Using a Common UE Indicator Channel for BS DTX Energy Saving

Abstract

The UE receives a configuration of a common uplink channel used by user equipment to communicate with the BS regarding cell DTX operation by the BS. The UE determines that cell DTX operation has already begun or that the BS has signaled that cell DTX operation will begin. The UE transmits an indication of the need for data transmission regarding the cell DTX operation via the common uplink channel. The BS transmits the configuration to begin cell DTX operation or signal that cell DTX operation will begin. The BS receives the indication of the need for data transmission regarding the cell DTX operation. The BS determines whether to remain in or abandon cell DTX operation based at least in part on the received indication of the need for data transmission.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Example embodiments herein relate generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to how a user equipment (UE) can operate with discontinuous transmission (DTX) relative to a cell formed by a base station (BS). [Background technology]

[0002] There is ongoing research into how to reduce power in wireless networks. In particular, cells formed by base stations (BSs) in cellular networks may be placed in a low-power mode, during which the cells cease transmission. This is referred to as discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation of the cells, since the cells are not scheduled to transmit at every opportunity they are able to. Thus, transmission is intermittent.

[0003] This can be problematic. One such problem occurs when a user equipment (UE) connecting to a cell has data to transmit. If the cell is in a DTX state while the UE has data to transmit, there will be a delay between when the UE gets the data (such as an email generated by the person using the UE) and when the data is actually transmitted by the UE to the BS via the cell. On the other hand, if the BS has a longer DTX operating period, the BS can reduce its power. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This section is intended to include examples and is not intended to be limiting.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station. The method also includes determining, by the user equipment, that the cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that the cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin. The method further includes transmitting, by the user equipment, an indication of a need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation via the common uplink channel.

[0006] Further exemplary embodiments include a computer program comprising instructions for performing the method of the preceding paragraph when the computer program is executed on a device. The computer program of this paragraph is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having instructions embodied therein for use on the device. Another example is a computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the device.

[0007] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to at least receive, by user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determine, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; and transmit, by the user equipment, via the common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation.

[0008] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium having instructions that, when executed by the device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving, by user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; and transmitting, by the user equipment, via the common uplink channel, an indication of the need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that the cell discontinuous transmission operation has begun or that the base station has signaled that the cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; and transmitting, by the user equipment, via the common uplink channel, an indication of the need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station. The method also includes initiating, by the base station, the cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to begin. The method further includes receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment, via the common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission for the cell discontinuous transmission operation. The method further includes determining whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission.

[0011] Further exemplary embodiments include a computer program comprising instructions for performing the method of the preceding paragraph when the computer program is executed on a device. The computer program of this paragraph is a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having instructions embodied therein for use on the device. Another example is a computer program according to this paragraph, wherein the program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the device.

[0012] An exemplary apparatus includes one or more processors and one or more memories storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiate, by the base station, the cell discontinuous transmission operation or signal, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to begin; receive, by the base station, from the user equipment via the common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation; and determine whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of the need for data transmission.

[0013] An exemplary computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium having instructions, when executed by an apparatus, that cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station, for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; commencing cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station or signaling by the base station to the user equipment that cell discontinuous transmission operation is to begin; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via the common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission for the cell discontinuous transmission operation; and determining whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station regarding cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; commencing, by the base station, the cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via the common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission regarding the cell discontinuous transmission operation; and determining whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of the need for data transmission. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible, non-limiting, example system in which the example embodiments may be practiced. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows an example block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing any of the nodes of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram, according to one embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a UE illustrating selected aspects according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a base station (e.g., a gNB) illustrating selected aspects according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Detailed Description of the Drawings Abbreviations that may appear in the present specification and / or drawings are defined below at the end of the Detailed Description of the Figures section.

[0017] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All embodiments described in this detailed description are example embodiments provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

[0018] When multiple drawing reference numbers, phrases, or acronyms are used with " / " herein, and as used generally herein, the " / " may be interpreted as "or," "and," or "both."

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," and / or "including," as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0020] Any flow diagrams (such as FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) or signaling diagrams (such as FIG. 2) herein are considered to be logical flow diagrams and illustrate the operation of exemplary methods, the results of execution of computer program instructions embodied on computer-readable memory, functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and / or interconnected means for performing functions according to exemplary embodiments. Block diagrams also illustrate the operation of exemplary methods, the results of execution of computer program instructions embodied on computer-readable memory, functions performed by logic implemented in hardware, and / or interconnected means for performing functions according to exemplary embodiments.

[0021] The example embodiments herein describe techniques for using a common UE indicator channel for cell DTX energy savings. Additional description of these techniques will be presented after systems in which the example embodiments may be used are described.

[0022] 1A, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible, non-limiting, example system in which example embodiments may be practiced. Multiple nodes are shown: user equipment (UE) 110, base station 170, and network element 190.

[0023] 1A, a user equipment (UE) 110 as one of the nodes is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100 via a wireless link 111. The UE 110 is a wireless device, typically a mobile device, that can access the wireless network. The UE 110 is shown equipped with one or more antennas 128. An oval 101 indicates that there may be multiple UEs 110.

[0024] The base station 170, as another node, provides access to the wireless network 100 by wireless devices such as the UE 110. The base station 170 is shown as having one or more antennas 158. There are many options for the base station 170. Generally, the base station 170 is a RAN node, and in particular, it can be a gNB, which is the primary term used herein. That is, the base station 170 is referred to as a gNB 170. However, there are many options, including eNBs for base stations, or options other than cellular systems.

[0025] There are several configurations for the base station 170. One such configuration is a "standalone" configuration, which includes all circuitry as part of a single unit and accesses an antenna 158. More commonly today, the circuitry is divided into one or more remote nodes 150 (which access the antenna 158) and a central node 160. For example, in the case of 5G (also referred to as NR), a gNB might include a distributed unit (DU) as a remote node, or a DU and a radio unit (RU), and a central unit (CU) as the central node 160. In the case of LTE, a base station 170 might include an eNB with a remote radio head as the remote node 150 and a baseband unit (BBU) as the central node 160. The remote node 150 is coupled to the central node 160 via one or more links 171. There may be multiple remote nodes 150 for a single central node 160, as indicated by the oval 102 representing multiple remote nodes and the oval 103 representing the additional links 171. Remote node 150 is remote in the sense that it is contained in a different physical enclosure than the physical enclosure that contains the corresponding central node 160. Link 171 may be implemented using optical fiber, wireless techniques, or any other technique for data communication.

