On-demand system information block 1 deactivation

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a solution of on- demand system information block 1 (OD-SIB1) deactivation. In the method, a first apparatus obtains (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode. The OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3). Moreover, the first apparatus determines (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result; and in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiates (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell (104).

Description

ON-DEMAND SYSTEM INFORMATION BLOCK 1 DEACTIVATIONFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for on-demand system information block 1 (OD-SIB 1) deactivation.BACKGROUND

[0002] The OD-SIB 1 feature is one of the objectives of the release 19 on network energy saving (NES) enhancements. With this feature, a NES cell may save energy by enabling less frequent broadcast of SIB1, i.e., SIB1 may be broadcast only when needed, e.g., for the user equipment (UE) to camp on the cell. Radio resource control (RRC) idle / inactive mode UEs, needing SIB1 information from the NES cell, may request this information by means of indicating it via an uplink (UL) wake-up signal (WUS).SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2). The first apparatus includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) at least to: obtain (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3); determine (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result; in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiate (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104).

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. Themethod includes: obtaining (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3); determining (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result; in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104).

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2). The first apparatus includes means for obtaining (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3); means for determining (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result; means for in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD- SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104).

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the second aspect.

[0007] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure may become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Some example embodiments may now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0010] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C illustrate example OD-SIB1 cases in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a signaling flow of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4A illustrates a flowchart of a method for determining whether the OD- SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4B illustrates an example diagram for different options in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling flow of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6G illustrate signaling flows of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Principle of the present disclosure may now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein may be implemented in various manners other than theones described below.

[0021] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0022] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0023] It may be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”..., etc. in front of noun(s) and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another and they do not limit the order of the noun(s). For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0024] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0025] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0026] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It may be further understood that theterms “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0027] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0028] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0029] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on.Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there may of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0030] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0031] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gamingterminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customerpremises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0032] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other combination of the time, frequency, space and / or code domain resource enabling a communication, and the like. In the following, unless explicitly stated, a resource in both frequency domain and time domain may be used as an example of a transmission resource for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.Example Environment

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a plurality of communication devices, including terminal devices 120-1 to 120-3 and radio access network (RAN) network devices 110-1 and 110-2, may communicate with each other.

[0034] For purpose of discussion, the terminal devices 120-1 to 120-3 are collectively or individually referred to the terminal devices 120 and the RAN network devices 110-1 and 120-2 are collectively or individually referred to the RAN network devices 110 (alsomay be call as network devices 110 for brevity).

[0035] In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal device 110 may be a UE and the RAN network device 110 may be a base station / gNB serving the UE. The serving area of a RAN network device 110 may be called a cell. In communication environment 100, the RAN network device 110-1 provides a cell 102 and the RAN network device 110-2 provides a cell 104. Further, in some cases, for power saving purpose, the cell 104 may be operated in the NES mode. If so, the cell 104 also may be call as the NES cell 104 accordingly. In some cases, the cell 102 may be an anchor cell 102.

[0036] In some example embodiments, the RAN architecture may include a centralized part, or central unit (CU), and a distributed part, or distributed unit (DU). The CU and the DU may be connected to one another by a so-called Fl interface. In communication environment 100, the RAN architecture of anchor cell 102 may include CU 112-1 and DU 114-1, and the RAN architecture of NES cell 104 may include CU 112-2 and DU 114-2.

[0037] It is to be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in FIG. 1 are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of devices configured to implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it would be appreciated that one or more additional devices may be located in the cell, and one or more additional cells may be deployed in the communication environment 100. It is noted that although illustrated as a RAN network device, the RAN network devicel lO may be another device than a network device. Although illustrated as a terminal device, the terminal device 120 may be another device than a terminal device.

[0038] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the terminal device 120 operating as a UE and the network device 110 operating as a base station. However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0039] In some example embodiments, a link from the RAN network device 110 to the terminal device 120 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the terminal device 120 to the RAN network device 110 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the RAN network device 110 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the terminaldevice 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In UL, the terminal device 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the network device 110 is a RX device (or a receiver).

[0040] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple -Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.Work Principle and Example Signaling for Communication

[0041] As discussed, the OD-SIB1 feature is one of the objectives of the Rel-19 on NES enhancements. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C illustrate example OD-SIB1 cases in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C are discussed with reference to FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 2A illustrates the OD-SIB1 Case 1 where OD-SIB 1 standalone operation is at NES cell 104 provided by the RAN network device 110-2 without the need of Cell A 102). During the OD-SIB1 operation 201, the UE WUS configuration 210 is broadcast by the NES cell 104, the terminal device 120-3 sends UL WUS 212 to the NES cell 212, and the NES cell 104 transmits SIB1 214 upon UL WUS 212 indication received from the terminal device 120-3.

[0043] FIG. 2B illustrates the OD-SIB1 Case 2 where OD-SIB1 operation is partially assisted by anchor cell / Cell A 102 provided by the RAN network device 110-1. During the OD-SIB1 operation 202, the UL WUS configuration 220 is broadcast by cell A 102. The terminal device 120-3 sends UL WUS 222 to NES Cell 104 provided by the RAN network device 110-2. The NES cell 104 transmits SIB1 224 upon UL WUS 222indication forwarded from the cell A 102 over network interface.

[0044] FIG. 2C illustrates the OD-SIB1 Case 3 where OD-SIB1 operation is fully assisted by Cell A provided by the RAN network device 110-1. During the OD-SIB1 operation 203, the UL WUS configuration 230 is broadcast by cell A 102. The terminal device 120-3 sends UL WUS 232 to cell A 102. The cell A 102 transmits SIB1 234 of the NES cell 104 upon UL WUS 232 indication received from the terminal device 120-3.

