Controlling transmissions

Abstract

Apparatus and method for controlling transmissions are provided. The solution comprises receiving (600) from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determining (602) the power status of the apparatus; and applying (604) the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

Description

[0001] CONTROLLING TRANSMISSIONS

[0002] Field

[0003] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention relate generally to wireless communication systems. Embodiments of the invention relate especially to apparatuses and methods in wireless communication networks.

[0004] Background

[0005] Wireless communication systems are under constant development. In additional to traditional cellular communication, non-terrestrial networks, NTN, may be utilised in communication especially where coverage of land-based access nodes is poor. Designing communication utilising both cellular and non-terrestrial networks is challenging due to different propagation environments.

[0006] Non-terrestrial networks may utilise satellites which provide user equipment a connection to core network of a cellular communication system. Using satellites provides challenges for user equipment operation as typically the connection to a satellite may be discontinuous due to the movement of the satellites in respect to earth surface.

[0007] Further, with the introduction of small Internet-of-things, loT, devices, which typically may be battery powered, the power consumption of the user equipment should be taken into account.

[0008] Summary

[0009] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key / critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that is presented later.

[0010] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in a communication system comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determine the power status of the apparatus; and apply the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in a communication system comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

[0012] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in a communication system comprising: means for receiving from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; means for determining the power status of the apparatus; and means for applying the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus in a communication system comprising: means for transmitting to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in an apparatus of a communication system, comprising receiving from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determining the power status of the apparatus and applying the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in an apparatus of a communication system, comprising transmitting to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receive from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determine the power status of the apparatus; and apply the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: transmit to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

[0017] One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The embodiments and / or examples and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0018] List of drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of simplified system architecture of a communication system;

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an example situation of satellite communication;

[0022] Figures 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating embodiments;

[0023] Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are signalling charts illustrating embodiments

[0024] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment and

[0025] Figures 9A and 9B illustrates example of apparatuses. Description of some embodiments

[0026] The following embodiments are only examples. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, words “comprising” and “including” should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such embodiments may also contain features, structures, units, modules etc. that have not been specifically mentioned.

[0027] Some embodiments of the present invention are applicable to a user terminal, a communication device, a base station, eNodeB, gNodeB, a distributed realisation of a base station, a network element of a communication system, a corresponding component, and / or to any communication system or any combination of different communication systems that support required functionality.

[0028] The protocols used, the specifications of communication systems, servers and user equipment, especially in wireless communication, develop rapidly. Such development may require extra changes to an embodiment. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, embodiments.

[0029] In the following, different exemplifying embodiments will be described using, as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments may be applied, a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE-A) or new radio (NR, 5G), without restricting the embodiments to such an architecture, however. The embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communications networks having suitable means by adjusting parameters and procedures appropriately. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof.

[0030] Fig. 1 depicts examples of simplified system architectures only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units, whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in Fig. 1 are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system typically comprises also other functions and structures than those shown in Fig. 1 .

[0031] The embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system given as an example but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with necessary properties.

[0032] The example of Fig. 1 shows a part of an exemplifying radio access network.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows devices 100 and 102. The devices 100 and 102 are configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels with a node 104. The node 104 is further connected to a core network 106. In one example, the node 104 may be an access node such as (eZg)NodeB serving devices in a cell. In one example, the node 104 may be a non-3GPP access node. The physical link from a device to a (eZg)NodeB is called uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the (eZg)NodeB to the device is called downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that (eZg)NodeBs or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server or access point etc. entity suitable for such a usage.

[0034] A communications system typically comprises more than one (eZg)NodeB in which case the (eZg)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signalling purposes. The (eZg)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of communication system it is coupled to. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. The (eZg)NodeB includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the (eZg)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to devices. The antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements. The (eZg)NodeB is further connected to the core network 106 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the deployed technology, the (eZg)NodeB is connected to a serving and packet data network gateway (S-GW +P-GW) or user plane function (UPF), for routing and forwarding user data packets and for providing connectivity of devices to one ore more external packet data networks, and to a mobile management entity (MME) or access mobility management function (AMF), for controlling access and mobility of the devices.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of a device are a subscriber unit, a user device, a user equipment (UE), a user terminal, a terminal device, a mobile station, a mobile device, etc.

