Method and communication apparatus for processing paging transmissions

Abstract

To provide a method and a communication device for processing paging transmission to save energy.SOLUTION: In a wireless communication system, a communication device receives an extended paging region (EPR) configuration from a network. The EPR configuration includes an EPR cycle and a paging monitor window (PMW) configuration. The communication device also determines at least one PMW in the EPR cycle according to the PMW configuration, receives at least one piece of paging downlink control information (DCI) from the network within the at least one PMW, and receives at least one first paging message (PM) from the network according to the at least one piece of paging DCI.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 643,982, filed on May 8, 2024. The content of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a method and a communication device used in a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and a communication device for processing paging transmission.

Background Art

[0003] The Long - Term Evolution (LTE) system that supports the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel - 8 standard and / or 3GPP Rel - 9 standard has been developed by 3GPP as a successor to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to further enhance the performance of UMTS and meet the growing needs of users.

[0004] The LTE - Advanced (LTE - A) system is, as its name indicates, an evolved form of the LTE system. The LTE - A system aims at faster switching between power states, improves the performance at the coverage edge of the evolved Node B (eNB), increases the peak data rate and throughput, and includes advanced technologies such as carrier aggregation (CA), uplink (UL) multiple - input multiple - output (UL - MIMO), etc.

[0005] The Next - Generation Radio Access Network (NG - RAN) that supports 3GPP Rel - 15 standard to 3GPP Rel - 19 standard has been developed to further enhance the LTE - A system. The NG - RAN includes one or more next - generation Node Bs (gNBs) and has characteristics such as a wider operating bandwidth, different numerologies for different frequency ranges, massive MIMO, advanced channel coding, etc.

[0006] Paging transmissions are performed within paging frames (PFs) within a default paging cycle (DPC). Because communication equipment and networks are frequently activated (e.g., once per DPC) to perform paging transmissions, they suffer from energy consumption. Therefore, how to handle paging transmissions in an energy-saving manner is a critical issue that needs to be addressed. [Overview of the project]

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure provides a method and communication apparatus for processing paging transmissions to solve the above problems.

[0008] A method for processing paging transmissions by a communication device includes the steps of: receiving an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration from a network, the EPR configuration including an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration; determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration; receiving at least one Paging Downlink (DL) Control Information (DCI) from the network within at least one of the PMWs; and receiving at least one First Paging Message (PM) from the network according to at least one Paging DCI.

[0009] A communication device for processing paging transmissions includes at least one storage device and at least one processing circuit coupled to at least one of the storage devices, wherein at least one storage device is configured to store instructions, and at least one processing circuit is configured to execute an instruction for receiving an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration from a network, wherein the EPR configuration includes an instruction for an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration, an instruction for determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration, an instruction for receiving at least one Paging Downlink (DL) Control Information (DCI) from the network within at least one of the PMWs, and an instruction for receiving at least one First Paging Message (PM) from the network according to at least one Paging DCI.

[0010] A method for processing paging transmissions via a network includes the steps of: transmitting an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration to a communication device, the EPR configuration including an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration; transmitting at least one Paging Downlink (DL) Control Information (DCI) to the communication device in at least one Default Paging Period (DPC), the at least one DPC overlapping with at least one PMW determined according to the PMW configuration; and transmitting at least one First Paging Message (PM) to the communication device according to at least one Paging DCI.

[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will become undoubtedly apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments shown in various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of the process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] This is a sequence diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram of a process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between DPC and PMW according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between DPC and PMW according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 10 simply consists of a network 12 and a plurality of communication devices 14. The wireless communication system 10 can support time division duplex (TDD) mode, frequency division duplex (FDD) mode, TDD-FDD joint operation mode, non-terrestrial network (NTN) mode, or license-assisted access (LAA) mode. That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 can communicate with each other via an FDD carrier, a TDD carrier, a license carrier (license serving cell), and / or an unlicensed carrier (unlicensed serving cell). Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 can support carrier aggregation (CA). That is, the network 12 and the communication devices 14 can communicate with each other via a plurality of serving cells (e.g., a plurality of serving carriers), including a primary cell (e.g., a primary component carrier) and one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondary component carriers).

[0014] In FIG. 1, the network 12 and the communication device 14 are used only to show the structure of the wireless communication system 10. In reality, the network 12 may be a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) including at least one Node B (NB) in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). In one embodiment, the network 12 may be an Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) including at least one evolved Node B (eNB) and / or at least one relay node in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, an evolved form of the LTE-A system, etc. In one embodiment, the network 12 may be a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) including at least one Next Generation Node B (gNB) and / or at least one 5th Generation (5G) Base Station (BS). In one embodiment, the gNB or 5G BS of the network 12 may include an NTN gateway and an NTN payload. In one embodiment, the gNB or 5G BS of the network 12 may be a Transmission and Reception Point (TRP). In one embodiment, the network 12 may be any BS compliant with a specific communication standard for communicating with the communication device 14.

