Method executed by user equipment, and user equipment

Abstract

Provided in the present invention are a method executed by a user equipment, and a user equipment. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an MIB message sent by a network, wherein the MIB message includes first information for indicating whether a cell is barred, and second information for indicating whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; on the basis of the first information included in the received MIB message, determining whether the cell is barred, and on the basis of the second information included in the received MIB message, determining whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; and determining whether the cell can be used as a candidate in a cell selection process and / or a cell reselection process.

Description

Methods executed by user equipment and user equipment Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a method for network power saving performed by a user equipment and a corresponding user equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Network energy conservation helps reduce environmental impact and save operator costs. Typically, networks require random access resources to enable terminal access. Under low system load, a large or dense allocation of random resources can waste network resources. Networks can be configured with sparser random access resources and dynamically adjusted to adapt to changes in system load. For these reasons, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approved the NES enhancement work item for version 19 at the RAN plenary meeting, the details of which can be found in non-patent literature: RP-242354 WID: Enhancements of network energy savings for NR. This work item includes the network ceasing periodic broadcasting of SIB1 under low system load conditions, allowing UEs to request SIB1 on demand in idle and inactive states, and triggering SIB1 transmission based on the UE's request. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address at least some of the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a method and a user equipment that are executed by a user equipment, enabling the UE to correctly and timely select / reselect to an OD-SIB1 cell, while correctly handling other processes that are in progress in the original cell during the cell reselection process, avoiding anomalies and improving the service experience.

[0004] According to the present invention, a method executed by a user equipment (UE) is proposed, comprising the following steps: receiving a MIB message sent by a network, the MIB message containing first information indicating whether a cell is prohibited and second information indicating whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; determining whether the cell is prohibited based on the first information contained in the received MIB message, and determining whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell based on the second information contained in the received MIB message; and determining whether the cell can be used as a candidate in a cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

[0005] Preferably, in the step of determining whether the cell can be used as a candidate in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process, at least one of the following conditions is determined:

[0006] - The cell status is indicated as not prohibited, or the cell is not prohibited;

[0007] - The cell is an OD-SIB1 cell, or the cell does not transmit SIB1, or the cell does not broadcast SIB1; and

[0008] - The UE has an SIB1 request configuration for the cell, or the UE has a valid SIB1 request configuration for the cell.

[0009] Preferably, if at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE will use the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

[0010] Preferably, if at least one of the above conditions is met, and the UE is an NES UE, then the UE will use the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process; if the UE is not an NES UE, then the UE will consider the cell as prohibited in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method executed by a user equipment (UE) is proposed, comprising the following steps: receiving a MIB message sent by a network, the MIB message containing first information indicating whether a cell is prohibited and second information indicating whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; determining whether the cell is prohibited based on the first information contained in the received MIB message, and determining whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell based on the second information contained in the received MIB message; for an OD-SIB1 cell determined to be not prohibited, further determining whether the cell is prohibited based on whether the UE has an SIB1 request configuration for the cell; and receiving system information and / or RRC proprietary messages sent by the network, and if the system information and / or RRC proprietary messages contain an SIB1 request configuration for the cell, considering the cell to be not prohibited or considering the prohibition of the cell to be lifted.

[0012] Preferably, in the step of determining that the cell is not blocked or that the block on the cell has been lifted, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0013] - It is assumed that the community in question is not prohibited;

[0014] - If the cell is blocked, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted; and

[0015] - If the cell was blocked due to the lack of SIB1 request configuration, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method executed by a user equipment (UE) is proposed, comprising the following steps: initiating an SIB1 request procedure, triggering or initiating a random access procedure; and determining whether a random access procedure triggered by an SIB1 request is executed.

[0017] If a random access procedure is triggered by a request for SIB1, and there is another random access procedure in progress within the MAC entity at that time, determine at least one of the following conditions:

[0018] - The ongoing random access procedure was not triggered by a request for SIB1;

[0019] - The cell reception level value of the serving cell where the UE is currently camped is less than or equal to the reception level threshold value; and

[0020] - The cell quality of the serving cell where the UE is currently camped is less than or equal to a quality threshold.

[0021] If at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE stops the ongoing random access procedure and performs a random access procedure for requesting SIB1.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a method executed by a user equipment (UE) is proposed, comprising the following steps: receiving system information and / or RRC proprietary messages sent by the network, wherein the system information and / or RRC proprietary messages contain SIB1 request configurations for one or more OD-SIB1 cells; and initiating an SIB1 request procedure in the OD-SIB1 cell according to the SIB1 request configurations contained in the received system information and / or RRC proprietary messages, triggering or initiating a random access procedure; and if the SIB1 request configuration is reconfigured during the ongoing random access procedure of the SIB1 request, stopping the ongoing random access procedure of the SIB1 request and initiating a random access procedure of the SIB1 request using the new configuration.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a user equipment is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, perform the methods described above.

[0024] According to the present invention, the UE can correctly and timely select / reselect to the OD-SIB1 cell, while correctly handling other processes that are in progress in the original cell during the cell reselection process, avoiding anomalies and improving the service experience. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of method one executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of method two executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of method three executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of method four executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of method five executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of method six executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of method seven performed by the UE according to one or more embodiments.