[0045] Currently, it is working on a definition of a solution for enabling OD-SIB1 in the RAN. Several solution options are being considered for this purpose. One of the key steps in the whole solution is the activation of the OD-SIB1 mode by the NES cell. However, the corresponding step in the deactivation of OD-SIB1 mode has not been considered in detail yet. In summary, current discussions are primarily focusing on the procedures related to activating OD-SIB 1 mode in a NES Cell, it is an open problem to identify when and how the OD-SIB 1 operation should be disabled.

[0046] The triggering condition for the (de) activation of the OD-SIB 1 mode by the NES cell is up to the network implementation and may be related to the number of UEs accessing the NES cell (e.g., RRC connection setup requests, RRC reestablishment requests, RRC resume requests and so on) per time unit / in a time window. It may also be related to the user-plane load of the NES cell, or the overall network load.

[0047] If SIB 1 transmission of the NES cell is requested frequently while the NES cell operates in OD-SIB 1 mode, there may be no / limited network energy saving gains, and may also lead to lead to increased energy consumption in the UE and network due to the need to broadcast the UL WUS configuration and due to the energy required for handling of the UL WUS monitoring. This could be one example scenario where the operator may want to disable the OD-SIB 1 mode and return to normal (periodic) SIB1 operations in the NES cell. Similarly, there could be other similar scenarios. In OD-SIB 1 Case 2 and OD- SIB 1 Case 3, where the OD-SIB 1 mode of a NES cell is assisted by Cell A, the Cell A may or may not have relevant information about whether to disable the OD-SIB 1 operation or not. Therefore, a mechanism is needed in order to disable the OD-SIB 1 mode in the NES cell and to return to regular SIB1 transmissions (including the signaling between the DU and CU controlling the NES cell in the disaggregated gNB architecture, and between the gNB of cell A and the gNB of Nes cell if the two cells are not controlled by the same gNB). Such mechanism must be adopted when using the OD-SIB 1 operationdynamically, so it would be always used in some form when OD-SIB 1 is activated in the network.

[0048] In the present disclosure, it is proposed a solution for enabling a network device controlling a NES cell to ensure optimal energy saving gains from the use of the OD-SIB1 feature in the NES cell. In operation, the network device (e.g., DU and / or CU) performs measurements to determine or control the deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation. The network device performs a corresponding coordination between the involved network devices and entities (via network signaling) in order to trigger and execute the disabling of OD-SIB1 mode and return to regular SIB1 operation (e.g., periodically broadcasting SIB1).

[0049] In some example embodiments, for OD-SIB1 case 2 where OD-SIB1 of the NES cell is transmitted by NES Cell, and CU / DU of the NES cell may perform at least one of the following measurements: the number of UEs requesting OD-SIB1 of a given NES cell in a configurable time period, the number of times the OD-SIB1 of the NES cell is transmitted per time unit (e.g. per minute) or in a preconfigured time-window (e.g. a predetermined period, the number of slots with transmissions of a given NES cell’s OD-SIB 1 in a given time period, and the like.

[0050] In some example embodiments, for OD-SIB 1 case 3 where the OD-SIB 1 of NES Cell transmitted by cell A, the CU / DU of cell A performs at least one of the measurements above-mentioned.

[0051] In some example embodiments, the availability in the NES cell of one or more NES cell related measurements for the NES cell is required to take the decision to disable OD-SIB 1 mode. For that reason, the measurement(s) may be shared with the CU / DU of the NES cell by the CU / DU of the Cell A. In this event, these measurements may have to be passed over Xn and / or Fl so that the evaluation of the condition could be made.

[0052] In some example embodiments, the gNB (the CU / DU of the Cell A) and / or gNB (the CU / DU of NES cell) may receive (e.g., from OAM / CU) and stores the configuration associated to the evaluation of OD-SIB 1 deactivation decision in either the CU or DU.

[0053] In some example embodiments, the gNB (anchor cell) and / or gNB (NES Cell) performs the evaluation of OD-SIB 1 disabling condition(s) in either the CU or DU.

[0054] In some example embodiments, in a case of a hybrid mode where the CU / DU (inthe NES cell) is configured, e.g., by OAM with the 0D-SIB1 deactivation condition(s), the evaluation is performed in the DU (of either the Anchor or NES gNB). In one example embodiment, the 0D-SIB1 deactivation conditions may be owned by the CU / DU in the NES cell, and the evaluation on the 0D-SIB1 deactivation conditions may be performed by the CU in the anchor cell. In another example embodiment, the 0D-SIB1 deactivation conditions may be owned by the CU / DU in the NES cell, and the evaluation on the OD- SIB 1 deactivation conditions may be performed by the DU in the anchor cell. In summary, the owner of the OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions is the NES cell, while the evaluator of the OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions is the anchor cell.

[0055] Further example embodiments are discussed with reference to FIG. 3, which illustrates a signaling flow 300 of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The signaling flow 300 involves a first apparatus 301 which is configured to determine whether an OD-SIB 1 operation activated for a cell is to be deactivated. If the cell with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated is the NES cell 102, the first apparatus 301 may be implemented as or included in either the RAN network device 110-2 or the RAN network device 110-1. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 301 may be implemented as or included in either the CU 112-2 or the DU 114- 2 of the RAN network device 110-2. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 301 may be implemented as or included in either the CU 112-1 or the DU 114-1 of the RAN network device 110-1. Different solution options may be implemented depending on which entity the first apparatus 301 is. In the following, the signaling flow 300 is first described by assuming that the first apparatus 301 is any suitable entity, and then the different solution operations will be described in detail.

