Method for adapting radio link procedures for UE power saving - Patents.com

Abstract

A method performed by a communication device (100) includes obtaining (800) criteria associated with a first and a second operating mode of a radio link procedure (RLP) to be performed by the communication device (100). The method includes selecting (802) one of the first and second operating modes for performing the RLP based on the criteria. The method further includes performing (804) the RLP according to the first or second operating mode based on the selection.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communications, and more particularly to communication methods and associated devices and nodes supporting wireless communications. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods for adapting radio link procedures to reduce power consumption by user equipment (UE). [Background technology]

[0002] Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) assessment in New Radio (NR) is based on up to 8 RLM reference signal (RLM-RS) resources configured by the network. In this case, One RLM-RS resource can be either one SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel) block or one Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) resource / port. RLM-RS resources are configured UE specific. According to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Test Specification (TS) 38.133 V16.5.0, the Radio Link Procedures are applicable to: Primary Cell (PCell) in Standalone New Radio (SA NR), New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) and NR-E-UTRA (NR Evolved UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access) Dual Connectivity (NE-DC) operating modes; Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell) for NR-DC and EN-DC operating modes.

[0003] The SS / PBCH block further includes channels / signals (e.g., Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), PBCH, Demodulation Reference Signal for PBCH (DMRS), CSI-RS, etc.) for periodically synchronizing the UE with the network and acquiring channel information. Such channels / signals are transmitted in simultaneous transmission bursts called Discovery Reference Signals (DRS). DRS are transmitted periodically by the base station with a particular periodicity, e.g., 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, 160 ms, etc. Each synchronization signal block (SSB), or periodically occurring SSB-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC) opportunity, encompasses one or more SSB / PBCH signals. The SMTC encompasses, e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, PDSCH for transmitting the SS / PBCH block, or SIB1. The UE is configured with information, called SMTC, regarding the SSBs in the carrier's cells, including the periodicity of the SMTC, the time length or duration of the SMTC opportunity, and the time offset of the SMTC relative to a reference time (e.g., the SFN (System Frame Number)) of the serving cell).

[0004] The UE shall be configured with one or more RLM-RS resources, and for each resource, the UE shall estimate a downlink radio link quality (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR), reference signal received power (RSRP)) and compare it with thresholds Qout and Qin (hypothetical physical downlink control channel block error rate (PDCCH BLER)) for the purpose of monitoring the downlink radio link quality of the cell. More specifically, the UE shall be capable of evaluating whether the downlink radio link quality in the configured RLM-RS resource estimated over a recent OOS evaluation period (TEvaluate_out) becomes worse than a threshold Qout in a TEvaluate_out evaluation period, and the UE shall be capable of evaluating whether the downlink radio link quality in the configured RLM-RS resource estimated over a recent IS evaluation period (TEvaluate_in) becomes better than a threshold Qin in a TEvaluate_in evaluation period.

[0005] In Frequency Range #2 (FR2) (for mm-wave, e.g., frequencies between 24 GHz and 52.6 GHz), the RLM evaluation period further applies an Rx beam sweep factor N, where it is assumed that the UE is trying to receive the RLM-RS with different Rx beam settings to measure the RLM-RS. An example of N is 8. This means that the OOS and IS evaluation period in FR2 is N times longer than the corresponding OOS and IS evaluation period in Frequency Range #1 (FR1) (e.g., frequencies between 400 MHz and 7 GHz).

[0006] Beam management (BM) in NR is a procedure that maintains a beam connection for transmission and reception. Beam management is also interchangeably called a link recovery procedure. Beam management broadly includes one or more of the beam-related procedures, such as beam establishment, beam failure recovery, and beam indication (or beam reporting).

[0007] Beam establishment is a procedure for a UE to select the best (strongest) beam when it connects to a network. To identify the beam, the base station (gNB) transmits different SS / PBCH blocks and / or CSI-RS for each beam. Beam establishment is usually performed at the same time that the UE performs an initial cell search. In the initial cell search, the UE searches for the strongest SS / PBCH block, which corresponds to the beam ID, and thus identifies its location in the time domain. After the UE discovers a beam, the UE attempts to connect to the network using this beam. While the UE connects to the network, the UE measures the downlink link quality of the connecting beam. If the link quality level is below a threshold, the UE triggers a beam failure and starts a beam recovery procedure.

[0008] Beam failure recovery is a procedure when the UE updates the beam in the same cell when the current beam becomes weak due to changes in channel conditions, e.g., UE location change or rotation. Beam indication is a procedure when the UE reports the beam conditions (e.g., received signal power at the beam) to the network as a CSI report.

[0009] According to 3GPP TS38.133 V16.5.0, the beam management procedures are applicable to: PCell in Standalone (SA), New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) or New Radio Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Dual Connectivity (NE-DC) operating modes; PSCells in NR-DC and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access and New Radio Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) operating modes; or · SCell for carrier aggregation.

[0010] The beam recovery procedure is a procedure to restore a beam connection when the beam that the UE is monitoring becomes weak. The UE measures the channel quality of the periodic SS / PBCH blocks and / or CSI-RS resources (q0) of the serving cell. If the measured quality is below a threshold Qout_LR, which corresponds to a hypothetical PDCCH BLER of 10%, the UE physical layer indicates a beam failure to the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. This event is called Beam Failure Detection (BFD).

[0011] In FR2, the BFD evaluation period further applies an Rx beam sweep factor N, where it is assumed that the UE attempts to receive the RLM-RS in different Rx beam configurations to measure the BFD-RS. An example for N is 8. This means that the BFD evaluation period in FR2 is N times longer than the BFD evaluation period in FR1.

[0012] After BFD, the UE searches for candidate beams from the configured CSI-RS and / or SS / PBCH block resources for candidate beam detection (q1) in the serving cell. The UE determines one of the beams in q1 whose L1-RSRP is above a threshold rsrp-Threshold signaled by the network. This procedure is called Candidate Beam Detection (CBD).

[0013] After determining the new beam on the PCell / PSCell, the UE reports the selected beam using a random access procedure, in which the UE transmits a random access preamble on the Physical Random Access Control Channel (PRACH) corresponding to the SS / PBCH block and / or CSI-RS resource. After determining the new beam on the SCell, the UE reports the selected beam using a Beam Failure Recovery (BFR) message on the Medium Access Control (MAC) control element MAC CE.

[0014] In FR2, the CBD evaluation period further applies a receiver (Rx) beam sweep factor N, where it is assumed that the UE attempts to receive the CBD-RS with different Rx beam configurations to measure the CBD-RS. An example of N is 8. N is the same configured cell dependent scaling factor as for CBD evaluation in FR1. This means that the CBD evaluation period in FR2 is N times longer than the CBD evaluation period in FR1.

[0015] L1-RSRP reporting in NR is part of the CSI reporting procedure, where the UE reports the received power of a configured number of beams. The network uses the information to decide which beams should be used to transmit data (PDCCH / PDSCH). L1-RSRP reporting is configured as periodic, aperiodic, or semi-persistent. For periodic reporting, the UE shall transmit the L1-RSRP on the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) according to the periodicity configured by the network. For aperiodic L1-RSRP reporting, the UE shall transmit the L1-RSRP on the PUSCH after the UE receives a CSI request in the Downlink Control Information (DCI). For semi-persistent L1-RSRP reporting, the UE shall transmit the L1-RSRP report on the PUSCH or PUCCH according to the periodicity specified by higher layers. For semi-persistent reporting, the UE stops L1-RSRP reporting after the configured number of report transmissions. The reporting period is T Report is given by:

[0016] In FR2, the L1-RSRP measurement period further applies an Rx beam sweep factor N, where it is assumed that the UE is trying to receive the SSB with different Rx beam settings to measure the SSB. An example of N is 8. This means that the L1-RSRP measurement period in FR2 is N times longer than the L1-RSRP measurement in FR1.

[0017] Similar to L1-RSRP reporting, L1-SINR reporting is also part of the CSI reporting procedure, where the UE reports the ratio of the received power of the channel measurement resource (CMR) to the received power of the interference measurement resource (IMR). 3GPP assumes that the CMR is SSB or CSI-RS, and the IMR is non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS) or zero power CSI-RS (ZP-CSI-RS).

[0018] In FR2, the L1-SINR measurement period further applies an Rx beam sweep factor N, where it is assumed that the UE is attempting to receive SSB and IMR with different Rx beam settings to measure SSB and IMR. An example of N is 8. This means that the L1-SINR measurement period in FR2 is N times longer than the L1-SINR measurement in FR1. Both the L1-RSRP report and the L1-SINR report are part of the beam indication or beam report.

[0019] Two of the basic procedures in the RRC CONNECTED state that ensure the UE maintains reliable communication with the serving cell are Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) and Beam Management (BM) as mentioned above. Both the RLM and BM procedures require the UE to perform certain steps or activities periodically or at least with a certain periodicity, e.g., every radio frame, every discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, every BM / RLM-RS transmission periodicity. Examples of such activities are performing measurements, processing measurements (e.g., comparing with a threshold), triggering events / indications, triggering new procedures based on the outcome of the evaluation, etc. Such frequent measurement and / or processing activities may significantly increase the power consumption of the UE. In low mobility or stationary scenarios, the UE is expected to have limited or no mobility. In such scenarios, the radio conditions experienced by the UE may not change significantly over time. Therefore, performing measurements for the RLM and / or BM procedures with a short periodicity at all times in all scenarios increases the UE power consumption and UE processing. Therefore, there is a need to enable a UE to perform RLM and / or BM procedures while reducing UE power consumption and UE processing. Summary of the Invention

[0020] In accordance with some embodiments of the inventive concept, a method implemented by a communications device includes obtaining criteria associated with a first and a second operating mode of a radio link procedure (RLP) to be implemented by the communications device. The method includes selecting one of the first and second operating modes for implementing the RLP based on the criteria. The method further includes implementing the RLP according to the first or second operating mode based on the selection.

[0021] A communication device and computer program having similar operation are also provided.

[0022] Advantages that can be achieved include that the network radios, which are better utilized as the network (NW), can use the reported information to adapt their transmissions. For example, when the NW knows that the UE is in a relaxed state, the NW can avoid transmitting signals / channels on occasions when the UE is likely not to receive the signals / channels. Another advantage is that the power consumption of the UE is improved, i.e., the UE can enter a relaxed mode and sleep for a longer period of time, especially when the UE has limited mobility and / or is not expected to be scheduled frequently. In another example, the operation of RLP in a relaxed mode is only enabled in scenarios with no or little performance degradation.

[0023] In accordance with another embodiment of the inventive concept, a method implemented by a communications device includes obtaining criteria associated with a first radio link procedure (RLP) and a second RLP to be implemented by the communications device. The method includes determining, based on the criteria, whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation. The method further includes implementing the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation based on the determination.

[0024] A communication device and computer program having similar operation are also provided.

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a radio access network RAN ​​node (e.g., a base station eNB / gNB) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] A block diagram illustrating a core network CN node (e.g., an AMF node, an SMF node, etc.) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example timeline in which a UE starts a radio link failure timer after detecting an out-of-sync indication, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a UE switching between a current mode of operation and a new mode of operation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a communication device to implement RLP according to a first or second operating mode, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a communications device to select a first operation mode and implement RLP in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a communications device selecting a second mode of operation to implement RLP in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a communication device implementing a first RLP and a second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a communications device determining whether to implement a first RLP and a second RLP according to a first operating mode or a second operating mode based on criteria and information, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a communication device determining to implement a second RLP according to a second operation mode, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a communication device determining to implement a second RLP according to a first operating mode, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to some embodiments. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a virtualization environment, according to some embodiments. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communications network connected to a host computer through an intermediate network, according to some embodiments. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station over a partially wireless connection according to some embodiments. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments. [Figure 21]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of the inventive concepts are shown. However, the inventive concepts may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. It may be implicitly assumed that an element from one embodiment is present / used in another embodiment.

[0028] The following description presents various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. These embodiments are presented as instructional examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, certain details of the described embodiments may be modified, omitted, or expanded without departing from the scope of the described subject matter.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a communications device UE 100 (also referred to as a mobile terminal, mobile communications terminal, wireless device, wireless communications device, wireless terminal, mobile device, wireless communications terminal, user equipment (UE), user equipment node / terminal / device, etc.) configured to provide wireless communications, in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concept. (The communications device 100 may be provided, for example, as discussed below with respect to the wireless device 1310 of FIG. 13, the UE 1400 of FIG. 14, the hardware 1530 and virtual machine 1540 of FIG. 15, the UEs 1691, 1692 of FIG. 16, and the UE 1730 of FIG. 17.) As shown, the communications device UE may include an antenna 107 (e.g., corresponding to the antenna 1311 of FIG. 13) and a transceiver circuit 101 (e.g., corresponding to the interface 1314 of FIG. 13, also referred to as a transceiver) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink wireless communications with a base station of a radio access network (e.g., corresponding to the network node 1360 of FIG. 13, also referred to as a RAN node). The communication device UE may also include a processing circuit 103 (e.g., corresponding to the processing circuit 1320 of FIG. 13, the processor 1401 of FIG. 14, the processing circuit 1560 of FIG. 15, and / or the processing circuit 1738 of FIG. 17, also referred to as a processor) coupled to the transceiver circuit, and a memory circuit 105 (e.g., corresponding to the device-readable medium 1330 of FIG. 13, the memory 1415 of FIG. 14, and the memory 1590-1, 1590-2 of FIG. 15, also referred to as a memory) coupled to the processing circuit. The memory circuit 105 may include computer-readable program code that, when executed by the processing circuit 103, causes the processing circuit to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit 103 may be defined to include a memory such that a separate memory circuit is not required. The communication device UE may also include an interface (such as a user interface) coupled to the processing circuit 103, and / or the communication device UE may be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0030] As discussed herein, operations of the communication device UE may be performed by the processing circuitry 103 and / or the transceiver circuitry 101. For example, the processing circuitry 103 may control the transceiver circuitry 101 to transmit communications through the transceiver circuitry 101 over an air interface to a radio access network node (also referred to as a base station) and / or receive communications from a RAN node through the transceiver circuitry 101 over an air interface. Additionally, modules may be stored in the memory circuitry 105 that may provide instructions such that, when instructions of the modules are executed by the processing circuitry 103, the processing circuitry 103 performs respective operations (e.g., operations described below with respect to exemplary embodiments related to wireless communication devices).

[0031] 2 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a radio access network RAN ​​node 200 (also referred to as a network node, base station, eNodeB / eNB, gNodeB / gNB, etc.) of a radio access network (RAN) configured to provide cellular communications, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. (The RAN node 200 may be provided, for example, as described below with respect to the network node 1360 of FIG. 13, the hardware 1530 or virtual machine 1540 of FIG. 15, and / or the base station 1720 of FIG. 17.) As shown, the RAN node may include a transceiver circuit 201 (e.g., corresponding to a portion of the interface 1390 of FIG. 13, also referred to as a transceiver) including a transmitter and a receiver configured to provide uplink and downlink wireless communications with mobile terminals. The RAN node may include a network interface circuit 207 (e.g., corresponding to a portion of the interface 1390 of FIG. 13 and the communication interface 1726 or the air interface 1727 of FIG. 17, also referred to as a network interface) configured to provide communications with other nodes of the RAN and / or the core network CN (e.g., with other base stations). The network node may also include a processing circuit 203 (e.g., corresponding to processing circuit 1370, also referred to as a processor) coupled to the transceiver circuit, and a memory circuit 205 (e.g., corresponding to device readable medium 1380 of FIG. 13, also referred to as a memory) coupled to the processing circuit. The memory circuit 205 may include computer readable program code that, when executed by the processing circuit 203, causes the processing circuit to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit 203 may be defined to include a memory such that a separate memory circuit is not required.

[0032] As discussed herein, operations of a RAN node may be performed by the processing circuitry 203, the network interface 207, and / or the transceiver 201. For example, the processing circuitry 203 may control the transceiver 201 to transmit downlink communications to one or more mobile terminals UE through the transceiver 401 over the air interface and / or receive uplink communications from one or more mobile terminals UE through the transceiver 201 over the air interface. Similarly, the processing circuitry 203 may control the network interface 207 to transmit communications to one or more other network nodes through the network interface and / or receive communications from one or more other network nodes through the network interface. Additionally, modules may be stored in the memory 205 that may provide instructions such that, when the instructions of the modules are executed by the processing circuitry 203, the processing circuitry 203 performs respective operations (e.g., operations described below with respect to exemplary embodiments related to a RAN node).

