Communication device, base station, and communication method

Abstract

A communication device (100) can communicate with a plurality of networks (200A, 200B) through use of a plurality of subscriber identification modules. The communication device comprises: a control unit (130) which temporarily restricts a communication capability of the communication device (100) used for the communication with the first network in order for the communication with the second network (200B); and a communication unit (120) which transmits information to the first network, the information being used to cancel or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability for the communication with the second network.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from patent application serial number 2022-115842, filed on July 20, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a base station, and a communication method used in a mobile communication system. [Background technology]

[0003] In Release 18 of 3GPP (registered trademark; the same applies hereinafter) (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a standardization project for mobile communication systems, a work item has been launched to define the functionality for a communication device with two transceivers to communicate with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules.

[0004] When such a communication device uses two transceivers for communication with a certain network (hereinafter referred to as the first network), if one of the transceivers is arbitrarily switched to communicate with another network (hereinafter referred to as the second network), the first network may communicate with the communication device without knowing that one of the transceivers has been switched, which may result in data loss between the communication device and the first network.

[0005] Therefore, in 3GPP Release 18, consideration is being given to temporarily limiting the communication capabilities of a communication device used to communicate with a first network so that one transceiver can be used to communicate with a second network (see non-patent document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP contribution “RP-220955” Summary of the Invention

[0007] A communication device according to a first aspect is a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, and includes: a control unit that temporarily restricts a communication capability of the communication device used for communication with a first network for communication with a second network; and a communication unit that transmits, to the first network, information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network.

[0008] A base station according to a second aspect is a base station of a first network in a mobile communication system having wireless communication with a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, the base station including a communication unit that receives, from the communication device, information for releasing or changing a temporary restriction on the communication capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network for communication with a second network.

[0009] A communication method according to a third aspect is a communication method executed by a communication device capable of communicating with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules, comprising the steps of temporarily restricting a communication capability of the communication device used for communication with a first network for communication with a second network, and transmitting information to the first network for lifting or changing the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] The objects, features, advantages, and other features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a protocol stack in the mobile communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the assumed scenario. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a UE (user equipment) according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a base station of the first network according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a first operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining information elements in the first operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining information elements in the first operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining information elements in the second operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a first modification of the second operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a first modification of the second operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a third operation example according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining information elements in the third operation example according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A mobile communication system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0012] Currently, existing 3GPP technical specifications do not provide a specific mechanism for a communication device that has temporarily restricted its communication capabilities for communication with a first network to release or change the restrictions on its communication capabilities after, for example, terminating communication with a second network. This raises concerns that the first network may not recognize that the communication device wishes to release or change the temporary restrictions on its communication capabilities, leading to inappropriate synchronization between the communication device and the first network regarding the temporary restrictions on its communication capabilities.

[0013] Therefore, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device, a base station, and a communication method that enable a network that communicates with a communication device that can communicate with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules to recognize temporary limitations in the communication capabilities of the communication device.

[0014] [Embodiment] (System Configuration) The configuration of a mobile communication system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following, an example will be mainly described in which the mobile communication system 1 is a fifth-generation system (5G / NR: New Radio) conforming to the 3GPP standard, but a fourth-generation system (4G / LTE: Long Term Evolution) system and / or a sixth-generation system may also be applied at least in part to the mobile communication system 1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile communication system 1 according to the embodiment includes a user equipment (UE) 100, a first network 200A, and a second network 200B.

[0016] The UE 100 is an example of a communication device. The UE 100 may be a mobile wireless communication device. The UE 100 may be a device used by a user. For example, the UE 100 is a mobile phone terminal (including a smartphone), a tablet terminal, a laptop PC, a communication module (including a communication card or a chipset), a sensor or a device provided in a sensor, a vehicle or a device provided in a vehicle (e.g., Vehicle UE), or an air vehicle or a device provided in an air vehicle (e.g., Aerial UE). The UE 100 may be called by other names such as a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a mobile device, a mobile unit, a subscriber station, a subscriber terminal, a subscriber device, a subscriber unit, a wireless station, a wireless terminal, a wireless device, a wireless unit, a remote station, a remote terminal, a remote device, or a remote unit.

[0017] The UE 100 can communicate with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs). The UE 100 may be a multi-SIM device that supports multiple SIMs. In the following, an example in which the UE 100 supports two SIMs will be mainly described, but the UE 100 may support three or more SIMs. "Supporting multiple SIMs" means that the UE 100 has the ability to handle multiple SIMs, and does not necessarily mean that multiple SIMs are installed in the UE 100. Such a UE 100 may be called a "UE that supports multiple SIMs." Note that the SIM is not limited to a card-type SIM (a so-called SIM card), and may be an embedded SIM (a so-called eSIM) that is previously embedded in the UE 100. The SIM may be called a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module).

[0018] The first network 200A is a network associated with one SIM of the UE 100. The second network 200B is a network associated with the other SIM of the UE 100. The UE 100 is assumed to have registered its location with the first network 200A using one SIM and to have registered its location with the second network 200B using the other SIM. That is, the UE 100 is present in each of the first network 200A and the second network 200B. The first network 200A and the second network 200B may be networks of different telecommunications carriers. However, the first network 200A and the second network 200B may be networks of the same telecommunications carrier. Different PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) IDs may be assigned to the first network 200A and the second network 200B.

[0019] The first network 200A has a base station 210A constituting a radio access network and a core network 220A. The core network 220A has, as core network devices, a mobility management device 221A and a gateway device 222A. Similarly, the second network 200B has a base station 210B constituting a radio access network and a core network 220B. The core network 220B has, as core network devices, a mobility management device 221B and a gateway device 222B. In the following, the base station 210A and the core network 220B will be referred to as 1 When there is no distinction between the mobility management devices 221A and 221B, they are simply called the mobility management device 221, and when there is no distinction between the gateway devices 222A and 222B, they are simply called the gateway device 222.

[0020] The base station 210 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the UE 100. The base station 210 manages one or more cells. The base station 210 performs wireless communication with the UE 100 that has established a connection with its own cell in a radio resource control (RRC) layer. The base station 210 has a radio resource management (RRM) function, a user data (hereinafter simply referred to as "data") routing function, a measurement control function for mobility control and scheduling, and the like. The term "cell" is used to indicate the smallest unit of a wireless communication area. The term "cell" is also used to indicate a function or resource for performing wireless communication with the UE 100. One cell belongs to one carrier frequency. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the base station 210A manages the cell C1 and the base station 210B manages the cell C2. The UE 100 is located in an overlapping area between the cells C1 and C2.

[0021] The base station 210 may be a gNB, which is a 5G / NR base station, or an eNB, which is a 4G / LTE base station. In the following, an example in which the base station 210 is a gNB will be mainly described. The base station 210 may be functionally divided into a CU (Central Unit) and a DU (Distributed Unit). The base station 210 may be a relay node such as an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node.

[0022] The mobility management device 221 is a device corresponding to the control plane, and is a device that performs various mobility management for the UE 100. The mobility management device 221 communicates with the UE 100 using NAS (Non-Access Stratum) signaling, and manages information on the tracking area in which the UE 100 is located. The mobility management device 221 performs paging via the base station 210 to notify the UE 100 of an incoming call. The mobility management device 221 may be an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) of 5G / NR, or an MME (Mobility Management Entity) of 4G / LTE.

[0023] The gateway device 222 is a device compatible with the user plane and controls the transfer of data of the UE 100. The gateway device 222 may be a UPF (User Plane Function) of 5G / NR or a Serving Gateway (S-GW) of 4G / LTE.

[0024] (Example of protocol stack configuration) An example of the configuration of a protocol stack of the mobile communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the protocol of the wireless section between the UE 100 and the base station 210 includes a physical (PHY) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and a radio resource control (RRC) layer.

[0025] The PHY layer performs encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, antenna mapping / demapping, and resource mapping / demapping. Data and control information are transmitted between the PHY layer of the UE 100 and the PHY layer of the base station 210 via a physical channel.

[0026] The MAC layer performs data priority control, retransmission processing using Hybrid ARQ (HARQ), random access procedures, etc. Data and control information are transmitted between the MAC layer of the UE 100 and the MAC layer of the base station 210 via a transport channel. The MAC layer of the base station 210 includes a scheduler. The scheduler determines the uplink and downlink transport format (transport block size, modulation and coding scheme (MCS)) and the resources to be allocated to the UE 100.

[0027] The RLC layer transmits data to the RLC layer on the receiving side using the functions of the MAC layer and PHY layer. Data and control information are transmitted between the RLC layer of the UE 100 and the RLC layer of the base station 210 via logical channels.

[0028] The PDCP layer performs header compression / decompression and encryption / decryption.

[0029] An SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol) layer may be provided above the PDCP layer, which maps IP flows, which are units for Quality of Service (QoS) control by the core network, to radio bearers, which are units for QoS control by the AS (Access Stratum).

[0030] The RRC layer controls logical channels, transport channels, and physical channels according to the establishment, re-establishment, and release of radio bearers. RRC signaling for various settings is transmitted between the RRC layer of the UE 100 and the RRC layer of the base station 210. When there is an RRC connection between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state. When there is no RRC connection between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210, the UE 100 is in an RRC idle state. When the RRC connection between the RRC of the UE 100 and the RRC of the base station 210 is suspended, the UE 100 is in an RRC inactive state.

[0031] The NAS layer, which is positioned above the RRC layer, performs session management and mobility management for the UE 100. NAS signaling is transmitted between the NAS layer of the UE 100 and the NAS layer of the mobility management device 221.

[0032] The modes (NAS states) of the UE 100 in the NAS layer include idle mode and connected mode. In connected mode, context information of the UE 100 is held in the network, and in idle mode, context information of the UE 100 is not held in the network. When the UE 100 is in connected mode, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state. When the UE 100 is in idle mode, the UE 100 is in an RRC idle state.

