Delaying UE Radio Capability ID (URCID) Update for EPLMN

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for optimizing procedures for updating a UE radio capability ID (URCID) when a UE moves to a new public land mobile network (PLMN) within its registration area. The techniques may help avoid unnecessary signaling traffic and reduce UE power consumption. An exemplary method implemented by a user equipment (UE) generally includes receiving at least one URCID assigned by a first PLMN and taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when the UE moves to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority claim

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 026,635, filed May 18, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Application No. 17 / 322,186, filed May 17, 2021, which application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 026,635, filed May 18, 2020, which are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety for all applicable purposes as if fully set forth below.

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to techniques for updating a UE Radio Capability ID (URCID) when the UE moves within a registration area. [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. These wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple-access systems include Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) Long Term Evolution (LTE®) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, to name a few.

[0004] In some examples, a wireless multiple-access communication system may include several base stations (BSs), each capable of simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, sometimes known as user equipment (UEs). In an LTE or LTE-A network, a set of one or more base stations may define an eNodeB (eNB). In other examples (e.g., in a Next Generation, New Radio (NR), or 5G network), a wireless multiple-access communication system may include several distributed units (DUs) (e.g., edge units (EUs), edge nodes (ENs), radio heads (RHs), smart radio heads (SRHs), transmit reception points (TRPs), etc.) in communication with several central units (CUs) (e.g., central nodes (CNs), access node controllers (ANCs), etc.), where the set of one or more DUs in communication with the CUs may define an access node (e.g., which may be referred to as a BS, 5G NB, next generation NodeB (gNB or gNodeB), transmit reception point (TRP), etc.). A BS or DU may communicate with a set of UEs over a downlink channel (e.g., for transmissions from the BS or DU to the UEs) and over an uplink channel (e.g., for transmissions from the UEs to the BS or DU).

[0005]

[0005] These multiple access technologies are being adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide common protocols that enable different wireless devices to communicate on a city, national, regional, or even global scale. NR (e.g., New Radio or 5G) is an example of an emerging telecommunications standard. NR is a set of extensions to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving service, utilizing new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using OFDMA with cyclic prefixes (CPs) on the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). To these ends, NR supports beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation.

[0006] However, as demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements to NR and LTE technologies are needed. Preferably, these improvements should be applicable to other multiple access technologies and the telecommunications standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0007]

[0007] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several aspects, no single aspect of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes of the present disclosure. Without limiting the scope of the present disclosure as expressed by the following claims, several features will now be briefly described. Considering this description, and particularly reading the section entitled "Detailed Description of the Invention," one will understand how the features of the present disclosure provide advantages, including improved communications in integrated access and backhaul systems.

[0008] Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), generally including receiving at least one UE radio capability identifier (URCID) assigned by a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0009] Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for wireless communication by a UE. The apparatus generally includes: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory, wherein the memory and the at least one processor are configured to: receive at least one URCID assigned by a first PLMN; and take one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when the UE moves to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0010] Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for wireless communication by a UE, the apparatus generally including: means for receiving at least one URCID assigned by a first PLMN; and means for taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0011]

[0011] Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions for receiving at least one URCID assigned by a first PLMN and taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0012] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed.

[0013]

[0013] So that the above-recited features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, a more particular description briefly summarized above may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the drawings. However, since the description may lead to other equally valid embodiments, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1]

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example wireless system in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example base station (BS) and user equipment (UE) design in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of a core network (CN) and a radio access network (RAN), in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example communication protocol stack in a RAN, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a frame format for New Radio (NR), in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0019] 1 is a call flow diagram illustrating relaying pre-decoded samples of packets in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates example operations for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0021] FIG. 10 is a call flow diagram illustrating relaying pre-decoded samples of packets in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus with components capable of performing operations according to some aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015]

[0023] For ease of understanding, where possible, the same reference numbers have been used to designate like elements that are common to each of the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]

[0024] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for updating a UE Radio Capability ID (URCID) when a user equipment (UE) moves within a registration area. The techniques can help avoid unnecessary signaling traffic and reduce UE power consumption.

[0017]

[0025] The following description provides examples and does not limit the scope, applicability, or examples set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to some examples may be combined in some other examples. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of aspects described herein. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such apparatuses or methods implemented using other structure, functions, or structure and functions in addition to or other than the various aspects of the present disclosure described herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

[0018]

[0026] The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication technologies, such as LTE, CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and other networks. The terms "network" and "system" are often used interchangeably. A CDMA network may implement radio technologies such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network may implement radio technologies such as NR (e.g., 5G RA), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).

[0019]

[0027] New Radio (NR) is an emerging wireless communications technology under development with the 5G Technology Forum (5GTF). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the wireless networks and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as other wireless networks and radio technologies. For clarity, aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with 3G and / or 4G wireless technologies, although aspects of the present disclosure may be applied in other generation-based communication systems, such as 5G and beyond, including NR technologies.