[0015] New Radio (NR) is a standard defined for the 5G system (or 5G network) to provide a unified air interface with better performance. The gNB is deployed to realize a 5G system that supports advanced features such as enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC). eMBB provides broadband services with a wider bandwidth and low / medium latency. URLLC provides applications (e.g., end-to-end communication) with higher reliability and low latency characteristics. Examples of applications include the Industrial Internet, smart grid, infrastructure protection, remote surgery, and Advanced Road Traffic Systems (ITS). mMTC can support the Internet of Things (IoT) of the 5G system including billions of connected devices and / or sensors.

[0016] Furthermore, the network 12 may include at least one of UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and a core network. The core network may include network entities such as a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), a self-organizing network (SON) server and / or a radio network controller (RNC), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), an authentication server function (AUSF), etc. In one embodiment, after the network 12 receives the information transmitted by the communication device 14, the information may be processed only by UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN, and the determination corresponding to the information is made in UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN. In one embodiment, UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN may transfer the information to the core network, and the determination corresponding to the information is made in the core network after the core network processes the information. In one embodiment, the information may be processed by both UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network, and the determination is made after cooperation and / or collaboration is performed by UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network.

[0017] The communication device 14 may be a user equipment (UE), a very small aperture terminal (VSAT), a low-cost device (e.g., a machine type communication (MTC) device), a device-to-device (D2D) communication device, a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet computer, an e-book, a portable computer system, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the network 12 and the communication device 14 can be regarded as a transmitter or a receiver according to the direction (i.e., the transmission direction). For example, in the case of an uplink (UL), the communication device 14 is a transmitter and the network 12 is a receiver; in the case of a downlink (DL), the network 12 is a transmitter and the communication device 14 is a receiver.

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 20 may be, but is not limited to, the communication device 14 or network 12 shown in Figure 1. The communication device 20 may include at least one processing circuit 200 such as a microprocessor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one storage device 210, and at least one communication interface device 220. The at least one storage device 210 may be any data storage device capable of storing program code 214 accessed and executed by the at least one processing circuit 200. Examples of the at least one storage device 210 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identification module (SIM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc ROM (DVD-ROM), Blu-ray® disc ROM (BD-ROM), magnetic tape, hard disk, optical data storage device, non-volatile storage device, and non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media). At least one communication interface device 220 is preferably at least one transceiver and is used to transmit and receive signals (e.g., data, messages and / or packets) according to the processing results of at least one processing circuit 200.

[0019] Figure 3 is a flowchart of process 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 30 may be used by a communication device (e.g., communication device 14 in Figure 1 or communication device 20 in Figure 2) to process paging transmissions. Process 30 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps.

[0020] Step 300 is to begin.

[0021] In step 302, the Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration is received from the network, and the EPR configuration includes the EPR period and the Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration.

[0022] In step 304, at least one PMW is determined in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration.

[0023] In step 306, at least one PMW receives at least one Paging Downlink (DL) Control Information (DCI) from the network.

[0024] In step 308, at least one first paging message (PM) is received from the network according to at least one paging DCI.

[0025] Step 310 is the end.

[0026] In accordance with process 30, the communication device receives an EPR configuration from the network. The EPR configuration includes an EPR period and a PMW configuration. The communication device determines at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration. The communication device receives (e.g., monitor) at least one paging DCI from the network within at least one PMW and receives at least one first PM from the network according to at least one paging DCI (e.g., monitor). That is, the communication device finds at least one PMW before receiving (e.g., monitor) at least one paging DCI. The communication device disables the reception (e.g., monitor) of at least one paging DCI outside of at least one PMW in the EPR period. Thus, the communication device saves energy by performing paging monitoring in a specific radio frame (RF) within at least one PMW.

[0027] The implementation of process 30 is not limited to the above description. The following embodiments may be applied to implement process 30.

[0028] In one embodiment, the EPR period corresponds to the EPR. In one embodiment, the EPR includes multiple RFs. In one embodiment, the multiple RFs include one or more paging frames (PFs). In one embodiment, the EPR includes the start point of the PF. In one embodiment, the PMW (e.g., one of at least one PMW) includes at least one first PF.

[0029] In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes time-position information. In one embodiment, the time-position information includes a starting point and the length of the PMW. In one embodiment, step 304 includes the step of the communication device determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the time-position information.

