User Equipment and Scheduling Node

Abstract

Provided are a user equipment (UE), a scheduling node, and respective paging methods between the UE and the scheduling node, wherein the UE comprises a transceiver for receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which an allocation of paging times to be monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined during operation, and circuitry for determining the allocation of paging times to be monitored based on the received at least one PDCCH during operation, wherein the transceiver performs monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the allocation of paging times during operation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to transmitting and receiving signals in a communication system, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for such transmission and reception. [Background technology]

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is working on technical specifications for the next generation of cellular technology, also called the 5th generation, including the New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT) operating in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. NR is the successor to the technologies represented by LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

[0003] For systems such as LTE, LTE-A, and NR, further improvements and options may be made to facilitate efficient operation of the communication system as well as particular devices related to the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One non-limiting and illustrative embodiment facilitates efficient utilization of resources, including UE power and channel occupancy time, when paging is performed or scheduled during channel occupancy time.

[0005] In an embodiment, the technology disclosed herein features a user equipment (UE) having a transceiver for receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during operation of which an allocation of paging times to be monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined, and a circuit for determining an allocation of paging times to be monitored based on the at least one PDCCH received during operation, wherein the transceiver performs monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the allocation of paging times during operation.

[0006] It should be noted that the general or specific embodiments may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any combination thereof.

[0007] Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings, in which the benefits and / or advantages may be obtained individually from various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] In the following, exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example architecture of a 3GPP NR system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example user and control plane architecture for LTE eNB, gNB, and UE. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the division of functions between NG-RAN and 5GC. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram for an RRC connection setup / reconfiguration procedure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing usage scenarios of eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communications), and URLLC (Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications). [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example 5G system architecture. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a user equipment (UE) and a scheduling node. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a dynamic paging allocation decision circuit of a UE; [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a dynamic paging allocation circuit of a scheduling node. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a paging method for a UE and a paging method for a scheduling node. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example allocation of PDCCH monitoring occasions and paging times. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an example paging method for a UE. [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example allocation of PDCCH monitoring occasions and paging times. [Figure 14] 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an example paging method for a UE. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example allocation of PDCCH monitoring occasions and paging times. [Figure 16] 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an example paging method for a UE. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 shows details of channel occupation (CO) PDCCH signaling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 5G NR system architecture and protocol stack 3GPP has been working on the next release of the fifth generation of cellular technology, simply called 5G, including the development of New Radio Access Technology (NR) that will operate in frequencies up to the 100GHz range. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, allowing progress on trials and commercialization of smartphones compliant with the 5G NR standard.

[0010] In particular, the overall system architecture assumes a Next Generation-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) including gNBs, providing NG radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (Radio Resource Control, RRC) protocol termination for UEs. The gNBs are interconnected with each other by an Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected to a Next Generation Core (NGC) by a Next Generation (NG) interface, more specifically to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (e.g., a specific core entity that runs the AMF) by an NG-C interface, and to a User Plane Function (UPF) (e.g., a specific core entity that runs the UPF) by an NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in Figure 1 (see, e.g., 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, section 4).

[0011] Various different deployment scenarios can be supported (see, for example, 3GPP TR 38.801 v14.0.0, etc.). For example, a decentralized deployment scenario (see, for example, section 5.2 of TR 38.801, where a centralized deployment is shown in section 5.4) is presented therein, in which base stations supporting 5G NR can be deployed. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary decentralized deployment scenario (see, for example, Figure 5.2-1 of TR 38.801), while further illustrating an LTE eNB and a user equipment (UE) connected to both the gNB and the LTE eNB. The new eNB for NR 5G can be exemplarily referred to as a gNB. The eLTE eNB is an evolution of the eNB that supports connectivity with the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and the Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0012] The user plane protocol stack for NR (see, for example, 3GPP TS 38.300, section 4.4.1) includes the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP, see section 6.4 of TS 38.300), Radio Link Control (RLC, see section 6.3 of TS 38.300), and Medium Access Control (MAC, see section 6.2 of TS 38.300) sublayers, which are terminated at the gNB on the network side. In addition, a new Access Stratum (AS) sublayer (Service Data Adaptation Protocol, SDAP) is introduced on top of PDCP (see, for example, sub-clause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). A control plane protocol stack is also defined for NR (see, for example, TS 38.300, section 4.4.2). An overview of layer 2 functions is given in sub-clause 6 of TS 38.300. The functions of the PDCP, RLC and MAC sublayers are listed in sections 6.4, 6.3 and 6.2 of TS 38.300 respectively. The functions of the RRC layer are listed in sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0013] For example, the MAC layer handles logical channel multiplexing, and scheduling and scheduling related functions, including handling of different numerologies.

[0014] The physical layer (PHY) is responsible for, for example, coding, PHY HARQ processing, modulation, multi-antenna processing, and mapping of signals to appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also handles the mapping of transport channels to physical channels. The physical layer provides services to the MAC layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to a set of time-frequency resources used for the transmission of a particular transport channel, and each transport channel is mapped to a corresponding physical channel. For example, one physical channel is the PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel) used for random access.

[0015] Use cases / deployment scenarios for NR may include enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), which have diverse requirements in terms of data rates, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB is expected to support peak data rates (20 Gbps in downlink and 10 Gbps in uplink) and user-experienced data rates on the order of three times those offered by IMT-Advanced. On the other hand, in the case of URLLC, tighter requirements include ultra-low latency (0.5 ms for user plane latency for UL and DL, respectively) and high reliability (1-10 ms latency within 1 ms). -5 Finally, mMTC is preferably imposed on networks with high connection density (1,000,000 devices / km in urban environments). 2 ), large coverage in harsh environments, and extremely long battery life (15 years) for low-cost devices.

[0016] Thus, OFDM numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, number of symbols per scheduling interval, etc.) suitable for one use case may not work well for another use case. For example, low latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol duration (and larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (a.k.a., TTI) than mMTC services. Furthermore, deployment scenarios with large channel delay spreads may preferably require a longer CP duration than scenarios with short delay spreads. Subcarrier spacing should be optimized accordingly to maintain similar CP overhead. NR may support multiple values ​​of subcarrier spacing. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, etc. are currently being considered. The symbol duration Tu and subcarrier spacing Δf are directly related through the formula Δf=1 / Tu. Similar to LTE systems, the term "resource element" can be used to denote the smallest resource unit consisting of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

[0017] In the new radio system 5G-NR for each numerology and carrier, a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined for each uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is specified based on a frequency index in the frequency domain and a symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211 v15.6.0).

[0018] 5G NR Functional Split Between NG-RAN and 5GC

[0019] Figure 3 shows the functional division between NG-RAN and 5GC. The NG-RAN logical node is gNB or ng-eNB. The 5GC has logical nodes AMF, UPF and SMF.

[0020] In particular, the gNB and ng-eNB provide the following main functions: Radio resource management functions, such as radio bearer control, radio admission control, connection mobility control, dynamic resource allocation (scheduling) to UEs in both uplink and downlink -IP header compression, encryption and integrity protection of data - Selection of AMF at UE attachment when routing to AMF cannot be determined from information provided by the UE - Routing user plane data to the UPF -Routing of control plane information to AMF -Connection setup and release - Scheduling and sending paging messages Scheduling and transmission of system broadcast information (originating from AMF or OAM) - Measurement and measurement report configuration for mobility and scheduling -Transport level packet marking in the uplink -Session management -Network slicing support - QoS flow management and mapping to data radio bearers - Support for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state -NAS message delivery function -Radio Access Network Sharing -Dual Connectivity - Close cooperation between NR and E-UTRA

[0021] AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) provides the following main functions: - Termination of NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling -NAS signaling security -AS (Access Stratum) security control -Core Network (CN) inter-node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks Reachability of idle mode UEs (including control and execution of paging retransmissions) -Registration area management - Support for intra-system and inter-system mobility -Access authentication -Access authentication including roaming rights checks -Mobility management controls (subscriptions and policies) -Network slicing support -SMF (Session Management Function) selection In addition, the UPF (User Plane Function) provides the following main functions: -Anchor points for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable) -External PDU session points for interconnection with data networks -Packet routing and forwarding -User plane part of packet inspection and policy rule enforcement -Traffic usage report - An uplink classifier to support routing of traffic flows to the data network - Branching points to support multi-homed PDU sessions - User plane QoS handling, including packet filtering, gating, and UL / DL rate enforcement -Uplink traffic validation (SDF to QoS flow mapping) -Downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering Finally, the SMF (Session Management Function) provides the following main functions: -Session management -UE IP address allocation and management -UP function selection and control - Traffic steering configuration in the User Plane Function (UPF) to route traffic to the correct destination -Policy enforcement and QoS control -Downlink data notification

[0022] RRC connection establishment and re-establishment procedures

[0023] Figure 4 shows some interactions between the UE, gNB and AMF (5GC entities) in the context of the UE's transition from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED for the NAS part (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0024] RRC is a higher layer signaling (protocol) used for the configuration of the UE and the gNB. In particular, the transition involves the AMF preparing UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, UE security capabilities, etc.) and sending it to the gNB via an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. The gNB then activates AS security with the UE, which is performed by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE and the UE responding with a SecurityModeComplete message to the gNB. The gNB then performs a reconfiguration to configure signaling radio bearer 2 (SRB2) and data radio bearer (DRB) by sending an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE and the gNB receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE in response. For a signaling-only connection, the steps related to RRCReconfiguration are omitted since SRB2 and DRB are not configured. Finally, the gNB informs the AMF that the configuration procedure is complete via an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0025] Thus, in the present disclosure, a 5th Generation Core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) is provided, which has a control circuit for establishing a Next Generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB (or gNB) during operation, and a transmitter for transmitting an initial context setup message to the gNodeB via the NG connection, which causes a signaling radio bearer configuration between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE) during operation. In particular, the gNodeB transmits Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling including a resource allocation configuration information element to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then performs uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0026] IMT usage scenarios after 2020

[0027] Figure 5 shows some use cases for 5G NR. Three use cases are considered in 3GPP NR (3rd Generation Partnership Project New Radio) that are expected to support a wide range of services and applications by IMT-2020. Phase 1 specifications for eMBB have been finalized. In addition to further extending support for eMBB, current and future work involves standardization of URLLC and mMTC. Figure 5 shows some concrete examples of the envisioned ideal scenarios for IMT beyond 2020.

