Adaptation of SSB transmission before paging

Abstract

A method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI); wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, that are available to be enabled to be transmitted based on network triggering paging, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated and / or deactivated dynamically and applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs, and wherein the configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, or a burst periodicity.

Description

ADAPTATION OF SSB TRANSMISSION BEFORE PAGINGFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless networking and, more particularly, to adaptation of synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission before paging.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless networking provides significant advantages for user mobility. A user’s ability to remain connected while on the move provides advantages not only for the user, but also provides greater efficiency and productivity for society as a whole. As user expectations for connection reliability, data speed, and device battery life become more demanding, technology for wireless networking must also keep pace with such expectations. Accordingly, there is continuing interest in improving wireless networking technology.SUMMARY

[0003] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI), wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, and wherein the second configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging related time point, number of SSB bursts, a burst periodicity, or a burst transmission power.

[0004] In an aspect of the method, the paging related time point can comprise a paging frame (PF), paging occasion (PO), or paging early indication (PEI) monitoring occasions.

[0005] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration is configured to be deactivated.

[0006] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration is configured to be applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs.

[0007] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration is configured to be activated.

[0008] In an aspect of the method, information of a time location includes at least one of a paging-related time point, number of SSB bursts, a burst periodicity, SSB-PositionsInBurst, or a burst transmission power.

[0009] In an aspect of the method, information of a time location includes at least one of a timer to be started at the start location, a number of SSB bursts after the start location, or a time window, including the start location and an end location.

[0010] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs associated for paging.

[0011] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF.

[0012] In an aspect of the method, the broadcast message optionally includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

[0013] In an aspect of the method, SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time / frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

[0014] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include receiving by the UE, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) or a low-power WUS from the serving cell.

[0015] In an aspect of the method, the dynamic indication indicates to the UE that the second configuration of SSBs is activated.

[0016] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration of SSBs, is activated based on a RAN or Core Network triggering the serving cell to page the UE.

[0017] In an aspect of the method, the reception of an SSB associated for paging, of the SSBs associated for paging, causes the UE to monitor its paging occasion.

[0018] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include determining by the UE that the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

[0019] In an aspect of the method, the dynamic indication further includes a field defining availability of SSBs associated for paging.

[0020] In an aspect of the method, the UE implicitly understands with the reception of the dynamic indication that configured SSBs associated for paging are transmitted before the corresponding PF.

[0021] In an aspect of the method, an availability of the second configuration indicates that SSBs are provided. In an aspect of the method, the method may further include receiving, by the UE, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the serving cell.

[0022] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include receiving, by the UE, at least one of the SSBs associated for paging; and acquiring, by the UE, time and frequency synchronization with the serving cell based on the SSBs associated for paging.

[0023] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include selecting, by the UE, random-access occasions (RO) to respond to paging, based on a mapping of the received SSBs associated for paging to RO.

[0024] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI); wherein the broadcast message includes a configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), that are available to be enabled to be transmitted for paging based on an indication, and wherein the configuration includes a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, and burst periodicity.

[0025] In an aspect of the method, the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on an indication comprised in the configuration.

[0026] In an aspect of the method, the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on receiving a dynamic indication.

[0027] In an aspect of the method, the dynamic indication is included in a paging early indication or in a low-power wake signal

[0028] In an aspect of the method, the SSBs associated for paging are applied in addition to legacy SSBs, wherein the legacy SSBs are configured in SI.

[0029] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, user equipment (UE), including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform any of the methods and aspects described above.

[0030] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform any of the methods and aspects described above.

[0031] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes transmitting, by a serving cell, a broadcast message from a user equipment (UE) via system information (SI); whereinthe broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, that are available to be enabled to be transmitted based on network triggering paging, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated and / or deactivated dynamically and applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs, and wherein the configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, or a burst periodicity.

[0032] In an aspect of the method, the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs for paging.

[0033] In an aspect of the method, the configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF, and wherein the broadcast message includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

[0034] In an aspect of the method, SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time / frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

[0035] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include transmitting by the serving cell, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) from the UE.

[0036] In an aspect of the method, the SSB is provided relative to the PF, when the SSB is configured.

[0037] In an aspect of the method, the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

[0038] In an aspect of the method, the dynamic indication further includes a field defining SSB availability.

[0039] In an aspect of the method, the method may further include transmitting, by the serving cell, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the UE.

[0040] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a serving cell, includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the serving cell at least to perform any of the methods and aspects described above.

[0041] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the methods and aspects described above.