[0056] In operation, the first apparatus 301 obtains (315) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an OD-SIB 1 operation activated for a cell 104. The cell 104 is configured to be operated in the NES mode. Due to the NES mode, an SIB transmission to a terminal device in the cell 104 is disabled by default and is triggered only upon a request from the terminal device (e.g., the terminal device 120-3). In some example embodiments, the SIB transmission may include transmission of at least one SIB to a terminal device in the cell 104. In some example embodiments, the at least one SIB may include SIB 1. In some example embodiments, the at least one SIB may additionally or alternatively include other SIB such as SIB2, SIB3, SIB4, and / or the like. In the following, example embodiments will be discussed using SIB 1 as an example.

[0057] The first apparatus 301 determines (320) whether the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell 104 based on the measurement result. Then, if the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, the first apparatus 301 initiates (325) a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include a number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell 104 within a time period. In this event, if the number is larger than or equal to a corresponding threshold, the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated.

[0059] Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include a number of times the at least one SIB of the cell 104 with the OD-SIB1 operation activated is transmitted within a time period. In this event, if the number is larger than or equal to a corresponding threshold, the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated.

[0060] Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include a number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell 104 with the OD-SIB1 operation activated within a time period. In this event, if the number is larger than or equal to a corresponding threshold, the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated.

[0061] Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include a number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell 104 with the OD-SIB1 operation activated within a time period. In this event, if the number is larger than or equal to a corresponding threshold, the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated.

[0062] Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB1 operation is activated. Alternatively, or in addition, in some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric may include the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell 104 with the OD-SIB1 operation activated from one or more neighboring cells.

[0063] It should be appreciated that the above measurement metrics are given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The first apparatus 301 maydetermine whether the 0D-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated based on other measurement metrics. Further, the above measurement metrics may be used separately or in combination.

[0064] Additionally, in some example embodiments, an 0AM entity 302 may provide (305) configuration information associated with the OD-SIB1 operation to the first apparatus 301, and the first apparatus 301 may obtain (310) configuration information associated with the OD-SIB1 operation accordingly. Then the first apparatus 301 may determine (315) whether the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell 104 based on the measurement result and the configuration information.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may indicate at least one parameter associated with the at least one measurement metric to trigger deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0066] Additionally, in some example embodiments, the at least one parameter in the configuration information may include a first threshold (Nl) associated with the number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell 104 within the time period. Alternatively, In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter may include but is not limited to a second threshold (N2) associated with the number of times the at least one SIB of the cell 104 is transmitted within the time period, a third threshold (N3) associated with the number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell 104 within the time period, a fourth threshold (N4) associated with the number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell 104 within the time threshold, a fifth threshold (N5) associated with an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB 1 operation is activated, or a sixth threshold (N6) associated with the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell 104 with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated.

[0067] For better understanding, example embodiments of determining whether the OD- SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated are discussed with reference to FIG. 4A, which illustrates a flowchart of a process 400A for determining whether the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 400A may be implemented at the first apparatus 301.

[0068] Example embodiments discussed with reference to FIG. 4A are applicable to OD-SIB 1 cases 1 to 3. The number of terminal devices requesting OD-SIB 1 to a given NES cell in a given time period is determined by the NES cell for case 1 / determined bythe cell A for 0D-SIB1 case 2 and OD-SIB1 case 3. The number of times the SIB1 of the NES cell is broadcast per time unit (e.g., per minute) during OD-SIB1 operation is determined by the gNB-DU of NES cell for OD-SIB1 case 1 and OD-SIB1 case 2, and determined by gNB-DU of the cell A for OD-SIB1 case 3.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the RAN network device may deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation for a NES cell if e.g., it determines and / or predicts a high / higher / increasing number of UEs attempting to access the cell (e.g., requesting the OD-SIB1). This scenario may be detected based on one of more measurements and conditions as discussed follows.

[0070] In some example embodiments, each UL-WUS Request from the terminal device is responded to by the RAN with transmission of OD-SIB1. If there is a large number of UL-WUS requests of OD-SIB1 for a given NES cell, which means that many terminal devices require the NES Cell’s OD-SIB. As a result, instead of scheduling OD-SIB1 at each request, it may be determined to revert to periodic / normal SIB1 broadcast for the NES Cell. Additionally, this check could be implemented by checking the number of UL WUS requests against a configured threshold, within a period of time.

[0071] In some example embodiments, if the number of times the OD-SIB 1 of the NES cell is transmitted per time unit (or in a time window) approaches or exceeds a preconfigured threshold (such threshold could be set e.g., as the number of times for periodic SIB1 broadcast transmission in the regular operation), it may be determined to revert to periodic / normal SIB1 broadcast for the NES Cell.

[0072] In some example embodiments, there are multiple energy expenditure related metrics that have been defined already (for example: gNB / cell energy cost index). If one or more of these metrics indicate that the energy savings is higher than a defined threshold even without OD-SIB 1 functionality in a cell, then the OD-SIB 1 operation may be disabled. As one example, a delta energy cost (EC) value is used as follows as condition to deactivate the OD-SIB 1 operation: ECOD-SIBI - ECreguiar SiBi transmission > threshold, where: ECOD-SIBI is the energy cost during OD-SIB 1 mode, ECreguiar SIBI transmission is the energy cost during regular SIBI transmission, and threshold is a threshold configured by the 0AM entity.

[0073] In some example embodiments, high load conditions in the network could mean that a many UEs require SIB 1 transmission. This may be measured for example by thefollowing metrics: the number of slots with transmissions of OD-SIB1 of a given NES cell in a given time period, the number of slots with downlink transmissions in a given NES cell in a given time period, and / or many terminal devices need to be offloaded to the NES cell based on high load in a neighboring cell.

[0074] In one example, an operator may decide to operate with regular SIB1 transmissions during fixed times of the day (for example during peak hours) and with OD- SIB1 transmission mode during the remaining times of the day. The 0AM entity may configure the RAN network device to operate according to the intended OD-SIB1 and regular SIB1 time pattern.