[0032] Figure 8 is a simplified structural block diagram of the user equipment (UE) involved in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described below. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies not directly related to the present invention have been omitted to prevent confusion in understanding the present invention.

[0034] The following describes some of the terms involved in this invention. For the specific meanings of these terms, please refer to the latest 3GPP standard specifications.

[0035] UE: User Equipment

[0036] NR: New Radio, a next-generation wireless technology

[0037] AS: Access Stratum

[0038] MAC: Medium Access Control

[0039] MAC CE: MAC control element

[0040] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0041] RRC_CONNECTED: RRC connection state

[0042] RRC_INACTIVE: RRC inactive state

[0043] RRC_IDLE: RRC idle state

[0044] RAN: Radio Access Network, Wireless Access Layer

[0045] PDCCH: Physical downlink control channel

[0046] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0047] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0048] PRACH: Physical Random Access Channel

[0049] PBCH: Physical broadcast channel

[0050] SFN: System Frame Number

[0051] PDU: Protocol Data Unit

[0052] SSB: SS / PBCH block, Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel Block

[0053] CSI-RS: Channel Status Information-Reference Signal

[0054] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0055] RNTI: Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0056] C-RNTI: Cell RNTI, Cell RNTI

[0057] P-RNTI: Paging RNTI (Paging RNTI)

[0058] RA-RNTI: Random Access RNTI

[0059] SI-RNTI: System Information RNTI

[0060] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0061] RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality

[0062] SpCell: Special Cell, including PCCell and PSCell.

[0063] SCell: Secondary Cell

[0064] CA: Carrier Aggregation

[0065] DC: Dual Connectivity

[0066] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0067] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0068] PCell: Primary Cell

[0069] PSCell: Primary SCG Cell (SCG Main Cell)

[0070] MIB: Master Information Block

[0071] DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0072] SIB: System Information Block

[0073] gNB: the next generation Node B, next-generation base station

[0074] RLF: Radio Link Failure.

[0075] SN: Sequence Number

[0076] CN: Core Network

[0077] UL-SCH: Uplink Shared Channel

[0078] NES: Network Energy Saving

[0079] SI: System Information

[0080] L3: Layer 3

[0081] CE: control element, control unit

[0082] RAPID: Random Access Preamble Identifier

[0083] RAR: Random Access Response

[0084] WUS: wake up signal

[0085] OSI: Other System Information

[0086] PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

[0087] In this invention, the network (or NW), base station (or gNB or eNB), and RAN can be used interchangeably. The network can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a New Radio Access Technology (NR) network, an enhanced Long Term Evolution (eLTE) network, or other networks defined in subsequent 3GPP evolution versions.

[0088] In this invention, User Equipment (UE) can refer to a device that supports network power saving, a device that supports enhanced network power saving, a device with (enhanced) network power saving capabilities, a device that supports on-demand SIB1, a device with on-demand SIB1 capabilities, a device with SIB1 request capabilities, a device that supports obtaining SIB1 by requesting SIB1, or other types of NR or LTE devices.

[0089] In this invention, the terms "feedback", "submit", "report", "send", "transmit or transport", "inform or notify", "indicate", and "provide" can be used interchangeably.

[0090] In this invention, terms such as "use", "be available / be valid", "apply", "implement", "enable", "activate", "perform", "do", and "start" can be used interchangeably.

[0091] In this invention, "trigger" and "initiate" can be used interchangeably.

[0092] In this invention, "deactivate (non-active or deactive)", "disable", "de-enable", "invalidate", and "make unavailable / unusable" can be used interchangeably.

[0093] In this invention, "activated", "available", "valid" and "available" can be used interchangeably.

[0094] In this invention, "deactivated", "unavailable", "inactive", "invalid", and "unavailable" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] In this invention, the terms "associate", "correspond", and "map" can be used interchangeably.

[0096] In this invention, receiving, detecting, monitoring, acquiring, and deriving can be interchanged.

[0097] In this invention, "time" can be time, duration, period, time period, etc.

[0098] In this invention, "physical layer" and "layer one (L1)" can be used interchangeably. "MAC layer" and "MAC entity" can also be used interchangeably. For the RRC layer, "upperlayer(s)" refers to layers above the RRC layer, such as the NAS layer. For the MAC layer, "upper layer" refers to layers above the MAC layer, such as the RRC layer, and "lower layer(s)" refers to layers below the MAC layer, such as the physical layer. For the physical layer, "upper layer" refers to layers above the physical layer, such as the MAC layer and / or the RRC layer.

[0099] In this invention, "not broadcasting" and "on-demand" can be used interchangeably; "broadcasting" and "not on-demand" can also be used interchangeably.

[0100] In this invention, "ULWUS configuration", "PRACH configuration for on-demand SIB1 request" and "PRACH configuration for SIB1 request" can be used interchangeably.

[0101] In this invention, “SIB1 request”, “request SIB1”, “request on-demand SIB1” and “on-demand SIB1 request” can be used interchangeably.

[0102] In this invention, "NES cell", "OD-SIB1 cell", "cell using on-demand SIB1", "on-demand SIB1 cell", and "cell supporting on-demand SIB1" can be used interchangeably. "NES UE" and "OD-SIB1 UE" can be used interchangeably.