[0042] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network system and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a network system, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a serving gNB / cell using a legacy paging procedure according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a serving gNB / cell using a clustered paging occasion (PO) and / or paging frame (PF) paging procedure according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of paging early indication (PEI) where a serving cell configures a single SSBsForPaging transmission occurring prior to a PF with one set of time / frequency parameters according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of PEI where a serving cell configures a single SSBsForPaging transmission occurring prior to a PF with one set of time / frequency parameters with the relative position of SSBsForPaging with SSB periodicity being common to all SSBsForPaging, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of PEI indicating the transmission of SSBsForPaging with two sets of time / frequency parameters, including the relative position of SSBsForPaging with different SSB periodicity for additional SSBsForPaging after the PF according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of PEI indicating the transmission of SSBsForPaging with two sets of time / frequency parameters according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure; and

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node (such as gNodeB (gNB)), user node or UE, relay node, or other node), according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0054] Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one aspect” or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0055] Embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking apparatuses, such as, without limitation, apparatuses utilizing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LIE- Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advance, 6G (and beyond) and 802.1 lax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term ‘eLTE’ here denotes the LTE evolution that connects to a 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0056] The present disclosure may use the term “serving network device” to refer to a network node or network device (or a portion thereof) that services a UE. As used herein, the terms “transmit to,” “receive from,” and “cooperate with,” (and their variations) include communications that may or may not involve communications through one or more intermediate devices or nodes. The term “acquire” (and its variations) includes acquiring in the first instance or reacquiring after the first instance. The term “connection” may mean a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0057] The present disclosure uses 5G NR as an example of a wireless network and may use smartphones and / or extended reality headsets as an example of user equipment (UEs). It is intended and shall be understood that such examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is applicable to other wireless networks and user equipment.

[0058] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example of wireless networking between a network system 100 and a user equipment (UE) 150. The network system 100 may include one or more network nodes 120, one or more servers 110, and / or one or more network equipment 130 (e.g., test equipment). The network nodes 120 will be described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “network apparatus” may refer to any component of the network system 100, such as the server 110, the network node 120, the network equipment 130, any component(s) of the foregoing, and / or any other component(s) of the network system 100. Examples of network apparatuses include, without limitation, apparatuses implementing aspects of 5G NR, among others. The present disclosure describes embodiments related to 5GNR and embodiments that involve aspects defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). However, it is contemplated that embodiments relating to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] The following description provides further details of examples of network nodes. In a 5G NR network, a gNodeB (also known as gNB) may include, e.g., a node that provides new radio (NR) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and that is connected via a NG interface to the 5G core (5GC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 3.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0060] A gNB supports various protocol layers, e.g., Layer 1 (LI) - physical layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 3 (L3).

[0061] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Media Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), where, e.g.: o The physical layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels; o The MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels; o The RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels; o The PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers; o The SDAP sublayer offers to 5GC quality of service (QoS) flows; o Control channels include broadcast control channel (BCCH) and physical control channel (PCCH).

[0062] Layer 3 (L3) includes, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0063] A gNB central unit (gNB-CU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, that controls the operation of one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs). The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. A gNB-CU may also be referred to herein as a CU, a central unit, a centralized unit, or a control unit.

[0064] A gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers of the gNB or en- gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-CU. A gNB-DU may also be referred to herein as DU or a distributed unit.

[0065] As used herein, the term “network node” may refer to any of a gNB, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-DU, or any combination of them. A RAN (radio access network) node or network node such as, e.g., a gNB, gNB-CU, or gNB-DU, or parts thereof, may be implemented using, e.g., an apparatus with at least one processor and / or at least one memory with processor-readable instructions (“program”) configured to support and / or provision and / or process CU and / or DU related functionality and / or features, and / or at least one protocol (sub-)layer of a RAN (radio access network), e.g., layer 2 and / or layer 3. Different functional splits between the central anddistributed units are possible. An example of such an apparatus and components will be described in connection with FIG. 9 below.

[0066] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU parts may, e.g., be co-located or physically separated. The gNB-DU may even be split further, e.g., into two parts, e.g., one including processing equipment and one including an antenna. A central unit (CU) may also be called baseband unit / radio equipment controller / cloud-RAN / virtual-RAN (BBU / REC7C-RAN / V-RAN), open-RAN (O- RAN), or part thereof. A distributed unit (DU) may also be called remote radio head / remote radio unit / radio equipment / radio unit (RRH / RRU / RE / RU), or part thereof. Hereinafter, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a network node, which supports at least one of central unit functionality or a layer 3 protocol of a radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-CU. Similarly, a network node, which supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of the radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-DU.

[0067] A gNB-CU may support one or multiple gNB-DUs. A gNB-DU may support one or multiple cells and, thus, could support a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) or support a candidate cell for handover, dual connectivity, and / or carrier aggregation, among other procedures.

