Methods and systems for network energy savings-related load balancing

Abstract

A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure in a wireless network includes detecting a first cell. The UE determines whether the UE has an uplink Wake-Up Signal, WUS, configuration for the first cell. Based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, performing one or more actions.

Description

[0001] METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR NETWORK ENERGY SAVINGS -RELATED LOAD

[0002] BALANCING

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates, in general, to wireless communications and, more particularly, to a method in a User Equipment, a method in a network node, a User Equipment and a network node.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Energy consumption is a considerable challenge of Fifth Generation (5G) systems today, where a major contributor to the energy consumption is the radio unit of Radio Access Network (RAN) system. The network power consumption for New Radio (NR) is said to be less compared to Long Term Evolution (LTE) because of its lean design, i.e., no Cell-Specific Reference Signal (CRS) and the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) periodicity is by default 20 milliseconds (ms). However, the current implementation of NR might consume more energy compared to LTE, partly due to higher bandwidths (BWs), shorter Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs) and the massive number of antennas. This is still evident even at times when cells and beams are lightly loaded or serve no traffic or no users at all.

[0007] To enable an energy efficient network, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) initiated a Study Item (SI) on Network Energy Savings (NES) in NR, which was concluded with the outcome captured in 3GPP TR 38.864. See, TR 38.864, Study on Network Energy Savings for NR (Release 18, version iOO). Following the SI phase, a new Work Item (WI) on NES for NR was approved at RAN#98. See, RP -223540, Network Energy Savings for NR. The WI concluded with the outcomes captured in 3GPP TS 38.331 Release 18 V18.0.0 and 3GPP TS 38.304 Release 18 V18.0.0. In order to further enhance NES techniques, 3GPP approved at RAN#102 a new WI on Enhancements of NES for NR. See, RP -234065, Enhancements of Network Energy Savings for NR, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #102, Dec. 11-15, 2024. This new WI defines the following objectives:

[0008] 1. Specify SSB-less Secondary Cell (SCell) operation for inter-band Carrier Aggregation (CA) for frequency range 1 (FR1) and co-located cells, if found feasible by RAN4 study, where a User Equipment (UE) measures SSB transmitted on Primary Cell (PCell) or another SCell for an SCell’s time / frequency synchronization (including downlink (DL) Automatic Gain Control (AGC)), and Layer 1 / Layer 2 (L1 / L2) measurements, including potential enhancement on SCell activation procedures if necessary.

[0009] 2. Specify enhancement on cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mechanism including the alignment of cell DTX / DRX and UE DRX in RRC CONNECTED mode, and inter-node information exchange on cell DTX / DRX. o Note: No change for SSB transmission due to cell DTX / DRX. o Note: The impact to IDLE / INACTIVE UEs due to the above enhancement should be avoided.

[0010] 3. Specify the following techniques in spatial and power domains o Specify necessary enhancements on Channel State Information (CSI) and beam management related procedures, including measurement and report, and signaling to enable efficient adaptation of spatial elements (e.g., antenna ports, active transceiver chains). o Specify necessary enhancements on CSI related procedures, including measurement and report, and signaling to enable efficient adaptation of power offset values between Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS). o Note: Above objectives are only for UE specific channels / signals o Note: Legacy UE CSI / CSI-RS capabilities applies when considering total number of CSI reports and requirements

[0011] 4. Specify mechanism(s) to prevent legacy UEs camping on cells adopting the Release 18 NES techniques, if necessary.

[0012] 5. Specify Conditional Handover (CHO) procedure enhancement(s) in case source / target cell is in NES mode.

[0013] 6. Specify inter-node beam activation and enhancements on restricting paging in a limited area.

[0014] 7. Specify the corresponding Radio Resource Management (RRM)ZRadio Frequency (RF) core requirements, if necessary, for the above features [RAN4]

[0015] Mobility in RRC IDLE and RRC INACTIVE State in NR - Cell Selection and Cell Reselection in NR Cell selection is the process performed by a UE for selecting a cell to camp on when the UE does not already camp on a cell. Cell reselection occurs when the UE is already camping on a cell and includes the process of finding a better (e.g., more reliable) cell to camp on instead of the current serving (camping) cell. The phrase “camping on a cell” means that the UE is synchronized with the cell’s DL transmissions, ensuring that up to date system information (that is relevant for the UE’s operation) for the cell is stored in the UE. While camping on the cell, the UE monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for paging transmissions and monitors the channel quality to assess the cell’s suitability as a serving cell in relation to other cells to potentially camp on (by performing cell reselection). A UE camps on a cell while in the RRC IDLE and RRC INACTIVE states. The cell on which a UE is camping is also referred to as the UE’s serving cell.

[0016] Cell selection and cell reselection in NR are specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 V18.0.0.

[0017] Cell Selection Criterion Of central importance in the cell selection (and cell reselection) procedure is the cell selection criterion, 5, which is specified as follows in 3GPP TS 38.304 V18.0.0:

[0018] The cell selection criterion S is fulfilled when:

[0019] Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0 where:

[0020] SrxleV Qrxlevmeas — Qrxlevmin + Qrxlevminoffset )—P compensation ~

[0021] Qoffsettemp

[0022] Squal Qqualmeas — Qqualmin + Qqualminoff et) ~ Qoffsettemp where:

[0023] Another central concept in the cell selection and cell reselection procedures is use of the phrase a “suitable cell.” In brief, “a suitable cell” is a cell that fulfills the cell selection criterion and in which the UE can receive normal service.

[0024] FIGURE 1 illustrates the states and state transitions for a UE cell selection and cell reselection in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state.

[0025] Cell selection

[0026] There are two variants of cell selection in NR, which are specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 as follows:

[0027] Cell selection is performed by one of the following two procedures:

[0028] 1. Initial cell selection (no prior knowledge of which Radio Frequency (RF) channels are NR frequencies): a. The UE shall scan all RF channels in the NR bands according to its capabilities to find a suitable cell. b. On each frequency, the UE need only search for the strongest cell, except for operation with shared spectrum channel access where the UE may search for the next strongest cell(s). c. Once a suitable cell is found, this cell shall be selected.

[0029] 2. Cell selection by leveraging stored information: a. This procedure requires stored information of frequencies and, optionally, also information on cell parameters from previously received measurement control information elements or from previously detected cells. b. Once the UE has found a suitable cell, the UE shall select it. c. If no suitable cell is found, the initial cell selection procedure in a) shall be started.

[0030] NOTE: Priorities between different frequencies or radio access technologies (RATs) provided to the UE by system information or dedicated signalling are not used in the cell selection process. Cell Reselection

[0031] Cell reselection involves reselection between cells on the same carrier frequency, between cells on different carrier frequencies as well as between different RATs (on different carrier frequencies).

[0032] Cell Reselection Between Different Carrier Frequencies and RATs

[0033] The network can configure priorities that govern how the UE performs cell reselection between carrier frequencies and RATs. See description below from 3GPP TS 38.331 v 18.0.0:

[0034] The IE CellReselectionPriority concerns the absolute priority of the concerned carrier frequency, as used by the cell reselection procedure. Corresponds to parameter "priority" in TS 38.304. Value 0 means lowest priority. The UE behaviour for the case the field is absent, if applicable, is specified in TS 38.304.

[0035] CellReselectionPriority information element

[0036] - - ASN1START

[0037] - - TAG- CELLRESELECTIONPRIORITY- START

[0038] Cel lRes electionPriority : : = INTEGER ( 0 . . 7 )

[0039] - - TAG- CELLRESELECTIONPRIORITY- STOP

[0040] — ASN1STOP

[0041] The IE CellReselectionSubPriority indicates a fractional value to be added to the value of CellReselectionPriority to obtain the absolute priority of the concerned carrier frequency for E-UTRA and NR. Value oDot2 corresponds to 0.2, value oDot4 corresponds to 0.4 and so on.

