Method and apparatus for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system

Abstract

A method and apparatus for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system. A CU of a first RAN node receives, from a DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an ID of the cell; and determines whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request. Based on determining to activate the cell: a CU of a first RAN node transmits, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and a CU of a first RAN node transmits, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK ENERGY SAVING BASED ON UE ASSISTANCE IN A WIRELESS NETWORK SYSTEM

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system.

[0002] 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) is a technology for enabling high-speed packet communications. Many schemes have been proposed for the LTE objective including those that aim to reduce user and provider costs, improve service quality, and expand and improve coverage and system capacity. The 3GPP LTE requires reduced cost per bit, increased service availability, flexible use of a frequency band, a simple structure, an open interface, and adequate power consumption of a terminal as an upper-level requirement.

[0003] Work has started in international telecommunication union (ITU) and 3GPP to develop requirements and specifications for new radio (NR) systems. 3GPP has to identify and develop the technology components needed for successfully standardizing the new RAT timely satisfying both the urgent market needs, and the more long-term requirements set forth by the ITU radio communication sector (ITU-R) international mobile telecommunications (IMT)-2020 process. Further, the NR should be able to use any spectrum band ranging at least up to 100 GHz that may be made available for wireless communications even in a more distant future.

[0004] The NR targets a single technical framework addressing all usage scenarios, requirements and deployment scenarios including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type-communications (mMTC), ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC), etc. The NR shall be inherently forward compatible.

[0005] In NR, several discussions are proposed for Network Energy Saving (NES). For example, NES based on wake up signal (WUS) is discussed.

[0006] For example, signaling to transition a gNB from an inactive state to an active state based on the UE's WUS is considered. After receiving the corresponding signaling from the UE, the gNB may change the inactive state to the active state. However, if a neighboring base station does not recognize the change of the state of the corresponding gNB, incorrect signaling may be sent to the gNB whose state has changed.

[0007] Additionally, if the gNB that received the UE's WUS is split into CU and DU, the gNB-CU may not recognize the UE's request and the state of the gNB may not be changed.

[0008] Therefore, studies for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system are required.

[0009] In an aspect, a method performed by a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node in a wireless communication system. The method comprises: receiving, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an identity (ID) of the cell; and determining whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request; based on determining to activate the cell: - transmitting, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and - transmitting, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

[0010] In another aspect, an apparatus for implementing the above method is provided.

[0011] The present disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network could provide efficient solutions for network energy saving based on UE assistance.

[0013] For example, by changing a base station from an inactive state to an active state based on the request of a UE, the base station can manage energy efficiently. Additionally, the UE can receive the desired service regardless of the inactive / active status of the base station.

[0014] In other words, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the RAN node could efficiently transition from an inactive state to an active state.

[0015] Advantageous effects which can be obtained through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there may be a variety of technical effects that a person having ordinary skill in the related art can understand and / or derive from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that may be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows an example of wireless devices to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows an example of a wireless device to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows an example of UE to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0020] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of protocol stacks in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0021] FIG. 7 shows an example of the overall architecture of an NG-RAN to which technical features of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0022] FIG. 8 shows an interface protocol structure for F1-C to which technical features of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0023] FIG. 9 shows an example of a successful operation for NG-RAN node Configuration Update to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0024] FIG. 10 shows an example of a successful operation for gNB-DU Configuration Update to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0025] FIG. 11 shows an example of a successful operation for gNB-CU Configuration Update procedure to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0026] FIG. 12 shows an example of a method for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for activating the gNB by the request of idle or inactive UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] The following techniques, apparatuses, and systems may be applied to a variety of wireless multiple access systems. Examples of the multiple access systems include a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system, and a multicarrier frequency division multiple access (MC-FDMA) system. CDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA) or CDMA2000. TDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), or enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE). OFDMA may be embodied through radio technology such as institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, or evolved UTRA (E-UTRA). UTRA is a part of a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) is a part of evolved UMTS (E-UMTS) using E-UTRA. 3GPP LTE employs OFDMA in DL and SC-FDMA in UL. Evolution of 3GPP LTE includes LTE-A (advanced), LTE-A Pro, and / or 5G NR (new radio).

[0029] For convenience of description, implementations of the present disclosure are mainly described in regards to a 3GPP based wireless communication system. However, the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, although the following detailed description is given based on a mobile communication system corresponding to a 3GPP based wireless communication system, aspects of the present disclosure that are not limited to 3GPP based wireless communication system are applicable to other mobile communication systems.

[0030] For terms and technologies which are not specifically described among the terms of and technologies employed in the present disclosure, the wireless communication standard documents published before the present disclosure may be referenced.

[0031] In the present disclosure, "A or B" may mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". In other words, "A or B" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as "A and / or B". For example, "A, B or C" in the present disclosure may mean "only A", "only B", "only C", or "any combination of A, B and C".

[0032] In the present disclosure, slash ( / ) or comma (,) may mean "and / or". For example, "A / B" may mean "A and / or B". Accordingly, "A / B" may mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". For example, "A, B, C" may mean "A, B or C".

[0033] In the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" may mean "only A", "only B" or "both A and B". In addition, the expression "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as same as "at least one of A and B".

[0034] In addition, in the present disclosure, "at least one of A, B and C" may mean "only A", "only B", "only C", or "any combination of A, B and C". In addition, "at least one of A, B or C" or "at least one of A, B and / or C" may mean "at least one of A, B and C".

[0035] Also, parentheses used in the present disclosure may mean "for example". In detail, when it is shown as "control information (PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In other words, "control information" in the present disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH", and "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information". In addition, even when shown as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)", "PDCCH" may be proposed as an example of "control information".

[0036] Technical features that are separately described in one drawing in the present disclosure may be implemented separately or simultaneously.

[0037] Although not limited thereto, various descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts of the present disclosure disclosed herein can be applied to various fields requiring wireless communication and / or connection (e.g., 5G) between devices.

[0038] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to drawings. The same reference numerals in the following drawings and / or descriptions may refer to the same and / or corresponding hardware blocks, software blocks, and / or functional blocks unless otherwise indicated.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0040] The 5G usage scenarios shown in FIG. 1 are only exemplary, and the technical features of the present disclosure can be applied to other 5G usage scenarios which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] Three main requirement categories for 5G include (1) a category of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), (2) a category of massive machine type communication (mMTC), and (3) a category of ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC).

[0042] Partial use cases may require a plurality of categories for optimization and other use cases may focus only upon one key performance indicator (KPI). 5G supports such various use cases using a flexible and reliable method.

[0043] eMBB far surpasses basic mobile Internet access and covers abundant bidirectional work and media and entertainment applications in cloud and augmented reality. Data is one of 5G core motive forces and, in a 5G era, a dedicated voice service may not be provided for the first time. In 5G, it is expected that voice will be simply processed as an application program using data connection provided by a communication system. Main causes for increased traffic volume are due to an increase in the size of content and an increase in the number of applications requiring high data transmission rate. A streaming service (of audio and video), conversational video, and mobile Internet access will be more widely used as more devices are connected to the Internet. These many application programs require connectivity of an always turned-on state in order to push real-time information and alarm for users. Cloud storage and applications are rapidly increasing in a mobile communication platform and may be applied to both work and entertainment. The cloud storage is a special use case which accelerates growth of uplink data transmission rate. 5G is also used for remote work of cloud. When a tactile interface is used, 5G demands much lower end-to-end latency to maintain user good experience. Entertainment, for example, cloud gaming and video streaming, is another core element which increases demand for mobile broadband capability. Entertainment is essential for a smartphone and a tablet in any place including high mobility environments such as a train, a vehicle, and an airplane. Other use cases are augmented reality for entertainment and information search. In this case, the augmented reality requires very low latency and instantaneous data volume.

[0044] In addition, one of the most expected 5G use cases relates a function capable of smoothly connecting embedded sensors in all fields, i.e., mMTC. It is expected that the number of potential Internet-of-things (IoT) devices will reach 204 hundred million up to the year of 2020. An industrial IoT is one of categories of performing a main role enabling a smart city, asset tracking, smart utility, agriculture, and security infrastructure through 5G.

[0045] URLLC includes a new service that will change industry through remote control of main infrastructure and an ultra-reliable / available low-latency link such as a self-driving vehicle. A level of reliability and latency is essential to control a smart grid, automatize industry, achieve robotics, and control and adjust a drone.

[0046] 5G is a means of providing streaming evaluated as a few hundred megabits per second to gigabits per second and may complement fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and cable-based broadband (or DOCSIS). Such fast speed is needed to deliver TV in resolution of 4K or more (6K, 8K, and more), as well as virtual reality and augmented reality. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications include almost immersive sports games. A specific application program may require a special network configuration. For example, for VR games, gaming companies need to incorporate a core server into an edge network server of a network operator in order to minimize latency.