[0030] In one embodiment, the EPR period includes a plurality of default paging periods (DPCs). In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes a PMW indicator that shows at least one DPC. In one embodiment, step 304 includes the step of the communication device determining, according to the PMW indicator, that at least one DPC in the EPR period is at least one PMW. In one embodiment, the PMW indicator includes at least one of an exponent and a bitmap. In one embodiment, the exponent shows at least one DPC. In one embodiment, the bitmap includes a plurality of bits. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of bits corresponds to a plurality of DPCs in the EPR period. In one embodiment, a bit having a first value (e.g., 1) in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding DPC is a PMW. In one embodiment, a bit having a second value (e.g., 0) in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding DPC is not a PMW.

[0031] In one embodiment, the communication device receives at least one EPR period parameter from the network. The at least one EPR period parameter may be included in the EPR configuration. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the exponent according to at least one EPR period parameter. In one embodiment, the communication device determines the exponent according to equation (Equation 1) or equation (Equation 2). Equations (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) are expressed as follows.

number

number

[0032] In one embodiment, the communication device determines at least one second PF (e.g., one of at least one PMW) within the PMW according to equation (Equation 3). Equation (Equation 3) is expressed as follows:

number

[0033] In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes a coefficient. In one embodiment, step 304 includes the step in which the communication device determines at least one first PF in the EPR period as the PMW according to equation (Equation 4). Equation (Equation 4) is expressed as follows:

number

[0034] In one embodiment, one of the at least one paging DCI includes a short message and a first resource assignment for a PM (e.g., default PM). In one embodiment, at least one first PM includes a PM. In one embodiment, the PM includes at least one of a paging record list (e.g., default paging record list), an extended paging record list, an additional paging record list, a first paging record list indicator for the extended paging record list, a second paging record list indicator for the additional paging record list, and at least one second resource assignment for at least one second PM (e.g., additional PM). In one embodiment, one of the at least one paging DCI includes at least one second resource assignment for at least one second PM, a first paging record list indicator for the extended paging record list, and a second paging record list indicator for the additional paging record list. In one embodiment, at least one first PM includes at least one second PM. In one embodiment, at least one second PM includes at least one paging record list.

[0035] In one embodiment, a short message includes at least one of a system information change indicator and at least one emergency information instruction. In one embodiment, a paging record list (e.g., a default paging record list, an extended paging record list, and / or additional paging record lists) corresponds to at least one communication device that needs to be paged by the network. In one embodiment, a first paging record list indicator indicates that the PM includes an extended paging record list. In one embodiment, the maximum size of the extended paging record list is greater than the maximum size of the paging record list. In one embodiment, a second paging record list indicator indicates that the PM includes additional paging record lists. In one embodiment, the maximum size of the additional paging record list is not less than the maximum size of the paging record list.

[0036] In one embodiment, the communication device is allocated at least one resource for at least one second PM according to one of at least one paging DCIs. In one embodiment, the communication device is allocated at least one resource for at least one second PM according to the PM.

[0037] In one embodiment, the communication device monitors at least one of the paging DCIs in a configured paging opportunity (PO). In one embodiment, when the communication device does not receive at least one of the paging DCIs in a configured PO (for example, if ), it monitors at least one of the paging DCIs in the next configured PO. In one embodiment, when the paging record list and at least one paging record list do not contain the communication device ID (for example, if ), the communication device monitors at least one of the paging DCIs in the next configured PO. In one embodiment, when the PM does not contain at least one second resource allocation (for example, if ), the communication device monitors at least one of the paging DCIs in the next configured PO. In one embodiment, when at least one paging record list does not contain the communication device ID (for example, if ), the communication device monitors at least one of the paging DCIs in the next configured PO.

[0038] In one embodiment, when the communication device receives one of at least one paging DCIs in a configured PO (for example, if), it receives a PM and at least one second PM according to a first resource allocation and at least one second resource allocation in one of the at least one paging DCIs. In one embodiment, when the communication device receives one of at least one paging DCIs in a configured PO (for example, if), it receives a PM according to a first resource allocation in one of the at least one paging DCIs. In one embodiment, when the PM includes at least one second resource allocation (for example, if), the communication device receives at least one second PM according to at least one second resource allocation.

[0039] In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether the paging record list in PM and at least one paging record list in at least one second PM include the ID of the communication device. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether the paging record list in PM includes the ID of the communication device. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether at least one paging record list in at least one second PM includes the ID of the communication device.

[0040] In one embodiment, when the paging record list does not include the ID of the communication device (for example, in this case), the communication device determines whether the PM includes at least one second resource allocation.

