Transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state

Abstract

Embodiments of present disclosure disclose transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state. The method comprises receiving from serving gNodeB (gNB), for RRC inactive state of a UE, cell DTX / DRX parameters of cells of Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area (RNA) of UE and corresponding cell IDs during a state transition of UE from RRC connected to RRC Inactive state using RRC release procedure; and performing a periodic RNA update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on received cell DTX / DRX parameters for RRC inactive state of UE. Method also comprises detecting occurrence of event related to change of RNA during RRC inactive state; transmitting event triggered RNA update to new serving gNB during cell DTX / DRX active duration or inactive duration; and receiving new cell DTX / DRX parameters for RRC inactive state of cells of new RNA of UE from new serving gNB. Present disclosure helps in network energy saving.

Description

TITLETRANSMISSION OF CELL DTX-DRX PARAMETERS FOR RRC INACTIVE5 STATECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION (S)

[0001] This application claims priorities to Indian non provisional application No.202441057445, filed on July 29, 2024.FIELD10

[0002] The present disclosure relates to transmission of cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)- Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state.BACKGROUND15

[0003] In 3GPP, a disaggregated architecture of gNodeB (gNB) is defined as decomposing the gNB into multiple logical entities. The gNB is split into three logical nodes i.e., Central Unit (CU), Distributed Unit (DU), and Radio Unit (RU). A single DU may host multiple cells. For instance, the 3GPPP defines that a DU can host up to20 512 cells. The CU (also referred as gNB-CU) hosts upper layers such as Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Radio Resource Control (RRC) layers, while the DU (also referred as gNB-DU) hosts lower layers such as Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical (PHY) layers. The scheduling operation takes place at the gNB-DU.25

[0004] To facilitate reducing gNB downlink transmission / uplink reception active time, UE configured with a periodic cell DTX / DRX pattern (i.e. active and non-active periods) was released in Release 18 of Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The pattern configuration for cell DTX / DRX is common for the UEs configured with30 this feature in the cell. The cell DTX and cell DRX patterns can be configured and activated separately. When cell DTX is configured and activated for the concerned cell,the UE may not monitor Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in selected cases or does not monitor Signaling Protocols and Switching (SPS) occasions during cell DTX non-active duration. When cell DRX is configured and activated for the concerned cell, the UE does not transmit using Configured Grant (CG) resources or5 does not transmit a Scheduling Request (SR) during cell DRX non-active duration. This cell DTX / DRX feature is only applicable to UEs in RRC CONNECTED state, but not for UEs in RRC inactive state or RRC idle state.

[0005] Cell DTX / DRX aims at providing mechanisms informing UE(s) whether the10 cell stays inactive. This may include enhancements to UE DRX configuration, e.g. to align / omit DRX cycles or start offsets of DRX, for UEs in connected mode or idle / inactive mode, potentially al lowing longer opportunities for cell inactivity. During a cell DTX / DRX, the cell may have no transmission / reception or only keep limited transmission / reception. For example, the cell does not need to transmit or receive some15 periodic signals / channels, such as ccoommmmoonn channels / signals or UE specific signals / channels. However, some operations when UE is in RRC inactive state or IDLE state are not impacted due to cell DTX / DRX, which will not help in energy saving which was expected if the cell DTX / DRX feature principles were applied to UEs in RRC Inactive state.20

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.25 SUMMARY

[0007] In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a User Equipment (UE). The UE is configured to receive from a seiwing gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE), cell Discontinuous Transmission30 (DTX)-Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs ) during a state transition of the UE from RRC connected to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. Further, the UE is configured to perform a periodicRAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the UE.

[0008] In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a method. The method5 comprises receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE), cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)-Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE from RRC10 connected to an RRC inactive state using a RRC release procedure. Further, the method comprises performing a periodic RAN Notification Area. (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the UE.15

[0009] In an embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon that when processed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations of receiving from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE), ceil Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception20 (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. Further, the processor performs a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of25 the UE.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference30 numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional disaggregated gNodeB (gNB) architecture;

[0012] FIG. IB shows an exemplary architecture illustrating transmission of cell DTX- DRX parameters for RRC inactive state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;5

[0013] FIG. 1C shows an exemplary scenario of change in Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of a User Equipment (UE), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed diagram of a User Equipment (UE), in accordance10 with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating method steps for transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;15