[0068] The user equipment (UE) 150 may be or include a wireless or mobile device, an apparatus with a radio interface to interact with a RAN (radio access network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle apparatus, an loT device, or a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, among other types of user equipment. Such UE 150 may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform certain operations, such as, e.g., RRC connection to the RAN. An example of components of a UE will be described in connection with FIG. 4. In embodiments, the UE 150 may be configured to generate a message (e.g., including a cell ID) to be transmitted via radio towards a RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). In embodiments, the UE 150 may generate and transmit and receive RRC messages containing one or more RRC PDUs (packet data units). Persons skilled in the art will understand RRC protocol as well as other procedures a UE may perform.

[0069] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the network system 100 provides one or more cells, which define a coverage area of the network system 100. As described above, the network system 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network or may include any other apparatus configured to control radio communication and manage radioresources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources, such as a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. In embodiments, the network node 120 may be called a base station.

[0070] FIG. 1 provides an example and is merely illustrative of a network system 100 and a UE 150. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the network system 100 includes components not illustrated in FIG. 1 and will understand that other user equipment may be in communication with the network system 100.

[0071] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of the network system 100 of FIG. 1. A 5G NR network may be described as an example of the network system 100, and it is intended that aspects of the following description shall be applicable to other types of network systems, as well. The network system may operate in accordance with the signals and connections shown in FIG. 1 such that the UE 150 is in communication with the network system 100 through the radio access network 225. Additionally, the network system may be divided into user plane components and functions and control plane components and functions, as shown and described herein. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “component,” “function,” and “service” may be used interchangeably herein, and they may refer to and be implemented by instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0072] Example functions of the components are described below. The example functions are merely illustrative, and it shall be understood that additional operations and functions may be performed by the components described herein. Additionally, the connections between components may be virtual connections over service-based interfaces such that any component may communicate with any other component. In this manner, any component may act as a service “producer,” for any other component that is a service “consumer,” to provide services for network functions.

[0073] For example, a core network 210 is described in the control plane of the network system. The core network 210 may include an authentication server function (AUSF) 211, an access and mobility function (AMF) 212, and a session management function (SMF) 213. The core network 210 may also include a network slice selection function (NSSF) 214, a network exposure function (NEF) 215, a network repository function (NRF) 216, and a unified data management function (UDM) 217, which may include a uniform data repository (UDR) 224.

[0074] Additional components and functions of the core network 210 may include an application function 218, policy control function (PCF) 219, network data analytics function (NWDAF) 220, analytics data repository function (ADRF) 221, management data analytics function (MDAF) 222, and operations and management function (0AM) 223.

[0075] The user plane includes the UE 150, a radio access network (RAN) 225, a user plane function (UPF) 226, and a data network (DN) 227. The RAN 225 may include one or more components described in connection with FIG. 1, such as one or more network nodes. However, the RAN 225 may not be limited to such components. The UPF 226 provides connection for data being transmitted over the RAN 225. The DN 226 identifies services from service providers, Internet access, and third-party services, for example.

[0076] The AMF 212 processes connection and mobility tasks. The AUSF 211 receives authentication requests from the AMF 212 and interacts with UDM 217 to authenticate and validate network responses to determine successful authentication. The SMF 213 conducts packet data unit (PDU) session management and manages session context with the UPF 226.

[0077] The NSSF 214 may select a network slicing instance (NSI) and determine the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). This selection and determination are utilized to set the AMF 212 to provide service to the UE 150. The NEF 215 secures access to network services for third parties to create specialized network services. The NRF 216 acts as a repository to store network functions to allow the functions to register with and discover each other.

[0078] The UDM 217 generates authentication vectors for use by the AUSF 211 and ADM 212 and provides user identification handling. The UDM 217 may be connected to the UDR 224 which stores data associated with authentication, applications, or the like. The AF 218 provides application services to a user (e.g., streaming services, etc.). The PCF 219 provides policy control functionality. For example, the PCF 219 may assist in network slicing and mobility management, as well as provide quality of service (QoS) and charging functionality.

[0079] The NWDAF 220 collects data (e.g., from the UE 150 and the network system) to perform network analytics and provide insight to functions that utilize the analytics in the providing of services. The ADRF 221 allows the storage, retrieval, and removal of data and analytics by consumers. The MDAF 222 provides additional data analytics services for networkfunctions. The 0AM 223 provides provisioning and management processing functions to manage elements in or connected to the network (e.g., UE 150, network nodes, etc.).

[0080] FIG. 2 is merely an example of components of a network system, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the network system may include other components not illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the network system may not include every component illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the components and connections may be implemented with different connections than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a serving gNB / cell according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, FIG. 3 shows an example method of adaptation of synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission before paging according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 3 may correspond to similar components described above in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations, and a described operation may have associated signals.

[0082] The disclosed technology provides the benefit of:

[0083] 1) Achieving network energy saving (NES) gain via transmission of always-ON SSBs with long periodicity in the Serving cell, with limited impact on UE power consumption for maintaining synchronization before paging, thanks to dense transmission of SSBs before a paging frame / paging occasions, if UEs are paged;

[0084] 2) Providing different alternatives for dense transmission of SSBs before a paging frame / paging occasions, with one or more POs per PF; and

[0085] 3) An NCD-SSB mapping to random-access occasions (ROs), where NCD-SSBs refer to SSB transmitted densely before a paging frame / occasion, based on which a UE can select ROs to respond to paging.