[0047] Automotive is expected to be a new important motivated force in 5G together with many use cases for mobile communication for vehicles. For example, entertainment for passengers requires high simultaneous capacity and mobile broadband with high mobility. This is because future users continue to expect connection of high quality regardless of their locations and speeds. Another use case of an automotive field is an AR dashboard. The AR dashboard causes a driver to identify an object in the dark in addition to an object seen from a front window and displays a distance from the object and a movement of the object by overlapping information talking to the driver. In the future, a wireless module enables communication between vehicles, information exchange between a vehicle and supporting infrastructure, and information exchange between a vehicle and other connected devices (e.g., devices accompanied by a pedestrian). A safety system guides alternative courses of a behavior so that a driver may drive more safely drive, thereby lowering the danger of an accident. The next stage will be a remotely controlled or self-driven vehicle. This requires very high reliability and very fast communication between different self-driven vehicles and between a vehicle and infrastructure. In the future, a self-driven vehicle will perform all driving activities and a driver will focus only upon abnormal traffic that the vehicle cannot identify. Technical requirements of a self-driven vehicle demand ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability so that traffic safety is increased to a level that cannot be achieved by human being.

[0048] A smart city and a smart home / building mentioned as a smart society will be embedded in a high-density wireless sensor network. A distributed network of an intelligent sensor will identify conditions for costs and energy-efficient maintenance of a city or a home. Similar configurations may be performed for respective households. All of temperature sensors, window and heating controllers, burglar alarms, and home appliances are wirelessly connected. Many of these sensors are typically low in data transmission rate, power, and cost. However, real-time HD video may be demanded by a specific type of device to perform monitoring.

[0049] Consumption and distribution of energy including heat or gas is distributed at a higher level so that automated control of the distribution sensor network is demanded. The smart grid collects information and connects the sensors to each other using digital information and communication technology so as to act according to the collected information. Since this information may include behaviors of a supply company and a consumer, the smart grid may improve distribution of fuels such as electricity by a method having efficiency, reliability, economic feasibility, production sustainability, and automation. The smart grid may also be regarded as another sensor network having low latency.

[0050] Mission critical application (e.g., e-health) is one of 5G use scenarios. A health part contains many application programs capable of enjoying benefit of mobile communication. A communication system may support remote treatment that provides clinical treatment in a faraway place. Remote treatment may aid in reducing a barrier against distance and improve access to medical services that cannot be continuously available in a faraway rural area. Remote treatment is also used to perform important treatment and save lives in an emergency situation. The wireless sensor network based on mobile communication may provide remote monitoring and sensors for parameters such as heart rate and blood pressure.

[0051] Wireless and mobile communication gradually becomes important in the field of an industrial application. Wiring is high in installation and maintenance cost. Therefore, a possibility of replacing a cable with reconstructible wireless links is an attractive opportunity in many industrial fields. However, in order to achieve this replacement, it is necessary for wireless connection to be established with latency, reliability, and capacity similar to those of the cable and management of wireless connection needs to be simplified. Low latency and a very low error probability are new requirements when connection to 5G is needed.

[0052] Logistics and freight tracking are important use cases for mobile communication that enables inventory and package tracking anywhere using a location-based information system. The use cases of logistics and freight typically demand low data rate but require location information with a wide range and reliability.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes wireless devices 100a to 100f, base stations (BSs) 200, and a network 300. Although FIG. 1 illustrates a 5G network as an example of the network of the communication system 1, the implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to the 5G system, and can be applied to the future communication system beyond the 5G system.

[0054] The BSs 200 and the network 300 may be implemented as wireless devices and a specific wireless device may operate as a BS / network node with respect to other wireless devices.

[0055] The wireless devices 100a to 100f represent devices performing communication using radio access technology (RAT) (e.g., 5G new RAT (NR)) or LTE) and may be referred to as communication / radio / 5G devices. The wireless devices 100a to 100f may include, without being limited to, a robot 100a, vehicles 100b-1 and 100b-2, an extended reality (XR) device 100c, a hand-held device 100d, a home appliance 100e, an IoT device 100f, and an artificial intelligence (AI) device / server 400. For example, the vehicles may include a vehicle having a wireless communication function, an autonomous driving vehicle, and a vehicle capable of performing communication between vehicles. The vehicles may include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone). The XR device may include an AR / VR / Mixed Reality (MR) device and may be implemented in the form of a head-mounted device (HMD), a head-up display (HUD) mounted in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone, a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance device, a digital signage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. The hand-held device may include a smartphone, a smartpad, a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch or a smartglasses), and a computer (e.g., a notebook). The home appliance may include a TV, a refrigerator, and a washing machine. The IoT device may include a sensor and a smartmeter.

[0056] In the present disclosure, the wireless devices 100a to 100f may be called user equipments (UEs). A UE may include, for example, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system, a slate personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, an ultrabook, a vehicle, a vehicle having an autonomous traveling function, a connected car, an UAV, an AI module, a robot, an AR device, a VR device, an MR device, a hologram device, a public safety device, an MTC device, an IoT device, a medical device, a FinTech device (or a financial device), a security device, a weather / environment device, a device related to a 5G service, or a device related to a fourth industrial revolution field.

[0057] The UAV may be, for example, an aircraft aviated by a wireless control signal without a human being onboard.

[0058] The VR device may include, for example, a device for implementing an object or a background of the virtual world. The AR device may include, for example, a device implemented by connecting an object or a background of the virtual world to an object or a background of the real world. The MR device may include, for example, a device implemented by merging an object or a background of the virtual world into an object or a background of the real world. The hologram device may include, for example, a device for implementing a stereoscopic image of 360 degrees by recording and reproducing stereoscopic information, using an interference phenomenon of light generated when two laser lights called holography meet.

[0059] The public safety device may include, for example, an image relay device or an image device that is wearable on the body of a user.

[0060] The MTC device and the IoT device may be, for example, devices that do not require direct human intervention or manipulation. For example, the MTC device and the IoT device may include smartmeters, vending machines, thermometers, smartbulbs, door locks, or various sensors.

[0061] The medical device may be, for example, a device used for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, relieving, curing, or preventing disease. For example, the medical device may be a device used for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, relieving, or correcting injury or impairment. For example, the medical device may be a device used for the purpose of inspecting, replacing, or modifying a structure or a function. For example, the medical device may be a device used for the purpose of adjusting pregnancy. For example, the medical device may include a device for treatment, a device for operation, a device for (in vitro) diagnosis, a hearing aid, or a device for procedure.

[0062] The security device may be, for example, a device installed to prevent a danger that may arise and to maintain safety. For example, the security device may be a camera, a closed-circuit TV (CCTV), a recorder, or a black box.

[0063] The FinTech device may be, for example, a device capable of providing a financial service such as mobile payment. For example, the FinTech device may include a payment device or a point of sales (POS) system.

[0064] The weather / environment device may include, for example, a device for monitoring or predicting a weather / environment.

[0065] The wireless devices 100a to 100f may be connected to the network 300 via the BSs 200. An AI technology may be applied to the wireless devices 100a to 100f and the wireless devices 100a to 100f may be connected to the AI server 400 via the network 300. The network 300 may be configured using a 3G network, a 4G (e.g., LTE) network, a 5G (e.g., NR) network, and a beyond-5G network. Although the wireless devices 100a to 100f may communicate with each other through the BSs 200 / network 300, the wireless devices 100a to 100f may perform direct communication (e.g., sidelink communication) with each other without passing through the BSs 200 / network 300. For example, the vehicles 100b-1 and 100b-2 may perform direct communication (e.g., vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) / vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication). The IoT device (e.g., a sensor) may perform direct communication with other IoT devices (e.g., sensors) or other wireless devices 100a to 100f.

[0066] Wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c may be established between the wireless devices 100a to 100f and / or between wireless device 100a to 100f and BS 200 and / or between BSs 200. Herein, the wireless communication / connections may be established through various RATs (e.g., 5G NR) such as uplink / downlink communication 150a, sidelink communication (or device-to-device (D2D) communication) 150b, inter-base station communication 150c (e.g., relay, integrated access and backhaul (IAB)), etc. The wireless devices 100a to 100f and the BSs 200 / the wireless devices 100a to 100f may transmit / receive radio signals to / from each other through the wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c. For example, the wireless communication / connections 150a, 150b and 150c may transmit / receive signals through various physical channels. To this end, at least a part of various configuration information configuring processes, various signal processing processes (e.g., channel encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and resource mapping / de-mapping), and resource allocating processes, for transmitting / receiving radio signals, may be performed based on the various proposals of the present disclosure.

[0067] AI refers to the field of studying artificial intelligence or the methodology that can create it, and machine learning refers to the field of defining various problems addressed in the field of AI and the field of methodology to solve them. Machine learning is also defined as an algorithm that increases the performance of a task through steady experience on a task.

[0068] Robot means a machine that automatically processes or operates a given task by its own ability. In particular, robots with the ability to recognize the environment and make self-determination to perform actions can be called intelligent robots. Robots can be classified as industrial, medical, home, military, etc., depending on the purpose or area of use. The robot can perform a variety of physical operations, such as moving the robot joints with actuators or motors. The movable robot also includes wheels, brakes, propellers, etc., on the drive, allowing it to drive on the ground or fly in the air.

[0069] Autonomous driving means a technology that drives on its own, and autonomous vehicles mean vehicles that drive without user's control or with minimal user's control. For example, autonomous driving may include maintaining lanes in motion, automatically adjusting speed such as adaptive cruise control, automatic driving along a set route, and automatically setting a route when a destination is set. The vehicle covers vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines, hybrid vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines and electric motors, and electric vehicles equipped with electric motors, and may include trains, motorcycles, etc., as well as cars. Autonomous vehicles can be seen as robots with autonomous driving functions.