[0026] The two or more base stations 170 communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0027] The wireless network 100 may include, as a third illustrated node, one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functionality, providing connectivity to a data network 191, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet), via one or more links 181. For 5G, such core network functionality may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and / or a User Plane Function (UPF) and / or a Session Management Function (SMF). For LTE, such core network functionality may include Mobility Management Entity (MME) functionality and / or Serving Gateway (SGW) functionality. Note that these are merely example functions that may be supported by the network element 190, and that both 5G and LTE functionality may be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via a link 131. The link 131 may be implemented, for example, as an NG interface for 5G, an S1 interface for LTE, or other appropriate interface for other standards.

[0028] In general, various embodiments of user equipment 110 include cellular telephones (such as smartphones, mobile phones, cellular phones, Voice over Internet Protocol (IP) (VoIP) phones, and / or wireless local loop phones), tablets, portable computers, vehicle or in-vehicle devices, e.g., for wireless vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, image capture devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices, music storage and playback appliances, Internet appliances (including Internet of Things (IoT) devices), IoT devices with sensors and / or actuators, e.g., for automation applications, and portable units or terminals incorporating combinations of such functionality, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the like. The UE 110 may include, but is not limited to, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), a consumer electronic device, a device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. That is, the UE 110 may be any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a UE may also be referred to as a communication device, a terminal device (MT), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT).

[0029] Turning to FIG. 1B, this figure is an example block diagram of a device 180 suitable for implementing any of the nodes of FIG. 1A. The device 180 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, one or more transceivers 130, one or more network (N / W) interfaces (I / F) 155, and circuitry comprising user interface (UI) circuitry and elements 157, interconnected via one or more buses 127. Because this is an example that covers all of the nodes in FIG. 1A, some of the nodes may not have all of the circuitry. For example, the base station 170 may not have the UI circuitry and elements 157. All of the nodes may have additional circuitry not described here. FIG. 1B is presented merely as an example.

[0030] Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver (Rx) 132 and a transmitter (Tx) 133. The one or more buses 127 may be an address bus, a data bus, and / or a control bus, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication equipment. The one or more transceivers 130 may be connected to one or more antennas 105, which may be one of antenna 128 (from the UE 110) or antenna 158 (from the base station 170), and may communicate using a wireless link 111.

[0031] The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The device 180 includes a control module 140 including one or both of components 140-1 and / or 140-2, which can be implemented in many ways. The control module 140 may be implemented in hardware as control module 140-1, such as implemented as part of one or more processors 120. The control module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or through other hardware, such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the control module 140 may be implemented as control module 140-2, implemented as computer program code 123 (having corresponding instructions) and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, the one or more memories 125 store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors 120, cause the device 180 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Additionally, one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and illustrated algorithms (e.g., as flowcharts and / or signaling diagrams) encoded as instructions, programs, or code are means for causing the performance of the operations described herein.

[0032] The network interface (N / WI / F) 155 is a wired interface that communicates using a link 156, which may be an optical fiber or other wired interface. The link 156 may be the links 131 and / or 176 from FIG. 1A. The links 131 and / or 176 from FIG. 1A may also be implemented using the transceiver 130 and corresponding wireless link 111. A device may include only the wireless transceiver 130, only the N / WI / F 155, or both the wireless transceiver 130 and the N / WI / F 155.

[0033] The device 180 may or may not include UI circuitry and elements 157. These may include interface elements such as a display, such as a touchscreen, a speaker, or a headset. For example, a smartphone UE 110 typically includes at least a touchscreen and a speaker. The UI circuitry and elements 157 may also include circuitry for communicating with external UI elements (not shown), such as a display, keyboard, mouse, or headset.

[0034] Computer-readable memory 125 may be of any type appropriate to the local technology environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, firmware, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer-readable memory 125 may be a means for performing storage functions. Processor 120 may be of any type appropriate to the local technology environment and may include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processor 120 may be a means for performing functions such as controlling device 180 and other functions described herein.

[0035] Having thus introduced one suitable, but non-limiting, technical context for the practice of the exemplary embodiments, the exemplary embodiments will now be described with more specificity.

[0036] Research into network energy conservation was conducted in 3GPP Rel. 18 (RP-213554, Qualcomm Incorporated, "Email discussion summary for [98e-10-R18-Regional-Subsets-Bands]," 3GPP TSG-RAN#98-e RP-223450, December 12-16, 2022) and documented in 3GPP TR38.864 (e.g., 3GPP TR38.864V0.2.0(2022-10)). The focus was on the radio access network (NW), which consumes the largest portion of total energy consumption within the network. The research aimed to identify transmission and / or reception adaptation techniques in the time, frequency, space, and power domains, with potential support / feedback from UEs, potential UE assistance information, and information exchange / coordination via the network interface.

[0037] Based on the results of the research item, a 3GPP NR Release 18 work item (RP-223540) on network energy savings was defined. The work item includes the following objectives (shown between the opening and closing quotes): "Specifies enhancements to the cell DTX / DRX mechanism, including alignment of cell DTX / DRX and UE DRX in RRC_CONNECTED mode, and information exchange between cell DTX / DRX nodes [RAN2, RAN1, RAN3]" Note: There is no change in SSB transmission due to cell DTX / DRX. NOTE: Impact on IDLE / INACTIVE UE due to the above extensions should be avoided.

[0038] Note that cell DRX and cell DTX are different behaviors. That is, in cell DRX, the cell is not receiving but can in principle transmit, and vice versa in cell DTX. However, the challenge is that communication does not flow only one way. For example, when the UE transmits something, the network needs to provide an ACK / NACK to indicate whether the data was successfully received. As another example, the UE may send a request to an application / service on the uplink, which triggers a downlink response, so both link directions are required. Therefore, when the cell is in DTX, the UE typically cannot transmit data.

[0039] Cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) operation is a promising solution to conserve energy in networks by turning radio units (e.g., power amplifiers) on and off when no transmission is taking place. With improvements in hardware and software capabilities, PA shutdown on an OFDM symbol-by-symbol basis is now possible for extended periods of time. Cell DTX is sometimes referred to as cell DTX or cell DTX operation, and it should be noted that DTX operation typically occurs within a period of time.

[0040] For energy savings in the base station, a cell DTX indication is introduced using a method that uses downlink cell DTX operation while avoiding / minimizing impact on the UE and gNB, involving: efficient cell DTX indication to the UE, e.g. in terms of pattern or duration, and / or UE behavior / action when the indicated cell DTX period conflicts with other UE actions such as pre-configured transmissions and measurements.

[0041] Regarding improving (e.g., maximizing) the energy savings from cell DTX, when the cell load is low, the cell may want to apply DTX whenever possible when there is little or no user-plane data to transmit within a (mini)timeslot or for a longer period. This period is upper bounded by the period of SSB transmissions, and the WID specifies that this period cannot be changed. A typical SSB transmission period is 20 ms, with an upper bound of 160 ms.