[0036] The device typically refers to a mobile or static device ( e.g. a portable or non-portable computing device) that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without an universal subscriber identification module (USIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: mobile phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A device may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (loT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction, e.g. to be used in smart power grids and connected vehicles. The device may also utilise cloud. In some applications, a device may comprise a user portable device with radio parts (such as a watch, earphones or eyeglasses) and the computation is carried out in the cloud.

[0037] The device illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhauling relay) towards the base station. The device (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities.

[0038] Various techniques described herein may also be applied to a cyberphysical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected information and communications technology, ICT, devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyberphysical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals.

[0039] Additionally, although the apparatuses have been depicted as single entities, different units, processors and / or memory units (not all shown in Fig. 1 ) may be implemented.

[0040] 5G enables using multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and / or spectrum available. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicular safety, different sensors and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, e.g. below 6GHz or above 24 GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integrable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE. Integration with the LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, 6 or above 24 GHz - cmWave and mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.

[0041] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require to bring the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0042] The communication system is also able to communicate with other networks 112, such as a public switched telephone network, or a VoIP network, or the Internet, or a private network, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Fig. 1 by “cloud” 114). The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or a like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0043] The technology of Edge cloud may be brought into a radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN). Using the technology of edge cloud may mean access node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions being carried out at or close to a remote antenna site (in a distributed unit, DU 108) and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit, CU 110).

[0044] It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent. Some other technology advancements probably to be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) networks are being designed to support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in 4G networks as well.

[0045] 5G may also utilize satellite 116 communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (loT) devices or for passengers on board of vehicles, Mobile Broadband, (MBB) or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilise geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.

[0046] It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of (eZg)NodeBs, the device may have an access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the (eZg)NodeBs or may be a Home(eZg)nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells) which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The (eZg)NodeBs of Fig. 1 may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of (eZg)NodeBs are required to provide such a network structure.

[0047] For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of “plug-and-play” (eZg)NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use “plug-and-play” (eZg)Node Bs, includes, in addition to Home (eZg)NodeBs (H(eZg)nodeBs), a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW (not shown in Fig. 1 ). A HNB Gateway (HNB-GW), which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network.

[0048] Fig.2 illustrates an example of a communication system based on 5G network components. A user terminal or user equipment 200 communicating via a 5G network 202 with a data network 112. The user terminal 200 is connected to a Radio Access Network RAN node, such as (eZg)NodeB 206 which provides the user terminal with a connection to the network 112 via one or more User Plane Functions, UPF 208. The user terminal 200 is further connected to Core Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF 210, which is a control plane core connector for (radio) access network and can be seen from this perspective as the 5G version of Mobility Management Entity, MME, in LTE. The 5G network further comprises Session Management Function, SMF 212, which is responsible for subscriber sessions, such as session establishment, modify and release, and a Policy Control Function, PCF 214 which is configured to govern network behavior by providing policy rules to control plane functions.

[0049] 6G networks are expected to adopt flexible decentralized andZor distributed computing systems and architecture and ubiquitous computing, with local spectrum licensing, spectrum sharing, infrastructure sharing, and intelligent automated management underpinned by mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence, short-packet communication and blockchain technologies. Key features of 6G will include intelligent connected management and control functions, programmability, integrated sensing and communication, reduction of energy footprint, trustworthy infrastructure, scalability and affordability. In addition to these, 6G is also targeting new use cases covering the integration of localization and sensing capabilities into system definition to unifying user experience across physical and digital worlds.