[0103] In this invention, “OD-SIB1” and “on-demand SIB1” can be used interchangeably.

[0104] In this invention, "PRACH", "RACH" and "random access" can be used interchangeably.

[0105] In this invention, "random access parameters (configuration)", "random access resources (configuration)" and "random access resource set (configuration)" can be used interchangeably.

[0106] In this invention, "message" and "signaling" can be used interchangeably.

[0107] It should be noted that in this specification, the two terms connected by "and", "or", or "and / or" may represent different ways of expressing the same meaning in different application scenarios. There may be a relationship of inclusion between the two terms, and they do not necessarily refer to completely different content.

[0108] The related technologies of the present invention are described below.

[0109] Random Access

[0110] The network broadcasts the random access resource parameters (also known as random access resource sets) used by the cell through system information. Each random access resource set corresponds to a PRACH configuration index. Random access resources can refer to physical frequency domain resources and / or time domain resources and / or code domain resources (such as preambles) used for random access. The random access resource configuration includes parameters of some random access resources. The network can configure one or more random access resources. Random access resources can be associated with one or more features, or they can be unrelated to features.

[0111] RACH can refer to either the Transport Channel RACH or PRACH; the distinction is not made. Random Access Parameters / Configuration refers to the radio configuration that implements random access functionality, including PRACH-related configurations.

[0112] Random access procedures can be divided into contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA). CBRA consists of four steps: First, the UE sends message 1 (the random access preamble) to the network; second, the UE receives message 2 (the random access response, RAR) from the network; third, the UE sends message 3 (the uplink transmission scheduled by the uplink grant in message 2), which typically includes the UE identifier, RRC messages for RRC connection establishment / restore / re-establishment, and the UE contention resolution identifier for resolving random access contention; fourth, the UE receives message 4 (the contention resolution message) from the network. The PRACH resources used in CBRA are shared by many UEs. Once the UE completes the four steps of CBRA and the contention resolution is successful, the random access procedure is successfully completed. CFRA consists of two steps: First, the UE sends message 1 (i.e., the preamble) to the network; second, the UE receives message 2 (i.e., the Random Access Response, RAR) from the network. Upon successfully receiving message 2 associated with message 1, the UE considers the CFRA process successfully completed. CFRA typically involves the network pre-allocating dedicated PRACH resources, such as the preamble, to the UE, so there is no contention.

[0113] R16 and later NR versions introduce a two-step random access procedure. Steps one and three of the four-step random access procedure are combined into a single step, called message A. Message A contains a random access preamble and a subsequent associated PUSCH payload. The content of the PUSCH payload is consistent with that of message 3, and may include RRC messages, user plane data, MAC CEs such as buffer status reports, and UE identifiers. Steps two and four are combined into a single step, called message B. Message B is the response to message A in the two-step random access procedure. Its content is similar to that of messages 2 and 4, and may include responses for contention resolution and uplink grants, or response RRC messages corresponding to the RRC messages included in message A. Compared to four-step random access, the two-step random access procedure can shorten the random access latency. Typically, the network side can configure different random access resource configurations for two-step and four-step random access.

[0114] A UE can trigger a random access procedure under various circumstances, such as initial access when transitioning from an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) to an RRC connected state, beam recovery requests, handover (also known as synchronization reconfiguration), etc., when uplink data arrives for a UE in an RRC connected state but the uplink is out of sync, or when a UE in an RRC connected state has no available PUCCH source. After the random access procedure is triggered, the UE selects whether to initiate a two-step or four-step random access procedure, and whether it is CBRA or CFRA, based on the network-side configuration and the UE's measurement results. Furthermore, the UE can fall back to a four-step random access procedure during a two-step random access, for example, when the number of times the two-step random access attempt message A is sent exceeds a configured maximum. The random access procedures described in this disclosure include, but are not limited to, the above-mentioned random access procedures.

[0115] Random access resource selection

[0116] When a UE initiates a random access procedure, it selects random access resources based on information such as network configuration and the UE's service status.

[0117] First, the UE selects a random access resource set based on the triggering reason for random access (e.g., random access initiated for repeated message 1, random access initiated for small data transmission, etc.). Then, it configures initialization parameters according to the parameters of the selected random access resource set, and determines whether to use two-step or four-step random access based on the triggering reason and cell quality. Next, it selects random access resources, specifically the associated SSB, PRACH timing (occasion(s)), and preamble from the selected random access set.

[0118] System Information Acquisition

[0119] In NR networks, MIB and SIB1 are important system information. In order for a UE to camp on a certain cell or initiate an RRC connection in a certain cell, it needs to obtain MIB and SIB1 first, thereby obtaining the basic network parameter information for camping on or accessing that cell.

[0120] The MIB is broadcast on the PBCH, and SIB1 is broadcast on the PDSCH. To receive SIB1, the UE needs to listen to the PDCCH to obtain the scheduling information of the PDSCH carrying SIB1. The MIB contains relevant parameter information for obtaining SIB1. The MIB contains the ssb-SubcarrierOffset (SSB subcarrier offset) field, which can be used to indicate whether the cell's SIB1 is scheduled (or transmitted). This field contains 4 bits, and one or more specific values ​​of these 4 bits can indicate whether the cell's SIB1 is scheduled (or transmitted). If the cell's SIB1 is not scheduled (or transmitted), the UE considers important system information missing, the cell is barred, and cell reselection is performed; if the cell's SIB1 is scheduled (or transmitted), the UE obtains SIB1. When the cell supports on-demand SIB1, the ssb-SubcarrierOffset field can be used to indicate whether SIB1 is broadcast or on-demand.