[0042] However, if the BS does not have up-to-date knowledge of demand (in terms of cell load / transmission), cell DTX may not maximize BS energy savings or may cause data delays. This can waste energy, for example, if the load does not justify a cell leaving cell DTX (thereby deactivating cell DTX), or if a cell is not transitioned to cell DTX when it could. Another example is adding a larger than appropriate delay to the UE's transmission due to unnecessary cell DTX operation, since a delay occurs when cell DTX is activated and the UE has data to transmit.

[0043] Additionally, there is scope to minimize the amount of gNB energy consumed in supporting responses to isolated UE traffic requests. For example, a cell should not wake up / stay awake just to support a single UE that does not have delay-critical data. Therefore, further energy efficiency of gNBs can be achieved by clustering UE connections.

[0044] Further energy efficiency is especially important when the gNB is in emergency / battery backup (herein referred to as "ultra" energy saving). In this state, there is a need for cell DTX and the gNB should avoid existing supported connectivity until there is sufficient UE demand to justify deactivating cell DTX / ES. For example, do not deactivate (ultra) energy saving / cell DTX if there is only a single UE seeking connectivity. In ultra energy saving, system coverage / QoS may be degraded in order to further "save" the available energy.

[0045] Therefore, a mechanism should be defined that allows the UE to indicate via a common uplink channel when / where it is (e.g., most) beneficial for the gNB to enter / exit the cell DTX / CSM. The following shows an example of possible parts of that mechanism and additional techniques:

[0046] The (ultra) energy-saving gNB 170 configures a common uplink channel to occur (e.g., using the cell DTX indication for cell DTX described above). The common uplink channel may be based on a principle similar to a random access preamble, where each UE does not have dedicated resources scheduled. Because a common uplink channel is used, all UEs in the cell can choose to transmit on this channel without requesting specific resources (as opposed to what typically occurs on a physical uplink shared channel). Instead, the common uplink channel is operated similarly to a random access channel. It is "contention-based," in the sense that UEs can attempt and transmit on the channel with the risk of colliding / conflicting with transmissions from other UEs. A contention-based common uplink channel is not an issue here, because the cell only needs to be aware of the overall load on the channel and not individual UE transmissions. This is because the overall load (e.g., using an "urgent" indication over specific resources) guides the cell's decision to use cell DTX.

[0047] The common uplink channel can be configured to occur with a specific offset prior to the scheduled cell DTX activation / deactivation signaling and also on specific resources during the cell DTX period. The network configures the common uplink channel, but the configuration information itself is not transmitted on this channel (because this channel is uplink, i.e., from the UE to the BS). The configuration can be broadcast (e.g., to all UEs via System Information Broadcast) or configured via UE-specific signaling.

[0048] Meanwhile, the UE 110 can utilize the common uplink channel to provide feedback regarding whether the cell should cease / not commence cell DTX / energy saving, e.g., transmissions in the channel instructing the network whether cell DTX / energy saving should cease / not commence.

[0049] The gNB 170 may accumulate estimated UE transmissions on the common uplink channel over several consecutive / series of common uplink channel transmission opportunities.

[0050] The information received on the uplink common channel allows the gNB to decide whether or not the gNB will enter cell DTX / ES / CSM (cell sleep mode) in the next interval. An example is as follows: The network decision is left to the implementation but can be based on an estimate of the cumulative number of UEs transmitting in the channel and an estimate of the received power level of those transmissions (on different common uplink channel RACH codes / preambles / common uplink channel occasions). For example, if the gNB's power level is low (e.g., below a threshold), the gNB can wait further and remain in cell DTX / ES / CSM until the estimate of the cumulative number of UEs reaches a larger value (e.g., above some threshold). As another example, if the gNB sees more DL data pending for its cell, the gNB may shorten the wait time and only remain in cell DTX / ES / CSM state until the estimate of the cumulative number of UEs reaches a smaller value.

[0051] Another example is the following: The location of the common uplink channel can be moved between cells to enable use cases where there are multiple cells in the CSM / cell DTX with potentially overlapping coverage. That is, a UE located at the cell boundary between two cells (each with coverage at the cell boundary and both running cell DTX) can use the techniques herein to potentially stop cell DTX in at least one (and possibly both) of the cells if both cells can be received from the UE simultaneously.

[0052] One option that can be implemented is a policy for the UE to avoid repeated transmissions on the common uplink channel.

[0053] 1) Pre-configured rules may be used to allow the UE to avoid the need for repeated transmissions on common uplink channel opportunities while waiting for the gNB to terminate cell DTX.

[0054] 2) If the UE sends an indication requesting connectivity on the common uplink channel (at time i) but the network continues to use cell DTX, the UE skips reporting that information again on some subset of the following common uplink channel reporting opportunities (such as time i+x...). That is, if the UE has data or traffic is expected, the idea is to avoid the UE retransmitting its request every time while waiting for the UE to finish DTX for that cell. However, the gNB remembers the request received within its inhibit timer window. The network can set a value x to prevent the UE from repeatedly transmitting.

[0055] 3) The UE may increase the transmit power of its next common uplink channel transmission to inform the network of the urgency of the pending transmission. Increased received power can indicate more UEs transmitting or UEs that have been queued longer (both conveying a higher urgency to stop cell DTX).

[0056] Regarding the configuration of the common uplink channel, the following considerations apply:

[0057] 1) Different RACH codes / preambles / common uplink channel occasions can be used to indicate the urgency of the UE's pending data, e.g., preamble A / resource A indicates no urgency, and preamble B / resource B indicates the UE has urgent data / has queued for a long time.

[0058] 2) Transmit power ramping can also be used to indicate urgency, for example, if the gNB does not stop cell DTX after the first transmission, the UE can increase transmission by 3 dB on the next transmission.

[0059] 3) The preamble selection can be input to the UE's subsequent policy for determining when / where / how to send additional / repeated indications, e.g., whether it will be earlier (e.g., more urgent) or later (e.g., less urgent), using more or less transmit power accordingly (e.g., higher transmit power = more urgent, lower transmit power = less urgent). Additionally or alternatively, this can also result in selecting different (combinations of) different random access channel codes, different preambles, and / or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0060] 4) Different RACH codes / preambles / common uplink channel occasions can be used to indicate the power state of the UE, for example, a UE with a low battery level (e.g., below a threshold) will select a preamble that indicates that the UE will wait longer before sending an additional / retransmission indication.

[0061] As an example, the gNB may provide an "ACK" indication to the UE's transmission on the common uplink channel. This may be implemented as follows:

[0062] 1) Note: Since the UE does not use a UE-specific ID / RNTI on the common uplink channel, the network (in this case) is not fully aware of which UE sent the ACK indication and the network cannot provide UE-specific feedback.

