Methods and apparatuses for selectively skipping messages in communications

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, and systems for sending messages. One of the methods includes: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SELECTIVELY SKIPPING MESSAGES IN COMMUNICATIONSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 563,282, filed on March 8, 2024, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR SELECTIVELY SKIPPING MESSAGES IN COMMUNICATIONS,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present disclosure relate generally to communications, more specifically, methods, systems, and devices for selectively skipping messages in wireless communications.

[0003] In modern telecommunication services, a paging message is typically sent to a mobile node, such as a portable device, to alert it of an incoming call or data. This prompts the device to awaken from idle mode and prepare for reception. Portable devices are often stored in backpacks, briefcases, or placed inside buildings or vehicles. In these environments, the propagation conditions are less favorable compared to open-air or line-of-sight scenarios, which can result in the paging message not being received by the devices. To mitigate this issue, a comprehensive paging scheme can be implemented. This paging scheme involves transmitting an initial paging message, followed by a robust paging message or a robust pre-notification alert. Subsequently, another paging message, similar to the initial one, can be transmitted. However, the use of such a comprehensive paging scheme can result in unnecessary redundancy in data transmission, leading to excessive energy consumption and wastage of limited spectrum or network resources. Systems and methods that can efficiently and effectively utilize robust messaging in an energy-efficient and resource-efficient manner are desired.

[0004] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a first node for a communication. The method includes: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for a second node for a communication. The method includes: detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a first node for a communication. The first node includes a memory storing an instruction; and a processor configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: obtain a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and send, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a second node for a communication. The second node includes a memory storing an instruction; and a processor configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: detect, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determine, based on a detection result, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors of a first node for a communication, to perform a method. The method includes: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors of a second node for a communication, to perform a method. The method includes: detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary paging method in the art.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system for determining whether to use a robust message for communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system for determining whether to use a robust message for communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4B is a table providing detailed information of the IE of FIG. 4A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5B is a table providing detailed information of the IE of FIG. 5A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified registration request message IE for conveying radio coverage information, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 7B is a table providing the detailed information of the IE of FIG. 7A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating application of paging messages in network triggered service request message flows, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a first node for a communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a second node for a communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a node for a communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods consistent with aspects related to the present disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0025] In the present disclosure, the term “node” is used as a general term that includes, but is not limited to, user equipment (UE), one or more vehicles, one or more vehicle mounted modules, and one or more network infrastructure nodes such as base stations, core networks, roadside units, repeaters, transponders, wireless routers, controllers, access points, and sub-systems thereof. In this disclosure, the terms “base station”, “radio access base station”, and “radio access network” are used interchangeably. In this disclosure, the terms “radio access network”, “core network”, and “network” are used as general terms which include, but are not limited to, terrestrial and non-terrestrial (e.g., satellite) systems.

[0026] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure describe “paging message” and “pre-paging alert,” which may be related to the non-terrestrial networks (NTN) described in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) radio access network (RAN) meetings. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the paging message, pre-paging alert, or the NTN. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to any communication messages, for example, downlink messages, uplink messages, or device-to-device messages. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to point-to-point message(s) or point-to-multipoint message(s), including broadcast or groupcast. In the present disclosure, the terms “message”, “signal”, “data”, “data packet”, “notification”, and “alert” are used interchangeably. For example, transmitting a signal may also mean transmitting a message or data, etc.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary paging method in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, a method 100 includes a step 102 of sending, to a second node, a normal paging message. The method 100 may be performed by a network node, such as a base station (e.g., eNodeB, gNodeB). The second node may be a UE, for example, a portable mobile device. For example, the base station may have a call or data for the UE. The base station may send a normal paging message to the UE so that the UE may wake-up from idle mode and prepare for reception.

[0028] The term “normal paging message” (or “normal message) described in the present disclosure may include any paging message that is not a robust paging message, for example, a legacy paging message. The term “robust paging message” (or “robust message”) described in the present disclosure may involve or include at least one of: the use of short-message-service (SMS), the use of one or more orthogonal cover codes, the use of one or more orthogonal cover codes, the use of higher transmission power, the use of a new channel dedicated for the paging message, the use of enhanced existing paging channel, an increased signal power, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) increase or activation, a packet duplication, the use of one or more different error coding codes, the use of one or more different spreading codes, the use of one or more different scrambling codes, the use of signal diversity, the use of spatial diversity, the use of time diversity, the use of frequency diversity, or the use of wake-up signal. The wake-up signal may be consistent with the wake-up signal defined in the 3GPP or any new types of wake-up signal currently known or future-developed. The term “robust paging” described in the present disclosure may include at least one of: repetitions of the data transmission to increase redundancy, possibly together with soft-bit combinations at the receiving side to increase received signal energy from multiple repetitions, the use of new more efficient codes, or the use of lower coding rates with more redundancy.

[0029] The method 100 includes a step 104 of sending, to the second node, a robust pre-paging alert. For example, after sending the normal paging message at the step 102, the base station may not receive any response from the UE. This may be because, the UE is placed in a back-pocket or a briefcase or located under trees, inside a building or a vehicle. In these environments, the propagation conditions are worse than in open-air or line-of-sight, and thus, the normal paging message may not be received by the UE. To address this challenge, at the step 104, the base station may trigger a robust paging and transmit a robust pre-paging alert to the UE. The robust pre-paging alert may be a downlink-only signal.

[0030] The method 100 includes a step 106 of alerting the end-user of an incoming call or data. The robust pre-paging alert transmitted to the UE may be decoded by the UE and this gives an alert to the user of the UE. In turn, the user may put his / her UE (e.g., portable mobile device) in a better location e.g., outside of a briefcase.

[0031] The method 100 includes a step 108 of sending, to the second node, a paging message and / or expecting mobile-originated session. For example, the base station may send another normal paging message to the UE or expect that the UE initiates communication with the base station.

[0032] The process of robust paging illustrated in FIG. 1 includes: (1) sending an initial normal paging message, (2) sending a robust paging message (or pre-paging alert) that follows the initial message that failed, and (3) sending another normal paging message. One of the drawbacks of the robust paging is that three messages need to be sent, instead of one. This may have negative impact on scarce spectrum resources and spectral efficiency.

[0033] At least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions to the above-noted issues, by enabling or disabling robust messages in an efficient way, and decreasing the number of messages sent. In addition, at least some embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods that can avoid sending the initial message when it is not required or needed. For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods that allow to skip (e.g., disable) the transmission of the initial message when this is possible, by directly sending the robust version of the corresponding message. This allows to save one message, hence allowing a gain in resources and spectral efficiency. This also allows to save latency in the communication. When sending a robust version of a message is not required, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure also allow to not send the robust version of the message, thereby keeping the benefit of sending a non-robust version of a message, which is more spectrally efficient than the robust counterpart version of the message.

[0034] Although the disclosed methods are exemplified with terrestrial mobile communication systems, such as 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) and / or NR / 5G radio access technology, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. The methods of the present disclosure can be applied to any communication systems, including non-terrestrial communication systems, that make use of at least two nodes or entities.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system for determining whether to use a robust message for communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, a communication system 200 includes a node 202 and a node 204. The node 202 may be a UE, for example, a portable mobile device. The node 204 may be a base station (e.g., eNodeB, gNodeB), or a network node including both a base station and a core network. The base station may be any base station currently existing, such as base stations for long term evolution (LTE) or new radio (NR), or base stations for a future generation (6thgeneration (6G), 7thgeneration (7G), or any other future generation) radio access technology (RAT). The node 202 and the node 204 may communicate with each other using Uu interface. For example, the node 204 may transmit one or more downlink signals to the node 202 and the node 202 may transmit one or more uplink signals to the node 204.

[0036] In some embodiments, the node 202 may perform measurements on the serving cell and send a measurement report to the node 204. The measurement report may include at least one of: one or more received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurement values, one or more reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement values, one or more reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement values, one or more signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) measurement values, or one or more signal to noise ratio (SNR) measurement values. The serving cell may include, but is not limited to, a primary cell (PCell), a secondary cell (SCell), a primary secondary cell (PSCell), or a special cell (SpCell).

[0037] The node 204 may use the information (e.g., one or more measurement values) included in the measurement report to determine whether to send a robust message to the node 202. For example, if the one or more measurement values included in the measurement report are greater than or equal to one or more corresponding thresholds, the node 204 determines that a non-robust message needs to be sent. On the other hand, if the one or more measurement values included in the measurement report are smaller than the one or more corresponding thresholds, the node 204 determines to send a robust message, without sending the non-robust message.