[0070] Extended reality is collectively referred to as VR, AR, and MR. VR technology provides objects and backgrounds of real world only through computer graphic (CG) images. AR technology provides a virtual CG image on top of a real object image. MR technology is a CG technology that combines and combines virtual objects into the real world. MR technology is similar to AR technology in that they show real and virtual objects together. However, there is a difference in that in AR technology, virtual objects are used as complementary forms to real objects, while in MR technology, virtual objects and real objects are used as equal personalities.

[0071] NR supports multiples numerologies (and / or multiple subcarrier spacings (SCS)) to support various 5G services. For example, if SCS is 15 kHz, wide area can be supported in traditional cellular bands, and if SCS is 30 kHz / 60 kHz, dense-urban, lower latency, and wider carrier bandwidth can be supported. If SCS is 60 kHz or higher, bandwidths greater than 24.25 GHz can be supported to overcome phase noise.

[0072] The NR frequency band may be defined as two types of frequency range, i.e., FR1 and FR2. The numerical value of the frequency range may be changed. For example, the frequency ranges of the two types (FR1 and FR2) may be as shown in Table 1 below. For ease of explanation, in the frequency ranges used in the NR system, FR1 may mean "sub 6 GHz range", FR2 may mean "above 6 GHz range," and may be referred to as millimeter wave (mmW).

[0073]

[0074] As mentioned above, the numerical value of the frequency range of the NR system may be changed. For example, FR1 may include a frequency band of 410MHz to 7125MHz as shown in Table 2 below. That is, FR1 may include a frequency band of 6GHz (or 5850, 5900, 5925 MHz, etc.) or more. For example, a frequency band of 6 GHz (or 5850, 5900, 5925 MHz, etc.) or more included in FR1 may include an unlicensed band. Unlicensed bands may be used for a variety of purposes, for example for communication for vehicles (e.g., autonomous driving).

[0075]

[0076] Here, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may include narrowband internet-of-things (NB-IoT) technology for low-power communication as well as LTE, NR and 6G. For example, NB-IoT technology may be an example of low power wide area network (LPWAN) technology, may be implemented in specifications such as LTE Cat NB1 and / or LTE Cat NB2, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. Additionally and / or alternatively, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may communicate based on LTE-M technology. For example, LTE-M technology may be an example of LPWAN technology and be called by various names such as enhanced machine type communication (eMTC). For example, LTE-M technology may be implemented in at least one of the various specifications, such as 1) LTE Cat 0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-bandwidth limited (non-BL), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine Type Communication, and / or 7) LTE M, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. Additionally and / or alternatively, the radio communication technologies implemented in the wireless devices in the present disclosure may include at least one of ZigBee, Bluetooth, and / or LPWAN which take into account low-power communication, and may not be limited to the above-mentioned names. For example, ZigBee technology may generate personal area networks (PANs) associated with small / low-power digital communication based on various specifications such as IEEE 802.15.4 and may be called various names.

[0077] FIG. 2 shows an example of wireless devices to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 2, a first wireless device 100 and a second wireless device 200 may transmit / receive radio signals to / from an external device through a variety of RATs (e.g., LTE and NR).

[0079] In FIG. 2, {the first wireless device 100 and the second wireless device 200} may correspond to at least one of {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the BS 200}, {the wireless device 100a to 100f and the wireless device 100a to 100f} and / or {the BS 200 and the BS 200} of FIG. 1.

[0080] The first wireless device 100 may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver 106, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip 101, and / or one or more antennas 108.

[0081] The processing chip 101 may include at least one processor, such a processor 102, and at least one memory, such as a memory 104. It is exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 that the memory 104 is included in the processing chip 101. Additional and / or alternatively, the memory 104 may be placed outside of the processing chip 101.

[0082] The processor 102 may control the memory 104 and / or the transceiver 106 and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 102 may process information within the memory 104 to generate first information / signals and then transmit radio signals including the first information / signals through the transceiver 106. The processor 102 may receive radio signals including second information / signals through the transceiver 106 and then store information obtained by processing the second information / signals in the memory 104.

[0083] The memory 104 may be operably connectable to the processor 102. The memory 104 may store various types of information and / or instructions. The memory 104 may store a software code 105 which implements instructions that, when executed by the processor 102, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code 105 may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor 102, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code 105 may control the processor 102 to perform one or more protocols. For example, the software code 105 may control the processor 102 to perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

[0084] Herein, the processor 102 and the memory 104 may be a part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver 106 may be connected to the processor 102 and transmit and / or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 108. Each of the transceiver 106 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 106 may be interchangeably used with radio frequency (RF) unit(s). In the present disclosure, the first wireless device 100 may represent a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0085] The second wireless device 200 may include at least one transceiver, such as a transceiver 206, at least one processing chip, such as a processing chip 201, and / or one or more antennas 208.

[0086] The processing chip 201 may include at least one processor, such a processor 202, and at least one memory, such as a memory 204. It is exemplarily shown in FIG. 2 that the memory 204 is included in the processing chip 201. Additional and / or alternatively, the memory 204 may be placed outside of the processing chip 201.

[0087] The processor 202 may control the memory 204 and / or the transceiver 206 and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor 202 may process information within the memory 204 to generate third information / signals and then transmit radio signals including the third information / signals through the transceiver 206. The processor 202 may receive radio signals including fourth information / signals through the transceiver 106 and then store information obtained by processing the fourth information / signals in the memory 204.

[0088] The memory 204 may be operably connectable to the processor 202. The memory 204 may store various types of information and / or instructions. The memory 204 may store a software code 205 which implements instructions that, when executed by the processor 202, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code 205 may implement instructions that, when executed by the processor 202, perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. For example, the software code 205 may control the processor 202 to perform one or more protocols. For example, the software code 205 may control the processor 202 to perform one or more layers of the radio interface protocol.

[0089] Herein, the processor 202 and the memory 204 may be a part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement RAT (e.g., LTE or NR). The transceiver 206 may be connected to the processor 202 and transmit and / or receive radio signals through one or more antennas 208. Each of the transceiver 206 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transceiver 206 may be interchangeably used with RF unit. In the present disclosure, the second wireless device 200 may represent a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0090] Hereinafter, hardware elements of the wireless devices 100 and 200 will be described more specifically. One or more protocol layers may be implemented by, without being limited to, one or more processors 102 and 202. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may implement one or more layers (e.g., functional layers such as physical (PHY) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio resource control (RRC) layer, and service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer). The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate one or more protocol data units (PDUs) and / or one or more service data unit (SDUs) according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may generate signals (e.g., baseband signals) including PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure and provide the generated signals to the one or more transceivers 106 and 206. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may receive the signals (e.g., baseband signals) from the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 and acquire the PDUs, SDUs, messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0091] The one or more processors 102 and 202 may be referred to as controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or microcomputers. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. As an example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) may be included in the one or more processors 102 and 202. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software and the firmware or software may be configured to include the modules, procedures, or functions. Firmware or software configured to perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be included in the one or more processors 102 and 202 or stored in the one or more memories 104 and 204 so as to be driven by the one or more processors 102 and 202. The descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, commands, and / or a set of commands.

[0092] The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 and store various types of data, signals, messages, information, programs, code, instructions, and / or commands. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be configured by read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), flash memories, hard drives, registers, cash memories, computer-readable storage media, and / or combinations thereof. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be located at the interior and / or exterior of the one or more processors 102 and 202. The one or more memories 104 and 204 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 through various technologies such as wired or wireless connection.

[0093] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, to one or more other devices. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, from one or more other devices. For example, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one or more processors 102 and 202 and transmit and receive radio signals. For example, the one or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control so that the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may transmit user data, control information, or radio signals to one or more other devices. The one or more processors 102 and 202 may perform control so that the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive user data, control information, or radio signals from one or more other devices.

[0094] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be connected to the one or more antennas 108 and 208 and the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, and / or radio signals / channels, mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure, through the one or more antennas 108 and 208. In the present disclosure, the one or more antennas 108 and 208 may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports).

[0095] The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert received user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., from RF band signals into baseband signals in order to process received user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., using the one or more processors 102 and 202. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may convert the user data, control information, radio signals / channels, etc., processed using the one or more processors 102 and 202 from the base band signals into the RF band signals. To this end, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may include (analog) oscillators and / or filters. For example, the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 can up-convert OFDM baseband signals to OFDM signals by their (analog) oscillators and / or filters under the control of the one or more processors 102 and 202 and transmit the up-converted OFDM signals at the carrier frequency. The one or more transceivers 106 and 206 may receive OFDM signals at a carrier frequency and down-convert the OFDM signals into OFDM baseband signals by their (analog) oscillators and / or filters under the control of the one or more processors 102 and 202.