[0020]

[0028] New Radio (NR) access (e.g., 5G technology) supports various wireless communication services, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) targeting wide bandwidths (e.g., 80 MHz or greater), millimeter wave (mmW) targeting high carrier frequencies (e.g., 25 GHz or greater), massive machine type communication (mMTC) targeting non-backward compatible MTC techniques, and / or mission critical targeting ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC). These services may include latency and reliability requirements. These services may also have different transmission time intervals (TTIs) to meet their respective quality of service (QoS) requirements. Furthermore, these services may coexist in the same subframe.

[0021]

[0029] The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g., implemented within or performed by) various wired or wireless devices (e.g., nodes). In some aspects, a wireless node implemented in accordance with the teachings herein may comprise an access point or an access terminal.

[0022]

[0030] An access point ("AP") may comprise, be implemented as, or be known as a Node B, Radio Network Controller ("RNC"), evolved Node B (eNB), base station controller ("BSC"), base transceiver station ("BTS"), base station ("BS"), transceiver function ("TF"), wireless router, wireless transceiver, basic service set ("BSS"), extended service set ("ESS"), radio base station ("RBS"), IAB node (e.g., IAB donor node, IAB parent node, and IAB child node), or some other terminology.

[0023]

[0031] An access terminal (“AT”) may comprise, be implemented as, or be known as a subscriber station, subscriber unit, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, user terminal, user agent, user device, user equipment, user station, or some other terminology. In some implementations, an access terminal may comprise a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol (“SIP”) telephone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a handheld device with wireless connectivity capabilities, a station (“STA”), or some other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem (such as an AR / VR console and headset). Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a telephone (e.g., a cellular phone or smartphone), a computer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a portable computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or satellite radio), a global positioning system device, or other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium. In some aspects, the node is a wireless node. Such a wireless node may, for example, provide connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wireless communications link.

[0024] Example Wireless Communications System

[0032] 1 illustrates an example wireless communication network 100 in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a UE 120a may include a UE radio capability identifier (URCID) component 121 and be configured to perform operations 700 of FIG. 7 to delay or avoid updating the URCID. Additionally, a base station (BS) 110 (also referred to herein as an access point (AP) 110) may be configured to perform operations complementary to those performed by the UE 120a to provide at least one URCID.

[0025]

[0033] The wireless communication network 100 may be, for example, a New Radio (NR) or 5G network. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication network 100 may include several APs 110 and other network entities. An AP may be a station that communicates with user equipment (UE). Each AP 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to a coverage area of ​​a Node B (NB) and / or an NB subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In an NR system, the terms "cell" and next generation Node B (gNB or gNodeB), NR AP, 5G NB, or transmit receiving point (TRP) may be interchangeable. In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be fixed, and the geographic area of ​​a cell may move according to the location of a mobile AP. In some examples, the access points may be interconnected to each other and / or to one or more other access points or network nodes (not shown) in wireless communications network 100 through various types of backhaul interfaces, such as direct physical connections, wireless connections, virtual networks, etc., using any suitable transport network.

[0026]

[0034] Generally, any number of wireless networks may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network may support a particular radio access technology (RAT) and may operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. A frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, subcarrier, frequency channel, tone, subband, etc. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

[0027]

[0035] An AP may provide communication coverage for a macrocell, a picocell, a femtocell, and / or other types of cell. A macrocell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a few kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with a service subscription. A picocell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with a service subscription. A femtocell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs that have an association with the femtocell (e.g., UEs in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs for users in the home, etc.). An AP for a macrocell may be referred to as a macro AP. An AP for a picocell may be referred to as a pico AP. An AP for a femtocell may be referred to as a femto AP or a home AP. In the example shown in FIG. 1, APs 110a, 110b, and 110c may be macro APs for macrocells 102a, 102b, and 102c, respectively. AP 110x may be a pico AP for pico cell 102x. APs 110y and 110z may be femto APs for femto cells 102y and 102z, respectively. An AP may support one or multiple (e.g., three) cells.

[0028]

[0036] The wireless communication network 100 may also include relay stations. A relay station is a station that receives a transmission of data and / or other information from an upstream station (e.g., an AP or UE) and sends the transmission of the data and / or other information to a downstream station (e.g., a UE or AP). A relay station may also be a UE that relays transmissions for other UEs. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a relay station may communicate with the AP 110a and the UE 120a to facilitate communication between the AP 110a and the UE 120a. A relay station may also be referred to as an IAB node, a relay AP, a relay, etc.

[0029]

[0037] Wireless communication network 100 may be a heterogeneous network including different types of APs, e.g., macro APs, pico APs, femto APs, relays, etc. These different types of APs may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and different impacts on interference in wireless communication network 100. For example, a macro AP may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 20 watts), while pico APs, femto APs, and relays may have a lower transmit power level (e.g., 1 watt).

[0030]

[0038] The wireless communication network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, APs may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different APs may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, APs may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different APs may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for both synchronous and asynchronous operation.

[0031]

[0039] The network controller 130 may couple to a set of APs and provide coordination and control for these APs. The network controller 130 may communicate with the APs 110 via a backhaul. The APs 110 may also communicate with each other (e.g., directly or indirectly) via a wireless or wireline backhaul.