[0028] URLLC use cases have stringent requirements for capabilities such as throughput, latency and availability, and are envisioned as one of the enablers for future vertical applications such as wireless control of industrial manufacturing and production processes, remote medical surgery, power distribution automation in smart grids, and transportation safety. URLLC's ultra-high reliability is supported by identifying technologies to meet the requirements set by TR 38.913. For NR URLLC in Release 15, key requirements include a target user plane latency of 0.5 ms for UL (uplink) and 0.5 ms for DL ​​(downlink). The overall URLLC requirement for a single transmission of a packet is a Block Error Rate (BLER) of 1E-5 for a packet size of 32 bytes with a user plane latency of 1 ms.

[0029] From the RAN1 perspective, reliability can be improved in several possible ways. Current scope to improve reliability relates to defining separate CQI tables for URLLC, more compact DCI formats, PDCCH repetition, etc. However, the scope can be broadened to achieve ultra-reliability as NR becomes more stable and developed (a key requirement for NR URLLC). Specific use cases for NR URLLC in Rel.15 include AR / VR (Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality), e-health, e-safety, and mission-critical applications.

[0030] Furthermore, technology enhancements targeted by NR URLLC target delay improvement and reliability improvement. Technology enhancements for delay improvement include configurable numerology, non-slot-based scheduling with flexible mapping, grant-free (configured grant) uplink, slot-level repetition of data channel, and downlink preemption. Preemption means that a transmission for which resources have already been allocated is aborted and the already allocated resources are used for another transmission that is requested later but has lower latency / higher priority requirements. Thus, an already granted transmission is preempted by a later transmission. Preemption is applicable regardless of the specific service type. For example, a transmission of service type A (URLLC) may be preempted by a transmission of service type B (eMBB, etc.). Technology enhancements for reliability improvement include dedicated CQI / MCS (Channel Quality Information / Modulation and Coding Scheme) tables for a target BLER of 1E-5.

[0031] The mMTC use case is characterized by a very large number of connected devices transmitting relatively small amounts of data that are typically latency sensitive. The devices are required to be low cost and have extremely long battery life. From an NR perspective, utilizing very narrow bandwidth portions is one possible solution to have power savings from the UE perspective and enable long battery life.

[0032] As mentioned above, it is expected that the reliability range in NR will be wider. One key requirement for all cases, especially URLLC and mMTC, is high or ultra-high reliability. Several mechanisms can be considered to improve reliability from a radio perspective and a network perspective. In general, there are several key areas that may help to improve reliability. Among these areas are compact control channel information, repetition of data / control channels, diversity with respect to frequency, time and / or space domains. These areas are generally applicable to reliability, regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0033] For NR URLLC, further use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, such as factory automation, transportation industry, and power distribution, including power distribution. The more stringent requirements include higher reliability (10 -6 These include: higher availability, packet sizes up to 256 bytes, and time synchronization up to the order of a few microseconds, which can be on the order of 1 or a few microseconds depending on the frequency range and short delays on the order of 0.5-1 ms, with a target user plane delay of 0.5 ms depending on the use case in particular.

[0034] Furthermore, for NR URLLC, several technology enhancements from a RAN1 perspective are identified. Among these are PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) enhancements related to compact DCI, PDCCH repetition, and increased PDCCH monitoring. Also, UCI (Uplink Control Information) enhancements are related to enhanced HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) and CSI feedback enhancements. Also, PUSCH enhancements related to minislot level hopping and retransmission / repetition enhancements are identified. The term "minislot" refers to a transmission time interval (TTI) that contains fewer symbols than a slot (a slot consisting of 14 or 12 symbols).

[0035] In slot-based scheduling or allocation, a slot corresponds to the timing granularity (TTI: transmission time interval) for the scheduling allocation. In general, the TTI determines the timing granularity for the scheduling allocation. One TTI is the time interval in which a given signal is mapped to the physical layer. For example, conventionally, the TTI length is variable from 14 symbols (slot-based scheduling) to 2 symbols (non-slot-based scheduling). Downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions are specified to be organized into frames (10 ms duration) consisting of 10 subframes (1 ms duration). In slot-based transmission, the subframes are further divided into slots, the number of slots being dictated by the numerology / subcarrier spacing. The specified values ​​range between 10 slots per frame (1 slot per subframe) for a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and 80 slots per frame (8 slots per subframe) for a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz. The number of OFDM symbols per slot is 14 for normal cyclic prefix and 12 for extended cyclic prefix (see sections 4.1 (general frame structure), 4.2 (Numerologies), 4.3.1 (frames and subframes) and 4.3.2 (slots) of 3GPP TS 38.211 V15.3.0, Physical channels and modulation, 2018-09). However, the allocation of time resources for transmission may also be non-slot based. In particular, the TTI in a non-slot based allocation may correspond to a mini-slot instead of a slot. That is, one or more mini-slots may be allocated to a requested transmission of data / control signaling. In a non-slot based allocation, the minimum length of a TTI may be, for example, one or two OFDM symbols.

[0036] [QoS Control] The 5G Quality of Service (QoS) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require a guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require a guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS flows). Thus, at the NAS level, QoS flows are the finest granularity of QoS differentiation in a PDU session. QoS flows are identified within a PDU session by a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI) that is carried in the encapsulation header over the NG-U interface.

[0037] For each UE, the 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes at least one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) together with the PDU session, and additional DRBs for the QoS flows of the PDU session can be configured later (when it is up to the NG-RAN), e.g. as described above with reference to FIG. 4. The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS-level packet filters in the UE and the 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS flows, and AS-level mapping rules in the UE and the NG-RAN associate UL and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the non-roaming reference architecture of 5G NR (see TS 23.501 v16.1.1, section 4.23). Application functions (AFs), such as external application servers providing 5G services as exemplarily described in FIG. 5, interact with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as to support application influence on traffic routing, access to the Network Exposure Function (NEF), or interaction with policy control such as QoS control (see Policy Control Function (PCF)). Based on the operator's deployment, application functions that are deemed trusted by the operator may be allowed to interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions that are not allowed by the operator to directly access network functions utilize an external exposure framework via the NEF to interact with the relevant network functions.

[0039] Figure 6 further shows the functional units of the 5G architecture, namely, Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF) and Data Network (DN) such as operator services, Internet access or third party services.

[0040] A terminal, user terminal or user device is referred to as user equipment (UE) in LTE and NR. It may be a mobile device or communication device such as a wireless phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) stick with user equipment functionality. However, the term mobile device is not limited to this and in general a relay may also have the functionality of such a mobile device and a mobile device may act as a relay.

[0041] A base station is a network node that forms part of a network for providing services to terminals, for example. A base station is a network node or scheduling device that provides radio connectivity to terminals. The communication between terminals and base stations is typically standardized. In LTE and NR, the radio interface protocol stack includes a physical layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer and higher layers. In the control plane, a higher layer protocol, the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, is provided. Through the RRC, the base station can control the configuration of the terminals, and the terminals may communicate with the base station to perform control tasks such as connection and bearer establishment, modification, measurements and other functions. The term used in LTE is eNB (or eNodeB), while the term currently used for 5G NR is gNB.

[0042] A service for the transfer of data offered by a layer to a higher layer is usually called a channel. For example, LTE and NR distinguish between logical channels offered by the MAC layer for higher layers, transport channels offered by the physical layer to the MAC layer, and physical channels that define a mapping on physical resources.

[0043] Logical channels are the various data transfer services offered by the MAC. Each logical channel type is defined by what type of data is transferred. Logical channels are classified into two groups: control channels and traffic channels. Control channels are used to transfer only control plane information. Traffic channels are used to transfer only user plane information.

[0044] Logical channels are mapped to transport channels by the MAC layer, for example logical traffic channels and some logical control channels may be mapped in the downlink to a transport channel referred to as the Downlink Shared Channel, DL-SCH, and in the uplink to a transport channel referred to as the Uplink Shared Channel, UL-SCH.

[0045] Downlink control channel monitoring, PDCCH, DCI Many of the functions operated by a UE include monitoring a downlink control channel (eg, PDCCH, see 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, section 5.2.3) to receive, for example, specific control information or data intended for the UE.

[0046] As mentioned above, PDCCH monitoring is performed by the UE to identify and receive information destined for the UE, such as user traffic (eg, DCI on the PDCCH and user data on the PDSCH signaled by the PDCCH) as well as control information.

[0047] The control information in the downlink (which can be called downlink control information DCI) has the same purpose in 5G NR as DCI in LTE, i.e. it is a special set of control information that schedules, for example, a downlink data channel (e.g., PDSCH) or an uplink data channel (e.g., PUSCH). In 5G NR, there are several different DCI formats already defined (see TS 38.212 v15.6.0 section 7.3.1).