[0042] CellReselectionSubPriority information element

[0043] - - ASN1START

[0044] - - TAG- CELLRESELECTIONSUBPRIORITY- START

[0045] Cel lRes electionSubPriority : : = ENUMERATED { oDot2 , oDot4 , oDot 6 , oDot8 }

[0046] - - TAG- CELLRESELECTIONSUBPRIORITY- STOP

[0047] — ASN1STOP

[0048] The network may further configure threshold-based conditions which must be fulfilled for inter-frequency / RAT cell reselection to take place. The carrier frequency and RAT priorities and the thresholds governing inter-frequency and inter-RAT cell reselection may be configured through the broadcast of system information (SI), and the carrier frequency and RAT priorities can also be configured through dedicated signaling using the RRCRelease message.

[0049] For cell reselection to a higher priority carrier frequency or RAT, it suffices that the concerned cell’s quality exceeds a configured threshold. For cell reselection to a lower priority carrier frequency or RAT, the concerned cell’s quality has to exceed a configured threshold and the serving cell’s quality has to be below another configured threshold. Cell reselection to a cell on a carrier frequency with equal priority, including the current carrier frequency (i.e., intrafrequency cell reselection) is based on a cell ranking procedure, which is described further below.

[0050] Cell reselection to a higher priority RAT / carrier frequency has precedence over a lower priority RAT / frequency, if multiple cells of different priorities fulfill the cell reselection criteria. If multiple cells fulfill the cell reselection criteria on the selected (i.e., highest priority) carrier frequency and this carrier frequency is an NR carrier, the UE reselects to the highest ranked of these cells according to the above-mentioned cell ranking procedure. If multiple cells fulfil the cell reselection criteria on the selected (i.e., highest priority) (non-NR) RAT, the UE reselects to one of these cells in accordance with the criteria that apply for that RAT.

[0051] If cells on multiple carrier frequencies and / or RATs fulfill the cell reselection criteria, the UE should reselect to a cell on the carrier frequency or RAT with the highest priority (out of the ones for which there are cells meeting the cell reselection criteria). If multiple cells fulfill the cell reselection criteria on this carrier frequency / RAT, the UE uses the above-mentioned cell ranking.

[0052] Intra-frequency Cell Reselection and Inter -frequency Cell Reselection to Equal Priority Carrier Frequencies

[0053] When multiple NR cells with equal priority fulfil the cell reselection criteria, including both intra-frequency cells and inter-frequency cells (where the inter-frequency carrier frequencies have a priority that is equal to the priority of the UE’s current carrier frequency), the UE uses a cell ranking procedure to identify the best (highest ranked) cell to reselect to. The cell ranking is performed as follows:

[0054] For each cell involved in the cell ranking the UE calculates a ranking value (denoted Rnfor a neighbor cell and R for the serving cell) according to the following two formulae (one for the serving cell and one for neighbor cells):

[0055] RS= Q meas,s Qhyst - Qoffscttemp Rn = Q meas,n ~ Qoffset - Qoffsettemp where:

[0056] To determine a cell’s RSRP (Omcas.s for the serving cell, Omeas.n for a neighbor cell), the UE measures the RSRP of each of the cell’s SSBs and calculates the linear average of a set of the resulting RSRP values. The set of SSB RSRP values to base the averaging on is determined by two parameters configured in the SI: An RSRP threshold, absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation, which the RSRP of an SSB must exceed for the SSB’s RSRP value to be part of the average calculation, and an integer parameter, nrofSS-BlocksToAvearge, representing the maximum number of RSRP values to be used in the averaging. That is, the UE calculates the average (in the linear domain) of the up to nrofSS-BlocksToAvearge highest RSRP values exceeding absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation. If less then nrofSS-BlocksToAvearge RSRP values exceed absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation, the UE calculates the linear average of the RSRP values that exceed absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation. If no SSB RSRP value exceeds absThreshSS- BlocksConsolidation, the UE determines the cell RSRP as the RSRP of the SSB with the highest RSRP in the cell.

[0057] Both nrofSS-BlocksToAverage and absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation are optional to configure. If any of them is absent, the UE determines the cell RSRP as the RSRP of the SSB with the highest RSRP in the cell.

[0058] As one option, the UE reselects to (or remains in) the highest ranked cell ( i.e., the one with the highest R (R„ or Rs) value), according to the above algorithm. That is, if one of the neighbor cells is ranked the highest, the UE reselects to that cell, while if the serving cell gets the highest rank, then the UE remains camping on the current serving cell. As another option, the network may configure an offset range in relation to the highest calculated R value (R„ or R,). denoted rangeToBestCell. With this option, any non-highest ranked cell whose ranking value, Rn or R,. closer to the highest R value than rangeToBestCell, are qualified to a second round, where the UE selects the cell to reselect to (or remain camping on, in case the serving cell is selected) based on the number of SSBs each cell has with RSRP values above absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation. If two or more of these cells have the same number of SSBs with RSRP above absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation, the UE selects the cell with the highest R value. If rangeToBestCell is configured, but absThreshSS-BlocksConsolidation is not configured, the UE considers that there is one SSB above the threshold for each cell on that frequency.

[0059] For any of the above-described conditions for cell reselection to result in a cell reselection, it must persist for a configurable time period (t-reselectionNR for NR or t-reselectionEUTRA for EUTRA, which respectively correspond to the parameters TreselectionNR and TreselectionEUTRA in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0), which is configured in the system information. An additional condition is that no preceding cell reselection has occurred during the last one second.

[0060] If the cell a UE has selected for reselection is found to be not suitable, the UE will not reselect to that cell and its further behavior is specified in section 5.2.4.4 in 3GPP TS 38.304 V18.0.0.

[0061] Limiting Neighbor Cell Measurements and the Frequency of Cell Reselections

[0062] The standard has several built-in mechanisms for limiting the amount of neighbor cell measurements a UE needs to perform and the frequency of its cell reselections.

[0063] To this end, the UE may choose not to perform intra-frequency measurements, if the serving cell fulfils Srxlev> SintraSearchP and Squal > SintraSearchQ, Similarly, if the serving cell fulfils Srxlev > SnonintraSearchP and Squal > SnonintraSearchQ, the UE may choose not to perform measurements on NR inter-frequencies or inter-RAT frequency cells of equal or lower priority. However, the UE shall not refrain from measuring on NR inter-frequencies or inter-RAT frequencies with a reselection priority higher than the reselection priority of the current NR frequency.

[0064] The cell reselection rules in 3GPP TS 38.304 V18.0.0 further limits the maximum frequency of cell reselections to once per second (i.e. , according to the specified cell reselection rules a UE must camp on a cell for at least one second before it can reselect to another cell). In addition, a cell reselection condition, in terms of measured neighbor cell quality (and, when applicable, serving cell quality) must be fulfilled during the time period TreselectionpAT before it can trigger a cell reselection, where TreselectionpAT is configurable in the range 0-7 seconds. The use of a hysteresis, realized by the configurable Qhyst parameter in the ranking formula for the serving cell (i.e. in the formula R = Qmeas,s + Qhyst - Qoffsettemp) also serves to reduce the frequency of cell reselections, as it favors remaining in the current serving cell.

[0065] Furthermore, 3GPP Release 16 of NR includes a feature for the network to configure a UE to be allowed to relax its neighbor cell measurements for cell reselection evaluation when certain conditions are fulfilled that indicate that the need or probability for a cell reselection in the near future is low.

[0066] Another feature that does not reduce the number or frequency of neighbor cell measurements, but instead reduces the effort a UE spends on a neighbor cell measurement. This is the SSB Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC), by which the network can configure a periodic time window per carrier frequency, in which the SSB transmissions that the RRC IDLE or RRC IN ACTIVE UE measures on occurs. For neighbor cell measurements in RRC CONNECTED state, a UE may be configured with more advanced SMTC, including cell specific SMTC.