[0063] 2) RAR type transmissions can be scheduled on the PDSCH (or given in the SIB).

[0064] 3) Transmissions can be scheduled via PDCCH using a common RNTI.

[0065] 4) The transmission may indicate which preambles / resources the cell detected were used for the common uplink channel (possibly along with some information about the detected power / multipath delay).

[0066] 5) This step 4 provides probabilistic feedback to the UE as to whether or not the indication was received (probabilistic because collisions are not resolved). That is, if the cell indicates that it detected a transmission using preamble x / resource y, the cell can indicate that in its ACK / feedback, and then the UE that transmitted using that preamble / resource knows that the cell received the indication. However, the UE does not know if it was an indication from that UE, since other UEs may also have transmitted using preamble x / resource y. This is the reason for the "probabilistic" description. Collisions can cause the UE to receive ACKs intended for different UEs. The UE can only know that the cell received something on a particular resource / preamble, not whether it was a transmission from that UE. Nevertheless, this probabilistic feedback can be input into the UE's subsequent policy for determining when / where / how to send an indication for additional / retransmissions, e.g., earlier or later, using more or less transmit power.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 2, this figure is an example of a signaling diagram according to one embodiment. UE 110 performs the operations and functions in the signaling under the control of a corresponding control module 140, and gNB 170 performs the operations and functions in the signaling and blocks under the control of a corresponding control module 140. In signaling 210, gNB 170 transmits cell DTX configuration to UEs (Ue) 110-1 through 110-N. UE 110 responds to signaling 220 on a common uplink channel. These responses include UE assistance (i.e., signaling on a common uplink channel) and / or an indication of expected traffic. In block 230, gNB 170 performs a cell DTX pattern decision based on whether the Demand Count Estimate is greater than (>) a threshold. Depending on the result, gNB 170 transmits cell DTX (de)activation to UE 110 (signaling 240). In other words, if the Demand Count Estimate is greater than the threshold, the cell DTX is deactivated. On the other hand, if the Demand Count Estimate is less than (e.g., or equal to) the threshold, the cell DTX may be activated or remain activated. Signaling 220 (as 220-1), block 230 (as 230-1), and signaling 240 (as 240-1) are repeated.

[0068] The indication on the common uplink channel (see signaling 220 and 250) can be based on the existing 5G NR design for random access channels, i.e., preamble transmission. RA preamble transmission is specified in 3GPP TS 38.211 and 3GPP TS 38.331, the latter defining how related parameters are configured in the UE. The main configuration is given in the information element RACH-ConfigCommon, with further details given in RACH-ConfigGeneric.

[0069] Exemplary parameters to reuse for common uplink channels include: 1) totalNumberOfRA-Preambles: defines the total number of preambles.

[0070] 2) prach-ConfigurationIndex: defines the index of the RA configuration table of TS38.211 of 3GPP. This table defines the preamble format, subframe number, start symbol, etc., which can be reused for common uplink channels.

[0071] 3) msg1-FDM: Number of frequency division multiplexed preamble transmissions per time instance.

[0072] 4) msg1-FrequencyStart: Offset for preamble transmission relative to PRB0.

[0073] 5) powerRampingStep: defines the transmit power ramping for preamble transmission, which can also be used to indicate traffic urgency.

[0074] The parameters can be divided into at least two sets of settings, such that set 1 corresponds to traffic with low urgency, and the use of set 2 indicates a higher level of urgency to the gNB. Whether to use set 1 or set 2 can be defined by determining the QoS / QoE / any other traffic definition of the traffic, or the UE may be allowed to switch from set 1 to set 2 if no response is received from the network after a (network configurable) threshold y transmissions on set 1.

[0075] Furthermore, the new information element for the common uplink channel should include an inhibit timer for transmission (alternatively, the information can be specified somewhere outside the RRC IE). This value defines the minimum periodicity for transmission on the channel, i.e., if the UE transmits on occasion i, it is not allowed to transmit again until occasion i+x. This inhibit timer can be reset based on beam and / or cell reselection.

[0076] Finally, the specification or network configuration should define the RNTI used to schedule the common feedback via PDCCH, and potentially also the (time) offset between the common uplink channel transmission occasion and the PDCCH that schedules the common feedback.

[0077] Turning now to FIG. 3, this figure is a flow diagram of the UE 110 illustrating selected aspects according to one embodiment. The UE performs the operations and functions within the blocks under the control of the control module 140. In block 305, the UE receives a configuration for a common uplink channel. The reception is on a channel that is not a common uplink channel. As shown, this configuration may include an inhibit timer, as previously described above and used later in FIG. 3. The UE 110 receives an indication in block 310 that the cell is planning or is in cell DTX. This indication may be "cell DTX starting now" or "cell DTX starting at 2 PM," or any other indication of the current or future status of cell DTX.

[0078] The UE 110 determines in block 315 whether there is pending uplink (and / or DL ​​data) traffic that it is aware of. DL data may be present if the UE application knows that DL data will be pushed soon, for example, if this DL data has some high urgency and may not be preceded by UL data itself. If there is no pending uplink traffic (block 315=No), flow proceeds to block 370. If there is pending uplink traffic (block 315=Yes), flow proceeds to block 320. The UE determines in block 320 whether there is a pending traffic request.

[0079] Otherwise (no pending traffic request, block 320=No), in block 325, the UE 110 prepares to transmit using a low urgency setting and / or low transmit power. The flow proceeds to block 335. The urgency, and whether it is characterized as “low” or “high,” may depend on the latency requirements for the traffic. The level may be linked to quality of service requirements, but an example can be given: a voice call falls into the urgent category, while a text message or application update (in most cases) does not. The distinction between low and high urgency is well known and can be based, for example, on one or more thresholds. An extreme example would be to set the transmit power to high urgency = maximum transmit power (typically 23 dBm for handheld devices). Alternatively, for low urgency, the UE can transmit according to uplink transmit power control (based on downlink RSRP measurements), and for high urgency, the UE can add x dB to its estimate and increase the transmit power to “high” transmit power. "Low" and "high" power will be known, although other options are possible.

[0080] If so (there is a pending traffic request, block 320=YES), then UE 110 prepares to transmit using a high urgency setting and / or a high transmit power in block 330. Flow proceeds to block 335.