[0016] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating method steps for transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state when User Equipment (UE) moves to different RNA, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;20

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart i llustrating a method for transmission of cell DTX- DRX parameters for RRC inactive state by a Secondary Node (SN), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and25

[0018] FIG. 5 show's a diagram of example components of a User Equipment (UE) for performing Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area during RRC inactive state, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION.30

[0019] The following detailed description of example embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Further, one or more features or35 components of one embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with anotherembodiment (or one or more features of another embodiment). Additionally, the flowchart and description of operations provided below relate to one of the various embodiments. It should be noted that it is possible to make other embodiments that do not exactly match the flowchart and its description. It is understood that in other5 embodiments one or more operations may be omitted, one or more operations may be added, one or more operations may be performed simultaneously (at least in part).

[0029] It will be apparent that systems and / or methods, described herein, may be implemented in different forms of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware10 and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code. It is understood that software and hardware may be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.15

[0921] E ven though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although20 each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with evety other claim in the claim set.

[0022] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or25 essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with“one or more. ” Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,”“including,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise..30 Furthermore, expressions such as “at least one of [A] and [B],” “[A] and / or [B],” or “at least one of [A] or [B]” are to be understood as including only A, only B, or both A and B.

[0023] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not35 intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.

[0024] Cell DTX'DRX : Cell DTX / DRX is one of the objectives under the Network5 Energy Savings for NR - W1 in 3GPP Re! 18 (RP-223540). The sub-objective is captured in the WI description as below:Specify enhancement on cell DTX / DRX mechanism including the alignment of cell DTX / DRX and UE DRX in RRU CONNECTED mode, and inter-node information10 exchange on cell DTX / DRX [RAN2, RANI, RAN3]Note: No change for SSB transmission due to cell DTX / DRX.- Note: The impact to IDLE / INACTIVE UEs due to the above enhancement should be avoided.15

[0025] In 3GPP TS 38.300, to facilitate reducing gNB downlink transmission / uplink reception active time, UE can be configured with a periodic cell DTX / DRX pattern (i.e. active and non-active periods). The pattern configuration for cell DTX / DRX is common for the UEs configured with this feature in the cell. The cell DTX and cell DRX patterns can be configured and activated separately. A maximum of two cell DTX'DRX patterns20 can be configured per MAC entity for different serving cells. When cell DTX is configured and activated for the concerned cell, the UE may not monitor PDCCH in selected cases or does not monitor SPS occasions during cell DTX non-active duration. When cell DRX is configured and activated for the concerned cell, the UE does not transmit on CG resources or does not transmit a SR during cell DRX non-active25 duration. This feature is only applicable to UEs in RRC CONN ECTED state and it does not impact Random Access procedure, SSB transmission, paging, and system information broadcasting. Cell DTX / DRX can be activated / deactivated by RRC signalling or L1 group common signalling. Cell DTX / DRX is characterized by the following:30 active duration: duration that the UE waits for to receive PDCCI Is or SPS occasions, and transmit SR or CG, In this duration, the gNB transmission / reception of PDCCH, SPS, SR, CG, periodic and semi-persistent CSI report are not impacted for the purpose of network energy saving; cycle: specifies the periodic repetition of the active-duration followed by a period35 of non-active duration;

[0026] In 3GPP TS 38.321, each Serving Cell may be configured by RRC with a periodic cell DTX pattern (i.e., Active and Non-Active Periods). The cell DTX operation affects UE’s monitoring activity of PDCCH and configured downlink5 assignments in RRC CONNECTED. For all activated Serving Cells with cell DTX configured and activated, the MAC entity may monitor PDCCH and configured downlink assignments using the cell DTX operation specified in clause 5.X.2. Each Serving Cell may be configured by RRC with a periodic cell DRX pattern (i.e., Active and Non-Active Periods). The cell DRX operation controls Scheduling Request and10 configured uplink grant transmission activity' in RRC CONNECTED. For all activated Serving Cells with cell DRX configured and activated, the MAC entity may transmit configured uplink grant transmissions and Scheduling Request using the cell DRX operation specified in clause 5.X.3. RRC controls cell DTX and cell DRX operation by configuring the following parameters in CellDTXDRX-Config per Serving Cell:15 - cellDTXDRXconfigType: defines whether only cell DTX is configured, only cellDRX is configured, or both are configured;- celldtxdrx-onDurationTimer: the active duration at the beginning of a cell DTX / DRX cycle;20 - celldtxdrx-StartOffset: defines the subframe where the cell DTX / DRX cycle starts;- celldtxdrx-SlotOffset: the delay before starting the celldtxdrx-onDurationTimer;- celldtxdrx-Cycle: the cell DTX / DRX cycle period.- cellDTXDRXactivationStatus: the initial activation status of cell DTX and cell DRX operation.25