[0096] In the implementations of the present disclosure, a UE may operate as a transmitting device in uplink (UL) and as a receiving device in downlink (DL). In the implementations of the present disclosure, a BS may operate as a receiving device in UL and as a transmitting device in DL. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it is mainly assumed that the first wireless device 100 acts as the UE, and the second wireless device 200 acts as the BS. For example, the processor(s) 102 connected to, mounted on or launched in the first wireless device 100 may be configured to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) 106 to perform the UE behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure. The processor(s) 202 connected to, mounted on or launched in the second wireless device 200 may be configured to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure or control the transceiver(s) 206 to perform the BS behavior according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0097] In the present disclosure, a BS is also referred to as a node B (NB), an eNode B (eNB), or a gNB.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows an example of a wireless device to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0099] The wireless device may be implemented in various forms according to a use-case / service (refer to FIG. 1).

[0100] Referring to FIG. 3, wireless devices 100 and 200 may correspond to the wireless devices 100 and 200 of FIG. 2 and may be configured by various elements, components, units / portions, and / or modules. For example, each of the wireless devices 100 and 200 may include a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, a memory unit 130, and additional components 140. The communication unit 110 may include a communication circuit 112 and transceiver(s) 114. For example, the communication circuit 112 may include the one or more processors 102 and 202 of FIG. 2 and / or the one or more memories 104 and 204 of FIG. 2. For example, the transceiver(s) 114 may include the one or more transceivers 106 and 206 of FIG. 2 and / or the one or more antennas 108 and 208 of FIG. 2. The control unit 120 is electrically connected to the communication unit 110, the memory unit 130, and the additional components 140 and controls overall operation of each of the wireless devices 100 and 200. For example, the control unit 120 may control an electric / mechanical operation of each of the wireless devices 100 and 200 based on programs / code / commands / information stored in the memory unit 130. The control unit 120 may transmit the information stored in the memory unit 130 to the exterior (e.g., other communication devices) via the communication unit 110 through a wireless / wired interface or store, in the memory unit 130, information received through the wireless / wired interface from the exterior (e.g., other communication devices) via the communication unit 110.

[0101] The additional components 140 may be variously configured according to types of the wireless devices 100 and 200. For example, the additional components 140 may include at least one of a power unit / battery, input / output (I / O) unit (e.g., audio I / O port, video I / O port), a driving unit, and a computing unit. The wireless devices 100 and 200 may be implemented in the form of, without being limited to, the robot (100a of FIG. 1), the vehicles (100b-1 and 100b-2 of FIG. 1), the XR device (100c of FIG. 1), the hand-held device (100d of FIG. 1), the home appliance (100e of FIG. 1), the IoT device (100f of FIG. 1), a digital broadcast terminal, a hologram device, a public safety device, an MTC device, a medicine device, a FinTech device (or a finance device), a security device, a climate / environment device, the AI server / device (400 of FIG. 1), the BSs (200 of FIG. 1), a network node, etc. The wireless devices 100 and 200 may be used in a mobile or fixed place according to a use-example / service.

[0102] In FIG. 3, the entirety of the various elements, components, units / portions, and / or modules in the wireless devices 100 and 200 may be connected to each other through a wired interface or at least a part thereof may be wirelessly connected through the communication unit 110. For example, in each of the wireless devices 100 and 200, the control unit 120 and the communication unit 110 may be connected by wire and the control unit 120 and first units (e.g., 130 and 140) may be wirelessly connected through the communication unit 110. Each element, component, unit / portion, and / or module within the wireless devices 100 and 200 may further include one or more elements. For example, the control unit 120 may be configured by a set of one or more processors. As an example, the control unit 120 may be configured by a set of a communication control processor, an application processor (AP), an electronic control unit (ECU), a graphical processing unit, and a memory control processor. As another example, the memory unit 130 may be configured by a RAM, a DRAM, a ROM, a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and / or a combination thereof.

[0103] FIG. 4 shows an example of UE to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 4, a UE 100 may correspond to the first wireless device 100 of FIG. 2 and / or the wireless device 100 or 200 of FIG. 3.

[0105] A UE 100 includes a processor 102, a memory 104, a transceiver 106, one or more antennas 108, a power management module 110, a battery 112, a display 114, a keypad 116, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card 118, a speaker 120, and a microphone 122.

[0106] The processor 102 may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The processor 102 may be configured to control one or more other components of the UE 100 to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. Layers of the radio interface protocol may be implemented in the processor 102. The processor 102 may include ASIC, other chipset, logic circuit and / or data processing device. The processor 102 may be an application processor. The processor 102 may include at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a modem (modulator and demodulator). An example of the processor 102 may be found in SNAPDRAGONTMseries of processors made by Qualcomm®, EXYNOSTMseries of processors made by Samsung®, A series of processors made by Apple®, HELIOTMseries of processors made by MediaTek®, ATOMTMseries of processors made by Intel®or a corresponding next generation processor.

[0107] The memory 104 is operatively coupled with the processor 102 and stores a variety of information to operate the processor 102. The memory 104 may include ROM, RAM, flash memory, memory card, storage medium and / or other storage device. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, suggestions, methods and / or operational flowcharts disclosed in the present disclosure. The modules can be stored in the memory 104 and executed by the processor 102. The memory 104 can be implemented within the processor 102 or external to the processor 102 in which case those can be communicatively coupled to the processor 102 via various means as is known in the art.

[0108] The transceiver 106 is operatively coupled with the processor 102, and transmits and / or receives a radio signal. The transceiver 106 includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 106 may include baseband circuitry to process radio frequency signals. The transceiver 106 controls the one or more antennas 108 to transmit and / or receive a radio signal.

[0109] The power management module 110 manages power for the processor 102 and / or the transceiver 106. The battery 112 supplies power to the power management module 110.

[0110] The display 114 outputs results processed by the processor 102. The keypad 116 receives inputs to be used by the processor 102. The keypad 116 may be shown on the display 114.

[0111] The SIM card 118 is an　integrated circuit　that is intended to　securely store the　international mobile subscriber identity　(IMSI) number and its related　key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on　mobile telephony　devices (such as　mobile phones　and　computers). It is also possible to store contact information on many SIM cards.

[0112] The speaker 120 outputs sound-related results processed by the processor 102. The microphone 122 receives sound-related inputs to be used by the processor 102.

[0113] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of protocol stacks in a 3GPP based wireless communication system to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0114] In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a radio interface user plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS and FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a radio interface control plane protocol stack between a UE and a BS. The control plane refers to a path through which control messages used to manage call by a UE and a network are transported. The user plane refers to a path through which data generated in an application layer, for example, voice data or Internet packet data are transported. Referring to FIG. 5, the user plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer 1 (i.e., a PHY layer) and Layer 2. Referring to FIG. 6, the control plane protocol stack may be divided into Layer 1 (i.e., a PHY layer), Layer 2, Layer 3 (e.g., an RRC layer), and a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3 are referred to as an access stratum (AS).

[0115] In the 3GPP LTE system, the Layer 2 is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, and PDCP. In the 3GPP NR system, the Layer 2 is split into the following sublayers: MAC, RLC, PDCP and SDAP. The PHY layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels, the MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels, the RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels, the PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers. The SDAP sublayer offers to 5G core network quality of service (QoS) flows.

[0116] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the MAC sublayer include: mapping between logical channels and transport channels; multiplexing / de-multiplexing of MAC SDUs belonging to one or different logical channels into / from transport blocks (TB) delivered to / from the physical layer on transport channels; scheduling information reporting; error correction through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) (one HARQ entity per cell in case of carrier aggregation (CA)); priority handling between UEs by means of dynamic scheduling; priority handling between logical channels of one UE by means of logical channel prioritization; padding. A single MAC entity may support multiple numerologies, transmission timings and cells. Mapping restrictions in logical channel prioritization control which numerology(ies), cell(s), and transmission timing(s) a logical channel can use.

[0117] Different kinds of data transfer services are offered by MAC. To accommodate different kinds of data transfer services, multiple types of logical channels are defined, i.e., each supporting transfer of a particular type of information. Each logical channel type is defined by what type of information is transferred. Logical channels are classified into two groups: control channels and traffic channels. Control channels are used for the transfer of control plane information only, and traffic channels are used for the transfer of user plane information only. Broadcast control channel (BCCH) is a downlink logical channel for broadcasting system control information, paging control channel (PCCH) is a downlink logical channel that transfers paging information, system information change notifications and indications of ongoing public warning service (PWS) broadcasts, common control channel (CCCH) is a logical channel for transmitting control information between UEs and network and used for UEs having no RRC connection with the network, and dedicated control channel (DCCH) is a point-to-point bi-directional logical channel that transmits dedicated control information between a UE and the network and used by UEs having an RRC connection. Dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point logical channel, dedicated to one UE, for the transfer of user information. A DTCH can exist in both uplink and downlink. In downlink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: BCCH can be mapped to broadcast channel (BCH); BCCH can be mapped to downlink shared channel (DL-SCH); PCCH can be mapped to paging channel (PCH); CCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; DCCH can be mapped to DL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to DL-SCH. In uplink, the following connections between logical channels and transport channels exist: CCCH can be mapped to uplink shared channel (UL-SCH); DCCH can be mapped to UL-SCH; and DTCH can be mapped to UL-SCH.