[0081] In block 335, the UE 110 determines whether the common uplink channel prohibit timer allows transmission on the next (transmission) occasion. If not (block 335=No), flow proceeds again to block 335. If transmission is allowed (block 335=Yes), flow proceeds to block 340, where the UE 110 transmits a preamble on the common uplink channel. The transmission of the preamble may also include an indication of urgency (see block 341) if specific resources are configured for it. More specifically, the preamble may include any indication of the need for data transmission for cell discontinuous transmission. The need for data transmission for cell discontinuous transmission operation refers to whether the need for data transmission may collide or overlap with cell DTX. In other words, the UE wants to transmit data on the UL, but this conflicts with the current cell DTX operation (i.e., during the cell DTX operation, the UE has or expects to have data), or overlaps with the current DTX operation (e.g., the UE expects to have data, and the arrival time of the data overlaps with the time when the current DTX operation is occurring or about to occur). Block 342 is an example of block 341, where the indication of a data transmission need for a cell discontinuous transmission operation includes a request to stop or suspend the cell DTX operation to allow the UE to perform the data transmission related to the data transmission need.

[0082] In block 345, the UE determines whether feedback from the gNB 170 has been received. One example of allowing feedback may be that the common uplink configuration defines that feedback is sent y ms after the common uplink channel resources. That is, the UE can monitor the resources y ms after the transmission for feedback. Feedback may also be scheduled via the PDCCH and transmitted on the PDSCH (as usual). If there is gNB feedback (block 345=Yes), the UE determines in block 350 whether the gNB feedback indicated that the UE transmission (from block 340) was received. If so (block 350=Yes), the UE 110 determines in block 360 whether the gNB feedback indicates cell DTX termination / abortion. That is, the feedback may indicate that cell DTX for that cell has terminated normally or was aborted early (e.g., abnormally). This feedback may also be received in the SIB or elsewhere (see reference numeral 361). If the feedback indicates termination / cessation of cell DTX operation (block 360=Yes), the UE 110 returns to normal operation in block 370 .

[0083] If there is no gNB feedback in block 345 (block 345=No), the method proceeds to optional block 355, which may be used depending on a network threshold. That is, the network may define a threshold such that, for example, "if the UE has transmitted three times (i.e., the threshold) but has not received network feedback, the UE is allowed to increase its transmit power / switch to an emergency setting." Other thresholds are possible. In block 355, the UE 110 increases its transmit power for the preamble and / or switches to a high-urgency setting. Note that block 355 may also be reached if the gNB feedback does not indicate that a UE transmission (from block 340) has been received (block 350=No). Once block 355 is executed, in block 365, the UE prepares for transmission (of the preamble) on the next common uplink channel occasion according to an inhibit timer. Block 365 may also be reached from block 360 if the gNB feedback did not indicate the end / cessation of cell DTX operation (block 360=No). From block 365, flow returns to block 335.

[0084] Turning now to Figure 4, this figure is a flow chart of a base station (e.g., a gNB) illustrating selected aspects according to one embodiment. This example is divided into two parts: part 405 for real-time cell DTX process, and part 490 providing configuration, feedback, and analysis to enable 405. Each block is executed by a base station, such as a gNB, under the control of a corresponding control module 140, for example.

[0085] In block 410, it is determined whether the gNB is ready to determine whether or not to enter DTX / ES / CSM (cell sleep mode) operation in the next interval. If not (block 410=No), the gNB 170 waits by executing block 410 again.

[0086] If so (block 410=Yes), in block 420, the gNB determines whether the cumulative number of UEs transmitting on the UL common channel and the received power levels of their transmissions (on different common uplink channel RACH codes / preambles / common uplink channel occasions) (plus DL data pending for that cell known to the gNB) are greater than a threshold. This example has a threshold that considers at least both the number of UEs and their corresponding power of their transmissions. Multiple thresholds may be used (e.g., one for the number of UEs and one for the corresponding transmit power), and a threshold may be considered in multiple ways. For example, if the number of UEs is greater than the threshold or the corresponding transmit power is greater than the threshold, the gNB terminates cell DTX operation. Another example may require both thresholds to be met. As indicated by block 420, the gNB may also consider whether there is DL data pending for that cell known to the gNB. This may use separate thresholds or may be combined into a single threshold in block 420.

[0087] If the number and power level are not greater than the threshold (block 420=No), the gNB remains in cell DTX (or starts cell DTX), which is denoted as DTX / ES / CSM. See block 430. In contrast, if the number and power level are greater than the threshold (block 420=No), the gNB ends cell DTX, which is denoted as DTX / ES / CSM. See block 440.

[0088] In block 435, the gNB 170 may notify the UE 110 of impending or current cell DTX operation. Thus, the gNB transmits an indication that cell DTX is beginning or that the cell is in a cell DTX state. The gNB could also indicate in successive intervals: cell DTX will begin at time X (or, for example, in X minutes); cell DTX has begun; cell DTX will continue for X minutes (or, for example, for the next N intervals, N≧1); cell DTX has ended. Other options are possible.

[0089] In portion 490, the gNB provides the UE 170 with a common uplink channel configuration. See block 450. The gNB 170 monitors the next common UL channel occasion for a transmission (e.g., of a preamble) requesting the cell to exit the cell DTX in block 460. In block 470, the gNB 170 transmits feedback to the UE 170 that the gNB determined that the preamble was received.

[0090] In block 480, the gNB 170 estimates the total accumulated requests across the common UL channels, taking into account requests in past UL common channel occasions that were not transmitted / repeated in the most recent UL channel according to a prohibit timer. The rule may be: "The gNB 170 may accumulate estimated UE transmissions in the common uplink channel over several consecutive / series of common uplink channel transmission opportunities." The flow returns to block 460. The data estimated in block 480 may be used in block 420.

[0091] Note that block 460 may include determining the received power level. Block 460 may also include determining the indications of urgency, if used.

[0092] Without limiting in any way the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims that follow, a technical effect and advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to increase the amount of time a gNB can use cell DTX, particularly improving gNB and Ultra ES during emergency mode or battery backup. Another technical effect and advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is to reduce the amount of gNB energy consumed to support responses to (relatively) isolated UE traffic requests, i.e., avoiding early / frequent shutdown of cell DTX. This may include minimizing / avoiding supporting connectivity until there are sufficient UE requests in the cell to justify the gNB terminating ES. For example, a gNB running on battery backup and using cell DTX may avoid exiting an energy-saving state to respond in the event of a single UE seeking connectivity. Another technical effect and advantage of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is that using a random access preamble-type transmission allows a gNB to receive feedback from multiple UEs without scheduling each individual UE. Additionally, the feedback channel may allow the UE to decide whether to repeat its indication.

[0093] Here are some additional examples: Example 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; A method comprising:

[0094] Example 2. The method of example 1, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of the following: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel, or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

[0095] Example 3. The method of example 1 or 2, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the cell discontinuous transmission operation includes a request to stop or suspend the cell discontinuous transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform a data transmission related to the data transmission need.

[0096] Example 4. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 3, further including, prior to transmitting, determining, by the user equipment, to transmit, and performing the transmitting in response to determining to transmit.