[0027] Cell DTX / DRX aims at providing mechanisms informing UE(s) when the cell stays inactive. This may include enhancements to UE DRX configuration, e.g. to align / omit DRX cycles or start offsets of DILX, for UEs in connected mode or idle / inactive mode, potentially allowing longer opportunities for cell inactivity. During.30 a cell DTX / DRX, the cell may have no transmission / reception or only keep limited transmission / reception. For example, the cell does not need to transmit or receive some periodic signal s / channels, such as common channels / signals or UE specific signals / channels. Cell DTX / DRX is characterized by the following principles agreed in RAN2:« No impact to RACK, paging, and SIBs in idle / inactive mode for both gNB and UEs. e Rel-18 Network Energy Savings capable CONNECTED mode IJE(s) can perform RACH and receive SIBs in non-active duration of cell DTX and / or DRX.5 e Pattern configuration for cell DRX / DTX is common for all Rel-18 UEs in the cell.DTX and DRX configuration can be different in a cell.• The Cell DTX / DRX configuration contains at least: periodicity, start slot / offset, on duration.10 UE doesn’t monitor Semi Persistent Scheduling(SPS) occasions during Cell DTX non-active period. As baseline, gNB is assumed to be not transmitting PDSCH to that UE on such SPS occasions during the Cell DTX non-active period.UE does not transmit on Configured Grant occasions during Cell DRX non- active periods.15 UE does not transmit Scheduling Request occasions overlapping with CellDRX non-active periods. e gNB scheduling behaviour for new transmissions during Cell DTX non-active period is that the gNB does not schedule UE-specific dynamic grants / assignments, even if the UE is in C-DRX active time. UE doesn’t monitor PDCCH for dynamic20 grants / assignments for new transmissions during cell DTX non-active period, even if the UE is in C-DRX active time.

[0028] The RRC INACTIVE state is employed to address challenges arising from idle mode transitions in LTE. In LTE, extended inactivity prompts the network to transition25 the UE to the RRC IDLE state, leading to power savings. However, resuming activity involves transitioning back to the connected mode (RRC CONNECTED), necessitating RRC signaling and introducing latency. The modern landscape of frequent small data transmissions from smartphones exacerbates this, causing frequent Idle-Connected-Idle transitions. To mitigate these challenges, 5G NR introduces the.30 RRC IN ACTIVE state. This state helps alleviate network signaling load and reduces latency when transitioning to the RRC CONNECTED state. In the 5G NR landscape, the introduction of the RRC INACTIVE state tackles the challenges posed by frequent idle-to-connected transitions. By maintaining a suspended yet more responsive connection, the UE can significantly reduce signaling overhead and latency. RRC35 context and CORE network connection is kept in both the UE and the gNB. Transitionto connected state for data transfer is fast. RRC inactive make the device in sleep like an idle state but the mobility is handled through cell reselection without involvement of network. RRC INACTIVE state acts like combination of IDLE and connected state.5

[0029] Within the RRC IN ACTIVE state, the UE's uplink transmission capabilities are limited. The UE may perform periodic or event based RNA update to the network or send small data packet to the gNB in Uplink (UL), if configured to do so, before transition to RRC CONNECTED state. The other exception is the capability to transmit PRACH as a component of the Random Access (RA) procedure. This10 procedure is invoked when the UE intends to shift to the RRC CONNECTED state, facilitating the transmission of an RRCResumeRequest, or when it seeks to request On- demand system information. As discussed earlier in the existing methods, RACH / Paging and System Information Broadcast (SIB) access in RRC Inactive and IDLE are not impacted due to cell DTX / DRX. This also means that the gNB cannot15 extract as much energy savings from the cell DTX / DRX feature as it would if the principles were applied to UEs in RRC inactive state.