[0033] The mode in the NAS layer may be a 5G Mobility Management (5GMM) mode, in which the connected mode may be a 5GMM-connected mode and the idle mode may be a 5GMM-idle mode.

[0034] The UE 100 has an application layer and the like in addition to the radio interface protocol.

[0035] (Assumed scenario) An assumed scenario in the mobile communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Release 18 of 3GPP, which is a standardization project for the mobile communication system 1, a work item has been launched to define a function for a UE 100 having two transceivers to communicate with multiple networks using multiple SIMs.

[0036] For example, as shown in Fig. 3A, when UE 100 communicates with the first network 200A using SIM 111, UE 100 can use the first transceiver unit 121 and the second transceiver unit 122 for communication with the first network 200A. As shown in Fig. 3B, when UE 100 communicates with the second network 200B using SIM 112, it is assumed that UE 100 switches the second transceiver unit 122 for communication with the second network 200B. This allows UE 100 to communicate with the second network 200B using the second transceiver unit 122 while maintaining communication with the first network 200A using the first transceiver unit 121.

[0037] Here, if UE100 uses two transceivers for communication with the first network 200A and arbitrarily switches one of the transceivers (for example, the second transceiver 122) for communication with the second network 200B, data loss may occur between UE100 and the first network 200A because the first network 200A communicates with UE100 without knowing that the second transceiver 122 has been switched.

[0038] Therefore, in 3GPP Release 18, it is being considered to temporarily limit the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A so that one of the transceivers can be used for communication with the second network 200B.

[0039] However, currently, existing 3GPP technical specifications do not provide a specific mechanism for temporarily restricting the communication capabilities of UE 100 used to communicate with the first network 200A when UE 100 communicating with the first network 200A wishes to communicate with the second network 200B, which raises concerns that problems may arise.

[0040] For example, there is a concern that the first network 200A may not be able to recognize that the UE 100 desires to temporarily restrict its communication capability, and that appropriate synchronization regarding the temporary restriction of communication capability may not be achieved between the UE 100 and the first network 200A. In one embodiment described later, an operation will be described that enables a network that communicates with the UE 100 that can communicate with a plurality of networks using a plurality of SIMs to recognize the temporary restriction of the communication capability of the UE 100.

[0041] Furthermore, since there is no specific mechanism for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, there is a concern that the UE 100 may not be able to appropriately restrict the communication capability. In an embodiment described later, an operation will be described that enables the UE 100, which can communicate with a plurality of networks using a plurality of SIMs, to appropriately restrict the communication capability.

[0042] Furthermore, currently, existing 3GPP technical specifications do not provide a specific mechanism for a UE 100 that has temporarily restricted the communication capability used for communication with a first network 200A to release or change the restriction on the communication capability after, for example, terminating communication with a second network 200B. For this reason, there is a concern that the first network 200A cannot recognize that the UE 100 wishes to release or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability, and that appropriate synchronization regarding the temporary restriction on the communication capability cannot be achieved between the UE 100 and the first network 200A. In one embodiment described below, an operation will be described that enables a network that communicates with a UE 100 that can communicate with multiple networks using multiple SIMs to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100.

[0043] (Example of UE configuration) An example configuration of UE 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, UE 100 includes antenna 101, antenna 102, SIM 111, SIM 112, communication unit 120, and control unit 130. Antenna 101 and antenna 102 may be provided outside UE 100. SIM 111 and SIM 112 may be SIM cards or eSIMs.

[0044] The SIM 111 stores subscriber information and setting information required for the UE 100 to communicate with the first network 200A. The SIM 111 stores identification information of the UE 100 in the first network 200A, such as a telephone number and an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). The SIM 111 corresponds to a first subscriber information module. The UE 100 communicates with the first network 200A using the SIM 111.

[0045] The SIM 112 stores subscriber information and setting information required for the UE 100 to communicate with the second network 200B. The SIM 112 stores identification information of the UE 100 in the second network 200B, such as a telephone number and an IMSI. The SIM 112 corresponds to a second subscriber information module. The UE 100 communicates with the second network 200B using the SIM 112.

[0046] The communication unit 120, under the control of the control unit 130, performs wireless communication with the first network 200A and the second network 200B via the antenna 101 and the antenna 102. The communication unit 120 has a plurality of transceivers. The transceivers may be referred to as transceivers or as RF (Radio Frequency) chains. In this embodiment, the communication unit 120 has a first transceiver 121 and a second transceiver 122. The first transceiver 121 and the second transceiver 122 each have a receiving unit 120R and a transmitting unit 120T. The receiving unit 120R converts a wireless signal received by each antenna into a received signal, which is a baseband signal, performs signal processing on the received signal, and outputs the received signal to the control unit 130. The transmitting unit 120T performs signal processing on a transmission signal, which is a baseband signal, output by the control unit 130, converts the transmitted signal into a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal from each antenna. The receiving unit 120R may be referred to as a receiver, an Rx chain, or an Rx branch. The transmitting unit 120T may be referred to as a transmitter, a Tx chain, or a Tx branch. In this embodiment, the first transceiver unit 121 has a first receiving unit 121R as the receiving unit 120R and a first transmitting unit 121T as the transmitting unit 120T. The second transceiver unit 122 has a second receiving unit 122R as the receiving unit 120R and a second transmitting unit 122T as the transmitting unit 120T.

[0047] The control unit 130 controls the communication unit 120 and performs various controls in the UE 100. The control unit 130 controls communication with the first network 200A using the SIM 111 and controls communication with the second network 200B using the SIM 112. The control unit 130 includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor and information used in processing by the processor. The memory may include at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a flash memory. The processor may include a digital signal processor (DSP) that performs digital processing of digital signals and a central processing unit (CPU) that executes programs. Note that a portion of the memory may be provided in the communication unit 120. The DSP may also be provided in the communication unit 120.

[0048] The control unit 130 includes an RRC processing unit 131 and an NAS processing unit 132. The RRC processing unit 131 performs processing in the RRC layer. The NAS processing unit 132 performs processing in the NAS layer, which is a layer higher than the RRC layer. The RRC processing unit 131 and the NAS processing unit 132 may be configured by one processor or by multiple processors.

[0049] The UE 100 configured in this manner is capable of communicating with multiple networks using multiple SIMs. The communication unit 120 transmits, to the first network 200A, restriction information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 based on the restriction information. This makes it easier to appropriately synchronize the UE 100 and the first network 200A regarding the temporary restriction on the communication capability. Here, in this embodiment, restricting may include reducing. In other words, restricting communication capability may correspond to reducing communication capability. In other words, in this embodiment, restricting may be replaced with reducing.

[0050] Furthermore, communication unit 120 transmits restriction information to first network 200A. After transmitting the restriction information, control unit 130 determines whether or not to restrict communication capability. If control unit 130 determines to restrict communication capability, control unit 130 performs control to restrict communication capability and start connection with second network 200B. Since UE 100 determines whether or not to restrict communication capability after transmitting the restriction information, it becomes possible to appropriately restrict the communication capability of UE 100.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 130 temporarily restricts the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. The communication unit 120 transmits information for canceling or changing the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network 200B to the first network 200A. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 based on the information. This makes it easier to appropriately synchronize the temporary restriction on the communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A.

[0052] In addition, the operation of the functional units of UE100 (specifically, at least one of antenna 101, antenna 102, SIM111, SIM112, communication unit 120, and control unit 130 (e.g., RRC processing unit 131 and NAS processing unit 132)) may be described as the operation of UE100.

[0053] (Base station configuration example) An example configuration of base station 210A of first network 200A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that base station 210B of second network 200B has the same configuration as base station 210A, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. As shown in Fig. 5, base station 210A has antenna 211, wireless communication unit 212, network communication unit 213, and control unit 214.

[0054] The wireless communication unit 212 communicates with the UE 100 via the antenna 211 under the control of the control unit 214. The wireless communication unit 212 has a receiving unit 212R and a transmitting unit 212T. The receiving unit 212R converts the wireless signal received by the antenna 211 into a received signal, which is a baseband signal, performs signal processing on the received signal, and outputs the received signal to the control unit 214. The transmitting unit 212T performs signal processing on the transmission signal, which is a baseband signal, output by the control unit 214, converts the transmission signal into a wireless signal, and transmits the wireless signal from the antenna 211.

[0055] The network communication unit 213 is connected to the core network 220A. Under the control of the control unit 214, the network communication unit 213 performs network communication with the mobility management device 221A and the gateway device 222A.

[0056] The control unit 214 controls the wireless communication unit 212 and performs various controls in the base station 210A. The control unit 214 includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The memory stores programs executed by the processor and information used in processing by the processor. The memory may include at least one of ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, RAM, and flash memory. The processor may include a digital signal processor (DSP) that performs digital processing of digital signals, and a central processing unit (CPU) that executes programs. Note that part of the memory may be provided in the wireless communication unit 212. The DSP may also be provided in the wireless communication unit 212.

[0057] In the base station 210 configured in this manner, the wireless communication unit 212 receives, from the UE 100, restriction information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, for communication with the second network 200B. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 based on the restriction information. This makes it easier to appropriately synchronize the UE 100 and the first network 200A regarding the temporary restriction on the communication capability.

[0058] Furthermore, the radio communication unit 212 receives, from the UE 100, information for lifting or changing the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 for communication with the second network 200B. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 based on the restriction lift information or the restriction change information. This makes it easier to appropriately synchronize the temporary restriction on the communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A.

[0059] The operation of the functional units (specifically, at least one of antenna 211, wireless communication unit 212, network communication unit 213, and control unit 214) included in base station 210A may be described as the operation of base station 210A.