[0038] The non-robust message may be the legacy message, such as the normal paging message described with respect to FIG. 1. In the present disclosure, the terms “non-robust message”, “legacy message” and “normal message” are used interchangeably. In some embodiments, the measurement report provided by the node 202 is consistent with the measurement reports provided by a UE to a radio access base station as described in the 3GPP specifications. In some embodiments, the measurement report provided by the node 202 may make use of only one bit, whose value may depend on whether a measurement value is above or below or equal to a threshold. For example, the value of the bit may be “1” if the measurement value is greater than or equal to a threshold, and the value of the bit may be “0” if the measurement value is smaller than the threshold.

[0039] In some embodiments, based on the information included in the measurement report, the node 204 may indicate to the node 202 whether or not the node 202 should use subsequent robust message(s) or non-robust message(s) for transmission from the node 202. For example, if one or more measurement values included in the measurement report are greater than or equal to one or more corresponding thresholds, the node 204 may instruct the node 202 to use non-robust message(s) for transmission. On the other hand, if the one or more measurement values included in the measurement report are smaller than the one or more corresponding thresholds, the node 204 may instruct the node 202 to use robust message(s) for transmission. In some embodiments, the node 204 may combine the information included in the measurement report received from the node 202 with additional information in the decision-making processes.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system for determining whether to use a robust message for communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, a communication system 300 includes a node 302 and a node 304. The node 302 may be, for example, a UE (e.g., a portable mobile device). The node 304 may be a core network, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF). The node 302 may perform a registration update when there is a change in the registration area, for example, based on a tracking area list. The node 302 may also perform periodic registration updates upon the expiration of a periodic registration timer. The node 302 may perform the registration update while in idle mode.

[0041] To perform the registration update, as shown in FIG. 3, at a step 306, the node 302 sends a registration request to the node 304. In some embodiments, the node 302 may include, in the registration request message, radio coverage information, for example radio coverage information associated with the serving cell. The radio coverage information may include at least one of: a radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell, or a radio coverage area associated with the serving cell. For example, the node 302 may include, in the registration request, an indication whether a radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell is greater than, smaller than, or equal to, a threshold. For another example, the node 302 may include, in the registration request, an indication whether a radio coverage area associated with the serving cell is greater than, smaller than, or equal to, a threshold.

[0042] After receiving the registration request transmitted from the node 302, at a step 308, the node 304 extracts the radio coverage information included in the registration request, and based on the radio coverage information, the node 304 may determine whether to use a robust message or non-robust message for transmission of the registration accept message. For example, if the indication included in the registration request message indicates that the radio measurement metric is greater than a threshold, the node 304 may transmit a non-robust registration accept message. On the other hand, if the indication included in the registration request message indicates that the radio measurement metric is smaller than or equal to the threshold, the node 304 may transmit a robust registration accept message. For another example, if the indication included in the registration request message indicates that the radio coverage area is greater than a threshold, the node 304 may transmit a non-robust registration accept message.

[0043] In some embodiments, instead of the step 306 or in addition to the step 306, the node 302 may include the radio coverage information in a registration complete message transmitted to the node 304. In some embodiments, to include the radio coverage information in the registration request message and / or the registration complete message, the node 302 may make use of one of the already existing spare bits in the registration request message or registration complete message, included in an information element in the 3GPP specifications, as described with respect to FIG. 6 below. In some embodiments, for the radio coverage information sent to the node 304, the node 302 may modify existing information elements having one or more spare bits or generate a new information element, as described with respect to FIGs. 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 7A-7B below.

[0044] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, FIG. 4B is a table providing detailed information of the IE of FIG. 4A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, in some embodiments, a new IE called radio access information IE is generated for conveying radio coverage information, based on the existing radio access network (RAN) timing synchronization IE, as described in the 3GPP specifications. The generated radio access information IE may provide the information related to RAN timing synchronization and radio coverage information. The radio access information IE may be designed as a type 4 IE with a length of 3 octets, as shown in FIG. 4A. Referring to FIG. 4A, the radio access information IE is coded to include three parts: (1) an information element identifier (IEI) part having one octet length (octet 1) for identifying the IE; (2) a length indicator part having one octet length (octet 2) for the length of radio access information; and (3) a value part having one octet length (octet 3). The numbers 1 to 8 of FIG. 4A indicate the bit positions of the 8 bits included in one octet. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the value part (octet 3), the bit 3 to the bit 8 are spare bits and coded as zero. The bit 1 is used for conveying RAN timing synchronization information, for example, a request to reconnect to the network (RecReq). The bit 2 is used for conveying radio coverage information (Cov). In some embodiments, the radio coverage information and / or the RAN timing synchronization information may be conveyed by using any other spare bits between the bit 3 to bit 8.

[0045] FIG. 4B provides detailed information of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE described above with respect to FIG. 4A. As shown in the top portion of the table of FIG. 4B, the bit 1 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE is used for conveying a request to reconnect (RecReq) to the network upon receiving an indication of a change in the RAN timing synchronization status. The request is indicated using one bit having two different values (0 and 1), in which the value “0” indicates that a reconnection is not requested, while the value “1” indicates that the reconnection is requested. As shown in the middle portion of the table of FIG. 4B, the bit 2 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE is used for conveying the radio coverage information. The radio coverage information is indicated using one bit having two different values (0 and 1), in which the value “0” indicates a cell coverage is equal to or below a threshold, while the value “1” indicates that the cell coverage is above a threshold. As shown in the bottom portion of the table of FIG. 4B, the bit 3 to the bit 8 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE are spare bits and shall be coded as zero.

[0046] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show an example of generating an IE using existing IE having at least one spare bit to convey radio coverage information. In this way, the radio coverage information is conveyed without increasing the overall size of the message because the number of bits of the IE does not change and only the semantics of one bit is redefined from spare to radio coverage information. Although FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B use existing RAN timing synchronization IE, the scope of the present application is not so limited. The radio coverage information described in the present disclosure can be conveyed by any other type of IE having at least one spare bit.

[0047] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, FIG. 5B is a table providing detailed information of the IE in FIG. 5A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, a new IE called radio access information IE is created for conveying radio coverage information, based on existing RAN timing synchronization IE, as described in the 3GPP specification. The radio access information IE in FIG. 5A may provide the information related to RAN timing synchronization and radio coverage information. The radio access information IE of FIG. 5A may be designed as a type 4 IE with a length of 3 octets. Compared with FIG. 4A, the radio access information IE in FIG. 5A uses two bits (bit 2 and bit 3) to convey radio coverage information, while the radio access information IE in FIG. 4 only uses one bit. In addition, the radio access information IE in FIG. 5A includes the length of RAN timing synchronization in the length indicator part, while the radio access information IE in FIG. 4A includes the length of the radio access information. The design of the radio access information IE in FIG. 5A allows to provide the legacy information on RAN timing synchronization in the radio access information IE if the new information on radio coverage information is unknown and allows to be backwards compatible with regards to the new information.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 5A, the radio access information IE is coded to include three parts: (1) an information element identifier (IEI) part having one octet length (octet 1) for identifying the IE; (2) a length indicator part having one octet length (octet 2) for the length of RAN timing synchronization; and (3) a value part having one octet length (octet 3). The numbers 1 to 8 of FIG. 5A indicates the bit positions of the 8 bits in one octet. In the value part (octet 3), the bit 4 to the bit 8 are spare bits and coded as zero. The bit 1 is used for conveying RAN timing synchronization information, for example, a request to reconnect to the network (RecReq). The bit 2 and the bit 3 are used for conveying radio coverage information. In some embodiments, the radio coverage information and / or the RAN timing synchronization information may be conveyed by using any other spare bits between the bit 4 to bit 8.

[0049] FIG. 5B provides the detailed information of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE of FIG. 5A. As shown in the top portion of the table of FIG. 5B, the bit 1 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE is used for conveying a request to reconnect to the network upon receiving an indication of a change in the RAN timing synchronization status (RecReq). The request is indicated using one bit having two different values (0 and 1), in which the value “0” indicates that a reconnection is not requested, while the value “1” indicates that the reconnection is requested. As shown in the middle portion of the table of FIG. 5B, the bit 2 and the bit 3 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE are used for conveying the radio coverage information. The radio coverage information is indicated using two bits having two different values (“01” or “10”), or two bits having the same values (“00” or “11”). For example, the value “00” may indicate that the IE does not convey any information about the radio coverage status. If this value is received, it should be interpreted as indicating that neither "01" nor "10" is applicable. The value “01” (“0” is in bit 3 position and “1” is in bit 2 position) may indicate that a cell coverage is equal to or below a threshold, and the value “10” (“1” is in bit 3 position and “0” is in bit 2 position) indicates that the cell coverage is above a threshold. The value “11” is reserved. As shown in the bottom portion of the table of FIG. 5B, the bit 4 to the bit 8 of the value part (octet 3) of the radio access information IE are spare bits and shall be coded as zero.