[0032]

[0040] The UEs 120 (e.g., 120x, 120y, etc.) may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications network 100, and each UE may be fixed or mobile. A UE may also be referred to as a mobile station, terminal, access terminal, subscriber unit, station, customer premises equipment (CPE), cellular phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet computer, camera, gaming device, netbook, smartbook, ultrabook, appliance, medical device or equipment, biometric sensor / device, wearable device such as smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet, etc.), entertainment device (e.g., music device, video device, satellite radio, etc.), vehicle component or sensor, smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, global positioning system device, or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium. Some UEs may be considered machine-type communication (MTC) devices or evolved MTC (eMTC) devices. MTC UEs and eMTC UEs include, for example, a robot, a drone, a remote device, a sensor, a meter, a monitor, a location tag, etc. that may communicate with an AP, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. A wireless node may provide, for example, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wireless communication link. Some UEs may be considered Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which may be narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) devices.

[0033]

[0041] Some wireless networks (e.g., LTE) utilize orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) on the downlink (DL) and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink (UL). OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, also commonly referred to as tones, bins, etc. Each subcarrier may be modulated with data. Generally, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers may be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) may depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing may be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (called a "resource block" (RB)) may be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Thus, the nominal fast Fourier transform (FFT) size may be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), respectively. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into subbands. For example, a subband may cover 1.8 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0034]

[0042] Although example aspects described herein may relate to LTE technology, aspects of the present disclosure may be applicable with other wireless communication systems, such as NR. NR utilizes OFDM with CP on the uplink and downlink and may include support for half-duplex operation using TDD. Beamforming may be supported, and beam directions may be dynamically configured. MIMO transmission with precoding may also be supported. MIMO configuration in the DL may support up to eight transmit antennas with multi-layer DL transmission of up to eight streams and up to two streams per UE. Multi-layer transmission with up to two streams per UE may be supported. Aggregation of multiple cells may be supported with up to eight serving cells.

[0035]

[0043] In some examples, access to the air interface may be scheduled. A scheduling entity (e.g., an AP) allocates resources for communication among some or all devices and equipment within its service area or cell. The scheduling entity may be responsible for scheduling, assigning, reconfiguring, and releasing resources for one or more subordinate entities. That is, for scheduled communication, the subordinate entities utilize the resources allocated by the scheduling entity. An access point is not the only entity that may function as a scheduling entity. In some examples, a UE may function as a scheduling entity and schedule resources for one or more subordinate entities (e.g., one or more other UEs), and the other UEs may utilize the resources scheduled by the UE for wireless communication. In some examples, a UE may function as a scheduling entity in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network and / or in a mesh network. In a mesh network example, UEs may communicate directly with each other in addition to communicating with the scheduling entity.

[0036]

[0044] In Figure 1, a solid line with double arrows indicates a desired transmission on the downlink and / or uplink between a UE and a serving AP, which is the AP designated to serve that UE, and a thin dashed line with double arrows indicates an interfering transmission between the UE and an AP.

[0037]

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates example components of a BS 110a and a UE 120a (eg, in the wireless communication network 100 of FIG. 1) that may be used to implement aspects of the present disclosure.

[0038]

[0046] At the BS 110a, the transmit processor 220 may receive data from the data source 212 and control information from the controller / processor 240. The control information may be for a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH), a physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a group common PDCCH (GC PDCCH), etc. The data may be for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. A medium access control (MAC)-control element (MAC-CE) is a MAC layer communication structure that may be used for control command exchange between wireless nodes. For example, a base station may send a MAC CE to a UE to place the UE in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode to reduce the UE's power consumption. The MAC-CE may be carried in a shared channel such as a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or a physical sidelink shared channel. The MAC-CE may also be used to communicate information to facilitate communication, such as information regarding buffer status and available power headroom.

[0039]

[0047] The processor 220 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. The transmit processor 220 may also generate reference symbols, such as for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a cell-specific reference signal (CRS). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on ​​the data symbols, control symbols, and / or reference symbols, if applicable, and provide output symbol streams to the modulators (MODs) 232a through 232t. Each modulator 232 may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. The downlink signals from the modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via the antennas 234a through 234t, respectively.

[0040]

[0048] At UE 120a, antennas 252a through 252r may receive downlink signals from BS 110a and may provide received signals to respective demodulators (DEMODs) 254a through 254r in the transceiver. Each demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) its respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from all demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols and provide decoded data for UE 120a to a data sink 260 and decoded control information to controller / processor 280.

[0041]

[0049] On the uplink, at the UE 120a, a transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from a data source 262 (e.g., for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)) and control information from a controller / processor 280 (e.g., for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)). The transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal (e.g., for a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)). The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by demodulators 254a through 254r in the transceiver (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to the BS 110a. At BS 110a, the uplink signal from UE 120a may be received by antenna 234, processed by a modulator 232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control information sent by UE 120a. Receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to a data sink 239 and the decoded control information to a controller / processor 240.

[0042]

[0050] Memories 242 and 282 may store data and program codes for BS 110a and UE 120a, respectively. Scheduler 244 may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and / or uplink.