[0060] (Mobile communication system operation) (1) First operation example 6 to 8, a first operation example of the mobile communication system 1 will be described. In this operation example, the UE 100 transmits restriction information to the first network 200A. In this operation example, the UE 100 is located in a primary cell (P cell) 210P and a secondary cell (S cell) 210S of the first network 200A. One base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the P cell 210P and the S cell 210S. Alternatively, one base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the P cell 210P, and another base station 210A of the first network 200A may manage the S cell 210S. Note that the P cell 210P may be a P cell in carrier aggregation operation. Also, the S cell 210S may be an S cell in carrier aggregation operation. Also, the P cell 210P may be a P cell belonging to a master cell group (MCG) in dual connectivity operation. Furthermore, the SCell 210S may be a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) in dual connectivity operation. Furthermore, the SCell 210S may be a secondary cell (SCell) belonging to a master cell group (MCG) and / or a secondary cell group (SCG) in dual connectivity operation.

[0061] Here, in dual connectivity operation, a P cell of a master cell group (MCG) and / or a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) is also referred to as a special cell (SP cell). Also, in dual connectivity operation, a MAC entity may be associated with each of the master cell group (MCG) and the secondary cell group (SCG).

[0062] Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, in this embodiment, a P cell belonging to a master cell group (MCG) will also be referred to as a P cell. Also, a primary secondary cell (PS cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG) will also be referred to as a secondary cell. That is, in this embodiment, a P cell may be replaced with a P cell belonging to a master cell group (MCG). Also, in this embodiment, a secondary cell may be replaced with a primary secondary cell (PS cell) and / or a secondary cell (S cell) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0063] 6, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state in the first network 200A. When the UE 100 is in the RRC connected state, an RRC connection is established between the first network 200A and the UE 100. Therefore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 and the control unit 214 of the base station 210 perform control to establish an RRC connection between the UE 100 and the base station 210.

[0064] Furthermore, the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A. The UE 100 is communicating in the first network 200A. For example, the UE 100 is provided with a service such as a voice call from the first network 200A. Note that "communicating" means that the UE 100 is at least in an RRC connected state in the network. Therefore, when the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A, the UE 100 is continuously exchanging data with the network, either continuously or discontinuously.

[0065] 6, the UE 100 is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state in the second network 200B. The UE 100 monitors paging from the second network 200B and receives system block information from the second network 200B while maintaining an RRC connected state in the first network 200A. For example, the UE 100 can monitor paging and receive system block information in the second network 200B during a period when communication with the first network 200A is interrupted.

[0066] Hereinafter, the communication between the UE 100 and the base station 210A may be, for the UE 100, communication between the UE 100 and the cell of the base station 210A (specifically, the P cell 210P, the S cell 210S), that is, communication between the cell in which the UE 100 is located. The same applies to the communication between the UE 100 and the base station 210B. Furthermore, the communication between the UE 100 and a node belonging to the first network 200A (for example, the base station 210A (that is, the P cell 210P, the S cell 210S), the mobility management device 221A, the gateway device 222A) may be referred to as communication between the UE 100 and the first network 200A. The same applies to the communication between the UE 100 and a node belonging to the second network 200B.

[0067] Furthermore, in the following, UE100 communicates (specifically, transmits / receives / notifies messages, etc.) with first network 200A via communication unit 120 (receiving unit 120R and / or transmitting unit 120T), but for ease of explanation, the description that the communication is via communication unit 120 will be omitted as appropriate. Similarly, the description that the communication between UE100 and second network 200B is also communication via communication unit 120 will be omitted as appropriate. Therefore, the transmission and / or reception of messages, etc. by UE100 may be the transmission and / or reception of messages, etc. by communication unit 120 (receiving unit 120R and / or transmitting unit 120T) of UE100.

[0068] Step S101: In the second network 200B, Mobility Management Device221B transmits to the base station 210B a paging request requesting transmission of a paging message addressed to the UE 100. The network communication unit 213 of the base station 210B receives the paging request.

[0069] A paging request is a paging message that indicates the reason for the paging. cause It may contain information (Paging Cause). cause The information may indicate, for example, whether the reason for the page is a voice call.

[0070] Step S102: In response to receiving the paging request, the radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210B transmits a paging message (Paging) addressed to the UE 100. The RRC processing unit 131 (receiving unit 120R) of the UE 100 receives the paging message from the base station 210B. The RRC processing unit 131 receives the paging message from the base station 210B when the UE 100 is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state in the second network 200B during communication with the first network 200A. The UE 100 may receive the paging message via the first transceiver unit 121 or via the second transceiver unit 122.

[0071] The paging message is used to notify one or more UEs 100. The paging message is a message of the RRC layer. The paging message includes, for example, the ID of the UE 100. More specifically, for example, the paging message includes a list of paging records, and one paging record in the list includes the ID of the UE 100. For example, the ID is the 5G-S-TMSI or a full I-RNTI (Inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier) of the UE 100. The paging message may include paging cause information. For example, the paging cause information may specify that the cause of the paging is a voice service. The paging cause information may be associated with, for example, the ID of the UE 100.

[0072] The RRC processing unit 131 may perform the processing of step S103 when the paging message includes the ID of the UE 100 and the UE 100 is in an RRC inactive state or an RRC idle state in the second network 200B while communicating with the first network 200A.

[0073] If the paging message includes the ID of UE100 and UE100 is not communicating with the first network 200A, for example, if UE100 is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state for the first network 200A, the RRC processing unit 131 may not perform the processing of step S103 and may instead perform the specified processing when a paging message is received.

[0074] Step S103: The RRC processing unit 131 provides a paging reception notification to the NAS processing unit 132. The NAS processing unit 132 receives the paging reception notification from the RRC processing unit 131. The paging reception notification is for notifying that the UE 100 has received a paging. The RRC processing unit 131 may use the paging reception notification to indicate to the NAS processing unit 132 that a paging message has been received in the second network 200B.

[0075] The paging reception notification may include paging cause information (Paging Cause). Note that, for example, when the UE 100 is in an RRC inactive or idle state, the paging reception notification may include an identifier (UE ID) of the UE 100.

[0076] In response to receiving the paging message, the control unit 130 may determine whether to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A. The control unit 130 may determine whether to temporarily restrict the communication capability based on, for example, paging cause information. For example, when the paging cause information indicates a voice service, the control unit 130 may determine to temporarily restrict the communication capability. When the paging cause information indicates a service other than a voice service, the control unit 130 may determine not to temporarily restrict the communication capability.

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may determine whether to temporarily restrict the communication capability based on, for example, an input from the user. For example, the control unit 130 may determine whether to temporarily restrict the communication capability when the input from the user recommends communication with the second network 200B. The control unit 130 may determine not to temporarily restrict the communication capability when the input from the user does not recommend communication with the second network 200B or when there is no input from the user recommending communication with the second network 200B for a predetermined period after receiving a paging.

[0078] The determination may be made in the NAS processing unit 132, or may be made in a layer higher than the NAS processing unit 132. When the determination is made in the higher layer, the determination result may be provided to the NAS processing unit 132.

[0079] When it is determined that the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A is to be temporarily restricted, the NAS processing unit 132 executes the process of step S104. On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A is not to be temporarily restricted, the control unit 130 may make the following determination without executing the process of step S104.

[0080] When the control unit 130 does not temporarily restrict the communication capability, the control unit 130 may determine, for example, based on the paging cause information, whether to prioritize communication with the first network 200A over communication with the second network 200B. When the control unit 130 prioritizes communication with the first network 200A, the control unit 130 may perform control to transmit to the second network 200B a notification that the second network 200B will not respond to paging from the second network 200B. On the other hand, when the control unit 130 prioritizes communication with the second network 200B, the control unit 130 may perform control to transition from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state in the first network 200A, and transition to the RRC connected state in the second network 200B. The control unit 130 may establish an RRC connection with the second network 200B and perform communication with the second network 200B.

[0081] Step S104: The NAS processing unit 132 provides the capability restriction instruction to the RRC processing unit 131. The RRC processing unit 131 receives the capability restriction instruction from the NAS processing unit 132. The capability restriction instruction may be used to instruct transmission of restriction information, which will be described later. The capability restriction instruction may indicate the content of the restriction information.

[0082] Step S105: The RRC processing unit 131 controls transmission of restriction information to the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. The communication unit 120 transmits the restriction information to the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. Specifically, the communication unit 120 transmits the restriction information to the P cell 210P. The communication unit 120 may transmit a message including the restriction information to the P cell 210P. The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A receives the restriction information from the UE 100 in the P cell 210P.

[0083] The restriction information is used to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, for communication with the second network 200B. Note that the communication capability of the UE 100 does not simply refer to the capability of the UE 100, and may be referred to as, for example, communication resources allocated to the UE 100, radio resources scheduled to the UE 100, etc. The communication capability to be temporarily restricted may be communication resources associated with a transceiver unit (i.e., a transmitter and / or a receiver) used for communication with the second network 200B.

[0084] 7, the control unit 130 (e.g., the RRC processing unit 131) may include restriction information (e.g., MUSIM-ReducedCapability) in a Multi-Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) assistance information element (i.e., MUSIM-Assistance) used to provide MUSIM assistance information. The communication unit 120 may transmit the MUSIM assistance information including the restriction information to the first network 200A. The communication unit 120 may transmit a UE assistance information (i.e., UEAssistanceInformation) message including the MUSIM assistance information including the restriction information to the first network 200A.

[0085] As shown in E11 of FIG. 8, the control unit 130 may include at least one of information for restricting secondary cells, information for restricting frequency bands, and information for restricting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers as restriction information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element.