[0050] As mentioned above, satellite communication has been proposed to enhance or complement terrestrial cellular communication system operation. Satellite communication is denoted as the use of non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Especially the use of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, operating in an altitude of approximately 500-1500 km, have been under study. At this height, the satellites move with a relative speed to Earth of about 7.5 km / s, which causes frequent mobility events and varying radio conditions even for stationary terminal devices.

[0051] The LEO satellites are each expected to provide coverage to a limited area on Earth. It has been estimated that a satellite may serve from a few tens of cells to several hundreds of cells. A typical cell size may be about 50 km but the cell size may extend to 1000km as well. Due to the limited coverage area per satellite, the satellites are expected to form a constellation of orbits, where numerous satellites are located in each orbit. Some estimates propose using constellations with 40 to 75 satellites per orbit where the number of orbits is around 20 to 80 orbits.

[0052] High Altitude Platform Systems, HAPS, has also been proposed to enhance or complement terrestrial cellular communication system operation. In HAPS, a base station or a transceiver is located in a platform flying in the stratosphere.

[0053] The NTN deployment scenarios include both remote, rural areas and urban environments. In remote, rural areas, satellite communication may provide coverage where there is no terrestrial coverage. In urban areas, NTN could be also used for disaster relief services, for example.

[0054] In 3GPP, two types of satellite operated cells are considered, Earth-fixed cells (EFC) and Earth-moving cells (EMC). In Earth-fixed cells, the satellite continuously adjusts the satellite beam pointing direction to fix the cell and beam to a specific point on Earth. In Earth-moving cells, the satellite beam pointing direction is fixed and thus the beam footprint (i.e. the cell) is moving on the surface of Earth. In EMC-based NTN the mobility is mainly due to satellite movement as they move much faster than UEs on the ground.

[0055] Some proposals for Internet of Things (loT) devices with satellite connections include discontinuous coverage on Earth using sparse satellite constellations. This means that a satellite will provide coverage to a certain area for some time after which there will be a period, where there is no NTN coverage in the area. For this discontinuous coverage it has been agreed that the satellite broadcasts the ephemeris of the upcoming satellites. That way the loT UE can save power between the periods it is in coverage and not search for the network.

[0056] Furthermore, a concept of Store and Forward is introduced. In Store and Forward, UE only occasionally and temporarily has coverage from a satellite. The discontinuous coverage scenario is expanded by defining that the satellite is not always connected with the core network (due to not being continuously connected with a NTN gateway / g round stations).

[0057] One example use case for Store and Forward is connecting loT devices like sensors, which are low-cost devices sending very few packets a day to report a status, temperature, or something similar. These devices are low cost and are designed with a very long battery lifetime, such as years. The battery lifetime is even more important for NTN as the devices may be deployed in an area without terrestrial coverage, which means in a remote area, increasing the cost of having to change devices or batteries.

[0058] Taking this thinking a step further: if a lot of sensors in a remote area belong to the same ‘group’, i.e. are designed for the same purposes, like monitoring a forest for forest fires, tracking livestock in a mountain area or monitoring crops on a remote farm, then it is beneficial to change all or a large part of devices or their battery in one go instead of having to move a person into the remote area for ever device. For this reason, it is beneficial to design the network so that all devices run out of battery power at the same time.

[0059] In an embodiment, the above concept may be applied to loT devices served by a satellite connection, but also in a scenario where a base station located at a high-altitude location on earth, such as a mountain, and serves loT devices located in a large geographical area, for example.

[0060] In an embodiment, it is proposed to control the transmission and power usage of the UEs based on the power source status of the UE. It is known that the battery status of UE may have an effect on for scheduling. However, in the prior art, the scheduling decision is based on the UE reporting its battery life / power consumption to the network.

[0061] Fig. 3 illustrate an example situation. There is a satellite 116 providing a 5G or 6G connection to an area 300 where there are a number of UEs, which may be loT devices, for example. Some of the UEs 302A have a good power status, i.e., over 50% battery power remaining, for example. Other UEs 302B have less than 50% battery power remaining. In an embodiment, the transmissions 304A, 304B of the UEs to the satellite 116 are controlled based on their power status.