[0050] In some embodiments, to ensure full backward compatibility of the radio access information in Figures 5A-5B concerning RAN timing synchronization, a "no information" code-point is utilized for the RAN timing synchronization. In this way, even if the radio coverage information is unknown, this unknown status can also be conveyed using the radio access information IE as shown in FIGs. 5A-5B. Although FIGs. 5A-5B use two spare bits of existing RAN timing synchronization IE, the scope of the present application is not so limited. The radio coverage information described in the present disclosure can be conveyed by using any other type of IE having at least two spare bits.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified registration request message IE for conveying radio coverage information, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the registration request message IE sent by a UE to a core network is used for conveying radio coverage information. For example, the registration request messages may be non-access stratum (NAS) messages involved in registration to a 5G core network. FIG. 6 shows: (1) a portion of the existing registration request message IE for registration to a 5G core network consistent with the 3GPP specification; and (2) added radio coverage information IE with underlines. The content of the existing registration request message IE includes information element identifier (IEI), information element, type / reference, presence requirement, format, and length. The radio coverage information is added at the end of the existing registration request message IE. The IEI of the radio coverage information IE is B-, the information element is coverage status, the type / reference is coverage status 9.11.3., the present requirement type is O (optional), the format is TV, and the length is 1.

[0052] When incorporating radio coverage information, the theoretical size of the registration request message may increase. However, in practice, the impact on resources is often minimal or negligible, as padding bits are utilized for the NAS messages transmitted through lower-layer signals. In addition, including radio coverage information does not necessitate the transmission of any extra messages, as the registration request message must be sent regardless.

[0053] The radio coverage information IE illustrated in FIG. 6 serves as a mere example, and its content may be changed. For example, the length or type of the radio coverage information IE may differ from what is presented in FIG. 6. Also, the radio coverage information can be added to any registration request message IE for registration to any core network, including, but not limited to, 5G core network.

[0054] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating a design of an exemplary information element (IE) for conveying radio coverage information, FIG. 7B is a table providing the detailed information of the IE of FIG. 7A, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in some embodiments, a new IE called coverage status IE is created for conveying radio coverage information. The coverage status IE may provide the information related to radio coverage information. The coverage status IE may be designed as a type 1 IE with a length of one octet, as shown in FIG. 7A. Referring to FIG. 7A, the coverage status IE includes two parts: (1) an IEI part having one half octet (four bits) length; and (2) a value part having one half octet (four bits) length. The numbers 1 to 8 of FIG. 7A indicate the bit positions of the 8 bits included in one octet. In the value part (bit 1 to bit 4), the bit 3 and bit 4 are spare bits and coded as zero. The bit 1 and bit 2 are used for conveying the radio coverage information. In some embodiments, the radio coverage information may be conveyed by using only one bit or more than two bits.

[0055] FIG. 7B provides detailed information of the value part (bit 1 to bit 4) of the coverage status IE described above with respect to FIG. 7A. As shown in the top portion of the table of FIG. 7B, the bit 1 of the value part of the coverage status IE is used for conveying an indication of whether a network slicing subscription is changed. The indication is indicated using one bit having two different values (0 and 1), in which the value “0” indicates that the network slicing subscription is not changed, while the value “1” indicates that the network slicing subscription is changed. In addition to the network slicing subscription change information, as shown in the middle portion of the table of FIG. 7B, the bit 1 and the bit 2 of the value part of the coverage status IE are used together for conveying the radio coverage information. For example, the radio coverage information is indicated using two different bits (“10” or “01”) or repeated single bit (“00” or “11”). The value “00” indicates that no information about radio coverage is conveyed by the coverage status IE. If this value is received, it should be interpreted as indicating that neither value "01" nor "10" is applicable. The value “01” (“0” in bit 2 position, “1” in bit 1 position) indicates that a radio coverage information value (e.g., radio measurement metric value or radio coverage area value) is below a threshold, the value “10” (“1” in bit 2 position, “0” in bit 1 position) indicates that the radio coverage information is equal to or above the threshold. The value “11” is reserved. As shown in the bottom portion of the table of FIG. 7B, the bit 3 and bit 4 of the value part of the radio coverage information IE are spare bits and shall be coded as zero.

[0056] Although FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B use type 1 IE for coverage status IE, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. The coverage status IE described in the present disclosure can be conveyed by using any other type of IE having at least one spare bit. Also, although FIGs. 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6, and 7A-7B show examples of using mobility management messages, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, other messages, such as session management messages may also be used for conveying radio coverage information.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating application of paging messages in network triggered service request message flows, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 8, at a step 1, a user plane function (UPF) receives downlink data for a packet data unit (PDU) session, based on the instruction from the session management function (SMF). The UPF may buffer the downlink data (steps 2a and 2b), or forward the downlink data to the SMF (step 2c). For example, at step 2a, on arrival of the first downlink data packet, the UPF may send data notification message to the SMF. At step 2b, the SMF sends a data notification acknowledgement to the UPF. At step 2c, the UPF forwards the downlink data packets towards the SMF if the SMF instructed the UPF to do so. At a step 3a, SMF sends Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer to the AMF. At a step 3b, the AMF responds to the SMF by sending Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer response to the SMF. At a step 3c, the SMF may notify the UPF about the user plane setup failure. At a step 4a, the radio resources are established and UE reactivation is initiated. At a step 4b, the AMF may send a paging message to (R)AN node and the (R)AN node sends paging message to the UE. At a step 4c, the AMF send a NAS notification message to the UE. At a step 5, the AMF sends Namf_Communication_N1N2Transfer Failure Notification to the SMF. At a step 6, the UE may initiate the UE triggered service request procedure. At a step 7, the AMF may initiate the UE configuration update procedure. At a step 8, the UPF transmits the buffered downlink data toward UE via (R)AN node which performed the Service Request procedure. If data is buffered in the SMF, the SMF delivers buffered downlink data to the UPF.

[0058] In the network triggered service request message flows as shown in FIG. 8, at the step 4b, the AMF may receive the information (e.g., radio coverage information) described above with respect to FIGs. 3, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6, and 7A-7B. The AMF may further provide the received information to the (R)AN. In some embodiments, the AMF uses the received information to derive related information, and sends the derived information to the (R)AN. For example, the AMF may receive radio coverage information, and based on the received radio coverage information, derive information on whether or not a robust form of message(s) shall be used subsequently between the (R)AN and the UE. Consequently, the information sent from the AMF to the (R)AN may take the form of radio coverage information, or information indicating whether or not a robust form of message(s) shall be used subsequently between the (R)AN and the UE. For example, the AMF may send the indication to use subsequent robust messages to the (R)AN if the AMF receives bad radio coverage information from the UE. On the other hand, the AMF may send an indication indicating not to use subsequent robust messages to the (R)AN if the AMF receives good radio coverage information from the UE. In some embodiments, the AMF uses the radio coverage information received by the UE and additional information in the decision process.

[0059] In some embodiments, the core network uses absence of registration or tracking area updates as an indication to use robust paging and thereby skipping the legacy paging message. For example, if periodic update is configured, the core network can start a timer upon the reception of a registration update and re-start the timer every time an update is received. Prior to sending a paging message, the core network compares the timer value with the registration periodicity. If the timer value is higher than the configured periodicity, the UE is likely experiencing out-of-coverage because no updates have been received or an update is lost. In that case, robust paging is used instead of legacy paging. Another indication for triggering robust paging or pre-paging alerts is reusing other timers that are intended to detect lost signaling connection. If one or more timers have reached a high value, i.e., there has not been signaling between the UE and the core network for a long period of time, robust paging is used instead of legacy paging.

[0060] In some embodiments, the base station (e.g., gNB) uses the above information example from the core network (e.g., AMF) to decide whether to use a robust paging or a non-robust paging (e.g., legacy paging). In some embodiments, the base station (e.g., gNB) uses the above example information from the core network (e.g., AMF) and additional information in the decision process.

[0061] In some embodiments, the indication on whether to use subsequent robust messages is not limited only to future paging messages from the radio access network (e.g., gNB); it may also be applicable to various types of downlink messages. One example of such message is the registration accept message described above with respect to FIG. 3. The indication can also be applied to various types of uplink messages. In some embodiments, the indication is applied to specific type(s) of message(s).