[0048] The PDCCH monitoring for each of these functions serves a specific purpose and is therefore initiated until completion. The PDCCH monitoring is typically controlled at least based on a timer operated by the UE. The timer has the purpose of controlling the PDCCH monitoring, e.g., limiting the maximum time that the UE monitors the PDCCH. For example, the UE does not need to monitor the PDCCH indefinitely and may stop monitoring after a certain time so that power can be saved. Correspondingly, a timer may be started when the UE starts PDCCH monitoring for the intended purpose. Then, when the timer expires, the UE may stop PDCCH monitoring for the intended purpose and has the opportunity to save power.

[0049] Paging Procedure in 5G NR An exemplary implementation of a paging function in 5G NR including PDCCH monitoring according to the currently standardized version is described below in a simplified and abbreviated form.

[0050] In 5G NR, there are two different paging procedures: a RAN-based paging procedure (e.g., based on RAN-based notification areas) and a core network-based paging procedure (e.g., 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, TS 38.304 v15.4.0 and TS 38.331 v15.6.0 refer to RAN paging and CN paging in several sections thereof, such as section 9.2.5 “Paging” in TS 38.300).

[0051] Paging allows the network to reach UEs in RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states via paging messages and to inform UEs in RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE and RRC_CONNECTED states of system information changes and public warning information (such as ETWS (Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System) / CMAS (Commercial Mobile Alert System)) notifications via short messages. Both paging messages and short messages are addressed by the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) on the PDCCH monitored by the UE. However, the actual paging messages (e.g. by paging records) are sent on the Paging Control Channel (PCCH) as indicated by the PDCCH, but short messages can be sent directly via the PDCCH.

[0052] In RRC_IDLE, the UE monitors the paging channel for CN initiated paging, while in RRC_INACTIVE, the UE also monitors the paging channel for RAN initiated paging. The UE does not need to continuously monitor the paging channel, but a paging DRX is defined (see, for example, 3GPP TS 38.304 v15.3.0 sections 6.1 and 7.1) in which a UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE is only required to monitor the paging channel for one paging occasion (PO) per DRX cycle. The paging DRX period is configured by the network.

[0053] The UE's POs for CN initiated paging and RAN initiated paging are based on the same UE ID, and both POs overlap. The number of different POs in a DRX period can be configured via system information, and the network may distribute these POs to UEs based on their IDs. A PO is a set of PDCCH monitoring opportunities and can consist of multiple time slots (e.g., subframes or OFDM symbols) in which paging DCI can be transmitted. One paging frame (PF) is one radio frame and may include one or more POs or the start point of a PO.

[0054] When in RRC_CONNECTED, the UE monitors the paging channel in any PO indicated in the system information for SI (System Information) change indication and / or PWS (Public Warning System) notification. In case of BA (Bandwidth Adaptation) (see section 6.10 in TS 38.300), a UE in RRC_CONNECTED monitors only the paging channel on active BWPs where a common search space is configured.

[0055] When the UE receives a paging message, PDCCH monitoring may be stopped by the UE. Depending on the cause of the paging, the UE may continue to, for example, acquire system information or establish an RRC connection with the base station and receive traffic / instructions from the network, etc.

[0056] For example, according to the paging configuration of 3GPP NR Release-15, the UE monitors the paging PDCCH according to the configuration of paging occasions (PO) and paging frames (PF). A PO is a set of paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, each of which corresponds to one transmission beam in a multi-beam operation. Here, the same paging message is repeated in all transmission beams. Therefore, the UE assumes that the same paging message is repeated in all transmitted beams, and the selection of the beam for receiving the paging message is up to the UE implementation. The paging message is the same in both RAN-initiated paging and CN-initiated paging.

[0057] When the UE receives the RAN initiated paging, it initiates the RRC Connection Resume procedure. If the UE receives the CN initiated paging in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the UE transitions to RRC_IDLE and notifies the NAS.

[0058] The UE is semi-statically configured with PF and PO for the System Frame Number (SFN) based on a formula including SFN, UE_ID and other RRC configuration parameters. The PF and PO for paging are determined by the following formula (see 38.304 v15.3.0 section 7.1, User Equipment (UE) procedures in Idle mode and RRC Inactive state 2019-03): The SFN of the PF is: (SFN+PF_offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N) The index of the PO, Index(i_s), is determined by i_s = floor(UE_ID / N) mod Ns is determined by.

[0059] The PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging is determined according to the pagingSearchSpace as specified in 3GPP TS 38.213: “NR; Physical layer procedures for control” V15.5.0 and the firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO if configured as specified in 3GPP TS 38.331: “NR, Radio Resource Control (RRC) - Protocol Specification” V15.6.0. If SearchSpaceId=0 is configured for PagingSearchSpace, the PDCCH monitoring occasion for paging is the same as the RMSI as specified in clause 13 of TS 38.213.

[0060] When SearchSpaceId=0 is set in pagingSearchSpace, Ns is either 1 or 2. For Ns=1, there is only one PO starting from the first PDCCH monitoring occasion of paging in the PF. For Ns=2, the PO is in either the first frame (i_s=0) or the second frame (i_s=1) of the PF.

[0061] If a SearchSpaceId other than 0 is set in pagingSearchSpace, the UE monitors the (i_s+1)th PO. A PO is a set of “S” consecutive PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where “S” is the number of actually transmitted SSBs determined according to ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 (System Information Block 1). The Kth PDCCH monitoring opportunity for paging in a PO corresponds to the Kth transmitted SSB. The PDCCH monitoring opportunities for paging that do not overlap with a UL symbol (determined according to tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon) are numbered sequentially from 0, starting from the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity for paging in the PF. When firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is present, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities at the start of the (i_s+1)th PO is the (i_s+1)th value of the firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO parameter, otherwise it is equal to i_s*S.

[0062] Note that a PO associated with a PF may start at or after the PF. Furthermore, a PDCCH monitoring opportunity for a PO may span multiple radio frames. When a SearchSpaceId other than 0 is set in paging-SearchSpace, a PDCCH monitoring opportunity for a PO may span multiple periods of the paging search space.

[0063] In the above formula, the following parameters are used in the calculation of PF and i_s: T: UE DRX period (T is determined by the shortest UE-specific DRX value when configured by RRC or higher layers and the default DRX value broadcast in system information. If UE-specific DRX is not configured by RRC or higher layers, the default value is applied.) Total number of paging frames in N:T Ns: Number of paging opportunities for the PF PF_offset: The offset used to determine the PF UE_ID:5G-S-TMSI mod 1024

[0064] The parameters Ns and nAndPagingFrameOffset and the length of the default DRX period are signaled in SIB1 (System Information Block 1). The values ​​of N and PF_offset are derived from the parameter nAndPagingFrameOffset defined in 3GPP TS 38.331: “NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) - Protocol Specification” V15.6.0. The parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in SIB1 for paging in the initial DL BWP. For paging in DL BWPs other than the initial DL BWP, the parameter first-PDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO is signaled in the corresponding BWP configuration.

[0065] 5G-S-TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity) is a 48-bit long bit string as specified in 3GPP TS 23.501: “System Architecture for the 5G System; Stage 2” V15.6.0. 5G-S-TMSI is interpreted as a binary number with the leftmost bit representing the most significant bit.

[0066] If the UE does not have 5G-S-TMSI, for example if the UE has not yet registered with the network, the UE uses UE_ID=0 as the default identifier in the above PF and i_s formulas.

[0067] In NR, the paging DCI is included in a set of resources commonly referred to as a configuration resource set (CORESET). Thus, in order for a UE to receive a paging message, the UE needs to identify and receive the paging CORESET.

[0068] The paging CORESET can be transmitted in different OFMD symbols (hereafter symbols) within a slot. Once a paging CORESET is configured, its duration is fixed. Therefore, a symbol decision is required to indicate to the UE the exact time location of the paging CORESET to be monitored.

[0069] 3GPP is considering NR-based operation in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) (see, for example, 3GPP TR 38.889, Study on NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, v16.0.0). NR-U may operate in sub-7 GHz bands at 5 GHz or 6 GHz. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a particular band and may be applied to mmWave bands such as 52 GHz.

[0070] The Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) procedure is defined as a mechanism whereby a device such as a base station or a user equipment applies a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) check before using a channel. CCA utilizes at least energy detection to determine the presence or absence of other signals on the channel to determine whether the channel is occupied or clear, respectively. For example, European and Japanese regulations mandate the use of LBT in unlicensed spectrum. Apart from regulatory requirements, such carrier sensing via LBT is a method for fair sharing of unlicensed spectrum and is therefore considered to be a key feature for fair and friendly operation in unlicensed spectrum in a single global solution framework.

[0071] If the detected energy level exceeds the set CCA threshold (e.g., -73 dBm / MHz for Europe, see clause 4.8.3 of ETSI 301 893), the channel is considered occupied, and conversely, if the detected power level is below the set CCA threshold, the channel is considered free. If the channel is classified as free, the device is allowed to transmit immediately. The maximum transmission duration is limited to facilitate fair resource sharing with other devices operating in the same band.

[0072] In unlicensed band operation, after acquiring a channel by LBT, an initiating device (e.g., a scheduling device such as an NR gNB or LTE eNB) can occupy the channel up to a maximum channel occupation time (COT). For example, depending on the LBT requirements, the maximum COT may be assumed to be 8 ms or 9 ms. For example, for a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, a COT of 8 ms corresponds to 8 slots, and for a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz, it corresponds to 16 slots.

[0073] The initiating device (e.g., gNB) may share the acquired time-frequency resources with the responding device (e.g., one or more transmitting / receiving devices such as UEs). Sharing the acquired time-frequency resources may facilitate enabling flexible resource usage between uplink (UL) and downlink (DL). For example, DL and UL resources can be reallocated based on traffic demands in each direction.

[0074] When the above-mentioned paging configuration of 3GPP NR Rel-15 is applied in unlicensed operation, the times for paging (or “paging times”) are semi-statically configured and the availability of resources follows the result of the LBT, so the gNB has no or limited control over whether these semi-statically configured resources are available or not.