[0121] SIB1 contains parameter information for obtaining other SIB(s) (i.e., OSIs) besides MIB and SIB1, such as period, SI window length, and whether the OSI(s) is broadcast. If the OSI(s) is broadcast, the UE obtains the OSI(s) according to its own needs; if the OSI(s) is not broadcast, the UE sends an OSI request to the network when it needs the OSI(s), triggering the network to send the OSI(s). The specific method includes: the UE sends a PRACH to the network to request the OSI through the OSI request configuration (including dedicated PRACH resources); after receiving the OSI request, the base station sends a response to the UE; and the UE, upon receiving the response, obtains the required SIB according to the SI window length.

[0122] A cell that employs (enhanced) network energy saving, or a cell that uses on-demand SIB1, or a cell whose SIB1 is not broadcast, or a cell that supports on-demand SIB1, or a cell that supports (enhanced) network energy saving, is called an on-demand SIB1 cell, or simply an OD-SIB1 cell. In this invention, OD-SIB1 cell is just an example name, and it can be other names as well.

[0123] For on-demand OSI, the OSI request configuration is included in SIB1. For on-demand SIB1, the SIB1 request configuration used to request SIB1 in OD-SIB1 cell can be sent to the UE by other cells (e.g., neighboring cells of OD-SIB1 cell), or the already obtained SIB1 request configuration can be updated through the system information update procedure. If a cell's own SIB1 is broadcast, and / or the cell is able to send the SIB1 request configuration of other cells (or neighboring cells) to other cells (or neighboring cells), then the cell is called Cell A. In this invention, Cell A is just an example name, and it can also be other names.

[0124] The SIB1 request configuration for requesting SIB1 (or OD-SIB1) in the OD-SIB1 cell may include a PRACH configuration for the SIB1 request, which may include, but is not limited to, a PRACH preamble(s) for the SIB1 request and PRACH resources(s) for the SIB1 request. When the UE is camped in Cell A, the UE can receive the SIB1 request configuration for the OD-SIB1 cell from the system information receiving network of Cell A. When the UE reselects from Cell A to the OD-SIB1 cell, the UE initiates a random access procedure in the OD-SIB1 cell to request SIB1 using the aforementioned SIB1 request configuration. Upon receiving confirmation of the SIB1 request, the UE acquires SIB1 in the OD-SIB1 cell. Alternatively, when the UE is camped in the first OD-SIB1 cell, the UE can receive the SIB1 request configuration for the second OD-SIB1 cell from the system information receiving network of the first OD-SIB1 cell. When the UE reselects from the first OD-SIB1 cell to the second OD-SIB1 cell, the UE uses the SIB1 request configuration to initiate a random access procedure in the second OD-SIB1 cell to request SIB1. Upon receiving confirmation of the SIB1 request, the UE acquires SIB1 in the second OD-SIB1 cell.

[0125] RRC Idle / Inactive Mobility Management

[0126] UE mobility management in RRC idle and RRC inactive states is achieved through cell selection / reselection. Both cell selection and cell reselection require cell measurement to obtain cell quality. After obtaining the measurement results, cell selection / reselection is evaluated according to certain criteria to determine cells that meet the criteria and to determine whether the cell is suitable for camping, thus completing the cell selection / reselection.

[0127] In the cell selection and cell reselection process, cells can be categorized as: acceptable cells, suitable cells, reserved cells, and barred cells.

[0128] Acceptable cells: These are cells that are not suitable for emergency calls, but at least meet the minimum requirements for emergency calls. The requirements are: the cell is not set to prohibited and the cell selection criteria are met.

[0129] Suitable cell: refers to a cell that can provide services normally. The conditions include: the PLMN to which the cell belongs and the UE's contracted data are consistent, the cell is not banned, and the cell selection criteria are met.

[0130] Reserved cells: Cells are indicated as reserved in the system information.

[0131] Barred cells: The system information indicates that the cell is marked as "barred".

[0132] The network can indicate cell status, such as through system information, whether a cell is blocked or reserved. When a cell status is indicated as not blocked and not reserved, the UE will consider that cell as a candidate during cell selection and reselection procedures. When a cell status is indicated as blocked or is treated as blocked, the UE will not allow selection / reselection to that cell. If a cell status is treated as blocked due to the inability to obtain SIB1, the UE may exclude the blocked cell from the candidates during the cell selection / reselection procedure, meaning that cell will not be considered a candidate. During the cell selection / reselection process, the UE will determine a suitable cell from several candidates. If a cell is not considered a candidate, it means that the cell will not be selected during the cell selection / reselection process.