[0030] The present disclosure provides methods and apparatuses for transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state. According to the present disclosure,20 a User Equipment (UE) in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode may receive, from a serving gNodeB (gNB), cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) - Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters for RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area, of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE from RRC connected to an RRC25 Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. The UE may store the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state. Upon storing the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state, the UE may perform a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA. The UE may perform at least one of periodic RNA.30 updates and Small Data Transmission (SDT) during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA. As the UE performs the updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration, this helps in achieving network energy savings in RRC inactive mode which was not possible in the existing methods. Further, upon detecting change in location of the UE, the UE receives35 the new cell DTX / DRX parameters which helps in performing the updates and the SDTduring the identified cell DTX. / DRX active duration of the new' gNB. Therefore, the present disclosure avoids performing the updates and the SDT during the cell DTX / DRX inactive duration and saves network energy in RRC inactive mode.5

[0031] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional disaggregated gNodeB (gNB) architecture. In Fifth Generation (5G) networks, a base station or a gNB is split into three distinct components i.e., a Centralized Unit (CU) (also referred as the gNB-CU in the description), a Distributed Unit (DU) (also referred as the gNB-DU in the description), and a Remote Radio Unit (RU) (not illustrated in FIG.s). The gNB-CU serves as central10 intelligence, adeptly handling complex and centralized network functions. These functions include, but are not limited to, proficient radio resource management, effective network control, and seamless coordination with the 5GC. The gNB-DU is responsible for managing data plane processing, encompassing vital tasks such as data transmission and reception with a User Equipment (UE) (not illustrated in FIG. 1A).15 The gNB-DU interfaces seamlessly with the gNB-CU over Fl interface. FIG. 1A further illustrates a separation of control-plane and user-plane for the gNB-CU (i.e., gNB-CU-CP and gNB-CU-UP). The gNB-CU-CP is connected to the gNB-DU through Fl-C interface. The gNB-CU-UP is connected to the gNB-DU through Fl-U interface. The gNB-CU-CP is connected to gNB-CU-CP(s) over El interface. The RU deals with20 physical layer functions, housing antennas and radio transceivers that facilitate the actual transmission and reception of radio signals. The description of the present disclosure is explained considering Fifth Generation (5G) networks only. However, the present disclosure is applicable to any type of networks such as Fourth Generation (4G) networks, 6G networks, and the like.25

[0032] FIG. IB shows an exemplary architecture illustrating transmission of cell DTX- DRX parameters for RRC inactive state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure..30

[0033] Exemplary' architecture 100 illustrates a User Equipment (UE) 101 communicating with a gNodeB (gNB) (also referred as serving gNB). The UE 105 may represent end-user devices that access services and applications through the wireless network. The UE 101 may be configured to connect to the central units and the distributed units of the gNB over the wireless network. As an example, the UE 101 may35 be, without limitation, any device used by a user to communicate over the wirelessnetwork, such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, smartphones, laptops, wearables, Internet of Things (loTs), and the like. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may be configured within a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area 105. The RAN Notification Area (RNA) may be a defined area which comprises one or more cells i.e.,5 one or more cells having a predefined coverage area may be combined together to constitute the RNA. In an embodiment, when the UE moves outside the current RNA, the handover procedure may be performed to establish connection with new gNB in the new RNA. FIG. 1C shows an exemplary scenario in which the UE has moved from RNA 105 to RNA 123. The details related to change in RNA is discussed further in the10 present disclosure.

[0034] In an embodiment, the UE 101 may be configured to receive from a serving gNB, for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of the UE 101, cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) - Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of15 one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE 101 and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE 101 to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. In an embodiment, initially, the UE 101 may be connected with the serving gNB in RRC connected mode. In an embodiment, the serving gNB may consider a decision to transition the UE 101 to RRC20 inactive mode. The RRC inactive mode helps to alleviate network signaling load and reduces latency when transitioning to the RRC CONNECTED state. In an embodiment, upon considering the decision to transition the UE 101 to RRC inactive mode, the serving gNB may transmit the RRCRelease message to the UE 101. In an embodiment, the RRCRelease message comprises a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) which25 further comprises cell DTX-DRX parameters of one or more cells of RNA of the UE 101. As an example, the RRCRelease message to the UE 101 may be “RRCRelease (SuspendConfig(cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC Inactive))”.