[0067] SUMMARY

[0068] There currently exist certain challenge(s), however. For example, in 3GPP Release 19, System Information Block- 1 (SIBl)-less cells are being specified. A UE may be provided with an uplink (UL) wake-up signaling (WUS) configuration for being able to “wake up” the SIBl-less so that it starts transmitting SIB1. FIGURE 2 illustrates an example of a Release 19 SIBl-less cell (gNobdeB, gNB) where a Release 19 UE may transit WUS for SIB1 provision.

[0069] Typically, SIBl-less cells are overlapped by coverage cells which are always transmitting their own SIB1 such that the legacy UEs (which are not able to camp on SIBl-less cells) do not experience coverage hole.

[0070] FIGURE 3 illustrates an example of a typical foreseen deployment of SIBl-less cells overlapped by SIB 1 -providing coverage cell. The coverage cell is deployed on another carrier frequency than the overlapped cells.

[0071] However, the Applicant has appreciated that, depending on the UE population, if Release 19 UEs during cell reselection keep waking up the SIBl-less cells, there will be limited sleep opportunities for the SIBl-less cells. FIGURE 4 illustrates an example of UEs waking up SIBl- less cells due to cell reselection.

[0072] Currently, there is a lack of mechanisms for control of cell selection and reselection that define the UE behavior in the case of energy savings enhancements that affect the transmission of SIB1 and WUS. In the context of cell selection, there are no mechanisms that specify the UE behavior in the case when a UE finds a cell for which it does not have an UL WUS configuration. Similarly, in the context of cell reselection, there are no mechanisms that define the UE behavior in the case of a cell that does not transmit SIB1 or transmits only on-demand SIB1. Hence, there is a need for introducing mechanisms for example through which the network can control the UE behavior.

[0073] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. For example, particular embodiments provide systems and methods for cell selection and reselection for a cell that supports and / or uses an energy saving technique(s) that may affect, for example, SIB1 and WUS transmissions.

[0074] According to certain embodiments, for example, a method by a UE for cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network includes, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detecting a first cell. The method further comprises, during the cell selection and / or reselection procedure, the UE determining whether the UE has an uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. Based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the UE performs one or more actions.

[0075] In a particular embodiment, the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell. The NES cell may comprise an on-demand System Information Block- 1, SIB1, cell. The first cell may be associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE. The SIB may be a SIB 1.

[0076] In a particular embodiment, the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. In this particular embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving, from a second network node, a value associated with an UL WUS configuration validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. The method may further comprise the determining whether the UE has an UL WUS configuration for the first cell comprising determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell based on the UL WUS configuration validity timer. The second network node may be associated with a second cell. The second cell may be an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0077] In a particular embodiment, the determining whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises determining that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. Based on the determination that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprise one or more of: determining that the first cell is not suitable for selection and / or reselection; determining not to camp on the first cell; and continuing to search for another cell.

[0078] In a particular embodiment, the determining whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises determining that the UE does have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. Based on the determination that the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprise one or more of: following a cell selection and / or reselection criterion for the first cell; prioritising or deprioritising selection and / or reselection of the first cell; determining to camp on the first cell; and determining not to camp on the first cell.

[0079] In this particular embodiment, the one or more actions may comprise prioritising or deprioritising reselection of the first cell based on a NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may comprise NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information.

[0080] The method may further comprise receiving, from a network node, the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may be received, from the network node, in a SIB. The SIB may be a SIB 2 or a SIB 4. The network node may be the second network node.

[0081] According to certain embodiments, a method by a network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network includes transmitting, to a UE, an uplink WUS configuration for a first cell. The UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, when the UE detects the first cell, perform one or more actions based on whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0082] In a particular embodiment, the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell. The NES cell may comprise an on-demand System Information Block- 1, SIB1, cell. The first cell may be associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE. The SIB may be a SIB 1.

[0083] The network node may comprise a second network node associated with a second cell. The second cell may be an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0084] In a particular embodiment, the UL WUS configuration for the first cell may be an up-to- date UL WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0085] In a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting, to the UE, a value associated with a UL WUS validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to- date WUS configuration for the first cell. In a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting, to the UE, a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may comprise NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information. The NES cell specific reselection priority parameter may be transmitted, to the UE, in a system information block, SIB. The SIB may be a SIB 2 or a SIB 4.

[0086] According to certain embodiments, a UE for performing cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network includes a processor and a memory. The UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detect a first cell and determine whether the UE has an uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. The UE is further configured to, based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, perform one or more actions.

[0087] According to certain embodiments, a network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit, to a UE, an uplink WUS configuration for a first cell. The UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, when the UE detects the first cell, perform one or more actions based on whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0088] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). For example, particular embodiments provide a technical advantage of enabling cell selection and reselection in the case when the SIB1 and WUS transmissions are affected by an energy saving technique(s). As another example, particular embodiments provide a technical advantage of enabling network control of IDLE / INACTIVE UEs reselection behavior and, thereby, how frequently the UEs camp on / reselect to and wake up the SIBl-less cells.

[0089] Other advantages may be readily apparent to one having skill in the art. Certain embodiments may have none, some, or all of the recited advantages.

[0090] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and their features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0092] FIGURE 1 illustrates the states and state transitions for a UE cell selection and cell reselection in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state;

[0093] FIGURE 2 illustrates an example of a Release 19 SIBl-less cell where a Release 19 UE may transit WUS to a gNB for SIB1 provision; FIGURE 3 illustrates an example of a typical foreseen deployment of SIB 1 -less cells overlapped by SIB 1 -providing coverage cell;

[0094] FIGURE 4 illustrates an example of UEs waking up SIB 1 -less cells due to cell reselection;

[0095] FIGURE 5 illustrates a method in a UE; FIGURE 6 illustrates a method by a UE for cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network;

[0096] FIGURE 7 illustrates a method in a network node;

[0097] FIGURE 8 illustrates a method by a network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network; FIGURE 9 illustrates an example communication system, according to certain embodiments;

[0098] FIGURE 10 illustrates an example UE, according to certain embodiments;

[0099] FIGURE 11 illustrates an example network node, according to certain embodiments; and

[0100] FIGURE 12 illustrates a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized, according to certain embodiments.

[0101] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0103] As used herein, ‘node’ can be a network node or a UE. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB (eNB), gNodeB (gNB), Master eNB (MeNB), Secondary eNB (SeNB), integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), Central Unit (e.g., in a gNB), Distributed Unit (e.g., in a gNB), Baseband Unit, Centralized Baseband, C-RAN, access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g., Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), etc.), Operations & Maintenance (O&M), Operations Support System (OSS), Self Organizing Network (SON), positioning node (e.g., E- SMLC), etc. The terms network node and radio network node are used interchangeably herein.

[0104] Another example of a node is user equipment (UE), which is a non-limiting term and refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, vehicular to vehicular (V2V), machine type UE, Machine Type Communications UE (MTC UE) or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), Unified Serial Bus (USB) dongles, etc.

[0105] The term radio access technology (RAT), may refer to any RAT such as, for example, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRA), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRA), narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT), WiFi, Bluetooth, next generation RAT, NR, 4G, 5G, etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the terms node, network node or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single or multiple RATs.

[0106] The term signal or radio signal used herein can be any physical signal or physical channel. Examples of DL physical signals are reference signal (RS) such as Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) signals in SS / PBCH block (SSB), discovery reference signal (DRS), Cell Specific Reference Signal (CRS), Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), etc. RS may be periodic. For example, RS occasions carrying one or more RSs may occur with certain periodicity (e.g., 20 ms, 40 ms, etc.). The RS may also be aperiodic.