[0062] In some embodiments, one or more downlink messages sent from the base station (e.g., gNB) to the UE are enhanced to provide to the UE indication as to whether or not the UE should use subsequent robust uplink messages. Those one or more downlink messages may make use of any embodiment above to derive this information. In some embodiments, the UE assesses from the radio coverage information whether or not it should use robust uplink messages.

[0063] In some embodiments, a user may press a button just before placing a phone into a bag or pocket. Alternatively, placing a phone in a bag or pocket can be detected by the UE due to sudden changes in radio conditions (e.g., new radio reflections or changes in radio coverage) and / or physical conditions (e.g., changes in position and / or motion). In some embodiments, after detection of placing a phone in a bag or pocket, the use of robust message(s) is activated automatically. In the case placing a phone in a bag or pocket is detected by the UE, the UE may send a message to the network node to inform the network node about the detected result. The message may be an access stratum message sent to a base station or NAS message sent to a core network (e.g., AMF). In the case that the message is the NAS message, the core network may in turn inform the base station about the message. In some embodiments, after detection of placing a phone in a bag or pocket, the UE may trigger and send one or more measurement reports to the network node, to the base station, or other UE. The one or more measurement reports may be sent by the UE only during a limited time and / or may be triggered after a delay. The delay may be configurable. Based on the one or more measurement reports, the base station (or other UE) may determine whether to activate subsequent robust message(s). In some embodiments, after detection of placing a phone in a bag or pocket, the UE may provide radio coverage information to the core network or another UE. The radio coverage information may be provided after a delay. The delay may be configurable. In turn, the core network may inform the base station whether or not the base station should use robust message(s). In some embodiments, after detection of placing a phone in a bag or pocket, the UE may send a “prompt” message to the network node or to another UE. After sending the “prompt” message, if the UE does not receive a response, the UE may activate robust subsequent message(s). For example, the UE may skip the initial non-robust message in the subsequent transmission. On the other hand, if the UE receives a response, the UE may deactivate robust subsequent message(s). For example, the UE may use non-robust message(s) in the subsequent transmission. The “prompt” message may make use of a new message type, or re-use an existing message type. This may make use of radio access stratum message (e.g., in RRC or MAC), or may make use of NAS message, such as those described in the 3GPP specifications.

[0064] In some embodiments, the opposite scenario may apply when a user removes their phone from a pocket or bag, or when they exit a building or vehicle. In such cases, the user might press a button to notify the network node or another UE about their action. Alternatively or in addition, removing the phone from a pocket or bag is detected by the UE due to sudden change(s) in radio conditions (e.g. new radio reflections or change in radio coverage) and / or physical conditions (e.g., change of position and / or motion). In some embodiments, the use of subsequent robust message(s) may be deactivated automatically after detection of removing the phone from a pocket or bag, or any of the embodiment(s) above may be used. For example, the UE may send a “prompt” message to the network node, and depending on if a reply is received or not, may activate or deactivate subsequent robust message(s). Activating robust message(s) may indicate that the initial non-robust message will be skipped in the subsequent transmission.

[0065] In some embodiments, the outcome / history corresponding to previous experience(s) is used in determining whether to use a robust message or non-robust message. For example, if one or more of the previous downlink and / or uplink messages fail, this information is considered when determining whether to activate robust messaging. This may apply to the UE or base station. This may impact the indication sent from the core network (e.g., AMF) in this disclosure. In some embodiments, the geographical position of the UE is used to determine whether to activate subsequent robust messages (i.e., skipping the initial non-robust message(s)). In some embodiments, the absolute speed of the UE and / or the relative speed between the UE and base station is used to determine whether to activate subsequent robust messages (i.e., skipping the initial non-robust message(s)).

[0066] In some embodiments, line-of-sight (LOS) / non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information is used to determine whether to activate subsequent robust messages (i.e., skipping the initial non-robust message(s)). This information may be assessed in the node (e.g., UE or network node), or may be received at the node (UE or network node) as an indication from another node. For example, the indicator with a value of 1 may correspond to LOS, while the indicator with a value of 0 may correspond to NLOS. In another example, the indicator may be a soft value (e.g., 0, 0.1, …, 0.9, 1), which indicates the likelihood of LOS or NLOS. In some embodiments, a timer may be applied to any of the above, so that the embodiments described in the present disclosure applies only temporarily.

[0067] In some embodiments, the node (e.g. UE or network node) provides information to another node (UE or network node) about the sequence of received robust and non-robust messages. For example, the UE may provide information to the network about the sequence of received paging messages and pre-paging notifications. If a paging message and a pre-paging notification are transmitted in different instants of time from the core network, it is possible that RAN transmits them out-of-sequence in the sense that the pre-paging notification may be transmitted after the paging message. The paging response message (or any other message) can be appended with information whether the UE received a pre-paging notification prior to the reception of the paging message. The information may also contain indications on how many pre-paging notifications were received prior to the reception of the paging message. For example, a protocol field may contain information on indications if a pre-paging notification was received before the paging message, or if more than one pre-paging notification were received before the paging message, or the actual number of pre-paging notifications that were received before the paging message. In that way, the node (network in this example) can adjust the transmission of pre-paging notifications and paging messages such that the pre-paging notification is received prior to the reception of paging messages. In some embodiments, this indication may take the form of a value time. This value time may indicate the time difference between receptions of non-robust and robust messages, for example between pre-paging notification reception and paging reception. In some embodiments, this value may be positive or negative, to indicate the type of message that was ahead. In some embodiments, ‘ahead’ or ‘behind’ may be indicated as part of the coding.

[0068] In some embodiments, the node (e.g., UE or network node) uses a message transmission window. For example, the core network uses a paging transmission window that is advanced if a robust message (e.g., pre-paging notification) was transmitted but not received prior to the paging message. The window can also be adjusted to the other direction until an out-of-sequence event occurs. The paging window can be UE-specific based on the outcomes from the UEs one-by-one. Alternatively, the information can be aggregated from multiple UEs in the core network node by using outcomes from multiple paging responses which means that the core network may use the same paging window for multiple UEs. In some embodiments, the UE can perform similar procedures for uplink messages, or UE-to-UE communication.

[0069] In some embodiments, the paging window can also be adjusted based on the UE history information. It normally takes time until the UE can react to a pre-paging notification, e.g., when the user picks up a portable device from a backpack or moves to an area with better coverage. If the time to react is unknown by the network, there may be spurious or redundant transmissions of pre-paging notifications. Alternatively, the setting of the window may be too conservative which may result into considerably delayed paging. The UE could provide this information to the network by using a 3-step method: at step 1, upon reception of a pre-paging notification, the UE starts a timer; at step 2, upon reception of a paging message, the UE stops the timer; and at step 3, the UE computes statistics of the time intervals and reports the statistics to the network or reports the intervals one-by-one.

[0070] In some embodiments, the reporting may be embedded, e.g., in a paging response message, UE history information report, or UE information that is provided upon request from the network. The reporting may be individual data sample values, e.g., in a list or table or other data construct, or statistical measures such as mean value, median value, and / or variance. In turn, the network may use this information in the decision process to send directly a robust version of a message (e.g., pre-paging notification or not). In some embodiments, the UE history information above may be used at the UE in the decision process, to decide sending directly a robust version of a message or not (i.e., skipping the non-robust message).

[0071] In some embodiments, communication between the UE and the network (or between node and node, e.g., UE and UE) for any of the embodiment(s) in the present disclosure, including providing information related to any embodiment from this disclosure, makes use of the RRC protocol, e.g., the RRC protocols of NR or evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA). In some embodiments, communication between UE and network node (or between node and node, e.g., UE and UE) for any of the embodiment(s) in this disclosure, including providing information related to any embodiment from this disclosure, makes use of the MAC protocol, for example, the MAC protocols of NR or E-UTRA.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a first node for a communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The first node may include at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a user equipment (UE), a road-side unit (RSU), a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point. For example, the first node may be a base station, such as the node 204 of FIG. 2, or a core network, such as the node 304 of FIG. 3.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 9, a method 900 includes a step 902 of obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node. The second node may include at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point. For example, the second node may be a UE, such as the node 202 of FIG. 2 or the node 302 of FIG. 3.

[0074] In some embodiments, the radio condition information associated with the second node may include at least one of: a measurement report on a serving cell, radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node. The measurement report may include at least one of: one or more RSSI measurement values, one or more RSRQ measurement values, one or more RSRP measurement values, one or more SINR measurement values, or one or more SNR measurement values.

[0075] In some embodiments, the physical condition information associated with the second node may include at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight information associated with the second node. The first message may include a non-robust indication, and the second message may include a robust indication. For example, the first message may include a paging message (e.g., legacy paging message), and the second message may include a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the first message may include a registration accept message, and the second message may include a robust registration accept message, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 3.