[0035] The one or more cells DTX-DRX parameters of one or more cells within the.30 RNA 105 may be received by the UE 101 (not shown in figure). In an embodiment, the UE 101 may store the cell DTX-DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA and the corresponding cell IDs. In some embodiments, the cell DTX-DRX parameters may be stored in a remote storage which may be accessed by the UE 101.35

[0036] In an embodiment, upon receiving the cell DTX-DRX parameters, the UE 101 may be configured to perform a periodic RNA update based on the received cell DTX- DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may identify a cell DTX-DRX active duration of a serving5 cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding stored cell DTX-DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state. Upon identifying the cell DTX-DRX active duration, the UE 101 may perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and SDT during the identified cell DTX-DRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA. As an example, the UE 101 may perform Small Data Transmission (SDT) data transfer10 only during the cell DTX-DRX active duration. In an embodiment, New Generation RAN (NG-RAN) node may also ensure that the RAN Paging is initiated only during the cell DTX-DRX active duration. This helps in ensuring that the network energy is saved as it was expected during the introduction of cell DTX-DRX.15

[0037] In an embodiment, the UE 101 may be further configured to detect occurrence of an event related to change of the RNA during the R RC inactive state. Whenever the UE 101 moves out of the serving / current RNA, the location of the UE 101 is required to be updated. This update is usually referred as RNA Update (RNAU). As an example, the event may be change in the RNA of the UE 101 due to change in location of the UE20 101. In an embodiment, upon detecting the change of the RNA, the UE 101 may transmit an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration. In an embodiment, the event triggered RNA update may be transmitted via RRC Resume message. As an example, the event triggered RNA update may be “RRCResume (event triggered RNA25 Update)”. In an embodiment, transmission of the event triggered RNA update is not restricted only to the cell DTX / DRX active duration of the new serving gNB. As shown in FIG. 1C, the RNA of the UE 101 changed from RNA. 105 to RNA 123 due to change in location of the UE 101. Upon receiving the event triggered RNA update, the new serving gNB may perform predefined operations to retrieve the UE context from the30 old serving gNB and release the UE 101 from the old serving gNB and establish connection with the new serving gNB, The operations performed during the changing of the gNB is discussed in FIG. 3B of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, upon transmitting the event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB, the UE 101 may receive new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells35 of a new” RNA of the UE 101 from new serving gNB. Thereafter, as discussed in earliersection of the present disclosure, the UE 101 may perform periodic RNA update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may store the new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new5 RN A and the corresponding cell IDs. In an embodiment, the RRCRelease message comprises a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) which further comprises new' cell DTX-DRX parameters of the one or more cells of the new RNA of the UE 101. As an example, the RRCRelease message received by the UE 101 may be indicated as “RRCRelease (SuspendConfig(cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC Inactive))”. The10 process performed upon detecting occurrence of the event may be performed each time the RNA of the UE 101 changes.

[0938] FIG. 2 shows a detailed block diagram of User Equipment (UE) 101 101, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.15

[0039] In some implementations, the User Equipment (UE) 101 101 may include an I / O interface 201, a processor 203 and a memory 205. In an embodiment, the memory 205 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 203. The processor 203 may be configured to perform one or more functions of the UE 101 for transmission of cell20 DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state, using the data 207 and the one or more modules 209 of the UE 101. In an embodiment, the memory 205 may store data 207. Although the FIG. 2 shows the hardware components of the UE 101, it is to be understood that other embodiments are not limited thereon. In other embodiments, the UE 101 may include less or a greater number of components. Further, the labels or25 names of the components are used only for illustrative purpose and does not limit the scope. One or more components can be combined together to perforin same or substantially similar technical feature for the transmission of cell DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive state..30

[0040] In an embodiment, the data 207 stored in the memory 205 may include, without limitation, cell parameter data 211 and other data 213. In some implementations, the data 207 may be stored within the memory 205 in the form of various data structures. Additionally, the data 207 may be organized using data models, such as relational or hierarchical data models. The other data 213 may include various temporary data and35 files generated by the one or more modules 209.