[0033] According to some other embodiments, the network node may be implemented as a core network CN node lacking a transceiver. In such embodiments, the transmission to the wireless communication device UE may be initiated by the network node such that the transmission to the wireless communication device UE is provided through the network node including the transceiver (e.g., through a base station or a RAN node). According to embodiments in which the network node is a RAN node including a transceiver, initiating the transmission may include transmitting through the transceiver.

[0034] 3 is a block diagram illustrating elements of a core network CN node 300 (e.g., SMF node, AMF node, etc.) of a communications network configured to provide cellular communications, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. As shown, the CN node may include a network interface circuit 307 (also referred to as a network interface) configured to provide communications with other nodes of the core network and / or radio access network RAN. The CN node may also include a processing circuit 303 (also referred to as a processor) coupled to the network interface circuit, and a memory circuit 305 (also referred to as a memory) coupled to the processing circuit. The memory circuit 305 may include computer readable program code that, when executed by the processing circuit 303, causes the processing circuit to perform operations according to embodiments disclosed herein. According to other embodiments, the processing circuit 303 may be defined to include memory such that a separate memory circuit is not required.

[0035] As described herein, the operations of a CN node may be performed by the processing circuitry 303 and / or the network interface circuitry 307. For example, the processing circuitry 303 may control the network interface circuitry 307 to transmit communications to one or more other network nodes through the network interface circuitry 307 and / or receive communications from one or more other network nodes through the network interface circuitry. Additionally, modules may be stored in the memory 305 that may provide instructions such that, when the instructions of the modules are executed by the processing circuitry 303, the processing circuitry 303 performs respective operations (e.g., operations described below with respect to exemplary embodiments related to a core network node).

[0036] According to a first embodiment, the UE obtains information about a first set of criteria (S1) and a second set of criteria (S2) to determine whether the UE can operate one or more radio link procedures (RLPs) (e.g., SSB-based RLM, CSI-RS-based RLM, SSB-based BM, CSI-RS-based BM, any RS-based RLM, any RS-based BM, etc.) in a particular operation mode, e.g., relaxed mode or normal mode. For example, the UE evaluates the criteria and, based on the evaluation, implements RLP in relaxed mode, provided that at least one criterion in set S1 and at least one criterion in set S2 are satisfied. Otherwise, the UE implements RLP in normal mode if RLP was implemented in relaxed mode before the evaluation, and continues to implement RLP in normal mode if RLP was already implemented in normal mode before the evaluation.

[0037] According to a second embodiment, a scenario includes that a UE is configured to implement at least two RLPs in the same cell (e.g., in a PCell), where at least one of the RLPs (e.g., RLP1, such as RLM) meets a criterion for implementing it in relaxed mode, but at least one of the RLPs (e.g., RLP2, such as BM) does not meet a criterion for implementing it in relaxed mode (e.g., RLP2, such as BM). According to an embodiment, whether the UE can also implement in relaxed mode the RLP (e.g., RLP2) that does not meet the relaxed criterion is governed by one or more rules. The rules can be predefined or configured by a network node.

[0038] The evaluation of the criteria (in S1 and / or S2) may include the UE performing measurements on signals operating between the UE and a cell (e.g., a serving cell) and comparing it to one or more thresholds. As a result of the evaluation, the UE may remain in a current operating mode (e.g., a first operating mode (OM1)) or may switch to a new operating mode (e.g., a second operating mode (OM2)) different from the current operating mode (e.g., OM1). In that case: - OM1 and OM2 are associated with a first set of requirements (R1) and a second set of requirements (R2), where at least one of the requirements of R1 and R2 is different. o In one example, at least one requirement of R1 (e.g., measurement time) is more stringent than a corresponding requirement of R2 (e.g., measurement time). o In another example, at least one requirement (e.g., measurement time) in R1 is less strict (looser) than a corresponding requirement (e.g., measurement time) in R2.

[0039] The criteria in set S1 relate to conditions or scenarios under which the UE may implement RLP in relaxed mode. Examples of criteria in set S1 include one or a combination of the following: - For example, the UE speed, which can be expressed in different speed levels (e.g., low, medium, high, etc.), e.g., a low mobility criterion is met at a low UE speed. - The location of the UE within the cell, e.g., whether the UE is at the cell edge or whether the UE is not at the cell edge.

[0040] The criteria in S2 relate to conditions that affect the performance of the RLP in relaxed mode. Examples of criteria in set S2 include one or a combination of the following: - Beam obstruction detection, e.g., whether the UE has detected a beam obstruction in the recent D1 period. - Synchronization (IS) detection, e.g., whether the UE has detected a certain number of IS in the last D2 period. - Out of Synchronization (OOS) detection, e.g., whether the UE has detected a certain number of OOS in the last D3 period. - Candidate beam detection, e.g., whether the UE has detected a candidate beam in the recent D4 period. - Radio link failure triggers, e.g. whether the RLF timer is running.

[0041] Examples of operation modes are: - Normal operation mode - Relaxed RLM mode - Relaxation BM mode - Relaxed RLM and Relaxed BM modes

[0042] Each exemplary operation mode is associated with at least one set of requirements. Examples of requirements are IS evaluation period in RLM, OOS evaluation period in RLM, etc. The UE obtains information related to one or more criteria using one or more of the following techniques: The UE is configured with one or more mitigation criteria for one or more RLPs (e.g. RLM, BM) by the network node, e.g. via higher layer signaling, e.g. RRC. · The UE is pre-configured with one or more mitigation criteria, e.g. pre-configured on the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module). One or more relaxation criteria are pre-specified, e.g., pre-specified in a standard. The UE autonomously enters mitigation based on certain triggers, e.g. the trigger conditions are predefined, set by a network node or autonomously decided by the UE.

[0043] There are several advantages with the solution described herein. For example, a network radio that is better utilized as the network (NW) can use the reported information to adapt its transmission. For example, when the NW knows that the UE is in a relaxed state, the NW can avoid transmitting signals / channels on occasions when the UE is likely not to receive the signals / channels. Another advantage is that the power consumption of the UE is improved, i.e., the UE can enter a relaxed mode and sleep for a longer period of time, especially when the UE has limited mobility and / or is not expected to be scheduled frequently. In another example, the operation of RLP in relaxed mode is only enabled in scenarios with no or little performance degradation.

[0044] In some embodiments, the more general term "network node" is used, which can correspond to any type of radio network node or any network node that communicates with UEs and / or another network node. Examples of network nodes include radio network nodes, gNodeB (gNB), ng-eNB, base station (BS), NR base station, TRP (Transmit Receiving Point), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio nodes such as MSR BS, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), repeater, access point (AP), transmission point, transmitting node, remote radio unit (RRU), remote radio head (RRH), node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g., mobile switching center (MSC), mobility management entity (MME), etc.), operation and maintenance (O&M), operation support system (OSS), self-organizing network (SON), positioning node or location server (e.g., evolved-serving mobile location center (E-SMLC)), minimized drive test (MDT), test equipment (physical node or software), etc.

[0045] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms User Equipment (UE) or wireless device are used to refer to any type of wireless device that communicates with a network node and / or another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UEs are wireless devices supporting NR, target devices, device to device (D2D) UEs, machine-type UEs or UEs capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal access devices (PADs), tablets, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop embedded equipment (LEEs), laptop mounted equipment (LMEs), drones, universal serial bus (USB) dongles, proximity services (ProSe) UEs, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) UEs, vehicle to anything (V2X) UEs, etc.

[0046] The term "radio node" may refer to a radio network node or UE capable of transmitting radio signals or receiving radio signals, or both. The term radio access technology (i.e., RAT) may refer to any RAT, e.g., Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), WiFi, Bluetooth, Next Generation RAT, New Radio (NR), 4G, 5G, etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the term node, network node, or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single RAT or multiple RATs.

[0047] The UE performs measurements on reference signals (RS), such as discovery signals or discovery reference signals (DRS), synchronization signal blocks (SSB), CSI-RS, cell-specific reference signals (CRS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), primary synchronization signals (PSS), and secondary synchronization signals (SSS). Examples of measurements are cell identification (e.g., PCI collection, cell detection), Reference Symbol Received Power (RSRP), Reference Symbol Received Quality (RSRQ), Secondary Synchronization RSRP (SS-RSRP), SS-RSRQ, SINR, RS-SINR, SS-SINR, CSI-RSRP, CSI-RSRQ, system information (SI) collection, cell global ID (CGI) collection, reference signal time difference (RSTD), UE RX-TX time difference measurement, radio link quality, radio link monitoring (RLM) consisting of out of sync detection and in-sync detection, Layer 1 RSRP (L1-RSRP), Layer 1 SINR (L1-SINR), etc.

[0048] The term radio link procedure (RLP) as used herein may refer to any procedure implemented by a UE on radio signals operating between the UE and a cell, e.g., between the UE and a special cell (SpCell), between the UE and a secondary cell (SCell), etc. In one example, RLPs may differ based on their functionality or purpose. In another example, RLPs may differ based on the type of reference signal used by the RLP, e.g., SSB, CSI-RS, etc. Examples of RLPs implementing different functions are RLM, BM, one or more procedures related to RLM (e.g., out-of-sync and / or in-sync assessment, radio link failure detection), one or more procedures related to BM (e.g., BFD, CBD, L1-RSRP reporting, L1-SINR reporting, etc.), etc. Another set of examples of RLPs using different RSs are RLM based on SSB, RLM based on CSI-RS, RLM based on both SSB and CSI-RS, etc. Another set of examples of RLPs using different RSs are BM based on SSB, BM based on CSI-RS, etc.

[0049] The term relaxed mode or relaxed operation mode as used herein refers to implementing a particular RLP associated with one or more relaxed requirements compared to those associated with the normal operation mode of the RLP. The normal mode (NM) is interchangeably referred to as the legacy mode, the mode without any relaxation, etc. The corresponding requirements associated with the NM are also referred to as the reference requirements, the legacy requirements, the normal requirements, etc. Examples of requirements are measurement time, measurement accuracy, measurement report periodicity, measurement, etc. Examples of measurement time are evaluation periods or measurement periods, e.g., L1 measurement period, L1-RSRP measurement period, L1-SINR measurement period, OOS evaluation period, IS evaluation period, BFD evaluation period, BFD evaluation period, L1 indication interval, IS indication interval, OOS indication interval, BFD indication interval, etc. Examples of measurement accuracy are L1-RSRP accuracy (e.g., within ±X1 dB relative to a reference L1-RSRP value), L1-SINR accuracy (e.g., within ±X2 dB relative to a reference L1-SINR value).

[0050] The scenario includes at least one UE (UE1) operating in a first cell (cell1) served by a network node (NW1). The UE may also be served by cell1. The UE may further be served by one or more additional cells (e.g., a second cell (cell2), a third cell (cell3), etc.) in a multi-carrier scenario, such as carrier aggregation, multi-connectivity, dual connectivity, etc. The UE is performing one or more radio link procedures in one or more cells (e.g., cell1, cell2, cell3, etc.) based on one or more reference signals (RS) transmitted by the NW1. Examples of the operating cell (cell1) are SCell, SpCell, etc. Examples of SpCell are PCell and PSCell. Examples of radio link procedures performed by the UE are RLM and BM, as described herein. Examples of RS used by the UE to perform RLP are SSB, CSI-RS, a mix of SSB, and other examples of RS are also described, for example, herein above. The present disclosure describes a method implemented by a UE to obtain and apply criteria for implementing RLP in relaxed mode, according to some embodiments. Steps involving the UE include, for example, the following: Step 1: The UE obtains information related to one or more criteria for relaxing one or more RLPs. Step 2: The UE evaluates the obtained criteria for its operating cell to determine in which operating mode the UE should operate one or more RLPs. Step 3: The UE uses the results of the evaluation to perform a task.

[0051] In step 1, the UE acquires information related to two or more criteria to determine whether the UE can perform one or more radio link procedures in a first operating mode (OM1) or a second operating mode (OM2), e.g., in a relaxed mode if the UE is currently operating in a normal mode (NM), or in a normal mode if the UE is currently operating in a relaxed mode. The step of acquiring information can be performed by the UE at any time. For example, When receiving certain configuration messages from a NW node, e.g. measurement configuration, RLM and / or BM configuration, etc. When first entering a cell, e.g. during initial setup or after a cell change When a cell change is performed When switching between RRC states (e.g., from RRC IDLE to RRC CONNECTED, from RRC IDLE to RRC INACTIVE, from RRC INACTIVE to RRC CONNECTED). Upon an explicit request from a network node, or Based on an internal trigger in the UE.

[0052] The UE may obtain information related to two or more criteria by one or more mechanisms, including at least one of the following: By receiving information for one or more RLPs from a network node, for example via higher layer signalling, e.g. RRC. Pre-configured by the network or operator, e.g. pre-configured on the SIM card or eSIM Predefined by standards (e.g. technical specifications) The UE autonomously determines the criteria based on one or more other trigger conditions at the UE, e.g., based on when a signal level is above or below a particular level, when a particular event occurs, or when a particular procedure is triggered. Historical data or statistics, e.g., criteria previously used to operate RLP in a particular mode

[0053] The information obtained in this step indicates whether the UE is enabled to enter a relaxed mode to operate one or more RLPs. Typically, such relaxed mode operation is enabled for UEs operating in low mobility scenarios (e.g., stationary UEs, UE speed below a certain threshold, Doppler frequency below a certain threshold), etc. The obtained information including the criteria can be of two types. More specifically, the criteria are characterized into two groups. a first set of criteria (S1) comprising at least one criterion, and A second set of criteria (S2) comprising at least one criterion.

[0054] The UE enters relaxed mode to operate one or more RLPs, provided that at least one criterion in set S1 and at least one criterion in set S2 are satisfied. This mechanism ensures that the performance of the RLPs is not degraded when the UE operates in relaxed mode.

[0055] In step 2, the UE evaluates the criteria (e.g., set S1) obtained in the previous step to decide whether to operate RLP in relaxed mode or normal mode. The purpose of the first set of criteria is to determine whether the UE is operating in a state or condition or environment that may allow the UE to implement RLP in relaxed mode. Examples of such criteria include UE speed, UE location within a cell, UE speed and UE location within a cell, variations in radio conditions, cell changes, etc. They are described below: UE Velocity: A UE will implement RLP in relaxed mode in a cell if it meets the low mobility criterion in that cell, otherwise the UE is not allowed to implement RLP in relaxed mode in that cell. In one example, the low mobility criterion is met if the received signal level (e.g., RSRP) at the UE for a cell is static or quasi-static for a particular period of time (Ts). A received signal for a cell is static or quasi-static if it does not change by more than a particular margin for a particular period of time. UE location within a cell. A UE implements RLP in relaxed mode within a cell if the UE meets the not-at-cell-edge criterion within that cell, otherwise the UE is not allowed to implement RLP in relaxed mode within that cell. For example, if the signal measurement for the cell is above a certain threshold, the UE meets the not-at-cell-edge criterion, otherwise the UE does not meet the not-at-cell-edge criterion. UE speed and UE location in a cell: if the UE meets both the low mobility and not at cell edge criteria in the cell, then the UE will implement RLP in relaxed mode in that cell, otherwise the UE is not allowed to implement RLP in relaxed mode in that cell. Radio condition variation: The UE implements RLP in relaxed mode in a cell if the variation of radio conditions for the UE in that cell does not change by more than a certain margin over a certain time, otherwise the UE is not enabled to implement RLP in relaxed mode in that cell. The variation of radio conditions can be determined by estimating the signal variation (e.g. measurements such as RSRP) between the UE and the cell. · Cell change: The UE performs RLP in relaxed mode in a cell if the UE has not performed more than N1 cell changes for the last T1 duration (N1 and T1 can be configurable or pre-specified). Examples of cell changes are cell reselection, handover, RRC connection release including redirection, RRC connection re-establishment, SCell change in multi-carrier operation, SpCell change, etc.