[0086] The information for restricting secondary cells may be, for example, information for restricting secondary cells for which data scheduling is possible. The information for restricting secondary cells may be, for example, information indicating a preference of UE 100 for a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of secondary cells (specifically, reducedMaxCCs, ReducedMaxCCs). The information may be at least one of information indicating a preference of UE 100 for a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of downlink secondary cells (specifically, reducedCCsDL) and information indicating a preference of UE 100 for a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of uplink secondary cells (specifically, reducedCCsDL). That is, the information for restricting secondary cells may be information for restricting the maximum number of secondary cells. Here, as described above, the secondary cell may include a primary secondary cell. Furthermore, in the downlink, the cell may correspond to a downlink component carrier. Furthermore, in the uplink, the cell may correspond to an uplink component carrier. In this embodiment, configuring a cell may include configuring a downlink component carrier and / or configuring an uplink component carrier. For example, the information for restricting a secondary cell may include information for restricting the maximum number of component carriers configured in downlink and / or information for restricting the maximum number of component carriers configured in uplink.

[0087] The information for limiting the frequency band may be, for example, information for limiting a frequency band in which data can be scheduled. The information for limiting the frequency band may be information on a maximum frequency band (e.g., ReducedMaxBW-FRx), information on an aggregated bandwidth (e.g., ReducedAggregatedBandwidth), information on a maximum frequency band of FR1 (e.g., reducedMaxBW-FR1), or information on a maximum frequency band of FR2 (e.g., reducedMaxBW-FR2, reducedMaxBW-FR2-2). The information for restricting the frequency band may be, for example, at least one of information indicating a preference of UE100 for a reduced setting corresponding to the maximum aggregated bandwidth across all downlink carriers and all uplink carriers of FR1 (Frequency Range 1) (specifically, reducedBW-FR1), information indicating a recommendation of UE100 for a reduced setting corresponding to the maximum aggregated bandwidth across all downlink carriers and all uplink carriers of FR2-1 (Frequency Range 2-1) (specifically, reducedBW-FR2), and information indicating a recommendation of UE100 for a reduced setting corresponding to the maximum aggregated bandwidth across all downlink carriers and all uplink carriers of FR2-2 (Frequency Range 2-2) (specifically, reducedBW-FR2-2). In FR1, the subcarrier spacing is 15 or 30 kHz, in FR2-1 the subcarrier spacing is 120 or 240 kHz, and in FR2-2 the subcarrier spacing is 120, 480, or 960 kHz.

[0088] The information for limiting the MIMO layers may be, for example, information indicating a recommendation by UE 100 about a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers or uplink MIMO layers of each serving cell operating in FR1 (specifically, reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR1, reducedMIMO-LayersFR1-DL, reducedMIMO-LayersFR1-UL), information indicating a recommendation by UE 100 about a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers or uplink MIMO layers of each serving cell operating in FR2-1 (specifically, may be at least one of: reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR2, reducedMIMO-LayersFR2-DL, reducedMIMO-LayersFR2-UL), and information indicating a recommendation by UE 100 about a reduced configuration corresponding to the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers or uplink MIMO layers of each serving cell operating in FR2-2 (specifically, reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR2-2, reducedMIMO-LayersFR2-2-DL, reducedMIMO-LayersFR2-2-UL). Here, the serving cell may include a primary cell and / or a secondary cell.

[0089] As shown at E12 in FIG. 8, the control unit 130 may include, as restriction information, information indicating the number of transceivers (e.g., transceivers) available for communication with the first network 200A (which may be referred to as nrofRxBranches, for example), in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. The information may indicate the maximum number of transceivers available for communication with the first network 200A. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include, as restriction information, at least one of information indicating the number (or maximum number) of transmitters (e.g., transmitters) available for communication with the first network 200A and information indicating the number (or maximum number) of receivers (e.g., receivers) available for communication with the first network 200A in the MUSIM auxiliary information element.

[0090] As shown at E13 in FIG. 8 , the control unit 130 may include flag information (e.g., which may be referred to as “deactivateSCG”) for deactivating or releasing a secondary cell in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction information. The flag information may be, for example, information indicated by 1 bit. For example, when the flag information is set to “true,” it may indicate deactivation of a secondary cell, release of a secondary cell, deactivation of a secondary cell group, or release of a secondary cell group. When the UE 100 is performing dual connectivity, the control unit 130 may include the flag information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction information. Note that in dual connectivity, the UE 100 in an RRC connected state is configured to use radio resources provided by two different schedulers located at different locations in two different nodes (e.g., NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network)) connected via a non-ideal backhaul.

[0091] Furthermore, for communication with the second network 200B, the control unit 130 may include specified information to be set in the overheating assistance information element (i.e., OverheatingAssistance) when providing an overheating assistance indication. The control unit 130 may normally include the specified information in the overheating assistance information element based on whether internal overheating has been detected in the UE 100. However, the control unit 130 may also include specified information in the overheating assistance information element for communication with the second network 200B regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected in the UE 100. The specified information may be, for example, reducedMaxCCs, reducedMaxBW-FR1, reducedMaxBW-FR2, reducedMaxBW-FR2-2, reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR1, reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR2, and reducedMaxMIMO-LayersFR2-2. Therefore, the communication unit 120 may transmit the overheat auxiliary information element as restriction information to the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B, regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected or not.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include information for deactivating or releasing the secondary cell as restriction information in the UE assistance information message. Here, the control unit 130 may include the restriction information in an information element different from the MUSIM assistance information element among information elements included in the UE assistance information message. For example, the control unit 130 may include, for communication with the second network 200B, specified information (specifically, scg-DeactivationPreference) to be included in the UE assistance information based on recommending a secondary cell group to be deactivated. Therefore, the communication unit 120 may transmit information for deactivating or releasing the secondary cell to the first network 200A as restriction information.

[0093] Note that, when the UE 100 is performing simultaneous parallel communication with the first network 200A using a plurality of transceivers, the communication unit 120 may transmit the restriction information to the first network 200A. The UE 100 may transmit the restriction information to the first network 200A when all of the transceivers are being used for the communication, or may transmit the restriction information to the first network 200A when multiple transceivers are being used even when some of the transceivers are not being used for the communication.

[0094] The control unit 214 of the base station 210A may determine whether to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, based on the restriction information. When the control unit 214 of the base station 210A determines to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100, the control unit 214 may execute the process of step S106. When the control unit 214 of the base station 210A determines not to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100, the control unit 214 may end the process.

[0095] Step S106: The network communication unit 213 of the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P may transmit the scheduling stop instruction to another base station 210A that manages the S cell 210S. When the base station 210A manages the P cell 210P and the S cell 210S, the base station 210A may transmit the scheduling stop instruction from the entity that manages the P cell 210P to the entity that manages the S cell 210S within the control unit 214.

[0096] The scheduling stop instruction may be for stopping the scheduling assigned to the UE 100, or may be for stopping part of the scheduling assigned to the UE 100. The scheduling stop instruction may include at least part of the restriction information.

[0097] Based on the scheduling stop instruction, the control unit 214 of the base station 210A that manages the S cell 210S may temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100. The network communication unit 213 of the base station 210A may transmit a response message indicating that scheduling will be stopped to the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P. Based on the reception of the response message, the control unit 214 of the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P may perform the process of step S107.

[0098] Step S107: The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A transmits, in the P cell 210P, to the UE 100, a message (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message) including configuration information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100. The communication unit 120 of the UE 100 receives the message including the configuration information from the P cell 210P (first network 200A). The message may be a response to the restriction information.

[0099] The configuration information may include information indicating at least one configuration (specifically, reduced configuration) of a secondary cell (or a secondary cell group), a frequency band, and a MIMO layer.

[0100] The control unit 130 (for example, the RRC processing unit 131) restricts communication capabilities based on the configuration information. The control unit 130 may reduce or release secondary cells or secondary cell groups based on the configuration information. The control unit 130 may reduce frequency bands based on the configuration information. The control unit 130 may reduce the number of MIMO layers based on the configuration information.

[0101] The control unit 130 executes control to continue communication with the first network 200A via some of the multiple transceivers (e.g., the first transceiver 121) using the communication capabilities of the UE 100 that have not been temporarily limited. The control unit 130 may perform communication with the first network 200A via the first transceiver 121 based on an RRC setting based on setting information received from the first network 200A. The control unit 130 may, for example, maintain the RRC setting used for communication with the first network 200A via the first transceiver 121. The control unit 130 may release at least a portion of the RRC setting used for communication with the first network 200A via the second transceiver 122, and start communication with the first network 200A via the first transceiver 121 based on the remaining RRC setting.

[0102] Meanwhile, the control unit 130 executes control to terminate communication with the first network 200A via some of the multiple transceivers (for example, the second transceiver 122). The control unit 130 may, for example, release the RRC setting that was used for communication with the first network 200A via the second transceiver 122. The control unit 130 executes control to restrict communication capability and start connection with the second network 200B.

[0103] Step S108: Based on the execution of the restriction on the communication capability, the RRC processing unit 131 provides a second NW switching preparation completion notification to the NAS processing unit 132. The NAS processing unit 132 receives the second NW switching preparation completion notification from the RRC processing unit 131. The second NW switching preparation completion notification may be a notification indicating that preparation for establishing an RRC connection with the second network 200B has been completed.

[0104] Step S109: Based on the reception of the second NW switching completion notification, the NAS processing unit 132 provides a second NW connection instruction to the RRC processing unit 131. The RRC processing unit 131 receives the second NW connection instruction from the NAS processing unit 132. The second NW connection instruction may be an instruction to establish an RRC connection with the second network 200B.

[0105] Step S110: Based on the second NW connection instruction, the RRC processing unit 131 performs processing to start an RRC connection with the base station 210B. The RRC processing unit 131 executes, for example, an RRC setup procedure (Setup) or an RRC reestablishment procedure (Reestablishment).

[0106] Step S111: In response to the establishment of the RRC connection with the base station 210B, the RRC processing unit 131 provides a second NW switching completion notification to the NAS processing unit 132. The NAS processing unit 132 receives the second NW switching completion notification from the RRC processing unit 131.

[0107] The second NW switching completion notification may be a notification indicating that establishment of an RRC connection has been completed in the second network 200B. The second NW switching completion notification may be a notification indicating that transition to the RRC connected state has been completed in the second network 200B.