[0075] As a result, it may not be possible for the UE to be paged in a timely manner since the available resources may be insufficient when they do not necessarily match the configured resources.

[0076] To compensate for the uncertainty due to LBT, the UE may be configured to monitor more paging occasions. However, this may unnecessarily increase the UE power consumption associated with the additional monitoring. For example, the additional paging occasions may be blocked due to LBT failure, and the UE may not need to be paged.

[0077] The present disclosure provides techniques for configuration and verification of paging resources for unlicensed operations such as NR unlicensing.

[0078] In this disclosure, scheduling nodes, such as UEs, base stations, and corresponding methods are described for NR as envisaged for 5G mobile communication systems, such as 3GPP NR, but may also be utilized in LTE communication systems.

[0079] Furthermore, although the specific terminology used in the NR context for the upcoming 3GPP 5G communication system has not yet been loosely decided or may eventually change, some of the terms such as procedures, entities, layers, etc. used below are closely related to the terms used in the LTE / LTE-A system or the current 3GPP 5G standard. Thus, the terms may be changed in the future without affecting the functionality of the embodiment. As a result, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present embodiment and its scope of protection should not be limited to the specific terms used illustratively herein due to the lack of newer or finally agreed upon terms.

[0080] Communication devices such as UEs and scheduling nodes may include transceivers and circuits such as processing circuits. The transceivers may then comprise and / or function as receivers and transmitters. The processing circuits may be one or more hardware such as one or more processors or any Large Scale Integration (LSI). Between the transceivers and the processing circuits there are input / output points (or nodes) through which the processing circuits can control the transceivers during operation, i.e. control the receivers and / or transmitters and exchange receive / transmit data. The transceivers may include a Radio Frequency (RF) front as a transmitter and receiver, including one or more antennas, amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators, etc. The processing circuits may realize control tasks such as controlling the transceivers to transmit user data and control data provided by the processing circuits and / or to receive user data and control data that are further processed by the processing circuits. The processing circuits may also be responsible for performing other processes such as decisions, calculations, measurements, etc. The transmitter may be responsible for performing the transmission process and other processes related thereto. The receiver may be responsible for performing reception processing and other processing associated therewith, such as channel monitoring.

[0081] In FIG. 7, a user equipment (UE) 760 and a scheduling node 710 are provided, both of which are shown.

[0082] The user equipment 760 includes a transceiver 770 and circuitry 780 (which may also be referred to herein as a "UE transceiver" and "UE circuitry"). The UE transceiver 770 receives at least one PDCCH during operation from which an assignment of monitored paging times to paging DCIs can be determined. The UE circuitry 780 determines an assignment of monitored paging times based on the at least one PDCCH received during operation. The UE transceiver performs monitoring on the paging DCI based on a result of the determination of the paging time during operation.

[0083] The scheduling node includes a transceiver 720 (also referred to as a "scheduling node transceiver") and circuitry 730 ("scheduling node circuitry").

[0084] The scheduling node 710 includes a transceiver 720 (also referred to as a "scheduling node transceiver") and circuitry 730 ("scheduling node circuitry"). In operation, the scheduling node circuitry 730 performs an assignment of paging times to paging downlink control information (DCI) monitored by a user equipment (UE) and generates at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which the assignment of monitored paging times can be determined. In operation, the transceiver transmits at least one PDCCH and performs transmission of paging DCI based on the received at least one PDCCH.

[0085] A base station, such as an eNB or a gNB, is a specific example of a scheduling node according to the present disclosure.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, the UE and the scheduling node perform communication over a channel, such as a radio channel, of a communication system, such as NR, LTE or a similar wireless communication system.

[0087] As further shown in Figure 7, the UE circuitry may include, for example, a dynamic paging allocation decision circuit 785, and the scheduling node circuitry 730 may include a dynamic paging allocation circuit 735. An exemplary dynamic paging allocation circuit 735 of the scheduling node is shown in Figure 8 and includes a paging allocation decision circuit 836 and a PDCCH generation circuit 837. An exemplary PDCCH dynamic paging allocation decision circuit 785 shown in Figure 10 includes a PDCCH processing circuit 886 and a monitoring decision circuit 887.

[0088] Corresponding to the UE 760 and base station 710, respective paging methods performed by the user equipment and base station are provided as shown in FIG.

[0089] The paging method of the scheduling node comprises a step S1010 of performing an allocation of paging times monitored by a user equipment (UE) for paging downlink control information DCI and a step S1020 of generating at least one physical downlink control channel PDCCH, from which the allocation of paging times to be monitored can be determined. In step S1030, the scheduling node transmits at least one PDCCH. Correspondingly, the paging method of the UE (or "UE paging method") comprises a step S1040 of receiving at least one PDCCH, from which the allocation of paging times to be monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined. Furthermore, the UE paging method comprises a step S1050 of determining an allocation of paging times to be monitored based on the received at least one PDCCH. The paging method of the scheduling node comprises a step S1060 of performing a transmission of paging DCI according to the allocation of paging times, and correspondingly, the UE paging method comprises a step S1070 of performing monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the allocation of paging times.

[0090] The "paging DCI" is transmitted / received via the paging PDCCH. Thus, the UE monitors the paging PDCCH for the paging DCI. The paging DCI may typically include scheduling information for the paging message (transmitted via the PDSCH channel). If the paging message is short enough, the paging DCI itself may include the paging message. In such a case, no scheduling information in the paging DCI needs to be provided.

[0091] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned "at least one PDCCH" may be called an "allocation determination PDCCH" for determining the allocation of paging time to be monitored, and is a PDCCH different from the paging PDCCH. The at least one PDCCH includes scheduling information based on whether the time for monitoring the paging PDCCH is recognized by the UE. A specific example of the at least one PDCCH for determining the allocation of paging time is provided in the present disclosure.

[0092] In the present disclosure, performing paging time assignment for monitoring includes determining whether one or more UEs should be paged and whether a paging DCI is assigned to the paging time. Furthermore, "determining paging time assignment" includes determining whether a paging DCI is assigned to any paging time. As a result, "performing transmission according to the paging time assignment" and "performing reception based on the determination of the paging time assignment" include transmitting and omitting transmission of monitoring of the paging PDCCH, respectively.

[0093] The term "paging time instance" includes resources in the time domain that are configured or scheduled to be monitored by one or more UEs for a paging PDCCH carrying a paging DCI. For example, an allocation decision PDCCH may indicate one or more symbols in a slot or one or more symbols in multiple slots, respectively, where a slot may be configured, for example, by a channel occupation time (COT) of a scheduling node. For example, a paging time instance corresponds to a paging occasion (PO) in a paging frame (PF) or a paging PDCCH monitoring occasion in a PO that includes one or more symbols. A paging time instance may also be referred to as a "paging monitoring occasion", a "paging PDCCH monitoring occasion" or a "paging DCI monitoring occasion".

[0094] According to the present disclosure, paging times or times for monitoring paging and paging PDCCHs are dynamically assigned by transmitting at least one PDCCH for which the paging time is determinable.

[0095] For example, the scheduling node and the UE communicate with each other in an unlicensed operation and transmit and receive within a channel occupation time obtained by the scheduling node through LBT. For example, the scheduling node 710 operating on an unlicensed frequency, which may include an unlicensed wideband carrier or a subband of a 20 MHz wide unlicensed wideband carrier, may perform an LBT operation, obtain a channel occupation time based on the result of the LBT operation, and assign a paging time to be monitored for a paging DCI to a resource in the COT. When the scheduling node 710, such as a gNB, starts a COT, it may dynamically assign a time for paging and a time for monitoring a paging PDCCH for a paging DCI.

[0096] Thus, by enabling dynamic allocation, the techniques of the present disclosure may facilitate full utilization of the COT to accommodate more channel signals for semi-static allocation of time. For example, resources semi-statically allocated at paging time may be utilized for different signals or channels. Furthermore, separate LBT procedures and COTs used only for paging may be avoided. Furthermore, dynamic allocation may facilitate control over resource utilization by the scheduling node or gNB. On the UE side, dynamic allocation according to the present disclosure may facilitate UE power savings by not unnecessarily monitoring paging, e.g., by providing more accurate information regarding the allocation of paging time to the UE.

[0097] As will be shown by some examples described in more detail, the dynamic allocation according to the present disclosure includes, first, the indication of a “new” time, meaning that the paging time is not set, for example, semi-statically, and, second, the validation or invalidation of the semi-statically set time that was set before the base station acquired the COT. Moreover, the indication of a new time and the validation or invalidation of the set time may be combined.

[0098] The at least one PDCCH for determining paging time allocation may carry at least one of the following: Signalling a Channel Occupancy Time (COT) configuration indicating e.g. the allocation of downlink and non-downlink symbols for the COT of the scheduling node serving the user equipment in unlicensed operation. For example, the signalling of the COT configuration may include an indication for each symbol within one or more slots covered by the COT whether that symbol is a downlink symbol (D or DL), an uplink symbol (U or UL) or a flexible symbol (F) available for both uplink and downlink, with the final usage of the flexible symbol depending on the actual scheduling. Paging notification indicating whether a paging time should be monitored for a paging DCI. For a given number of times, e.g. symbols, a bitmap indicates for each time whether it should be monitored as a paging time or not.

[0099] In the former case of downlink and non-downlink symbol allocation, the UE circuitry determines at least one allocated downlink symbol, for example as indicated by notification of a COT configuration, to be a paging time to be monitored.

[0100] For example, a UE in idle state RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE that receives a notification of a COT configuration shall interpret the symbol indication as “downlink” for paging times to be monitored, and shall interpret the symbol indication as “uplink” or “flexible” for symbols not to be monitored for paging.