[0041] In an embodiment, the cell parameters data 211 may include, but not limited to, ceil Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE5 101. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may receive cell DTX-DRX parameters from serving gNodeB (gNB) during a state transition of the UE 101 to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. Further, the UE 101 may perform the periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters data for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA. In an embodiment, the10 received and stored cell DTX / DRX parameters help in identifying the cell DTX / DRX cycle of a seiwing gNB cell and perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and SDT during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving gNB cell in the RNA. For instance, if the RNA of the UE 101 comprises 10 cells [numbered as cell 1 - cell 10], and currently cel l 3 is serving the UE 101, then the UE 101 performs periodic RNA15 updates and SDT according to the cell DTX / DRX parameters of the serving gNB cell 3. If the serving gNB changes to cell 5 from cell 3 wi thin the same RNA of the UE 101, then the UE 101 performs periodic RNA updates and data transmission according to the cell DTX / DRX parameters of the serving gNB cell5, if the cell DTX / DRX parameters of cell 5 are different. Exemplary cell DTX / DRX parameters for RRC20 Inactive (not exhaustive) are given below:CellDTXDRX RRCInactive-Config per RAN Notification Area:> celldtxdrxRRCInactive-onDurationTimer: the active duration at the beginning of a ceil DTX / DRX cycle;> celldtxdrxRRCInactive-StartOffset: defines the subframe where the cell25 DTX / DRX cycle starts;> celldtxdrxRRCInactive-SlotOffset: the delay before starting the celldtxdrx onDurationT imer ;> celldtxdrxRRCInactive-Cycle: the cell DTX / DRX cycle period.> cellDTXDRXRRCInactiveactivationStatus: the initial activation status of.30 ceilDTX and ceil DRX operation.

[0042] In an embodiment, the data 207 may be processed by one or more modules 209 of the UE 101. In some implementations, the one or more modules 209 may be35 communicatively coupled to the processor 203 for performing one or more functions ofthe UE 101. In an implementation, the one or more modules 209 may include, without limiting to, a transceiver module 215, a performing module 217 and other modules 219.

[0043] As used herein, the term module may refer to an Application Specific Integrated5 Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a hardware processor 203 (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In an implementation, each of the one or more modules 209 may be configured as stand-alone hardware computing units. In an embodiment, the other10 modules 219 may be used to perform various miscellaneous functionalities on the UE 101. It will be appreciated that such one or more modules 209 may be represented as a single module or a combination of different modules.

[0044] In an embodiment, the transcei ver module 215 of the UE 101 may be configured15 to receive from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE), cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE 101 and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE 101 to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC20 release procedure. In an embodiment, the UE 101 may store the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA and the corresponding cell IDs.

[0045] In an embodiment, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may be configured25 to perform a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA. an embodiment, the performing module 217 may identify a ceil DTX / DRX active duration of a serving cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding cell DTX / DRX parameters.30 for the RRC inactive state. Further, the performing module 217 may perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA.

[0046] In an embodiment, the transceiver module 215 of the UE 101 may be config ured35 to transmit an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cellDTX'DRX active duration or a cell DTXDRX inactive duration upon detecting the occurrence of the event. Further, the the transceiver module 215 may receive new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a new RNA of the UE 101 from new serving gNB, wherein the new cell DTXDRX parameters for5 the RRC inactive state of each of the one or more cells of the new RNA and the corresponding cell IDs are stored by the UE 101. In this scenario, the performing module 217 may perform periodic RNA update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA.10

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3A, the UE 101 may be in initially in RRC connected mode (step 1). At step 2, the serving gNB may consider s decision to send UE 101 to RRC inactive mode. Upon considering the decision, the transceiver module 215 of the UE 101 may receive the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state (step 3). At step 4, the UE 101 may store the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state15 which may be further used to identify cell DTXDRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration. At step 5, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may identify cell DTXDRX active duration. Finally, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving gNB in the RNA. As shown20 in step 6 of FIG. 3A, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may transmit the RNA update in RRC Resume message using the transceiver module 215.