[0075] In FIG. 4A, at block 410, OD-SIB1 operation is activated on a cell (e.g., the NES cell 104). At block 420, the first apparatus 301 may determine whether the number of UL-WUS requests is larger than or equal to network (NW)-configured threshold within a NW-configured measurement period. If it is determined that the number of UL-WUS requests is larger than or equal to NW-configured threshold, the first apparatus 301 may be determined to deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation and proceed to block 480. Otherwise, the process 400A may proceed to block 430.

[0076] At block 430, it may determine if the energy savings is larger than or equal to the configured threshold. If it is determined that the energy savings is larger than or equal to the configured threshold, the first apparatus 301 may be determined to deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation and proceed to block 480. Otherwise, the process 400A may proceed to block 440.

[0077] At block 440, it may determine if the number of slots with DL transmissions is larger than or equal to the NW configured threshold within the configured measurement period. If it is determined that the number of slots with DL transmissions is larger than or equal to the NW configured threshold within the configured measurement period, the first apparatus 301 may be determined to deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation and proceed to block 480. Otherwise, the process 400A may proceed to block 450.

[0078] At block 450, it may determine if there are many terminal devices need to be offloaded to the NES cell based on high load in the neighbor cells. If it is determined that there are many terminal devices need to be offloaded to the NES cell based on high load in the neighbor cells, the first apparatus 301 may be determined to deactivate the OD- SIB1 operation and proceed to block 480. Otherwise, the process 400A may proceed toblock 460.

[0079] At block 460, the first apparatus 302 may determine whether it is during the peak time period of a day. If it is determined that it is during the peak time period of a day, the first apparatus 301 may be determined to deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation and proceed to block 480. Otherwise, the process 400A may proceed to block 470. At block 470, the first apparatus 301 may determine whether the current measurement period ends. If the current measurement period has not ended, the process 400A may proceed to block 420 again.

[0080] It would be appreciated that although some example measurement metrics and the associated thresholds are described in the process 400A of FIG. 4A, it would be appreciated that there may be more, less, or different measurement metrics may be taken into account in determining whether the OD-SIB 1 operation for a cell is to be deactivated.

[0081] According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, as mentioned above, the first apparatus 301 may be the RAN network devicel l0-l of an anchor cell 102, or may be the RAN network devicellO-2 of an NES cell 104. In some other cases, the first apparatus 301 may be any of: the DU 114-1 in the anchor cell 102, DU 114-2 in the NES cell 104, the CU 112-1 in the anchor cell 102, CU 112-2 in the NES cell.

[0082] As discussed above, one or more OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions may be used for determining whether to deactivate the OD-SIB 1 operation. In some cases, the OD- SIB 1 deactivation condition(s) may be owned by either the gNB / CU / DU (anchor cell) or the gNB / CU / DU (NES cell), where owning the OD-SIB 1 deactivation condition(s) may mean that the gNB / CU / DU is configured by an 0AM with the deactivation condition(s) and / or parameters / thresholds. The OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions may be evaluated by either the gNB / CU / DU (anchor cell) or the gNB / CU / DU (NES cell), which is the actual entity of evaluation of the deactivation condition(s).

[0083] Further, three OD-SIB 1 cases (i.e., OD-SIB 1 case 1 to OD-SIB 1 case 3) are defined for the OD-SIB 1 scenario. In operation, the owner of the OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions and the evaluator of the OD-SIB 1 deactivation conditions may be a same network element or different network elements. If the owning and evaluating gNB roles are different, then it is to be noted that the condition has to be signalled between the two gNBs over Xn or between CU and DU over Fl. Below Table 1 illustrated different options for implementing OD-SIB 1 deactivation.Table 1. Different options for implementing 0D-SIB1 deactivation

[0084] Further refer to FIG. 4B, which illustrates an example diagram for different options in the above table. FIG. 4B labels four device type, i.e., type 402 which is the owner of the OD-SIB1 deactivation conditions, type 404 which is the evaluator of the OD- SIB1 deactivation conditions, type 406 which is both the owner and evaluator of the OD- SIB1 deactivation conditions, and type 408 which is neither the owner nor the evaluator of the OD-SIB1 deactivation conditions. In FIG. 4B, the left column illustrates four gNB- Anchor-Based Options i.e. options 1 to 4, the middle column illustrates three gNB-NES- Based Options i.e. options 5 to 8, and the right column illustrates two inter-gNB -Based Options i.e. options 9 and 10.

[0085] Further refer to FIG. 5, which illustrates a signaling flow 500 of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 500 is be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by using the RAN network devicel l0-l of an anchor cell 102, the RAN network devicel lO-2 of an NES cell 104, the DU 114-1 in the anchor cell 102, DU 114-2 in the NES cell 104, the CU 112-1 in the anchor cell 102, and CU 112-2 in the NES cell.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 5, at block 510, OD-SIB1 for the NES cell 104 is enabled, and periodic SIB 1 on the NES cell is disabled. After that, any of the proposed options may be performed, e.g., four gNB -Anchor-Based Options including options 1 to 4 illustrated in block 520, three gNB-NES-Based Options including options 5 to 8 illustrated in block 530, and the right column illustrates two inter-gNB -Based Options includingoptions 9 and 10 illustrated in block 540.