[0056] The above mentioned criteria can be evaluated autonomously by the UE or by a network node, which in the latter case can inform the UE whether it meets one or more criteria for applying RLP in relaxed mode, as described below: UE-based method: In this example, the UE determines whether it meets one or more criteria for operating one or more radio link procedures (RLPs) in relaxed mode or normal mode in a cell. The criteria can be predefined or can be set by a network node. In one example, the UE autonomously evaluates one or more criteria (e.g., periodically or at any time) and operates one or more RLPs in relaxed mode if the criteria for relaxed mode are met. In another example, the UE is enabled to operate one or more RLPs in relaxed mode only if enabled by the network node, e.g., upon receiving an explicit message from the network node. The latter approach allows the network node to control the UE operation to enter relaxed mode. In this case, the UE typically evaluates one or more criteria for entering relaxed mode only when the UE is configured by the network node to operate in relaxed mode (if the UE meets the criteria for relaxed mode). Network-based method: In this example, the network node determines whether the UE satisfies one or more criteria for operating one or more RLPs in relaxed or normal mode in the cell. The determination is based on an evaluation of the criteria. Based on the evaluation, if the network node determines that the UE satisfies the criteria for operating one or more RLPs in relaxed mode, the network node sends a message to the UE to enable the UE to operate the RLPs in relaxed mode. In this case, the UE, upon receiving the message, operates the RLPs in relaxed mode. On the other hand, if the network node determines that the UE does not satisfy the criteria for operating one or more RLPs in relaxed mode, the network node sends a message to the UE to prohibit the UE from operating the RLPs in relaxed mode. In this case, the UE, upon receiving the message, stops or discontinues operating one or more RLPs in relaxed mode. The UE may further start operating the RLPs in normal mode.

[0057] The purpose of the second set of criteria (e.g., set S2) is to determine whether the UE operation in relaxed mode affects the performance of RLP. For example, the UE is allowed to implement one or more RLPs in relaxed mode, provided that the UE satisfies at least one criterion in set S2 (in addition to one in set S1) that would ensure that the performance of RLPs is not degraded beyond an acceptable level, e.g., the UE does not lose a radio link, the UE can detect beam failure, etc. The criteria further depend on the type of RLP (e.g., RLM or BM) being implemented. The criteria further depend on whether the UE is configured with two or more RLPs (e.g., RLM, BM, etc.) to be implemented on the same cell. For example, the UE may be configured to operate only BM on a SCell, only RLM on a SpCell (e.g., in FR1), or both RLM and BM on a SpCell, etc. Examples of these criteria belonging to set S2 for determining whether the UE is allowed to implement one or more RLPs in relaxed mode are described below. To allow a UE to operate a particular RLP (e.g., RLM, BM, etc.) in relaxed mode (provided that at least one criterion in set S1 is also met), at least one of the following criteria in (S2) must be met: 1. Synchronization Indication: As part of the RLM procedure as described in 2.1.1, the UE in The wireless link quality is evaluated against a threshold value called Q out It is necessary to determine whether the radio link quality can be received significantly more reliably than a threshold, where Q in The threshold is the corresponding Q out It corresponds to a hypothetical control channel (PDCCH) BLER target that is significantly lower than the BLER target. in The BLER target for Q is 2%. out10% for UE. The evaluation is done by the UE monitoring and measuring up to a certain number of configured RLM resources (RLM-RS). Typical numbers of RLM resources that the UE is configured with can be 2, 4, 8 and are configured by the network node. According to the legacy UE behavior, Layer 1 of the UE determines whether the downlink radio link quality in at least one of the configured RLM-RS is Q in A synchronization indication for the cell shall be sent to higher layers when the synchronization is better than 0. Since synchronization is an indication that the radio link quality is reliable, if several of them are triggered, it can be interpreted that the radio link quality is very reliable and stable and therefore RLM can be implemented in relaxed mode. Successive synchronization indications or multiple synchronization indications may also indicate or suggest that the UE mobility is limited or at least the variations in the UE radio conditions are limited. Therefore, operating the RLP (e.g., RLM, BM, etc.) in relaxed mode should have limited impact on performance. Thus, the criteria for entering relaxed RLP (e.g., RLM) mode include: ○ If a synchronization indication exceeding K1 has been sent to higher layers, and / or In one example, the number of synchronization indications is compared with a predefined / pre-set or configurable threshold (K1') and the UE is allowed to enter relaxed RLM mode only if K1 >= K1'. ○ If more than K2 synchronization indications are sent to higher layers during T1. In one particular example, T1 is the RLM synchronization evaluation period T Evaluate_in It is. In one example, the UE Evaluate_in During this time, it is only allowed to enter the relaxed RLM mode if K2≧K1′. 2. Out-of-Sync Indication: Similar to the in-sync indication described above, the UE also out The wireless link quality needs to be evaluated against an out-of-sync threshold called Q out and Q inThe main difference between Q and Q is that the former corresponds to a hypothetical BLER target that is significantly larger than the latter (i.e., the control channel cannot be received reliably). in The BLER target for Q is 2%. out Another difference is that the UE determines whether the radio link quality on all configured RLM resources (RLM-RS) is Q out The aim of the relaxed RLM mode is to send an out-of-sync indication to higher layers only if the RLM level is lower than K1. The absence of an out-of-sync indication (i.e. no out-of-sync indication is sent to higher layers) is interpreted as the radio link quality being stable and reliable. Therefore, the number of out-of-sync indications sent by the UE to higher layers (K2) can be used as a criterion for entering the relaxed RLM mode. The absence of an out-of-sync indication or a limited number of in-sync indications may still indicate or suggest that the UE has limited mobility or at least limited variations in the UE's radio conditions. Therefore, operating RLM in the relaxed mode should have limited impact on performance. Criteria for entering the relaxed RLM mode include: i. The UE has not sent more than K3 out-of-sync indications to higher layers during T2. In one example, T2 is the RLM out-of-sync evaluation period TEvaluate_out. As a special case, K3=0. 3. Radio Link Failure Timer Status: The UE starts a radio link failure timer (e.g., T310) after detecting N1 (e.g., N310) out-of-sync indications from lower layers in order to detect physical layer problems and for the UE to prepare to find an alternative cell (e.g., by triggering a re-establishment procedure). Similarly, the radio link failure timer is stopped upon receiving N2 consecutive synchronization indications from lower layers for the cell for which radio link monitoring is performed or upon initiating a re-establishment procedure. When the radio link failure timer expires, the UE must perform a certain action or task, such as turning off the UE's transmitter for the monitored cell. Since the radio link failure timer is related to the UE's radio link failure, starting or stopping the timer may give an indication regarding the radio link quality of the monitored cell. For example, if the RLF timer is started / stopped very frequently, it may be an indication that the radio conditions are fluctuating and the link is not very reliable. In some cases, it may also give an indication regarding the mobility behavior of the UE. In a similar example, if the RLF timer does not start / stop frequently, it may also mean that the radio link is stable and reliable. Therefore, it is reasonable for the UE to use the information of the radio link failure timer to decide whether to enable one or more RLPs to operate in mitigation mode. The criteria for entering or operating an RLP in mitigation mode include: o If the RLF timer is running by the UE, or o If the RLF timer has been started by the UE for the last duration T3. As a special case, T3 can be 0, meaning that the criterion is based on whether there is any RLF timer currently running. o If the RLF timer has been started for a recent duration T3 and N3 or fewer out-of-sync indications have been triggered or detected in the UE.

[0058] An example is shown in Figure 4, where the UE is evaluating RLM and different RLM indications are triggered and sent to higher layers. In this example, the UE is allowed to enter mitigation mode during period A, since only synchronization evaluation is triggered, which is an indication that the radio conditions are good (e.g., the SNR level is good or the SNR level is greater than a threshold) and the link is reliable. However, since an out-of-sync indication is triggered and the RLF timer is running, the UE shall remain in normal mode and operate RLP according to normal procedures during periods B and C, which is an indication that the radio conditions are not good (e.g., the SNR level is decreasing or is decreasing below a certain threshold). 4. Beam failure instance indication: According to the current UE behavior regarding beam management, the UE sets The downlink radio link quality for the configured SSB resources of TIFF0007602032000001.tif7170 is evaluated for a duration called the evaluation period (e.g., T Evaluate_BFD_SSB ) while a predefined threshold (e.g., Q out_LR_SSB ) needs to be evaluated. If the quality is better than a threshold, the beam is considered reliable and valid. However, if the quality is worse than this threshold, the beam is considered unreliable and not valid, and thus a beam failure is detected and indicated to higher layers. The criteria for entering mitigation mode to operate the BM include conditions for beam failure detection, as illustrated below. In a first example, the UE may determine whether the UE has received the UE-based BER over the most recent L1 evaluation periods (e.g., the most recent L1*T Evaluate_BFDIf the UE has not performed any beam failure detection (over a period of time), then it is allowed to enter a relaxed mode to operate a particular RLP (e.g., RLM, BM, etc.), where L1≧1 is defined as a multiple of the evaluation period used for beam failure detection. Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter a relaxed mode to operate that RLP, or it is allowed to continue to operate that RLP in a relaxed mode. As a special case, L1=1. In other words, the absence of beam failure detection can be interpreted as the current downlink radio quality being acceptable, and thus the UE can be allowed to operate an RLP (e.g., BM) in a more relaxed mode. b. In a second example, the UE is allowed to enter a relaxation mode to operate the RLP (e.g., BM) if the UE has not performed any beam failure detection over the most recent L2 evaluation periods through the most recent duration T1'. Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter a relaxation mode to operate its RLP, or is allowed to continue to operate its RLP in a relaxation mode. In one example, T1'=0. In another example, T1'>T Evaluate_BFD This condition is stricter than the condition in the above example because it allows RLP operation in relaxed mode only if there has been no beam fault detection for the most recent L2 evaluation periods through the most recent duration T1'. Therefore, this condition is considered safer to relax RLP (e.g., BM) performance than the condition in the above example. c. In a third example, the UE is allowed to enter into a relaxation mode to operate an RLP (e.g., BM) if the UE has not performed any beam failure detection for a recent duration T1″. Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter into a relaxation mode to operate its RLP, or is now allowed to continue operating its RLP in a relaxation mode. 5. Candidate Beam Detection: When a beam failure is detected, the UE needs to perform Candidate Beam Detection (CBD) as part of the Beam Failure Recovery (BFR) procedure. To find the candidate beams, the UE: The L1-RSRP and / or L1-SINR measurements performed on the resources (e.g., SSB resources and / or CSI-RS resources) set in TIFF0007602032000002.tif7170 may be performed at a configurable threshold (e.g., Q in_LR ) is the period over which the evaluation is performed. Evaluate_CBD_SSB ), the information whether the UE succeeded in finding a candidate beam during beam obstruction detection indicates the radio conditions of the scenario in which the UE is operating, e.g. if the UE is moving, how frequently it is moving, etc., and thus the UE power consumption can be improved by using this information to enter a mitigation mode to operate the RLP (e.g. BM or RLP). This is illustrated in the following few examples. In a first example, the UE is allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate a particular RLP (e.g., BM) if the UE has not performed candidate beam detection for a recent T2' period. Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate that RLP, or is allowed to continue to operate that RLP in relaxation mode. As a special case, T2'=0. b. In a second example, the UE may determine whether the UE has been in a candidate beam evaluation period for the last L2 candidate beam evaluation periods (e.g., the last L2*T Evaluate_CBD_SSB If the UE has not performed candidate beam detection (over L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8), then the UE is allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate the particular RLP (e.g., BM). Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate that RLP, or is allowed to continue to operate that RLP in relaxation mode. As a special case, L2=1. c. In a third example, the UE may determine whether the UE has evaluated the candidate beam over the most recent L2 candidate beam evaluation periods (e.g., the most recent L2*T Evaluate_CBD_SSBIf the UE has not performed candidate beam detection (over 100 ms), then the UE is allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate the particular RLP (e.g., BM). Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter relaxation mode to operate that RLP, or is allowed to continue operating that RLP in relaxation mode. d. In a fourth example, the UE is enabled to enter a relaxed mode to operate the BM when: i. During the most recent T3' period, BFD has occurred and the UE has been successful in CBD, i.e., the UE has been able to find a candidate beam according to the current UE requirements. The value of T3' can be fixed, expressed as a multiple of the CBD evaluation period, configurable by the NW node, or predefined.

[0059] Otherwise, the UE is not allowed to enter relaxed mode to operate its RLP, or is now allowed to continue operating its RLP in relaxed mode. 6. Clear Channel Assessment: The term Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) as used herein may correspond to any type of carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) procedure or mechanism implemented by a device for a carrier before deciding to transmit a signal on that carrier. CCA is also referred to interchangeably as CSMA method, channel assessment method, listen-before-talk (LBT), etc. CCA-based operation is more generally referred to as contention-based operation. Transmission of a signal on a carrier that is subject to CCA is also referred to as contention-based transmission. Contention-based operation is generally used for transmission on carriers in unlicensed frequency bands. However, this mechanism may also be applied to operation on carriers that belong to licensed bands, for example to reduce interference. Transmission of a signal on a carrier that is not subject to CCA is also referred to as contention-free transmission. Before transmission or reception, the UE performs a CCA evaluation to determine whether the channel is free and, if so, whether transmission is allowed. If the evaluation results in a CCA failure, it means that the UE cannot perform the intended operation (e.g., transmission or reception) on that radio source. In this case, the UE will have to try again at a later time when the CCA evaluation results in success. In other words, if there are multiple CCA failures during a certain period of time, the UE may have to stay awake and try again to perform the intended operation at a later time. In an example embodiment, the UE is allowed to enter mitigation mode if it has not detected multiple CCA failures in the BS's downlink (DL) and / or in the UE's UL to receive and / or transmit signals, respectively, on carriers that are subject to CCA, otherwise the UE is not allowed to enter mitigation mode or to continue operating in mitigation mode (if already in mitigation mode).In one particular example, the UE is allowed to enter mitigation mode to operate RLP on condition that the number of DL CCA failures (K41) over the most recent T41 duration does not exceed a certain threshold (Hcd) and / or the number of UL CCA failures (K42) over the most recent T42 duration does not exceed a certain threshold (Hcu), otherwise the UE is not allowed to enter mitigation mode or to continue to operate in mitigation mode (if already in mitigation mode). The parameters Hcd, Hcu, T41, and T42 can be set by the network node or can be predefined. The UE can detect the DL CCA failure of the BS autonomously (e.g., by sensing the absence of a signal) and / or by receiving an explicit indication from the NW node indicating the time resource where the CCA failed. 7. Wake-up signal configuration: The wake-up signal (WUS) can have different configurations. One type of configuration or mapping is 1×1, meaning that there is a WUS signal transmitted before each paging, or before each DRX ON if WUS is configured. This means that at the beginning of each DRX ON duration, the UE attempts to receive the WUS, and based on the information conveyed in the WUS, the UE may either stay awake and receive the control channel, or go to sleep. Another type of configuration or mapping is 1×N, in which case one WUS is associated with multiple POs or DRX ON durations. The WUS information can be used by the UE to decide whether to operate the RLP in a relaxed mode. For example, if the UE is configured by the WUS to sleep for a certain number of DRX ON durations, this may be an indication that the UE is not expected to be scheduled for the same duration, or that mobility is limited, or may not transmit and / or receive a large amount of data in the active state. Hence, the UE is allowed to enter the relaxed mode. On the other hand, if the WUS configuration is changed such that the UE wakes up more frequently before DRX ON, this information can be used by the UE to exit relaxed mode if it is already operating in relaxed mode and operate RLP in normal mode instead, or this information may be used to prevent the UE from entering relaxed mode. 8. Configuration of a specific measurement type: When the UE is configured to perform one or more specific types of measurements. One example of a specific type of measurement is a measurement performed for a specific purpose, e.g., for critical operations such as emergency services, positioning, etc. Another example of a specific type of measurement is a measurement performed using a specific type of reference signal, e.g., a positioning reference signal. This will be detailed in the example below. For example, assume that the UE determines the need to perform a specific measurement type (referred to as a first measurement in this specification) on a first type of discovery reference signal (DRS1) of one or more cells belonging to a serving carrier (F1). Examples of DRS1 are a positioning reference signal (PRS), a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. The BW of DRS1 is configurable, and it is up to the network node to transmit DRS1 over the entire BW or a part of the BW of the cell. Examples of a serving carrier are an anchor carrier, a non-anchor carrier, a primary carrier or a primary component carrier (PCC), a secondary component carrier (SCC), etc. In one example, the decision is based on one or more of a request to perform such measurements, a request to report such measurements, a request to perform and / or report results based on such measurements (e.g., cell change, location calculation, etc.), a measurement configuration, etc., which may be received from another node (e.g., from a network node) or from a higher layer. In another example, the decision is based on the fact that the UE location has changed by more than a certain margin compared to a previously determined or known location. An example of a first measurement is a positioning measurement, such as RSTD measurement, UE Rx-Tx measurement, PRS-RSRP, etc. In general, positioning measurements are more time-critical than RRM measurements (e.g., used for mobility) and may therefore have a higher priority than UE power saving procedures. Thus, in one example, the UE is allowed to enter the relaxation mode only if the UE is not configured to perform certain types of measurements (e.g., positioning measurements, such as RSRP, UE Rx-Tx, PRS-RSRP, etc.) as described above. 9. Specific Operation Signals: If the UE is operating one or more specific types of signals / channels, it may not be allowed to enter relaxed operation mode for RLP, otherwise the UE is allowed to enter relaxed mode or continue to operate in relaxed mode (if already in relaxed mode). In one specific example, the UE is allowed to enter relaxed operation mode for RLP on the condition that the UE has not operated one or more specific signals in the last T5 period, otherwise the UE is not allowed to enter relaxed mode or continue to operate in relaxed mode. Operation herein includes one or both of receiving signals / channels from a node (e.g., NW node) in the downlink and transmitting signals / channels in the uplink. Receiving and transmitting signals may also be referred to as scheduling of signals in DL and UL, respectively. Receiving and transmitting signals may also be required for the UE to perform certain procedures, such as, for example, switching beams for receiving and / or transmitting signals, switching active transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, etc. Examples of specific types of signals / channels are transmission of SRS, PUSCH, PUCCH, PRACH, and reception of downlink reference signals or channels (eg, PDCCH).