[0086] The adaptation of the SSB periodicity to long values, e.g., 160ms, has been considered as a solution for NES purposes. Nevertheless, adapting the SSB periodicity to long values, e.g., 160ms may come at a cost, which may be identified at the UE side. The more aggressive the adaptation is, the more intense the realized impact may be.

[0087] An identified scenario where a long SSB periodicity may have a negative impact on the UE is during the UE’s synchronization procedure prior to paging.

[0088] In detail, a UE may need 1 to 3 SSBs before the paging monitoring occasion so that it is able to obtain the necessary synchronization to reliably decode the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying the paging message and system information.

[0089] In the case that the SSB periodicity is adapted to a long value, the UE may have to start monitoring for SSBs long before the paging monitoring occasion. For example, with an SSB periodicity equal to the one employed by default, e.g., 20ms, the UE starts monitoring for SSBs 3 ■ 20ms = 60ms before the PO. For example, with a long SSB periodicity value, e.g., 160ms, the UE starts monitoring for SSBs 3 ■ 160ms = 480ms before the PO.

[0090] In the latter case, if the UE capabilities and / or the radio conditions allow it, the UE may need to monitor only 1 SSB, which means that the UE starts SSB monitoring 1 ■ 160ms = 160ms before PO.

[0091] Having a UE in RRC idle / inactive state that is camping in the serving cell to exit any (light / deep) sleep state the serving cell has already transited into, 160-480ms before PO for SSB measurements, it means that the UE may not be able to transit into a (light / deep) sleep state again until the next PO. This is translated into excessive battery drainage at the UE side caused by the adaptation of the SSB periodicity, i.e., the necessity to achieve NES.

[0092] In embodiments, at least two SSB configurations or one 1st SSB configuration and an additional part of the existing SSB configuration are enabled in the serving cell, the 1st SSB configuration is always-ON (SSBConfig# / ) and the 2nd SSB configuration (or the additional part of the existing configuration), namely SSBConfig-ForPaging, is dynamically activated.

[0093] As a result, there is a need to find a way to overcome the penalty on the UE power consumption while applying long SSB periodicity values for NES gain and achieve a good tradeoff between achievable NES gain and UE power usage. The present disclosure provides a technical solution to this technical problem.

[0094] The disclosed systems and methods enable enhancing the SSB transmission while addressing the trade-off problem between the achievable NES gain and UE power consumption by providing signaling alternatives, described below, that enable denser SSB burst transmission before PFs / POs, if UEs are paged. Specifically, the disclosed systems and methods include new signaling to configure the UE with denser SSB burst transmission before the PFs / POs of the UE in RRC Connected / Idle / Inactive. Based on the signaling method of the present disclosure, a UEcan acquire synchronization with the network and prepare for paging monitoring in a timely manner and the network can enter into sleep for multiple consecutive time slots.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 3, at operation 300, the UE receives SSBs, that are cell defining SSBs (CD-SSBs), in a periodic and infrequent manner from a serving cell. The UE is in either RRC idle, inactive, or connected mode. The serving cell is configured with an always-ON configuration of SSBs that UEs may use in order to detect and access the cell and eventually connect to or camp on it. The always-ON SSBs of the serving cell can be cell-defining SSBs (CD-SSBs) and may be assumed to be transmitted with a long periodicity, e.g., 160ms, e.g., for NES purposes. These always-ON SSBs will be referred to hereafter as of configuration SSBConfig l , which may follow legacy SSB configuration means. System information (SI) may also be broadcasted in the serving cell.

[0096] At operation 301, the UE receives SI that is broadcasted / provisioned by the serving gNB / cell.

[0097] The SI contains information about SSBConfig l (in SIB1) and at least one other configuration (or one additional part of the configuration) of SSBs that can be enabled to be transmitted in addition to SSBConfigfi This configuration of SSBs will be referred to hereafter as SSBConfig-ForPaging. The new SSBConfig-ForP aging configures the transmission of SSBs for paging purposes, e.g., according to the “legacy paging” procedure or a new paging procedure. SSBs associated with SSBConfig-ForPaging will be referred to hereafter as SSBsForPaging.

[0098] Along with other information contained in the SI, the UE receives the configuration SSBConfig-ForPaging. The SSBConfig-ForPaging indicates that SSBsForPaging may be available, but their presence is not always guaranteed. The SI that provides the SSBConfig- ForPaging may be either SIB 17 or SIB1 or SIB2 or a new SIB.

