Information Block (MIB).

[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, the NW broadcasts set A (message 7-1) and broadcasts an indication in the system information, e.g., in SIB1, indicating that at least one of IFRI, 1RX, 2RX, and HalfDuplexFDD in set A is applicable to further reduced functionality devices, and this indication also indicates which IFRI, 1RX, 2RX, and HalfDuplexFDD are available. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that 1RX, 2RX, and HalfDuplexFDD are indicated as applicable in message 7-1. Furthermore, since it is assumed in the illustrated example that not all of set A is applicable, the NW can broadcast one or more or all of the cell access permission indications of set B (message 7-2). In another implementation, dedicated signaling may be used. In the illustrated example, message 7-2 includes at least IFRI. It should be understood that message 7-2 may also include 1RX, 2RX, and / or HalfDuplexFDD, e.g., in the case of Release 18.

[0056] Even though shown as separate messages, the illustrated example assumes that a further reduced capability device, shown as RedCapUE in Figure 7, receives them in one broadcast. The device determines that an indication is present and that 1RX, 2RX, and HalfDuplexFDD in set A are applicable to the device in the cell and IFRI in set B (block 7-3). Because 1RX, 2RX, and HalfDuplexFDD are each associated with a specific capability, and the device's capability is 1RX, the device uses 1RX in set A and IFRI in set B at least when determining whether the cell is a barred cell (IFRI can be used to determine the barring of other cells when a cell is a barred cell).

[0057] It is a straightforward task for one skilled in the art to implement the example of FIG. 7 in situations where all of the instructions in set A are applicable or not.

[0058] The blocks, associated functions, and information exchanges (messages, signaling) described above with reference to Figures 2-7 are not presented in absolute chronological order; some of them may be performed simultaneously or in a different order than given. Other functions may also be performed between or within them, other information may be transmitted, and / or other rules may apply. Some of the blocks or portions of the blocks or one or more pieces of information may be omitted or replaced by corresponding blocks or portions of the blocks or one or more pieces of information.

[0059] Figure 8 illustrates an apparatus 801 according to some embodiments. The apparatus 801 may be, for example, an apparatus for a further reduced-capability device use case or a reduced-capability device, e.g., an electrical device. Figure 9 illustrates an apparatus, e.g., a network device, that may be configured to transmit information indicating the applicability of at least one cell access permission indication to a reduced-capability device. Figure 10 illustrates an apparatus that may implement the distributed functionality of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 9.

[0060] The apparatus 801, 901 may include one or more communication control circuits 820, 920, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 830 containing one or more algorithms 831, 931, such as computer program code (software), which, when configured with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform any one of the exemplary functions of the reduced functionality device described above with reference to any of Figures 1-7. The at least one memory 830, 930 may also include at least one database 832, 932.

[0061] According to one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the apparatus, using the at least one processor, to at least perform the steps of: determining the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the apparatus; and determining, using at least the presence or absence of said indication, whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the apparatus.

[0062] According to one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, using the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least transmit, to a reduced-function device, information indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to the reduced-function device.

[0063] 8, the one or more communication control circuits 820 of the device 801, according to an embodiment, comprise at least a cell access determination circuit 821 configured to perform cell access related functions, such as determining the absence or presence of instructions, applicable cell access permission instructions, and whether the cell is barred. To this end, the cell access determination circuit 821 of the device 801 is configured to perform, using one or more individual circuits, at least some of the functions described above, e.g., with reference to Figures 2-7.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 8, memory 830 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, etc.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8 , the device 801 may further include different interfaces 810, such as one or more communication interface (TX / RX) configuration hardware and / or software for realizing a communication connection according to one or more communication protocols. The one or more communication interfaces 810 may enable connection to the Internet, to a core network of a wireless communication network, to a radio access network, and / or to other devices within range of the device. The one or more communication interfaces 810 may provide the device with communication capabilities to communicate in a cellular communication system and enable communication to different network nodes or elements. The one or more communication interfaces 810 may include standard, well-known components, such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (demodulator) modulators, and encoder / decoder circuits, and possibly one or more antennas, controlled by a corresponding control unit.