[0107] Each SSB carries New Radio-Primary Synchronization Signal (NR-PSS), New RadioSecondary Synchronization Signal (NR-SSS) and New Radio-Physical Broadcast Channel (NR- PBCH) in four successive symbols. One or multiple Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) are transmitted in one SSB burst, which is repeated with certain periodicity such as, for example, 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms. The UE is configured with information about SSB on cells of certain carrier frequency by one or more SS / PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configurations. The SMTC configuration comprising parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with regard to reference time (e.g., serving cell’s System Frame Number (SFN)), etc. Therefore, SMTC occasion may also occur with certain periodicity (e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms). Examples of UL physical signals are reference signals such as Sounding Reference Signals (SRS), Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS), etc. The term physical channel refers to any channel carrying higher layer information such as, for example, data, control, etc. Examples of physical channels are Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Short PUSCH (sPUCCH), Short PDSCH (sPDSCH), Short PUCCH (sPUCCH), Short PUSCH (sPUSCH), MTC PDCCH (MPDCCH), Narrowband PBCH (NPBCH), Narrowband PDCCH (NPDCCH), Narrowband PDSCH (NPDSCH), Narrowband PUSCH (NPUSCH), Enhanced PDCCH (E-PDCCH), etc.

[0108] The term time resource used herein may correspond to any type of physical resource or radio resource expressed in terms of length of time. Examples of time resources are symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, transmission time interval (TTI), interleaving time, slot, sub-slot, mini-slot, system frame number (SFN) cycle, hyper-SFN (H-SFN) cycle, etc.

[0109] Unless otherwise stated explicitly, the systems and methods proposed herein concern both fixed and moving cells and / or service and feeder link switches.

[0110] Unless otherwise stated explicitly, the terms cell and beam are used interchangeably in this document.

[0111] The terms “wireless terminal”, “User Equipment”, “UE”, “wireless device” and “device” are used interchangeably in this document. The term NES Cell refers to a cell that may transmit SIB1 in response to UL WUS from a UE (i.e., a cell that may transmit on-demand SIB1) or a cell that does not transmit its own SIB1 (i.e., a SIBl-less cell). Typically, the NES Cell is a capacity cell. NES Cell can be sometimes referred to as “NES-SIBl-less Cell”, “SIBl-less Cell”, “on-demand-SIBl NES Cell”, or “on- demand-SIBl Cell”.

[0112] The term Cell A refers to a cell that is periodically transmitting at least its own SIB1. Cell A may also transmit its own on-demand SIB1 or on-demand SIB1 for another cell in response to an UL WUS from a UE. For example, Cell A may assist a “NES Cell” in on-demand SIB1 provisioning. Typically, a coverage cell is a “Cell A”, and the coverage area of “Cell A” and “NES Cell” overlap. Note however, that a coverage cell may cover both cells of type “Cell A” or “NES Cell” such as, for example, as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

[0113] An important aspect that needs to be addressed when designing procedures and signaling method(s) to support on-demand SIB1 for UEs in IDLE / IN ACTIVE mode concerns the mechanisms for cell selection and reselection.

[0114] According to certain embodiments, a UE decides that the NES Cell detected during the cell selection / reselection procedure is suitable or unsuitable, and accordingly, decides to not camp on the NES Cell, continue searching for another cell, and / or prioritize or deprioritize the NES Cell, in some scenarios.

[0115] According to certain embodiments, the network (i.e., network node) configures the selection / reselection criteria (e.g., the existing or new NES-specific criteria) for the NES Cell and Cell A such that the selection / reselection of the NES Cell and / or Cell A is minimized or maximized depending on the objective that the network wants to achieve.

[0116] Furthermore, along with the UL WUS configuration for the NES Cell, in certain embodiments, the network provides the configuration for a validity timer. Through the validity timer, the NES Cell is able to avoid some of the requests for broadcasting SIB1 due to UE mobility since UE assumes that the same SIB1 configuration applies for the duration of the validity timer. Therefore, if needed, the network may use this validity timer to control how fast it can update SIB1. Similarly, in certain embodiments, the network provides the UE with an UL WUS validity timer that tells the UE whether the stored UL WUS configuration for the NES Cell is obsolete or up to date.

[0117] According to certain embodiments, a UE detects a NES Cell during the cell selection / reselection procedure. The NES Cell can be an isolated NES Cell that is not covered by an assisting / anchor Cell A (where assisting means providing the WUS configuration of the NES cell) or a NES Cell that is covered by an assisting / anchor Cell A.

[0118] In a particular embodiment, upon detecting a NES Cell during the cell selection / reselection procedure, the UE considers the cell unsuitable because of, but not limited to, any one or more or combination of the following reasons: a. The UE does not have the UL WUS configuration for the cell. b. The UE has an obsolete UL WUS configuration for the cell. An UL WUS validity timer, for example, can be defined to help the UE decide whether the stored UL WUS configuration is obsolete (i.e. , upon the expiration of this UL WUS validity timer, the UE considers that the stored UL WUS configuration is obsolete). c. The cell does not transmit any SIB1. d. The cell transmits only on-demand SIB1.

[0119] In a particular embodiment, upon detecting a NES Cell during the cell selection / reselection procedure that the UE considers unsuitable, the UE performs, but not limited to, one or more or combination of any of the following actions: a. The UE continues to search for another cell. b. The UE decides to deprioritize the cell and attempts to find another cell to camp on. c. The UE decides not to camp on the cell although it is able to camp on this cell regardless of the cell state.

[0120] In a particular embodiment, upon detecting a NES Cell during the cell selection / reselection procedure, the UE considers the cell suitable because of, but not limited to, one or more or combination of any of the following reasons: a. The UE has an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell. b. The cell transmits its own SIB 1.

[0121] In a particular embodiment, upon detecting a NES Cell during the cell selection / reselection procedure that the UE considers suitable, the UE perform one or more or combination of any of, but not limited to, the following actions: a. The UE follows the selection / reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 for both Cell A and NES Cell. b. The UE follows a selection / reselection criterion that is an enhanced version of the selection / reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 for both Cell A and NES Cell. The enhancement can be with the objective to prioritize or deprioritize the selection / reselection of the overlapping Cell A and / or NES Cell. The prioritization or deprioritization can be achieved, but not limited to: i. through the existing parameters (e.g., RSRP and Qoffsets) in the selection / reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0, ii. by introducing a new cell reselection priority parameter associated with NES Cells (rather than prior art; per frequency) that use energy saving techniques such as SIB 1 -less and on-demand operation, and / or iii. by introducing a threshold and / or an offset value(s) for UEs that support (SIBl-less / on-demand SIB1) NES Cells. c. The UE decides to deprioritize the cell and continues to search for the other suitable cells. d. The UE decides not to camp on the cell although it is able to camp on this cell regardless of the cell state.

[0122] In a particular embodiment, the new NES -specific cellreselectionpriority / cellreselectionsubpriority information is provided for example in SIB2 or SIB4 or a newly defined SIB in the overlapping Cell A. The said cellreselectionpriority / cellreselectionsubpriority parameters may be absolute values applicable to NES Cells or used as delta to the legacy cellreselectionpriority / cellreselectionsubpriority parameters, in particular embodiments.

[0123] In a particular embodiment, the overlapping Cell A, assuming that it is providing the UL WUS configuration for the NES Cell, provides the configuration for a validity timer (for broadcast information) along with the UL WUS configuration in a broadcast message. A Release 19 NES UE (i.e., a UE that supports the Rel-19 NES functionality) starts the validity timer once it acquires this broadcast message. Alternatively, the Release 19 NES UE starts the validity timer when the UE transmits the request for on-demand SIB1. In another embodiment, the Release 19 NES UE starts the validity timer when the UE acquires SIB1. When the UE happens to be in need of SIB1 in the NES Cell such as, for example , during cell reselection to another cell and back due to mobility, the UE is not required to acquire SIB1 in the NES Cell if the validity timer has not expired.