[0062] The flowchart of Fig. 4A illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a terminal device, user equipment, a part of a terminal device or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps. In step 400, the apparatus is configured to receive from a network node an indication determining a time period before the apparatus transmits information to the network node, wherein a time of transmission is determined at least in part on a power status of the apparatus. The network node may be a 5G or 6G base station located in the satellite 116 or communicating with the apparatus via the satellite, for example.

[0063] In an embodiment, the indication is received in a System Information Block.

[0064] In step 402, the apparatus is configured to determine the power status of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the power status is determined by the amount of power remaining in a power source of the apparatus.

[0065] In step 404, the apparatus is configured to transmit the information to the network node based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0066] The flowchart of Fig. 4B illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a base station, (eZg)NodeB, a part of a (eZg)NodeB or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps.

[0067] In step 410, the apparatus is configured to transmit to user equipment an indication to determine a time period before the user equipment transmits information to the apparatus, wherein the time of transmission is to be determined at least in part on a power status of the user equipment.

[0068] In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to transmit to the user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied during the time period.

[0069] The flowchart of Fig. 5A illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a terminal device, user equipment, a part of a terminal device or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps.

[0070] In step 500, the apparatus is configured to receive from a network node an indication of a time period or time instant when to transmit information to the network node, where the time period or time instant depends at least in part on a power status of the apparatus.

[0071] The network node may be a 5G or 6G base station located in the satellite 116 or communicating with the apparatus via the satellite, for example.

[0072] In an embodiment, the indication is received in a System Information

[0073] Block. In step 502, the apparatus is configured to determine the power status of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the power status is determined by the amount of power remaining in a power source of the apparatus.

[0074] In step 504, the apparatus is configured to transmit the information to the network node based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0075] In an embodiment, the indication comprises a list of power statuses and corresponding time periods or time instants for each power status of the list.

[0076] In an embodiment, the indication comprises a time period which indicates the time the apparatus is configured to wait from a given start time instant, before performing a transmission to the network element.

[0077] In an embodiment, the indication comprises a first time instant and a second time instant, the first and second time instants from a given start time instant defining a time interval within which the apparatus is configured to perform a transmission to the network element.

[0078] The flowchart of Fig. 5B illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a base station, (eZg)NodeB, a part of a (eZg)NodeB or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps.

[0079] In step 510, the apparatus is configured to transmit information to user equipment an indication to determine a time period or time instant of transmission of information the user equipment to the apparatus based at least in part on the power status of the user equipment.

[0080] The flowchart of Fig. 6A illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a terminal device, user equipment, a part of a terminal device or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps.

[0081] In step 600, the apparatus is configured to receive from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus.

[0082] In an embodiment, the indication is received in a System Information Block.

[0083] In step 602, the apparatus is configured to determine the power status of the apparatus.

[0084] In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power source, and the apparatus determines its power status by the amount of power remaining in the power source.

[0085] In step 604, the apparatus is configured to apply the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

[0086] In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to reduce the monitoring of paging occasions from the network node based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings.

[0087] In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to deliver to the network node, based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings, periodic tracking area updates instead of monitoring paging occasions.

[0088] In 5G and 6G, the network or the base station or (e / g)NodeB is configured to broadcast a System Information Block, SIB, which contains information about the cell served by the base station. Based on SIB, UEs may access the cell, for example.

[0089] In an embodiment, the network may transmit indication to the UEs, the indication comprising instructions of when the UEs are to transmit data to the network. This indication may be transmitted in SIB, for example. The instructions may comprise a time period or time instant when the UEs are to transmit information to the base station. The time period or time instant depends at least in part on a power status of the apparatus.

[0090] The network is not necessarily directly aware of the power status of each UE it is serving. However, in an embodiment, the network may indicate to the UEs thresholds related to amount of power the power source of the UEs have left, indicating which UEs are allowed to access the network at what point in time.