[0066] 9, one or more communication control circuits 920 of device 901 comprise at least instruction circuitry 921 configured to include or not include in its transmission one or more instructions discussed in Figures 2-7. To this end, instruction circuitry 921 of device 901 is configured to perform at least some of the functions of a network device or access device described above, e.g., with reference to Figures 1, 6 and 7, e.g., by the device transmitting information using one or more individual circuits.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, memory 930 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, etc.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 9 , the device 901 may further include different interfaces 910, such as one or more communication interface (TX / RX) configuration hardware and / or software for realizing a communication connection according to one or more communication protocols. The one or more communication interfaces 910 may enable connection to the Internet and / or a core network of a wireless communication network. The one or more communication interfaces 910 may provide the device with communication capabilities for communicating in, for example, a cellular communication system and enabling communication to different network nodes or elements or terminal devices or user equipment. The one or more communication interfaces 910 may include standard, well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, (demodulation) modulators, and encoder / decoder circuits, as well as one or more antennas, controlled by corresponding control units.

[0069] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , at least some of the functions of the apparatus in FIG. 9 may be shared between two physically separate devices to form one operational entity. Thus, the apparatus may be considered to depict an operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for performing at least some of the described processes. Thus, the apparatus in FIG. 10 utilizing such a shared architecture may comprise a remote control unit RCU1020, such as a host computer or a server computer, operably coupled (e.g., via a wireless or wired network) to a remote distributed unit RDU1022 located in a base station. In an embodiment, at least some of the described processing may be performed by the RCU1020. In an embodiment, execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared between the RDU1022 and the RCU1020.

[0070] 9, the apparatus of FIG. 10 comprises one or more communication control circuits (CNTL) 920, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory (MEM) 930 containing one or more algorithms (PROG) 931, such as computer program code (software), configured using the at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program code (software), to cause the apparatus to perform any one of the exemplary functions of the apparatus described above, e.g., with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, e.g., by a network device or an access device.

[0071] In an embodiment, the RCU 1020 may generate a virtual network through which the RCU 1020 communicates with the RDU 1022. Generally, virtual networking may involve a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a virtual network, which is a single software-based application management entity. Network virtualization may often involve platform virtualization, which is combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization may be categorized as external virtual networking, which combines many networks or portions of networks into a server computer or a host computer (e.g., an RCU). External network virtualization targets optimized network sharing. Another category is internal virtual networking, which provides network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Virtual networking may also be used to test terminal devices.

[0072] In an embodiment, a virtual network may provide flexible distribution of operations between the RDU and the RCU. In practice, any digital signal processing task may be performed in either the RDU or the RCU, and the boundary at which responsibility is shifted between the RDU and the RCU may be selected according to implementation.

[0073] In a further embodiment, the apparatus of FIG. 8 can be implemented similarly to the apparatus of FIG.

[0074] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a dedicated hardware circuit implementation, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry alone, and (b) (where applicable) a combination of hardware circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of a hardware processor having software, including a digital signal processor, software, and memory, that cooperate to cause an apparatus, such as a terminal device or access node, to perform various functions. (c) Hardware circuits and processors, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate but may be absent if not required for operation. This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also encompasses simply a hardware circuit or processor (or processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor, and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. The term "circuitry" also includes, for example, baseband integrated circuits for access nodes or terminal devices or other computing or network devices, where applicable to particular claim elements.

[0075] In one embodiment, at least some of the processes described in connection with Figures 2-7 may be performed by an apparatus comprising corresponding means for performing at least some of the described processes. Some exemplary means for performing a process may include at least one of a detector, a processor (including dual-core and multi-core processors), a digital signal processor, a controller, a receiver, a transmitter, an encoder, a decoder, memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, a display, a user interface, a display circuit, a user interface circuit, a user interface software, a display software, a circuit, an antenna, an antenna circuit, and a circuit. In one embodiment, at least one processor, memory, and computer program code form a processing means or comprise one or more computer program code portions for performing one or more operations according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 2-7 or operations thereof.