[0041] In one embodiment, when the paging record list and / or at least one paging record list includes the ID of the communication device (for example, if), the communication device performs at least one subsequent operation for paging. In one embodiment, when the paging record list includes the ID of the communication device (for example, if), the communication device performs at least one subsequent operation for paging. In one embodiment, when at least one paging record list includes the ID of the communication device (for example, if), the communication device performs at least one subsequent operation for paging. In one embodiment, the at least one subsequent operation for paging is defined by a communication standard (for example, a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard).

[0042] In one embodiment, the EPR configuration further includes a first state indicator (e.g., a network energy-saving paging (NES-P) indicator) that indicates the initial state of the EPR configuration. In one embodiment, the communication device determines whether or not to apply the EPR configuration (e.g., whether or not to perform steps 304, 306, and 308 in process 30) according to the initial state. For example, the communication device applies the EPR configuration in response to an initial state of activation. For example, the communication device deactivates the EPR configuration in response to an initial state of deactivation. In one embodiment, the communication device stores the EPR configuration in response to an initial state of the EPR configuration of deactivation.

[0043] In one embodiment, the communication device receives a second state indicator (e.g., an NES-P indicator) of the EPR configuration from the network and activates or deactivates the EPR configuration. For example, after receiving a second state indicator indicating an activated state, the communication device activates and applies the EPR configuration. For example, after receiving a second state indicator indicating a deactivated state, the communication device deactivates the EPR configuration and disables its application. In one embodiment, after receiving a second state indicator indicating a deactivated state, the communication device performs legacy (or normal) paging. In one embodiment, at least one of at least one paging DCI, at least one first PM, and system information includes a second state indicator.

[0044] In one embodiment, a communication device receives restriction information (e.g., an NES-P permission bit) from the network. In one embodiment, the restriction information indicates whether a cell in the network supports NES-P. In one embodiment, a Master Information Block (MIB) or System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) includes the restriction information. In one embodiment, a communication device that supports NES-P can remain in the cell in response to restriction information indicating that the cell supports NES-P. In one embodiment, a communication device that does not support NES-P cannot remain in the cell in response to restriction information indicating that the cell supports NES-P.

[0045] Figure 4 is a flowchart of process 40 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 40 may be used on a network (e.g., network 14 in Figure 1 or communication device 20 in Figure 2) to process paging transmissions. Process 40 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps.

[0046] Step 400 is to begin.

[0047] In step 402, the EPR configuration is transmitted to the communication device, and the EPR configuration includes the EPR period and the PMW configuration.

[0048] In step 404, at least one paging DCI is sent to the communication device in at least one DPC, and at least one DPC overlaps with at least one PMW determined according to the PMW configuration.

[0049] In step 406, at least one first PM is transmitted to the communication device according to at least one paging DCI.

[0050] Step 408 is the end.

[0051] According to process 40, the network transmits an EPR configuration to the communication device. The EPR configuration includes an EPR period and a PMW configuration. The network transmits at least one paging DCI to the communication device in at least one DPC. At least one DPC overlaps (e.g., partially or completely) with at least one PMW determined according to the PMW configuration. The network transmits at least one PM to the communication device according to at least one paging DCI. That is, the network transmits at least one paging DCI in a given DPC. Thus, the network's energy is saved.

[0052] The implementation of process 40 is not limited to the above description. The following embodiments may be applied to implement process 40.

[0053] In one embodiment, the EPR period corresponds to the EPR. In one embodiment, the EPR includes multiple radio frames (RFs). In one embodiment, the multiple RFs include one or more paging frames (PFs). In one embodiment, the EPR includes the start point of the PF. In one embodiment, a PMW (e.g., one of at least one PMW) includes at least one first PF. In one embodiment, the network generates the EPR configuration before transmitting it to the communication device.

[0054] In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes time-position information. In one embodiment, the time-position information includes a starting point and the length of the PMW. That is, the network constitutes time-position information in the PMW configuration, and the communication device determines at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the time-position information. In one embodiment, the starting point of a DPC (e.g., one of at least one DPC) overlaps with a PMW (e.g., one of at least one PMW). In one embodiment, the starting point of a DPC (e.g., one of at least one DPC) is the first starting point of a DPC within the PMW (e.g., one of at least one PMW).

[0055] In one embodiment, the EPR period includes multiple DPCs. In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes a PMW indicator that shows at least one DPC. That is, the network configures at least one DPC as at least one PMW in the EPR period. In one embodiment, the PMW indicator includes at least one of an exponent and a bitmap. In one embodiment, the exponent shows at least one DPC. In one embodiment, the bitmap includes multiple bits. In one embodiment, each of the multiple bits corresponds to one of the multiple DPCs in the EPR period. In one embodiment, a bit with a first value (e.g., 1) in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding DPC is a PMW. In one embodiment, a bit with a second value (e.g., 0) in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding DPC is not a PMW.