[0133] Community Selection

[0134] Cell selection is divided into initial cell selection and cell selection with prior information. During initial cell selection, the UE scans all channels in the NR band to find a suitable cell. At each frequency point, the UE only needs to find the strongest cell; once a suitable cell is found, the UE can attempt to camp on that cell. During cell selection with prior information, once the UE finds a suitable cell based on previously received prior information (such as frequency information, measurement and control information, etc.), the UE can attempt to camp on that cell. If a suitable cell cannot be found using prior information, initial cell selection begins.

[0135] Community re-election

[0136] For inter-frequency cells, the network may configure different frequency points with different cell reselection priorities. The UE prioritizes reselecting to the frequency point with the highest priority and the cells on it during the cell reselection process, based on the cell reselection priority. For intra-frequency cells and inter-frequency cells with the same priority, the UE sorts the cells that meet the cell selection S criterion according to the cell reselection R criterion and selects the cell with the highest ranking.

[0137] Cell selection criteria (S criterion)

[0138] The cell selection criterion S is: Srxlev > 0 and Squal > 0. Srxlev = Q rxlevmeas -(Q rxlevmin +Q rxlevminoffset )-P compensation -Qoffset temp Squal = Q qualmeas -(Q qualmin +Q qualminoffset -Qoffset temp .

[0139] Srxlev is the cell reception rating. Squal is the cell quality rating. Q rxlevmeas It is the measured RSRP of the cell, Q qualmeas It is the measured cell RSRQ, Qoffset temp Temporary offset value, Q rxlevmin It is the minimum RSRP required by the cell, Q qualmin It is the minimum RSRQ required by the cell, Q rxlevminoffset It is the RSRP offset value, Q qualminoffset It is the RSRQ offset value, P compensation It is the power compensation value.

[0140] Cell reselection R criterion

[0141] In the cell reselection process, it is necessary to rank the serving cell and neighboring cells. The Rs criterion is used for the serving cell, and the Rn criterion is used for neighboring cells. Specifically, Rs and Rn, calculated using the following formula, are used for cell ranking. s =Q meas，s +Q hyst -Qoffset temp R n =Q meas,n -Qoffset-Qoffset temp

[0142] Among them, Q meas,s It is the RSRP measurement result of the serving cell, Q meas,n The RSRP measurement results are from the neighboring cell, Q hystIt refers to the hysteresis value, Qoffset, and Qoffset. temp It is the offset value.

[0143] In an OD-SIB1 cell, the UE needs to initiate an SIB1 request based on the SIB1 request configuration. If the UE does not have an SIB1 request configuration, it cannot obtain SIB1 in the OD-SIB1 cell and therefore cannot camp on that OD-SIB1 cell. When the UE selects / reselects a Cell A, it can receive the SIB1 request configuration from the OD-SIB1 cell in that Cell A. In this case, if the OD-SIB1 cell is initially considered banned, then because the OD-SIB1 cell is excluded from the candidates, even if the UE obtains the SIB1 request configuration and the OD-SIB1 cell meets the cell reselection criteria, the UE will still be unable to reselect to that OD-SIB1 cell, affecting the service experience.

[0144] Meanwhile, when the UE is camped in Cell A, an OD-SIB1 cell is determined according to the cell reselection criteria. The UE needs to initiate a random access procedure request (SIB1) in that OD-SIB1 cell. At this time, the UE may already have an ongoing random access procedure in Cell A, such as a random access procedure initiated to send an RRC establishment request. It is necessary to study how to handle the ongoing random access procedure.

[0145] To address at least some of the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a method and a user equipment that are executed by a user equipment, enabling the UE to correctly and timely select / reselect to an OD-SIB1 cell, while correctly handling other processes that are in progress in the original cell during the cell reselection process, avoiding anomalies and improving the service experience.

[0146] Example

[0147] To distinguish it from ordinary UEs, this invention refers to a UE having at least one of the following characteristics as an NES UE. NES UE is merely an example name, and any other UE having at least one of the following characteristics can be used interchangeably with NES UE:

[0148] - Features enhanced network energy-saving capabilities;

[0149] -Supports on-demand SIB1;

[0150] - Possesses on-demand SIB1 capability;

[0151] - Has SIB1 request capability;

[0152] -Supports obtaining SIB1 by requesting SIB1.

[0153] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of method one executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 1. Figure 1 includes steps S101 to S103.

[0154] Optionally, in step S101, the UE receives a MIB message sent by the network. The MIB message includes the following fields: cellBarred and SSB-SubcarrierOffset. CellBarred indicates whether the cell is disabled. SSB-SubcarrierOffset indicates whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell and / or whether the cell supports... o n-demand SIB1, and / or whether the SIB1 of the cell is on-demand.

[0155] Optionally, in step S102, the UE determines whether the cell is blocked based on the cellBarred contained in the MIB, and determines whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell based on ssb-SubcarrierOffset. Optionally, when the value of cellBarred is set to barred, it indicates that the cell is blocked, and the UE considers the cell blocked or the cell status (indicated) to be blocked; otherwise, that is, when the value of cellBarred is not set to barred (or is set to notBarred), it indicates that the cell is not blocked, and the UE considers the cell not blocked or the cell status (indicated) to be not blocked. Optionally, when the value of ssb-SubcarrierOffset is a specific value, or the value of ssb-SubcarrierOffset is within a specific range, it indicates that the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell, and / or the cell does not transmit SIB1, and / or the cell does not broadcast SIB1.