[0043]

[0051] The controller / processor 280 (and / or other processors) and modules in the UE 120a may include a URCID component 281 configured to perform or direct the execution of processes for the techniques described herein, such as operation 700 of FIG. 7. Although shown in a controller / processor, other components of the UE 120a and the BS 110a may be used to perform the operations described herein.

[0044]

[0052] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of a core network (CN) 300 in communication with a RAN 324, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the example architecture includes the CN 300, the RAN 324, a UE 322, and a data network (DN) 328 (e.g., operator services, internet access, or third-party services).

[0045]

[0053] The CN 300 may host core network functions. The CN 300 may be deployed centrally. CN 300 functions may be offloaded (e.g., to Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)) to handle peak capacity. As shown in FIG. 3, the exemplary CN 300 may be implemented by one or more network entities that perform network functions (NFs), including a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) 304, a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 306, an NF Repository Function (NRF) 308, a Policy Control Function (PCF) 310, a Unified Data Management Function (UDM) 312, an Application Function (AF) 314, an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 316, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 318, a Session Management Function (SMF) 320, a User Plane Function (UPF) 326, and various other functions (not shown), such as an Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF), a Unified Data Repository (UDR), a 5G-Equipment Identity Register (5G-EIR), and / or a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP).

[0046]

[0054] The AMF 318 provides the following functions (some or all of the AMF functions may be supported in one or more instances of the AMF): termination of the RAN Control Plane (CP) interface (N2), termination of the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) (e.g., N1), NAS ciphering and integrity protection, registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful intercept (for AMF events and interface to L1 systems), transport for session management (SM) messages between the UE 322 and the SMF 320, transparent proxy for routing SM messages, access authentication, access authorization, transport for SMS messages between the UE 322 and the Short Message Service (SMS) Function (SMSF), Security Anchor Function (SEAF), and so on. The RAN 324 may include a Security Context Management (SCM) for receiving from the SEAF the keys it uses to derive access network specific keys, a Location Services Management for restricted services, transport for location services messages between the UE 322 and the Location Management Function (LMF), and also between the RAN 324 and the LMF, EPS bearer ID allocation for interworking with Evolved Packet Services (EPS), and / or UE mobility event notification, and / or other functions.

[0047]

[0055] The SMF 320 may support session management (e.g., session establishment, modification, and release), UE IP address allocation and management, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) functions, termination of NAS signaling related to session management, downlink data notification, and traffic steering configuration for the UPF for appropriate traffic routing. The UPF 326 may support packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, quality of service (QoS) handling, external protocol data unit (PDU) session points of interconnection to the DN 328, and anchor points for intra- and inter-RAT mobility. The PCF 310 may support a unified policy framework that provides policy rules for controlling protocol functions and / or accessing subscription information for policy decisions in the UDR. The AUSF 316 may act as an authentication server. The UDM 312 may support authentication and key agreement (AKA) credential generation, user identity handling, access authorization, and subscription management. The NRF 308 may support service discovery functions and maintain NF profiles and available NF instances. The NSSF may support the selection of a network slice instance for serving the UE 322, determining allowable network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI), and / or determining an AMF set to be used to serve the UE 322.

[0048]

[0056] The NEF 306 may support exposure of capabilities and events, secure provision of information from external applications to the 3GPP network, and internal / external information translation. The AF 314 may support application influence on traffic routing, access to the NEF 306, and / or interaction with a policy framework for policy control.

[0049]

[0057] 3, the CN 300 may be in communication with an AS 302, a UE 322, a RAN 324, and a DN 328. In some examples, the CN 300 communicates with an external AS 302 via an NEF 306 and / or an AF 314. In some examples, the CN 300 communicates with a RAN 324 (e.g., such as the BS 110a in the wireless communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1) and / or a UE 322 (e.g., such as the UE 120a in the wireless communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1) via an AMF 318.

[0050]

[0058] The NSSF304 supports the following functions: selecting a network slice instance to serve the UE322, determining the allowable network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI), and / or determining the AMF set to be used to serve the UE322.

[0051]

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating an example for implementing a communications protocol stack 400 in a RAN (e.g., such as RAN 200) according to aspects of the present disclosure. The illustrated communications protocol stack 400 may be implemented by a device operating in a wireless communications system, such as a 5G NR system (e.g., wireless communications network 100). In various examples, layers of protocol stack 400 may be implemented as separate modules of software, portions of a processor or ASIC, portions of non-collocated devices connected by a communications link, or various combinations thereof. Co-located and non-collocated implementations may be used, for example, in a protocol stack for a network access device or a UE. As shown in FIG. 4, a system may support various services over one or more protocols. One or more protocol layers of protocol stack 400 may be implemented by an AN (e.g., AN 208 in FIG. 2 or AP 110a in FIG. 1) and / or a UE (e.g., UE 120).

[0052]

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the protocol stack 400 is separated in the AN. The RRC layer 405, the PDCP layer 410, the RLC layer 415, the MAC layer 420, the PHY layer 425, and the RF layer 430 may be implemented by the AN. For example, the CU-CP and the CU-UP may each implement the RRC layer 405 and the PDCP layer 410. The DU may implement the RLC layer 415 and the MAC layer 420. However, the DU may also implement the PHY layer(s) 425 and the RF layer(s) 430 via an AU / RRU connected to the DU. The PHY layer 425 may include a high PHY layer and a low PHY layer.