[0124] In a particular embodiment, through the validity timer, the NES Cell is able to avoid some of the requests for broadcasting SIB1 due to UE mobility since the UE assumes that the same SIB1 configuration applies for the duration of the validity timer. As such, in a particular embodiment, the network controls how fast the network updates SIB1, if needed, via the validity timer. In extreme cases, the timer is set to “0”, and the UE has to request SIB1 every time the UE needs it for the NES cell regardless of how recent the UE acquired the SIB1 of the NES Cell. Alternatively, the timer can be set to infinity, and, in that case, the UE is not required to request SIB1 once the UE has already done so because the contents of SIB1 stays the same. It is noted that, in this context, “same” content does not apply to parameters such as SFN, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) (if provided), etc.

[0125] In a particular embodiment, if a NES Cell experiences an excessive number of wakeups without or with very few UEs accessing the cell or few UEs that receive paging requests from the Core Network (CN) (i.e. , wakeups without further usage), the NES Cell may inform other cells (e.g., the anchor cell) to tune in the said priority parameters by, for example, lowering / deprioritizing reselection to the NES Cell, such that reselection to the NES Cell is minimized.

[0126] In a particular embodiment, if a network node intends the NES Cell to be used, but configuration is done such a way that only a few UEs have connected or paged for transmission in the DL, the NES Cell may inform the other cells (e.g., the anchor cell) to tune in the said priority parameters by, for example, raising / prioritizing reselection to the NES Cell such that reselection to the NES Cell is maximized.

[0127] In a particular embodiment, regardless of the reason, a network may advertise a high priority value for the NES Cell when it desires to let more UEs into the NES Cell as compared to a low value when the network wants to repel UEs.

[0128] FIGURE 5 illustrates an example method 100 by a UE for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, according to certain embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the method includes at least one of: an obtaining step at 102, a detecting step at 104, a determining step at 106, and a taking action step at 108. For example, at step 102, the UE may obtain information for determining whether a cell is suitable for selection or reselection. At step 104, for example, the UE may, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detect the cell. At step 106, for example the UE may determine whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection. At step 108, the UE may take at least one action based on the determination of whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection.

[0129] FIGURE 6 illustrates an example method 200 by a UE for cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, according to certain embodiments. As illustrated, the method 200, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, comprises at 202 the UE detecting a first cell. At 204, the UE determines whether the UE has an ULWUS configuration for the first cell. At 206, based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the UE performs one or more actions.

[0130] In a particular embodiment, the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell. The NES cell may comprise an on-demand System Information Block-1, SIB1, cell. The first cell may be associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE. The SIB may be a SIB 1.

[0131] In a particular embodiment, the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0132] In this particular embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving, from a second network node, a value associated with an UL WUS configuration validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. In this particular embodiment step 204 may comprise determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell based on the UL WUS configuration validity timer. The second network node may be associated with a second cell. The second cell may be an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0133] In a particular embodiment, step 204 may comprise determining that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. Further, step 206 may comprise based on the determination that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprising one or more of: determining that the first cell is not suitable for selection and / or reselection; determining not to camp on the first cell; and continuing to search for another cell.

[0134] In a particular embodiment, step 204 may comprise determining that the UE does have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell. Further, step 206 may comprise, based on the determination that the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprising one or more of: following a cell selection and / or reselection criterion for the first cell; prioritising or deprioritising selection and / or reselection of the first cell; determining to camp on the first cell; and determining not to camp on the first cell.

[0135] In this particular embodiment, the one or more actions may comprise prioritising or deprioritising reselection of the first cell based on a NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may comprise NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information.

[0136] The method may further comprise receiving, from a network node, the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may be received, from the network node, in a SIB. The SIB may be a SIB 2 or a SIB 4. The network node may be the second network node.

[0137] FIGURE 7 illustrates an example method 300 by a network node for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, according to certain embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the method includes at least one of a transmitting step at 302 and a configuring step at 304. For example, at step 302, the network node may transmit, to a UE, information for determining by the UE whether a cell is suitable for selection or reselection. At step 304, for example, the network node may configure the UE to detect a cell during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detecting the cell. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may configure the UE to determine whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection. Additionally or alternatively, the network node may configure the UE to take at least one action based on the determination of whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection.

[0138] FIGURE 8 illustrates an example method 400 by a network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, according to certain embodiments. As illustrated, the method 400 comprises at 402 the network node transmitting, to a UE, an uplink WUS configuration for a first cell. The UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, when the UE detects the first cell, perform one or more actions based on whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0139] In a particular embodiment, the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell. The NES cell may comprise an on-demand System Information Block- 1, SIB1, cell. The first cell may be associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE. The SIB may be a SIB 1.

[0140] The network node may comprise a second network node associated with a second cell. The second cell may be an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0141] In a particular embodiment, the UL WUS configuration for the first cell may be an up-to- date UL WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0142] In a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting, to the UE, a value associated with a UL WUS validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to- date WUS configuration for the first cell.

[0143] In a particular embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting, to the UE, a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell specific cell reselection priority parameter. The NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter may comprise NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information. The NES cell specific reselection priority parameter may be transmitted, to the UE, in a system information block, SIB. The SIB may be a SIB 2 or a SIB 4.

[0144] FIGURE 9 illustrates an example of a communication system 500 in accordance with some embodiments. In the example, the communication system 500 includes a telecommunication network 502 that includes an access network 504, such as a radio access network (RAN), and a core network 506, which includes one or more core network nodes 508. The access network 504 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 510a and 510b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 510), or any other similar 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) access node or non-3GPP access point. The network nodes 510 facilitate direct or indirect connection of user equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 512a, 512b, 512c, and 512d (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 512) to the core network 506 over one or more wireless connections.

[0145] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 500 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 500 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0146] The UEs 512 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 510 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 510 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 512 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 502 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 502.

[0147] In the depicted example, the core network 506 connects the network nodes 510 to one or more hosts, such as host 516. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 506 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 508) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 508. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-concealing function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0148] The host 516 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 504 and / or the telecommunication network 502 and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 516 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more service. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0149] As a whole, the communication system 500 of FIGURE 9 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., 6G); wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0150] In some examples, the telecommunication network 502 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunications network 502 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 502. For example, the telecommunications network 502 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)ZMassive loT services to yet further UEs.

[0151] In some examples, the UEs 512 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 504 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 504. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-RAT or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of Wi-Fi, NR (New Radio) and LTE, i.e. being configured for multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC), such as E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) New Radio - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0152] In the example, the hub 514 communicates with the access network 504 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 512c and / or 512d) and network nodes (e.g., network node 510b). In some examples, the hub 514 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 514 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 506 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 514 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 510, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 514. As another example, the hub 514 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 514 may be a content source. For example, for a UE that is a VR headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 514 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 514 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 514 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular in if one or more of the UEs are low energy loT devices.

[0153] The hub 514 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 510b. The hub 514 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 514 and UEs (e.g., UE 512c and / or 512d), and between the hub 514 and the core network 506. In other examples, the hub 514 is connected to the core network 506 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 514 may be configured to connect to an M2M service provider over the access network 504 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 510 while still connected via the hub 514 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 514 may be a dedicated hub - that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 510b. In other embodiments, the hub 514 may be a nondedicated hub - that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and network node 510b, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0154] FIGURE 10 illustrates a UE 600 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless cameras, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart device, wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0155] A UE may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0156] The UE 600 includes processing circuitry 602 that is operatively coupled via a bus 604 to an input / output interface 606, a power source 608, a memory 610, a communication interface 612, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in FIGURE 10. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc. The processing circuitry 602 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 610. The processing circuitry 602 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 602 may include multiple central processing units (CPUs).