[0156] Optionally, in step S103, the UE determines whether the cell can be used as a candidate in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

[0157] Optionally, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions:

[0158] - The cell status is indicated as not prohibited, or the cell is not prohibited;

[0159] - The cell is an OD-SIB1 cell, or the cell does not transmit SIB1, or the cell does not broadcast SIB1;

[0160] - The UE has (or saves, or has obtained) the SIB1 request configuration for the cell, or the UE has a valid SIB1 request configuration for the cell;

[0161] Optionally, the UE will only perform the above judgment if the UE is an NES UE.

[0162] Optionally, if at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE will use the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

[0163] Alternatively, if at least one of the above conditions is met, and the UE is an NES UE, then the UE will consider the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process; otherwise, if the UE is not an NES UE, then the UE will treat the cell as prohibited in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process. In other words, if at least one of the above conditions is met, an NES UE will consider the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process, and other UEs will treat the cell as prohibited in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process (the behavior is as if the cell state is set to prohibited).

[0164] Optionally, "cell selection" in this method refers to cell selection with prior information.

[0165] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of Method 2 executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 2. Figure 2 includes steps S201 to S204.

[0166] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0167] Optionally, step S201 is the same as step S101.

[0168] Optionally, step S202 is the same as step S102.

[0169] Optionally, in step S203, the UE further determines whether the cell is blocked based on the SIB1 request configuration.

[0170] Optionally, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions:

[0171] - The cell status is indicated as not prohibited, or the cell is not prohibited;

[0172] - The cell is an OD-SIB1 cell, or the cell does not transmit SIB1, or the cell does not broadcast SIB1;

[0173] - The UE does not have a SIB1 request configuration for the cell, or the UE does not have a valid SIB1 request configuration for the cell.

[0174] Optionally, if at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE considers the cell to be blocked, or the UE considers the cell to be blocked because there is no SIB1 request configuration.

[0175] Optionally, in step S204, the UE receives system information and / or RRC-specific messages (e.g., RRCReconfiguration messages) sent by the network. Optionally, if the system information and / or RRC-specific messages contain one or more SIB1 request configurations for the cell (the SIB1 request configurations can be one or more), the UE performs at least one of the following operations:

[0176] - It is assumed that the community in question is not prohibited;

[0177] -If the cell is blocked, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted (or the blocking to be lifted);

[0178] - If the cell was blocked due to the lack of SIB1 request configuration, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted (or the blocking to be lifted).

[0179] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of method three executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 3. Figure 3 includes steps S301 to S302.

[0180] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0181] Optionally, in step S301, the UE initiates the SIB1 request procedure and triggers (or initiates) the random access procedure.

[0182] Optionally, the UE triggers (or initiates) a random access procedure to request SIB1 when at least one of the following occurs:

[0183] - Select or reselect to an OD-SIB1 cell;

[0184] - Select or reselect a cell, and the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell;

[0185] - Select or reselect a cell, and the UE has (or has acquired, or has saved) the SIB1 request configuration for that cell.

[0186] Optionally, "select or reselect to" means that a cell (or OD-SIB1 cell) has been determined by the cell selection / cell reselection criteria, but the UE has not yet obtained the SIB1 of the cell, or has not yet initiated an SIB1 request on the cell, i.e., has not yet camped on the cell. For cell reselection, it means that the UE is still camped on the current (serving) cell and has not yet camped on the cell. Optionally, "select or reselect to" can also be replaced with "attempt to select or reselect to".

[0187] Optionally, in step S302, the UE determines whether to execute a random access procedure triggered by the SIB1 request. Optionally, if a (new) random access procedure is triggered by the SIB1 request, and there is another ongoing random access procedure in the MAC entity at this time, the UE stops the ongoing random access procedure and executes the (new) random access procedure for the SIB1 request.

[0188] Alternatively, another implementation of step S302 is as follows: If a (new) random access procedure is triggered by a request for SIB1, and there is another ongoing random access procedure in the MAC entity at this time, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions:

[0189] - The ongoing random access procedure was not triggered by a request for SIB1;

[0190] - The cell reception class value (Srxlev) of the (serving) cell where the UE is currently camped is less than (or less than or equal to) a reception class threshold value;

[0191] - The cell quality (Squal) of the (serving) cell where the UE is currently camped is less than (or less than or equal to) a quality threshold.

[0192] Optionally, if at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE stops the ongoing random access procedure and performs a (new) random access procedure for request SIB1.

[0193] Alternatively, another implementation of step S302 is as follows: if a (new) random access procedure is triggered by request SIB1, and there is another ongoing random access procedure in the MAC entity at this time, if the ongoing random access procedure is triggered by request SIB1, then the ongoing random access procedure continues, that is, the new random access procedure triggered by request SIB1 is not executed.

[0194] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of method four executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 4. Figure 4 includes steps S401 to S402.

[0195] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0196] Optionally, in step S401, the UE receives system information and / or RRC-specific messages (e.g., RRCReconfiguration messages) sent by the network. Optionally, the system information and / or RRC-specific messages contain one or more SIB1 request configurations for the cell (the SIB1 request configurations can be one or more). For example, the UE receives the system information and / or RRC-specific messages in Cell A, or the UE receives the system information and / or RRC-specific messages in an OD-SIB1 cell.