[0087] In the following, example embodiments about the above ten options are discussed. Option 1 is discussed first. In option 1, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in the DU 114-1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving the anchor cell 102. In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from the 0AM entity 302 or from the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the first apparatus 301 may obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0088] Additionally, if the OD-SIB 1 operation is determined to be deactivated, the first apparatus may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110- 1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation. Further, the first apparatus 301 may receive (617) a first response to the first request from the CU 112-1. In some example embodiments, the first request may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0089] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6A, which illustrates a signaling flow 600A of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6A, the disabling condition configuration and evaluation are performed in the gNB (Anchor cell) DU 114-1. Further, the actual evaluation is based on existing measurements or new measurements. If the DU 114-1 decides to deactivate the OD-SIB1, the DU 114-1 sends a deactivation request (i.e., the first request) with a new cause value and / or the cell ID to the gNB (Anchor cell) CU which forwards to the corresponding gNB (NES cell) CU. The gNB (NES cell) then takes the action to disable the OD-SIB 1 operation. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0090] The DU 114-1 may receive (610) the configuration information from an 0AM entity 302 or from the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, DU 114-1 may obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric. The DU 114-1 performs (611) OD-SIB 1 deactivation evaluation.

[0091] If DU 114-1 decides (612) to deactivate OD-SIB1, the DU 114-1 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (613) a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation. In some example embodiments, the request fromanchor gNB to NES gNB may be either a direct request of deactivation or a recommendation / suggestion to deactivate OD-SIB1.

[0092] The OD-SIB1 deactivation request may be forwarded (614) to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. As a result, at block 615, the OD-SIB1 deactivation may be performed. In some embodiment, the OD-SIB 1 deactivation actions may be as below: in the NES cell: Revert to regular content of the MIB (indicating regular SIB1 transmission) and start broadcasting SIB1 regularly; in the cell in charge of broadcast of the UL WUS configuration (NES cell in case 1, anchor cell in OD-SIB 1 case 2 and OD-SIB 1 case 3): stop broadcasting the UL WUS configuration; in the cell in charge of receiving the UL WUS signal transmitted by the UE (NES cell in OD-SIB 1 case 1 and OD-SIB 1 case 2, anchor cell in OD-SIB 1 case 3): release resources (PRACH) for reception of UL WUS signal.

[0093] The CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 also may transmit (616) an OD-SIB 1 deactivation response (i.e., the first response) to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the CU 112-1 may transmit (617) the first response to the first request to the DU 114-1.

[0094] It should be noted that the OD-SIB 1 deactivation actions on the Anchor gNB side could be done before / simultaneously / after it sends the Fl message of OD-SIB 1 deactivate request.

[0095] In some example embodiments, in order for the Anchor gNB to request deactivation on behalf of NES, the deactivation conditions / thresholds may be provided / configured by NES gNB.

[0096] Example embodiments of option 2 are discussed as below. In option 2, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in a CU 112-1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving an anchor cell 102. In such event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from the 0AM entity 30, and may obtain the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU 114 of the first RAN network device 110-1.

[0097] Then, if the first apparatus 301 determines the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, the first apparatus 301 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD- SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a second request to a CU 112-2 of a secondRAN network device 110-2 serving the cell 104 to request deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation. The first apparatus 301alos may receive, a second response to the second request from the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. In some example embodiments, the second request may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0098] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6B, which illustrates a signaling flow 600B of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6B, the first apparatus 301 is the CU 112-1. The disabling condition configuration and evaluation are performed in the gNB (anchor cell) CU 112-1. If the CU 112-1 decides to deactivate the OD-SIB1 operation, the CU 112-1 may send a deactivation request with a new cause value and the cell ID to the corresponding gNB (NES cell) CU. The gNB (NES cell) then takes the action to disable the OD-SIB 1 mode. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0099] In operation, the CU 112-1 may receive (620) the configuration information from the 0AM entity 302; and may obtain (621) the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU 114-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Then, at block 622, the CU 112-1 performs OD-SIB1 deactivation evaluation.

[0100] If the CU 112-1 determines (623) the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, the CU 112-1 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (624) a second request to the CU 112-2 of a second RAN network device 110-2 serving the cell 104 to request deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation. As a result, at block 625, the OD-SIB1 deactivation may be performed. Next, the CU 112-1 also may receive (626) a second response to the second request from the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2.

[0101] Example embodiments of option 3 are discussed as below. In option 3, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in the DU 114-1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving the anchor cell 102. In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from an 0AM entity 302 or from the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the first apparatus 301 may obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may be received by the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 from the 0AM entity 302 andtransmitted to the DU 114 of the first RAN network device 110-1.

[0103] Additionally, if the OD-SIB1 operation is determined to be deactivated, the first apparatus may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110- 1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation. Further, the first apparatus 301 may receive a first response to the first request from the CU 112-1. In some example embodiments, the first request may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0104] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6C, which illustrates a signaling flow 600C of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] In the example of FIG. 6C, the disabling condition configuration is present in the gNB (Anchor cell) CU 112-1 and evaluation is performed in the gNB (Anchor cell) DU 114-1. The CU 112-1 may provide the disabling condition to the DU 114-lusing Fl signaling. If the DU 114-1 decides to deactivate the OD-SIB1, the DU 114-1 may send a deactivation request with a new cause value and the cell ID to its gNB -CUI 12-1 which forwards the same to the correct gNB (NES cell) CU. The gNB (NES cell) then takes the action to disable the OD-SIB 1 mode. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0106] At block 630, the CU 112-1 may receive (630) the configuration information from an 0AM entity 302. The CU 112-1 may provide (631) the disabling condition to the DU 114-1 using Fl signaling. The DU 114-1 performs (632) OD-SIB 1 deactivation evaluation.

[0107] If DU 114-1 decides (633) to deactivate OD-SIB, DU 114-1 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (634) a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation. In some example embodiments, the request from Anchor to NES gNB may be either a direct request of deactivation or a recommendation / suggestion to deactivate OD-SIB 1.

[0108] The OD-SIB 1 deactivation request may be forwarded (635) to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. As a result, at block 636, the OD-SIB 1 deactivation may be performed.