[0101] It should be noted that the indication of downlink or non-downlink symbols may be different for different UEs, e.g., UEs on different beams, to facilitate spatial reuse. For example, for the same set of symbols, the indication may be "downlink" for one group of UEs in one beam direction, but "non-downlink" for another group of UEs in another beam direction. Instead of or in combination with separating different UE groups by beam direction, the separation can be performed by different Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (RNTIs). More specifically, the UEs are separated into different groups by configuring the UEs with different RNTIs for (descrambling) the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH carrying the COT configuration notification. The number of UEs in each group can be controlled by the gNB via assigning the same RNTI to groups of UEs.

[0102] For example, if a given symbol is semi-statically configured as a possible paging monitoring occasion and the COT configuration indication indicates the symbol as "downlink", the UE determines that the symbol is a paging time to be monitored. On the other hand, the UE determines not to monitor a symbol previously configured as a paging monitoring occasion if the COT configuration indication indicates the symbol as non-downlink, e.g., uplink or flexible. Alternatively, if there is no configuration of paging monitoring occasions and the COT configuration indication indicates a "new" paging time, the UE determines each symbol designated as "downlink" that is a paging time to be monitored and each symbol not designated as downlink (uplink or flexible) that is not a paging time to be monitored.

[0103] Furthermore, at least one PDCCH may carry both a COT configuration indication and a paging indication, where the COT configuration indication and the paging indication may be included in the same PDCCH, in different PDCCHs, or in the same PDCCH with different CRC scrambling RNTIs. If both the COT configuration indication and the paging indication are used to determine the paging time to be monitored, the reported or enabled paging time may further need to be verified by the paging indication (e.g., the time represented as "downlink" in the COT configuration).

[0104] Disable or enable the paging time to be set In some embodiments, the paging times are semi-statically configured via RRC signaling, and at least one PDCCH indicates whether to enable or disable the configured paging times.

[0105] For example, the configuration from RRC signaling indicates multiple paging occasions, and the Allocation Decision PDCCH informs the UE which of these paging occasions are enabled and therefore should be monitored, disabled or not monitored. Determining whether the Allocation Decision PDCCH is enabled or disabled may depend on whether the configured paging occasions are assumed by default, by the standard or by configuration to be disabled (not monitored unless otherwise indicated in dynamic signaling) or enabled (monitored unless otherwise indicated in dynamic signaling).

[0106] In some embodiments where the paging time is configured via RRC signaling, it is determined that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time unless at least one PDCCH indicates that the assignment of the paging DCI to the configured paging time is invalid. The UE receives the paging time configuration semi-statically by RRC, which is considered valid without an additional activation step. It should be noted that the above-mentioned decision is to adjust the UE's behavior of paging PDCCH monitoring. The gNB may still have the freedom to decide whether or not to actually page the UE. In other words, the above-mentioned decision from the UE side ensures that the UE can be paged as long as there is a need from the scheduling node, e.g., gNB side.

[0107] Thus, without being overridden by the allocation decision PDCCH, the UE monitors the configured paging times, where, similar to the above-mentioned semi-static signaling of paging configuration according to NR-Rel.15, the UE may be configured with a paging frame and paging occasion for the SFN / slot index or the start of the transmission window for an SSB or SS / PBCH block (synchronization signal blocks carrying the Primary and Secondary Synchronization Signals (PSS / SSS) and the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH)).

[0108] As an option for overriding the paging time set by dynamic instruction, the allocation decision PDCCH is a Channel Occupancy PDCCH (CO-PDCCH) that includes a COT configuration allocation indicating the allocation of DL, UL and flexible symbols for one or more slots included in the COT obtained by a scheduling node, such as a gNB, serving the UE.

[0109] For example, the configured paging time may then be determined to be invalid and therefore not be monitored by the UE if indicated as a UL or flexible symbol by the CO-PDCCH.

[0110] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if at least one PDCCH includes a COT configuration indication and an RRC-configured paging time is assigned to a symbol following at least one PDCCH in the COT, the UE determines that the configured paging time is invalid. For example, when the UE receives a CO-PDCCH, all subsequent paging times in the COT indicated by the CO-PDCCH (paging times received after in time the symbol at which the CO-PDCCH is received or the beginning of the first symbol in time of the CO-PDCCH) are invalidated once the CO-PDCCH is received, regardless of the content of the CO-PDCCH. However, the UE may still be paged if it receives a paging PDCCH on a configured paging time preceding the CO-PDCCH in time.

[0111] As another option for signaling the deactivation of configured paging occasions, the UE may receive a paging indication indicating whether the configured paging times should be monitored or not, rather than indicating the deactivation by a COT configuration. For example, the COT may include N paging times for a given number of paging times or N paging times per beam. The paging indication may be a bitmap including N bits, as described above, indicating for each of the N configured paging times whether it should be monitored as a paging time or not. As described above, the paging indication such as a bitmap may be transmitted in the CO-PDCCH, in another PDCCH, or in the same PDCCH with a CRC scrambled by another RNTI.

[0112] In multi-beam operation, the UE will receive paging messages after some configured paging times have been invalidated. Note that the UE needs to know which beam the remaining times correspond to. For example, the UE may know which beam each remaining paging time belongs to based on a known pattern, a configured or defined association between symbols and beams. The known pattern may be configured when the paging times are configured.

[0113] As a specific example, two paging times are configured to be placed in symbols #0 and #7, respectively, for each slot from slot #0 to #3 (four slots in total) in the PF. Overall, there are 2×4=8 paging times in the PF. Furthermore, from system broadcast information, e.g., SIB1, the UE knows that the gNB transmits S beams. Then, the UE can derive the corresponding beam for each paging time using a modulo operation, e.g., beam_i=mod(i,S), where beam_i is the index of the corresponding beam for the ith paging time, and i is the index of the configured paging time (e.g., i=0,1,...7).

[0114] Thus, the UE may not need to monitor paging times that correspond to beams that are not disabled but are different from the beam received by the UE.

[0115] In FIG. 11, an example of a use case is shown where semi-statically configured paging times are overridden, and paging shares the same COT with SSB.

[0116] According to the SSB window settings for the example of Figure 11, the SSB window starts at slot #0 of the radio frame with radio frame index (SFN mod 40) = 0. The SSB window extends from slot #0 to slot #4, which contains 10 candidate positions (2 candidate positions for each of the 4 symbols per slot).

[0117] Additionally, similar to the SSB window, an exemplary configuration of paging times is shown starting in slot #0 of a frame with frame index (SFN mod 40) = 0. The paging time configuration spans 6 slots and includes a total of 12 configured times configured for paging.

[0118] In FIG. 11, the paging times are grouped into three paging clusters, each covering all the transmit beams (four beams in this example). A "paging cluster" is a pattern of paging times possibly associated with multiple beams across one or more slots (e.g., two slots as in FIG. 11). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, one paging cluster includes a respective paging time for each transmit beam. Thus, one paging time per beam is disabled by indicating to disable a paging cluster. With respect to the relationship between paging clusters and paging occasions (POs), a paging cluster can be a subset of a PO. For example, in FIG. 11, one PO can be defined to include all three paging clusters to allow for beam repetition within the PO (multiple paging times for each beam). In some other cases, it may be convenient to define one PO to include each beam only once. In such cases, one paging cluster corresponds to one PO.

[0119] The gNB obtains the LBT and obtains the COT over 4 slots starting from slot # 2. In the absence of further indications, all configured paging occasions or paging PDCCH monitoring occasions are considered valid.

[0120] Here, as a first alternative, a CO-PDCCH may be used that includes a COT configuration indication indicating non-DL symbols to disable the configured paging times in these slots. For example, to disable the configured paging times in slot#2 and slot#3, the CO-PDCCH in slot#2 indicates "DUDDDDDUDDDDDD;DUDDDDDUDDDDDD" for slot#2 and slot#3. Thus, the second symbol (symbol#1) and the ninth symbol (symbol#8) of these slots are disabled by the indication as uplink. Note that the UL, DL or flexible indications of the remaining symbols (in this example, "uplink" for all symbols) are not relevant for the paging indication, since these symbols are not configured to carry paging times. Thus, in this and other examples of the COT configuration indication of the present disclosure, the COT configuration may be replaced by a different structure where the values ​​do not correspond to the configured paging times.

[0121] As a second alternative, the paging indication may indicate that a paging cluster or a paging time is to be disabled. For example, the paging indication may include a bitmap where each bit corresponds to one cluster of paging times. For example, a paging indication for slot#2 may indicate a bitmap of "00" which disables paging cluster#1 and paging cluster#2 (slot#2 to slot#5). The number of bits in the bitmap may therefore correspond to the number of paging clusters included in the COT.

[0122] An exemplary flow chart of method steps performed by a UE according to an embodiment in which a CO-PDCCH indicates the invalidation of a paging time is shown in FIG. 12. In step 1210, 1. The UE receives a paging configuration, e.g., PF, PO, paging search space, etc., in SIB1, and is thus enabled to determine the paging time configured by RRC. The UE assumes that resources for paging, e.g., the configured paging time, are valid. In step 1220, an idle or inactive UE receives a CO-PDCCH monitoring configuration (and / or a paging indication monitoring configuration) in SIB1. For RRC connected UEs, it can be configured by a dedicated RRC. In step 1230, the UE monitors both the CO-PDCCH (and / or paging indication) and paging according to the configuration. In step 1240, the UE decodes the CO-PDCCH (or paging indication) to know whether the configured paging time is invalid or not, and according to the decoding, in step S1250, determines whether the configured paging time should be monitored or not. If the paging time is not disabled, the UE returns to step S1230 and monitors for paging (e.g., monitors the paging time for a paging DCI), and if the paging time is disabled, in step S1260, the UE skips paging monitoring for the disabled paging time according to the instruction.