[0157] In the example, the input / output interface 606 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 600. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the power source 608 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 608 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 608 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 600 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 608. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 608 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 600 to which power is supplied.

[0159] The memory 610 may be or be configured to include memory such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 610 includes one or more application programs 614, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 616. The memory 610 may store, for use by the UE 600, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0160] The memory 610 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as tamper resistant module in the form of a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) including one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as a USIM and / or ISIM, other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as ‘SIM card.’ The memory 610 may allow the UE 600 to access instructions, application programs and the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 610, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0161] The processing circuitry 602 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 612. The communication interface 612 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 622. The communication interface 612 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 618 and / or a receiver 620 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 618 and receiver 620 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 622) and may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0162] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 612 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented in according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, New Radio (NR), UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, transmission control protocol / intemet protocol (TCP / IP), synchronous optical networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), QUIC, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0163] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 612, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected, an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0164] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch, related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wireless connection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0165] A UE, when in the form of an Internet of Things (loT) device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an loT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a TV, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR), a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item- tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an loT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the loT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 600 shown in FIGURE 10.

[0166] As yet another specific example, in an loT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship and an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0167] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g. by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities described above. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator, and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0168] FIGURE 11 shows a network node 700 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment, in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)).

[0169] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and / or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS).

[0170] Other examples of network nodes include multiple transmission point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell / multicast coordination entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0171] The network node 700 includes a processing circuitry 702, a memory 704, a communication interface 706, and a power source 708. The network node 700 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., aNodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 700 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 700 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 704 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 710 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 700 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 700, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, LoRaWAN, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 700.

[0172] The processing circuitry 702 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 700 components, such as the memory 704, to provide network node 700 functionality. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 includes a system on a chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 includes one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 712 and baseband processing circuitry 714. In some embodiments, the radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 712 and the baseband processing circuitry 714 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 712 and baseband processing circuitry 714 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0173] The memory 704 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer-readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device-readable and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 702. The memory 704 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 702 and utilized by the network node 700. The memory 704 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 702 and / or any data received via the communication interface 706. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 702 and memory 704 is integrated.

[0174] The communication interface 706 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between anetwork node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 706 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 716 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 706 also includes radio frontend circuitry 718 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 710. Radio front-end circuitry 718 comprises filters 720 and amplifiers 722. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may be connected to an antenna 710 and processing circuitry 702. The radio frontend circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 710 and processing circuitry 702. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 718 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 720 and / or amplifiers 722. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 710. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 710 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 718. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 702. In other embodiments, the communication interface may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0175] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 700 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 718, instead, the processing circuitry 702 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 710. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 712 is part of the communication interface 706. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 706 includes one or more ports or terminals 716, the radio front-end circuitry 718, and the RF transceiver circuitry 712, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 706 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 714, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0176] The antenna 710 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 710 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 718 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 710 is separate from the network node 700 and connectable to the network node 700 through an interface or port.

[0177] The antenna 710, communication interface 706, and / or the processing circuitry 702 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment. Similarly, the antenna 710, the communication interface 706, and / or the processing circuitry 702 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node. Any information, data and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node and / or any other network equipment.

[0178] The power source 708 provides power to the various components of network node 700 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 708 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 700 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 700 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid, an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 708. As a further example, the power source 708 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0179] Embodiments of the network node 700 may include additional components beyond those shown in FIGURE 11 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 700 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 700 and to allow output of information from the network node 700. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 700.

[0180] FIGURE 11 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 800 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtual environments 800 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardware computing device that operates as a network node, UE, core network node, or host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized.

[0181] Applications 802 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment Q400 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0182] Hardware 804 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 806 (also referred to as hypervisors or virtual machine monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 808a and 808b (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 808), and / or perform any of the functions, features and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 806 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 808.

[0183] The VMs 808 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 806. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 802 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 808, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.

[0184] In the context of NFV, a VM 808 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 808, and that part of hardware 804 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 808 on top of the hardware 804 and corresponds to the application 802.

[0185] Hardware 804 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. Hardware 804 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, hardware 804 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 810, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 802. In some embodiments, hardware 804 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 812 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0186] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0187] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0188] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0189] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0190] EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0191] Group A Example Embodiments

[0192] Example Embodiment Al. A method performed by a user equipment for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the method comprising: any of the user equipment steps, features, or functions described above, either alone or in combination with other steps, features, or functions described above.

[0193] Example Embodiment A2. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising one or more additional user equipment steps, features or functions described above.

[0194] Example Embodiment A3. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to the network node.

[0195] Group B Example Embodiments

[0196] Example Embodiment B 1. A method performed by a network node for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the method comprising: any of the network node steps, features, or functions described above, either alone or in combination with other steps, features, or functions described above.

[0197] Example Embodiment B2. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising one or more additional network node steps, features or functions described above.

[0198] Example Embodiment B3. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.

[0199] Group C Example Embodiments

[0200] Example Embodiment Cl. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the method comprising at least one of: obtaining information for determining whether a cell is suitable for selection or reselection; during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detecting the cell; determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection; and taking at least one action based on the determination of whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection.

[0201] Example Embodiment C2. The method of Example Embodiment Cl, wherein the cell comprises aNES cell.

[0202] Example Embodiment C3. The method of any one of Example Embodiments Cl to C2, wherein at least one of: the cell is associated with a network node that transmits a system information block (SIB) in response to uplink wake-up-signal (WUS) from the UE, the cell is associated with a network node that transmits a SIB on-demand, and the cell is associated with a network node that does not transmit its own SIB.

[0203] Example Embodiment C4. The method of Example Embodiment C3, wherein the SIB is a SIBl.

[0204] Example Embodiment C5. The method of any one of Example Embodiments Cl to C4, wherein the cell is not covered by an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0205] Example Embodiment C6. The method of any one of Example Embodiments Cl to C4, wherein the cell is covered by an assisting and / or anchor cell. Example Embodiment C7. The method of any one of Example Embodiments Cl to C6, wherein determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection comprises: determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection based on the obtained information.

[0206] Example Embodiment C8. The method of any one of Example Embodiments Cl to C7, wherein obtaining the information for determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection comprises receiving the information from a network node.

[0207] Example Embodiment C9. The method of Example Embodiment C8, wherein the network node is associated with an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0208] Example Emboidment CIO. The method of any one of Example Embodiments C8 to C9, wherein the information is received via SIB2 or SIB4 or another SIB.

[0209] Example Emboidment Cll.The method of any one of Example Embodiments C8 to CIO, wherein the information comprises a value associated with a validity timer for determining a validity of a UL WUS configuration.

[0210] Example Embodiment C12.The method of any one of Example Embodiments C8 to Cll, comprising starting a validity timer in response to at least one of: receiving the information; receiving a UL WUS configuration for the cell; transmitting a request for on-demand SIB1; and obtaining SIB1.

[0211] Example Embodiment Cl 3. The method of any one of Example Embodiment Cl to Cl 2, wherein: determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection comprises determining that the cell is not suitable for selection or reselection.

[0212] Example Embodiment C14. The method of Example Embodiment C13, wherein the determining is based on at least one of: the UE does not have a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the UE has an obsolete UL WUS configuration for the cell, a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has expired, the cell does not transmit any SIB1, and the cell transmits only on-demand SIB1.

[0213] Example Embodiment C15.The method of any one of Example Embodiments C13 to C14, wherein the information indicates at least one of: the cell is not suitable when the UE does not have a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is not suitable when the UE does not have an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is not suitable when a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has expired, the cell is not suitable when the cell does not transmit SIB1 for the cell, and the cell is not suitable when the cell transmits only on-demand SIB1. Example Embodiment Cl 6. The method of any one of Example Embodiments C13 to C15, wherein taking the at least one action comprises: searching for and / or attempting to find another cell for the selection and / or reselection procedure, deprioritizing the cell for the selection and / or reselection procedure, determining not to camp on the cell, finding another cell to camp on, and determining not to camp on the cell thought it is able to comp on the cell regardless of a cell state.