[0099] In embodiments, SSBConfig-ForPaging includes at least one set of parameters to indicate at least the time / frequency location of SSBsForPaging prior to a given / each PF, including: at least a time offset relative to a given / each PF pointing at a first SSB location prior to the PF, namely the FirstSSB, periodicity of SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF, interspacing distance between consecutive SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF (as an alternative to periodicity), a number of SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF, and / or a time window within which SSBsForPaging can be expected by the UE for a given PF (as an alternative to the number of SSBsForPaging).

[0100] The new SSBConfig-ForP aging can optionally contain one additional set of parameters to indicate at least the time / frequency location of SSBsForPaging after a given / each PF, including at least a time offset relative to a given / each PF pointing at an SSB location after the PF. Other parameters are not precluded, e.g., periodicity of SSBsForPaging (or interspacing distance between consecutive SSBsForPaging), number of (or time window within which SSBsForPaging can be expected by the UE for a given PF). SSBsForPaging may be configured with the additional set of parameters that may be used for POs located after the PF (FIGS. 5-8).

[0101] In one embodiment, SSBsForPaging are non-cell defining SSBs (NCD-SSBs), which may be located in either the synchronization raster used for legacy UEs or a time / frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs. In the latter case, the SSBs are detectable only by UEs acquiring this configuration and not by legacy UEs.

[0102] The SSBsForPaging can be configured to be transmitted for paging purposes and according to the “legacy paging” procedure. SSBConfig-ForPaging can include at least a set of parameters indicating the time / frequency of SSBsForPaging prior to a given / each PF, which may include at least a time offset relative to a given PF pointing to a first SSB location prior to the PF (“FirstSSB”), the periodicity of the SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF, the interspacing distance between consecutive SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF (as an alternative to periodicity), the number of SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF, and / or the time window within which SSBsForPaging can be expected by the UE for a given PF (as an alternative to the number of SSBsForPaging).

[0103] At operation 302, the UE monitors for and receives the dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI), i.e., the dynamic control information (DCI) format 2 7. In one embodiment, upon detection of DCI 2 7 indicating that at least one PO of the PF will contain paging information, the UE implicitly understands that configured SSBsForPaging are available / transmitted (at least) before the corresponding PF, i.e., implicit activation. DCI 2 7 is specifically used in the NR (5G) context for scheduling of uplink resources. It typically carries information about the resources allocated for the UE to transmit data, including the frequency domain, time domain, and power control information. In another embodiment, DCI 2 7 includes an explicit field defining SSBsForPaging availability, e.g., ‘ 1’, to indicate to the UE that the configured SSBsForPaging are available / transmitted (at least) before the corresponding PF. This provides flexibility to the NW to transmit SSBs for paging based on, for example, the current cellload situation. Alternatively, the availability of SSBsForPaging for a given PF is not indicated via the PEI DCI format 2 7 associated to the PF, but it is indicated in the SIB providing the SSBConfig- ForPaging configuration. As a result, the UE is now able to monitor and receive SSBsForP aging. Upon decoding DCI 2 7, the UE: understands that SSBsForPaging are available / transmitted before the paging procedure, e.g., with implicit or explicit indication; acquires time / frequency synchronization with the network, based on at least the received SSBsForPaging,- and, after having performed the paging procedure, is able to select a random-access occasion (RO) to respond to paging, based on the SSBsForPaging, i.e., the UE can map from the SSBsForPaging o ROs.

[0104] At operation 303, the serving cell performs the transmission of the SSBsForPaging.

[0105] At operation 304, based on the PEI, the UE triggers the monitoring of the SSBsForPaging and successfully receives at least 1 to 3 SSBsForPaging. The UE acquires the necessary time / frequency synchronization with the serving cell based on at least the received SSBsForPaging.

[0106] At operation 305, the paging procedure may take place, and the UE is now able to reliably decode the PDSCH carrying the paging message & system information, as per the legacy procedures, and determine the ROs based on at least the received SSBsForPaging.

[0107] At operation 306, the UE selects RO to respond to paging, based on the mapping of at least the received SSBsForPaging to ROs. As SSBsForPaging are NCD-SSBs, we assume that NCD-SSB mapping to ROs is also defined for this purpose. Note that, currently, NCD-SSB mapping to ROs is not defined for unpaired spectrum (TDD).

[0108] The operations of FIG. 3 are merely illustrative, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include other operations not illustrated in FIG. 3. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 3. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 3. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that, although various example components are described as performing various functions, other components may perform those functions described in FIG. 3.

[0109] Referring now to FIG. 4, at operation 400, the UE receives SSBs, that are cell defining SSBs (CD-SSBs), in a periodic and infrequent manner from a serving cell. The UE is in either RRC idle, inactive, or connected mode.