[0097] Example 5. The method of Example 4, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel, the determining to transmit determines that a next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, and the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

[0098] Example 6. The method of example 5, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

[0099] Example 7. The method of any of Examples 1 to 6, wherein sending an indication indicates an urgency of the need to send the data.

[0100] Example 8. The method of example 7, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgency of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0101] Example 9. The method of example 7, transmitting transmit power ramping over multiple transmit occasions, and corresponding multiple transmissions indicating an urgency to transmit data related to a need for data transmission.

[0102] Example 10. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit the one or more additional indications, where how to transmit indicates how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to the power level used in the previous transmission.

[0103] Example 11. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 7, 9, or 10, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0104] Example 12. After transmitting, monitoring by the user equipment for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication was received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; in response to determining that the acknowledgment was not received, performing one or more of the following: The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, further comprising: increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; Switching to a high urgency setting that modifies one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency, or Preparing to transmit an indication on the next common uplink channel occasion permitted by the timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel.

[0105] Example 13. A method comprising: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; A method comprising:

[0106] Example 14. The method of example 13, wherein receiving the indication indicates an urgency of the need to transmit the data.

[0107] Example 15. The method of example 14, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0108] Example 16. The method of example 14, wherein transmit power ramping across receipt of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

[0109] Example 17. The method of Example 14, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates, for use by the user equipment, one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications, where how to transmit indicates how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to the power level used in the previous transmission.

[0110] Example 18. The method of any of Examples 13 to 17, wherein different power states of the user equipment are indicated using one or more of the following: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0111] Example 19. The method further includes determining whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of these transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; 19. The method of any one of examples 13 to 18, wherein determining whether to stay in or abandon an already started discontinuous cell transmission operation, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation signaled to start, is determined as follows: in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or In response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds, abandon an already initiated cell discontinuous transmission operation or do not initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to begin.

[0112] Example 20. The method of any one of Examples 13 to 19, wherein determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipment.

[0113] Example 21. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the common uplink channel is common because all user equipment connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

[0114] Example 22. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method of any of Examples 1 to 21 when the computer program is run on an apparatus.

[0115] Example 23. The computer program of Example 22, wherein the computer program is a computer program product including a computer-readable medium having instructions embodied therein for use in the device.

[0116] Example 24. The computer program of Example 22, wherein the computer program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the device.

[0117] Example 25. An apparatus, receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; An apparatus comprising: means for performing

[0118] Example 26. The apparatus of example 25, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of the following: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel, or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

[0119] Example 27. The apparatus of Example 25 or 26, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the cell discontinuous transmission operation includes a request to stop or suspend the cell discontinuous transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform a data transmission related to the data transmission need.

[0120] Example 28. A method for transmitting a signal by a user equipment, the method comprising: determining to transmit by the user equipment before transmitting; and performing the transmitting in response to the determining to transmit. 28. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 27, further configured to perform:

[0121] Example 29. The apparatus of Example 28, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel, the determining to transmit determines that a next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, and the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

[0122] Example 30. The apparatus of example 29, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

[0123] Example 31. The apparatus of any of Examples 25 to 30, wherein transmitting the indication indicates an urgency of the need to transmit the data.

[0124] Example 32. The apparatus of example 31, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0125] Example 33. The apparatus of example 31, transmitting transmit power ramping over a plurality of transmit occasions, and corresponding transmissions indicating an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for the data transmission.

[0126] Example 34. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 33, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit the one or more additional indications, where the how to transmit indicates how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

[0127] Example 35. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 31, 33, or 34, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0128] Example 36. Means monitoring, by the user equipment after transmission, for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication has been received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; in response to determining that the acknowledgment was not received, performing one or more of the following: 36. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 35, further configured to perform: increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; modifying one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency and switching to a high urgency setting; or Preparing to transmit an indication on the next common uplink channel occasion permitted by the timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel.

[0129] Example 37. An apparatus, transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; An apparatus comprising: means for performing

[0130] Example 38. The apparatus of example 37, wherein receiving the indication indicates an urgency of the need to transmit the data.

[0131] Example 39. The apparatus of example 38, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0132] Example 40. The apparatus of example 38, wherein transmit power ramping across receipt of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for the data transmission.

[0133] Example 41. The apparatus of example 38, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates, for use by the user equipment, one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit the one or more additional indications, where the how to transmit indicates how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to the power level used in a previous transmission.

[0134] Example 42. The apparatus of any of Examples 37 to 41, wherein a different power state of the user equipment is indicated using one or more of the following: a different random access channel code for the common uplink channel, a different preamble used on the common uplink channel, or a different common uplink channel occasion.

[0135] Example 43. The method further configured to perform determining whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of these transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; 43. The apparatus of any one of examples 37 to 42, wherein determining whether to remain in or abandon an already initiated discontinuous cell transmission operation, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation signaled to start, comprises making the determination as follows: in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or In response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds, abandon an already initiated cell discontinuous transmission operation or do not initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to begin.

[0136] Example 44. The apparatus of any one of Examples 37 to 43, wherein the determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipment.

[0137] Example 45. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 44, wherein the common uplink channel is common because all user equipment connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

[0138] Example 46. The means are at least one processor; at least one memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to run; 46. ​​The apparatus of any one of apparatus examples 25 to 45, comprising:

[0139] Example 47. An apparatus, one or more processors; When executed by one or more processors, the apparatus comprises at least: receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; one or more memories for storing instructions for executing the An apparatus comprising:

[0140] Example 48. The apparatus of example 47, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of the following: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel, or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

[0141] Example 49. The apparatus of example 47 or 48, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the cell discontinuous transmission operation includes a request to stop or suspend the cell discontinuous transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform a data transmission related to the data transmission need.

[0142] Example 50. The apparatus of any one of Examples 47 to 49, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform at least: determining, by the user equipment, to transmit before transmitting; and performing the transmitting in response to determining to transmit.

[0143] Example 51. The apparatus of example 50, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel, the determining to transmit determines that a next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, and the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

[0144] Example 52. The apparatus of example 51, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

[0145] Example 53. The apparatus of any of Examples 47 to 52, wherein transmitting the indication indicates an urgency of the need to transmit the data.

[0146] Example 54. The apparatus of example 53, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0147] Example 55. The apparatus of example 53, transmitting transmit power ramping over a plurality of transmit occasions, and wherein the corresponding plurality of transmissions indicate an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for the data transmission.