[0053]

[0061] A UE (e.g., UE 120a in FIG. 1) may implement the entire protocol stack 400 (e.g., RRC layer 405, PDCP layer 410, RLC layer 415, MAC layer 420, PHY layer(s) 425, and RF layer(s) 430).

[0054]

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a frame format 500 for NR. The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be partitioned into units of radio frames. Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration (e.g., 10 ms) and may be partitioned into 10 subframes, each 1 ms long, with indices ranging from 0 to 9. Each subframe may include a variable number of slots depending on the subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a variable number of symbol periods (e.g., 7 or 14 symbols) depending on the subcarrier spacing. The symbol periods in each slot may be assigned an index. A minislot, sometimes referred to as a subslot structure, refers to a transmission time interval having a duration smaller than a slot (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 symbols). Each symbol in a slot may indicate a link direction (e.g., DL, UL, or flexible) for data transmission, and the link direction for each subframe may be dynamically switched. The link direction may be based on the slot format. Each slot may include DL / UL data and DL / UL control information.

[0055]

[0063] In NR, a synchronization signal (SS) block is transmitted. The SS block includes a PSS, an SSS, and a two-symbol PBCH. The SS block may be transmitted in a fixed slot location, such as symbols 0 through 3, as shown in Figure 5. The PSS and SSS may be used by the UE for cell search and acquisition. The PSS may provide half-frame timing, and the SS may provide CP length and frame timing. The PSS and SSS may provide cell identity information. The PBCH carries some basic system information, such as the downlink system bandwidth, timing information within the radio frame, SS burst set periodicity, and system frame number. The SS block may be organized into SS bursts to support beam sweeping. Additional system information, such as residual minimum system information (RMSI), system information blocks (SIBs), and other system information (OSI), may be transmitted on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in some subframes. The SS block may be transmitted up to 64 times, e.g., in up to 64 different beam directions for mmW. A set of up to 64 transmissions of SS blocks is called an SS burst set. SS blocks in an SS burst set are transmitted in the same frequency region, and SS blocks in different SS burst sets may be transmitted in different frequency locations.

[0056] Example Delaying / Avoiding of URCID Update for EPLMN

[0064] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications, and more particularly to techniques for updating a UE radio capability ID (URCID) when a user equipment (UE) moves to a new public land mobile network (PLMN) within its registration area. The techniques can help avoid unnecessary signaling traffic and reduce UE power consumption.

[0057]

[0065] For (re)selection, a PLMN is identified by its PLMN identity broadcast in a system information block (SIB) (e.g., SIB-1). A single cell can belong to multiple PLMNs, and therefore SIB-1 may broadcast a list of PLMN identities. The steps for PLMN selection generally involve a UE non-access stratum (NAS) layer request of the access stratum (AS) layer to report available PLMN(s). The UE NAS layer is then responsible for selecting a PLMN from these lists of reported PLMNs.

[0058]

[0066] A UE typically scans radio frequency (RF) channels within its supported RF bands, searches for the strongest cell carrier, and reads the SIB to identify a PLMN. The UE may use stored information, such as RF carrier and cell parameters, to extend the PLMN search procedure. The NAS layer can stop searching at any point, such as after finding the home PLMN.

[0059]

[0067] From the reported PLMN list, the UE uses User Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) information for PLMN selection. Equivalent PLMNs refer to the set of PLMNs that are equivalent to the PLMN to which the UE is registered. This set can be updated during attach or tracking area update procedures.

[0060]

[0068] In some cases, reselection may be based on the UE's desire to switch between different capabilities, for example, based on the UE's region / location. For example, operators typically have different deployments in different regions (e.g., some regions with 400 MHz versus some regions with 800 MHz mmW). To manipulate or address some network configurations (e.g., the network may indicate that the UE is allowed 800 MHz over mmW via band combinations, but configure a maximum layer on LTE and give NR the minimum bandwidth), the UE may switch between different UE radio capabilities. In this example, the UE may have capability U1, which lists band combinations with 400 MHz, and capability U2, which lists band combinations of only 800 MHz. When the UE is in a 400 MHz deployment region, the UE may advertise capability U1, and if the UE moves to an 800 MHz deployment region, the UE may configure a different capability U2 in the service request procedure and have the network use the 800 MHz-related band combination list.

[0061]

[0069] In current systems utilizing radio capability signaling (RACS), URCIDs are assigned by individual PLMNs and are not applicable across PLMNs (even EPLMNs). This restriction can create several problems with regard to network signaling traffic and UE power consumption. When a UE reselects to an EPLMN (e.g., while idle), the UE must perform a registration procedure with the new PLMN to inform the network about the applicable UE radio capability IDs.

[0062]

[0070] This procedure is shown in the call flow diagram of Figure 6, which assumes that the UE has already been assigned a UE Radio Capability ID (URCID-B) from a previous / previous registration with the EPLMN (PLMN-B).