[0076] The method 900 includes a step 904 of sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination. In some embodiments, sending at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message may include transmitting the first message without transmitting the second message to the second node.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method 900 may also include receiving, from one or more of the second node or a third node, at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node; and determining, by the first node, whether to transmit, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message. Determining whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message may be based on the at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node. The indication from the second node may include an indication from a user of the second node.

[0078] In some embodiments, the radio condition information include the measurement report, the first message includes a paging message, and the second message includes a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method 900 may further include: in response to a determination that a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, transmitting the robust pre-paging alert or the robust paging message without transmitting the paging message (e.g., legacy paging message), for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 2.

[0079] In some embodiments, the radio condition information includes the measurement report, the first message is a paging message, and the second message is a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method may further include: in response to a determination that a measurement value is greater than or equal to a threshold, transmitting the paging message (e.g., legacy paging), for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the radio condition information may include the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node using at least one of: an RRC protocol or a MAC protocol.

[0080] In some embodiments, the radio condition information includes the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node in a format of a single bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the measurement value is greater than or equal to the threshold, for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 2.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include indicating to the second node whether the second node needs to transmit a robust message or a non-robust message to the first node. In some embodiments, the radio condition information may include the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including information on whether at least one radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell is greater than or equal to a threshold. The radio coverage information may be included in a registration request or a registration complete message transmitted from the second node to the first node, for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 6.

[0082] In some embodiments, the radio condition information includes the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including radio coverage area information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits included in an information element. The information element may include a RAN timing synchronization information element. In some embodiments, the radio coverage information is conveyed using one bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating that a radio coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the radio coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold, as described above with respect to FIGs. 4A-4B. The radio coverage information described in the present disclosure may include cell coverage information. In some embodiments, the radio coverage information is conveyed using a sequence of two bits having a combination of two different bits or a repetition of one bit, the sequence of the two bits indicating that a radio coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, the radio coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold, or an absence of information regarding the radio coverage measurement, as described above with respect to FIGs. 5A-5B or FIG. 7A-7B.

[0083] In some embodiments, the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using a type 1 information element, for example, as described above with respect to FIGs. 7A-7B. In some embodiments, the radio condition information may include the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits for a NAS message, for example, as described above with respect to FIG. 3, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6, and 7A-7B. The NAS message may include at least one of: a mobility management message, a session management message, or a control message.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first node is a radio access base station for the communication, and the radio access base station obtains, from a core network, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message. In some embodiments, the first node is a core network for the communication, and the core network provides, to a radio access base station, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message so that the radio access base station transmits the at least one of the first message or the second message to the second node.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include sending, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, in response to the determination indicating absence of reception of the at least one of: the second-node message from the second node, or the physical condition information associated with the second node. In some embodiments, the method 900 may further includes configuring a periodic registration update; starting a timer upon reception of a first registration request message; restarting the timer upon reception of a second registration request message; and determining absence of reception of the second-node message from the second node upon an expiration of the timer. In some embodiments, the absence of reception of the second-node message is determined based on one or more timers configured to detect a lost signaling connection between the first node and the second node.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first message and the second message are downlink messages, and the method 900 may further include: providing, in the first message or the second message, an indication to the second node whether to use one or more subsequent robust uplink messages. In some embodiments, the indication received from the second node may include a signal indicating that a user pressed a button on the second node.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first message includes one or more first type messages, the second message includes one or more second type messages, and the method may further include: transmitting, to the second node, the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages; receiving, from the second node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first type messages and the one or the more second type messages by the second node; and determining, based on the response message, whether to adjust a sequence of transmission of the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages. In some embodiments, the method 900 may further include assigning a transmission window to at least one of the first message or the second message.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a second node for a communication, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The second node may include at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point. For example, the second node may be a UE, such as the node 202 of FIG. 2 or the node 302 of FIG. 3.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 10, a method 1000 includes a step 1002 of detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node. The radio condition information may include at least one of: radio coverage information associated with a serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node. The physical condition information may include at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

[0090] The method 1000 includes a step 1002 of determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message. The first node may include at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a UE, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point. For example, the first node may be a radio access base station, such as the node 204 of FIG. 2, or a core network, such as the node 304 of FIG. 3.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include a step (not shown) of transmitting the request to the first node, in response to a determination of at least one of: the change of the radio condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the change of the physical condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a second threshold, a detection of the indication from the user of the second node, or a number of failures in communicating with the first node within a time period is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first message may include a non-robust indication, and the second message comprises a robust indication. The first message may include a paging message (e.g., a legacy paging message) and the second message may include a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message. In some embodiments, the first message may include a registration accept message, and the second message may include a robust registration accept message. The request may be configured so that transmitting the second message without transmitting the first message is activated automatically at the first node.

[0093] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include transmitting the request in an access stratum message. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include transmitting the request in a NAS message. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include transmitting, to the first node, a measurement report. The transmitting the measurement report may be triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include transmitting, to the first node, a radio coverage information associated with a serving cell of the second node. Transmitting the radio coverage information may be triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include in response to absence of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, transmitting a prompt message to the first node and activating one or more robust subsequent messages. The prompt message may be conveyed in an access stratum message or NAS message. The access stratum message may include at least one of RRC message or MAC message. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include in response to a reception of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, deactivating one or more robust subsequent messages. In some embodiments, the method 1000 may further include receiving, from the first node, one or more first messages and one or more second messages; and transmitting, to the first node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first messages and the one or the more second messages. The response message may further include a time difference between reception of one of the one or more first messages and reception of one of the one or more second messages. In some embodiments, each of the one or the more second messages is assigned a transmission window, and wherein the transmission window is determined by the second node, the first node, or a third node. In some embodiments, the method may further include starting a timer upon reception of a message among the one or more second messages; stopping the timer upon reception of a message among the one or more first messages; and determining a time interval between the reception of the message among the one or more second messages and the reception of the message among the one or more first messages. The method may further include embedding the determined time interval in the response message so that the time interval is received by the first node.

[0095] The methods described in this disclosure can also be applied to any message transmission in a communication system involving any number of nodes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the node 204 may simultaneously transmit messages to a plurality of nodes. The methods described in this disclosure can also be applied to other systems, for example, the systems that comply with other standards (e.g., the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards), for example, IEEE 802.11 technologies.

[0096] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a node 1100, consistent with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a node that sends messages to other nodes. For example, the node 1100 may be the node 204 of FIG. 2, or the node 304 of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a node that receives messages (e.g., paging messages) from another node. For example, the node 1100 may be the node 202 of FIG. 2, or the node 302 of FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a node that performs the method 900 of FIG. 9. In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a node that performs the method 1000 of FIG. 10. The node 1100 may take any form, including but not limited to, a computer, a system including at least one computer, a vehicle, a component mounted in a vehicle, a portable computer, a wireless terminal including a mobile phone, a wireless handheld device, or wireless personal device, or any other form.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 11, the node 1100 may include antenna 1102 that may be used for transmission or reception of electromagnetic signals to / from one or more other nodes. The antenna 1102 may include one or more antenna elements and may enable different input-output antenna configurations, for example, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration, multiple input single output (MISO) configuration, and single input multiple output (SIMO) configuration. In some embodiments, the antenna 1102 may include multiple (e.g., tens or hundreds) antenna elements and may enable multi-antenna functions such as beamforming. In some embodiments, the antenna 1102 is a single antenna.

[0098] The node 1100 may include a transceiver 1104 that is coupled to the antenna 1102. The transceiver 1104 may be a wireless transceiver at the node 1100 and may communicate bi-directionally with one or more other nodes. For example, the transceiver 1104 may receive / transmit wireless signals from / to a base station via downlink / uplink communication. The transceiver 1104 may also receive / transmit wireless signals from / to another node unit via sidelink communication. The transceiver 1104 may include a modem to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antenna 1102 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antenna 1102.

[0099] The node 1100 may include a memory 1106. The memory 1106 may be any type of computer-readable storage medium including volatile or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof. The computer-readable storage medium includes, but is not limited to, non-transitory computer storage media. A non-transitory storage medium may be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Examples of non-transitory storage medium include, but are not limited to, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, etc. A non-transitory medium may be used to carry or store desired program code means (e.g., instructions and / or data structures) and may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In some examples, the software / program code may be transmitted from a remote source (e.g., a website, a server, etc.) using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave. In such examples, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are within the scope of the definition of medium. The memory 1106 may also be a cloud-based remote memory device. Combinations of the above examples are also within the scope of computer-readable medium.