[0148] Example 56. The apparatus of any one of Examples 47 to 55, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit the one or more additional indications, where how to transmit indicates how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

[0149] Example 57. The apparatus of any one of Examples 47 to 53, 55, or 56, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0150] Example 58. When one or more memories are executed by one or more processors, the device has at least: monitoring, by the user equipment after transmission, for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication has been received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; in response to determining that the acknowledgment was not received, performing one or more of the following: 58. The apparatus of any one of Examples 47 to 57, further storing instructions to perform: increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; modifying one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency and switching to a high urgency setting; or Preparing to transmit an indication on the next common uplink channel occasion permitted by the timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel.

[0151] Example 59. An apparatus, one or more processors; When executed by one or more processors, the apparatus comprises at least: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; one or more memories for storing instructions for executing the An apparatus comprising:

[0152] Example 60. The apparatus of example 59, wherein receiving the indication indicates an urgency of the need to transmit the data.

[0153] Example 61. The apparatus of example 60, wherein one or more of the following are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission: different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

[0154] Example 62. The apparatus of example 60, wherein transmit power ramping across reception of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

[0155] Example 63. The apparatus of example 60, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of the following for use by the user equipment: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit the one or more additional indications, where the how to transmit indicates how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to the power level used in a previous transmission.

[0156] Example 64. The apparatus of any of Examples 59 to 63, wherein a different power state of the user equipment is indicated using one or more of the following: a different random access channel code for the common uplink channel, a different preamble used on the common uplink channel, or a different common uplink channel occasion.

[0157] Example 65. The one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to at least determine whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; 65. The apparatus of any one of examples 60 to 64, wherein determining whether to remain in or abandon an already initiated discontinuous cell transmission operation, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation signaled to start, comprises making the determination as follows: in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or In response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds, abandon an already initiated cell discontinuous transmission operation or do not initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to begin.

[0158] Example 66. The apparatus of any one of Examples 60 to 65, wherein the determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipment.

[0159] Example 67. The apparatus of any one of Examples 47 to 66, wherein the common uplink channel is common because all user equipment connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

[0160] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., analog and / or digital-only implementations); and (b) combinations of hardware circuitry and software (where appropriate), such as: (i) combinations of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; (ii) any portion of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software, software, and memory that cooperate to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions; and (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not necessary for operation.

[0161] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of the term in this application, including all claims. As a further example, when used in this application, the term circuit also covers merely a hardware circuit or processor (or processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor, as well as its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. The term circuit also covers, for example, baseband integrated circuits or processor-integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices, if applicable to certain claim elements.

[0162] Embodiments herein may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits), or a combination of software and hardware. In an exemplary embodiment, the software (e.g., application logic, instruction set) is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any medium or means that can store, store, communicate, propagate, or transport instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer, with an example computer described and depicted in FIG. 1B. A computer-readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 125 or other device), which may be any medium or means that can store, store, and / or transport instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readable storage medium does not include propagating signals and may therefore be considered non-transitory. As used herein, the term "non-transient" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage permanence (e.g., random access memory (RAM) vs. read-only memory (ROM)).

[0163] If desired, different functions discussed herein may be performed in different orders and / or concurrently with one another. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the functions described above may be optional or may be combined.

[0164] Various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, but other aspects of the invention include other combinations of features from the described embodiments and / or dependent claims with features of the independent claims, and not just the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0165] It should also be noted herein that while the above describes exemplary embodiments of the present invention, these descriptions should not be considered in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications that can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0166] The following abbreviations that may appear in the present specification and / or drawings are defined as follows: [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 5G (5th Generation) ACK Acknowledgment AMF Access and Mobility Management Functions BBU Baseband Unit BS base station CSM Cell Sleep Mode CU Central Unit DL Downlink (Network to UE) DRX Discontinuous Reception DTX Discontinuous Transmission DU Distributed Unit eNB (or eNodeB) Evolved NodeB (e.g., LTE base station) gNB (or gNodeB) 5G / NR base station, Next generation Node B ES Energy Savings ID Identification Information IE Information Elements I / F interface LTE Long Term Evolution MBMS Multimedia Broadcast / Multicast Service MME Mobility Management Entity NACK Negative Acknowledgment ng or NG Next Generation ng-eNB or NG-eNB Next Generation eNB NR new radio N / W or NW Network PA power amplifier PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PRB Physical Resource Block QoE Quality of Experience QoS Quality of Service RA Random Access RACH Random Access Channel RAN Radio Access Network RAR Random Access Response Rel Release RLC Radio Link Control RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier RRH Remote Radio Head RRC Radio Resource Control RU Radio Unit Rx Receiver SGW Serving Gateway SIB System Information Broadcast SMF Session Management Facility SSB sync signal block TR Technical Report Tx transmitter UE User Equipment (e.g., wireless, typically mobile device) UI User Interface UPF User Plane Function WID Work Item Description

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel; or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the discontinuous cell transmission operation comprises a request to stop or suspend the discontinuous cell transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform data transmission related to the data transmission need.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before transmitting, determining by the user equipment to transmit, and performing the transmitting in response to determining to transmit.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel, and if the decision on whether to transmit determines that the next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which the transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending of the indication indicates the urgency of the need to send the data.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission.

9. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the transmit power ramping over multiple transmit occasions and the corresponding multiple transmissions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications, the how indicating how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to the power level used in the previous transmission.

11. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channels, different preambles used on the common uplink channels, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment.

12. monitoring, by the user equipment after transmission, for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication has been received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; In response to determining that no acknowledgment was received, increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; modifying one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency and switching to a high urgency setting; or preparing to transmit an indication on a next common uplink channel occasion permitted by a timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel; 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

13. 1. A method comprising: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; A method comprising:

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein receiving an indication indicates an urgency of a need to transmit data.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channels, different preambles used on the common uplink channels, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of the need for data transmission.

16. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein transmit power ramping across receipt of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

17. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates, for use by the user equipment, one or more of: when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications, the how indicating how to adjust the power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

18. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein different power states of the user equipment are indicated using one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channels, different preambles used on the common uplink channels, or different common uplink channel occasions.

19. The method further includes determining whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and a received power level of these transmissions is greater than one or more thresholds; determining whether to stay in or abandon a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has already been started, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has been signaled to be started; in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or abandoning an already initiated discontinuous cell transmission operation or not commencing a signaled discontinuous cell transmission operation in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; 19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein

20. 20. The method of any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipments.

21. 21. The method of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the common uplink channel is common since all user equipments connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

22. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any of claims 1 to 21 when the computer program is run on an apparatus.

23. 23. A computer program according to claim 22, wherein the computer program is a computer program product including a computer readable medium having embodied therein instructions for use in the apparatus.

24. 23. A computer program according to claim 22, wherein the computer program is directly loadable into the internal memory of the device.

25. 1. An apparatus comprising: receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; An apparatus comprising: means for performing

26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel; or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

27. 27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the cell discontinuous transmission operation comprises a request to stop or suspend the cell discontinuous transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform data transmission related to the data transmission need.