[0063]

[0071] When the UE subsequently registers in the RPLMN (PLMN-A), the network sends the UE a Tracking Area Identifier (TAI) list containing the TAIs from the RPLMN (PLMN-B) and the RPLMN (PLMN-A). The RPLMN (PLMN-A) also assigns the UE a UE Radio Capability ID (URCID-A).

[0064]

[0072] In the example shown, the UE moves to the EPLMN (reselects PLMN-B) while in idle mode. Subject to the constraint(s) described above, the UE is required to send a registration request to the EPLMN (PLMN-B) for notification of the previously assigned URCID (URCID-B).

[0065]

[0073] The constraint effectively means that a RACS-supporting UE with a URCID assigned by one PLMN will have to trigger mobility registration every time it crosses a PLMN boundary, even if the UE is registered in a Tracking Area (TA) list that includes a Tracking Area Code (TAC) from the equivalent PLMN.

[0066]

[0074] This would generate unnecessary signaling traffic since the URCID would only be useful to the network when the UE is in Connection Management (CM) connected mode, and this unnecessary signaling is costly in terms of UE power consumption.

[0067]

[0075] Thus, aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a UE to delay (or avoid) initiating procedures designed to update the URCID when the UE changes PLMN (but is still within the same registration area).

[0068]

[0076] For example, to avoid unnecessary transmission(s) of registration request(s), the UE may wait to update the URCID in the service request procedure or registration request only for transition to CM connected mode (e.g., due to paging or MO voice / data call).

[0069]

[0077] In other words, when a UE changes PLMN within the same registration area, the network has all the UE radio capability information necessary to successfully page the UE. Therefore, it may not be necessary for the UE to immediately report the URCID that is applicable in the EPLMN, and there may be no need for a special trigger of mobility registration when the UE crosses a PLMN boundary, for example, between the registered PLMN (RPLMN) and the EPLMN.

[0070]

[0078] 7 illustrates example operations 700 for wireless communication by a UE in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The operations 700 may be performed, for example, by a UE 120 (e.g., any of the UEs shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2).

[0071]

[0079] The operations 700 begin by receiving at least one URCID assigned by a first PLMN, at 702. At 704, the UE takes one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0072]

[0080] The operations 700 of FIG. 7 may be understood with reference to the call flow diagram 800 of FIG. 8 to delay or avoid unnecessarily sending a registration request solely for URCID notification.

[0073]

[0081] The example of Figure 8 again assumes that the UE has already been assigned a URCID (e.g., URCID-B) from a past / previous registration with an EPLMN (e.g., PLMN-B) and that the UE subsequently registers in an RPLMN (e.g., PLMN-A).

[0074]

[0082] In contrast to the example shown in Figure 6, in this example, when the UE moves to an EPLMN within the same registration area while in idle state (e.g., reselects PLMN-B) and there is no immediate need to set up a data connection, it does not immediately send a registration request to the EPLMN (PLMN-B) for notification of the previously assigned URCID (URCID-B).

[0075]

[0083] Rather, the UE delays the URCID notification until the UE is ready to transition to connected mode (e.g., due to paging or MO data / voice call). As shown, the UE sends the URCID during the service request procedure (or registration request), but only for transition to the connected mode connected state (CM connected).

[0076]

[0084] Therefore, utilizing the proposed technique, there may be no need for a special trigger of mobility registration when the UE crosses a PLMN boundary (e.g., between an RPLMN and an EPLMN). As a result, the UE may avoid unnecessary signaling traffic, which may help reduce UE power consumption.

[0077]

[0085] In some cases, a UE can use such a service request procedure to dynamically update the URCID to use. For example, a UE may be assigned URCIDs U1 and U2 by the network (e.g., through different registration procedures previously implemented).

[0078]

[0086] In some aspects, each URCID may correspond to a different radio capability setting on the UE. For example, as described above, U1 may correspond to UE capability information including a first list of band combinations, and U2 may correspond to UE capability information including a second (different) list of band combinations. In a registration request, the UE may send URCID U1. Thereafter, in a service request, the UE may indicate URCID U2, thus effectively requesting a switch to U2.

[0079] Example Aspects

[0087] 9 shows a communications device 900 that may include various components (e.g., corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated in FIG. 7. The communications device 900 includes a processing system 902 coupled to a transceiver 908. The transceiver 908 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 900 via an antenna 910, such as various signals described herein. The processing system 902 may be configured to perform processing functions for the communications device 900, including processing signals received by and / or to be transmitted by the communications device 900.

[0080]

[0088] The processing system 902 includes a processor 904 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 912 via a bus 906. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 912 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the processor 904, cause the processor 904 to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 7 or other operations for switching between a PC5 path and a Uu path. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 912 stores code 914 for receiving at least one UE radio capability identifier (URCID) assigned by a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and code 916 for taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN. In some aspects, the processor 904 has circuitry configured to implement the code stored in the computer-readable medium / memory 912. The processor 904 includes a circuit 920 for receiving at least one UE radio capability identifier (URCID) assigned by a first public land mobile network (PLMN) and a circuit 922 for taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0081] Example Aspects

[0089] Aspect 1. A method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving at least one UE radio capability identifier (URCID) assigned by a first public land mobile network (PLMN); and taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN.