[0076] The described embodiments and examples may also be implemented in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or portions thereof. Functional embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 2-7 may be implemented by executing at least a portion of a computer program containing corresponding instructions. The computer program may be provided as a computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon, or as a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon. The computer program may be in source code format, object code format, or some intermediate format, and may be stored on any type of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of conveying a program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or processor. The computer program medium may be, for example, but not limited to, a recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory, an electrical carrier signal, a communication signal, and a software distribution package. The computer program medium may be a non-transitory medium. The term "non-transitory" as used herein refers to limitations of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than a signal), such as limitations on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). Coding software to implement the described embodiments is within the skill of those skilled in the art.

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate the embodiments, not to limit them. As technology advances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the concepts of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be combined with other embodiments in various ways, but such combination is not required.

Claims

1. A reduced function device, means for determining the presence or absence of an indication indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to said device; means for using at least the presence or absence of said indication to determine whether said cell is a forbidden cell for said device.

2. 2. The reduced-function device of claim 1, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell is configured to use the at least one cell access permission indication when determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device, if the at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to the device.

3. 2. The reduced-function device of claim 1, wherein the means for determining the presence or absence of the instruction is configured to determine that the instruction is present when content indicating the at least one cell access permission instruction applicable to the device is present.

4. 4. The reduced functionality device of claim 3, further comprising means for determining the at least one cell access permission indication applicable to the device among two or more cell access permission indications.

5. 4. The reduced-function device of claim 3, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell is configured to use a corresponding access permission directive for the cell when determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device if the at least one cell access permission directive is not applicable to the device.

6. 3. The reduced functionality device of claim 2, wherein said means is configured to determine that the cell is barred for said device in the absence of said indication.

7. means for determining the presence of said indication that said at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to said device; 2. The reduced functionality device of claim 1, wherein said means for determining whether said cell is a forbidden cell is configured to use said at least one cell access permission indication.

8. means for determining the absence of said indication that said at least one cell access permission indication is applicable to said device; 2. The reduced functionality device of claim 1, wherein said means for determining whether said cell is a forbidden cell is configured to use said at least one cell access permission indication.

9. 2. The reduced functionality device of claim 1, comprising means for receiving said at least one cell access permission indication in a broadcast or dedicated signaling.

10. 3. The reduced-function device of claim 2, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device is configured to perform a determination based on the at least one cell access permission indication when the at least one cell access permission indication is associated with a specific function, and when the reduced-function device has a specific function.

11. means for determining whether an indication is present indicating whether the reduced functionality device belongs to devices supported in the cell; 2. The reduced-function device of claim 1, wherein the means for determining whether the cell is a forbidden cell is configured to determine that the cell is a forbidden cell when the reduced-function device does not belong to a supported device.

12. 12. The reduced-function device of claim 11, wherein the indication indicating whether the reduced-function device belongs to devices supported in the cell is an indication indicating whether the at least one cell access permission indication for the cell is applicable to the device.

13. 2. The reduced-capability device of claim 1, wherein the at least one cell access permission indication comprises at least one of an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced-capability devices with one receiver branch, an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced-capability devices with two receiver branches, an indication of whether the cell is barred to reduced-capability devices operating only in half-duplex for frequency division duplex, or an indication indicating permission of the reduced-capability device to perform intra-frequency cell reselection.

14. 2. The reduced functionality device of claim 1, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the at least one processor with the computer program code provide the means.

15. 1. A network device comprising: means for transmitting to a reduced functionality device information indicating whether at least one cell access permission indication for a cell is applicable to said reduced functionality device.

16. 15. The network device of claim 14, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the information by inserting an instruction to broadcast or by sending the broadcast without the instruction.

17. 16. The network device of claim 15, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a support indication indicating whether reduced functionality devices are supported in the cell.

18. determining whether at least one cell access permission directive for the cell is applicable to reduced functionality devices; and using at least the presence or absence of the indication to determine whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device.

19. determining whether at least one cell access permission directive for the cell is applicable to reduced functionality devices; and using at least the presence or absence of the indication to determine whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device.

20. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the computer-readable medium is a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

21. When performed by the device, determining whether at least one cell access permission directive for the cell is applicable to reduced functionality devices; and using at least the presence or absence of the indication to determine whether the cell is a forbidden cell for the device.

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