[0123] It has been described above how one or more configured paging occasions are dynamically assigned by the allocation decision PDCCH in some embodiments.

[0124] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an embodiment in which the paging time is set via RRC signaling, and the paging DCI is determined to be allocated to the paging time set by RRC when at least one PDCCH indicates that the allocation of the paging DCI for the set paging time is enabled.

[0125] In particular, the paging DCI is determined to be allocated to the paging time set by RRC only when at least one PDCCH indicates that the allocation of the paging DCI for the set paging time is valid. Otherwise, when at least one PDCCH does not indicate that the allocation of the paging DCI for the set paging time is valid, the paging DCI is assumed or determined not to be allocated to the set paging time.

[0126] In this case, the UE still receives the RRC-based paging time configuration semi-statically (with respect to the SFN / slot index or the SSB transmission window as described above). However, these set times are not valid and are not used to monitor the paging PDCCH without the activation step by dynamic allocation.

[0127] As a first alternative for signaling activation, the UE receives a CO-PDCCH including a COT configuration indication including the allocation of DL, UL, and flexible symbols for one or more slots. And when the paging time is indicated as a DL symbol by the CO-PDCCH, it is considered to be activated for monitoring the paging PDCCH, and when it is not valid, the monitoring of the invalid paging time is not performed by the UE.

[0128] As a second alternative for signaling enablement, the UE receives a paging indication indicating whether the configured paging times are enabled or which of the preconfigured paging times are enabled. The paging indication may be a bitmap indication, similar to the paging indication used in the above embodiment where the configured paging times are dynamically disabled via the PDCCH. Yet again, the paging indication may be transmitted in a CO-PDCCH, in another PDCCH, or in the same PDCCH with CRC scrambled by another RNTI.

[0129] To dynamically enable paging times, the UE does not need to monitor paging unless explicitly indicated to do so, which may facilitate, for example, UE power savings.

[0130] In multi-beam operation, the UE needs to know which beam corresponds to which time when a time is enabled. As with the embodiment using dynamic deactivation, the correspondence between beams and time may be known based on a known pattern, as described above. Thus, the UE may not need to monitor paging times that correspond to beams that are enabled but different from the beam received by the UE.

[0131] An example for dynamically activating the configured paging time is shown in Figure 13. The figure shows a paging time configuration in slot#0 of a frame with (SFN mod 40)=0, which is the same slot as the start slot of the SSB window.

[0132] The paging time configuration spans 6 slots and contains a total of 12 configured paging times. Since 4 beams are transmitted, there are 3 configured paging times per beam. In the example of Fig. 13, no paging clusters are formed. However, in such a case, the configured paging times can be enabled individually.

[0133] As shown in Figure 13, the gNB gets the LBT and starts a 4 slot COT at the beginning of slot #1. As can be seen, in this example, the configured paging time is valid in slot #3 and slot #4, while the configured paging time is not valid in slot #1 and slot #2.

[0134] Thus, an exemplary COT configuration indication for both slot#1 and slot#2 may be "UUDDDDDUUDDDDD," and for both slot#3 and slot#4 may be "DDDDDDDDDDDDDD."

[0135] Note that in the above COT structure of slots #1 and #2, the second symbol of each slot is shown as uplink, although the CO-PDCCH monitoring occasion is assigned. However, for such a configuration where CO-PDCCH and paging monitoring are assigned to the same symbol, the UE may be configured or agreed by the standard to use the COT configuration indication on this symbol to determine whether the paging PDCCH should be monitored, while the configuration of the CO-PDCCH overrides any dynamic indication via the PDCCH for the monitoring of the CO-PDCCH.

[0136] To enable the configured paging time in slot#3 and slot#4, but not in slot#1 and slot#2, a paging indication, e.g. a bitmap with one bit corresponding to one slot, may be used as follows: In slot#1, a paging indication indicating "001" means that paging and monitoring of the paging PDCCH is not enabled in the current slot (slot#1) and the next slot (slot#2), but is enabled in slot#3. Correspondingly, the paging indication transmitted in slot#2 indicates "011", which means that paging is enabled in slot#3 and slot#4. Also, the paging indication received in slot#3 indicates "110".

[0137] As can be seen from the above paging indication for slot #3, the paging indication may indicate one or more slots outside the channel occupancy time of the gNB (slot #5 in this example). Thus, the number of bits in the bitmap does not need to change depending on the distance between the slot where the paging indication is received and the end of the COT. To avoid unnecessary monitoring of paging outside the COT, the bit referring to the slot outside the COT indicates "0" (corresponding to not enabling paging time in this slot). Alternatively, the paging indication or another bit field in the COT PDCCH can inform the UE of the end slot of the COT so that the UE knows where to stop monitoring any PDCCH.

[0138] Furthermore, the number of bits in the bitmap in this example is illustrative, but the number of bits must be sufficient to cover all paging occasions on the same beam that transmits a paging indication that precedes the next paging indication on the same beam.

[0139] Exemplary method steps that may be performed by a UE in an embodiment where paging is dynamically enabled are shown in FIG. 14. In step S1410, the UE receives a paging configuration, e.g., PF, PO, paging search space, etc., in SIB1 and is thus enabled to determine the paging time configured by RRC. In contrast to step S1210 of FIG. 12, the UE assumes that these resources are not enabled. In step S1420, an idle / inactive UE receives a CO-PDCCH monitoring configuration (and / or a paging indication monitoring configuration) in SIB1. For RRC connected UEs, it can be configured by a dedicated RRC. In step S1430, the UE monitors the CO-PDCCH (and / or paging indication) according to the configuration. In step S1440, the UE decodes the CO-PDCCH (or paging indication) to know whether the configured paging time is valid or not, and in step S1450, determines whether a given paging time outside the configured paging time is valid or not. If so, the UE decodes the paging PDCCH on the enabled paging time in step S1460, otherwise, the UE returns to step S1430 and performs monitoring for further CO-PDCCH and / or paging indications.

[0140] In Fig. 11 a paging time configuration is shown in which paging times for different beams are grouped into paging clusters, whereas in the configuration in Fig. 13 no paging clusters are formed. However, this configuration option is merely exemplary, and the embodiment of dynamically enabling and disabling paging is not limited to a particular paging configuration. Thus, for example, when no paging clusters are formed, deactivation via PDCCH may also be performed, and activation may be performed once paging clusters are formed.

[0141] Thus, in some embodiments, regardless of whether enabling or disabling of configured paging times is performed dynamically, the COT includes a paging cluster or multiple paging clusters, each of which may include a respective configured paging time for each of multiple beams swept by the scheduling node, and at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the multiple paging clusters is enabled or not.

[0142] Indicate new paging time In some embodiments, the COT configuration indication included in the CO-PDCCH specifies an allocation of paging time slots to be monitored by the UE.

[0143] Thus, rather than activating or deactivating a configured paging occasion, the CO-PDCCH received by the UE and utilized by the scheduling node may contain a specification of a "new" paging occasion that has not yet been configured.

[0144] The UE may receive a CO-PDCCH containing a COT configuration indication including allocation of downlink and non-downlink (uplink and flexible) symbols as signaling for indication of designated downlink symbols, as well as the CO-PDCCH described above used to enable and disable configured times.

[0145] The UE then interprets or determines the downlink symbols indicated in the CO-PDCCH as the paging times to be monitored.

[0146] However, multiple levels of indication are available in one or more allocation decision PDCCHs to dynamically specify paging times to be monitored.

[0147] Determining the paging time based on the CO-PDCCH and COT configuration indication contained therein may be the first level.

[0148] Optionally, as a second level of verification, the UE may monitor for paging on the indicated DL symbol only if it receives a paging indication, which may be received in the same CO-PDCCH or in a separate PDCCH, as described in the above embodiment.

[0149] The paging indication may be a bitmap similar to the bitmap described above that indicates whether each of a plurality of paging times is a monitoring target or not, similar to the paging indication described above, but is used to verify dynamically specified paging times rather than semi-statically set paging times.

[0150] In the second level of validation, the scheduling node may utilize the indicated DL symbols for transmitting other DL signals and / or channels without having to consider UE power waste due to erroneous paging monitoring. However, since the second level of validation is optional, the COT configuration indication may be utilized without further validation via a paging indication. In this case, the signaling overhead is reduced at the expense of increased UE power consumption.

[0151] In multi-beam operation, when a UE is indicated or specified to monitor a time, it needs to know which beam corresponds to which time, and based on this knowledge, it may monitor only those paging times that are on the beams that the UE receives. The UE may know the correspondence based on a configured beam sweeping pattern (e.g., within an SSB window) or by dynamic indication or specification via the PDCCH.

[0152] On the other hand, if the PDCCH content (e.g., COT configuration indication and / or paging indication) is "per beam", the indicated time uses the same beam as the CO-PDCCH. For example, the at least one PDCCH may be a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on one of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the assignment of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be a paging time to be monitored may be beam-specific. For example, the symbol indicated as downlink or non-downlink, or the bit indicating validation of the indicated downlink symbol, may differ between different beams.

[0153] On the other hand, if the PDCCH content specifying the paging time to be monitored is common for all beams, a start beam for the first indicated paging time may be indicated. For example, at least one PDCCH may be common to multiple beams swept by the scheduling node and indicate multiple downlink symbols for each of the multiple beams including the paging time to be monitored and a start beam in which the monitored paging time is assigned to the first symbol in time from the multiple beams. The UE may determine the paging time to be monitored on the corresponding beam from the multiple respective paging times based on a beam determination or a configured cyclic order starting from the indicated start beam.