[0109] The CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-1 also may transmit (637) an OD-SIB1 deactivation response (i.e., the first response) to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the CU 112-1 may transmit (638) a first response to the first request to the DU 114-1.

[0110] It should be noted that option 4 is similar with roles of CU and DU reversed in the Anchor gNB. Merely for brevity, the similar contents are omitted herein.

[0111] Example embodiments of option 5 are discussed as below. In option 5, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in a DU 114-2 of a second RAN network device 110-2 serving the cell 104. In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity 302 or from a CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2; and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0112] Then, if the first apparatus 301 determines the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a first indication to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110- 2 indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation. In some example embodiments, the first indication may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0113] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6D, which illustrates a signaling flow 600D of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6D, the disabling condition configuration and evaluation are done in the gNB (NES cell) DU 114-2, and the actual evaluation is based on existing measurements or the new measurements. If the DU 114-2 decides to deactivate the OD-SIB1, the DU 114-2 may send a deactivation request with a new cause value and the cell ID to the gNB (NES cell) CU 112-2 which then takes the action to disable the OD-SIB1 mode. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0114] The DU 114-2 may receive (640) the configuration information from the 0AM entity 302 or from a CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. The DU 114-2 performs (641) OD-SIB1 deactivation evaluation.

[0115] Then, if the DU 114-2 determines (642) the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, the DU 114-2 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (643) a first indication to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0116] As a result, at block 644, the OD-SIB1 deactivation may be performed. The CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 also may transmit (645) an OD-SIB1 deactivation indication to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1.

[0117] Example embodiments of Option 6 are discussed as below. In option 6, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in a CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 serving the cell 104.

[0118] In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from 0AM entity 302; and the first apparatus 301 may obtain the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU 114-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. Then, if the first apparatus 301 determines that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, the first apparatus 301 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD- SIB1 operation for the cell 104. The first apparatus 301 may further transmit a second indication indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation to a CU 112-1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving an anchor cell 102. In some example embodiments, the second indication may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0119] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6E, which illustrates a signaling flow 600E of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6E, the disabling condition configuration and evaluation are performed in the gNB (NES cell) CU 112-2, and the gNB (NES cell) CU 112-2 then takes the action to disable the OD-SIB1 mode.

[0120] In the example of FIG. 6E, the CU 112-2 may receive (650) the configuration information from 0AM entity 302, and the CU 112-2 may obtain the measurement result by receiving (651) the measurement result from a DU 114-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. Then, at block 652, the CU 112-2 performs OD-SIB1 deactivation evaluation. If the CU 112-2 determine (653) that the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, CU 112-2 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104.

[0121] At block 654, the OD-SIB1 deactivation may be performed. Further, the CU112-2 may transmit (655) a second indication indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation to a CU 112-1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving an anchor cell 102.

[0122] Example embodiments of option 7 are discussed as below. In option 7, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in a DU 114-2 of a second RAN network device 110-2 serving the cell 104. In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity 302 or from a CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2; and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0123] Then, if the first apparatus 301 determines the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a first indication to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110- 2 indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0124] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6F, which illustrates a signaling flow 600F of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 6F, the disabling condition configuration is present in the gNB (NES cell) CU 112-2 and evaluation is performed in the gNB (NES cell) DU 114-2. The gNB (NES cell) CU 112-2 then provides these condition(s) to the gNB (NES cell) DU 114-2 using Fl signaling. If the DU 114-2 decides to deactivate the OD-SIB 1, the gNB (NES cell) takes the action to disable the OD-SIB 1 mode. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0125] The CU 112-2 may receive (660) the configuration information from the 0AM entity 302 or from a CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-2. CU 112-2 then provides (664) these condition(s) to the g DU 114-2 using Fl signaling. The DU 114-2 performs (662) OD-SIB 1 deactivation evaluation.

[0126] Then, if the DU 114-2 determines (663) the OD-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated, the DU 114-2 may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (664) a first indication to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0127] As a result, at block 665, the OD-SIB 1 deactivation may be performed. The CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 also may transmit (666) an OD-SIB 1 deactivation indication to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1.

[0128] Example embodiments of option 9 and option 10 are discussed as below. In option 9 and option 10, the first apparatus 301 may be or may be included in the DU 114- 1 of a first RAN network device 110-1 serving the anchor cell 102. In this event, the first apparatus 301 may receive the configuration information from an 0AM entity 302 or from the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the first apparatus 301 may obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may be received by the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 from the 0AM entity 302 and transmitted to the DU 114 of the first RAN network device 110-1.

[0130] Additionally, if the OD-SIB1 operation is determined to be deactivated, the first apparatus may initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the first request may include an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

[0132] For better understanding, reference is now made to FIG. 6G, which illustrates a signaling flow 600G of communication in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0133] In the example of FIG. 6G, the owner of the OD-SIB 1 deactivation condition is the NES gNB. FIG. 6G shows includes both sub-options, i.e. the deactivation condition being owned by NES gNB-CU or NES gNB-DU. Example signalling interactions are as below.

[0134] The CU 112-1 may receive (670) the configuration information or the DU 114-2 may receive (671) the configuration information. FI message may be transmitted (672) by the DU 114-2 to the CU 112-2 for requesting configuration.

[0135] CU 112-2 may transmit (673) RAN Configuration Update request to CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 via Xn interface. CU 112-1 may transmit (674) Fl message of configuration request to the DU 114-1.

[0136] The DU 114-1 performs (675) OD-SIB 1 deactivation evaluation. Then, DU 114- 1 decides (676) to deactivate OD-SIB 1. Then, the DU 114-1 may initiate the deactivationprocedure of the 0D-SIB1 operation for the cell 104 by transmitting (677) a first request to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1 requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation.