[0110] At operation 401 , the process is the same as operation 301 of FIG. 3; the only difference lies in the fact that in one embodiment, the paging procedure may follow the “clustered paging” procedure. For the case that it would not be visible to UEs, the difference to FIG 3 would be only in terms of the configuration of SSBsForPaging, which would be relatively not to all PFs but only to certain PFs, e.g., relatively to the first PF of a bundle of PFs (thus, at least a time offset of the first SSB in the first SSB burst will need to be relative to the first PF of the clustered PFs).

[0111] From operations 402 to 404 the process is the same as operations 302 to 304 of FIG. 3.

[0112] At operation 405, a clustered PO / PF paging procedure may take place.

[0113] At operation 406, the UE selects random-access occasions (RO) to respond to paging, based on the mapping of at least the received SSBsForPaging to ROs.

[0114] In one embodiment, SSBConfig-ForPaging can include at least a set of parameters indicating the time / frequency location of SSBsForPaging prior to a given / each PF, as described for operations 301 and 401 of FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively. An indicative example can be observed in FIG. 5, where a time offset relative to a given PF points to the first SSB location, i.e., FirstSSB, prior the PF. The FirstSSB can then be applied by all UEs monitoring a PO corresponding to the PF.

[0115] In embodiments, SSBConfig-ForPaging can optionally also include an additional set of parameters to indicate at least the time / frequency location of SSBsForPaging after a given / each PF. The SSBsForPaging are mainly intended to cater to POs located after the PF. For example, in a case where the number of POs related to a PF is large and / or a case where the POs are distributed in time, implying the latter POs are arriving with a significant amount of time after the PP / FirstSSB.

[0116] The additional set of parameters may include: at least a time offset relative to a given PF pointing to a first SSB location after the PF; a periodicity of the SSBsForPaging be expected by the UE for a given PF; interspacing distance between consecutive SSBs of the SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF, as an alternative to periodicity; a number of the SSBsForPaging to be expected by the UE for a given PF; a time window within which the SSBsForPaging can be expected by the UE for a given PF, (as an alternative to the number of these SSBsForPaging ,- and / or the time window may be defined to occur until the last PO associated with the PF is transmitted.

[0117] The operations of FIG. 4 are merely illustrative, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include other operations not illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 4. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that, although various example components are described as performing various functions, other components may perform those functions described in FIG. 4.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 5, the relative position of SSBsForPaging with four paging occasions (POs) per paging frame (PF) is shown. In this case, the SSBsForPaging are transmitted only before the PF.

[0119] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the serving cell configures a single SSBsForPaging transmission occurring prior to a PF, namely the FirstSSB, with a first set of time / frequency parameters. In both figures, there are also other SSBsForPaging planned for transmission prior to POs, with at least an additional set of time / frequency parameters. Referring to FIG. 6, the relative position of SSBsForPaging with SSB periodicity common to all SSBsForPaging is shown. The network configures only the location of the FirstSSB with a first set of parameters and an additional set of parameters (periodicity and number or time window) determines additional SSBsForPaging prior to POs relative to the FirstSSB. Referring to FIG. 7, the relative position of SSBsForPaging with different SSB periodicity for additional SSBsForPaging after the PF is shown. The network configures both the location of the FirstSSB, with a first set of parameters (including PF offsetl), and the location of the additional SSBsForPaging prior to POs relative to the PF, with an additional set of parameters (including PF offset2).

[0120] Referring to FIG. 8, an example illustrating a case where the FirstSSB is transmitted before PF1, based on a first set of parameters (Option 1) and only one SSBForPaging transmitted before PO2, based on a second set of parameters, because PEI indicated that only PO2 is paged (Option 2). FIG. 8 shows an example of PEI indicating the transmission of SSBsForPaging with two sets of time / frequency parameters. The PEI configures the location of the FirstSSB prior to PF1 with a first set of parameters. The same PEI uses a second set of parameters to configure the location of an SSBsForPaging prior only to PO2, because only the UE with PO2 is paged.

[0121] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include receiving, by the user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI); wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, that are available to be enabled to be transmitted based on network triggering paging, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated and / or deactivated dynamically and applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs, and wherein the configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, or a burst periodicity. The first configuration may comprise a periodicity, a transmit power, and the SSB beams.

[0122] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 900, according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless station 900 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 9) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 902A, 902B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 904 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 906 to store data and / or instructions.

[0123] Processor 904 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 904, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames, or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 902 (902A or 902B). Processor 904 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 902, for example). Processor 904 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 904 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 904 and transceiver 902 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, forexample.

[0124] In addition, referring to FIG. 9, a controller (or processor) 908 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 900, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 9, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 400, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0125] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 904, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0126] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 902A / 902B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 904 (and possibly transceivers 902A / 902B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 902A or 902B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0127] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) including means (e.g., processor 904, RF transceivers 902A and / or 902B, and / or memory 906, in FIG. 9) for carrying out any of the methods; a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 906, FIG. 4) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 904, FIG. 9), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 904, FIG. 9), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 906, FIG. 9) including computer program code, the at least one memory (906) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (904), cause the apparatus (e.g., 900) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0128] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0129] Example 1.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a means for receiving, by the UE, a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI);

[0130] wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, and wherein the second configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to information of a timelocation. Wherein information of a time location includes at least one of a paging related time point, number of SSB bursts, a burst periodicity, SSB-PositionsInBurst, or a burst transmission power.