[0214] Example Embodiment Cl 7. The method of any one of Example Embodiment Cl to Cl 6, wherein determining whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection comprises determining that the cell is suitable for selection or reselection.

[0215] Example Embodiment Cl 8. The method of Example Embodiment Cl 7, wherein the determining is based on at least one of: the UE has a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the UE has an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell, a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has not expired, the cell transmits SIB1 for the cell.

[0216] Example Embodiment Cl 9. The method of any one of Example Embodiments C17 to C18, wherein the information indicates at least one of: the cell is suitable when the UE has a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is suitable when the UE has an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is suitable when a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has not expired, and the cell is suitable when the cell transmits SIB1 for the cell.

[0217] Example Embodiment C20. The method of any one of Example Embodiments C17 to C15, wherein taking the at least one action comprises: transmitting a request for SIB1 for the cell, determining to camp on the cell, camping on the cell, following a selection and / or reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 V18.0.0 for the cell and an assisting and / or anchor cell, following a selection and / or reselection criterion that is an enhanced version of a selection and / or reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 for the cell and an assisting and / or anchor cell, prioritizing selection and / or reselection of the cell, deprioritizing selection and / or reselection of the cell, searching and or attempting to find another cell, determining not to camp on the cell.

[0218] Example Embodiment C21. The method of any of Example Embodiments Cl to C20, wherein prioritizing or deprioritizing the at least one cell is based on at least one of: at least one value associated with a RSRP, at least one value associated with an Qoffset, a cell selection and / or reselection priority parameter associated with aNES cell, a threshold and / or offset value for UEs that support NES cells.

[0219] Example Embodiment C22. The method of Example Embodiments Cl to C21, further comprising: providing user data; and forwarding the user data to a host via the transmission to the network node.

[0220] Example Embodiment C23. A user equipment comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0221] Example Embodiment C24. A user equipment configured to perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0222] Example Embodiment C25. A wireless device comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0223] Example Embodiment C26. A computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0224] Example Embodiment C27. A computer program product comprising computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0225] Example Embodiment C28. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments Cl to C22.

[0226] Group D Example Embodiments

[0227] Example Embodiment DI. A method performed by a network node for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the method comprising at least one of: transmitting, to a User Equipment (UE), information for determining by the UE whether a cell is suitable for selection or reselection; configuring the UE to detect a cell during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, detecting the cell; configuring the UE to determine whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection; and configuring the UE to take at least one action based on the determination of whether or not the cell is suitable for selection or reselection.

[0228] Example Embodiment D2. The method of Example Embodiment DI, wherein the cell comprises aNES cell.

[0229] Example Embodiment D3. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D2, wherein at least one of: the cell is associated with a network node that transmits a system information block (SIB) in response to uplink wake-up-signal (WUS) from the UE, the cell is associated with a network node that transmits a SIB on-demand, and the cell is associated with a network node that does not transmit its own SIB.

[0230] Example Embodiment D4. The method of Example Embodiment D3, wherein the SIB is a SIBl. Example Embodiment D5. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D4, wherein the cell is not covered by an assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0231] Example Embodiment D6. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D4, wherein the cell is covered by an assisting and / or anchor cell, and the network node is serving the assisting and / or anchor cell.

[0232] Example Embodiment D7. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D6, wherein configuring the UE to determine whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection comprises: configuring the UE to determine whether or not the cell is suitable for selection and / or reselection based on the obtained information.

[0233] Example Emboidment D8. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D7, wherein the information is transmitted via SIB2 or SIB4 or another SIB.

[0234] Example Emboidment D9. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D8, wherein the information comprises a value associated with a validity timer for determining a validity of a UL WUS configuration for the cell.

[0235] Example Embodiment DIO. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to D9, comprising configuring the UE to start a validity timer in response to at least one of: receiving the information, receiving a UL WUS configuration for the cell, transmitting a request for on-demand SIB1, and obtaining SIB1.

[0236] Example Embodiment Dll. The method of any one of Example Embodiment DI to DIO, wherein the information indicates at least one of: the cell is not suitable when the UE does not have a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is not suitable when the UE does not have an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is not suitable when a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has expired, the cell is not suitable when the cell does not transmit SIB1 for the cell, and the cell is not suitable when the cell transmits only on-demand SIB1.

[0237] Example Embodiment DI 2. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to Dll, wherein configuring the UE to take the at least one action comprises configuring the UE to perform, when the cell is determined NOT to be suitable for selection and / or reselection, at least one of : searching for and / or attempting to find another cell for the selection and / or reselection procedure, deprioritizing the cell for the selection and / or reselection procedure, determining not to camp on the cell, finding another cell to camp on, and determining not to camp on the cell thought it is able to comp on the cell regardless of a cell state.

[0238] Example Embodiment DI 3. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to DI 2, wherein the information indicates at least one of: the cell is suitable when the UE has a UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is suitable when the UE has an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the cell, the cell is suitable when a validity timer associated with an UL WUS configuration for the cell has not expired, and the cell is suitable when the cell transmits SIB1 for the cell.

[0239] Example Embodiment DI 4. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to DI 3, wherein configuring the UE to take the at least one action comprises configuring the UE to perform, when the cell is determined to be suitable for selection and / or reselection, at least one of: transmitting a request for SIB1 for the cell, determining to camp on the cell, camping on the cell, following a selection and / or reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 for the cell and an assisting and / or anchor cell, following a selection and / or reselection criterion that is an enhanced version of a selection and / or reselection criterion specified in 3GPP TS 38.304 vl 8.0.0 for the cell and an assisting and / or anchor cell, prioritizing selection and / or reselection of the cell, deprioritizing selection and / or reselection of the cell, searching and or attempting to find another cell, determining not to camp on the cell.

[0240] Example Embodiment D15. The method of any of Example Embodiments DI to DI 4, comprising configuring the UE to prioritize or deprioritize the at least one cell is based on at least one of: at least one value associated with a RSRP, at least one value associated with an Qoffset, a cell selection and / or reselection priority parameter associated with a NES cell, a threshold and / or offset value for UEs that support NES cells.

[0241] Example Embodiment DI 6. The method of any one of Example Embodiments DI to DI 5, wherein the network node comprises a gNodeB (gNB).

[0242] Example Embodiment DI 7. The method of any of the previous Example Embodiments, further comprising: obtaining user data; and forwarding the user data to a host or a user equipment.

[0243] Example Embodiment DI 8. A network node comprising processing circuitry configured to perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments DI to DI 7.

[0244] Example Embodiment DI 9. A network node configured to perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments DI to DI 7.

[0245] Example Embodiment D20. A computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments DI to DI 7.

[0246] Example Embodiment D21. A computer program product comprising computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments DI to DI 7.

[0247] Example Embodiment D22. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer perform any of the methods of Example Embodiments DI to DI 7.

[0248] Group E Example Embodiments

[0249] Example Embodiment El. A user equipment for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the UE comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A and C Example Embodiments; and power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0250] Example Embodiment E2. A network node for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the network node comprising: processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments; power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the processing circuitry.

[0251] Example Embodiment E3. A user equipment (UE) for cell selection and / or reselection in wireless networks, the UE comprising: an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals; radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry; the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A and C Example Embodiments; an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry; an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; and a battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.

[0252] Example Embodiment E4. A host configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service, the host comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a network interface configured to initiate transmission of the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a communication interface and processing circuitry, the communication interface and processing circuitry of the UE being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A and C Example Embodiments to receive the user data from the host.

[0253] Example Embodiment E5. The host of the previous Example Embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a network node configured to communicate with the UE to transmit the user data to the UE from the host.