[0056] In one embodiment, the network transmits at least one EPR period parameter to the communication device. The at least one EPR period parameter may be included in the EPR configuration. In one embodiment, the exponent is determined (e.g., by the communication device) according to at least one EPR period parameter.

[0057] In one embodiment, the PMW configuration includes a coefficient. In one embodiment, at least one first PF in the EPR period is determined as the PMW (e.g., by a communication device) according to an equation relating to the coefficient. The equation can refer to equation (4) in the embodiment of process 30, which is not described herein for brevity.

[0058] In one embodiment, the network constitutes the number of PF updates in the DPC. In one embodiment, the number of updates is less than the number of PFs in the DPC. The number of PFs in the DPC can be expressed by referring to equation (1) or equation (4) in the embodiment of process 30, which are not described herein for brevity.

[0059] In one embodiment, one of the at least one paging DCI includes a short message and a first resource assignment for a PM (e.g., default PM). In one embodiment, at least one first PM includes a PM. In one embodiment, the PM includes at least one of a paging record list (e.g., default paging record list), an extended paging record list, an additional paging record list, a first paging record list indicator for the extended paging record list, a second paging record list indicator for the additional paging record list, and at least one second resource assignment for at least one second PM (e.g., additional PM). In one embodiment, one of the at least one paging DCI includes at least one second resource assignment for at least one second PM (e.g., additional PM), a first paging record list indicator for the extended paging record list, and a second paging record list indicator for the additional paging record list. In one embodiment, at least one first PM includes at least one second PM. In one embodiment, at least one second PM includes at least one paging record list.

[0060] In one embodiment, the short message includes a system information change indicator and at least one of at least one emergency information instruction. In one embodiment, the paging record list (e.g., default paging record list, extended paging record list, and / or additional paging record list) corresponds to a communication device that needs to be paged by the network. In one embodiment, the first paging record list indicator indicates that the PM includes an extended paging record list. In one embodiment, the maximum size of the extended paging record list is greater than the maximum size of the paging record list. In one embodiment, the second paging record list indicator indicates that the PM includes an additional paging record list. In one embodiment, the maximum size of the additional paging record list is not less than the maximum size of the paging record list.

[0061] In one embodiment, the network reaches the communication device (e.g., in idle or idle mode) via PM. In one embodiment, the network notifies the communication device (e.g., in idle, idle or connected mode) of at least one of a system information change indicator and at least one emergency information instruction via short message.

[0062] In one embodiment, the EPR configuration further includes a first state indicator (e.g., an NES-P indicator) that indicates the initial state of the EPR configuration. In one embodiment, the network activates or deactivates the EPR configuration by transmitting a second state indicator (e.g., an NES-P indicator) of the EPR configuration to a communication device. In one embodiment, at least one of at least one paging DCI, at least one first PM, and system information includes a second state indicator.

[0063] In one embodiment, the network transmits restriction information (e.g., an NES-P permission bit) to the communication device. In one embodiment, the restriction information indicates whether the network cell supports NES-P. In one embodiment, the MIB or SIB1 contains the restriction information. In one embodiment, the network distinguishes whether the communication device supports NES-P.

[0064] Examples of process 30 may also be applied to process 40, which are not described herein for the sake of brevity.

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 50 includes a short message 500, a resource allocation 510 for a default PM 51, and a resource allocation 520 for an additional PM 52. The resource allocation 510 indicates resources for the communication device to receive the default PM 51, and the default PM 51 includes a paging record list 512. The resource allocation 520 indicates resources for the communication device to receive the additional PM 52, and the additional PM 52 includes a paging record list 522. The paging DCI 50 may further include a resource allocation 530 for an additional PM 53. The resource allocation 530 indicates resources for the communication device to receive the additional PM 53, and the additional PM 53 includes a paging record list 532.

[0066] Refer to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figure 5. Figure 6 is a flowchart of process 60 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 60 may be used by a communication device (e.g., communication device 14 in Figure 1 or communication device 20 in Figure 2) to receive and process paging DCI. Process 60 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps.

[0067] Step 600 is to begin.

[0068] Step 602 involves monitoring the paging DCI with the configured PO.

[0069] Step 604 asks whether the PO configured with the communication device receives paging DCI. If yes, perform step 606. If no, perform step 602.

[0070] In step 606, the system receives the default PM and at least one additional PM according to the resource allocation in the paging DCI.

[0071] Step 608 asks whether the paging record list in the default PM and at least one paging record list in at least one additional PM contain the communication device ID. If yes, perform step 610. If no, perform step 602.