[0118] The RLC sublayer supports three transmission modes: transparent mode (TM), unacknowledged mode (UM), and acknowledged node (AM). The RLC configuration is per logical channel with no dependency on numerologies and / or transmission durations. In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RLC sublayer depend on the transmission mode and include: transfer of upper layer PDUs; sequence numbering independent of the one in PDCP (UM and AM); error correction through ARQ (AM only); segmentation (AM and UM) and re-segmentation (AM only) of RLC SDUs; reassembly of SDU (AM and UM); duplicate detection (AM only); RLC SDU discard (AM and UM); RLC re-establishment; protocol error detection (AM only).

[0119] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the user plane include: sequence numbering; header compression and decompression using robust header compression (ROHC); transfer of user data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; PDCP PDU routing (in case of split bearers); retransmission of PDCP SDUs; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; PDCP SDU discard; PDCP re-establishment and data recovery for RLC AM; PDCP status reporting for RLC AM; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers. The main services and functions of the PDCP sublayer for the control plane include: sequence numbering; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; transfer of control plane data; reordering and duplicate detection; in-order delivery; duplication of PDCP PDUs and duplicate discard indication to lower layers.

[0120] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of SDAP include: mapping between a QoS flow and a data radio bearer; marking QoS flow ID (QFI) in both DL and UL packets. A single protocol entity of SDAP is configured for each individual PDU session.

[0121] In the 3GPP NR system, the main services and functions of the RRC sublayer include: broadcast of system information related to AS and NAS; paging initiated by 5GC or NG-RAN; establishment, maintenance and release of an RRC connection between the UE and NG-RAN; security functions including key management; establishment, configuration, maintenance and release of signaling radio bearers (SRBs) and data radio bearers (DRBs); mobility functions (including: handover and context transfer, UE cell selection and reselection and control of cell selection and reselection, inter-RAT mobility); QoS management functions; UE measurement reporting and control of the reporting; detection of and recovery from radio link failure; NAS message transfer to / from NAS from / to UE.

[0122] FIG. 7 shows an example of the overall architecture of an NG-RAN to which technical features of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 7, a gNB may include a gNB-CU (hereinafter, gNB-CU may be simply referred to as CU) and at least one gNB-DU (hereinafter, gNB-DU may be simply referred to as DU).

[0124] The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or an RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB. The gNB-CU controls the operation of the at least one gNB-DU.

[0125] The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC, and physical layers of the gNB or the en-gNB. The operation of the gNB-DU is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU.

[0126] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected via an F1 interface. The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the F1 interface connected to the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU is connected to only one gNB-CU. However, the gNB-DU may be connected to multiple gNB-CUs by appropriate implementation. The F1 interface is a logical interface. For NG-RAN, the NG and Xn-C interfaces for a gNB consisting of a gNB-CU and gNB-DUs, terminate in the gNB-CU. For E-UTRAN-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC), the S1-U and X2-C interfaces for a gNB consisting of a gNB-CU and gNB-DUs, terminate in the gNB-CU. The gNB-CU and connected gNB-DUs are only visible to other gNBs and the 5GC as a gNB.

[0127] Functions of the F1 interface includes F1 control (F1-C) functions as follows.

[0128] (1) F1 interface management function

[0129] The error indication function is used by the gNB-DU or gNB-CU to indicate to the gNB-CU or gNB-DU that an error has occurred.

[0130] The reset function is used to initialize the peer entity after node setup and after a failure event occurred. This procedure can be used by both the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU.

[0131] The F1 setup function allows to exchange application level data needed for the gNB-DU and gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface. The F1 setup is initiated by the gNB-DU.

[0132] The gNB-CU configuration update and gNB-DU configuration update functions allow to update application level configuration data needed between gNB-CU and gNB-DU to interoperate correctly over the F1 interface, and may activate or deactivate cells.

[0133] The F1 setup and gNB-DU configuration update functions allow to inform the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) supported by the gNB-DU.

[0134] The F1 resource coordination function is used to transfer information about frequency resource sharing between gNB-CU and gNB-DU.

[0135] (2) System Information management function

[0136] Scheduling of system broadcast information is carried out in the gNB-DU. The gNB-DU is responsible for transmitting the system information according to the scheduling parameters available.

[0137] The gNB-DU is responsible for the encoding of NR master information block (MIB). In case broadcast of system information block type-1 (SIB1) and other SI messages is needed, the gNB-DU is responsible for the encoding of SIB1 and the gNB-CU is responsible for the encoding of other SI messages.

[0138] (3) F1 UE context management function

[0139] The F1 UE context management function supports the establishment and modification of the necessary overall UE context.

[0140] The establishment of the F1 UE context is initiated by the gNB-CU and accepted or rejected by the gNB-DU based on admission control criteria (e.g., resource not available).

[0141] The modification of the F1 UE context can be initiated by either gNB-CU or gNB-DU. The receiving node can accept or reject the modification. The F1 UE context management function also supports the release of the context previously established in the gNB-DU. The release of the context is triggered by the gNB-CU either directly or following a request received from the gNB-DU. The gNB-CU request the gNB-DU to release the UE Context when the UE enters RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE.

[0142] This function can be also used to manage DRBs and SRBs, i.e., establishing, modifying and releasing DRB and SRB resources. The establishment and modification of DRB resources are triggered by the gNB-CU and accepted / rejected by the gNB-DU based on resource reservation information and QoS information to be provided to the gNB-DU. For each DRB to be setup or modified, the S-NSSAI may be provided by gNB-CU to the gNB-DU in the UE context setup procedure and the UE context modification procedure.

[0143] The mapping between QoS flows and radio bearers is performed by gNB-CU and the granularity of bearer related management over F1 is radio bearer level. For NG-RAN, the gNB-CU provides an aggregated DRB QoS profile and QoS flow profile to the gNB-DU, and the gNB-DU either accepts the request or rejects it with appropriate cause value. To support packet duplication for intra-gNB-DU carrier aggregation (CA), one data radio bearer should be configured with two GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP)-U tunnels between gNB-CU and a gNB-DU.

[0144] With this function, gNB-CU requests the gNB-DU to setup or change of the special cell (SpCell) for the UE, and the gNB-DU either accepts or rejects the request with appropriate cause value.

[0145] With this function, the gNB-CU requests the setup of the secondary cell(s) (SCell(s)) at the gNB-DU side, and the gNB-DU accepts all, some or none of the SCell(s) and replies to the gNB-CU. The gNB-CU requests the removal of the SCell(s) for the UE.

[0146] (4) RRC message transfer function

[0147] This function allows to transfer RRC messages between gNB-CU and gNB-DU. RRC messages are transferred over F1-C. The gNB-CU is responsible for the encoding of the dedicated RRC message with assistance information provided by gNB-DU.

[0148] (5) Paging function

[0149] The gNB-DU is responsible for transmitting the paging information according to the scheduling parameters provided.

[0150] The gNB-CU provides paging information to enable the gNB-DU to calculate the exact paging occasion (PO) and paging frame (PF). The gNB-CU determines the paging assignment (PA). The gNB-DU consolidates all the paging records for a particular PO, PF and PA, and encodes the final RRC message and broadcasts the paging message on the respective PO, PF in the PA.

[0151] (6) Warning messages information transfer function

[0152] This function allows to cooperate with the warning message transmission procedures over NG interface. The gNB-CU is responsible for encoding the warning related SI message and sending it together with other warning related information for the gNB-DU to broadcast over the radio interface.

[0153] FIG. 8 shows an interface protocol structure for F1-C to which technical features of the present disclosure can be applied.

[0154] A transport network layer (TNL) is based on Internet protocol (IP) transport, comprising a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) layer on top of the IP layer. An application layer signaling protocol is referred to as an F1 application protocol (E1AP).

[0155] Hereinafter, technical features related to Setup operations are described. Sections of 3GPP TS 38.423 v17.5.0 and 3GPP TS 38.473 v17.5.0 may be referred.

[0156] FIG. 9 shows an example of a successful operation for NG-RAN node Configuration Update to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0157] The purpose of the NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for two NG-RAN nodes to interoperate correctly over the Xn-C interface.

[0158] The procedure uses non UE-associated signalling.

[0159] The NG-RAN node1initiates the procedure by sending the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message to a peer NG-RAN node2.

[0160] If Supplementary Uplink is configured at the NG-RAN node1, the NG-RAN node1shall include in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message theSULInformationIE and theSupportedSULband ListIE for each cell added in theServedNRCells To AddIE and in theServedNRCells To ModifyIE.

[0161] If Supplementary Uplink is configured at the NG-RAN node2, the NG-RAN node2shall include in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message theSULInformationIE and theSupportedSULband ListIE for each cell added in theServedNRCellsIE if any.

[0162] If theTAI Support ListIE is included in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the receiving node shall replace the previously providedTAI Support ListIE by the receivedTAI Support ListIE.

[0163] If theCell Assistance InformationNRIE is present, the NG-RAN node2shall, if supported, use it to generate theServedNRCellsIE and include the list in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0164] If theCell Assistance Information E-UTRAIE is present, the NG-RAN node2shall, if supported, use it to generate theServed E-UTRACellsIE and include the list in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0165] If thePartial List IndicatorNRIE is included in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and set to "partial" the NG-RAN node1shall, if supported, assume that theServedNRCellsIE in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message includes a partial list of NR cells.