[0254] Example Embodiment E6. The host of the previous 2 Example Embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the host application is configured to interact with a client application executing on the UE, the client application being associated with the host application.

[0255] Example Embodiment E7. A method implemented by a host operating in a communication system that further includes a network node and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: providing user data for the UE; and initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the network node, wherein the UE performs any of the operations of any of the Group A embodiments to receive the user data from the host.

[0256] Example Embodiment E8. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising: at the host, executing a host application associated with a client application executing on the UE to receive the user data from the UE.

[0257] Example Embodiment E9. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising: at the host, transmitting input data to the client application executing on the UE, the input data being provided by executing the host application, wherein the user data is provided by the client application in response to the input data from the host application.

[0258] Example Embodiment E10. A host configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service, the host comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a network interface configured to initiate transmission of the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE comprises a communication interface and processing circuitry, the communication interface and processing circuitry of the UE being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A and C Example Embodiments to transmit the user data to the host.

[0259] Example Embodiment Ell. The host of the previous Example Embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a network node configured to communicate with the UE to transmit the user data from the UE to the host.

[0260] Example Embodiment El 2. The host of the previous 2 Example Embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the host application is configured to interact with a client application executing on the UE, the client application being associated with the host application.

[0261] Example Embodiment El 3. A method implemented by a host configured to operate in a communication system that further includes a network node and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host, receiving user data transmitted to the host via the network node by the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A and C Example Embodiments to transmit the user data to the host.

[0262] Example Embodiment E14. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising: at the host, executing a host application associated with a client application executing on the UE to receive the user data from the UE.

[0263] Example Embodiment El 5. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising: at the host, transmitting input data to the client application executing on the UE, the input data being provided by executing the host application, wherein the user data is provided by the client application in response to the input data from the host application.

[0264] Example Embodiment E16. A host configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service, the host comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a network interface configured to initiate transmission of the user data to a network node in a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE), the network node having a communication interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the network node configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments to transmit the user data from the host to the UE.

[0265] Example Embodiment El 7. The host of the previous Example Embodiment, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host is configured to execute a host application that provides the user data; and the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application to receive the transmission of user data from the host.

[0266] Example Embodiment El 8. A method implemented in a host configured to operate in a communication system that further includes a network node and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: providing user data for the UE; and initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the network node, wherein the network node performs any of the operations of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments to transmit the user data from the host to the UE.

[0267] Example Embodiment E19. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising, at the network node, transmitting the user data provided by the host for the UE.

[0268] Example Embodiment E20. The method of any of the previous 2 Example Embodiments, wherein the user data is provided at the host by executing a host application that interacts with a client application executing on the UE, the client application being associated with the host application.

[0269] Example Embodiment E21. A communication system configured to provide an over-the- top service, the communication system comprising: a host comprising: processing circuitry configured to provide user data for a user equipment (UE), the user data being associated with the over-the-top service; and a network interface configured to initiate transmission of the user data toward a cellular network node for transmission to the UE, the network node having a communication interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the network node configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments to transmit the user data from the host to the UE.

[0270] Example Embodiment E22. The communication system of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising: the network node; and / or the user equipment.

[0271] Example Embodiment E23. A host configured to operate in a communication system to provide an over-the-top (OTT) service, the host comprising: processing circuitry configured to initiate receipt of user data; and a network interface configured to receive the user data from a network node in a cellular network, the network node having a communication interface and processing circuitry, the processing circuitry of the network node configured to perform any of the operations of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments to receive the user data from a user equipment (UE) for the host.

[0272] Example Embodiment E24. The host of the previous 2 Example Embodiments, wherein: the processing circuitry of the host is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the host application is configured to interact with a client application executing on the UE, the client application being associated with the host application.

[0273] Example Embodiment E25.The host of the any of the previous 2 Example Embodiments, wherein the initiating receipt of the user data comprises requesting the user data.

[0274] Example Embodiment E26. A method implemented by a host configured to operate in a communication system that further includes a network node and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host, initiating receipt of user data from the UE, the user data originating from a transmission which the network node has received from the UE, wherein the network node performs any of the steps of any of the Group B and D Example Embodiments to receive the user data from the UE for the host.

[0275] Example Embodiment E27. The method of the previous Example Embodiment, further comprising at the network node, transmitting the received user data to the host.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, for cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, the method comprising, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure: detecting a first cell; determining whether the UE has an uplink Wake-Up Signal, WUS, configuration for the first cell; and, based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, performing one or more actions.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the NES cell comprises an on-demand System Information Block- 1, SIB1, cell.

4. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the first cell is associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the SIB is a SIB 1.

6. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving, from a second network node, a value associated with an UL WUS configuration validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the determining whether the UE has an UL WUS configuration for the first cell comprises determining whether the UE has an up-to-date uplink WUS configuration for the first cell based on the UL WUS configuration validity timer.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second network node is associated with a second cell.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second cell is an assisting and / or anchor cell.

11. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein: determining whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises determining that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell; and based on the determination that the UE does not have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprise one or more of: determining that the first cell is not suitable for selection and / or reselection; determining not to camp on the first cell; and continuing to search for another cell.

12. The method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein: determining whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell comprises determining that the UE does have the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell; and based on the determination that the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, the one or more actions comprise one or more of: following a cell selection and / or reselection criterion for the first cell; prioritising or deprioritising selection and / or reselection of the first cell; determining to camp on the first cell; and determining not to camp on the first cell.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the one or more actions comprise prioritising or deprioritising reselection of the first cell based on a NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter comprises NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising receiving, from a network node, the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter is received, from the network node, in a SIB.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the SIB is a SIB 2 or a SIB 4.

18. A method performed by a network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, the method comprising: transmitting, to a User Equipment, UE, an uplink wake-up-signal, WUS, configuration for a first cell, and wherein the UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, when the UE detects the first cell, perform one or more actions based on whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first cell comprises a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the NES cell comprises an on-demand System Information Block- 1, SIB1, cell.

21. The method according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the first cell is associated with a first network node that transmits a system information block, SIB, in response to an uplink WUS from the UE.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the SIB is a SIB 1.

23. The method according to any of claims 18 to 22 wherein the network node comprises a second network associated with a second cell.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the second cell is an assisting and / or anchor cell.

25. The method according to any of claims 18 to 24, wherein the UL WUS configuration for the first cell is an up-to-date UL WUS configuration for the first cell.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising transmitting, to the UE, a value associated with a UL WUS validity timer for determining whether the UE has an up-to-date WUS configuration for the first cell.

27. The method according to any of claims 18 to 26, further comprising transmitting, to the UE, a Network Energy Savings, NES, cell specific cell reselection priority parameter.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the NES cell specific cell reselection priority parameter comprises NES cell specific cellreselectionpriority and / or cellreselectionsubpriority information.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the NES cell specific reselection priority parameter is transmitted, to the UE, in a system information block, SIB.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the SIB is a SIB 2 or a SIB 4.

31. A User Equipment, UE, for performing cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, the UE comprising a processor and a memory, the UE configured to: , during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure: detect a first cell; determine whether the UE has an uplink Wake-Up Signal, WUS, configuration for the first cell; and, based on the determination of whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell, perform one or more actions.

32. The UE of Claim 31, configured to perform any of the methods of Claims 2 to 17.

33. A network node for assisting cell selection and / or reselection in a wireless network, the network node configured to: transmit, to a User Equipment, UE, an uplink wake-up-signal, WUS, configuration for a first cell; wherein the UE is configured to, during a cell selection and / or reselection procedure, when the User Equipment detects the first cell, perform one or more actions based on whether the UE has the uplink WUS configuration for the first cell.

34. The network node of Claim 33, configured to perform any of the methods of Claims 19 to

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