[0100] The memory 1106 may store information related to identities of node 1100 and the signals and / or data received by antenna 1102. The memory 1106 may also store post-processing signals and / or data. The memory 1106 may also store computer-readable program instructions, mathematical models, and algorithms that are used in signal processing in receiver 1104 and computations in processor 1108. The memory 1106 may further store computer-readable program instructions for execution by processor 1108 to operate the node 1100 to perform various functions described in this disclosure. The memory may further store paging information received from a network node or relayed from a relay node. In some examples, the memory 1106 may include a basic input / output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0101] The computer-readable program instructions of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language, and conventional procedural programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on a computing device as a stand-alone software package, or partly on a first computing device and partly on a second computing device remote from the first computing device. In the latter scenario, the second, remote computing device may be connected to the first computing device through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

[0102] The node 1100 may include a processor 1108 that may include a hardware device with processing capabilities. The processor 1108 may include at least one of a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or other programmable logic device. Examples of the general-purpose processor include, but are not limited to, a microprocessor, any conventional processor, a controller, a microcontroller, or a state machine. In some embodiments, the processor 1108 may be implemented using a combination of devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration). The processor 1108 may receive, from transceiver 1104, downlink signals or sidelink signals and further process the signals. The processor 1108 may also receive, from transceiver 1104, data packets and further process the packets. In some embodiments, the processor 1108 may be configured to operate a memory using a memory controller. In some embodiments, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1108. The processor 1108 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1106) to cause the node 1100 to perform various functions.

[0103] The node 1100 may include a global positioning system (GPS) 1110. The GPS 1110 may be used for enabling location-based services or other services based on a geographical position of the node 1100 and / or synchronization among nodes. The GPS 1110 may receive global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) signals from a single satellite or a plurality of satellite signals via the antenna 1102 and provide a geographical position of the node 1100 (e.g., coordinates of the node 1100). In some embodiments, the GPS 1110 is omitted. In some embodiments, a timer is included.

[0104] The node 1100 may include an input / output (I / O) device 1112 that may be used to communicate a result of signal processing and computation to a user or another device. The I / O device 1112 may include a user interface including a display and an input device to transmit a user command to processor 1108. The display may be configured to display a status of signal reception at the node 1100, the data stored at memory 1106, a status of signal processing, and a result of computation, etc. The display may include, but is not limited to, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED), a gas plasma display, a touch screen, or other image projection devices for displaying information to a user. The input device may be any type of computer hardware equipment used to receive data and control signals from a user. The input device may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, a scanner, a digital camera, a joystick, a trackball, cursor direction keys, a touchscreen monitor, or audio / video commanders, etc.

[0105] The node 1100 may further include a machine interface 1114, such as an electrical bus that connects the transceiver 1104, the memory 1106, the processor 1108, the GPS 1110, and the I / O device 1112.

[0106] In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a first node for a communication. The processor 1108 may be configured or programmed to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1106 to obtain a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and send, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0107] In some embodiments, the node 1100 may be a second node for a communication. The processor 1108 may be configured or programmed to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1106 to detect, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determine, based on a detection result, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0108] While the examples in this disclosure relate to 3GPP 5G technology referred to as NR or 5G core network, other radio access or core network technologies can use the methods disclosed in this disclosure, for example, 3GPP 4G technology referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or future 3GPP radio technology generations such as 6G. For the example of 4G LTE, the core network may be, for example, the mobility management entity (MME), and some embodiments from this disclosure make use of the protocol from TS 24.301 instead of TS 24.501. In this case, Attach Request / Accept / Complete messages or Tracking Area Request / Accept / Complete may be used, instead of e.g., Registration Request / Accept / Complete messages.

[0109] While the examples in this disclosure relate to 3GPP technologies, embodiments described in this disclosure could be used for non-3GPP technologies, for example, IEEE and its 802.11 variants, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.

[0110] As used in this disclosure, use of the term “or” in a list of items indicates an inclusive list. The list of items may be prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of.” For example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C includes A or B or C or AB (i.e., A and B) or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used in this disclosure, prefacing a list of conditions with the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as “based only on” the set of conditions and rather shall be construed as “based at least in part on” the set of conditions. For example, an outcome described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0111] In this specification, the terms “comprise,” “include,” or “contain” may be used interchangeably and have the same meaning and are to be construed as inclusive and open-ended. The terms “comprise,” “include,” or “contain” may be used before a list of elements and indicate that at least all of the listed elements within the list exist but other elements that are not in the list may also be present. For example, if A comprises B and C, both {B, C} and {B, C, D} are within the scope of A.

[0112] The present disclosure, in connection with the accompanied drawings, describes example configurations that are not representative of all the examples that may be implemented or all configurations that are within the scope of this disclosure. The term “exemplary” should not be construed as “preferred” or “advantageous compared to other examples” but rather “an illustration, an instance or an example.” By reading this disclosure, including the description of the embodiments and the drawings, it will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skills in the art that the technology disclosed herein may be implemented using alternative embodiments. The person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the embodiments, or certain features of the embodiments described herein, may be combined to arrive at yet other embodiments for practicing the technology described in the present disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0113] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate examples of the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and devices according to various embodiments. It should be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments.

[0114] It is understood that the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and elements, components, materials, or steps described in connection with one example embodiment may be combined with, or eliminated from, other embodiments in suitable ways to accomplish desired design objectives.

[0115] Reference herein to “some embodiments” or “some exemplary embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrases “one embodiment” “some embodiments” or “another embodiment” in various places in the present disclosure do not all necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

[0116] Additionally, the articles “a” and “an” as used in the present disclosure and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

[0117] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range.

[0118] Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.

[0119] It is appreciated that certain features of the present disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the specification, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the specification. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not essential features of those embodiments, unless noted as such.

[0120] It will be further understood that various modifications, alternatives, and variations in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of described embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope. Accordingly, the following claims embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the terms of the claims.

[0121] Clause 1: A method for a first node for a communication, the method comprising: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0122] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, wherein the first node comprises at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a user equipment (UE), a road-side unit (RSU), a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0123] Clause 3: The method of clause 1, wherein the second node comprises at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0124] Clause 4: The method of clause 1, wherein the radio condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a measurement report on a serving cell, radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node.

[0125] Clause 5: The method of clause 4, wherein the measurement report comprises at least one of: one or more received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurement values, one or more reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement values, one or more reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement values, one or more signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) measurement values, or one or more signal to noise ratio (SNR) measurement values.

[0126] Clause 6: The method of clause 1, wherein the physical condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

[0127] Clause 7: The method of clause 1, wherein the first message comprises a non-robust indication, and the second message comprises a robust indication.

[0128] Clause 8: The method of clause 1, wherein the first message comprises a paging message.

[0129] Clause 9: The method of clause 1, wherein the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message.

[0130] Clause 10: The method of clause 1, wherein the first message comprises a registration accept message, and the second message comprises a robust registration accept message.

[0131] Clause 11: The method of clause 1, wherein said sending comprises transmitting the first message before transmitting the second message to the second node.

[0132] Clause 12: The method of clause 1, wherein said sending comprises transmitting the first message without transmitting the second message to the second node.

[0133] Clause 13: The method of clause 1, further comprising: receiving, from one or more of the second node or a third node, at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node; and determining, by the first node, whether to transmit, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, wherein the determining is based on the at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node.

[0134] Clause 14: The method of clause 13, wherein the indication from the second node comprises an indication from a user of the second node.

[0135] Clause 15: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message comprises a paging message, and the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method further comprises: in response to a determination that a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, transmitting the robust pre-paging alert or the robust paging message without transmitting the paging message.

[0136] Clause 16: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message is a paging message, and the second message is a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method further comprises: in response to a determination that a measurement value is greater than or equal to a threshold, transmitting the paging message.

[0137] Clause 17: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node using at least one of: a radio resource control (RRC) protocol or a medium access control (MAC) protocol.

[0138] Clause 18: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node in a format of a single bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the measurement value is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0139] Clause 19: The method of clause 1, further comprising: indicating to the second node whether the second node needs to transmit a robust message or a non-robust message to the first node.

[0140] Clause 20: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including information on whether at least one radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell is greater than or equal to a threshold, and wherein the radio coverage information is included in a registration request or a registration complete message transmitted from the second node to the first node.

[0141] Clause 21: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including radio coverage area information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits included in an information element.

[0142] Clause 22: The method of clause 21, wherein the information element comprises a radio access network (RAN) timing synchronization information element.