[0091] In an embodiment the network may broadcast a waiting time or time period related to the remaining power in the UE. The amount of power left may be indicated in absolute amounts or relative to the full amount or expected hours / days left.

[0092] In an embodiment, the waiting time or time period indicates the time period the UE needs to wait until it is allowed to send its scheduling request or direct data transmission, such as Early / Small Data Transmission, for example. The time when to transmit may be indicated as an absolute time, a relative time since start of the coverage of the satellite in question or a relative fraction of the total available satellite service time for the area the UE is placed in.

[0093] In an embodiment, the indication transmitted by the network may be group based, i.e. indicating the group of UEs among all UEs in the coverage area of the base station the indication is valid for.

[0094] In an embodiment the network may provide a time interval / window within which the UE can attempt to access the network. Thus, the network may instruct the UE to wait for a given time and the transmit within a given time period or window. In an embodiment, the waiting time before the time period or window and the length of the time period or window may depend on the power status of the UE.

[0095] The time period or window is applicable for Earth-fixed cells, for example. In Earth-fixed cells the optimal time for transmission (best link budget) occurs about halfway through the satellite coverage period. For example, the network may instruct the UEs with large remaining battery to transmit first (when the link budget is less good), while the UEs with low remaining battery are instructed to transmit when the satellite is at nadir (the optimal link budget).

[0096] In an embodiment, the network indicates the time period or time instant as elevation angles of a satellite transmitting or conveying the indication. The UEs may then, knowing the elevation angles of satellites serving them, calculate the time period or time instant based on the elevation angles and the power status of the UEs.

[0097] In an embodiment, the indication comprises a first time instant and a second time instant, where the first and second time instants define a time interval from a given start time instant within which the apparatus is configured to perform a transmission to the network. In an embodiment, the UE transmits to the network at a random time instant within the indicated time interval.

[0098] In an embodiment, the network may indicate which power saving settings the UE should use based on the power status of the UE, i.e. what power saving mode to use when the UE is waiting for its time to transmit to the network.

[0099] In an embodiment, a power saving setting instructs the UE to monitor the paging occasions with a lower frequency, i.e., longer paging cycle, during the waiting time.

[0100] The power saving setting may also be the Power Saving Mode (PSM), where the UE does not monitor paging, but only provides a periodic Tracking Area Update.

[0101] In an embodiment the network may transmit an update to earlier indication. For this purpose, a paging message or the short message of the paging Downlink Control Information, DCI, may be used, for example, to change the interpretation of the broadcast information.

[0102] The update may relate to a change in the power status thresholds, a merging of power status thresholds, a new set of thresholds, or a delta of the thresholds. The update may also change time aspects, e.g. a different interval / window or a different waiting time.

[0103] To minimize the overhead of SIB reading, the update may be indicated in the paging message instead of the System Information Block (SIB) which may be used to provide the original the power status threshold. In an embodiment, the indication sent by the network comprises a list of power statuses or thresholds and corresponding time periods or time instants for each power status of the list. When the UE reads the indication (from SIB, for example) and the power status thresholds and the associated waiting time or time intervals, it is configured to determine its power status and wait with its scheduling request or data transmission until the waiting time / interval, which matches its battery status is passed / reached. While waiting for the time for transmission, the UE may apply power saving mode settings defined in the indication sent by the network.

[0104] While waiting the UE may receive an update to the received indication (for example in a paging message). The UE may adjust waiting time (and power saving settings) based on the update.

[0105] Fig. 7A illustrates an embodiment. The Fig. illustrates a signalling chart between the network and UE 100. In this example the UE is communication with the network via the satellite 116.

[0106] At a certain point in time 700 the UE 100 gets in coverage of satellite SAT 116 and reads the system information SIB broadcasted 702 by the satellite. The SIB comprises an indication determining a time period before the apparatus transmits information to the network node, wherein the time of transmission is determined at least in part on a power status of the apparatus.

[0107] In an embodiment, the broadcast comprises a list of power statuses and corresponding time periods or time instants for each power status of the list. The Table 1 below illustrates a partial example of such a list.