[0060] An example of switching between different modes according to an embodiment is also described. Based on the above criteria (at least one in S1 and one in S2), the UE switches the operation of a particular RLP (or combination of RLPs) in one of the two modes and performs RLP in the new mode. A comprehensive example including the UE switching between a current operation mode OM1 and a new operation mode OM2 is shown in FIG. 5. As described above, each OM is associated with one or more criteria in S1 and one or more criteria in S2. The UE switches from one OM to another only if it meets the criteria associated with the target OM. Otherwise, it stays in the current OM. In one example, OM1 is NM and OM2 is relaxed mode. In a second example, OM1 is relaxed mode and OM2 is normal mode (NM).

[0061] Assuming that OM1 and OM2 are in normal mode and relaxed mode, the method of switching from OM1 to OM2 will be described using some specific examples. In this case, a UE in normal mode evaluates one or more criteria in S1 and one or more criteria in S2. The UE is allowed to enter relaxed mode only if one or more criteria are met in S1 and one or more criteria are met in S2.

[0062] A difference between a normal operation mode (e.g., legacy mode) and a relaxed operation mode is that the latter mode is associated with one or more requirements that are relaxed compared to the corresponding requirements associated with the former mode. The term "relaxed requirements" or "relaxed requirements" may also be referred to as less stringent requirements. In one example, the relaxed measurement period or relaxed evaluation period of the RLP is longer than the reference period. The reference period is one of the requirements that the UE should meet when implementing the RLP in the normal operation mode. For example, the OOS evaluation period for the RLM procedure under the relaxed mode and normal mode includes T1' and T1 time resources, respectively, where T1'=K*T1, and K is a scaling factor. As an example, K=4. In another example, the absolute value of the measurement accuracy of the measurement related to the RLP (e.g., L1-RSRP or L1-SINR) can be greater than the magnitude of the reference accuracy level, etc. The reference accuracy is one of the requirements that the UE should meet when implementing the RLP in the normal mode. For example, the L1-RSRP accuracy for BM procedures under relaxed and normal modes includes ±4 dB and ±2 dB for the correct L1-RSRP value, respectively. In a third example, the periodicity for sending RLP indications (e.g., in-sync indication, out-of-sync indication) to higher layers can be relaxed. Examples of such periodicity include T Indication_intervalIn one particular example related to RLM, when the UE is operating RLP in relaxed mode, the UE may be required to send an RLM indication to higher layers, and such an indication may be required to indicate the number of Ts when operating in relaxed mode and normal mode. Indication_interval Compared to 4×T Indication_interval is divided by

[0063] For example, relaxation of the evaluation period can be achieved by scaling (e.g., lengthening) the reference evaluation period with a scaling factor that may depend on several factors such as UE mobility, wake-up signal (WUS) configuration, DRX configuration, etc. Criteria may also be interchangeably referred to as rules or conditions. Specific examples of switching from normal mode to relaxed mode for different RLPs are described below. Example 1 below describes an example of a method that may be specified in a specification for implementing RLM in relaxed mode, where the criteria for operating in relaxed mode are evaluated and determined by the NW node. In this example, condition #1 belongs to set S1 and other conditions (conditions #2-7) belong to set S2. Example 1: 8.1.X Relaxed requirements for SSB-based radio link monitoring 8.1.X.1 Introduction The requirements of this clause apply to each SSB-based RLM-RS resource configured for a PCell or PSCell, provided that the SSB configured for RLM is actually transmitted within the UE active DL BWP during the entire evaluation period specified in clause 8.1.2.2 of TS 38.133 and the following conditions are met: 1. The UE is configured with relaxed RLM criteria using IE relaxedSSB-RLM 2. The UE has sent a synchronization indication to higher layers exceeding K1 during the last T1 period. 3. The UE has not sent an out-of-sync indication exceeding K2 to higher layers during the last T2 period. 4. T310 timer is not working 5. The UE is not configured to perform positioning measurements 6. The UE has not triggered a beam disturbance instance during the recent T3 period 7. The UE has not detected more than M1 number of CCA faults during the last T4 period. 8.1.X.2 Minimum Requirements The requirements specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.2.2, are applicable to this section with the following exceptions: - New evaluation period T Evaluate_out_SSB-Relaxed But, K11*T Evalutate_out_SSB where T Evaluate_out_SSB is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.3.2. - New indication period T Indication_interval-Relaxed But, K21*T Indication_interval where T Indication_interval is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.6.

[0064] Example 2 below describes an example of a method that may be specified in a specification (e.g., 3GPP TS38.133) for implementing RLM in relaxed mode, where the criteria for operating in relaxed mode are evaluated and determined by the UE. The difference between Example 1 and Example 2 is that in the latter case, the UE evaluates and determines whether it is operating in a low mobility scenario, while in the former example, it is done by the NW node itself. This decision may be based on one or more configured or predefined criteria (e.g., depending on Srxlev, Squal, relative changes in Srxlev and Squal, or comparison of Srlev and Squal to different thresholds). In this example, conditions #1 and #2 belong to set S1, and the other conditions (conditions #3-8) belong to set S2. Example 2: 8.1.X Relaxed requirements for SSB-based radio link monitoring 8.1.X.1 Introduction The requirements of this clause apply to each SSB-based RLM-RS resource configured for a PCell or PSCell, provided that the SSB configured for RLM is actually transmitted within the UE active DL BWP during the entire evaluation period specified in clause 8.1.2.2 of TS 38.133 and the following conditions are met: 1. The UE is configured with relaxed RLM criteria using IE relaxedSSB-RLM 2. The UE meets the low mobility criteria 3. The UE has sent a synchronization indication to higher layers exceeding K1 during the last T1 period. 4. The UE has not sent an out-of-sync indication exceeding K2 to higher layers during the last T2 period. 5. T310 timer is not working 6. The UE is not configured to perform positioning measurements 7. The UE has not triggered a beam disturbance instance during the recent T3 period 8. The UE has not detected more than M1 number of CCA faults during the last T4 period. 8.1.X.2 Minimum Requirements The requirements specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.2.2, are applicable to this section with the following exceptions: - New evaluation period T Evaluate_out_SSB-Relaxed But, K12*T Evalutate_out_SSB where T Evaluate_out_SSB is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.3.2. - New indication period T Indication_interval-Relaxed But, K22*T Indication_interval where T Indication_interval is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.1.6.

[0065] Example 3 below describes one example of how a specification for implementing a BM in relaxed mode can be specified, where the criteria for operating in relaxed mode are evaluated and determined by the NW node. In this example, condition #1 belongs to set S1, and the other conditions (conditions #2-3) belong to set S2. Example 3: 8.5.x Relaxed Link Recovery Procedures 8.5.x.1 Introduction The UE shall use a set of antennas as specified in TS 38.213 to detect beam obstructions in the following cases: The downlink radio link quality of the serving cell shall be evaluated based on the reference signal of TIFF0007602032000003.tif7170. - PCell in SA, NR-DC, or NE-DC operating modes - PSCell in NR-DC and EN-DC operation modes The relaxed link recovery procedures specified in this section are applicable subject to the following: 1. The UE is configured with relaxed link recovery procedures 2. The UE has not reported any beam disturbance instances for the recent T4 period. 3. The UE is reporting a beam failure instance but is following the candidate beam detection procedure to report detected beams 8.5.x.2 Minimum Requirements The requirements specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.2.2, are applicable to this section with the following exceptions: - New evaluation period T Evaluate_BFD_SSB-Relaxed But, K13*T Evalutate_BFD_SSB where T Evaluate_BFD_SSB is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.3.2. - New indication period T Indication_interval-BFD-Relaxed But, K23*T Indication_interval_BFD where T Indication_interval_BFD is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.4.

[0066] Example 4 below describes an example of a method that can be specified in the specification for implementing the BM in relaxed mode, where the criteria for operating in relaxed mode are evaluated and determined by the UE. The difference between Example 3 and Example 4 is that in the latter case, the UE evaluates and determines whether it is operating in a low mobility scenario, while in the former example, it is done by the NW mode itself. This decision can be based on one or more configured or predefined criteria (e.g., depending on Srxlev, Squal, relative changes in Srxlev and Squal, or comparison of Srlev and Squal with different thresholds). In this example, conditions #1 and #2 belong to set S1, and the other conditions (conditions #3-4) belong to set S2. Example 4: 8.5.x Relaxed Link Recovery Procedures 8.5.x.1 Introduction The UE shall use a set of antennas as specified in TS 38.213 to detect beam obstructions in the following cases: The downlink radio link quality of the serving cell shall be evaluated based on the reference signal of TIFF0007602032000004.tif7170. - PCell in SA, NR-DC, or NE-DC operating modes - PSCell in NR-DC and EN-DC operation modes The relaxed link recovery procedures specified in this section are applicable subject to the following: 1. The UE is configured with relaxed link recovery procedures 2. The UE meets the low mobility criteria 3. The UE has not reported any beam disturbance instances for the recent T4 period. 4. The UE is reporting a beam failure instance but is following the candidate beam detection procedure to report detected beams 8.5.x.2 Minimum Requirements The requirements specified in TS 38.133 subclause 8.5.2.2 and 8.1.5.2 are applicable to this section with the following exceptions: - New evaluation period T Evaluate_BFD_SSB-Relaxed But, K14*T Evalutate_BFD_SSB where T Evaluate_BFD_SSB is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.3.2. - New indication period T Indication_interval-BFD-Relaxed But, K24*T Indication_interval_BFD where T Indication_interval_BFD is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.4.

[0067] Example 5 below describes an example of a method that may be specified in the specification for implementing the BM in relaxed mode, where the criteria for operating in relaxed mode are evaluated and determined by the UE. Compared to the above example, it includes more criteria in set S2. In this example, conditions #1 and #2 belong to set S1, and the other conditions (conditions #3-8) belong to set S2. Example 5: 8.5.x Relaxed Link Recovery Procedures 8.5.x.1 Introduction The UE shall use a set of antennas as specified in TS 38.213 to detect beam obstructions in the following cases: The downlink radio link quality of the serving cell shall be evaluated based on the reference signal of TIFF0007602032000005.tif7170. - PCell in SA, NR-DC, or NE-DC operating modes - PSCell in NR-DC and EN-DC operation modes The relaxed link recovery procedures specified in this section are applicable subject to the following: 1. The UE is configured with relaxed link recovery procedures 2. The UE meets the low mobility criteria 3. The UE has not reported any beam disturbance instances for the recent T4 period. 4. The UE is reporting a beam failure instance but is following the candidate beam detection procedure to report detected beams 5. The UE has sent a synchronization indication to higher layers exceeding K1 during the last T1 period. 6. The UE has not sent an out-of-sync indication exceeding K2 to higher layers during the last T2 period. 7. T310 timer is not working 8. The UE is not configured to perform positioning measurements 8.5.x.2 Minimum Requirements The requirements specified in TS 38.133 subclause 8.5.2.2 and 8.1.5.2 are applicable to this section with the following exceptions: - New evaluation period T Evaluate_BFD_SSB-Relaxed But, K15*T Evalutate_BFD_SSB where T Evaluate_BFD_SSB is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.3.2. - New indication period T Indication_interval-BFD-Relaxed But, K25*T Indication_interval_BFD where T Indication_interval_BFD is as specified in TS 38.133, clause 8.5.4.

[0068] As described above, the UE uses the results of the evaluation to perform tasks. In some embodiments, the UE uses the results of the evaluation to perform tasks that include one or more of the following: - Operate RLP in a particular mode while satisfying the UE requirements for the RLP associated with that mode. For example, when the UE operates RLP in relaxed mode, the UE measures, evaluates, and / or reports measurement results less frequently and / or for a longer period of time compared to when the UE performs RLP in normal mode. Reporting, as used herein, includes reporting to a third node, but also includes reporting internally to higher layers. - Inform network nodes about the OM1 and / or OM2 (current / new) operating mode, e.g., when switching from one mode to another.

[0069] The present disclosure also describes a method implemented by a UE to implement RLP in relaxed mode when a subset of RLPs meets the criteria, according to some embodiments. This embodiment is applicable to a scenario when a UE is configured to implement two or more RLPs (e.g., RLM, BM, etc.) on the same cell (e.g., on an SpCell, such as a PCell), but the UE meets the criteria for only a subset of the configured RLPs in relaxed mode (e.g., one criterion in S1 and one criterion in S2). For example, a UE may meet the criteria for implementing RLM in relaxed mode but not for BM on the same cell, e.g., on an SpCell. In another example, a UE may meet the criteria for implementing BM in relaxed mode but not for RLM on the same cell, e.g., on an SpCell.