[0108] Step S112: The UE 100 starts communication with the second network 200B. The control unit 130 of the UE 100 may start processing for performing communication corresponding to the paging message in the second network 200B. The control unit 130 of the UE 100 may control the communication with the second network 200B via the second transceiver unit 122. Note that the control unit 130 may continue to control the communication with the first network 200A via the first transceiver unit 121.

[0109] As described above, the communication unit 120 of the UE 100 transmits, to the first network 200A, restriction information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, for communication with the second network 200B. The wireless communication unit 212 of the base station 210A receives the restriction information from the UE 100. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100. This makes it easier to synchronize the temporary restriction on the communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A.

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may include the restriction information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. The communication unit 120 of the UE 100 may transmit the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the restriction information to the first network 200A. The first network 200A can recognize that the UE 100 is transmitting the restriction information for communication with the second network 200B.

[0111] Furthermore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may include at least one of information for restricting a secondary cell, information for restricting a frequency band, and information for restricting a layer of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) as restriction information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that it recommends restricting any one of the secondary cell, the frequency band, and the MIMO layer.

[0112] Furthermore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may include, as limitation information, information indicating the number of transceivers available for communication with the first network 200A in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A of the transceivers available for communication with the first network 200A (that they are recommended).

[0113] Furthermore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may include flag information for deactivating or releasing the secondary cell as restriction information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that the secondary cell is (recommended to be) deactivated or released. In addition, the flag information has a small amount of information (for example, 1 bit), which can save radio resources.

[0114] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may transmit an overheating auxiliary information element to the first network 200A based on the detection of internal overheating. The communication unit 120 may transmit the overheating auxiliary information element to the first network 200A as restriction information for communication with the second network 200B, regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected. This eliminates the need to newly define an information element that includes restriction information, thereby reducing the impact on specifications.

[0115] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may transmit information for deactivating or releasing the secondary cell as restriction information to the first network 200A. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that it recommends deactivating or releasing the secondary cell.

[0116] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may receive setting information for limiting communication capability from the first network 200A. The control unit 130 may limit the communication capability based on the setting information. That is, the control unit 130 may limit the communication capability in the first network 200A based on the setting information. This allows the UE 100 to limit the communication capability based on the setting information, making it easier to appropriately synchronize the temporary limitation of communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A.

[0117] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may have a plurality of transceivers. When the UE 100 is performing simultaneous parallel communication with the first network 200A using the plurality of transceivers, the communication unit 120 may transmit the restriction information to the first network 200A. When the UE 100 is using, for example, some of the plurality of transceivers for communication with the first network 200A, the UE 100 can communicate with the second network 200B using the remaining transceivers, and therefore it is possible to omit transmitting the restriction information to the first network 200A.

[0118] (2) Second operation example 9 to 11, the second operation example will be described, mainly focusing on differences from the above-mentioned operation example. In the second operation example, a case will be described in which the UE 100 cannot receive setting information for limiting communication capability from the first network 200A.

[0119] Step S201: 9, the radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A may transmit, in the P cell 210P, a message including a timer value (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message) to the UE 100. The UE 100 may receive the message including the timer value from the first network 200A (the P cell 210P).

[0120] The timer value may be set to a timer (hereinafter referred to as a reception timer) that starts after transmitting the restriction information. As shown in Fig. 10, the timer value may be referred to as musim-RedCapWithoutResponseTimer, for example. The control unit 130 of the UE 100 may set the timer value to the reception timer. The control unit 130 may set the timer value when starting the reception timer.

[0121] The timer value may be a predetermined timer value (e.g., musim-LeaveWithoutResponseTimer) to be set in a predetermined timer (e.g., T346g) that starts in response to transmission of a UE assistance information message including information indicating a preferred RRC state (e.g., musim-PreferredRRC-State). Control unit 130 of UE 100 may use the predetermined timer value as the timer value to be set in the reception timer. Therefore, control unit 130 of UE 100 may not only set the predetermined timer value in the predetermined timer, but also set the predetermined timer value in the reception timer. Control unit 130 may set the predetermined timer value when starting the reception timer.

[0122] The information indicating the recommended RRC state may indicate any one of idle, inactive, and out-of-connected. Idle may indicate that it is recommended that the UE 100 be released from the RRC connected state and transition to the RRC idle state. Inactive may indicate that it is recommended that the UE 100 be released from the RRC connected state and transition to the RRC inactive state. Out-of-connected may indicate that the UE 100 is released from the RRC connected state and there is no RRC state recommended as a transition destination.

[0123] Steps S202 to S207: The same as steps S101 to S106.

[0124] Step S208: Similar to step S107, the radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A transmits, in the P cell 210P, to the UE 100, a message including configuration information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100. However, in this operation example, the communication unit 120 of the UE 100 cannot receive the message including the configuration information from the P cell 210P (first network 200A).

[0125] Step S209: After transmitting the restriction information, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 determines whether to restrict the communication capability. In this operation example, the control unit 130 starts a reception timer to determine whether to restrict the communication capability.

[0126] The control unit 130 may start a reception timer in response to transmission of the restriction information. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may start a reception timer in response to reception of acknowledgement information (so-called ACK) in response to the restriction information. The control unit 130 of the UE 100 may receive the acknowledgement information from the first network 200A in a layer (e.g., RLC) lower than the RRC layer. For example, a processing unit in the lower layer may provide information (e.g., an indication) indicating that the acknowledgement information has been received to the RRC processing unit 131. The RRC processing unit 131 may start the reception timer based on the information.

[0127] Here, as shown in FIG. 11, control unit 130 of UE 100 may perform the following operation based on the start of the reception timer.

[0128] In step S221, the control unit 130 may determine whether or not it has received setting information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100. If it has determined that the setting information has not been received, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S222. On the other hand, if it has determined that the setting information has been received, as in step S107 of the first operation example, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S223.

[0129] In step S222, the control unit 130 may determine whether the reception timer has expired. If the control unit 130 determines that the reception timer has expired, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S223. Therefore, even if the control unit 130 does not receive setting information, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S223 based on the expiration of the reception timer. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that the reception timer has not expired, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S224.

[0130] When the reception timer expires, the control unit 130 may determine that the S-cell 210S has stopped scheduling data to the UE 100. When determining in this way, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S223.

[0131] In step S223, the control unit 130 may decide to restrict the communication capability.

[0132] In step S224, the control unit 130 may determine not to restrict the communication capacity. When the control unit 130 determines not to restrict the communication capacity, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S221. That is, the control unit 130 may autonomously restrict the communication capacity when the reception timer expires. That is, the reception timer may be used to restrict the communication capacity without a response (i.e., configuration information) from the first network 200A. For example, when the reception timer expires, the UE 100 may autonomously restrict the communication capacity in the first network 200A and start communication with the second network 200B. Here, starting communication with the second network 200B may include the UE 100 transitioning from an RRC idle state to an RRC connected state in the second network 200B. Furthermore, starting communication with the second network 200B may include the UE 100 transitioning from an RRC inactive state to an RRC connected state in the second network 200B. Also, for example, when the reception timer expires, the UE 100 may autonomously restrict the communication capability in the first network 200A, maintain the RRC connected state in the first network 200A, and transition to the RRC connected state in the second network 200B.

[0133] Step S210: The reception timer expires. As described above, in this operation example, the control unit 130 may determine to restrict communication capacity. When the control unit 130 determines to restrict communication capacity, the control unit 130 restricts communication capacity in the same manner as in the first operation example. Since the control unit 130 has not received configuration information from the first network 200A, the control unit 130 may, for example, reduce or release secondary cells or secondary cell groups, reduce frequency bands, or reduce the number of MIMO layers based on the content of the restriction information. When the control unit 130 determines to restrict communication capacity, the control unit 130 may restrict communication capacity by releasing some radio resource control (RRC) settings. The control unit 130 may execute control to terminate communication with the first network 200A via some of the multiple transceivers (e.g., the second transceiver 122).

[0134] Steps S211 to S215: The same as steps S108 to S112.

[0135] As described above, communication unit 120 transmits restriction information to first network 200A. After transmitting the restriction information, control unit 130 determines whether or not to restrict communication capability. If control unit 130 determines to restrict communication capability, control unit 130 performs control to restrict communication capability and start connection with second network 200B. Since UE 100 determines whether or not to restrict communication capability after transmitting the restriction information, it becomes possible to appropriately restrict the communication capability of UE 100.

[0136] Furthermore, when the communication unit 120 receives setting information for limiting the communication capability from the first network 200A, the communication unit 120 determines to limit the communication capability based on the setting information, thereby enabling appropriate synchronization between the UE 100 and the first network 200A regarding the temporary limitation of the communication capability.

[0137] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may determine to restrict communication capabilities based on the expiration of the reception timer even if the setting information is not received. As a result, even if the setting information cannot be received, the control unit 130 can communicate with the second network 200B because the control unit 130 restricts communication capabilities based on the expiration of the reception timer. Furthermore, even if the setting information cannot be received, the control unit 130 can ensure synchronization with the first network 200A regarding the temporary restriction of communication capabilities at least until the reception timer expires.

[0138] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may receive, from the first network 200A, acknowledgement information for the restriction information. The control unit 130 may start a reception timer in response to receiving the acknowledgement information. This allows the UE 100 to recognize that the first network 200A has been notified of the restriction information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A. The UE 100 can stop performing control to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100 because the restriction information does not reach the first network 200A.

[0139] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may receive a timer value to be set in the reception timer from the first network 200A. This allows the first network 200A to manage the time until the UE 100 performs control to temporarily limit the communication capability. Therefore, even when the first network 200A has not transmitted setting information, the first network 200A can know whether the UE 100 is performing control to temporarily limit the communication capability.