[0197] Optionally, in step S402, the UE initiates an SIB1 request procedure, triggering (or initiating) a random access procedure. Optionally, the UE initiates the SIB1 request procedure in the OD-SIB1 cell based on the SIB1 request configuration obtained in step S401.

[0198] Optionally, in an ongoing random access procedure for an SIB1 request, if the SIB1 request configuration is reconfigured (at the upper layer, i.e., the RRC layer), the MAC entity stops the ongoing random access procedure for the SIB1 request and initiates a random access procedure for the SIB1 request using the new configuration.

[0199] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of method five executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 5. Figure 5 includes steps S501 to S502.

[0200] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0201] Optionally, in step S501, when the upper layer requests the establishment of an RRC connection, the UE (in RRC idle state) initiates an RRC establishment procedure. During the RRC establishment procedure, the UE sends an RRCSetupRequest message to the network and starts timer T300. The UE needs to initiate a random access procedure to send the RRCSetupRequest message. When the UE receives the RRCSetup message, it stops timer T300. The RRCSetupRequest message is used to request the establishment of an RRC connection, and the RRCSetup message is used to establish SRB1.

[0202] Optionally, in step S502, while the UE is still in the RRC idle state during the operation of timer T300, the UE measures the currently camped cell and neighboring cells and assesses whether cell reselection needs to be triggered.

[0203] Optionally, during the operation of timer T300, the UE determines at least one of the following first conditions:

[0204] - The assessment for cell reselection has been completed, and a cell has been selected (the cell is different from the currently serving cell);

[0205] -A cell is determined or selected according to the cell reselection criteria (the cell is different from the currently serving cell);

[0206] - Attempt to reselect a cell to a cell (the cell being used is different from the currently serving cell);

[0207] - The cell that was determined (or selected, or attempted) to be reselected is the OD-SIB1 cell;

[0208] - The cell reception class value (Srxlev) of the (serving) cell where the UE is currently camped is less than (or less than or equal to) a reception class threshold value;

[0209] - The cell quality (Squal) of the (serving) cell where the UE is currently camped is less than (or less than or equal to)

[0210] A quality threshold.

[0211] Optionally, if at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE performs the action of entering the RRC idle state, the action including but not limited to: resetting the MAC.

[0212] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of method six executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 6. Figure 6 includes steps S601 to S602.

[0213] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0214] Optionally, in step S601, when the upper layer requests the restoration of the RRC connection, the UE (in the RRC inactive state) initiates an RRC restoration procedure. During the RRC restoration procedure, the UE sends an RRCResumeRequest message to the network and starts timer T319. The UE needs to initiate a random access procedure to send the RRCResumeRequest message. When the UE receives the RRCResume message, it stops timer T319. The RRCResumeRequest message is used to request the restoration of the suspended RRC connection, and the RRCResume message restores the suspended RRC connection.

[0215] Optionally, in step S602, during the operation of timer T319, the UE is still in the RRC inactive state, and the UE measures the currently camped cell and neighboring cells and evaluates whether cell reselection needs to be triggered.

[0216] Optionally, during the operation of timer T319, the UE determines at least one of the first conditions, and if at least one of the first conditions is met, the UE performs the action of entering the RRC idle state, the action including but not limited to: resetting the MAC. The first condition is the same as the first condition in method five.

[0217] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of method seven executed by the UE according to one or more embodiments. The UE can execute one or more steps in Figure 7. Figure 7 includes steps S701 to S702.

[0218] Optionally, in this method, the UE is an NES UE.

[0219] Optionally, in step S701, the UE initiates an SIB1 request procedure, triggering (or initiating) a random access procedure, and the UE sends a PRACH preamble for the SIB1 request. Optionally, after sending the PRACH preamble for the SIB1 request, the UE waits for a RAR response from the network, i.e., the network's confirmation of the SIB1 request. After receiving the sent RAR response, the MAC entity indicates the confirmation of the SIB1 request to the upper layer. After receiving the SIB1 request confirmation from the MAC layer, the RRC layer can consider the SIB1 request successful and begin receiving / acquiring SIB1.

[0220] Optionally, in step S702, while waiting for the SIB1 request confirmation from the lower layer (i.e., the MAC layer), the UE measures the currently camped cell and neighboring cells and assesses whether cell reselection needs to be triggered. Optionally, while waiting for the SIB1 request confirmation from the lower layer (i.e., the MAC layer), the UE determines at least one of the first conditions, and if at least one of the first conditions is met, the UE performs the behavior of entering the RRC idle state, the behavior including but not limited to: resetting the MAC. The first condition is the same as the first condition in method five.

[0221] Alternatively, step S702 can be implemented as follows: While waiting for confirmation of the SIB1 request from the lower layer (i.e., the MAC layer), the UE stops the measurement and / or evaluation of cell reselection. After receiving confirmation of the SIB1 request from the lower layer (i.e., the MAC layer), the measurement and / or evaluation of cell reselection is resumed (or performed).

[0222] Unless otherwise specified, the order of judgments and operations in this embodiment is irrelevant; that is, the order of judgments and operations can be interchanged.