[0070] For simplicity, RLPs configured on the same cell may be referred to as joint RLPs or joint set, associated RLPs, related RLPs, etc. Furthermore, RLPs of the joint RLPs that meet the criteria for relaxed mode may be referred to as "eligible" RLPs, and those of the joint set that do not meet the criteria for relaxed mode may be referred to as "ineligible" RLPs. This embodiment provides rules according to which the UE may be further enabled to implement the "ineligible" RLPs in relaxed mode. This may be enabled to allow sufficient UE power saving or when the UE is not expected to be served. For example, the UE may be configured (e.g., predefined or configured by the NW node) with low mobility criteria in S1 for two RLPs (e.g., RLM and BM), but different criteria in S2, e.g., criteria related to OOS detection for RLP1 (e.g., RLM) and criteria related to beam failure indication for RLP2 (e.g., BM). In this example, the S1 criterion is met for both RLPs to operate in relaxed mode, but the S2 criterion is met only for RLP1 (e.g., RLM) and not for RLP2 (e.g., BM). This means that the UE can implement RLP1 in relaxed mode (as described in embodiment #1), and whether the UE can also implement RLP2 in relaxed mode depends on the rules. The rules can be predefined or set by the network node. The rules are described below with some examples. 1. Based on configuration: In one example of rules, if at least one RLP meets the criteria for relaxed mode, the UE is further configured to whether the UE is enabled to implement other RLPs in relaxed mode. The UE can further configure which particular RLPs can be relaxed even if they do not meet the criteria for relaxed mode. In one particular example, if at least one RLP meets the criteria for relaxed mode, the UE is also enabled to implement other RLPs in relaxed mode even if they do not meet the criteria for relaxed mode. Table 1 shows an example rule where the UE is enabled to implement RLP1 in relaxed mode if RLP2 meets the criteria for relaxed mode, but not vice versa. In another example, Table 2 shows an example rule where the UE is enabled to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode if RLP1 meets the criteria for relaxed mode, but not vice versa. The configuration for the scenario where only a subset of RLPs meets the criteria, but other RLPs are also enabled in relaxed mode, can be predefined or configured by the network node. TIFF0007602032000006.tif35170TIFF0007602032000007.tif351703. Based on the relationship between resources configured for RLM and BM: Whether the UE is allowed to enter an operation mode in which all RLPs are enabled to be implemented in relaxed mode (e.g., both relaxed RLM and relaxed BM) depends on the relationship (R) between the resources (or groups of resources, or resource sets) on which the RLPs are implemented, for example between the resources on which RLP1 (e.g., RLM) is implemented and the resources on which RLP2 (e.g., BM) is implemented. In one particular example, the resources on which the RLM is implemented are called RLM-RS and are resources from the set of resources configured for RLM by a higher layer. The resources on which the BM is implemented are called the resource set, the BM-RS resource configuration. In one particular example, the resources on which the BM is implemented are the configured BM-RS resources of the resource set (called). For simplicity, the resource used for the RLM is called R1 and the resource used for the BM is called R2, and the relationship can be expressed using the following function: R = f(R1, R2) Here, R1 and R2 can be related in different ways, for example, fully overlapping, non-overlapping, or partially overlapping in frequency and time domains, same, similar, or different periodicities, etc. In a first example, R1 and R2 can be non-overlapping, i.e., they do not overlap in either the time or frequency domain, i.e. the reference signals are transmitted over different time periods and different frequency resources. In the second example, R1 and R2 can partially overlap, i.e. some of the resources configured for RLM and BM are transmitted throughout the same period. This may also mean that R1 is the same as R2, or R1 is a subset of R2, or R2 is a subset of R1. In a third example, R1 and R2 can be fully overlapped (e.g., in the time domain, or in the frequency domain, or in both the time and frequency domains). In this case, R1 can be the same as R2, i.e., both RLM and BM are implemented over the same set of resources. In the fourth example, R1 and R2 are set with periodicities P1 and P2, respectively, within a certain margin (Δp1). As an example, Δp=20ms. As a special case, Δp=0, i.e. P1=P2, e.g. P1=P2=80ms. In a fifth example, R1 and R2 are set with periodicities P1 and P2, respectively, that are greater than a certain margin (Δp2). An example of Δp2 is 40ms. In one example, P1=20ms and P2=80ms, and in another example, P1=160ms and P2=20ms.

[0071] Based on the relationship between R1 and R2, the UE can be enabled to implement both RLM and BM in relaxed mode even if one of the RLPs does not meet the criteria for relaxation. Assume that only RLP1 (e.g., RLM) meets the criteria for operating in relaxed mode, but RLP2 (e.g., BM) does not. In one example, if the resources are fully overlapped (as in the third example), the UE can be enabled to implement both RLM and BM in relaxed mode, otherwise the UE is not enabled to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode. As a special case, in the second example where only a portion of the resources overlap, the UE can be enabled to enter relaxed mode for both RLM and BM, otherwise the UE is not enabled to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode. In another example, if P1 and P2 are the same periodicity or within a certain margin (fourth example), the UE can be enabled to implement both RLPs (e.g., RLM and BM) in relaxed mode, otherwise the UE is not enabled to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode. In yet another example, if P1 is longer than P2 by a certain margin (e.g., 40 ms), the UE may be allowed to implement both RLM and BM in relaxed mode, otherwise the UE is not allowed to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode. 4. Based on reference RLP meeting criteria: Whether the UE is allowed to enter an operation mode in which both RLPs (e.g., both relaxed RLM and relaxed BM) are enabled to be implemented in relaxed mode depends on the state of the reference RLP, even if one of the RLPs does not meet the criteria for relaxation. In this case, it is assumed that the UE is configured with RLPs, one of which is configured as the reference RLP. The reference RLP can be predefined, configured by a network node, or determined autonomously by the UE. If the UE meets the criteria to enter relaxed mode to operate the reference RLP, the UE can enable the other RLPs to also operate in relaxed mode, regardless of whether they meet the relaxed criteria. However, if the UE does not meet the criteria to enter relaxed mode to operate the reference RLP, the UE must evaluate the criteria for the other RLPs separately. In one example, the reference RLP is the RLM, and in another example, the RLP is the BM. 5. Based on frequency characteristics of the cell: Whether the UE is allowed to enter an operation mode in which both RLPs (e.g., relaxed RLM and relaxed BM) are enabled in relaxed operation mode depends on the frequency characteristics. Examples of frequency characteristics include the frequency range (FR) of the resource on which the RLP is implemented (e.g., when RLM-RS, BM-RS, etc. are implemented on cells belonging to FR1, FR2, etc.) if the resource on which the RLP is implemented is configured over carrier frequencies below a certain frequency threshold (Hf) or between certain frequency thresholds (Hf1 and Hf2). For example, if the UE is configured to implement two or more RLPs (e.g., RLM and BM) on a cell operating on a carrier belonging to a certain FR (e.g., FR2), if the criteria for implementing one RLP (e.g., RLP1) in relaxed mode are met, the UE is also allowed to implement the other RLP (e.g., RLP2) in relaxed mode. However, if the UE is configured to implement both two or more RLPs (e.g., RLM and BM) on a cell operating on a carrier belonging to another FR (e.g., FR1), the UE is not allowed to implement RLP2 in relaxed mode if the criteria for implementing RLP1 in relaxed mode but not for RLP2 are met. Examples of FR1 include frequencies from 400 MHz to 7 GHz, and examples of FR2 include frequencies from 24 GHz to 52.6 GHz.

[0072] The principle is illustrated for two RLPs, one of which meets the criteria for entering a relaxed mode of operation and the other of which does not. Note that the same principle can be applied to any number of RLPs.

[0073] The UE may further operate the joint RLP according to the determined mode while satisfying the UE requirements for all RLPs associated with the respective modes. For example, when the UE operates RLP1 and RLP2 in relaxed mode, the UE measures, evaluates, and / or reports measurement results less frequently and / or for a longer period of time compared to the case when the UE implements those RLPs in normal mode. The UE may further inform the network node regarding the OM1 and / or OM2 (current / new) operation modes for the joint RLP, for example, when switching from one mode to another.

[0074] Operation of communications device 100 (implemented using the block diagram structure of FIG. 1) will now be discussed with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 8-14, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, modules may be stored in memory 105 of FIG. 1, and these modules may provide instructions such that, when the instructions of the modules are executed by respective communications device processing circuitry 103, the processing circuitry 103 performs the respective operations of the flowcharts.

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates a method implemented by a communication device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates that the method includes acquiring 600 a criterion associated with a first operation mode and a second operation mode of a radio link procedure (RLP) to be implemented by the communication device. For example, the communication device 100 acquires a criterion associated with a first operation mode and a second operation mode of a RLP to be implemented by the communication device 100. FIG. 6 also illustrates that the method includes selecting 602 one of the first operation mode or the second operation mode for implementing the RLP based on the criterion, and implementing 604 the RLP according to the first or second operation mode based on the selection. Following the above example, the communication device 100 selects 604 one of the first operation mode or the second operation mode for implementing the RLP based on the criterion, and implements the RLP according to the first or second operation mode based on the selection.

[0076] In some embodiments, the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with scenarios in which the communication device may perform RLP according to the first mode of operation. The scenarios in which the communication device may perform RLP according to the first mode of operation include one or more of the speed of the communication device and the location of the communication device within a cell of the wireless network. The criteria also include a second set of criteria in some embodiments associated with conditions that affect the performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first mode of operation. The conditions that affect the performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first mode of operation include one or more of beam failure detection, in-sync (IS) detection, out-of-sync (OOS) detection, candidate beam detection, and radio link failure trigger. Further examples and embodiments of the conditions and scenarios associated with the criteria are described herein above.

[0077] The method includes obtaining the criteria from a network node via higher layer signaling according to some embodiments. For example, the communications device 100 obtains the criteria from one of the RAN node 200 or the CN node 300, or a combination thereof. In some other embodiments, the communications device is preconfigured with the criteria and the criteria are obtained from a storage device of the communications device. For example, the communications device 100 is preconfigured with the criteria and obtains the criteria from the memory 105. In some embodiments, the memory 105 may comprise a SIM device as described herein above.

[0078] In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining the criterion in response to one of the communications device entering a cell of the wireless network for the first time or performing a cell change in the wireless network. For example, the communications device 100 may obtain the criterion in response to one of the communications device 100 entering a cell of the wireless network for the first time or performing a cell change in the wireless network. In another embodiment, the method includes obtaining the criterion in response to the communications device switching between radio resource control (RRC) states. In another example, the communications device 100 may obtain the criterion in response to the communications device 100 switching between RRC states. In yet another embodiment, the method includes obtaining the criterion upon receiving an explicit request from a network node or based on an internal trigger within the communications device. For example, the communications device 100 obtains the criterion upon receiving an explicit request from one of the RAN node 200 or the CN node 300. In another example, the communications device 100 obtains the criterion based on an internal trigger within the communications device 100.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the first operation mode includes a relaxed operation mode implementing RLP, and the second operation mode includes a normal operation mode implementing RLP. In some embodiments, the relaxed operation mode includes one or more of a relaxed measurement period that exceeds a normal measurement period of the normal operation mode, a relaxed reference signal measurement accuracy level that exceeds a reference signal measurement accuracy level of the normal operation mode, a relaxed periodicity for sending RLP indications that exceeds a normal periodicity for sending RLP indications of the normal operation mode, and / or a relaxed evaluation period that extends a normal evaluation period of the normal operation mode. Further examples of the relaxed operation mode and normal operation mode of RLP are described herein above. In some embodiments, the RLP includes one of a radio link monitoring (RLM) procedure and a beam management (BM) procedure. Further examples of radio link procedures are also discussed herein above.

[0080] The method includes obtaining information associated with a communication device operating in a cell of a wireless network according to some embodiments. For example, the communication device 100 may obtain information associated with the communication device 100 operating in a cell of the wireless network. Different examples of information obtained by the communication device are also discussed herein above.

[0081] 7 illustrates that a method, in one embodiment, includes determining 700 that the information meets a criterion and selecting 702 a first mode of operation to implement RLP based on the determination that the information meets the criterion. For example, communications device 100 determines that the information meets the criterion and selects a first mode of operation to implement RLP based on the determination that the information meets the criterion. In this example, the first mode of operation may include a relaxed mode of operation of RLP.

[0082] 8 shows that the method includes determining 800 that the information does not meet the criteria and selecting 802 a second mode of operation to implement RLP based on the determination that the information does not meet the criteria. For example, communications device 100 determines that the information does not meet the criteria and selects 802 a second mode of operation to implement RLP based on the determination that the information does not meet the criteria. In this example, the second mode of operation may include a normal mode of operation of RLP.

[0083] In some embodiments, the information includes measurement data obtained by the communications device performing one or more measurements on signals operating between the communications device and the cell. In this embodiment, the method includes selecting one of a first operating mode or a second operating mode to perform RLP based on the criterion and the measurement data. For example, the communications device 100 obtains the measurement data by performing one or more measurements on signals operating between the communications device and the cell. The communications device 100 then selects one of the first operating mode or the second operating mode to perform RLP based on the criterion and the measurement data.

[0084] FIG. 9 illustrates a method implemented by a communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 illustrates that the method includes obtaining 900 a criterion associated with a first radio link procedure (RLP) and a second RLP to be implemented by the communication device. The method also includes determining 902 whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the criterion. For example, the communication device 100 obtains a criterion associated with the first RLP and the second RLP to be implemented by the communication device 100. The communication device 100 also determines whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the criterion. FIG. 11 further illustrates that the method includes performing 904 the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the determination. Following the above example, the communication device 100 performs the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the determination.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first RLP includes a radio link monitoring (RLM) procedure and the second RLP includes a beam management (BM) procedure. In some embodiments, the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with scenarios in which the communication device may implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operating mode. The scenarios in which the communication device may implement the first RLP and the second RLP include one or more of a speed of the communication device and a location of the communication device within a cell of the wireless network. In some embodiments, the criteria include a second set of criteria associated with conditions that affect performance of the first RLP and the second RLP when operating the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operating mode. The conditions that affect performance of the first RLP and the second RLP include one or more of a beam failure detection, an in-sync (IS) detection, an out-of-sync (OOS) detection, a candidate beam detection, and a radio link failure trigger.

[0086] 10 shows that the method includes acquiring 1000 information associated with a communication device operating in a cell of a wireless network, and determining 1002 whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the criteria and the information. For example, the communication device 100 acquires information associated with a communication device operating in a cell of a wireless network, and determines 1002 whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the criteria and the information. Different examples of information acquired by the communication device are also discussed above in this specification.

[0087] In one embodiment, FIG. 11 shows that the method includes determining 1100 to implement the first RLP according to the first mode of operation based on information satisfying a criterion associated with the operation of the first RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria. In this embodiment, the method also includes determining 1102 to implement the second RLP according to the second mode of operation based on information not satisfying a criterion associated with the operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria as shown in FIG. 11. For example, the communication device 100 determines to implement the first RLP according to the first mode of operation based on information satisfying a criterion associated with the operation of the first RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria, and determines to implement the second RLP according to the second mode of operation based on information not satisfying a criterion associated with the operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria. Further examples and embodiments regarding the operation of multiple RLPs according to different modes of operation in a cell are described herein above.

[0088] In another embodiment, Figure 12 shows that the method includes determining 1200 that the information satisfies a criterion associated with operating a first RLP according to a first mode of operation of the criteria, and determining 1202 that the information does not satisfy a criterion associated with operating a second RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria. However, in this embodiment, Figure 12 shows that the method includes determining 1204 to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation based on an indication indicating that the communications device is configured to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation when the information satisfies the criterion associated with operating the first RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria and when the information does not satisfy the criterion associated with operating the second RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria. For example, communications device 100 determines to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation based on the indication that the communications device is configured to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation when the information satisfies a criterion associated with operation of the first RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria and when the information does not satisfy a criterion associated with operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation of the criteria. Further examples and embodiments relating to operation of multiple RLPs according to the first mode of operation in a cell are described herein above.

[0089] In some embodiments, the method includes determining to implement the second RLP based further on one or more of the information received from the network node, a relationship between resources configured to implement the first RLP and the second RLP, and a determination of whether the first RLP is configured as a reference RLP, and frequency characteristics of the cell in which the first RLP and the second RLP are implemented. Further examples and embodiments relating to determining to implement the second RLP based further on one or more information received from the network node are also discussed herein above.