[0082]

[0090] Aspect 2. The method of aspect 1, wherein the first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs), and the one or more actions comprise delaying initiating a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID.

[0083]

[0091] Aspect 3. The method of aspect 2, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a registration request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with the EPLMN.

[0084]

[0092] Aspect 4. The method of aspect 2 or 3, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with the EPLMN.

[0085]

[0093] Aspect 5. The method of aspect 4, wherein the UE initiates a connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile originated voice or data call.

[0086]

[0094] Aspect 6. The method of any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID, each corresponding to a different radio capability setting, through different registration procedures, and the UE signals the first URCID in the registration request.

[0087]

[0095] Aspect 7. The method of aspect 6, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID.

[0088]

[0096] Aspect 8: An apparatus comprising a memory comprising executable instructions and one or more processors, the one or more processors configured to execute the executable instructions and to cause the apparatus to perform a method described in any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0089]

[0097] Embodiment 9: An apparatus comprising means for carrying out the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7.

[0090]

[0098] Aspect 10: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0091]

[0099] Aspect 11: A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium comprising code for performing the method according to any one of aspects 1 to 7.

[0092] Additional Considerations

[0100] The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the claims is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with claim language, wherein reference to an element in the singular does not mean "one and only one," unless expressly stated otherwise, but rather "one or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known, or that later become known, to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is offered to the public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims. No claim element shall be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for," or, in the case of a method claim, unless the element is recited using the phrase "step for."

[0093]

[0101] The various operations of the methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. These means may include various hardware and / or software components and / or modules, including, but not limited to, circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or processors. Generally, where there are operations illustrated in figures, these operations may have corresponding counterpart means-plus-function components.

[0094]

[0102] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or another data structure), ascertaining, etc. Also, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. Also, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0095]

[0103] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to encompass a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as combinations including multiples of one or more members (aa, bb, and / or cc).

[0096]

[0104] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0097]

[0105] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the present disclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in any form of storage medium known in the art. Some examples of storage media that may be used include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, etc. A software module may comprise a single instruction, or many instructions, and may be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across multiple storage media. A storage medium may be coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor.

[0098]

[0106] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The steps and / or actions of the methods may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0099]

[0107] The means for receiving or the means for obtaining may include a receiver (such as receive processor 238) or antenna(s) 234 of the access point 110, or a receive processor 258 or antenna(s) 252 of the UE 120, as shown in Figure 2. The means for transmitting or the means for outputting may include a transmitter (such as transmit processor 220) or antenna(s) 234 of the access point 110, or a transmit processor 264 or antenna(s) 252 of the UE 120, as shown in Figure 2. The means for associating, means for determining, means for monitoring, means for deciding, means for providing, means for detecting, means for implementing, and / or means for configuring may include a processing system, which may include one or more processors, such as the receive processor 238 / 258, the transmit processor 220 / 264, the TX MIMO processor 230 / 266, or the controller 240 / 280 of the access point 110 and the UE 120 shown in FIG.

[0100]

[0108] In some cases, rather than actually transmitting frames, a device may have an interface (means for outputting) for outputting frames for transmission. For example, a processor may output frames to a radio frequency (RF) front end for transmission via a bus interface. Similarly, rather than actually receiving frames, a device may have an interface (means for acquiring) for acquiring frames received from another device. For example, a processor may acquire (or receive) frames from an RF front end for reception via a bus interface.

[0101]

[0109] The described functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in hardware, an exemplary hardware configuration may comprise a processing system in a wireless node. The processing system may be implemented using a bus architecture. The bus may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, depending on the particular application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus may link various circuits together, including processors, machine-readable media, and bus interfaces. The bus interface may be used to connect a network adapter, among other things, to the processing system via the bus. The network adapter may be used to implement PHY layer signal processing functions. In the case of UE 120 (see FIG. 1 ), a user interface (e.g., keypad, display, mouse, joystick, etc.) may also be connected to the bus. The bus may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further.

[0102]

[0110] The processor may be responsible for managing buses and general processing, including the execution of software stored on a machine-readable medium. The processor may be implemented using one or more general-purpose and / or special-purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuitry capable of executing software. Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, data, or any combination thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The machine-readable medium may include, by way of example, RAM (random access memory), flash memory, ROM (read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), registers, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard drives, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. The machine-readable medium may be embodied in a computer program product. The computer program product may comprise packaging materials.

[0103]

[0111] In a hardware implementation, the machine-readable medium may be part of a processing system separate from the processor. However, as one skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the machine-readable medium, or any portion thereof, may be external to the processing system. By way of example, the machine-readable medium may include a transmission line, a carrier wave modulated by data, and / or a computer product separate from the wireless node, all of which may be accessed by the processor via a bus interface. Alternatively, or in addition, the machine-readable medium, or any portion thereof, may be integrated into the processor, such as may a cache and / or general-purpose register file.