[0072] Step 610 performs at least one subsequent operation for paging.

[0073] Step 612 is the end.

[0074] In process 60, the communication device allocates at least one resource for at least one additional PM according to the paging DCI.

[0075] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 70 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 70 includes resource allocations 710 for short messages 700 and PM 71. Resource allocation 710 indicates resources for the communication device to receive PM 71, and PM 71 includes a paging record list 712 and resource allocation 714 for additional PM 72. Resource allocation 714 indicates resources for the communication device to receive additional PM 72, and additional PM 72 includes a paging record list 722.

[0076] Refer to Figure 8 in conjunction with Figure 7. Figure 8 is a flowchart of process 80 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 80 may be used by a communication device (e.g., communication device 14 in Figure 1 or communication device 20 in Figure 2) to receive and process paging DCI. Process 80 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps.

[0077] Step 800 is to begin.

[0078] Step 802 involves monitoring the paging DCI with the configured PO.

[0079] Step 804 asks whether the PO configured with the communication device receives paging DCI. If yes, perform step 806. If no, perform step 802.

[0080] In step 806, PM is received according to the resource allocation in the paging DCI.

[0081] Step 808 asks whether the paging record list in PM includes the communication device ID. If yes, perform step 816. If no, perform step 810.

[0082] Step 810 asks whether the PM includes at least one resource assignment for at least one additional PM. If yes, proceed to step 812. If no, proceed to step 802.

[0083] In step 812, receive at least one additional PM according to at least one resource allocation.

[0084] Step 814 asks whether at least one paging record list in at least one additional PM contains the communication device ID. If yes, perform step 816. If no, perform step 802.

[0085] Step 816 performs at least one subsequent operation for paging.

[0086] Step 818 is the end.

[0087] In process 80, the communication device allocates at least one resource for at least one additional PM according to the PM.

[0088] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 90 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 90 includes a short message 900, a resource allocation 910 for PM 91, and a paging record list indicator 920 for an extended paging record list 912. The resource allocation 910 indicates resources for the communication device to receive PM 91, and the paging record list indicator 920 includes an extended paging record list 912. PM 91 includes an extended paging record list 912.

[0089] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 100 includes a resource allocation 1010 for short messages 1000 and PM 101. The resource allocation 1010 indicates resources for a communication device to receive PM 101, and PM 101 includes an extended paging record list 1012 and a paging record list indicator 1014 for the extended paging record list 1012. The paging record list indicator 1014 indicates the extended paging record list 1012.

[0090] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 110 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 110 includes a short message 1100, a resource allocation 1110 for PM111, and a paging record list indicator 1120 for an additional paging record list 1114. The resource allocation 1110 indicates a resource for the communication device to receive PM111, and the paging record list indicator 1120 indicates an additional paging record list 1114. PM111 includes (e.g., a default) paging record list 1112 and an additional paging record list 1114.

[0091] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a paging DCI 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The paging DCI 120 includes a resource allocation 1210 for short messages 1200 and PM101. The resource allocation 1210 indicates resources for the communication device to receive PM121, and PM121 includes a paging record list 1212, an additional paging record list 1214, and a paging record list indicator 1216 for the additional paging record list 1214. The paging record list indicator 1216 indicates the additional paging record list 1214.

[0092] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram of process 130 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 includes a communication device CM and a network NW that process paging transmissions. In step 1300, the communication device CM receives an EPR configuration EPR_Config from the network NW having a state indicator SI1 (e.g., a first state indicator in the embodiment of process 30), where the state indicator SI1 indicates that the initial state of the EPR configuration EPR_Config is deactivated. In step 1302, the communication device CM stores the EPR configuration EPR_Config according to the state indicator SI1. In step 1304, the communication device CM receives a PM PM1 or paging DCI P_DCI1 from the network NW having a state indicator SI2 (e.g., a second state indicator in the embodiment of process 30), where the state indicator SI2 indicates that it is activated. In step 1306, the communication device CM activates and applies the EPR configuration EPR_Config according to the state indicator SI2. In step 1308, the communication device CM receives a PM PM2 or paging DCI P_DCI2 from the network NW with a status indicator SI3 (for example, the second status indicator in the embodiment of process 30), and the status indicator SI3 indicates a deactivated state. In step 1310, the communication device CM deactivates the EPR configuration EPR_Config and disables its application according to the status indicator SI3. In process 130, the communication device obtains a status indicator through the PM or paging DCI.