[0137] The OD-SIB1 deactivation request may be forwarded (678) to the CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2. As a result, at block 679, the OD-SIB1 deactivation may be performed.

[0138] The CU 112-2 of the second RAN network device 110-2 also may transmit (680) an OD-SIB1 deactivation response (i.e., the first response) to the CU 112-1 of the first RAN network device 110-1. Further, the DU 114-1 may receive (681) the first response to the first request from the CU 112-1.

[0139] It is noted that, option 9 is similar to option 10, with the OD-SIB1 deactivation condition being evaluated by the anchor gNB-CU in case of option 9, and therefore requires measurements (e.g. number of WUS requests, load, or delta EC (Energy Cost) and so on) to be transferred over Fl from the anchor gNB-DU to the anchor gNB-CU, similarly as shown for Fl signalling from NES gNB-DU to NES gNB-CU in option 6.Example Methods

[0140] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 may be described from the perspective of the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0141] At block 710, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112- 2, 114-1, 114-2) obtains (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3).

[0142] At block 720, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112- 2, 114-1, 114-2) determines (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result.

[0143] At block 730, in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) initiates (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD- SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104).

[0144] In some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric includes at least one of the following: a number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within a time period, a number of times the at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated is transmitted within a time period, a number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated within a time period, a number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell (104) with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated within a time period, an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) is activated, or the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell (104) with the OD- SIB 1 operation activated from one or more neighboring cells.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) may obtain (310) configuration information associated with the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203); and determine (315) whether the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result and the configuration information.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicates at least one parameter associated with the at least one measurement metric to trigger deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0147] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: a first threshold (Nl) associated with the number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within the time period, a second threshold (N2) associated with the number of times the at least one SIB of the cell (104) is transmitted within the time period, a third threshold (N3) associated with the number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within the time period, a fourth threshold (N4) associated with the number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell (104) within the time threshold; a fifth threshold (N5) associated with an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB 1 operation (201, 202, 203) is activated, or a sixth threshold (N6) associated with the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell(104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) is or is included in a distributed unit, DU (114-1), of a first radio access network, RAN, network device (110-1) serving an anchor cell (102). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) may receive (610, 631, 674) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302) or from a centralized unit, CU (112-1), of the first RAN network device (110-1); and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the configuration information is received by the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1) from the 0AM entity (302) and transmitted to the DU (114-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1).

[0150] In some example embodiments, the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor. Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) may in accordance with a determination (612, 633, 676) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (613, 634, 677) a first request to the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1) requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203); and receive (617, 638), from the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1), a first response to the first request.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) is or is included in a CU (112-1) of a first RAN network device (110-1) serving an anchor cell (102). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 112-1) may receive (310, 620) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302); and obtain (621) the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU (114-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1).

[0152] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-1) may in accordance with a determination (623) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (624) a second request to a CU (112-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104) to request deactivation of the OD- SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203); and receive (626), from the CU (112-2) of the secondRAN network device (110-2), a second response to the second request.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) is or is included in a DU (114-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 114-2) may receive (640, 664) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302) or from a CU (112-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2); and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-2) may in accordance with a determination (642, 663) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (643, 664) a first indication to the CU (112-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2) indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0155] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) is or is included in a CU (112-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 112-2) may receive (650) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302); and obtain (651) the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU (114-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2).

[0156] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-2) may in accordance with a determination (653) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, transmit (655) a second indication indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) to a CU (112-1) of a first RAN network device (110-1) serving an anchor cell (102).

[0157] In some example embodiments, one or more of the first request, the second request, the first indication, and the second indication include: an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0158] In some example embodiments, the at least one SIB includes SIB 1.

[0159] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) capable of performing any of the method 700 (forexample, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114- 2) in FIGS. 1 or 3) may include means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112- 1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) in FIGS. 1 or 3.Example Apparatuses, Device and Medium

[0160] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes means for obtaining (315, 710) a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) activated for a cell (104) in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) to a terminal device (120-3) upon a request from the terminal device (120-3); means for determining (320, 720) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated for the cell (104) based on the measurement result; means for in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating (325, 730) a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104).

[0161] In some example embodiments, the at least one measurement metric includes at least one of the following: a number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within a time period, a number of times the at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated is transmitted within a time period, a number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated within a time period, a number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated within a time period, an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is activated, or the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell (104) with the OD- SIB1 operation activated from one or more neighboring cells.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) may include: means for obtaining (310) configuration information associated with the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203); and means for determining (315) whether the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated forthe cell (104) based on the measurement result and the configuration information.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the configuration information indicates at least one parameter associated with the at least one measurement metric to trigger deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0164] In some example embodiments, the at least one parameter includes at least one of the following: a first threshold (Nl) associated with the number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within the time period, a second threshold (N2) associated with the number of times the at least one SIB of the cell (104) is transmitted within the time period, a third threshold (N3) associated with the number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell (104) within the time period, a fourth threshold (N4) associated with the number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell (104) within the time threshold; a fifth threshold (N5) associated with an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is activated, or a sixth threshold (N6) associated with the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell (104) with the OD-SIB1 operation activated.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) is or is included in a distributed unit, DU (114-1), of a first radio access network, RAN, network device (110- 1) serving an anchor cell (102). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) may include: means for receiving (610, 631, 674) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302) or from a centralized unit, CU (112- 1), of the first RAN network device (110-1); and means for obtaining the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the configuration information is received by the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1) from the 0AM entity (302) and transmitted to the DU (114-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1).