[0166] If thePartial List Indicator E-UTRAIE is included in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message and set to "partial" the NG-RAN node1shall, if supported, assume that theServed E-UTRACellsIE in the NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message includes a partial list of NR cells.

[0167] FIG. 10 shows an example of a successful operation for gNB-DU Configuration Update to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0168] The purpose of the gNB-DU Configuration Update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface. This procedure does not affect existing UE-related contexts, if any. The procedure uses non-UE associated signalling.

[0169] The gNB-DU initiates the procedure by sending a GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message to the gNB-CU including an appropriate set of updated configuration data that it has just taken into operational use. The gNB-CU responds with GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message to acknowledge that it successfully updated the configuration data. If an information element is not included in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU shall interpret that the corresponding configuration data is not changed and shall continue to operate the F1-C interface with the existing related configuration data.

[0170] The updated configuration data shall be stored in both nodes and used as long as there is an operational TNL association or until any further update is performed.

[0171] If gNB-DU IDIE is contained in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message for a newly established SCTP association, the gNB-CU will associate this association with the related gNB-DU.

[0172] IfServed Cells To Add ItemIE is contained in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU shall add cell information according to the information in theServed Cell InformationIE. For NG-RAN, the gNB-DU shall include thegNB-DU System InformationIE.

[0173] IfServed Cells To Modify ItemIE is contained in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU shall modify information of cell indicated byOldNRCGIIE according to the information in theServed Cell Information IE and overwrite the served cell information for the affected served cell. Further, if thegNB-DU System InformationIE is present the gNB-CU shall store and replace any previous information received.

[0174] IfServed Cells To Delete ItemIE is contained in the GNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-CU shall delete information of cell indicated byOldNRCGIIE.

[0175] FIG. 11 shows an example of a successful operation for gNB-CU Configuration Update procedure to which implementations of the present disclosure is applied.

[0176] The purpose of the gNB-CU Configuration Update procedure is to update application level configuration data needed for the gNB-DU and gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface. This procedure does not affect existing UE-related contexts, if any. The procedure uses non-UE associated signalling.

[0177] The gNB-CU initiates the procedure by sending a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message including the appropriate updated configuration data to the gNB-DU. The gNB-DU responds with a GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message to acknowledge that it successfully updated the configuration data. If an information element is not included in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU shall interpret that the corresponding configuration data is not changed and shall continue to operate the F1-C interface with the existing related configuration data.

[0178] The updated configuration data shall be stored in the respective node and used as long as there is an operational TNL association or until any further update is performed.

[0179] IfCells to be Activated List ItemIE is contained in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU shall activate the cell indicated byNRCGIIE and reconfigure the physical cell identity for which theNRPCIIE is included.

[0180] IfCells to be Deactivated List ItemIE is contained in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU shall deactivate the cell indicated byNRCGIIE.

[0181] IfCells to be Activated List ItemIE is contained in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message and the indicated cells are already activated, the gNB-DU shall update the cell information received inCells to be Activated List ItemIE.

[0182] IfCells to be Activated List ItemIE is included in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, and the information for the cell indicated by theNRCGIIE includes theIABInfoIAB-donor-CUIE, the gNB-DU shall, if supported, apply theIABSTCInfoIE therein to the indicated cell.

[0183] If thegNB-CU System InformationIE is contained in the gNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, the gNB-DU shall include theDedicatedSIDelivery NeededUEListIE in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message for UEs that are unable to receive system information from broadcast.

[0184] IfDedicatedSIDelivery NeededUEListIE is contained in the GNB-CU CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message, the gNB-CU should take it into account when informing the UE of the updated system information via the dedicated RRC message.

[0185] Hereinafter, technical features related to support for Energy Saving are described. Sections of 15.4 GPP TS 38.300 v17.4.0 may be referred.

[0186] The aim of this function is to reduce operational expenses through energy savings.

[0187] The function allows, for example in a deployment where capacity boosters can be distinguished from cells providing basic coverage, to optimize energy consumption enabling the possibility for an E-UTRA or NR cell providing additional capacity via single or dual connectivity, to be switched off when its capacity is no longer needed and to be re-activated on a need basis.

[0188] - Intra-system energy saving

[0189] The solution builds upon the possibility for the NG-RAN node owning a capacity booster cell to autonomously decide to switch-off such cell to lower energy consumption (inactive state). The decision is typically based on cell load information, consistently with configured information. The switch-off decision may also be taken by O&M.

[0190] The NG-RAN node may initiate handover actions in order to off-load the cell being switched off and may indicate the reason for handover with an appropriate cause value to support the target node in taking subsequent actions, e.g. when selecting the target cell for subsequent handovers.

[0191] All neighbour NG-RAN nodes are informed by the NG-RAN node owning the concerned cell about the switch-off actions over the Xn interface, by means of the NG-RAN node Configuration Update procedure.

[0192] All informed nodes maintain the cell configuration data, e.g., neighbour relationship configuration, also when a certain cell is inactive. If basic coverage is ensured by NG-RAN node cells, NG-RAN node owning non-capacity boosting cells may request a re-activation over the Xn interface if capacity needs in such cells demand to do so. This is achieved via the Cell Activation procedure. During switch off time period of the boost cell, the NG-RAN node may prevent idle mode UEs from camping on this cell and may prevent incoming handovers to the same cell.

[0193] The NG-RAN node receiving a request should act accordingly. The switch-on decision may also be taken by O&M. All peer NG-RAN nodes are informed by the NG-RAN node owning the concerned cell about the re-activation by an indication on the Xn interface.

[0194] - Inter-system energy saving

[0195] The solution builds upon the possibility for the NG-RAN node owning a capacity booster cell to autonomously decide to switch-off such cell to dormant state. The decision is typically based on cell load information, consistently with configured information. The switch-off decision may also be taken by O&M. The NG-RAN node indicates the switch-off action to the eNB over NG interface and S1 interface. The NG-RAN node could also indicate the switch-on action to the eNB over NG interface and S1 interface.

[0196] The eNB providing basic coverage may request a NG-RAN node's cell re-activation based on its own cell load information or neighbour cell load information, the switch-on decision may also be taken by O&M. The eNB requests a NG-RAN node's cell re-activation and receives the NG-RAN node's cell re-activation reply from the NG-RAN node over the S1 interface and NG interface. Upon reception of the re-activation request, the NG-RAN node's cell should remain switched on at least until expiration of the minimum activation time. The minimum activation time may be configured by O&M or be left to the NG-RAN node's implementation.

[0197] - O&M requirements

[0198] Operators should be able to configure the energy saving function.

[0199] The configured information should include:

[0200] - The ability of an NG-RAN node to perform autonomous cell switch-off;

[0201] - The ability of an NG-RAN node to request the re-activation of a configured list of inactive cells owned by a peer NG-RAN node.

[0202] O&M may also configure:

[0203] - policies used by the NG-RAN node for cell switch-off decision;

[0204] - policies used by peer NG-RAN nodes for requesting the re-activation of an inactive cell;

[0205] - The minimum time an NG-RAN node's cell should remain activated upon reception of a re-activation request from an eNB.

[0206] Hereinafter, technical features related to UE wake up signal (WUS) for gNB are described. Sections of 3GPP TS 38.864 v18.1.0 may be referred.

[0207] Technique enables the UE to send an uplink wake-up signal to request transitioning of a cell from no or reduced transmission / reception activity to active transmission or reception of a channel / signal. The technique can be applied to UEs in one or more RRC states. The UE wake up signal (WUS) by may be used to trigger the SSB / SIB transmission. It can be used to trigger SSB / SIB1 transmissions. It can also be used to trigger gNB to wake up.

[0208] With the support of WUS, the gNB might be inactive (e.g., where it does not transmit nor receive signal / channel or where it only transmits and receives limited signals). A gNB can transit to become active for transmitting or receiving a channel / signal upon reception of an uplink signal from the UE.

[0209] Meanwhile, in NR, several discussions are proposed for Network Energy Saving (NES). For example, NES based on wake up signal (WUS) is discussed.

[0210] For example, techniques related to UE wake up signal (WUS) for gNB are as below.

[0211] The UE may send an uplink wake-up signal to request transitioning of a cell from no or reduced transmission / reception activity to active transmission or reception of a channel / signal.

[0212] The technique can be applied to UEs in one or more RRC states. The UE wake up signal (WUS) may be used to trigger the SSB / SIB transmission. It can be used to trigger SSB / SIB1 transmissions. It can also be used to trigger gNB to wake up.

[0213] With the support of WUS, the gNB might be inactive (for example, where it does not transmit nor receive signal / channel or where it only transmits and receives limited signals). A gNB can transit to become active for transmitting or receiving a channel / signal upon reception of an uplink signal from the UE.

[0214] Specification of the technique may include:

[0215] - design of uplink wake-up signal / channel,

[0216] - signaling details of wake-up signal / channel and if needed, downlink signal / channel design / procedure for carrying information regarding the wake-up configuration,

[0217] - conditions for triggering WUS,

[0218] - mechanisms for DL synchronization and UE measurements needed prior to WUS transmission,

[0219] - UE's assistance information to aid wake up operations by gNB,

[0220] - UE behavior / procedure after transmitting WUS,

[0221] - mechanism on how the UE can be informed about cell activity or lack of activity.