[0154] An example use case of an embodiment where at least one allocation decision PDCCH has specified a paging time not previously configured is shown in Figure 15. In this example, the gNB gets an LBT and starts a COT for 5 slots starting from slot #3.

[0155] Thus, the COT partially overlaps with the SSB window starting at the beginning of slot#0. Within the SSB window, the beam sweeping has a set pattern (as shown). However, outside such a window, the beam sweeping pattern may need to be commanded.

[0156] In the above mentioned case of common PDCCH content for all beams, the CO-PDCCH in slot#3 or / and slot#4 may indicate a paging time for slot#5 such as "DDDDDDDDFFFFFF". Note that from the paging control resource set (CORESET) configuration, the UE may know that one paging monitoring time consists of two symbols. Thus, by receiving a notification of eight DL symbols, the UE may know that it may contain four paging monitoring times. Furthermore, the starting beam may be indicated via the PDCCH and the beams may be swept according to a determined pattern, e.g. a pattern known from the standard or a pattern set semi-statically. For example, "01" may be indicated to start with beam#1 on the first and second symbols indicated by the above COT configuration indication as downlink. In this example, the beams may be swept according to a known order, e.g. beam#1->beam#2->beam#3->beam#0.

[0157] If the allocation decision PDCCH is beam-specific, the CO-PDCCH in slot#3 on beam#2 (a CO-PDCCH transmitted in one or both of the first two symbols of the slot) may indicate "FFDDFFFFFFFFF" for slot#5, which may mean that a UE served on beam#2 may monitor for paging on the third and fourth symbols in slot#5 corresponding to beam#2.

[0158] Exemplary method steps for a UE receiving a PDCCH dynamically specifying a new / unconfigured paging time are shown in Figure 16. In step S1610, the UE receives a configuration of a control resource set (CORESET) and a search space (SS) for paging in SIB1 (if not, according to CORESET#0 (initial CORESET) and SS#0), but assumes that these resources and search space are not valid. In step S1620, an idle or inactive UE receives a CO-PDCCH monitoring configuration (and optionally a paging indication monitoring configuration) in SIB1. For RRC connected UEs, it can be configured by a dedicated RRC. In step S1630, the UE monitors the CO-PDCCH (and optionally a paging indication) according to the configuration. The UE then decodes the CO-PDCCH (and optionally the paging indication) in step S1640 to know whether any paging time is assigned in step S1650. If no paging time is indicated to be assigned, the UE continues to step S1630 and monitors the subsequent CO-PDCCH and, optionally, the paging indication. If it is determined in step S1650 that an assigned paging time is indicated, the UE may further learn the corresponding beam for the indicated paging time from the CO-PDCCH or PDCCH containing the paging indication. In step S1670, the UE decodes the paging at the indicated time using the corresponding beam.

[0159] As mentioned above, embodiments of the present disclosure include signaling of CO-PDCCH and paging indication as dynamic indications for monitoring paging.

[0160] On the other hand, for CO-PDCCH, the bit field may indicate a COT configuration including DL, UL or flexible symbols for one or more consecutive slots. The value of the bit field may correspond to code points representing the patterns of UL, DL and flexible symbols according to a semi-statically configured mapping of code points to configure a slot pattern or configuration selected from the complete set of possible slot patterns given by the NR standard specification (see FIG. 17).

[0161] If a bit field in the CO-PDCCH indicates a configuration spanning multiple consecutive slots, it may be updated in a partially overlapping manner, e.g., the bit field of the first slot indicates the configuration of the first slot and the second slot, and the bit field of the second slot indicates the updated configuration of the second slot and the configuration of the third slot in chronological order.

[0162] The configuration of the codepoint-to-slot pattern mapping may be sent in CORESET#0 for idle UEs. Furthermore, the search space of the monitoring targets for allocation decision PDCCH and / or paging PDCCH may be the same as SS#0 or may be a different search space. When entering connected mode, the UE enters RRC connected mode and a dedicated RRC may configure the UE with a new RNTI to monitor a different CO-PDCCH. Otherwise, if a new RNTI is not configured, connected UEs and idle / inactive UEs monitor the same CO-PDCCH.

[0163] On the other hand, a paging indication, which may be transmitted on a CO-PDCCH or another PDCCH, indicates whether the UE will be paged at the next paging time using a flag bit. One bit can indicate one PO or one cluster within a PO (as described with reference to Fig. 11), one PO or one paging time (as described with reference to Fig. 13). Furthermore, in the above-mentioned case of, for example, a common decision allocation PDCCH content for all beams, the indication may additionally or alternatively indicate a start beam for which the first paging time of the indicated paging time should be monitored.

[0164] Furthermore, it should be noted that the different paging allocation examples shown in Figures 11, 13 and 15 are applicable to each of the different embodiments described above, including enabling or disabling a configured paging time and dynamically specifying a new paging time. For example, the allocation of paging times outside the SSB window in Figure 15 may be applied when paging times are semi-statically configured and dynamically enabled / disabled, while the paging cluster shown in Figure 11 is applicable to the case of dynamically specifying a new paging time.

[0165] Furthermore, it should be noted that the present disclosure deals with the time domain allocation of paging times including the symbols to which the paging PDCCH can be assigned. With respect to the frequency domain, the resources are configured according to, for example, steps S1210, S1410 and S1610 of Figures 12, 14 and 16, where the CORESET or search space configuration is configured.

[0166] Further, similar to step S1610 of Figure 16, receipt of a CORESET configuration is also received in embodiments where a configured paging time is enabled or disabled, whereas in embodiments where a new unconfigured paging time is dynamically indicated or specified, parameters such as PF and PO received in step S1210 of Figure 12 and step S1410 of Figure 14 are not required for the determination of which paging times are monitored.

[0167] Additionally, although the illustrative examples provided in Figures 11, 13, and 15 each show a COT starting at the first symbol in time of a slot, the present disclosure is also applicable to a COT starting at a symbol other than the start symbol of the slot. Additionally, the present disclosure is applicable to slot-based allocations as shown, or non-slot-based allocations where the TTI corresponds to a unit that includes fewer symbols than a slot, e.g., a "minislot."

[0168] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software interlocked with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment above can be partially or entirely realized by an LSI (Large Scale Integration) such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be partially or entirely controlled by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be formed as an individual chip, or a single chip may be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include data input / output coupled thereto. Here, the LSI may be called an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. However, the technology for realizing an integrated circuit is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a processor for a specific application. Furthermore, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after the manufacture of an LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and settings of circuit cells arranged inside the LSI may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analog processing. If future integrated circuit technologies replace LSI as a result of advances in semiconductor technology and other derived technologies, the functional blocks can be integrated using the future integrated circuit technologies. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0169] The present disclosure may be implemented by any type of apparatus, device or system having communication capabilities, referred to as a communications apparatus.

[0170] Some non-limiting examples of such communications devices include telephones (e.g., mobile (cell) phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smart watches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and remote medical) devices, and vehicles (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, ships) that provide communications capabilities, and various combinations thereof.

[0171] The communications apparatus is not limited to being portable or mobile, but may include any type of apparatus, device or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines, and any other "thing" in an "Internet of Things (IoT)" network.

[0172] Communications may include, for example, exchanging data via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, and the like, as well as various combinations thereof.

[0173] A communications apparatus may include devices such as a controller or a sensor coupled to the communications device to perform the communications functions described in this disclosure. For example, a communications apparatus may include a controller or a sensor that generates control or data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0174] The communications equipment may also include infrastructure facilities such as base stations, access points, and any other equipment, devices or systems that communicate with or control equipment such as those in the non-limiting examples above.

[0175] A user equipment (UE), A UE is provided, comprising: a transceiver for receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during operation in which an assignment of paging times to be monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined; and circuitry for determining, during operation, the assignment of paging times to be monitored based on the received at least one PDCCH, wherein the transceiver performs monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the assignment of paging times during operation.

[0176] For example, the UE operates on an unlicensed frequency.

[0177] For example, the at least one PDCCH includes at least one of a channel occupation time (COT) configuration indication indicating an allocation of downlink symbols and non-downlink symbols to a COT of a scheduling node serving the user equipment in unlicensed operation, and a paging indication indicating whether the paging time is to be monitored.

[0178] For example, during operation, the circuitry determines at least one assigned downlink symbol indicated by the COT configuration indication for the monitored paging time.

[0179] In some embodiments, the paging time is configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether the configured paging time is enabled or disabled.

[0180] In some embodiments, the circuitry determines that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time if, during operation, the at least one PDCCH does not indicate that assignment of the paging DCI to the configured paging time is invalid.

[0181] For example, if the at least one PDCCH includes the COT configuration indication and the set paging time is assigned to a symbol after the at least one PDCCH in the COT, the circuit determines during operation that the set paging time is invalid.

[0182] In some embodiments, the circuitry determines that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time if, during operation, the at least one PDCCH indicates that assignment of the paging DCI to the configured paging time is valid.

[0183] In some embodiments, the COT includes a plurality of paging clusters, each of the plurality of paging clusters including a respective paging time set for each of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the plurality of paging clusters is enabled or disabled.

[0184] In some embodiments, the COT configuration directive specifies paging time allocations for the monitored objects.

[0185] In some embodiments, the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on a beam from a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be the paging time to be monitored is beam-specific.

[0186] For example, the at least one PDCCH is common to a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node and indicates, for each of the plurality of beams, a plurality of downlink symbols including respective paging times to be monitored and a start beam in which the paging times to be monitored are assigned to the first symbol in time from the plurality of beams, and the circuit determines the paging times to be monitored based on a set cyclic order of beams starting from the indicated start beam during operation.

[0187] There is also provided a scheduling node comprising: a circuit adapted, during operation, to perform an allocation of paging times to be monitored by a user equipment unit (UE) for paging downlink control information (DCI) and to generate at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which the allocation of paging times to be monitored can be determined; and a transceiver adapted, during operation, to transmit the at least one PDCCH and to perform transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with the allocation of paging times.