[0167] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-1) may include: means for in accordance with a determination (612, 633, 676) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (613, 634, 677) a first request to the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1) requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203); and means for receiving (617, 638), from the CU (112-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1), a first response to the first request.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-1) is or is included in a CU (112-1) of a first RAN network device (110-1) serving an anchor cell (102). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 112-1) may include means for receiving (310, 620) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302); and means for obtaining (621) the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU (114-1) of the first RAN network device (110-1).

[0169] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-1) may include: means for in accordance with a determination (623) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (624) a second request to a CU (112-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104) to request deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203); and means for receiving (626), from the CU (112-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2), a second response to the second request.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-2) is or is included in a DU (114-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 114-2) may include: means for receiving (640, 664) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302) or from a CU (112-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2); and means for obtaining the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 114-2) may include means for in accordance with a determination (642, 663) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, initiating the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) for the cell (104) by transmitting (643, 664) a first indication to the CU (112-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2) indicating deactivation of the OD- SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0172] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-2) is or is included in a CU (112-2) of a second RAN network device (110-2) serving the cell (104). Moreover, the first apparatus (301, 112-2) may include: means for receiving (650) the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity (302); and means for obtaining (651) the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU (114-2) of the second RAN network device (110-2).

[0173] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus (301, 112-2) may include means for in accordance with a determination (653) that the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) is to be deactivated, transmitting (655) a second indication indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203) to a CU (112-1) of a first RAN network device (110- 1) serving an anchor cell (102).

[0174] In some example embodiments, one or more of the first request, the second request, the first indication, and the second indication include: an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB1 operation (201, 202, 203).

[0175] In some example embodiments, the at least one SIB includes SIB 1.

[0176] FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus (301, one of 110-1, 110-2, or one of 112-1, 112-2, 114-1, 114-2) in FIGS. 1 or 3. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

[0177] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

[0178] The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0179] The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read onlymemory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that may not last in the power-down duration.

[0180] A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The instructions of the program 830 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 830 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 824. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 822.

[0181] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 830 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0183] FIG. 9 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 900 has the program 830 stored thereon.

[0184] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or othercomputing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0185] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non- transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0186] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0187] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0188] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but notlimited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0189] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Eikewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0190] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: obtain a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation activated for a cell in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB (214, 224, 234) of the cell to a terminal device upon a request from the terminal device; determine whether the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell based on the measurement result; in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one measurement metric comprises at least one of the following: a number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell within a time period, a number of times the at least one SIB of the cell with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated is transmitted within a time period, a number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell with the OD- SIB 1 operation activated within a time period, a number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated within a time period, an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB 1 operation is activated, or the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated from one or more neighboring cells.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: obtain configuration information associated with the OD-SIB 1 operation; anddetermine whether the 0D-SIB1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell based on the measurement result and the configuration information.

4. The first apparatus of claim 3, wherein the configuration information indicates at least one parameter associated with the at least one measurement metric to trigger deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

5. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of the following: a first threshold associated with the number of terminal devices requesting the at least one SIB of the cell within the time period, a second threshold associated with the number of times the at least one SIB of the cell is transmitted within the time period, a third threshold associated with the number of slots with transmissions of the at least one SIB of the cell within the time period, a fourth threshold associated with the number of slots with downlink transmissions in the cell within the time threshold, a fifth threshold associated with an energy saving metric when the OD-SIB 1 operation is activated, or a sixth threshold associated with the number of terminal devices to be offloaded to the cell with the OD-SIB 1 operation activated.

6. The first apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a distributed unit, DU, of a first radio access network, RAN, network device serving an anchor cell, and wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, OAM, entity or from a centralized unit, CU, of the first RAN network device; and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

7. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the configuration information is receivedby the CU of the first RAN network device from the 0AM entity and transmitted to the DU of the first RAN network device.

8. The first apparatus of claim 6, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell by transmitting a first request to the CU of the first RAN network device requesting deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation; and receive, from the CU of the first RAN network device, a first response to the first request.

9. The first apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a CU of a first RAN network device serving an anchor cell, and wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, 0AM, entity; and obtain the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU of the first RAN network device.

10. The first apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell by transmitting a second request to a CU of a second RAN network device serving the cell to request deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation; and receive, from the CU of the second RAN network device, a second response to the second request.

11. The first apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a DU of a second RAN network device serving the cell, and wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to:receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, OAM, entity or from a CU of the second RAN network device; and obtain the measurement result by performing measurement on the at least one measurement metric.

12. The first apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiate the deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell by transmitting a first indication to the CU of the second RAN network device indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

13. The first apparatus of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first apparatus is or is comprised in a CU of a second RAN network device serving the cell, and wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: receive the configuration information from an operation administration and maintenance, OAM, entity; and obtain the measurement result by receiving the measurement result from a DU of the second RAN network device.

14. The first apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the first apparatus to: in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, transmit a second indication indicating deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation to a CU of a first RAN network device serving an anchor cell.

15. The first apparatus of claim 8, 10, 12, or 14, wherein one or more of the first request, the second request, the first indication, and the second indication comprise: an identifier of the cell and a cause for the deactivation of the OD-SIB 1 operation.

16. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one SIB comprises SIB 1.

17. A method comprising: obtaining a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB1 operation activated for a cell in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB1 operation being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB of the cell to a terminal device upon a request from the terminal device; determining whether the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell based on the measurement result; and in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiating a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell.

18. A first apparatus comprising: means for obtaining a measurement result of at least one measurement metric associated with an on-demand system information block 1, OD-SIB 1 operation activated for a cell in a network energy saving mode, the OD-SIB 1 operation being configured to support transmission of at least one SIB of the cell to a terminal device upon a request from the terminal device; means for determining whether the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated for the cell based on the measurement result; and means for in accordance with a determination that the OD-SIB 1 operation is to be deactivated, initiating a deactivation procedure of the OD-SIB 1 operation for the cell.

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