[0090] Further exemplary embodiments are described below. 1. A method implemented by a communication device (100), comprising: Obtaining (800) criteria associated with a first operation mode and a second operation mode of a radio link procedure (RLP) to be implemented by a communication device (100); selecting (802) one of a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for implementing RLP based on a criterion; Based on the selection, implementing the RLP according to a first or second mode of operation (804); A method comprising: 2. A method according to embodiment 1, wherein the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with a scenario in which the communication device (100) can implement RLP according to a first operation mode; The method, wherein the criteria includes a second set of criteria associated with conditions that affect performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first mode of operation. 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein scenarios in which the communication device (100) can implement RLP according to the first operating mode include one or more of the speed of the communication device (100) and the location of the communication device (100) within a cell of the wireless network. 4. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein conditions affecting the performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first operating mode include one or more of beam failure detection, in-sync (IS) detection, out-of-sync (OOS) detection, candidate beam detection, and radio link failure trigger. 5. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein obtaining the criterion includes obtaining the criterion from a network node (200, 300) via higher layer signaling. 6. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the criteria are preset in the communication device (100), and acquiring the criteria includes acquiring the criteria from a storage device (105) of the communication device (100). 7. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein obtaining the reference includes obtaining the reference in response to one of the communication device (100) entering a cell of the wireless network for the first time or performing a cell change in the wireless network. 8. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein obtaining the reference includes obtaining the reference in response to the communications device (100) switching between radio resource control (RRC) states. 9. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein obtaining the criteria includes obtaining the criteria upon receiving an explicit request from the network node (200, 300) or based on an internal trigger within the communication device (100). 10. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the first operating mode includes a relaxed operating mode that implements RLP, and the second operating mode includes a normal operating mode that implements RLP. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relaxed operation mode comprises: A relaxed measurement period that exceeds the normal measurement period in normal operating mode; a relaxed reference signal measurement accuracy level that is greater than the reference signal measurement accuracy level of the normal operating mode; a relaxed periodicity for sending RLP indications that exceeds the normal periodicity for sending RLP indications in the normal operating mode, and / or Relaxed evaluation period that extends the normal evaluation period in normal operating mode The method includes one or more of the following: 12. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the RLP includes one of a radio link monitoring (RLM) procedure and a beam management (BM) procedure. 13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: Obtaining information associated with a communication device (100) operating within a cell of a wireless network The method further comprising: 14. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein selecting one of the first and second operation modes for implementing RLP based on a criterion includes: determining that the information meets the criteria (900); selecting (902) a first operating mode for implementing the RLP based on a determination that the information meets a criterion; A method comprising: 15. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein selecting one of the first and second operation modes for implementing RLP based on a criterion includes: determining that the information does not meet the criteria (1000); selecting (1002) a second operating mode for implementing the RLP based on a determination that the information does not meet the criteria; A method comprising: 16. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the information includes measurement data obtained by the communication device (100) performing one or more measurements on a signal operating between the communication device (100) and the cell. 17. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13 and 16, wherein selecting one of the first operation mode or the second operation mode for implementing RLP based on a criterion includes: Selecting one of the first and second operating modes for implementing the RLP based on the criteria and the measurement data. A method comprising: 18. A method implemented by a communication device (100), comprising: Obtaining (1100) criteria associated with a first radio link procedure (RLP) and a second RLP to be performed by a communication device (100); determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operating mode or a second operating mode based on a criterion (1102); Implementing the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operating mode or the second operating mode based on the determination (1104); A method comprising: 19. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the first RLP includes a radio link monitoring (RLM) procedure and the second RLP includes a beam management (BM) procedure. 20. The method of embodiment 18 or 19, wherein the first operating mode comprises a relaxed operating mode and the second operating mode comprises a normal operating mode. 21. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein the relaxed operation mode is: A relaxed measurement period that exceeds the normal measurement period in normal operating mode; a relaxed reference signal measurement accuracy level that is greater than the reference signal measurement accuracy level of the normal operating mode; a relaxed periodicity for sending RLP indications that exceeds the normal periodicity for sending RLP indications in the normal operating mode, and / or Relaxed evaluation period that extends the normal evaluation period in normal operating mode The method includes one or more of the following: 22. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 21, wherein the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with a scenario in which the communication device (100) can implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode; The method, wherein the criteria includes a second set of criteria associated with conditions that affect performance of the first RLP and the second RLP when operating the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first mode of operation. 23. A method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 22, wherein scenarios in which the communication device (100) can implement the first RLP and the second RLP include one or more of the speed of the communication device (100) and the location of the communication device (100) within a cell of a wireless network. 24. A method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 23, wherein the conditions affecting the performance of the first RLP and the second RLP include one or more of beam failure detection, in-sync (IS) detection, out-of-sync (OOS) detection, candidate beam detection, and radio link failure trigger. 25. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 24, wherein determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on a criterion includes: Obtaining (1200) information associated with a communication device (100) operating within a cell of a wireless network; determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operating mode or a second operating mode based on the criteria and the information (1202); A method comprising: 26. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 25, wherein determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on the criteria and the information includes: determining (1300) to implement the first RLP according to the first mode of operation based on the information satisfying criteria associated with operation of the first RLP according to the first mode of operation among the criteria; determining (1302) to implement the second RLP according to a second mode of operation based on the information not satisfying a criterion associated with operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation among the criteria; A method comprising: 27. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 25, wherein determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on the criteria and the information includes: Determining (1400) that the information satisfies criteria associated with operation of the first RLP according to a first mode of operation; determining (1402) that the information does not satisfy a criterion associated with operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation; determining (1404) to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation based on the indication indicating that the communications device is configured to implement the second RLP according to the first mode of operation when the information satisfies one of the criteria associated with operation of the first RLP according to the first mode of operation and when the information does not satisfy one of the criteria associated with operation of the second RLP according to the first mode of operation; A method comprising: 28. The method of embodiment 27, wherein deciding to implement the second RLP according to the first operating mode further includes deciding to implement the second RLP based further on one or more of information received from the network node, a relationship between resources configured to implement the first RLP and the second RLP, and a determination of whether the first RLP is configured as a reference RLP, and frequency characteristics of the cell in which the first RLP and the second RLP are implemented. 29. A communication device (100), A processing circuit (103); A communications device comprising: a memory (105) coupled to a processing circuit, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the communications device to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 1 to 17. 30. A wireless device (100) adapted to implement according to any one of the first to seventeenth embodiments. 31. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by a processing circuit (103) of a communication device (100), whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device (100) to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 1 to 17. 32. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium containing program code to be executed by a processing circuit (103) of a communication device (100), whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device (100) to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 1 to 17. 33. A communication device (100), A processing circuit (103); A communications device comprising: a memory (105) coupled to a processing circuit, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the communications device to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 18 to 28. 34. A wireless device (100) adapted to implement according to any one of embodiments 18 to 28. 35. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by a processing circuit (103) of a communication device (100), whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device (100) to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 18 to 28. 36. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium containing program code to be executed by a processing circuit (103) of a communication device (100), whereby execution of the program code causes the communication device (100) to perform the operations described in any one of embodiments 18 to 28.

[0091] An explanation of various abbreviations / acronyms used in this disclosure is provided below. Abbreviation Description BFD Beam Failure Detection BM Beam Management BS base station CBD Candidate Beam Detection CCA Clear Channel Assessment CE Control Element CGI Cell Global ID CRS Cell-specific reference signal CSI Channel State Information CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal DC Dual Connectivity DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink eNB E-UTRAN Node B FDD Frequency Division Duplex FR1 Frequency Range 1 FR2 Frequency Range 2 GSCN Global Synchronization Channel Number gNB Next Generation Node B HARQ Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request IS synchronization LTE Long Term Evolution MAC Media Access Control MC Multi Carrier MuC Multi-Connectivity NR new radio OOS Out of Sync PBCH Physical Broadcast Channel PCI Physical Cell ID PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PSS primary synchronization signal PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel RACH Random Access Channel RAT Radio Access Technology RLM Radio Link Monitoring RLP Radio Link Procedure RRC Radio Resource Control RSRP reference signal received power RSRP reference signal reception quality SCH Shared Channel SNR Signal to Noise Ratio SRS Sounding Reference Signal SS-RSRP Secondary synchronous RSRP SS-RSRQ Secondary synchronous RSRQ SSS secondary synchronization signal TCI Transmit Configuration Indicator ProSe Proximity Services V2V Vehicle-to-Vehicle V2X Vehicle-to-everything

[0092] Further explanation is provided below.

[0093] In general, all terms used herein should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant art unless a different meaning is expressly given and / or implied by the context in which they are used. All references to elements, apparatus, components, means, steps, etc. should be openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless expressly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is expressly described as being next to or prior to another step and / or unless it is implied that a step must be next to or prior to another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, where appropriate. Similarly, any advantage of any of the embodiments may be applied to any other embodiment, and vice versa. Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present specification will become apparent from the following description.

[0094] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, other embodiments are within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, and the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to only the embodiments described herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided as examples to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0095] FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless network according to some embodiments.

[0096] Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any suitable type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described with respect to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network shown in FIG. 13. For simplicity, the wireless network of FIG. 13 illustrates only the network 1306, the network nodes 1360 and 1360b, and the WDs 1310, 1310b, and 1310c (also referred to as mobile terminals). In practice, the wireless network may further include any additional elements suitable for supporting communication between wireless devices, or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. Of the illustrated components, the network node 1360 and the wireless device (WD) 1310 will be described in more detail. The wireless network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices accessing and / or using services provided by or via the wireless network.

[0097] A wireless network may comprise and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and / or radio network, or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, a wireless network may be configured to operate according to a particular standard or other type of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of a wireless network may implement communications standards such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), or fifth generation (5G) standards, wireless local area network (WLAN) standards such as the IEEE 802.11 standard, and / or any other suitable wireless communication standards such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, and / or ZigBee standards.

[0098] The network 1306 may include one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTN), packet data networks, optical networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks that enable communication between devices.

[0099] The network node 1360 and the WD 1310 comprise various components, which are described in more detail below. These components cooperate to provide the functionality of the network node and / or wireless device, such as providing wireless connectivity in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or be involved in the communication of data and / or signals, whether via wired or wireless connections.

[0100] As used herein, a network node refers to equipment that can, is configured to, is arranged to, and / or is operable to communicate directly or indirectly with wireless devices and / or other network nodes, or equipment in a wireless network that enables and / or provides wireless access to wireless devices and / or performs other functions (e.g., management) of the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, without limitation, access points (APs) (e.g., wireless access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), and NR Node Bs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or in other words, their transmit power levels), and therefore may also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node, or a relay donor node that controls a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed wireless base station, such as a centralized digital unit, and / or a remote radio unit (RRU), which may be referred to as a remote radio head (RRH). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with antennas as antenna-integrated radios. Portions of the distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes of a distributed antenna system (DAS). Other further examples of network nodes include MSR equipment such as a multi-standard radio (MSR) BS, a network controller such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a transmission point, a transmission node, a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), a core network node (e.g., MSC, MME), an O&M node, an OSS node, a SON node, a positioning node (e.g., E-SMLC), and / or an MDT. As another example, the network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below.More generally, however, a network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) configured, arranged, and / or operable to enable and / or provide access to a wireless network for a wireless device or to provide some service to a wireless device accessing the wireless network.

[0101] In FIG. 13, network node 1360 includes processing circuitry 1370, device readable medium 1380, interface 1390, auxiliary equipment 1384, power source 1386, power circuitry 1387, and antenna 1362. Although network node 1360 shown in the example wireless network of FIG. 13 may represent a device including the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes having different combinations of components. It should be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and / or software necessary to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, although the components of network node 1360 are shown as a single box located within a larger box or as a single box nested within multiple boxes, in reality the network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single depicted component (e.g., device readable medium 1380 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

[0102] Similarly, the network node 1360 may be assembled from multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and an RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), each of which may have their own respective components. In certain scenarios where the network node 1360 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., a BTS component and a BSC component), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control several NodeBs. In such scenarios, each unique NodeB and RNC pair may be considered as a single separate network node in some cases. In some embodiments, the network node 1360 may be configured to support several radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device-readable media 1380 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 1362 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 1360 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies, such as, for example, GSM, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, integrated into network node 1360. These wireless technologies may be integrated in the same or different chips or chipsets and other components within network node 1360.

[0103] The processing circuitry 1370 is configured to perform any decision, computation, or similar operations (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by the processing circuitry 1370 may include processing information acquired by the processing circuitry 1370, for example, by transforming the acquired information into other information, comparing the acquired or transformed information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired or transformed information, and making a decision as a result of the processing.

[0104] The processing circuitry 1370 may comprise one or more combinations of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or coded logic operable, alone or in conjunction with other network node 1360 components, such as device readable medium 1380, to provide the functionality of the network node 1360. For example, the processing circuitry 1370 may execute instructions stored on the device readable medium 1380 or in memory within the processing circuitry 1370. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1370 may include a system on a chip (SOC).

[0105] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1370 may include one or more of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1372 and a baseband processing circuitry 1374. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1372 and the baseband processing circuitry 1374 may be on separate chips (or chipsets), boards, or units, such as a radio unit and a digital unit. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 1372 and the baseband processing circuitry 1374 may be on the same chip or set of chips, board, or unit.

[0106] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB, or other such network device may be performed by the processing circuitry 1370 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium 1380, or memory within the processing circuitry 1370. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry 1370 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of those embodiments, the processing circuitry 1370 can be configured to perform the described functions, whether or not it executes instructions stored on a device-readable storage medium. Benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry 1370 alone or to other components of the network node 1360, but are enjoyed by the network node 1360 as a whole, and / or by end users and wireless networks in general.

[0107] The device readable medium 1380 may include any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory, including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., flash drive, compact disc (CD), or digital video disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile non-transitory device readable and / or computer executable memory device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuit 1370. The device readable medium 1380 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including computer programs, software, applications (including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc.), and / or other instructions that can be executed by the processing circuit 1370 and utilized by the network node 1360. The device readable medium 1380 may be used to store any calculations performed by the processing circuit 1370 and / or any data received via the interface 1390. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 1370 and the device readable medium 1380 may be considered to be integrated.

[0108] The interface 1390 is used for wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between the network node 1360, the network 1306, and / or the WD 1310. As shown, the interface 1390 includes a port / terminal 1394 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the network 1306, for example, over a wired connection. The interface 1390 also includes a radio front-end circuit 1392 that is coupled to the antenna 1362 or may be part of the antenna 1362 in certain embodiments. The radio front-end circuit 1392 includes a filter 1398 and an amplifier 1396. The radio front-end circuit 1392 may be connected to the antenna 1362 and the processing circuit 1370. The radio front-end circuit may be configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna 1362 and the processing circuit 1370. The radio front-end circuit 1392 may receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs over a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1392 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1398 and / or amplifiers 1396. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1362. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1362 may collect the radio signal, which is then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1392. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1370. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0109] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 1360 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 1392; instead, the processing circuit 1370 may comprise a radio front-end circuit and may be connected to the antenna 1362 without a separate radio front-end circuit 1392. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or a portion of the RF transceiver circuit 1372 may be considered part of the interface 1390. In still other embodiments, the interface 1390 may include one or more ports or terminals 1394, the radio front-end circuit 1392, and the RF transceiver circuit 1372 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the interface 1390 may communicate with a baseband processing circuit 1374 that is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0110] The antenna 1362 may include one or more antennas, or an antenna array, configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1362 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1392 and may be any type of antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data and / or signals. In some embodiments, the antenna 1362 may comprise one or more omni-directional sector or panel antennas operable to transmit / receive wireless signals, for example, from 2 GHz to 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit / receive wireless signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit / receive wireless signals from devices in a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line-of-sight antenna used to transmit / receive wireless signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1362 may be separate from the network node 1360 and may be connectable to the network node 1360 through an interface or port.

[0111] The antenna 1362, the interface 1390, and / or the processing circuitry 1370 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain acquisition operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a wireless device, another network node, and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 1362, the interface 1390, and / or the processing circuitry 1370 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data, and / or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node, and / or any other network equipment.

[0112] The power circuitry 1387 may comprise or be coupled to a power management circuitry and is configured to provide power to the components of the network node 1360 for performing the functionality described herein. The power circuitry 1387 may receive power from a power source 1386. The power source 1386 and / or the power circuitry 1387 may be configured to provide power to the various components of the network node 1360 in a form suitable for each component (e.g., at the voltage and current levels required for each component). The power source 1386 may either be included in the power circuitry 1387 and / or the network node 1360 or be external thereto. For example, the network node 1360 may be connectable via an input circuit or interface, such as an electrical cable, to an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet), whereby the external power source provides power to the power circuitry 1387. As a further example, the power source 1386 may comprise a power source in the form of a battery or battery pack connected to or integrated with the power circuitry 1387. The battery may provide backup power in the event that the external power source fails. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as photovoltaic devices.

[0113] Alternative embodiments of network node 1360 may include additional components other than those shown in Figure 13 that may be responsible for providing some aspects of the network node's functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 1360 may include user interface devices that allow for the input of information into network node 1360 and the output of information from network node 1360. This may enable a user to perform diagnostics, maintenance, repair, and other management functions of network node 1360.