[0093] Figure 14 is a sequence diagram of process 140 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 14 includes a communication device CM and a network NW that process paging transmissions. In step 1400, the communication device CM receives an EPR configuration EPR_Config from the network NW having a state indicator SI1 (e.g., the first state indicator in the embodiment of process 30), where the state indicator SI1 indicates that the initial state of the EPR configuration EPR_Config is deactivated. In step 1402, the communication device CM stores the EPR configuration EPR_Config according to the state indicator SI1. In step 1404, the network NW sends a PM PM1 or paging DCI P_DCI1 having a state indicator SI2 to the communication device CM, but the communication device CM does not receive the PM PM1 or paging DCI P_DCI1 (e.g., successfully). The state indicator SI2 indicates the activated state. In step 1406, the network NW changes the initial state of the EPR configuration EPR_Config. In step 1408, the communication device CM receives system information SIF from the network NW, which has a status indicator SI3, indicating an activated state. In step 1410, the communication device CM activates and applies the EPR configuration EPR_Config according to the status indicator SI3. In step 1412, the communication device CM receives PM PM2 or paging DCI P_DCI2 from the network NW, which has a status indicator SI4, indicating a deactivated state. In step 1414, the communication device CM deactivates and disables the application of the EPR configuration EPR_Config according to the status indicator SI4. In process 140, the communication device obtains the status indicator through system information in response to the network changing the initial state of the EPR configuration.

[0094] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between DPC and PMW according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 15, the horizontal axis represents the time domain T. The RFs of the communication device are grouped into EPC periods EPR_C1 to EPR_C2, and the RFs of the network are grouped into DPCs DPC1 to DPC4. The length of the PMW is less than the length of the DPC. EPC period EPR_C1 includes PMW PMW1 for the communication device to monitor the paging DCI. The communication device may enter idle or quiet modes (indicated by shaded blocks) in other RFs within EPC period EPR_C1. EPC period EPR_C2 can refer to EPC period EPR_C1 and is not described herein for brevity.

[0095] In Figure 15, since the starting point of DPC DPC1 overlaps with PMW PMW1, the network pages the communication device in DPC DPC1. Since the starting point of DPC DPC2 does not overlap with PMW PMW1 and PMW2, the network disables paging of the communication device in DPC DPC2. Since the starting point of DPC DPC3 overlaps with PMW PMW2, the network pages the communication device in DPC DPC3. Since the starting point of DPC DPC4 does not overlap with PMW PMW1 and PMW2, the network disables paging of the communication device in DPC DPC4. Therefore, the network may enter idle mode or quiet mode in DPC DPC2 and DPC4 (DCP2 and DCP4).

[0096] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between DPC and PMW according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 16, the horizontal axis represents the time domain T. The RFs of the communication device are grouped into EPC periods EPR_C1 to EPR_C2, and the RFs of the network are grouped into DPCs DPC1 to DPC13. The length of the PMW is greater than the length of the DPC. EPC period EPR_C1 includes PMW PMW1 for the communication device to monitor the paging DCI. The communication device may enter idle or quiet modes (indicated by shaded blocks) in other RFs within EPC period EPR_C1. EPC period EPR_C2 can refer to EPC period EPR_C1 and is not described herein for brevity.

[0097] In Figure 16, since the starting point of DPC DPC2 is the first starting point of the DPC in PMW PMW1, the network pages the communication device in DPC DPC2. Since the starting point of DPC DPC2 is the first starting point of the DPC in PMW PMW1, the network pages the communication device in DPC DPC8. Since the starting points of DPC DPC1, DPC3-DPC7 and DPC9-DPC13 are neither the first starting point of the DPC in PMW PMW1 nor the first starting point of the DPC in PMW PMW2, the network disables paging of the communication device in DPC DPC1, DPC3-DPC7 and DPC9-DPC13. Therefore, the network may enter idle mode or quiet mode in DPC DPC1, DPC3-DPC7 and DPC9-DPC13.

[0098] The terms "first" and "second" used above are used to distinguish related descriptions and do not restrict the order of related descriptions. The action of "determine" used above can be replaced with the actions of "calculate," "compute," "obtain," "generate," "output," "use," "choose / select," "determine," or "configure." The phrase "according to" used above can be replaced with "in response to." The term "through" used above can be replaced with "on," "in," or "in." The terms "when," "in case," or "for" used above can be replaced with "in response to."

[0099] Those skilled in the art will readily be able to combine, modify, and / or alter the above-described description and examples. The above-described description, steps, and / or processes, including the suggested steps, can be implemented by means that may be hardware, software, firmware (known as a combination of a hardware device and computer instructions and data residing in the hardware device as read-only software), an electronic system, or a combination thereof. One example of such means may be a communication device.

[0100] Examples of hardware may include analog circuits, digital circuits, and / or mixed circuits. For example, hardware may include ASICs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices, combined hardware components, or combinations thereof. In another example, hardware may include general-purpose processors, microprocessors, controllers, digital signal processors (DSPs), or combinations thereof.