[0104]

[0112] The processing system may be configured as a general-purpose processing system with one or more microprocessors providing processor functionality and external memory providing at least a portion of the machine-readable medium, all linked together with other support circuitry via an external bus architecture. Alternatively, the processing system may be implemented using an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) with the processor, bus interface, and, in the case of an access terminal, a user interface, support circuitry, and at least a portion of the machine-readable medium integrated into a single chip, or using one or more FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable circuitry or combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described throughout this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize how best to implement the described functionality for a processing system depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0105]

[0113] The machine-readable medium may comprise several software modules. The software modules include instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processing system to perform various functions. The software modules may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. Each software module may reside in a single storage device or be distributed across multiple storage devices. As an example, a software module may be loaded into RAM from a hard drive when a trigger event occurs. During execution of a software module, the processor may load some of the instructions into a cache to increase access speed. One or more cache lines may then be loaded into a general-purpose register file for execution by the processor. When referring below to the functionality of a software module, it will be understood that such functionality is implemented by the processor when executing instructions from that software module.

[0106]

[0114] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that enables transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared (IR), radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy discs, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with a laser. Thus, in some aspects, computer-readable medium may comprise non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Additionally, in other aspects, computer-readable medium may comprise transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable medium.

[0107]

[0115] Accordingly, some aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium having stored thereon (and / or encoded thereon) instructions executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. In some aspects, the computer program product may include packaging materials.

[0108]

[0116] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that modules and / or other suitable means for implementing the methods and techniques described herein may be downloaded and / or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and / or access point, where applicable. For example, such devices may be coupled to a server to enable the transfer of means for implementing the methods described herein. Alternatively, the various methods described herein may be provided by a storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.) such that the user terminal and / or access point can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device may be utilized.

[0109]

[0117] It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components illustrated above. Various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the claims. The inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] A method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN; A method comprising: [C2] the first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs), and the one or more actions comprise delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID. The method described in C1. [C3] The method according to C2, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a registration request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C4] The method of C2, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C5] The method of C4, wherein the UE initiates the connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call. [C6] the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability configuration; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The method described in C1. [C7] The method of C6, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID. [C8] An apparatus for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for receiving at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); means for taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN; An apparatus comprising: [C9] The first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs), and the means for taking one or more actions comprises means for delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID. The device described in C8. [C10] The apparatus described in C9, wherein the one or more actions further comprise means for using a registration request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C11] The apparatus described in C9, wherein the means for taking one or more actions further comprises means for using a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C12] The apparatus of C11, wherein the UE initiates the connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call. [C13] the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability configuration; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The device described in C8. [C14] The apparatus of C13, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID. [C15] An apparatus for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: a receiver configured to receive at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); at least one processor configured to take one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN; An apparatus comprising: [C16] The first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs), and the one or more actions comprise delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID. The apparatus described in C15. [C17] The apparatus described in C16, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a registration request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C18] The apparatus of C16, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C19] The apparatus of C18, wherein the UE initiates a connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call. [C20] the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability setting; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The apparatus described in C15. [C21] The apparatus of C20, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID. [C22] A computer-readable medium for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first public land mobile network (PLMN); taking one or more actions to delay or avoid updating the URCID when moving to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN; A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions for performing the steps of: [C23] the first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs), and the one or more actions comprise delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID. The computer-readable medium of C22. [C24] The computer-readable medium of C23, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a registration request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C25] The computer-readable medium of C23, wherein the one or more actions further comprise using a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN. [C26] The computer-readable medium of C25, wherein the UE initiates the connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call. [C27] the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability configuration; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The computer-readable medium of C22. [C28] The computer-readable medium of C27, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID.

Claims

1. 1. A method for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); characterised by taking one or more actions to delay or avoid unnecessarily sending a registration request for the URCID when the UE moves to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN while in an idle state; wherein the first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs); the one or more actions comprise delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID, and the one or more actions further comprise using a registration request procedure or a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more actions comprise using the service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates the connection with an EPLMN, and the UE initiates the connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call.

3. the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability setting; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The method of claim 1.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID.

5. A user equipment (UE), means for receiving at least one UE Radio Capability Identifier (URCID) assigned by a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); characterized by means for taking one or more actions to delay or avoid unnecessary sending of a registration request for the URCID when the UE moves to a second PLMN in the same registration area as the first PLMN while in an idle state; wherein the first PLMN and the second PLMN are equivalent PLMNs (EPLMNs); the means for taking one or more actions comprises means for delaying initiation of a procedure related to notifying the second PLMN of the URCID, and the one or more actions further comprise means for using a registration request procedure or a service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates a connection with an EPLMN.

6. 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the means for taking one or more actions comprises means for using the service request procedure to notify the second PLMN of the URCID when the UE initiates the connection with an EPLMN, and the UE initiates the connection with the EPLMN by at least one of paging or a mobile-originated voice or data call.

7. the UE is assigned at least a first URCID and a second URCID through different registration procedures, each URCID corresponding to a different radio capability setting; the UE signals the first URCID in a registration request; The UE of claim 5.

8. The UE of claim 7 , wherein the UE signals the second URCID in a service request as a request to switch from the first URCID to the second URCID.

9. 5. A computer-readable medium for wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

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