[0131] Example 1.2. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the paging related time point can comprise a paging frame (PF), paging occasion (PO), or paging early indication (PEI) monitoring occasions.

[0132] Example 1.3. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be deactivated.

[0133] Example 1.4. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated.

[0134] Example 1.5. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein information of a time location includes at least one of a paging-related time point, number of SSB bursts, a burst periodicity, SSB-PositionsInBurst, or a burst transmission power.

[0135] Example 1.6. The UE of Example 1.5, wherein information of a time location includes at least one of a timer to be started at the start location, a number of SSB bursts after the start location, or a time window, including the start location and an end location.

[0136] Example 1.7. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs.

[0137] Example 1.8. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs associated for paging.

[0138] Example 1.9. The UE of any of Examples 1.1 or 1.2, wherein the second configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF.

[0139] Example 1.10. The UE of Example 1.3, wherein the broadcast message optionally includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

[0140] Example l. i l. The UE of any of Example 1.1 or 1.2 or 1.3, wherein SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time and / or frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

[0141] Example 1.12. The UE of any of Examples 1.1 or 1.2 or 1.3, further comprising:1 a means for receiving by the UE, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) or a low-power WUS from the serving cell.

[0142] Example 1.13. The UE of Example 1.9, wherein the dynamic indication indicates to the UE that the second configuration of SSBs is activated.

[0143] Example 1.14. The method of Examples 1.10 or 1.11 , wherein when the second configuration of SSBs is activated, the SSBs associated for paging are transmitted.

[0144] Example 1.15. The method of Example 1.1, wherein the second configuration of SSBs, is activated based on a RAN or Core Network triggering the serving cell to page the UE.

[0145] Example 1.16. The method of Example 1.11, wherein the reception of an SSB associated for paging, of the SSBs associated for paging, causes the UE to monitor its paging occasion.

[0146] Example 1.17. The UE of Example 1.7, further comprising: a means for determining by the UE that the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

[0147] Example 1.18. The UE of Example 1.17, wherein the dynamic indication further includes a field defining availability of SSBs associated for paging.

[0148] Example 1.19. The UE of Example 1.17, wherein the UE implicitly understands with the reception of the dynamic indication that configured SSBs associated for paging are transmitted before the corresponding PF.

[0149] Example 1.120. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein an availability of the second configuration of SSBs indicates that SSBs associated for paging are transmitted.

[0150] Example 1.21. The UE of Example 1.13, further comprising: a means for receiving, by the UE, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the serving cell.

[0151] Example 1.22. The UE of Example 1.1, further comprising: a means for receiving, by the UE, at least one of the SSBs associated for paging; a means for acquiring, by the UE, time and frequency synchronization with the serving cell based on the SSBs associated for paging.

[0152] Example 1.23. The UE of any of Example 1.18 or 1.19, further comprising: a means for selecting, by the UE, random-access occasions (RO) to respond to paging, based on a mapping of the received SSBs associated for paging to RO.

[0153] Example 1.24. A UE, comprising:

[0154] a means for receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI); wherein the broadcast message includes a configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), that are available to be enabled to be transmitted for paging based on an indication, and wherein the configuration includes a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, and burst periodicity.

[0155] Example 1.25. The UE of Example 1.24, wherein the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on an indication comprised in the configuration.

[0156] Example 1.26. The UE of Example 1.24, wherein the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on receiving a dynamic indication.

[0157] Example 1.27. The UE of Example 1.24, wherein the dynamic indication is included in a paging early indication or in a low-power wake signal

[0158] Example 1.28. The UE of Example 1.24, wherein the SSBs associated for paging are applied in addition to legacy SSBs, wherein the legacy SSBs are configured in SI.

[0159] Example 1.31. An apparatus, comprising: a means for transmitting, by a serving cell, a broadcast message from a user equipment (UE) via system information (SI); wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, that are available to be enabled to be transmitted based on network triggering paging, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated and / or deactivated dynamically and applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs, and wherein the configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, or a burst periodicity.

[0160] Example 1.32. The apparatus of Example 1.31, wherein the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs for paging.

[0161] Example 1.33. The apparatus of any of Example 1.31 or 1.32, wherein the configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF, and wherein the broadcast message includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

[0162] Example 1.34. The apparatus of any ofExample 1.31 or 1.32 or 1.29, wherein SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time / frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

[0163] Example 1.35. The apparatus of any of Example 1.31 or 1.32 or 1.29, further comprising: a means for transmitting by the serving cell, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) from the UE.