[0114] As used herein, a wireless device (WD) refers to a device that can, is configured, arranged, and / or operable to wirelessly communicate with network nodes and / or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise specified, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic, radio, infrared, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information over the air. In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predefined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network. Examples of WDs include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, cell phones, voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, desktop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless cameras, gaming consoles or devices, music storage devices, playback appliances, wearable terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, tablets, laptop computers, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, etc. WDs may support device-to-device (D2D) communications, for example, by implementing 3GPP standards for sidelink communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-everything (V2X), in which case they may be referred to as D2D communications devices. As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements and transmits results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another WD and / or network node.The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may be referred to as an MTC device in the 3GPP context. As one particular example, the WD may be a UE implementing the 3GPP Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or household or personal appliances (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, etc.), personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scenarios, the WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that may monitor and / or report its operating status or other functions associated with the operation. The WD as described above may represent an endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, the WD as described above may be a mobile object, in which case the device may be referred to as a mobile device or mobile terminal.

[0115] As shown, wireless device 1310 includes antenna 1311, interface 1314, processing circuitry 1320, device readable medium 1330, user interface equipment 1332, auxiliary equipment 1334, power source 1336, and power circuitry 1337. WD 1310 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies that WD 1310 supports, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to name a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated on the same or different chip or chipset as other components in WD 1310.

[0116] The antenna 1311 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals and is connected to the interface 1314. In certain alternative embodiments, the antenna 1311 may be separate from the WD 1310 and connectable to the WD 1310 through an interface or port. The antenna 1311, the interface 1314, and / or the processing circuitry 1320 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operation described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data, and / or signal may be received from a network node and / or another WD. In some embodiments, the wireless front-end circuitry and / or the antenna 1311 may be considered an interface.

[0117] As shown, the interface 1314 comprises a radio front-end circuit 1312 and an antenna 1311. The radio front-end circuit 1312 comprises one or more filters 1318 and an amplifier 1316. The radio front-end circuit 1312 is coupled to the antenna 1311 and the processing circuit 1320 and is configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna 1311 and the processing circuit 1320. The radio front-end circuit 1312 may be coupled to or part of the antenna 1311. In some embodiments, the WD 1310 may not include a separate radio front-end circuit 1312, and rather, the processing circuit 1320 may comprise a radio front-end circuit and be connected to the antenna 1311. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 1322 may be considered part of the interface 1314. The radio front-end circuit 1312 may receive digital data to be sent to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1312 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1318 and / or amplifiers 1316. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1311. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1311 may collect the radio signal, which is then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1312. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1320. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0118] The processing circuitry 1320 may comprise one or more combinations of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or coded logic operable, alone or in conjunction with other WD 1310 components such as the device readable medium 1330, to provide the functionality of the WD 1310. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, the processing circuitry 1320 may execute instructions stored on the device readable medium 1330 or in memory within the processing circuitry 1320 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.

[0119] As shown, the processing circuit 1320 includes one or more of an RF transceiver circuit 1322, a baseband processing circuit 1324, and an application processing circuit 1326. In other embodiments, the processing circuit may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components. In a particular embodiment, the processing circuit 1320 of the WD 1310 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuit 1322, the baseband processing circuit 1324, and the application processing circuit 1326 may be on separate chips or chipsets. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the baseband processing circuit 1324 and the application processing circuit 1326 may be combined into one chip or chipset, and the RF transceiver circuit 1322 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In further alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuit 1322 and the baseband processing circuit 1324 may be on the same chip or chipset, and the application processing circuit 1326 may be on a separate chip or chipset. In yet other alternative embodiments, some or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 1322, the baseband processing circuitry 1324, and the application processing circuitry 1326 may be combined within the same chip or chipset. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 1322 may be part of the interface 1314. The RF transceiver circuitry 1322 may condition RF signals for the processing circuitry 1320.

[0120] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by the WD may be provided by the processing circuitry 1320 executing instructions stored on a device-readable medium 1330, which may be a computer-readable storage medium in certain embodiments. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry 1320 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of these particular embodiments, the processing circuitry 1320 may be configured to perform the described functionality, whether or not it executes instructions stored on a device-readable medium. Benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry 1320 alone or other components of the WD 1310, but are enjoyed by the WD 1310 as a whole, and / or by end users and wireless networks in general.

[0121] The processing circuitry 1320 may be configured to perform any of the decision, calculation, or similar operations (e.g., certain acquisition operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations as performed by the processing circuitry 1320 may include processing information acquired by the processing circuitry 1320, for example, by transforming the acquired information into other information, comparing the acquired or transformed information with information stored by the WD 1310, and / or performing one or more operations based on the acquired or transformed information, and making a decision as a result of such processing.

[0122] The device-readable medium 1330 may be operable to store computer programs, software, applications (including one or more of logic, rules, codes, tables, etc.), and / or other instructions that may be executed by the processing circuit 1320. The device-readable medium 1330 may include computer memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., compact disc (CD) or digital video disc (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory device that stores information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuit 1320. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 1320 and the device-readable medium 1330 may be considered to be integrated.

[0123] The user interface device 1332 may provide components that allow a human user to interact with the WD 1310. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. The user interface device 1332 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to the WD 1310. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface device 1332 installed on the WD 1310. For example, if the WD 1310 is a smartphone, the interaction may be through a touch screen, and if the WD 1310 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). The user interface device 1332 may include input interfaces, devices, and circuits, as well as output interfaces, devices, and circuits. The user interface device 1332 is configured to allow input of information to the WD 1310 and is connected to the processing circuit 1320 to allow the processing circuit 1320 to process the input information. The user interface device 1332 may include, for example, a microphone, proximity or other sensors, keys / buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. The user interface device 1332 is also configured to enable output of information from the WD 1310 and to enable the processing circuitry 1320 to output information from the WD 1310. The user interface device 1332 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibration circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits of the user interface device 1332, the WD 1310 may communicate with an end user and / or a wireless network and enable the end user and / or the wireless network to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0124] The auxiliary device 1334 is operable to provide more specific functionality that a WD may not generally perform. It may include dedicated sensors to take measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication, such as wired communication, etc. The inclusion and types of components of the auxiliary device 1334 may vary depending on the embodiment and / or scenario.

[0125] The power source 1336 may be in the form of a battery or battery pack in some embodiments. Other types of power sources may also be used, such as an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet), a photovoltaic device, or a battery. The WD 1310 may further comprise a power circuit 1337 for delivering power from the power source 1336 to various parts of the WD 1310 that require power from the power source 1336 to perform any functionality described or indicated herein. The power circuit 1337 may comprise a power management circuit in certain embodiments. The power circuit 1337 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source, in which case the WD 1310 may be connectable to an external power source (such as an electrical outlet) via an interface, such as an input circuit, or a power cable. The power circuit 1337 may also be operable in certain embodiments to deliver power from the external power source to the power source 1336. This may be for charging the power source 1336, for example. Power circuitry 1337 may perform any formatting, conversion, or other modification to the power from power source 1336 to make it suitable for the respective components of WD 1310 being powered.

[0126] FIG. 14 illustrates a user equipment according to some embodiments.

[0127] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a UE according to various aspects described herein. As used herein, user equipment or UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates an associated device. Instead, a UE may represent a device (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller) that is intended for sale to or operation by a human user, but may not be associated with or may not initially be associated with a particular human user. Alternatively, a UE may represent a device (e.g., a smart power meter) that is not intended for sale to or operation by an end user, but may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user. The UE 1400 may be any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including an NB-IoT UE, a machine-type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 1400 is an example of a WD configured to communicate according to one or more communications standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP's GSM, UMTS, LTE, and / or 5G standards, as shown in FIG. 14. As noted above, the terms WD and UE may be used interchangeably. Thus, although FIG. 14 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a WD and vice versa.

[0128] In FIG. 14, UE 1400 includes a processing circuit 1401 operatively coupled to an input / output interface 1405, a radio frequency (RF) interface 1409, a network connection interface 1411, a memory 1415 (including, for example, a random access memory (RAM) 1417, a read only memory (ROM) 1419, and a storage medium 1421), a communication subsystem 1431, a power source 1413, and / or any other components, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 1421 includes an operating system 1423, application programs 1425, and data 1427. In other embodiments, the storage medium 1421 may include other similar types of information. A particular UE may utilize all of the components shown in FIG. 14, or only a subset of the components. The level of integration between the components may vary from UE to UE. Additionally, a particular UE may include multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0129] In Fig. 14, the processing circuit 1401 may be configured to process computer instructions and data. The processing circuit 1401 may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operable to execute machine instructions stored in memory as a machine-readable computer program, such as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.), programmable logic together with appropriate firmware, one or more pre-programmed general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) together with appropriate software, or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuit 1401 may include two central processing units (CPUs). The data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[0130] In the illustrated embodiment, the input / output interface 1405 may be configured to provide a communication interface for an input device, an output device, or an input / output device. The UE 1400 may be configured to use an output device via the input / output interface 1405. The output device may use the same type of interface port as the input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from the UE 1400. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smart card, another output device, or any combination thereof. The UE 1400 may be configured to enable a user to capture information into the UE 1400 using an input device via the input / output interface 1405. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a webcam, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smart card, etc. The presence sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor that senses input from a user. The sensor may be, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, another similar sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and a light sensor.

[0131] In FIG. 14, the RF interface 1409 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components, such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. The network connection interface 1411 may be configured to provide a communication interface to a network 1443a. The network 1443a may encompass a wired and / or wireless network, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a communication network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 1443a may include a Wi-Fi network. The network connection interface 1411 may be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocols, such as Ethernet, TCP / IP, SONET, ATM, etc. The network connection interface 1411 may implement receiver and transmitter functionality appropriate for a communication network link (e.g., optical, electrical, etc.). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or may be implemented separately.

[0132] The RAM 1417 may be configured to interface to the processing circuit 1401 via the bus 1402 for storing or caching data or computer instructions during execution of software programs, such as an operating system, application programs, and device drivers. The ROM 1419 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to the processing circuit 1401. For example, the ROM 1419 may be configured to store unchanging low-level system code or data for basic system functions, such as basic input / output (I / O), booting, or receiving keystrokes from a keyboard, stored in non-volatile memory. The storage medium 1421 may be configured to include memory, such as a RAM, a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a removable cartridge, or a flash drive. In one example, the storage medium 1421 may be configured to include an operating system 1423, an application program 1425, such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine, or another application, and data files 1427. The storage medium 1421 may store any of a wide variety of different operating systems or combinations of operating systems for use by the UE 1400.

[0133] The storage medium 1421 may be configured to include multiple physical drive units, such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high density digital versatile disk (HD-DVD) optical disk drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disk drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disk drive, external mini dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smart card memory such as a subscriber identity module or removable user identity (SIM / RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. The storage medium 1421 may enable the UE 1400 to access, offload data, or upload data stored in a temporary or non-transitory memory medium, computer executable instructions, application programs, and the like. An article of manufacture, such as an article of manufacture utilizing a communication system, may be tangibly embodied in the storage medium 1421, which may include a device-readable medium.

[0134] In FIG. 14, the processing circuit 1401 may be configured to communicate with the network 1443b using the communication subsystem 1431. The network 1443a and the network 1443b may be the same network or networks or different networks or networks. The communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with the network 1443b. For example, the communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication, such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN), according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.11, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, etc. Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1433 and / or a receiver 1435, respectively, implementing a transmitter or receiver functionality appropriate for a RAN link (e.g., frequency allocation, etc.). Additionally, the transmitter 1433 and receiver 1435 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or may be implemented separately.

[0135] In an example embodiment, the communication capabilities of the communication subsystem 1431 may include data communications, voice communications, multimedia communications, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communications, location-based communications such as using a global positioning system (GPS) to determine location, another similar communication capability, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication subsystem 1431 may include cellular communications, Wi-Fi communications, Bluetooth communications, and GPS communications. The network 1443b may encompass wired and / or wireless networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a communications network, another similar network, or any combination thereof. For example, the network 1443b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and / or a near-field network. The power source 1413 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to the components of the UE 1400.

[0136] The features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of the UE 1400 or distributed across multiple components of the UE 1400. Furthermore, the features, benefits, and / or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software, or firmware. In one example, the communication subsystem 1431 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Furthermore, the processing circuit 1401 may be configured to communicate with any of such components through the bus 1402. In another example, any such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that, when executed by the processing circuit 1401, perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between the processing circuit 1401 and the communication subsystem 1431. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware, and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0137] FIG. 15 illustrates a virtualization environment according to some embodiments.

[0138] FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1500 in which functionality implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In this context, virtualization means creating a virtual version of an apparatus or device, which may include virtualizing a hardware platform, storage devices, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization may apply to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized wireless access node) or to a device (e.g., a UE, a wireless device, or any other type of communication device) or components thereof, and relates to implementations in which at least a portion of functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, virtual machines, or containers running on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[0139] In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 1500 hosted by one or more of the hardware nodes 1530. Additionally, in embodiments where the virtual nodes are not wireless access nodes or do not require wireless connectivity (e.g., core network nodes), the network nodes may be fully virtualized.

[0140] The functionality may be implemented by one or more applications 1520 (which may alternatively be referred to as software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operable to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. The applications 1520 execute in a virtualization environment 1500, which provides hardware 1530 comprising a processing circuit 1560 and a memory 1590. The memory 1590 contains instructions 1595 executable by the processing circuit 1560 such that the applications 1520 are operable to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and / or functions disclosed herein.

[0141] The virtualization environment 1500 includes a general-purpose or dedicated network hardware device 1530 that includes a set of one or more processors or processing circuitry 1560, which may be a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processor, a dedicated application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or dedicated processors. Each hardware device may include a memory 1590-1, which may be a non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 1595 or software executed by the processing circuitry 1560. Each hardware device may include one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 1570, also known as network interface cards, that include a physical network interface 1580. Each hardware device may also include a non-transitory, persistent machine-readable storage medium 1590-2 on which software 1595 and / or instructions executable by the processing circuitry 1560 are stored. Software 1595 may include any type of software, including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 1550 (also referred to as hypervisors), software for running virtual machines 1540, and software that enables the software to perform the functions, features, and / or benefits described in connection with some of the embodiments described herein.

[0142] The virtual machines 1540 may comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interfaces, and virtual storage, and may be executed by a corresponding virtualization layer 1550 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the virtual appliance 1520 instances may be implemented in one or more of the virtual machines 1540, and the implementations may be done in different ways.

[0143] During operation, the processing circuitry 1560 executes software 1595 to instantiate a hypervisor or virtualization layer 1550, sometimes referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), which may present to the virtual machines 1540 a virtual operating platform that looks like networking hardware.

[0144] As shown in Figure 15, the hardware 1530 may be a standalone network node having general or specific components. The hardware 1530 may include an antenna 15225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, the hardware 1530 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., as in the case of a data center or customer premises equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via a management and orchestration (MANO) 15100 that oversees the lifecycle management of the applications 1520, among other things.

[0145] In some contexts, hardware virtualization is referred to as network functions virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry-standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage that may be located in data centers, as well as customer premises equipment.

[0146] In the context of NFV, a virtual machine 1540 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that executes programs as if it were running on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each virtual machine 1540, and the portion of hardware 1530 on which it runs, if any, hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and / or hardware that the virtual machine shares with other virtual machines 1540, forms a separate Virtual Network Element (VNE).

[0147] Further in the context of NFV, a virtual network function (VNF) is responsible for handling a specific network function running on one or more virtual machines 1540 on top of the hardware networking infrastructure 1530 and corresponds to application 1520 in FIG. 15.

[0148] In some embodiments, one or more radio units 15200, each including one or more transmitters 15220 and one or more receivers 15210, may be coupled to one or more antennas 15225. The radio units 15200 may communicate directly with a hardware node 1530 via one or more suitable network interfaces, or may be used in combination with a virtualization component to provide a virtual node with wireless capabilities, such as a wireless access node or base station.

[0149] In some embodiments, some signaling can be accomplished using a control system 15230, which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware node 1530 and the wireless unit 15200.

[0150] FIG. 16 illustrates a communications network connected to a host computer through an intermediate network, according to some embodiments.