[0140] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may control a predetermined timer that starts in response to transmission of a UE assistance information message including information indicating a recommended RRC state. The communication unit 120 may receive a predetermined timer value to be set in the predetermined timer from the first network 200A. The control unit 130 may use the predetermined timer value as the timer value to be set in the reception timer. This eliminates the need to transmit both the predetermined timer value and the timer value for the reception timer from the first network 200A to the UE 100, thereby saving radio resources. Furthermore, since it is no longer necessary to newly define an information element that includes configuration information, it is possible to reduce the impact on specifications.

[0141] Furthermore, when the control unit 130 determines to restrict the communication capability, the control unit 130 may restrict the communication capability by releasing some of the RRC settings. The control unit 130 can use the second transceiver unit 122 for communication with the second network 200B by releasing the RRC settings used for communication via the second transceiver unit 122 or by releasing some of the RRC settings set in the UE 100 and then switching communication via the second transceiver unit 122 to communication via the first transceiver unit 121.

[0142] (3) Modification 1 of the second operation example The first modification of the second operation example will be described, focusing on differences from the above-described operation example, with reference to Fig. 12. In the first modification of the second operation example, a case will be described in which the UE 100 does not restrict communication capability until it receives setting information from the first network 200A.

[0143] 12, in step S231, similarly to step S211, control unit 130 may determine whether or not it has received setting information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of UE 100. If control unit 130 determines that it has received the setting information, it may execute the process of step S232. On the other hand, if control unit 130 determines that it has not received the setting information, it may execute the process of step S233.

[0144] In step S232, the control unit 130 determines to restrict the communication capacity, and in step S233, the control unit 130 determines not to restrict the communication capacity.

[0145] As described above, the control unit 130 may determine not to restrict the communication capability until the setting information is received. As a result, the UE 100 does not restrict the communication capability until the first network 200A transmits the setting information, and therefore, synchronization regarding the temporary restriction of the communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A can be reliably achieved.

[0146] (4) Modification 2 of the second operation example Modification 2 of the second operation example will be described, focusing on differences from the above-described operation example, with reference to Fig. 13. Modification 2 of the second operation example will describe a case in which UE 100 restricts communication capability regardless of whether or not it receives setting information from first network 200A.

[0147] 13, in step S241, the control unit 130 determines whether or not restriction information for temporarily restricting the communication capability of the UE 100 has been transmitted. If the control unit 130 determines that the restriction information has been transmitted, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S242. If the control unit 130 determines that the restriction information has been transmitted, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S242 without executing the process of step S242. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that the restriction information has not been transmitted, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S244.

[0148] In step S242, the control unit 130 may determine whether or not acknowledgement information (so-called ACK) for the restriction information has been received. If the control unit 130 determines that the acknowledgement information has been received, the control unit 130 may execute the process of step S243. The control unit 130 may determine that the acknowledgement information has been received based on the fact that the RRC processing unit 131 has received, from a processing unit in a lower layer, information (for example, an indication) indicating that the acknowledgement information has been received from the first network 200A. On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that the acknowledgement information has not been received, the control unit 130 may repeatedly execute the process of step S242.

[0149] In step S243, the control unit 130 determines to restrict the communication capacity, and in step S244, the control unit 130 determines not to restrict the communication capacity.

[0150] As described above, the control unit 130 may determine to restrict the communication capability regardless of whether or not setting information for restricting the communication capability is received from the first network 200 A. In this way, by transmitting the restriction information to the first network 200 A, the UE 100 can start communication with the second network 200 B without delay while maintaining synchronization between the UE 100 and the first network 200 A regarding the temporary restriction of the communication capability.

[0151] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may determine to restrict the communication capability based on the receipt of the receipt confirmation information from the first network 200 A. This allows the UE 100 to stop performing control to temporarily restrict the communication capability of the UE 100 without the restriction information reaching the first network 200 A.

[0152] (5) Third operation example 14 and 15, the third operation example will be described, mainly focusing on differences from the above-mentioned operation examples. In the third operation example, a case will be described in which the UE 100 transmits, to the first network 200A, information for releasing or changing a temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network.

[0153] In the third operation example, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state in the first network 200A. The UE 100 communicates with the first network 200A. Specifically, the UE 100 communicates with the P cell 210P (or the MCG). On the other hand, the UE 100 does not communicate with the S cell 210S (or the SCG).

[0154] Furthermore, the UE 100 is in an RRC connected state in the second network 200B. The UE 100 is performing communication with the second network 200B. The UE 100 may use the first transceiver 121 for communication with the first network 200A and the second transceiver 122 for communication with the second network 200B.

[0155] As in the first operation example, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 temporarily restricts the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A in order to communicate with the second network 200B.

[0156] Step S301: The UE 100 ends the communication with the second network 200B.

[0157] Step S302: The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210B transmits an RRC release message to the UE 100. The communication unit 120 of the UE 100 receives the RRC release message from the base station 210B. Based on the reception of the RRC release message, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 transitions from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state in the second network 200B. As a result, the UE 100 may release the RRC connection in the second network 200B.

[0158] Step S303: The control unit 130 (for example, the RRC processing unit 131) may provide a release completion notification indicating the completion of release of the RRC connection to the NAS processing unit 132. In response to receiving the release completion notification, the control unit 130 (for example, the NAS processing unit 132 or a processing unit in a layer higher than the NAS layer) may determine whether to release the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may determine whether to change the temporary restriction on the communication capability.

[0159] The control unit 130 may determine to release or change the temporary restriction based on, for example, a transition to the RRC idle state in the second network 200B. The control unit 130 may determine not to release or change the temporary restriction based on, for example, a transition to the RRC inactive state in the second network 200B.

[0160] The control unit 130 may determine whether to lift the temporary restriction or whether to change the temporary restriction based on the service provided from the first network 200A. If the service provided from the first network 200A is a voice service, the control unit 130 may determine to lift the temporary restriction. If the service provided from the first network 200A is a service other than a voice service, the control unit 130 may determine not to lift the temporary restriction. In this case, the control unit 130 may determine to change the temporary restriction.

[0161] The control unit 130 may determine whether to lift the temporary restriction or whether to change the temporary restriction based on, for example, an input from the user. The control unit 130 may determine to lift the temporary restriction when the input from the user prioritizes communication with the first network 200A over communication with the second network 200B. The control unit 130 may determine not to lift the temporary restriction when the input from the user does not prioritize communication with the first network 200A over communication with the second network 200B.

[0162] The determination may be made in the NAS processing unit 132, or may be made in a layer higher than the NAS processing unit 132. When the determination is made in the higher layer, the determination result may be provided to the NAS processing unit 132.

[0163] When it is determined that the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A is to be lifted or changed, the NAS processing unit 132 executes the process of step S304. On the other hand, when it is determined that the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A is not to be lifted or changed, the control unit 130 may end the process of this operation without executing the process of step S304.

[0164] Step S304: 14, when it is determined to lift the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, the NAS processing unit 132 provides a capability restriction lift instruction to the RRC processing unit 131. The RRC processing unit 131 receives the capability restriction lift instruction from the NAS processing unit 132. The capability restriction lift instruction may be an instruction to transmit restriction lift information, which will be described later. The capability restriction lift instruction may indicate the content of the restriction lift information.

[0165] When it is determined that the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A is to be changed, the NAS processing unit 132 provides a capability restriction change instruction to the RRC processing unit 131. The RRC processing unit 131 receives the capability restriction change instruction from the NAS processing unit 132. The capability restriction change instruction may be an instruction to transmit restriction change information, which will be described later. The capability restriction change instruction may indicate the content of the restriction change information.

[0166] Step S305: The control unit 130 (RRC processing unit 131) controls transmission of restriction lift information to the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B based on the capability restriction lift instruction. The communication unit 120 transmits the restriction lift information to the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. Specifically, the communication unit 120 transmits the restriction lift information to the P cell 210P. The communication unit 120 may transmit a message including the restriction lift information to the P cell 210P. The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A receives the restriction lift information from the UE 100 in the P cell 210P. The restriction lift information is used to lift the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B.

[0167] The control unit 130 (e.g., the RRC processing unit 131) may include restriction lift information (e.g., MUSIM-ReducedCapability) in a MUSIM auxiliary information element used to provide the MUSIM auxiliary information. The communication unit 120 may transmit the MUSIM auxiliary information including the restriction lift information to the first network 200A. The communication unit 120 may transmit a UE auxiliary information message including the MUSIM auxiliary information including the restriction lift information to the first network 200A.

[0168] The control unit 130 may set a null value to at least one of the information for restricting secondary cells, the information for restricting frequency bands, and the information for restricting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers. The control unit 130 may include the information to which a null value is set as restriction release information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. The null value may be a value such as zero or a null value. Alternatively, the control unit 130 may not include any of the information for restricting secondary cells, the information for restricting frequency bands, and the information for restricting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. In this case, a MUSIM auxiliary information element that does not include information for temporarily restricting communication capability may be considered as restriction release information.

[0169] The information for restricting secondary cells, the information for restricting frequency bands, and the information for restricting layers of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) are the same as those in the first operation example.

[0170] The control unit 130 may include information indicating zero as the number of transceivers usable for communication with the first network 200A in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction lift information. The information may indicate the maximum number of transceivers usable for communication with the first network 200A. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include at least one of information indicating zero as the number (or maximum number) of transmitters (e.g., transmitters) usable for communication with the first network 200A and information indicating zero as the number (or maximum number) of receivers (e.g., receivers) usable for communication with the first network 200A in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction information. The control unit 130 may set a null value to the information indicating the number of transceivers, transmitters, or receivers.

[0171] As shown in E31 of FIG. 15, the control unit 130 may include flag information for activating a secondary cell (which may be referred to as "activateSCG," for example) in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction lift information. The flag information may be, for example, information indicated by 1 bit. For example, when the flag information is set to "true," this may indicate activation of a secondary cell or activation of a secondary cell group. When the UE 100 was performing dual connectivity before temporarily restricting the communication capability, the control unit 130 may include the flag information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction lift information.