[0222] In the light above, signaling to transition a gNB from an inactive state to an active state based on the UE's WUS is considered. After receiving the corresponding signaling from the UE, the gNB may change the inactive state to the active state. However, if a neighboring base station does not recognize the change of the state of the corresponding gNB, incorrect signaling may be sent to the gNB whose state has changed.

[0223] Additionally, if the gNB that received the UE's WUS is split into CU and DU, the gNB-CU may not recognize the UE's request and the state of the gNB may not be changed.

[0224] Therefore, studies for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system are required.

[0225] Hereinafter, a method for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the following drawings.

[0226] The following drawings are created to explain specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The names of the specific devices or the names of the specific signals / messages / fields shown in the drawings are provided by way of example, and thus the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific names used in the following drawings. Herein, a wireless device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE).

[0227] FIG. 12 shows an example of a method for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0228] In particular, FIG. 12 shows an example of a method performed by a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node.

[0229] In step S1201, the CU of first RAN node may receive, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device.

[0230] The configuration update message may include an identity (ID) of the cell.

[0231] For example, the activation request for a cell from a wireless device may include a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.

[0232] In step S1202, the CU of first RAN node may determine whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request.

[0233] In step S1203, based on determining to activate the cell, the CU of first RAN node may (i) transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell, and (ii) transmit, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

[0234] For example, the information informing that the cell is activated may be included in a RAN node configuration update message.

[0235] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, based on determining to activate the cell, the CU of the first RAN node may determine to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.

[0236] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by the DU of the first RAN node. In this case, the configuration update acknowledgement message may further include information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.

[0237] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by a DU of a third RAN node. The third RAN node may be different from the first RAN node. In this case, the CU of the first RAN node may transmit, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.

[0238] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by another DU of the first RAN node. In this case, the CU of the first RAN node may transmit, to the other DU of the first RAN node, information informing that at least one neighbour cell is activated.

[0239] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the CU of the first RAN node may determine not to activate the cell. Based on determining not to activate the cell, the CU of the first RAN node may transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication. In this case, the activation reject indication may include information on the ID of the cell. The activation reject indication may include a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.

[0240] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the wireless device may be in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.

[0241] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is proposed to change the CU-DU split base station from the inactive state to the active state and notify the neighboring base stations of the state change, based on the request of the UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0242] The gNB-CU may receive an Activation Request requesting a status change from inactive to active from the gNB-DU.

[0243] The gNB-CU may determine whether to change the inactive state to the active state. Depending on the determination, an Activation Response or an Activation Reject may be transmitted to the gNB-DU.

[0244] If it is determined to change to the active state, the gNB-CU may transmit an Activation Indication to inform the neighboring base station that the state has changed to the active state.

[0245] The gNB-CU may receive a response to an Activation Indication from the neighboring base station.

[0246] For example, the Activation Request may include the cell ID of the cell in which the UE requesting the status change is included.

[0247] For example, the Activation Response may include the cell ID of the activated cell or a cell list including the cell ID of the activated cell.

[0248] For example, the Activation Reject may include the cell ID of the cell for which the state change is not allowed and / or a cause value indicating the reason why the state change is not allowed.

[0249] For example, the Activation Indication may include the cell ID of the activated cell or a cell list including the cell ID of the activated cell.

[0250] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for network energy saving based on UE assistance is described.

[0251] To change the CU-DU split base station from the inactive state to the active state, the DU of the base station in the inactive state may receive a wake up request from the UE in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0252] The DU may notify the CU of the base station managing the DU of a status change request including information on the cell to which the requesting UE belongs.

[0253] Considering the received status change request and surrounding circumstances, the CU of the base station may decide to change the status to the active status. The CU of the base station may inform the DU that it has changed to the active state. The DU can broadcast information indicating that the base station's status has changed to active to the cell to which the UE that requested wake up belongs.

[0254] Based on the cell information received from the DU, the CU may decide to activate only a specific cell or to activate adjacent cells of the specific cell. At this time, the CU may provide activated cell information to the DU.

[0255] If multiple cells are activated, if the multiple cells belongs to a DU other than the DU that received the request, information on the cell to be activated may be transmitted to the DU to which the cell belongs.

[0256] Additionally, there may be a problem in which neighboring base stations do not recognize that the state of the corresponding base station has changed, causing incorrect signaling to the base station whose state has changed. To prevent this, information that the status has changed to active may be notified to neighboring base stations.

[0257] FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for activating the gNB by the request of idle or inactive UE, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0258] In particular, in FIG. 13, based on a request from a UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, the CU-DU split base station (that is, gNB1) may change from the inactive state to the active state. Additionally, a method for notifying gNB2, a neighboring base station, of a change in the state of gNB1 is described.

[0259] In step S1301, the UE in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state may send a Wake UP Request message to gNB1.

[0260] The UE may be a UE that has already been within the coverage of gNB1. Alternatively, the UE may be a UE that has moved from a base station adjacent to gNB1 to the coverage of gNB1.

[0261] In step S1302, after receiving the Request message, the gNB1-DU recognizes that the UE has requested to change the state of the base station (gNB1) from inactive state to activate state. Additionally, the gNB1-DU transmits an existing F1AP message (for example, a gNB-DU Configuration Update message) or a new F1AP message including an Activation Request to gNB1-CU to inform gNB1-CU of this.

[0262] Here, the Activation Request may include the cell ID of the cell in which the received the Request message is received from the UE.

[0263] In step S1303, after receiving the message from the gNB1-DU, the gNB1-CU determines whether to change the state of the base station (gNB1) to the active state. At this time, based on the cell ID included in the Activation Request, it may be decided to activate only the cell corresponding to the received cell ID, otherwise it may be decided to neighboring cells of the cell corresponding to the received cell ID.

[0264] After determining the state change, in order to notify the requesting UE that the base station (gNB1) has changed to the active state, the gNB1-CU transmits an existing F1AP message (for example, gNB-DU Configuration Update Acknowledge message) or a new F1AP message including an Activation Response to gNB1-DU.

[0265] Here, the Activation Response may include the cell ID of the cell being activated. If gNB1-CU decides to activate multiple cells, when a cell managed by another DU belonging to the gNB1-CU other than the gNB1-DU is activated, the gNB1-CU may transmit an existing F1AP message (for example, a gNB-CU Configuration Update message) or a new F1AP message including the cell IDs of cells to be activated to the corresponding DU.

[0266] If the gNB1-CU decides not to change the state to active state, in order to inform the requesting UE that the base station (gNB1) has not changed to the active state, the gNB1-CU transmits an existing F1AP message (for example, gNB-DU Configuration Update Acknowledge) or a new F1AP message including an Activation Reject to gNB1-DU.

[0267] In this case, the Activation Reject may include the cell ID of the cell for which the state change has been requested and / or a cause value indicating the reason why the state change is not permitted.

[0268] In step S1304, after receiving the message from gNB1-CU, the gNB1-DU broadcasts a Wake UP Complete message to notify that the cell has been activated for each cell ID included in the received Activation Response. The UE that received this (that is, the UE that requested a state change to gNB1) and / or the UEs with RRC_IDLE and / or RRC_INACTIVE within the cell may request an RRC connection to the base station (gNB1). In addition, the UE that requested a state change of gNB1 and / or the UEs with RRC_IDLE and / or RRC_INACTIVE in the corresponding cell do not need to transmit a Wake UP Request message such as step S1301 thereafter.

[0269] If the Activation Reject is received from gNB1-CU, the gNB1-DU may broadcast a Wake Up Reject message to inform that the status of the base station has not changed based on the cell ID included in the Activation Reject. Alternatively, the gNB1-DU may not transmit the Wake UP Complete message.

[0270] In step S1305, after deciding to change to the active state, in order to prevent triggering of incorrect signaling (for example, a Cell Activation Request message) from neighboring base stations, the gNB1-CU of the base station transmits an existing XnAP message (for example, an NG-RAN Node Configuration Update message) or a new XnAP message including an Activation Indication to gNB2.

[0271] Here, the Activation Indication may include the cell ID of the activated cell or a cell list including the cell ID of the activated cell.

[0272] For example, after receiving the Activation Request in step S1302, if gNB1-CU decides to change to the active state, the Activation Indication in step S1305 may be transmitted to the gNB2. Meanwhile, if the gNB1-CU decides not to change to the active state, the Activation Indication is not transmitted to gNB2.

[0273] In step S1306, after receiving the message from the gNB1-CU, as a response, the gNB2 transmits an existing XnAP message (for example, NG-RAN Node Configuration Update Acknowledge message) or a new XnAP message to gNB1-CU.

[0274] Some of the detailed steps shown in the examples of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 may not be essential steps and may be omitted. In addition to the steps shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, other steps may be added, and the order of the steps may vary. Some of the above steps may have their own technical meaning.

[0275] Hereinafter, an apparatus for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0276] Herein, the first RAN node may be the gNB in FIG. 7. The first RAN node may include a Central Unit (CU) and at least one Distributed Unit (DU).

[0277] The CU of the first RAN node may comprise a memory and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be operatively coupled to the memory.