[0151] Referring to Fig. 16, according to an embodiment, a communication system includes a communication network 1610, such as a 3GPP type cellular network, comprising an access network 1611, such as a radio access network, and a core network 1614. The access network 1611 comprises a number of base stations 1612a, 1612b, 1612c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1613a, 1613b, 1613c. Each base station 1612a, 1612b, 1612c can be connected to the core network 1614 through a wired or wireless connection 1615. A first UE 1691 located within the coverage area 1613c is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding base station 1612c. A second UE 1692 within the coverage area 1613a can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station 1612a. Although multiple UEs 1691, 1692 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is within the coverage area or is connected to a corresponding base station 1612.

[0152] The communication network 1610 itself is connected to a host computer 1630, which may be embodied in hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. The host computer 1630 may be owned or controlled by a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 1621 and 1622 between the communication network 1610 and the host computer 1630 may extend directly from the core network 1614 to the host computer 1630, or may extend through an optional intermediate network 1620. The intermediate network 1620 may be one or a combination of two or more of a public network, a private network, or a hosted network, if present, the intermediate network 1620 may be a backbone network or the Internet, and in particular the intermediate network 1620 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0153] The communication system of FIG. 16 as a whole enables connectivity between connected UEs 1691, 1692 and a host computer 1630. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1650. The host computer 1630 and connected UEs 1691, 1692 are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 1650 using the access network 1611, the core network 1614, any intermediate networks 1620, and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 1650 may be transparent in the sense that the involved communication devices through which the OTT connection 1650 passes are unaware of the routing of the uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 1612 may not be informed or need not be informed of the past routing of incoming downlink communications, where data originating from the host computer 1630 is forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 1691. Similarly, the base station 1612 does not need to be aware of the future routing of outgoing uplink communications originating from the UE 1691 toward the host computer 1630 .

[0154] FIG. 17 illustrates a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station over a partially wireless connection, according to some embodiments.

[0155] An exemplary implementation according to one embodiment of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the previous paragraphs is described below with reference to FIG. 17. In the communication system 1700, the host computer 1710 comprises hardware 1715 including a communication interface 1716 configured to set up and maintain wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 1700. The host computer 1710 further comprises a processing circuit 1718, which may have memory and / or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit 1718 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 1710 further comprises software 1711 stored on or accessible by the host computer 1710 and executable by the processing circuit 1718. The software 1711 includes a host application 1712. The host application 1712 may be operable to provide services to a remote user, such as the UE 1730, that connects via an OTT connection 1750 that terminates at the UE 1730 and the host computer 1710. In providing services to the remote user, the host application 1712 may provide user data that is transmitted using the OTT connection 1750.

[0156] The communication system 1700 further includes a base station 1720 comprising hardware 1725 provided in the communication system to enable communication with the host computer 1710 and the UE 1730. The hardware 1725 may include a communication interface 1726 for setting up and maintaining wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system 1700, as well as a wireless interface 1727 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 1770 with a UE 1730 located within a coverage area (not shown in FIG. 17) served by the base station 1720. The communication interface 1726 may be configured to facilitate a connection 1760 to the host computer 1710. The connection 1760 may be direct or may go through a core network (not shown in FIG. 17) of the communication system and / or through one or more intermediate networks external to the communication system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 1725 of the base station 1720 further includes processing circuitry 1728, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 1720 further includes software 1721, either stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0157] The communication system 1700 further includes the UE 1730, already mentioned. Its hardware 1735 may include a wireless interface 1737 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 1770 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 1730 is currently located. The hardware 1335 of the UE 1730 further includes a processing circuit 1738, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 1730 further includes software 1731 stored in or accessible by the UE 1730 and executable by the processing circuit 1738. The software 1731 includes a client application 1732. The client application 1732 may be operable to provide services to a human or non-human user via the UE 1730 with the support of the host computer 1710. At the host computer 1710, an executing host application 1712 may communicate with an executing client application 1732 via an OTT connection 1750 that terminates at the UE 1730 and the host computer 1710. In providing services to a user, the client application 1732 may receive request data from the host application 1712 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1750 may carry both the request data and the user data. The client application 1732 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

[0158] It should be noted that the host computer 1710, base station 1720, and UE 1730 shown in Figure 17 may be similar or equivalent to the host computer 1630, one of the base stations 1612a, 1612b, 1612c, and one of the UEs 1691, 1692, respectively, of Figure 16. That is, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 17, and alternatively, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 16.

[0159] 17, the OTT connection 1750 is depicted abstractly to show communication between the host computer 1710 and the UE 1730 via the base station 1720, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the exact routing of messages through these devices. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, and the network infrastructure may be configured to hide the routing from the UE 1730, or from the service provider that operates the host computer 1710, or both. The network infrastructure may also make decisions used to dynamically change the routing while the OTT connection 1750 is active (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0160] The wireless connection 1770 between the UE 1730 and the base station 1720 follows the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may improve the performance of the OTT service provided to the UE 1730 using the OTT connection 1750 of which the wireless connection 1770 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the random access speed and / or reduce the random access failure rate, thereby providing benefits such as faster and / or more reliable random access.

[0161] Measurement procedures may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors that one or more embodiments improve upon. There may further be optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1750 between the host computer 1710 and the UE 1730 in response to fluctuations in the measurement results. The measurement procedures and / or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1750 may be implemented in the software 1711 and hardware 1715 of the host computer 1710, or in the software 1731 and hardware 1735 of the UE 1730, or both. In an embodiment, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with the communication devices through which the OTT connection 1750 passes, and the sensors may participate in the measurement procedures by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or values ​​of other physical quantities from which the software 1711, 1731 may calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 1750 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc., and the reconfiguration need not affect the base station 1720 and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 1720. Such procedures and functionality may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling that facilitates the host computer 1710 to measure throughput, propagation times, latency, etc. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 1711 and 1731 cause messages, particularly null or "dummy" messages, to be sent using the OTT connection 1750 while monitoring propagation times, errors, etc.

[0162] FIG. 18 illustrates a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments.

[0163] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. To simplify the disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 18 are included in this section. In step 1810, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1811 of step 1810 (which may be optional), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1820, the host computer initiates a transmission that conveys the user data to the UE. In step 1830 (which may be optional), the base station transmits the user data conveyed in the host computer initiated transmission to the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1840 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0164] FIG. 19 illustrates a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments.

[0165] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. To simplify the disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 19 are included in this section. In step 1910 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1920, the host computer initiates a transmission that conveys the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass through the base station according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1930 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data conveyed in the transmission.

[0166] FIG. 20 illustrates a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments.

[0167] FIG. 20 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. To simplify the disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 20 are included in this section. In step 2010 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 2020, the UE provides user data. In sub-step 2021 (which may be optional) of step 2020, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In sub-step 2011 (which may be optional) of step 2010, the UE executes a client application that provides the user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further take into account user input received from a user. Regardless of the particular manner in which the user data is provided, the UE begins transmitting the user data to the host computer in sub-step 2030 (which may be optional). At step 2040 of the method, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0168] FIG. 21 illustrates a method implemented in a communications system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment, according to some embodiments.

[0169] FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be as described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. To simplify the disclosure, only a drawing reference to FIG. 21 is included in this section. In step 2110 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 2120 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 2130 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data conveyed in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0170] Any suitable steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may comprise several of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, and the like. The program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more communication and / or data communication protocols, as well as instructions for executing one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional units to perform functions corresponding to the respective functional units in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0171] The term unit may have its conventional meaning in the fields of electronics, electric devices, and / or electronic devices, and may include, for example, electric and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memories, logical solids, and / or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions, etc., for performing a respective task, procedure, computation, output, and / or display function, such as those described herein.

[0172] Further definitions and embodiments are discussed below.

[0173] In the above description of various embodiments of the inventive concept, it should be understood that the terminology used herein is merely for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the inventive concept. Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. In addition, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning of those terms in the context of the present specification and related art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly specified herein.

[0174] When an element is referred to as being "connected," "coupled," "responsive" to another element, or variations thereof, the element may be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected," "directly coupled," "directly responsive" to another element, or variations thereof, there are no intervening elements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, as used herein, "coupled," "connected," "responsive," or variations thereof may include wirelessly coupled, wirelessly connected, or wirelessly responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For brevity and / or clarity, well-known features or structures may not be described in detail. The term "and / or" (abbreviated as " / ") includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0175] Terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements / operations, but it will be understood that these elements / operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element / operation from another. Thus, a first element / operation in some embodiments may be called a second element / operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of the inventive concept. The same reference numbers or characters refer to the same or similar elements throughout this specification.

[0176] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "comprising," "comprises," "include," "including," "includes," "have," "has," "having," or variations thereof, are open-ended and include one or more of the stated features, integers, elements, steps, components, or functions, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "eg," from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or designate one or more general examples of the items listed above and is not intended to be limiting of such items. The common abbreviation "ie," from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to designate a particular item from a more general list.

[0177] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and / or devices), and / or computer program products. It will be understood that blocks of the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions carried out by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to processor circuits of general-purpose computer circuits, special-purpose computer circuits, and / or other programmable data processing circuits to create a machine, such that the instructions executing via the processor of the computer and / or other programmable data processing apparatus transform and control transistors, values ​​stored in memory locations, and other hardware components in such circuits to implement the function / acts specified in one or more blocks of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and thereby create means (functionality) and / or structures for implementing the function / acts specified in the block(s) of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts.

[0178] These computer program instructions may also be stored on a tangible computer readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored on the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture containing instructions that implement the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts. Thus, embodiments of the inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and / or in software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) executing on a processor, such as a digital signal processor, which may be collectively referred to as a "circuit," "module," or variations thereof.

[0179] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions / acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks illustrated in succession may in fact be executed substantially in parallel, or the blocks may be executed in reverse order, depending on the functionality / acts involved. Furthermore, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams may be divided into multiple blocks, and / or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added / inserted between the illustrated blocks, and / or blocks / acts may be omitted without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, while some of the figures include arrows on communication paths to indicate a primary direction of communication, it should be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the illustrated arrows.

[0180] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the inventive concept. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of the inventive concept. Accordingly, the subject matter disclosed above should be considered as illustrative and not limiting, and the example embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, extensions, and other embodiments that are within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Thus, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the scope of the inventive concept should be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure, including the example embodiments and their equivalents, and should not be limited or restricted by the above detailed description.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a communications device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730), comprising: Obtaining (800) criteria associated with a first operation mode and a second operation mode of a Radio Link Procedure (RLP) to be implemented by the communication device (100), the first operation mode including a relaxed operation mode implementing the RLP, and the second operation mode including a normal operation mode implementing the RLP; selecting (802) one of the first and second operating modes for implementing the RLP based on the criteria, the criteria including out-of-sync (OOS) detection; implementing the RLP according to the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation based on the selection (804); A method comprising:

2. the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with scenarios in which the communications device (100) may implement the RLP according to the first mode of operation; The criteria include a second set of criteria associated with conditions that affect performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first mode of operation. The method of claim 1.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein conditions that affect the performance of the RLP when operating the RLP according to the first operating mode include one or more of beam failure detection, in-sync (IS) detection, out-of-sync (OOS) detection, candidate beam detection, and radio link failure trigger.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the criteria comprises obtaining the criteria from a network node (200, 300) via higher layer signaling.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the criterion comprises obtaining the criterion in response to one of the communications device (100) entering a cell of a wireless network for the first time or performing a cell change in the wireless network.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the criterion comprises obtaining the criterion in response to the communications device switching between radio resource control (RRC) states.

7. The relaxed operation mode is a relaxed measurement period that is greater than a normal measurement period of said normal operating mode; a relaxed reference signal measurement accuracy level that is greater than the reference signal measurement accuracy level of the normal operating mode; a relaxed periodicity for sending RLP indications that exceeds a normal periodicity for sending RLP indications in said normal operating mode; and / or an relaxed evaluation period that extends the normal evaluation period of the normal operating mode; The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising one or more of the following:

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the RLP includes one of a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) procedure and a Link Recovery (LR) procedure.

9. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining (800) the criteria associated with the first operating mode and the second operating mode includes obtaining a first set of criteria associated with the first operating mode and a second set of criteria associated with the second operating mode, and selecting (802) one of the first operating mode or the second operating mode to perform the RLP, performing a RLP in the first mode of operation in response to at least one first criterion in the first set of criteria being satisfied and at least one second criterion in the second set of criteria being satisfied; performing RLP in the second operating mode in response to at least one first criterion in the first set of criteria not being met and / or at least one second criterion in the second set of criteria not being met; The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. while operating in the first mode of operation, returning to the second mode of operation in response to detecting a particular number of out-of-sync indications, or upon triggering a T310 timer, or upon observing a link quality degradation or mobility state change exceeding a threshold. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the first set of criteria is based on one or more of a speed of the communication device (100) and a location of the communication device (100) within a cell of a wireless network.

12. A method implemented by a communications device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730), comprising: Obtaining (1100) criteria associated with a first Radio Link Procedure (RLP) and a second RLP to be performed by the communication device (100), the first RLP including a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) procedure and the second RLP including a Link Recovery (LR) procedure; determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to a first operation mode or a second operation mode based on the criteria (1102), the first operation mode including a relaxed operation mode, the second operation mode including a normal operation mode, and the criteria including an out-of-sync (OOS) detection; implementing the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation based on the determination (1104); A method comprising:

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the LR procedure includes one or more of beam failure detection, candidate beam detection, and L1-RSRP reporting.

14. The relaxed operation mode is a relaxed measurement period that is greater than a normal measurement period of said normal operating mode; a relaxed reference signal measurement accuracy level that is greater than the reference signal measurement accuracy level of the normal operating mode; a relaxed periodicity for sending RLP indications that exceeds a normal periodicity for sending RLP indications in said normal operating mode; and / or an relaxed evaluation period that extends the normal evaluation period of the normal operating mode; The method of claim 12 or 13, comprising one or more of:

15. the criteria include a first set of criteria associated with scenarios in which the communications device (100) may implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first mode of operation; the criteria include a second set of criteria associated with conditions that affect performance of the first RLP and the second RLP when operating the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first mode of operation.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. 16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the conditions affecting the performance of the first RLP and the second RLP include one or more of beam failure detection, in-sync (IS) detection, out-of-sync (OOS) detection, candidate beam detection, and radio link failure trigger.

17. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining (800) the criteria associated with the first RLP and the second RLP comprises obtaining a first set of criteria associated with the first mode of operation and a second set of criteria associated with the second mode of operation, and selecting (802) one of the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation to implement the RLP comprises: implementing the first RLP and the second RLP in the first mode of operation in response to at least one first criterion in the first set of criteria being satisfied and at least one second criterion in the second set of criteria being satisfied; implementing the first RLP and the second RLP in the second mode of operation in response to at least one first criterion in the first set of criteria not being met and / or at least one second criterion in the second set of criteria not being met; 17. The method of any one of claims 12 to 16, comprising:

18. while operating in the first mode of operation, returning to the second mode of operation in response to detecting a particular number of out-of-sync indications, or upon triggering a T310 timer, or upon observing a link quality degradation or mobility state change exceeding a threshold.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

19. 19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein the first set of criteria is based on one or more of a speed of the communication device (100) and a location of the communication device (100) within a cell of a wireless network.

20. determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on the criteria; Obtaining (1200) information associated with said communication device (100) operating within a cell of a wireless network; determining whether to implement the first RLP and the second RLP according to the first operation mode or the second operation mode based on the criteria and the information (1202); 20. The method of any one of claims 12 to 19, comprising:

21. A processing circuit (103, 1320, 1401, 1560, 1738); and a memory (105, 1330, 1415) coupled to said processing circuitry, said memory including instructions that, when executed by said processing circuitry, cause said communications device to perform the operations of any one of claims 1 to 11. A communication device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730).

22. A communication device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730) adapted to implement according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

23. A processing circuit (103, 1320, 1401, 1560, 1738); and a memory (105, 1330, 1415) coupled to said processing circuitry, said memory including instructions that, when executed by said processing circuitry, cause said communications device to perform the operations of any one of claims 12 to 20. A communication device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730).

24. A communication device (100, 1310, 1400, 1530, 1540, 1691, 1692, 1730) adapted to implement according to any one of claims 12 to 20.

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