[0223] Figure 8 is a simplified structural block diagram of the user equipment (UE) involved in this invention. As shown in Figure 8, the user equipment UE 800 includes a processor 801 and a memory 802. The processor 801 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded processor, etc. The memory 802 may include, for example, volatile memory (such as random access memory, RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), non-volatile memory (such as flash memory), or other memory. Program instructions are stored on the memory 802. When executed by the processor 801, these instructions can perform the methods described in detail in this invention performed by the user equipment.

[0224] A program running on a device according to the invention can be a program that enables a computer to perform the functions of embodiments of the invention by controlling a central processing unit (CPU). The program, or the information processed by the program, can be temporarily stored in volatile memory (such as random access memory, RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), non-volatile memory (such as flash memory), or other memory systems.

[0225] Programs used to implement the functions of the various embodiments of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The corresponding functions can be implemented by causing a computer system to read and execute the programs recorded on the recording medium. The term "computer system" here can refer to a computer system embedded in the device, and may include an operating system or hardware (such as peripheral devices). "Computer-readable recording medium" can be a semiconductor recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a short-time dynamic storage program recording medium, or any other computer-readable recording medium.

[0226] Various features or functional modules of the devices used in the above embodiments can be implemented or executed by circuits (e.g., monolithic or multi-chip integrated circuits). Circuits designed to perform the functions described in this specification may include general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above devices. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any existing processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The above circuits may be digital circuits or analog circuits. In cases where advancements in semiconductor technology have led to new integrated circuit technologies that replace existing integrated circuits, one or more embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented using these new integrated circuit technologies.

[0227] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Although various examples of the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. Fixed or non-mobile electronic devices installed indoors or outdoors can be used as terminal devices or communication devices, such as AV equipment, kitchen equipment, cleaning equipment, air conditioners, office equipment, vending machines, and other household appliances.

[0228] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes any design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, components with the same effects described in the above embodiments can be substituted for each other.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps: Initiate the SIB1 request process, triggering or initiating a random access process; as well as Determine whether to execute the random access procedure triggered by the SIB1 request. If a random access procedure is triggered by a request for SIB1, and there is another random access procedure in progress within the MAC entity at that time, determine at least one of the following conditions: - The ongoing random access procedure was not triggered by a request for SIB1; -The cell reception level value of the serving cell where the UE is currently camped is less than or equal to the reception level threshold value; as well as - The cell quality of the serving cell where the UE is currently camped is less than or equal to a quality threshold. If at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE stops the ongoing random access procedure and performs a random access procedure for requesting SIB1.

2. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps: Receive system information and / or RRC proprietary messages sent by the network, wherein the system information and / or RRC proprietary messages contain SIB1 request configurations for one or more OD-SIB1 cells; as well as Based on the SIB1 request configuration contained in the received system information and / or RRC proprietary message, an SIB1 request procedure is initiated in the OD-SIB1 cell to trigger or initiate a random access procedure. If the SIB1 request configuration is reconfigured during an ongoing random access procedure for an SIB1 request, the ongoing random access procedure for an SIB1 request is stopped, and a new random access procedure for an SIB1 request is initiated using the new configuration.

3. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps: Receive MIB messages sent by the network, the MIB messages containing first information indicating whether the cell is prohibited and second information indicating whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; The system determines whether the cell is blocked based on the first information contained in the received MIB message, and determines whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell based on the second information contained in the received MIB message. as well as Determine whether the cell can be used as a candidate in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, In the step of determining whether a cell can be considered as a candidate in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process, at least one of the following conditions is determined: - The cell status is indicated as not prohibited, or the cell is not prohibited; - The cell is an OD-SIB1 cell, or the cell does not transmit SIB1, or the cell does not broadcast SIB1; as well as - The UE has an SIB1 request configuration for the cell, or the UE has a valid SIB1 request configuration for the cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, If at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE will use the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, If at least one of the above conditions is met, and the UE is an NES UE, then the UE will use the cell as a candidate cell in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process; if the UE is not an NES UE, then the UE will consider the cell as prohibited in the cell selection and / or cell reselection process.

7. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps: Receive MIB messages sent by the network, the MIB messages containing first information indicating whether the cell is prohibited and second information indicating whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell; The system determines whether the cell is blocked based on the first information contained in the received MIB message, and determines whether the cell is an OD-SIB1 cell based on the second information contained in the received MIB message. For OD-SIB1 cells that are determined not to be prohibited, further determination is made as to whether the cell is prohibited based on whether the UE has requested SIB1 configuration for that cell; and If the system information and / or RRC proprietary message sent by the network are received, and the SIB1 request configuration of the cell is included in the system information and / or RRC proprietary message, the cell is considered to be not blocked or the blocking of the cell is considered to be lifted.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, In the step of determining that the cell is not blocked or that the block on the cell has been lifted, at least one of the following operations is performed: - It is assumed that the community in question is not prohibited; - If the cell is blocked, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted; and - If the cell was blocked due to the lack of SIB1 request configuration, the UE considers the blocking of the cell to be lifted.

9. A user equipment, comprising: processor; as well as Memory, which stores instructions The instructions, when executed by the processor, perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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