[0101] Examples of software may include a set of code, a set of instructions, and / or a set of functions held (e.g., stored) in a memory unit, such as a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include a SIM, ROM, flash memory, RAM, CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / BD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, optical data storage device, non-volatile storage unit, or a combination thereof. The computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory unit) may be coupled internally (e.g., integrated) or externally (e.g., isolated) to at least one processor. At least one processor, which may include one or more modules, may execute (e.g., be configured to execute) the software in the computer-readable medium. The set of code, a set of instructions, and / or a set of functions may cause at least one processor, module, hardware, and / or electronic system to perform the relevant steps.

[0102] Examples of electronic systems may include system-on-a-chip (SoC), system-in-package (SiP), computer-on-module (CoM), computer program products, devices, mobile phones, laptops, tablet computers, e-books or portable computer systems, and communication devices 20.

[0103] In summary, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and communication apparatus for processing paging transmissions. The communication apparatus determines the PMW according to the EPR configuration transmitted by the network and performs the paging transmission according to the PMW instead of the DPC. The network performs the paging transmission according to a specific DPC associated with the PMW. Thus, the problem of processing paging transmissions to conserve energy can be solved.

[0104] Those skilled in the art will readily realize that many modifications and changes can be made to the apparatus and method while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as being limited only by the boundaries of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for processing paging transmissions using a communication device, A step of receiving an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration from a network, wherein the EPR configuration includes an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration. The steps include determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration, The steps include receiving at least one paging downlink (DL) control information (DCI) from the network within at least one of the PMWs, A method comprising the step of receiving at least one first paging message (PM) from the network in accordance with at least one paging DCI.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the PMW configuration includes time position information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the time position information includes a starting point and the length of the PMW.

4. The step of determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration is: The method according to claim 2, comprising the step of determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the time position information.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the PMW configuration includes a PMW indicator that shows at least one default paging period.

6. The step of determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration is: The method according to claim 5, comprising the step of determining at least one default paging period as at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW indicator.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the PMW indicator includes at least one of an exponent and a bitmap.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the bitmap includes a plurality of bits, each of which corresponds to a plurality of default paging periods in the EPR period.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the PMW configuration includes a coefficient.

10. The step of determining at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration is: The step includes determining at least one paging frame (PF) as the PMW in the EPR period according to the following formula: (SFN+offset) mod (m×T)=(T div N)×(ID ＣＤ mod N) In the formula, SFN is the RF exponent, offset is the PMW offset, m is the coefficient, T is the number of radio frames (RF) in the default paging period, N is the number of PFs in the default paging period, and ID ＣＤ The method according to claim 9, wherein is the ID of the communication device.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the paging DCIs includes a short message and a first resource allocation for the PM.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the PM includes at least one of a paging record list, an extended paging record list, an additional paging record list, a first paging record list indicator for the extended paging record list, a second paging record list indicator for the additional paging record list, and at least one second resource allocation for at least one second PM.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the paging DCIs includes at least one second resource allocation of at least one second PM, a first paging record list indicator for an extended paging record list, and a second paging record list indicator for an additional paging record list.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the second PMs includes at least one paging record list.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the EPR configuration further includes a first state indicator that indicates the initial state of the EPR configuration.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of determining whether or not to apply the EPR configuration according to the initial state.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a second state indicator of the EPR configuration from the network and activating or deactivating the EPR configuration.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the paging DCI, at least one first PM, and system information includes the second state indicator.

19. A communication device that processes paging transmissions, At least one storage device, The system includes at least one processing circuit coupled to at least one of the storage devices, wherein at least one of the storage devices is configured to store instructions, and at least one of the processing circuits is configured An instruction to receive an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration from a network, wherein the EPR configuration includes an instruction that includes an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration, An instruction to determine at least one PMW in the EPR period according to the PMW configuration, A command to receive at least one paging downlink (DL) control information (DCI) from the network within at least one PMW, A communication device configured to execute an instruction to receive at least one first paging message (PM) from the network according to at least one paging DCI.

20. A method for processing paging transmissions over a network, A step of transmitting an Extended Paging Area (EPR) configuration to a communication device, wherein the EPR configuration includes an EPR period and a Paging Monitor Window (PMW) configuration. A step of transmitting at least one paging downlink (DL) control information (DCI) to the communication device during at least one default paging cycle (DPC), wherein at least one of the DPCs overlaps with at least one PMW determined according to the PMW configuration. A method comprising the step of transmitting at least one first paging message (PM) to the communication device in accordance with at least one of the paging DCIs.

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