[0164] Example 1.36. The apparatus of Example 1.35, wherein the SSB is provided relative to the PF, when the SSB is configured.

[0165] Example 1.37. The apparatus of Example 1.35, wherein the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

[0166] Example 1.38. The apparatus of Example 1.36, wherein the dynamic indication further includes a field defining SSB availability.

[0167] Example 1.39. The apparatus of Example 1.36, further comprising: a means for transmitting, by the serving cell, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the UE.

[0168] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0169] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects in accordance with this present disclosure. The phrase “a plurality of’ may refer to two or more.

[0170] In various embodiments, the terms “first message” and “second message,” as well as any subsequent messages may refer to any messages that are transmitted or received in an order and are not necessarily limited to any particular message.

[0171] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C) ”

[0172] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta- languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0173] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

26WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI), wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, and wherein the second configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to information of a time location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging related time point can comprise a paging frame (PF), paging occasion (PO), or paging early indication (PEI) monitoring occasions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be deactivated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein information of a time location includes at least one of a paging-related time point, number of SSB bursts, a burst periodicity, SSB- PositionsInBurst, or a burst transmission power.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein information of a time location includes at least one of a timer to be started at the start location, a number of SSB bursts after the start location, or a time window, including the start location and an end location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration is configured to be applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs associated for paging.

9. The method of any of claims 1 or 8, wherein the second configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the broadcast message optionally includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

11. The method of any of claims 1 or 8 or 9, wherein SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time and / or frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

12. The method of any of claims 1 or 4, or 5 or 6, further comprising: receiving by the UE, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) or a low-power WUS from the serving cell.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the dynamic indication indicates to the UE that the second configuration of SSBs is activated.

14. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein when the second configuration of SSBs is activated, the SSBs associated for paging are transmitted.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second configuration of SSBs is activated based on a RAN or Core Network triggering the serving cell to page the UE.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a reception of an SSB associated for paging causes the UE to monitor its paging occasion.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining by the UE that the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the dynamic indication further includes a field defining availability of SSBs associated for paging.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the UE implicitly understands with the reception of the dynamic indication that configured SSBs associated for paging are transmitted before the corresponding PF.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein an availability of the second configuration of SSBs indicates that SSBs associated for paging are transmitted.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving, by the UE, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the serving cell.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the UE, at least one of the SSBs associated for paging; and acquiring, by the UE, time and frequency synchronization with the serving cell based on the SSBs associated for paging.

23. The method of any of claims 17 or 19, further comprising: selecting, by the UE, random-access occasions (RO) to respond to paging, based on a mapping of received SSBs associated for paging to RO.2924. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a broadcast message from a serving cell via system information (SI), wherein the broadcast message includes a configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), that are available to be enabled to be transmitted for paging based on an indication, and wherein the configuration includes a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, and burst periodicity.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on an indication comprised in the configuration.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the SSBs are enabled to be transmitted based on receiving a dynamic indication.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the dynamic indication is included in a paging early indication or in a low-power wake signal.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the SSBs associated for paging are applied in addition to legacy SSBs, wherein the legacy SSBs are configured in SI.

29. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 1 to 28.

30. A processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 1 to 28.

31. A method, comprising:30 transmitting, by a serving cell, a broadcast message from a user equipment (UE) via system information (SI), wherein the broadcast message includes a first configuration of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and a second configuration of SSBs, that are available to be enabled to be transmitted based on network triggering paging, wherein the second configuration is configured to be activated and / or deactivated dynamically and applied in addition to the first configuration of SSBs, and wherein the configuration includes at least one of a start location for the SSBs that is relative to a paging frame (PF), number of SSB bursts, or a burst periodicity.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the second configuration of SSBs configures a transmission of SSBs for paging.

33. The method of any of claims 31 or 32, wherein the configuration includes a set of parameters indicating a time and / or frequency of SSBs associated for paging prior to a given PF or for each PF, and wherein the broadcast message includes a third configuration of SSBs indicating SSB transmission after the PF.

34. The method of any of claims 31 or 32 or 33, wherein SSBs associated for paging are non-cell defining SSBs which are located: in a synchronization raster used for legacy UEs; or in a time / frequency location other than the synchronization raster used by legacy UEs.

35. The method of any of claim 31 or 32 or 33, further comprising: transmitting by the serving cell, a dynamic indication associated with paging early indication (PEI) from the UE.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the SSB is provided relative to the PF, when the SSB is configured.3137. The method of claim 35, wherein the dynamic indication indicates at least one paging occasion (PO) of the PF includes paging information.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the dynamic indication further includes a field defining SSB availability.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising: transmitting, by the serving cell, transmission of the SSBs associated for paging from the UE.

40. A serving cell, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the serving cell at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 31 to 39.

41. A processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 31 to 39.

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