[0188] For example, the scheduling node operates on an unlicensed frequency, the transceiver performs a Listen Before Talk (LBT) operation during operation, and the circuitry obtains a channel occupancy time based on a result of the LBT operation during operation, and assigns a paging time to be monitored for the paging DCI to a resource in the COT.

[0189] For example, the at least one PDCCH includes at least one of a channel occupation time (COT) configuration indication indicating an allocation of downlink symbols and non-downlink symbols to a COT of a scheduling node serving the user equipment in unlicensed operation, and a paging indication indicating whether the paging time is to be monitored.

[0190] For example, at least one assigned downlink symbol is indicated by the COT configuration indication determined as a paging time of the monitored object.

[0191] In some embodiments, the paging time is configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether the configured paging time is enabled or disabled.

[0192] In some embodiments, if the at least one PDCCH does not indicate that allocation of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is invalid, the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time.

[0193] For example, if the at least one PDCCH includes the COT configuration indication and the configured paging time is assigned to a symbol after the at least one PDCCH in the COT, the configured paging time is indicated as invalid.

[0194] In some embodiments, the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time if the at least one PDCCH indicates that assignment of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is valid.

[0195] In some embodiments, the COT includes a plurality of paging clusters, each of the plurality of paging clusters including a respective paging time set for each of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the plurality of paging clusters is enabled or disabled.

[0196] In some embodiments, the COT configuration directive specifies paging time allocations for the monitored objects.

[0197] In some embodiments, the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on a beam from a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be the paging time to be monitored is beam-specific.

[0198] For example, the at least one PDCCH is common to a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node and indicates, for each of the plurality of beams, a plurality of downlink symbols including respective paging times to be monitored and a start beam in which the paging times to be monitored are assigned to the first symbol in time from the plurality of beams, and the circuit determines the paging times to be monitored based on a set cyclic order of beams starting from the indicated start beam during operation.

[0199] Further provided is a paging method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in which an allocation of paging times to be monitored for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined; determining an allocation of the paging times to be monitored based on the received at least one PDCCH; and performing monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the paging time allocation.

[0200] For example, the method is performed while operating on an unlicensed frequency.

[0201] For example, the at least one PDCCH includes at least one of a channel occupation time (COT) configuration indication indicating an allocation of downlink symbols and non-downlink symbols to a COT of a scheduling node serving the user equipment in unlicensed operation, and a paging indication indicating whether the paging time is to be monitored.

[0202] For example, at least one assigned downlink symbol indicated by the COT configuration indication is determined to be a paging time of the monitored object.

[0203] In some embodiments, the paging time is configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether the configured paging time is enabled or disabled.

[0204] In some embodiments, if the at least one PDCCH does not indicate that allocation of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is invalid, it is determined that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time.

[0205] For example, if the at least one PDCCH includes the COT configuration indication and the set paging time is assigned to a symbol after the at least one PDCCH in the COT, it is determined that the set paging time is invalid.

[0206] In some embodiments, it is determined that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time if the at least one PDCCH indicates that assignment of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is valid.

[0207] In some embodiments, the COT includes a plurality of paging clusters, each of the plurality of paging clusters including a respective paging time set for each of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the plurality of paging clusters is enabled or disabled.

[0208] In some embodiments, the COT configuration directive specifies paging time allocations for the monitored objects.

[0209] In some embodiments, the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on a beam from a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be the paging time to be monitored is beam-specific.

[0210] For example, the at least one PDCCH is common to a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and for each of the plurality of beams indicates a plurality of downlink symbols including respective paging times to be monitored, and a start beam in which the paging time to be monitored is assigned to the first symbol in time from the plurality of beams, and the paging times to be monitored are determined based on a set cyclic order of beams starting from the indicated start beam.

[0211] Further provided is a paging method performed by a scheduling node, comprising: performing an allocation of paging times to be monitored by a user equipment (UE) for paging downlink control information (DCI); generating at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which the allocation of paging times to be monitored can be determined; transmitting the at least one PDCCH; and performing transmission of the paging DCI according to the allocation of paging times.

[0212] For example, the method is performed during operation on an unlicensed frequency and includes performing a Listen Before Talk (LBT) operation, obtaining a channel occupancy time based on a result of the LBT operation, and allocating resources in the COT to monitored paging times for the paging DCI.

[0213] For example, the at least one PDCCH includes at least one of a channel occupation time (COT) configuration indication indicating an allocation of downlink symbols and non-downlink symbols to a COT of a scheduling node serving the user equipment in unlicensed operation, and a paging indication indicating whether the paging time is to be monitored.

[0214] For example, at least one assigned downlink symbol is indicated by the COT configuration indication determined as a paging time of the monitored object.

[0215] In some embodiments, the paging time is configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether the configured paging time is enabled or disabled.

[0216] In some embodiments, if the at least one PDCCH does not indicate that allocation of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is invalid, the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time.

[0217] For example, if the at least one PDCCH includes the COT configuration indication and the configured paging time is assigned to a symbol after the at least one PDCCH in the COT, the configured paging time is indicated as invalid.

[0218] In some embodiments, the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging time if the at least one PDCCH indicates that assignment of the paging DCI for the configured paging time is valid.

[0219] In some embodiments, the COT includes a plurality of paging clusters, each of the plurality of paging clusters including a respective paging time set for each of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the plurality of paging clusters is enabled or disabled.

[0220] In some embodiments, the COT configuration directive specifies paging time allocations for the monitored objects.

[0221] In some embodiments, the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on a beam from a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be the paging time to be monitored is beam-specific.

[0222] For example, the at least one PDCCH is common to a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and for each of the plurality of beams indicates a plurality of downlink symbols including respective paging times to be monitored, and a start beam in which the paging times to be monitored are assigned to the first symbol in time from the plurality of beams, and the paging times to be monitored are specified based on a set cyclic order of beams starting from the indicated start beam.

[0223] In summary, there is provided a user equipment (UE), a scheduling node and respective paging methods between the UE and the scheduling node, wherein the UE comprises a transceiver for receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which an allocation of monitored paging times for paging downlink control information (DCI) can be determined during operation, and a circuit for determining, based on the at least one PDCCH received during operation, an allocation of monitored paging times, and the transceiver performs monitoring for the paging DCI based on the determination of the allocation of paging times during operation.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during operation; a circuit for determining, during operation, an assignment of paging monitoring occasions based on the received at least one PDCCH; having The communications device, wherein the transceiver performs monitoring for paging downlink control information (DCI) in accordance with the assignment of the paging monitoring occasions during operation.

2. The at least one PDCCH a channel occupation time (COT) configuration indication indicating an allocation of downlink and non-downlink symbols for a COT of a scheduling node serving the communication device in unlicensed operation; a paging indication indicating whether the paging monitoring occasion is to be monitored; The communication device of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

3. The communication device of claim 2 , wherein the paging monitoring occasions are configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the at least one PDCCH indicates enabling or disabling the configured paging monitoring occasions.

4. 4. The communications device of claim 3, wherein the circuitry determines that the paging DCI is assigned to the configured paging monitoring occasion if, during operation, the at least one PDCCH indicates that assignment of the paging DCI to the configured paging monitoring occasion is valid.

5. 4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the COT includes a plurality of paging clusters, each of the plurality of paging clusters including a respective paging monitoring occasion set for each of a plurality of beams swept by the scheduling node, and the at least one PDCCH indicates whether each of the plurality of paging clusters is enabled or not.

6. The communications device of claim 2 , wherein the COT configuration directive specifies an allocation of paging monitoring occasions for the monitored objects.

7. 3. The communications device of claim 2, wherein the at least one PDCCH is a beam-specific PDCCH transmitted on a beam from a plurality of beams swept by a scheduling node, and the allocation of the at least one downlink symbol that the circuit determines to be the paging monitoring occasion to be monitored is beam-specific.

8. A scheduling node, a circuit for generating, during operation, at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) including an assignment of paging monitoring occasions to be monitored by the communication device for paging downlink control information (DCI); a transceiver configured, during operation, to transmit the at least one PDCCH and to perform transmission of the paging DCI in accordance with an assignment of the paging monitoring occasion; A scheduling node having

9. the scheduling node operates on an unlicensed frequency; The transceiver performs a Listen Before Talk (LBT) operation during operation; The scheduling node of claim 8, wherein the circuitry, during operation, obtains a channel occupation time based on a result of the LBT operation, and allocates resources within the channel occupation time (COT) to paging monitoring opportunities to be monitored for the paging DCI.

10. A paging method performed by a communication device, comprising: receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determining an allocation of paging monitoring occasions for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the received at least one PDCCH; performing monitoring on the paging DCI according to the assignment of the paging monitoring occasion; The paging method includes:

11. A paging method performed by a scheduling node, comprising: generating at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) including an assignment of paging monitoring occasions to be monitored by the communication device for paging downlink control information (DCI); transmitting the at least one PDCCH; performing transmission of the paging DCI according to the assignment of the paging monitoring occasion; The paging method includes:

12. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a communication device, the processing comprising: receiving at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); determining an allocation of paging monitoring occasions for paging downlink control information (DCI) based on the received at least one PDCCH; performing monitoring on the paging DCI according to the assignment of the paging monitoring occasion; 4. An integrated circuit comprising:

13. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a scheduling node, the processing comprising: generating at least one physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) including an assignment of paging monitoring occasions to be monitored by the communication device for paging downlink control information (DCI); transmitting the at least one PDCCH; performing transmission of the paging DCI according to the assignment of the paging monitoring occasion; 4. An integrated circuit comprising:

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