[0108] Table 1

[0109] The UE 100 determines 704 its power status and determines, based on the power status and the received indication, the waiting time before it can transmit to the network.

[0110] During the waiting time the UE applies 706 the indicated power waiting settings.

[0111] When the waiting time has expired the UE is configured to transmit initial access 708 to the network, followed by data provided it has data to send.

[0112] At a certain point in time 710 the UE 100 gets out of coverage of satellite SAT 116.

[0113] Fig. 7B illustrates an embodiment. The Fig. illustrates another signalling chart between the network and UE 100.

[0114] At a certain point in time 700 the UE 100 gets in coverage of satellite SAT 116 and reads the system information SIB broadcasted 702 by the satellite. The SIB comprises an indication determining a time interval during which the apparatus transmits information to the network node, wherein the time interval is determined at least in part on a power status of the apparatus.

[0115] In an embodiment, the broadcast comprises a list of power statuses and corresponding time intervals for each power status of the list.

[0116] The Table 2 below illustrates a partial example of such a list.

[0117] Table 2

[0118] The UE 100 determines 720 its power status and determines, based on the power status and the received indication, the time interval during which it can transmit to the network.

[0119] The UE determines waiting time before the designated time interval begins and during the waiting time the UE applies 722 the indicated power waiting settings.

[0120] The UE is then configured to transmit initial access 724 to the network during the time interval between T1 and T2, followed by data 726 provided it has data to send and / or receive. In an embodiment, the UE access the network random time instant within the time interval between T1 and T2.

[0121] After the time interval has expired the UE may apply 728 indicated power waiting settings.

[0122] At a certain point in time 710 the UE 100 gets out of coverage of satellite SAT 116.

[0123] Fig. 7C illustrates an embodiment. The Fig. illustrates another signalling chart between the network and UE 100. The operation is similar to the example of Fig.7A, but here the power saving settings applied in step 706 control the UE to skip a paging occasion 730. Thus, the UE reads the paging channel less often than in regular operation.

[0124] In an embodiment, there may be a situation where the network does not have a correct understanding of the power status of the UEs. There may be a risk that a lot of UEs wait unnecessary and network capacity goes unused. The network may detect that there is little or no data transmission during periods of the cell being active over a certain area. If the network detects this kind of situation, the network may change the settings. This can be done in in more than one way. The network may change the settings in the broadcasted information (for example values in Table 1 or 2). The network may also or alternatively use paging channel (paging message or short message) to change the interpretation of the broadcasted settings. For example, in an embodiment, the network may transmit a change of the power status category (such as move one category up or down) or change of the threshold (plus / minus a certain percentage). In an embodiment, the network may transmit a change of the waiting time with a certain number of seconds (positive or negative) or change of the transmission interval with a certain number of seconds (positive or negative).

[0125] The above situation is illustrated in Fig. 7D which illustrates another signalling chart between the network and UE 100. The steps 700, 702 and 706 are the same as in Fig. 7A.

[0126] In step 740 the network determines, for example based on the UE load, that new parameters are required and determines new settings for transmission times and optionally also for power saving.

[0127] The network transmits a message 742, for example a paging message to the UE with the updated settings.

[0128] The UE 100 determines 744 its power status and determines, based on the power status and the received new indication, a new waiting time before it can transmit to the network. During the waiting time the UE applies 746 the indicated power waiting settings.

[0129] When the waiting time has expired the UE is configured to transmit initial access 748 to the network, followed by data provided it has data to send.

[0130] At a certain point in time 710 the UE 100 gets out of coverage of satellite SAT 116.

[0131] In an embodiment, when the UE transmits data to the network, it may also transmit to the network information on its power status. Based on the information, the network can plan the waiting times of UEs. The UEs may be configured to report their power status once a day, week or any other interval. Alternatively, it can be requested by the network. This situation is illustrated in Fig. 7E which illustrates another signalling chart between the network and UE 100. The steps 700, 702 and 706 are the same as in Fig. 7A.