[0143] Clause 23: The method of clause 21, wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating that a cell coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the cell coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0144] Clause 24: The method of clause 21, wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using a sequence of two bits having a combination of two different bits or a repetition of one bit, the sequence of the two bits indicating that a cell coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, the cell coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold, or an absence of information regarding the cell coverage measurement.

[0145] Clause 25: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using a type 1 information element.

[0146] Clause 26: The method of clause 4, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits for a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0147] Clause 27: The method of clause 26, wherein the NAS message comprises at least one of: a mobility management message, a session management message, or a control message.

[0148] Clause 28: The method of clause 1, wherein the first node is a radio access base station for the communication, and the radio access base station obtains, from a core network, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message.

[0149] Clause 29: The method of clause 1, wherein the first node is a core network for the communication, and the core network provides, to a radio access base station, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message so that the radio access base station transmits the at least one of the first message or the second message to the second node.

[0150] Clause 30: The method of clause 1, further comprising: sending, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, in response to the determination indicating absence of reception of the at least one of: the second-node message from the second node, or the physical condition information associated with the second node.

[0151] Clause 31: The method of clause 30, further comprising: configuring a periodic registration update; starting a timer upon reception of a first registration request message; restarting the timer upon reception of a second registration request message; and determining absence of reception of the second-node message from the second node upon an expiration of the timer.

[0152] Clause 32: The method of clause 30, wherein the absence of reception of the second-node message is determined based on one or more timers configured to detect a lost signaling connection between the first node and the second node.

[0153] Clause 33: The method of clause 1, wherein the first message and the second message are downlink messages, and the method further comprises: providing, in the first message or the second message, an indication to the second node whether to use one or more subsequent robust uplink messages.

[0154] Clause 34: The method of clause 1, wherein the indication received from the second node comprises a signal indicating that a user pressed a button on the second node.

[0155] Clause 35: The method of clause 1, wherein the first message comprises one or more first type messages, the second message comprises one or more second type messages, and the method further comprises: transmitting, to the second node, the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages; receiving, from the second node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first type messages and the one or the more second type messages by the second node; and determining, based on the response message, whether to adjust a sequence of transmission of the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages.

[0156] Clause 36: The method of clause 1, further comprising: assigning a transmission window to at least one of the first message or the second message.

[0157] Clause 37: A method for a second node for a communication, the method comprising: detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0158] Clause 38: The method of clause 37, further comprising: transmitting the request to the first node, in response to a determination of at least one of: the change of the radio condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the change of the physical condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a second threshold, a detection of the indication from the user of the second node, or a number of failures in communicating with the first node within a time period is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0159] Clause 39: The method of clause 37, wherein the first node comprises at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a user equipment (UE), a road-side unit (RSU), a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0160] Clause 40: The method of clause 37, wherein the second node comprises at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0161] Clause 41: The method of clause 37, wherein the radio condition information comprises at least one of: radio coverage information associated with a serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node.

[0162] Clause 42: The method of clause 37, wherein the physical condition information comprises at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

[0163] Clause 43: The method of clause 37, wherein the first message comprises a non-robust indication, and the second message comprises a robust indication.

[0164] Clause 44: The method of clause 37, wherein the first message comprises a paging message.

[0165] Clause 45: The method of clause 37, wherein the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message.

[0166] Clause 46: The method of clause 37, wherein the first message comprises a registration accept message, and the second message comprises a robust registration accept message.

[0167] Clause 47: The method of clause 37, wherein the request is configured so that transmitting the second message without transmitting the first message is activated automatically at the first node.

[0168] Clause 48: The method of clause 37, further comprising: transmitting the request in an access stratum message.

[0169] Clause 49: The method of clause 37, further comprising: transmitting the request in a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0170] Clause 50: The method of clause 37, further comprising: transmitting, to the first node, a measurement report.

[0171] Clause 51: The method of clause 50, wherein the transmitting the measurement report is triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node.

[0172] Clause 52: The method of clause 37, further comprising: transmitting, to the first node, a radio coverage information associated with a serving cell of the second node.

[0173] Clause 53: The method of clause 52, wherein transmitting the radio coverage information is triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node.

[0174] Clause 54: The method of clause 37, further comprising: in response to absence of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, transmitting a prompt message to the first node and activating one or more robust subsequent messages.

[0175] Clause 55: The method of clause 54, wherein the prompt message is conveyed in an access stratum message or NAS message.

[0176] Clause 56: The method of clause 55, wherein the access stratum message comprises at least one of radio resource control (RRC) message or medium access control (MAC) message.

[0177] Clause 57: The method of clause 37, further comprising: in response to a reception of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, deactivating one or more robust subsequent messages.

[0178] Clause 58: The method of clause 37, further comprising: receiving, from the first node, one or more first messages and one or more second messages; and transmitting, to the first node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first messages and the one or the more second messages.

[0179] Clause 59: The method of clause 58, wherein the response message further comprises a time difference between reception of one of the one or more first messages and reception of one of the one or more second messages.

[0180] Clause 60: The method of clause 58, wherein each of the one or the more second messages is assigned a transmission window, and wherein the transmission window is determined by the second node, the first node, or a third node.

[0181] Clause 61: The method of clause 58, further comprising: starting a timer upon reception of a message among the one or more second messages; stopping the timer upon reception of a message among the one or more first messages; and determining a time interval between the reception of the message among the one or more second messages and the reception of the message among the one or more first messages.

[0182] Clause 62: The method of clause 61, further comprising: embedding the determined time interval in the response message so that the time interval is received by the first node.

[0183] Clause 63: A first node for a communication, the first node comprising: a memory storing an instruction; and a processor configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: obtain a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and send, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0184] Clause 64: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first node comprises at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a user equipment (UE), a road-side unit (RSU), a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0185] Clause 65: The first node of clause 63, wherein the second node comprises at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0186] Clause 66: The first node of clause 63, wherein the radio condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a measurement report on a serving cell, radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node.

[0187] Clause 67: The first node of clause 66, wherein the measurement report comprises at least one of: one or more received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurement values, one or more reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement values, one or more reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement values, one or more signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) measurement values, or one or more signal to noise ratio (SNR) measurement values.

[0188] Clause 68: The first node of clause 63, wherein the physical condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

[0189] Clause 69: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first message comprises a non-robust indication, and the second message comprises a robust indication.

[0190] Clause 70: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first message comprises a paging message.

[0191] Clause 71: The first node of clause 63, wherein the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message.

[0192] Clause 72: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first message comprises a registration accept message, and the second message comprises a robust registration accept message.

[0193] Clause 73: The first node of clause 63, wherein said sending comprises transmitting the first message before transmitting the second message to the second node.

[0194] Clause 74: The first node of clause 63, wherein said sending comprises transmitting the first message without transmitting the second message to the second node.

[0195] Clause 75: The first node of clause 63, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: receive, from one or more of the second node or a third node, at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node; and determine, by the first node, whether to transmit, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, wherein the determining is based on the at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node.

[0196] Clause 76: The first node of clause 75, wherein the indication from the second node comprises an indication from a user of the second node.

[0197] Clause 77: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message comprises a paging message, and the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: in response to a determination that a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, transmit the robust pre-paging alert or the robust paging message without transmitting the paging message.

[0198] Clause 78: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message is a paging message, and the second message is a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: in response to a determination that a measurement value is greater than or equal to a threshold, transmit the paging message.

[0199] Clause 79: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node using at least one of: a radio resource control (RRC) protocol or a medium access control (MAC) protocol.

[0200] Clause 80: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, and the measurement report is received from the second node in a format of a single bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the measurement value is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0201] Clause 81: The first node of clause 63, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: indicate to the second node whether the second node needs to transmit a robust message or a non-robust message to the first node.

[0202] Clause 82: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including information on whether at least one radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell is greater than or equal to a threshold, and wherein the radio coverage information is included in a registration request or a registration complete message transmitted from the second node to the first node.

[0203] Clause 83: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including radio coverage area information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits included in an information element.

[0204] Clause 84: The first node of clause 83, wherein the information element comprises a radio access network (RAN) timing synchronization information element.

[0205] Clause 85: The first node of clause 83, wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one bit having a first value or a second value, the first value indicating that a cell coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, and the second value indicating that the cell coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold.

[0206] Clause 86: The first node of clause 83, wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using a sequence of two bits having a combination of two different bits or a repetition of one bit, the sequence of the two bits indicating that a cell coverage measurement is smaller than a threshold, the cell coverage measurement is greater than or equal to the threshold, or an absence of information regarding the cell coverage measurement.

[0207] Clause 87: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using a type 1 information element.