[0172] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may not include the specified information to be set in the overheating auxiliary information element when providing the overheating auxiliary indication. The control unit 130 typically does not include the specified information in the overheating auxiliary information element based on the fact that internal overheating is no longer detected in the UE 100 (e.g., the UE 100 no longer experiences an overheating condition). However, the control unit 130 may not include the specified information in the overheating auxiliary information element regardless of whether internal overheating is no longer detected in the UE 100. Thus, the communication unit 120 may transmit the overheating auxiliary information element, which does not include the specified information, to the first network 200A as restriction release information for communication with the second network 200B, regardless of whether internal overheating is no longer detected.

[0173] 15, the control unit 130 may include information indicating the temporary release of the restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A (for example, releaseRedCap) in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction release information. For example, when "true" is set in the information, it may indicate the temporary release of the restriction on the communication capability.

[0174] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include information for activating a secondary cell as restriction information in the UE assistance information message. Here, the control unit 130 may include the restriction lift information in an information element different from the MUSIM assistance information element among the information elements included in the UE assistance information message. For example, the control unit 130 may include specified information (specifically, scg-ActivationPreference) to be included in the UE assistance information based on the recommendation of a secondary cell group to be activated. Therefore, the communication unit 120 may transmit the information for activating a secondary cell to the first network 200A as restriction information.

[0175] Furthermore, the control unit 130 (RRC processing unit 131) may perform control to transmit restriction change information to the first network 200A based on the capability restriction change instruction. The communication unit 120 may transmit the restriction change information to the first network 200A. Specifically, the communication unit 120 may transmit the restriction change information to the P cell 210P. The communication unit 120 may transmit a message including the restriction change information to the P cell 210P. The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A receives the restriction change information from the UE 100 in the P cell 210P. The restriction change information is used to change a temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B.

[0176] The control unit 130 (e.g., the RRC processing unit 131) may include restriction change information (e.g., MUSIM-ReducedCapability) in a MUSIM auxiliary information element used to provide the MUSIM auxiliary information. The communication unit 120 may transmit the MUSIM auxiliary information including the restriction change information to the first network 200A. The communication unit 120 may transmit a UE auxiliary information message including the MUSIM auxiliary information including the restriction change information to the first network 200A.

[0177] The control unit 130 may include at least one of information for restricting secondary cells, information for restricting frequency bands, and information for restricting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers as restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. The control unit 130 may include information indicating restrictions after changing the communication capability as restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. Note that the information for restricting secondary cells, information for restricting frequency bands, and information for restricting multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers is the same information as in the first operation example.

[0178] The control unit 130 may include, as restriction change information, information indicating the number of transceiver units (e.g., transceivers) available for communication with the first network 200A (which may be referred to as nrofRxBranches, for example), in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include, as restriction change information, at least one of information indicating the number (or maximum number) of transmitters (e.g., transmitters) available for communication with the first network 200A and information indicating the number (or maximum number) of receivers (e.g., receivers) available for communication with the first network 200A, in the MUSIM auxiliary information element.

[0179] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include specified information to be set in the overheating auxiliary information element when providing the overheating auxiliary indication. The control unit 130 may typically include the specified information in the overheating auxiliary information element based on whether internal overheating has been detected in the UE 100. However, the control unit 130 may also include the specified information in the overheating auxiliary information element regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected in the UE 100. Therefore, the communication unit 120 may transmit the overheating auxiliary information element to the first network 200A as restriction change information for communication with the second network 200B, regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected.

[0180] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include gap recommendation information (for example, musim-GapPreferenceList, MUSIM-GapPrefInfo, etc.) indicating gaps for MUSIM operation that the UE 100 recommends being set in the MUSIM auxiliary information element together with the restriction lift information or restriction change information. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the gap recommendation information in a UE auxiliary information message including the restriction lift information or restriction change information. The control unit 130 may include the gap recommendation information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element based on the end of communication with the second network 200B. Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the gap recommendation information in a UE auxiliary information message including the restriction lift information or restriction change information.

[0181] The gap recommendation information may include at least one of the following information: information indicating the length of the MUSIM gap length recommended by UE100 (e.g., musim-GapLength); information indicating the gap offset of the MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 (e.g., musim-GapOffset); information indicating the gap start position of a non-periodic MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 while maintaining the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-PrefStarting-SFN-AndSubframex); and information indicating the gap reception period and gap offset of a periodic MUSIM gap recommended by UE100 while maintaining the RRC connected state (e.g., musim-GapRepetitionAndOffsetPeriod).

[0182] The communication unit 120 may include a plurality of transceivers. When the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A using at least one of the plurality of transceivers and has finished communication with the second network 200B using a transceiver different from the at least one of the plurality of transceivers, the communication unit 120 may transmit restriction removal information or restriction change information to the first network 200A.

[0183] The control unit 214 of the base station 210A may determine whether to lift or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A, based on the restriction lift information or the restriction change information. When the control unit 214 of the base station 210A determines to lift or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100, the control unit 214 may execute the process of step S106. When the control unit 214 of the base station 210A determines not to lift or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100, the control unit 214 may end the process.

[0184] Step S306: The radio communication unit 212 of the base station 210A transmits, in the P cell 210P, to the UE 100, a message (for example, an RRC reconfiguration message) including configuration information for lifting or changing a temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100. The communication unit 120 of the UE 100 receives the message including the configuration information from the P cell 210P (first network 200A). The message may be a response to the restriction lift information or restriction change information.

[0185] The configuration information may include information indicating at least one of a secondary cell (or a secondary cell group), a frequency band, and a MIMO layer. The configuration information may include information for setting a MUSIM gap. The information may indicate a MUSIM gap setting recommended by the UE 100, or may indicate a different MUSIM gap setting.

[0186] Step S307: The network communication unit 213 of the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P may transmit the scheduling start instruction to another base station 210A that manages the S cell 210S. When the base station 210A manages the P cell 210P and the S cell 210S, the base station 210A may send the scheduling start instruction from the entity that manages the P cell 210P to the entity that manages the S cell 210S within the control unit 214.

[0187] The scheduling start instruction may be for starting scheduling assigned to UE 100, or may be for starting part of scheduling assigned to UE 100. The scheduling start instruction may include at least part of the restriction change information.

[0188] Based on the scheduling start instruction, the control unit 214 of the base station 210A that manages the S cell 210S may release the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100. The network communication unit 213 of the base station 210A may transmit a response message indicating that scheduling will be started to the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P. Based on the reception of the response message, the control unit 214 of the base station 210A that manages the P cell 210P may execute the process of step S308.

[0189] Step S308: The UE 100 starts communication with the SCell 210S (or SCG) while maintaining communication with the PCell 210P (or MCG).

[0190] The control unit 130 (for example, the RRC processing unit 131) removes or changes restrictions on communication capabilities based on the setting information. The control unit 130 may set a secondary cell or a secondary cell group based on the setting information. The control unit 130 may set a frequency band based on the setting information. The control unit 130 may set the number of MIMO layers based on the setting information.

[0191] Based on the RRC setting based on the setting information received from the first network 200A, the control unit 130 may communicate with the first network 200A via the first transceiver unit 121, and may also communicate with the first network 200A via the second transceiver unit 122. For example, the control unit 130 may communicate with the P cell 210P (or MSG) via the first transceiver unit 121, and may also communicate with the S cell 210S (or SCG) via the second transceiver unit 122.

[0192] The setting information may include information for setting a MUSIM gap. As an example of a MUSIM operation, the control unit 130 may monitor paging in the second network 200B or attempt to receive a system information block during the set MUSIM gap.

[0193] As described above, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 temporarily restricts the communication capability of the UE 100 used for communication with the first network 200A for communication with the second network 200B. The communication unit 120 transmits, to the first network 200A, restriction lift information for lifting the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network 200B or restriction change information for changing the temporary restriction. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 212 of the base station 210 receives the restriction lift information or restriction change information from the UE 100. This allows the first network 200A to recognize the temporary restriction on the communication capability of the UE 100 based on the restriction lift information or the restriction change information. This makes it easier to appropriately synchronize the temporary restriction on the communication capability between the UE 100 and the first network 200A.

[0194] Furthermore, the control unit 130 of the UE 100 may include restriction lift information or restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. The communication unit 120 may transmit the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the restriction lift information or restriction change information to the first network 200A. The first network 200A can recognize that the UE 100 is transmitting the restriction lift information or restriction change information to lift or change the communication capability that is temporarily restricted for communication with the second network 200B.

[0195] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may set a null value to at least one of the information for restricting secondary cells, the information for restricting frequency bands, and the information for restricting a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layer. The communication unit 120 may transmit a MUSIM auxiliary information element including the restriction lift information or restriction change information to which a null value is set to the first network 200A. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that it recommends lifting or changing the restriction on any one of the secondary cells, the frequency bands, and the MIMO layer.

[0196] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include information indicating the number of transceivers available for communication with the first network 200A in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction lifting information or restriction change information, which enables the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that the restriction on the transceivers available for communication with the first network 200A has been lifted or changed (or that a change is recommended).

[0197] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include flag information for activating the secondary cell in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as restriction lifting information. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that the restriction on communication capability is (recommended to be) lifted by activating the secondary cell. In addition, the flag information has a small amount of information (for example, 1 bit), which can save radio resources.

[0198] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include information indicating the temporary lifting or change of the restriction on the communication capability as restriction lift information or restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. This enables the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that it recommends lifting or changing the restriction on the communication capability that is temporarily limited for communication with the second network 200B.

[0199] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include the gap recommendation information together with the restriction release information or the restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A of the gap that the UE 100 recommends to be set after the temporary restriction on the communication capability is released or changed.