[0132] The network may transmit a message 760, for example a paging message, where it requests UE to report its power status.

[0133] When the waiting time has expired, the UE is configured to transmit initial access 708 to the network, followed by data, including the power status.

[0134] The flowchart of Fig. 8 illustrates an embodiment. The flowchart illustrates an example of the operation of an apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be a terminal device, user equipment, a part of a terminal device or any other apparatus capable of executing following steps.

[0135] In step 800, the apparatus gets in coverage of a satellite.

[0136] In step 802, the apparatus is configured to receive the system information SIB broadcasted by the satellite, the SIB comprising indication of power status dependent transmission time and power saving settings.

[0137] In step 804, the apparatus is configured to determine the power status of the apparatus, the waiting time before transmission to the network and power saving settings and optionally paging cycle if it is included in the power saving settings.

[0138] In step 806, the apparatus is configured to wait for the transmission time and utilise power saving settings.

[0139] In step 808, the apparatus is configured to access the network when the waiting time has expired.

[0140] In step 810, the apparatus is configured to apply regular power settings and paging cycle after the transmission is over.

[0141] In an embodiment, UEs which have a good power status (a lot of remaining energy / battery) may become active too late during the satellite coverage to transfer all their data to the satellite. Thus, at the next satellite pass over they have relatively even more better power status compared to other low-energy UEs and will get pushed further to the end of the queue.

[0142] To avoid the above kind of scenario, the network may provide a scaling factor based on the amount of time a UE has waited or the number of satellite passes without UE performing data transmission. The UE can apply the scaling factor to the broadcasted power status or the UE’s current battery level (e.g. X*battery level, where X<1 ), such that a UE with large remaining energy can access a satellite earlier than the current battery level allows if the UE has waiting for a long time / missed transmission to one or more previous satellites.

[0143] Fig. 9A illustrates an embodiment. The figure illustrates a simplified example of an apparatus applying embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be UE, a mobile station, a terminal device 300, or a part of such a device. It should be understood that the apparatus is depicted herein as an example illustrating some embodiments. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the apparatus may also comprise other functions and / or structures and not all described functions and structures are required. Although the apparatus has been depicted as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0144] The apparatus 100 of the example includes a control circuitry 900 configured to control at least part of the operation of the apparatus.

[0145] The apparatus may comprise a memory 902 for storing data. Furthermore, the memory may store software 904 executable by the control circuitry 900. The memory may be integrated in the control circuitry.

[0146] The apparatus may comprise one or more interface circuitries 906, 908. The interface circuitries are operationally connected to the control circuitry 900. An interface circuitry 906 may be a set of transceivers configured to communicate with a RAN node, such as an (eZg)NodeB of a wireless communication network or a satellite node. The interface circuitry may be connected to an antenna arrangement (not shown). The apparatus may also comprise a connection to a transmitter instead of a transceiver. The apparatus may further comprise a user interface 908.

[0147] In an embodiment, the software 904 may comprise a computer program comprising program code means adapted to cause the control circuitry 900 of the apparatus to realise at least some of the embodiments described above.

[0148] Fig. 9B illustrates an embodiment. The figure illustrates a simplified example of an apparatus applying embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be a base station, (e / g)NodeB , or a part of a base station or (eZg)NodeB. In an embodiment, the apparatus may be located in whole or in part in a satellite.

[0149] The apparatus 104 of the example includes a control circuitry 910 configured to control at least part of the operation of the apparatus.

[0150] The apparatus may comprise a memory 912 for storing data. Furthermore, the memory may store software 914 executable by the control circuitry 910. The memory may be integrated in the control circuitry.

[0151] The apparatus may comprise one or more interface circuitries 916. The interface circuitries are operationally connected to the control circuitry 910. An interface circuitry 916 may be a set of transceivers configured to communicate with UEs directly or via a satellite, and with other network elements such as core network. The interface circuitry may be connected to an antenna arrangement (not shown). The apparatus may also comprise a connection to a transmitter instead of a transceiver. In an embodiment, the software 914 may comprise a computer program comprising program code means adapted to cause the control circuitry 910 of the apparatus to realise at least some of the embodiments described above.