[0208] Clause 88: The first node of clause 66, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits for a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0209] Clause 89: The first node of clause 88, wherein the NAS message comprises at least one of: a mobility management message, a session management message, or a control message.

[0210] Clause 90: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first node is a radio access base station for the communication, and the radio access base station obtains, from a core network, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message.

[0211] Clause 91: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first node is a core network for the communication, and the core network provides, to a radio access base station, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message so that the radio access base station transmits the at least one of the first message or the second message to the second node.

[0212] Clause 92: The first node of clause 63, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: send, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, in response to the determination indicating absence of reception of the at least one of: the second-node message from the second node, or the physical condition information associated with the second node.

[0213] Clause 93: The first node of clause 92, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: configure a periodic registration update; start a timer upon reception of a first registration request message; restart the timer upon reception of a second registration request message; and determine absence of reception of the second-node message from the second node upon an expiration of the timer.

[0214] Clause 94: The first node of clause 92, wherein the absence of reception of the second-node message is determined based on one or more timers configured to detect a lost signaling connection between the first node and the second node.

[0215] Clause 95: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first message and the second message are downlink messages, and the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: provide, in the first message or the second message, an indication to the second node whether to use one or more subsequent robust uplink messages.

[0216] Clause 96: The first node of clause 63, wherein the indication received from the second node comprises a signal indicating that a user pressed a button on the second node.

[0217] Clause 97: The first node of clause 63, wherein the first message comprises one or more first type messages, the second message comprises one or more second type messages, and the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit, to the second node, the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages; receive, from the second node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first type messages and the one or the more second type messages by the second node; and determine, based on the response message, whether to adjust a sequence of transmission of the one or more first type messages and the one or more second type messages.

[0218] Clause 98: The first node of clause 63, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: assign a transmission window to at least one of the first message or the second message.

[0219] Clause 99: A second node for a communication, the second node comprising: a memory storing an instruction; and a processor configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: detect, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determine, based on a detection result, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

[0220] Clause 100: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit the request to the first node, in response to a determination of at least one of: the change of the radio condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the change of the physical condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a second threshold, a detection of the indication from the user of the second node, or a number of failures in communicating with the first node within a time period is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0221] Clause 101: The second node of clause 99, wherein the first node comprises at least one of: a radio access base station, a core network, a user equipment (UE), a road-side unit (RSU), a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0222] Clause 102: The second node of clause 99, wherein the second node comprises at least one of: a UE, a radio access base station, a core network, an RSU, a repeater, a transponder, a wireless router, a controller, or an access point.

[0223] Clause 103: The second node of clause 99, wherein the radio condition information comprises at least one of: radio coverage information associated with a serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node.

[0224] Clause 104: The second node of clause 99, wherein the physical condition information comprises at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

[0225] Clause 105: The second node of clause 99, wherein the first message comprises a non-robust indication, and the second message comprises a robust indication.

[0226] Clause 106: The second node of clause 99, wherein the first message comprises a paging message.

[0227] Clause 107: The second node of clause 99, wherein the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message.

[0228] Clause 108: The second node of clause 99, wherein the first message comprises a registration accept message, and the second message comprises a robust registration accept message.

[0229] Clause 109: The second node of clause 99, wherein the request is configured so that transmitting the second message without transmitting the first message is activated automatically at the first node.

[0230] Clause 110: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit the request in an access stratum message.

[0231] Clause 111: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit the request in a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

[0232] Clause 112: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit, to the first node, a measurement report.

[0233] Clause 113: The second node of clause 112, wherein the transmitting the measurement report is triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node.

[0234] Clause 114: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: transmit, to the first node, a radio coverage information associated with a serving cell of the second node.

[0235] Clause 115: The second node of clause 114, wherein transmitting the radio coverage information is triggered within a time period after transmitting the request to the first node.

[0236] Clause 116: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: in response to absence of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, transmit a prompt message to the first node and activating one or more robust subsequent messages.

[0237] Clause 117: The second node of clause 116, wherein the prompt message is conveyed in an access stratum message or NAS message.

[0238] Clause 118: The second node of clause 117, wherein the access stratum message comprises at least one of radio resource control (RRC) message or medium access control (MAC) message.

[0239] Clause 119: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: in response to a reception of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, deactivate one or more robust subsequent messages.

[0240] Clause 120: The second node of clause 99, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: receive, from the first node, one or more first messages and one or more second messages; and transmit, to the first node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first messages and the one or the more second messages.

[0241] Clause 121: The second node of clause 120, wherein the response message further comprises a time difference between reception of one of the one or more first messages and reception of one of the one or more second messages.

[0242] Clause 122: The second node of clause 120, wherein each of the one or the more second messages is assigned a transmission window, and wherein the transmission window is determined by the second node, the first node, or a third node.

[0243] Clause 123: The second node of clause 120, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: start a timer upon reception of a message among the one or more second messages; stop the timer upon reception of a message among the one or more first messages; and determine a time interval between the reception of the message among the one or more second messages and the reception of the message among the one or more first messages.

[0244] Clause 124: The second node of clause 123, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instruction stored in the memory to: embed the determined time interval in the response message so that the time interval is received by the first node.

[0245] Clause 125: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors of a first node for a communication, to perform a method, the method comprising: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

[0246] Clause 126: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors of a second node for a communication, to perform a method, the method comprising: detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

Claims

1. A method for a first node for a communication, the method comprising: obtaining a determination on whether to transmit, to a second node, a second message without transmitting a first message, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: radio condition information associated with the second node, physical condition information associated with the second node, absence of reception of a second-node message from the second node, absence of reception of the physical condition information associated with the second node, an indication received from the second node, or a number of failed communications with the second node; and sending, to the second node, at least one of: the first message, or the second message without transmitting the first message, based on the determination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a measurement report on a serving cell, radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, or one or more new radio reflections by the second node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical condition information associated with the second node comprises at least one of: a geographical position of the second node, a change of the geographical position of the second node, an absolute speed of the second node, a relative speed between the first node and the second node, an acceleration of the second node, line-of-sight (LOS) information associated with the second node, or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) information associated with the second node.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, from one or more of the second node or a third node, at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node; and determining, by the first node, whether to transmit, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, wherein the determining is based on the at least one of: the radio condition information associated with the second node, the physical condition information associated with the second node, or the indication from the second node.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message comprises a paging message, and the second message comprises a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method further comprises: in response to a determination that a measurement value is smaller than a threshold, transmitting the robust pre-paging alert or the robust paging message without transmitting the paging message.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the radio condition information comprises the measurement report, the first message is a paging message, and the second message is a robust pre-paging alert or a robust paging message, and the method further comprises: in response to a determination that a measurement value is greater than or equal to a threshold, transmitting the paging message.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including information on whether at least one radio measurement metric associated with the serving cell is greater than or equal to a threshold, and wherein the radio coverage information is included in a registration request or a registration complete message transmitted from the second node to the first node.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, the radio coverage information including radio coverage area information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits included in an information element.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the radio condition information comprises the radio coverage information associated with the serving cell, and wherein the radio coverage information is conveyed using one or more bits for a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first node is a radio access base station for the communication, and the radio access base station obtains, from a core network, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first node is a core network for the communication, and the core network provides, to a radio access base station, the determination on whether to transmit the second message without transmitting the first message so that the radio access base station transmits the at least one of the first message or the second message to the second node.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending, to the second node, the second message without transmitting the first message, in response to the determination indicating absence of reception of the at least one of: the second-node message from the second node, or the physical condition information associated with the second node.

13. A method for a second node for a communication, the method comprising: detecting, at least one of: a change of a radio condition associated with the second node, a change of a physical condition associated with the second node, or an indication from a user of the second node; and determining, based on the detecting, whether to transmit a request to a first node, the request requesting the first node to transmit a second message without transmitting a first message.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting the request to the first node, in response to a determination of at least one of: the change of the radio condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the change of the physical condition associated with the second node is greater than or equal to a second threshold, a detection of the indication from the user of the second node, or a number of failures in communicating with the first node within a time period is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting, to the first node, a measurement report.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting, to the first node, a radio coverage information associated with a serving cell of the second node.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: in response to absence of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, transmitting a prompt message to the first node and activating one or more robust subsequent messages.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: in response to a reception of a response to the request transmitted to the first node, deactivating one or more robust subsequent messages.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, from the first node, one or more first messages and one or more second messages; and transmitting, to the first node, a response message, the response message including a sequence of reception of the one or more first messages and the one or the more second messages.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: starting a timer upon reception of a message among the one or more second messages; stopping the timer upon reception of a message among the one or more first messages; and determining a time interval between the reception of the message among the one or more second messages and the reception of the message among the one or more first messages.

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