[0048] As shown in FIG.3B, the UE 101 may in initially in RRC connected mode (step 1). At step 2, the UE 101 may detect occurrence of an event related to change of the25 RN A during the RRC inactive state and transmit an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration upon detecting the occurrence of the event. Upon receiving the event triggered RNA update, the serving gNB may retrieve UE 101 context from the previous serving gNB 103 (step 3 and 4). At step 5, transceiver module 215 of the UE 101 may30 receive the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state from new serving gNB (step 5). At step 6, the UE 101 may store the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state which may be further used to identify cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration. At step 7, the new serving gNB may transmit a data forward address indication to the previous serving gNB 103. At step 8 and 9, patch35 switch request is sent and acknowledgment is received between new serving gNB andAccess and Mobility Function (AMF) 301. At step 11, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may identify cell DTX / DRX active duration. Finally, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving gNB5 in the RNA. As shown in step 12 of FIG. 3B, the performing module 217 of the UE 101 may transmit the RNA update in RRC Resume message using the transceiver module 215.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for transmission of cell DTX-10 DRX parameters for RRC inactive state by a User Equipment (UE) 101, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the method 400 may include one or more blocks illustrating a method for transmission of cel l DTX-DRX parameters for RRC inactive15 state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG.2. The method 400 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data, structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform specific functions or implement specific abstract data types.20

[0051] The order in which the method 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.25 Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

[0052] At block 401 , the method 400 includes receiving, by a processor 203 of the User Equipment (UE) 101 101, from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control.30 ( RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE ), cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) - Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE 101 and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE 101 to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure. In an embodiment, the processor 203 may store the cell DTX / DRX35 parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA and thecorresponding cell IDs. In an embodiment, to perform periodic RNA update, the processor 203 may identify a cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding stored cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state. Further, the processor 203 may perform at least5 one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA. In an embodiment, the cell DTX / DRX parameters are received through a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.10

[0053] At block 403, the method 400 includes performing, by a processor 203, a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA, In an embodiment, the processor 203 may detect occurrence of an event related to change of the RNA during the RRC inactive state. Further, the15 processor 203 may transmit an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration upon detecting the occurrence of the event. Thereafter, the processor 203 may receive new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a new RNA of the UE 101 from new serving gNB. Upon receiving the new cell DTX / DRX20 parameters, the processor 203 may perform periodic RNA update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA, The processor 203 may also store the new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new' RNA and the corresponding cell IDs. In an embodiment, the cell DTX / DRX parameters are received25 through a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.

[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a User Equipment (UE) 500. As shown in FIG. 5, the gNB-CU 500 comprises a processor 502, a memory 504, a storage.30 component 506, an input component 508, an output component 510, a communication interface 512, and a bus 514.

[0055] The processor 502, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit that may comprise hardware elements and software elements. The processor 502 may be35 embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of oneor more multi-core processors and / or one or more single core processors, a distributed processing system., or the like. The processor 502 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU)a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component.5

[0056] The memory 504 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. Memory 504 includes a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and / or an optical memory) that stores information and / or10 instructions for use by processor 502. The memory' 504 comprises machine-readable instructions which are executable by the processor 502. These machine-readable instructions when executed by the processor 502 cause the processor 502 to perform one or more method steps of an embodiment described above.15

[0057] The storage component 506 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of the LIE 500. For example, the storage component 506 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, and / or a solid- state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable20 medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0058] The input component 508 is configured to receive information, such as user input. For example, the input component 508 may include, but not be limited to, a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and / or a microphone.25 Additionally, or alternatively, the input component 508 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator).

[0059] The output component 510 is configured to provide output information from the.30 UE 500. For example, the output component 510 may be, but not limited to, a display, a speaker, instructions to an external device, and / or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0060] The communication interface 512 is an interface that provides a communication35 connection to other devices, such as external devices and internal devices. Theconnection by the communication interface 512 can be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections, and can be a direct connection or an indirect connection via a communication network that exists between the UE 500 and other devices. In other words, the standard of the communication5 interface 512 is not limited.

[0061] The bus 514 acts as an interconnect between the processor 502, the memory 504, the storage component 506, the input component 508, the output component 510, and the communication interface 512 of the UE 500. The bus 514 may include a wired10 interconnection or a wireless interconnection.