[0278] The at least one processor may be adapted to receive, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device. The configuration update message may include an identity (ID) of the cell. The at least one processor may be adapted to determine whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request. Based on determining to activate the cell, the at least one processor may be adapted to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and transmit, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

[0279] For example, based on determining not to activate the cell, the at least one processor may be adapted to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication.

[0280] For example, the activation reject indication may include information on the ID of the cell.

[0281] For example, the activation reject indication may include a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.

[0282] For example, based on determining to activate the cell, the at least one processor may be adapted to determine to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.

[0283] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by the DU of the first RAN node. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.

[0284] For example, the at least one neighbour cell is served by a DU of a third RAN node. The at least one processor may be adapted to transmit, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.

[0285] For example, the activation request for a cell from a wireless device may include a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.

[0286] For example, the information informing that the cell is activated may be included in a RAN node configuration update message.

[0287] For example, the wireless device may be in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.

[0288] Hereinafter, a processor for a Central Unit (CU) of a first RAN for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0289] The processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to receive, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device. The configuration update message may include an identity (ID) of the cell. The processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to determine whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request. Based on determining to activate the cell, the processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and transmit, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

[0290] For example, based on determining not to activate the cell, the processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication.

[0291] For example, the activation reject indication may include information on the ID of the cell.

[0292] For example, the activation reject indication may include a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.

[0293] For example, based on determining to activate the cell, the processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to determine to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.

[0294] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by the DU of the first RAN node. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.

[0295] For example, the at least one neighbour cell is served by a DU of a third RAN node. The processor may be configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.

[0296] For example, the activation request for a cell from a wireless device may include a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.

[0297] For example, the information informing that the cell is activated may be included in a RAN node configuration update message.

[0298] For example, the wireless device may be in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.

[0299] Hereinafter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon a plurality of instructions for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0300] According to some embodiment of the present disclosure, the technical features of the present disclosure could be embodied directly in hardware, in a software executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For example, a method performed by a wireless device in a wireless communication may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, a software may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other storage medium.

[0301] Some example of storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. For another example, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.

[0302] The computer-readable medium may include a tangible and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0303] For example, non-transitory computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, or any other medium that can be used to store instructions or data structures. Non-transitory computer-readable media may also include combinations of the above.

[0304] In addition, the method described herein may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable communication medium that carries or communicates code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed, read, and / or executed by a computer.

[0305] According to some embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has stored thereon a plurality of instructions. The stored a plurality of instructions may be executed by a processor of a Central Unit (CU) of a first RAN node.

[0306] The stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to receive, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device. The configuration update message may include an identity (ID) of the cell. The stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to determine whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request. Based on determining to activate the cell, the stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and transmit, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.

[0307] For example, based on determining not to activate the cell, the stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication.

[0308] For example, the activation reject indication may include information on the ID of the cell.

[0309] For example, the activation reject indication may include a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.

[0310] For example, based on determining to activate the cell, the stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to determine to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.

[0311] For example, the at least one neighbour cell may be served by the DU of the first RAN node. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated. The configuration update acknowledgement message may further include an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.

[0312] For example, the at least one neighbour cell is served by a DU of a third RAN node. The stored a plurality of instructions may cause the CU of the first RAN node to transmit, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.

[0313] For example, the activation request for a cell from a wireless device may include a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.

[0314] For example, the information informing that the cell is activated may be included in a RAN node configuration update message.

[0315] For example, the wireless device may be in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.

[0316] Hereinafter, a wireless device for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0317] The wireless device may include a transceiver, a memory, and a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory. For example, the wireless device may be the first wireless device 100 or the second wireless device 200 of FIGS. 2 and 3, or the UE 100 of FIG. 4.

[0318] The processor may be adapted to transmit, to a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node via a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, an activation request for a cell, wherein the activation request includes an identity (ID) of the cell.

[0319] The processor may be adapted to receive, from the CU of the first RAN node via the DU of the first RAN node, a wake up complete message including and an activation allowance indication and the ID of the cell.

[0320] Hereinafter, a method performed by a wireless device for network energy saving based on UE assistance in a wireless network system, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, will be described.

[0321] The wireless device may transmit, to a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node via a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, an activation request for a cell, wherein the activation request includes an identity (ID) of the cell.

[0322] The wireless device may receive, from the CU of the first RAN node via the DU of the first RAN node, a wake up complete message including and an activation allowance indication and the ID of the cell.

[0323] The present disclosure can have various advantageous effects.

[0324] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the network could provide efficient solutions for network energy saving based on UE assistance.

[0325] For example, by changing a base station from an inactive state to an active state based on the request of a UE, the base station can manage energy efficiently. Additionally, the UE can receive the desired service regardless of the inactive / active status of the base station.

[0326] In other words, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the RAN node could efficiently transition from an inactive state to an active state.

[0327] Advantageous effects which can be obtained through specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the advantageous effects listed above. For example, there may be a variety of technical effects that a person having ordinary skill in the related art can understand and / or derive from the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specific effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those explicitly described herein, but may include various effects that may be understood or derived from the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0328] Claims in the present disclosure can be combined in a various way. For instance, technical features in method claims of the present disclosure can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus, and technical features in apparatus claims can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method. Further, technical features in method claim(s) and apparatus claim(s) can be combined to be implemented or performed in an apparatus. Further, technical features in method claim(s) and apparatus claim(s) can be combined to be implemented or performed in a method. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1.A method performed by a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:receiving, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an identity (ID) of the cell; anddetermining whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request;based on determining to activate the cell:- transmitting, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and- transmitting, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.2.The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises,based on determining not to activate the cell:- transmitting, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication.3.The method of claim 2,wherein the activation reject indication includes information on the ID of the cell.4.The method of claim 2,wherein the activation reject indication includes a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.5.The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises,based on determining to activate the cell:- determining to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.6.The method of claim 5,wherein the at least one neighbour cell is served by the DU of the first RAN node.7.The method of claim 6,wherein the configuration update acknowledgement message further includes information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.8.The method of claim 6,wherein the configuration update acknowledgement message further includes an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.9.The method of claim 5,wherein the at least one neighbour cell is served by a DU of a third RAN node.10.The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises,transmitting, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.11.The method of claim 1,wherein the activation request for a cell from a wireless device includes a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.12.The method of claim 1,wherein the information informing that the cell is activated is included in a RAN node configuration update message.13.The method of claim 1,wherein the wireless device is in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.14.A Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node in a wireless communication system comprising:a memory; andat least one processor operatively coupled to the memory, and adapted to:receive, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an identity (ID) of the cell; anddetermine whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request;based on determining to activate the cell:- transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and- transmit, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.15.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further adapted to:based on determining not to activate the cell:- transmit, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation reject indication.16.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 15,wherein the activation reject indication includes information on the ID of the cell.17.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 15,wherein the activation reject indication includes a cause value informing a reason why the cell is not activated.18.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further adapted to:based on determining to activate the cell:- determine to activate at least one neighbour cell of the cell in response to the activation request.19.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 18,wherein the at least one neighbour cell is served by the DU of the first RAN node.20.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 19,wherein the configuration update acknowledgement message further includes information informing that the at least one neighbour cell being activated.21.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 19,wherein the configuration update acknowledgement message further includes an ID of the at least one neighbour cell being activated.22.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 18,wherein the at least one neighbour cell is served by a DU of a third RAN node.23.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is further adapted to:transmit, to the third RAN node, information informing that the at least one neighbour cell is activated.24.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 14,wherein the activation request for a cell from a wireless device includes a Wake Up Signal from the wireless device.25.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 14,wherein the information informing that the cell is activated is included in a RAN node configuration update message.26.The CU of the first RAN node of claim 14,wherein the wireless device is in communication with at least one of a user equipment, a network, or an autonomous vehicle other than the wireless device.27.A processor for a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node in a wireless communication system, wherein the processor is configured to control the CU of the first RAN node to perform operations comprising:receiving, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an identity (ID) of the cell; anddetermining whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request;based on determining to activate the cell:- transmitting, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and- transmitting, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.28.A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, which, based on executed by a processor of a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node, perform operations, the operations comprises,receiving, from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, a configuration update message including an activation request for a cell from a wireless device, wherein the configuration update message includes an identity (ID) of the cell; anddetermining whether to activate the cell in response to the activation request;based on determining to activate the cell:- transmitting, to the DU of the first RAN node, a configuration update acknowledgement message including an activation allowance and the ID of the cell; and- transmitting, to a second RAN node, information informing that the cell is activated.29.A method for a wireless device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising,transmitting, to a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node via a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, an activation request for a cell, wherein the activation request includes an identity (ID) of the cell; andreceiving, from the CU of the first RAN node via the DU of the first RAN node, a wake up complete message including and an activation allowance indication and the ID of the cell.30.A wireless device in a wireless communication system comprising:a transceiver;a memory; anda processor operatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, and adapted to:transmit, to a Central Unit (CU) of a first Radio Access Network (RAN) node via a Distributed Unit (DU) of the first RAN node, an activation request for a cell, wherein the activation request includes an identity (ID) of the cell; andreceive, from the CU of the first RAN node via the DU of the first RAN node, a wake up complete message including and an activation allowance indication and the ID of the cell.

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