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means is further configured to: determine, by the user equipment, before transmitting, to transmit; and perform transmitting in response to determining to transmit.

29. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel, the determining to transmit determines that a next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, and the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

30. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

31. 31. The apparatus of any of claims 25 to 30, wherein transmitting an indication indicates urgency of a need to transmit data.

32. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of a need for data transmission.

33. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, transmitting a transmit power ramp over a plurality of transmit occasions, and a corresponding plurality of transmissions indicating an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

34. 34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of when in time to transmit, where in a common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications, the how indicating how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

35. 35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channels, different preambles used on the common uplink channels, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment.

36. The means monitoring, by the user equipment after transmission, for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication has been received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; In response to determining that no acknowledgment was received, increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; modifying one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency and switching to a high urgency setting; or preparing to transmit an indication on a next common uplink channel occasion permitted by a timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel; 36. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 35, further configured to perform:

37. 1. An apparatus comprising: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; An apparatus comprising: means for performing

38. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein receiving the indication indicates an urgency of a need to transmit data.

39. 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of a need for data transmission.

40. 40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein transmit power ramping across receipt of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

41. 39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications for use by the user equipment, the how indicating how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

42. 42. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein different power states of the user equipment are indicated using one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

43. the means is further configured to perform determining whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and a received power level of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; determining whether to stay in or abandon a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has already been started, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has been signaled to be started; in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or abandoning an already initiated discontinuous cell transmission operation or not commencing a signaled discontinuous cell transmission operation in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; 43. The device of any one of claims 37 to 42, wherein

44. 44. The apparatus of any one of claims 37 to 43, wherein determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipments.

45. 45. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 44, wherein the common uplink channel is common because all user equipment connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

46. The means is, at least one processor; at least one memory that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to run; 46. ​​Apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 45, comprising:

47. 1. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; When executed by one or more processors, the apparatus comprises at least: receiving, by a user equipment in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by the user equipment to communicate with a base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; determining, by the user equipment, that cell discontinuous transmission operation has already begun or that the base station has signaled that cell discontinuous transmission operation will begin; transmitting, by the user equipment, over a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; one or more memories storing instructions for executing the An apparatus comprising:

48. 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the configuration of the common uplink channel includes one or more of: one or more resource allocations for the common uplink channel, or one or more preambles to be used when transmitting on the common uplink channel.

49. 49. The apparatus of claim 47 or 48, wherein the indication of a data transmission need related to the cell discontinuous transmission operation comprises a request to stop or suspend the cell discontinuous transmission operation to enable the user equipment to perform data transmission related to the data transmission need.

50. 50. The apparatus of any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein the one or more memories further store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to at least: determine, by the user equipment, to transmit before transmitting; and perform transmitting in response to determining to transmit.

51. 51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the transmitting is performed in one transmission occasion of a common uplink channel, the determining to transmit determines that a next transmission occasion of the common uplink channel should not be used for transmission, and the transmitting is not performed for the next transmission occasion.

52. 52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein a timer is used to inhibit transmission in one or more further transmission occasions after a transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed on a common uplink channel.

53. 53. The apparatus of any of claims 47 to 52, wherein transmitting an indication indicates urgency of a need to transmit data.

54. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of a need for data transmission.

55. 54. The apparatus of claim 53, transmitting transmit power ramping over a plurality of transmit occasions, and corresponding transmissions indicating an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

56. 56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of when in time to transmit, where in a common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications, wherein how to transmit indicates how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

57. 57. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channels, different preambles used on the common uplink channels, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different power states of the user equipment.

58. The one or more memories, when executed by one or more processors, provide an apparatus having at least: monitoring, by the user equipment after transmission, for an acknowledgment by the base station that the indication has been received; determining, by the user equipment, that no acknowledgement was received; In response to determining that no acknowledgment was received, increasing a transmit power for one or more future transmissions of the indication; modifying one or more future transmissions of the indication to indicate high urgency and switching to a high urgency setting; or preparing to transmit an indication on a next common uplink channel occasion permitted by a timer, wherein the timer is used to prohibit transmission on one or more transmission occasions after the transmission occasion in which transmitting is performed for one transmission occasion of the common uplink channel; 58. The apparatus of any one of claims 47 to 57, further storing instructions to cause the apparatus to perform the following:

59. 1. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; When executed by one or more processors, the apparatus comprises at least: transmitting, by a base station in a wireless communication system, a configuration of a common uplink channel to be used by user equipment to communicate with the base station for cell discontinuous transmission operation by the base station; initiating, by the base station, a cell discontinuous transmission operation or signaling, by the base station, to the user equipment that the cell discontinuous transmission operation is to commence; receiving, by the base station, from the user equipment via a common uplink channel, an indication of a need for data transmission related to cell discontinuous transmission operation; determining, by the base station, whether to remain in or abandon the cell discontinuous transmission operation based at least in part on the received indication of a need for data transmission; one or more memories storing instructions for executing the An apparatus comprising:

60. 60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein receiving the indication indicates an urgency of a need to transmit data.

61. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions are used to indicate different urgencies of a need for data transmission.

62. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein transmit power ramping across receipt of multiple transmit occasions indicates an urgency in transmitting data related to a need for data transmission.

63. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the common uplink channel configuration indicates one or more of when in time to transmit, where in the common uplink channel occasion to transmit, or how to transmit one or more additional indications for use by the user equipment, the how indicating how to adjust a power level of the one or more additional indications relative to a power level used in a previous transmission.

64. 64. The apparatus of any of claims 59 to 63, wherein different power states of the user equipment are indicated using one or more of different random access channel codes for the common uplink channel, different preambles used on the common uplink channel, or different common uplink channel occasions.

65. the one or more memories further storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to at least determine whether a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and a received power level of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds; determining whether to stay in or abandon a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has already been started, or whether to start a discontinuous cell transmission operation that has been signaled to be started; in response to determining that the cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are below one or more thresholds, remain in a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has already been initiated or initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to be initiated; or 65. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein, in response to determining that a cumulative number of user equipment transmitting on the common uplink channel and the received power levels of those transmissions are greater than one or more thresholds, the apparatus abandons an already initiated cell discontinuous transmission operation or does not initiate a cell discontinuous transmission operation that has been signaled to begin.

66. 66. The apparatus of any one of claims 60 to 65, wherein determining is based on receiving indications of a need for data transmission from a plurality of user equipments.

67. 67. The apparatus of any one of claims 47 to 66, wherein the common uplink channel is common because all user equipment connected to the base station are configured to use this uplink channel for communication of corresponding indications when those indications are communicated.

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