[0062] The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 5 are provided as an example. In practice, UE 500 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 5.15 Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of the UE may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of the UE. Further, one or more method steps described in any of the embodiments may be performed utilizing a plurality of the UE in communication with one another.20

Claims

We claim:

1. A User Equipment (UE) (101) configured to: receive from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a User Equipment (UE) (101), cell Discontinuous Transmission5 (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE from RRC connected state to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure; and perform a periodic RAN Notification Area. (RNA) update aligned with cell10 DTX'DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the UE (101),2. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 1, the UE is further configured to: store the cell DTXZDRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or15 more cells of the RNA and the corresponding cell IDs.

3. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein to perform the periodic RNA update based on the stored cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state, the UE is configured to:20 identify a cell DTX / DRX active duration of a serving cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state; and perform at least one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell DTX'DRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA.

254. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UE receives the cell DTX'DRX parameters through a SuspcndConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure..30 5. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the UE is further configured to: detect occurrence of an event related to change of the RNA during the RRC inactive state; transmit an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration upon detecting35 the occurrence of the event; andreceive new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a new RNA of the UE from new serving gNB, wherein the new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of each of the one or more ceils of the new RNA and the corresponding cell IDs are stored by the UE.

56. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the UE is further configured to perform periodic RNA. update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA.10 7. The UE (101) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the UE receives the new cell DTX / DRX parameters through a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.

8. A method comprising:15 receiving, by a User Equipment (UE) (101), from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state of a UE (101), cell Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) / Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area, of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the UE from RRC Connected to an RRC20 Inactive state using a RRC release procedure; and performing, by the UE (101), a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX parameters based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of UE (101).25 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein further comprises: storing the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA and the corresponding cell IDs.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein performing the periodic RNA update based.30 on the stored cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state comprises: identifying, by the UE (101), a cell DTX / DRX active duration of a serving cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state; andperforming, by the UE (101), at least one of periodic RNA updates and small data transmission during the identified cell DTX / DRX active duration of the serving gNB in the RNA.5 11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cell DTX / DRX parameters are received through a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8 further comprises:10 detecting, by the UE (101), occurrence of an event related to change of the RNA during the RRC inactive state; transmitting, by the UE (101), an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTX / DRX inactive duration upon detecting the occurrence of the event; and15 receiving, by the UE (101), new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a new RNA of the UE from new serving gNB, wherein the new cell DTX'DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of each of the one or more cells of the new RNA and the corresponding cell IDs are stored by the UE.20 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprises performing periodic RNA update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the new cell DTX'DRX parameters are25 received through a SuspendContlg Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon that when processed by at least one processor, cause a User Equipment (UE) to perform30 operations comprising: receiving from a serving gNodeB (gNB), for Radio Resource Control (RRC) state of the UE, cell Discontinuous Transmission ( DTX) Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters of one or more cells of a Radio Access Network (RAN) Notification Area of the UE and corresponding cell Identifiers (IDs) during a state transition of the35 UE from RRC connected to an RRC Inactive state using a RRC release procedure; andperforming a periodic RAN Notification Area (RNA) update aligned with cell DTX / DRX pattern based on the received cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the UE.5 16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein performing the periodic RNA update based on the stored cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state comprises: identifying, by the UE, a cell DTX / DRX active duration of a serving cell among the one or more cells of the RNA based on the corresponding cell DTX / DRX10 parameters for the RRC inactive state; and performing, by the UE, at least one of periodic RNA updates and data transmission during the identified cell I)TXZDRX active duration of the serving cell in the RNA.15 17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, further comprises: storing the cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the RNA and the corresponding ceil IDs.20 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cell DTX / DRX parameters are received through a SuspendConfig Information Element (IE) of a RRCRelease message during the RRC release procedure.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 15, further25 comprises: detecting occurrence of an event related to change of the RNA during the RRC inactive state; transmitting an event triggered RNA update to a new serving gNB during one of, a cell DTX / DRX active duration or a cell DTXDRX inactive duration upon.30 detecting the occurrence of the event; and receiving new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of one or more cells of a new RNA. of the UE from new serving gNB, wherein the new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of each of the one or more cells of the new RNA and the corresponding cell IDs are stored by the UE.3520. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 19, further comprises performing periodic RNA update based on the stored new cell DTX / DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state of the one or more cells of the new RNA.5

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