[0152] The steps and related functions described in the above and attached figures are in no absolute chronological order, and some of the steps may be performed simultaneously or in an order differing from the given one. Other functions can also be executed between the steps or within the steps. Some of the steps can also be left out or replaced with a corresponding step.

[0153] The apparatuses or controllers able to perform the above-described steps may be implemented as an electronic digital computer, processing system or a circuitry which may comprise a working memory (random access memory, RAM), a central processing unit (CPU), and a system clock. The CPU may comprise a set of registers, an arithmetic logic unit, and a controller. The processing system, controller or the circuitry is controlled by a sequence of program instructions transferred to the CPU from the RAM. The controller may contain a number of microinstructions for basic operations. The implementation of microinstructions may vary depending on the CPU design. The program instructions may be coded by a programming language, which may be a high-level programming language, such as C, Java, etc., or a low-level programming language, such as a machine language, or an assembler. The electronic digital computer may also have an operating system, which may provide system services to a computer program written with the program instructions.

[0154] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0155] This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term ‘circuitry’ would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.

[0156] An embodiment provides a computer program embodied on a distribution medium, comprising program instructions which, when loaded into an electronic apparatus, are configured to control the apparatus to realise at least some of the embodiments described above.

[0157] An embodiment provides a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to realise at least some of the embodiments described above.

[0158] An embodiment provides a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to realise at least some of the embodiments described above.

[0159] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, and a software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be distributed amongst several computers.

[0160] The apparatus may also be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits ASIC. Other hardware embodiments are also feasible, such as a circuit built of separate logic components. A hybrid of these different implementations is also feasible. When selecting the method of implementation, a person skilled in the art will consider the requirements set for the size and power consumption of the apparatus, the necessary processing capacity, production costs, and production volumes, for example.

[0161] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims1. An apparatus in a communication system comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determine the power status of the apparatus; apply the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: reduce the monitoring of paging occasions from the network node based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: deliver to the network node, based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings, periodic tracking area updates instead of monitoring paging occasions.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, where the indication comprises information when to transmit to the network node, where the time of transmission is dependent at least in part on the power source status of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: enter a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings, wake up from power saving mode when the time for transmission has arrived; perform the transmission to the network node.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indication comprises a time period the apparatus is configured to wait before performing a transmission to the network element.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indication comprises a time interval within which the apparatus is configured to perform a transmission to the network element.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the power source status is determined by the amount of power remaining in the power source.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the received indication comprises information of a group of apparatuses the indication is intended to, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: determine whether the indication is intended for the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the indication is received in a System Information Block.11 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: receive, in a paging message, an update to earlier indication, the update comprising new indication when to transmit to the network node and new power saving settings, where the time of transmission and power saving settings are dependent at least in part on the power source status of the apparatus.

12. An apparatus in a communication system comprising, at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus further to: transmit to user equipment an indication to determine timing of transmission of the user equipment to the apparatus based at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

14. A method in an apparatus of a communication system, comprising: receiving from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determining the power status of the apparatus; applying the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: reducing the monitoring of paging occasions from the network node based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising: delivering to the network node, based on a power saving mode indicated in the power saving settings, periodic tracking area updates instead of monitoring paging occasions.

17. A method in an apparatus of a communication system, comprising: transmitting to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

18. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receive from a network node an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the apparatus until a transmission to the network node is to be performed, the power saving settings depending at least in part on a power status of the apparatus; determine the power status of the apparatus;apply the power saving settings at the apparatus based on the indication and the determined power status.

19. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: transmit to user equipment an indication of power saving settings to be applied at the user equipment until a transmission from the user equipment to the apparatus is to be performed, the power saving settings being dependent at least in part on the power source status of the user equipment.

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