[0200] Furthermore, the control unit 130 may include the gap recommendation information together with the restriction release information or the restriction change information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element based on the end of communication with the second network 200B. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A of the gap that the UE 100 recommends to set after the communication with the second network 200B is ended and the temporary restriction on the capability is released or changed.

[0201] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may transmit an overheating auxiliary information element to the first network 200A based on the detection of internal overheating. The communication unit 120 may transmit an overheating auxiliary information element to the first network 200A as restriction release information or restriction change information for communication with the second network 200B, regardless of whether internal overheating has been detected. This eliminates the need to newly define an information element that includes restriction information, thereby reducing the impact on specifications.

[0202] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may transmit information for activating the secondary cell to the first network 200A as restriction removal information. This allows the UE 100 to notify the first network 200A that it recommends activating the secondary cell.

[0203] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may receive setting information for removing or changing the restriction on the communication capability from the first network 200A. The control unit 130 may remove or change the restriction on the communication capability based on the setting information. Since the UE 100 can restrict the communication capability based on the setting information, it is possible to facilitate appropriate synchronization between the UE 100 and the first network 200A regarding the temporary restriction on the communication capability.

[0204] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may have a plurality of transceivers. When the UE 100 is communicating with the first network 200A using at least one of the plurality of transceivers and has finished communication with the second network 200B using a transceiver different from the at least one of the plurality of transceivers, the communication unit 120 may transmit restriction removal information or restriction change information to the first network 200A. This allows the UE 100 to use the transceiver that was used for communication with the second network 200B for communication with the first network 200A.

[0205] [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the UE 100 has two transceivers is described, but this is not limited thereto. The UE 100 may have a plurality of transceivers. For example, the UE 100 may have three or more transceivers.

[0206] In the above-described embodiment, the UE 100 starts the procedure for transmitting the restriction information in response to paging from the first network 200A, but this is not limiting. The UE 100 may start the procedure in response to, for example, an input from a user.

[0207] The operational sequences (and operational flows) in the above-described embodiments do not necessarily have to be executed in chronological order according to the order depicted in the flow diagrams or sequence diagrams. For example, the steps in the operations may be executed in an order different from that depicted in the flow diagrams or sequence diagrams, or may be executed in parallel. Some of the steps in the operations may be deleted, or additional steps may be added to the processing. The operational sequences (and operational flows) in the above-described embodiments may be executed independently, or two or more operational sequences (and operational flows) may be executed in combination. For example, some steps in one operational flow may be added to another operational flow, or some steps in one operational flow may be replaced with some steps in another operational flow.

[0208] In the above-described embodiment, an NR-based mobile communication system has been described as an example of the mobile communication system 1. However, the mobile communication system 1 is not limited to this example. The mobile communication system 1 may be a system compliant with a TS of any of Long Term Evolution (LTE) or other generation systems (e.g., sixth generation) of the 3GPP standard. The base station 210 may be an eNB that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination for the UE 100 in LTE. The mobile communication system 1 may be a system compliant with a TS of a standard other than the 3GPP standard. The base station 210 may be an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) donor or an IAB node.

[0209] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by UE 100 or base station 210. The program may be recorded in a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory). Furthermore, circuits that execute each process performed by UE 100 or base station 210 may be integrated, and at least a part of UE 100 or base station 210 may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chip set, SoC (System On Chip)).

[0210] In the above embodiments, "transmit" may mean processing at least one layer in a protocol stack used for transmission, or may mean physically transmitting a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Alternatively, "transmit" may mean a combination of processing at least one layer and physically transmitting a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Similarly, "receive" may mean processing at least one layer in a protocol stack used for reception, or may mean physically receiving a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Alternatively, "receive" may mean a combination of processing at least one layer and physically receiving a signal wirelessly or via a wired connection. Similarly, "obtain / acquire" may mean obtaining information from stored information, obtaining information from information received from another node, or obtaining information by generating information. Similarly, the terms "based on" and "depending on / in response to" do not mean "based only on" or "depending only on," unless otherwise specified. The phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on." Similarly, the phrase "depending on" means both "depending only on" and "depending at least in part on." Similarly, "include" and "comprise" do not mean including only the listed items, but may mean including only the listed items or may include additional items in addition to the listed items. Similarly, in this disclosure, "or" does not mean an exclusive or, but does mean a logical or. Furthermore, any reference to elements using designations such as "first," "second," etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements.Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way. In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles shall include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0211] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and equivalent modifications. In addition, various combinations and forms, including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0212] (Addendum) The following additional notes are about the features of the above-described embodiment.

[0213] [Appendix 1] A communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks (200A, 200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, a control unit (130) that temporarily limits the communication capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network (200B) for communication with the second network (200B); a communication unit (120) that transmits, to the first network, information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network. Communication equipment.

[0214] [Appendix 2] The control unit includes the information in a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) auxiliary information element used to provide MUSIM auxiliary information, The communication unit transmits the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the information to the first network. 2. The communication device of claim 1.

[0215] [Appendix 3] The control unit sets a null value to at least one of information for restricting secondary cells, information for restricting frequency bands, and information for restricting layers of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), The communication unit transmits the MUSIM auxiliary information element including the information set with the null value to the first network. 3. The communications device of claim 2.

[0216] [Appendix 4] The control unit includes information indicating the number of transceivers available for communication with the first network in the MUSIM auxiliary information element as the information. 4. The communication device according to claim 2 or 3.

[0217] [Appendix 5] The control unit includes flag information for deactivating or releasing a secondary cell as the information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. 5. A communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

[0218] [Appendix 6] The control unit includes information indicating the release or change of the temporary restriction on the communication capability as the information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element. 6. A communication device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5.

[0219] [Appendix 7] The control unit includes gap recommendation information, which indicates a gap for a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) operation and which the communication device recommends setting, in the MUSIM auxiliary information element together with the information. 7. A communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

[0220] [Appendix 8] The control unit includes the gap recommendation information together with the information in the MUSIM auxiliary information element based on the termination of communication with the second network. 8. The communication device of claim 7.

[0221] [Appendix 9] The communication unit transmits an overheating auxiliary information element to the first network based on the detection of internal overheating; The communication unit transmits the overheating auxiliary information element as the information to the first network for communication with the second network, regardless of whether the internal overheating is detected. 2. The communication device of claim 1.

[0222] [Appendix 10] The communication unit transmits information for activating a secondary cell to the first network as the information. 2. The communication device of claim 1.

[0223] [Appendix 11] the communication unit receives setting information for removing or changing the restriction on the communication capability from the first network; The control unit removes or changes the restriction on the communication capability based on the setting information. 11. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[0224] [Appendix 12] the communication unit has a plurality of transmitting / receiving units, When the communication device is communicating with the first network using at least one of the plurality of transceivers, and has finished communicating with the second network using a transceiver different from the at least one of the plurality of transceivers, the communication unit transmits the information to the first network. 12. A communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

[0225] [Appendix 13] A base station (210A) of a first network in a mobile communication system having wireless communication with a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, a communication unit that receives, from the communication device, information for releasing or changing a temporary restriction on the communication capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network for communication with a second network; Base station.

[0226] [Appendix 14] 1. A communication method performed in a communication device capable of communicating with multiple networks using multiple subscriber identity modules, comprising: temporarily restricting a communication capability of the communication device used for communication with a first network for communication with a second network; transmitting information to the first network to remove or change the temporary restriction on the communication capability for communication with the second network. Communication method.

Claims

1. A communication device (100) capable of communicating with a plurality of networks including a first network (200A) and a second network (200B) using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, a control unit (130) for temporarily restricting the capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network in order to communicate with the second network; a communication unit (120) that transmits information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction on the capability to the first network; the control unit includes information for removing or changing the temporary restriction in a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) auxiliary information element used to provide MUSIM auxiliary information; The communication unit transmits the MUSIM auxiliary information element including information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction to the first network; The information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction includes at least one of information for restricting a frequency band, information on the maximum number of downlink component carriers, information on the maximum number of uplink component carriers, and information on the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers. Communication equipment.

2. The information for limiting the frequency band, the information regarding the maximum number of downlink component carriers, the information regarding the maximum number of uplink component carriers, and the information regarding the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers are information recommended by the communication device. The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit includes information for releasing the secondary cell as information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction in the MUSIM auxiliary information element.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit includes gap recommendation information, which indicates a gap for a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) operation and which the communication device recommends setting, in the MUSIM auxiliary information element together with information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the communication unit receives setting information corresponding to information for releasing or changing the capability restriction from the first network; The control unit releases or changes the restriction on the capabilities based on the setting information.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A base station (210A) of a first network (200A) in a mobile communication system having wireless communication with a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, a control unit that temporarily limits the capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network in order to communicate with a second network (200B); a communication unit that receives, from the communication device, information for releasing or changing a temporary restriction on a capability of the communication device used for communication with the first network; the communication unit receives from the communication device a Multi Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) auxiliary information element used to provide MUSIM auxiliary information including information for removing or changing the temporary restriction; The information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction includes at least one of information for restricting a frequency band, information on the maximum number of downlink component carriers, information on the maximum number of uplink component carriers, and information on the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers. Base station.

7. 1. A communication method performed in a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of networks, including a first network and a second network, using a plurality of subscriber identity modules, the method comprising: temporarily restricting the ability of the communication device to communicate with the first network in order to communicate with the second network; transmitting information to the first network to remove or modify the temporary restriction on capabilities; including information for removing or modifying said temporary restriction in a Multiple Universal Subscriber Identity Module (MUSIM) auxiliary information element used to provide MUSIM auxiliary information; sending the MUSIM auxiliary information element containing information for removing or modifying the temporary restriction to the first network; The information for releasing or changing the temporary restriction includes at least one of information for restricting a frequency band, information on the maximum number of downlink component carriers, information on the maximum number of uplink component carriers, and information on the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers. Communication method.

Images